Inner Smile Holistic Care - Yoga & Massage - Swindon & Bristol, UK.
About Us :|: The Roots Of Inner Smile
Early Days
With over 10 years of experience in holistic therapies,
Gayle Fletcher is a qualified Yoga teacher & massage therapist
with a passion for exploring the 5 elements -
Earth, Air, Water, Spirit & Fire -
combining diagnostic systems from Chinese acupuncture
and Ayurvedic medicine which are a fundamental part
of Eastern traditions & practices.
Established in August 2000, Inner Smile Holistic Care
invites you to experience harmonious health through
living with awareness & mindfulness.
After studying a higher diploma in holistic therapies, including remedial massage, reflexology, aromatherapy and Indian head massage, Gayle was introduced to the joys of Hatha Yoga through Monty Toplis. She then went on to train in Reiki I & II with Geoff Brooks. Following this, Gayle noticed a dramatic change in her yoga practice and her massage clients noticed the increased warmth and healing during treatments.
During this time, Gayle worked for Crystals UK Ltd for 6 years, exploring the use of crystals for healing. Suzy Roy, a local Crystal Healing practitioner, has been an ongoing influence and reminder of the balance crystals can bring to our lives, helping to synchronise us with nature’s rhythm.
Shiatsu Style
Gayle’s experience grew to incorporate knowledge about Kuan Yin, one of the incarnations of Buddha, centred around nurture and compassion. She decided to train with Suzanne Yates in Bristol, studying massage & Shiatsu for pregnancy, postnatal care and for babies. With a growing love for Shiatsu, she then met George Dellar, the principal of the Wiltshire Acupuncture Practice. Through attending regular treatments with him, she realised how much you can learn about treatments through awareness of one’s own body. This led to a further year of study in Shiatsu with Frank Davis, the founder and senior teacher of the Bath School of Shiatsu and Yoga. At the same time she attended Qi Gong workshops with Chris Jarmey, the founder of the European Shiatsu School.
Continuing with a passion for the 5 elements from Shiatsu training, Gayle continues to attend regular workshops in acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy for pregnancy & postnatal care, Shiatsu with Suzanne Yates WellMother, baby massage, as well as pulse & hara diagnostics. Gayle incorporates all these elements into her treatments on an ongoing basis.
Yoga Growth
Alongside her exploration of Shiatsu, Frances Lewis, a local Yoga teacher, helped Gayle to deepen her yoga home practice. She attended Frances’ foundation British Wheel of Yoga Chakra Journey course, as well as her Bala Brook retreats. Gayle’s other influences include Keef Miles, who brought inspiration and fun with yoga dance and Anusara yoga, as well as Deborah Curtis, Nickie Heape and Amber Rose, who brought a sense of playfulness into partner and acro-yoga, massage and the art of touch.
Gayle trained with YogaBugs & Yoga'd Up to offer children's yoga and family fun. Through this, she linked in to Lower Shaw Farm’s warm community workshops.
As Gayle was looking to expand her yoga practice and teaching, Swara Yoga School came to light and she attended their Yoga teacher training in India, in 2011. Whilst in Kerela, she trained with Vinildas Gurukkal learning Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art.
Inner Smile Today
Gayle continues to learn with these wonderful teachers and offers her clients and students the opportunity to explore the riches that these practices can bring to life and spirit.
“With great respect to all my friends and teachers, to the devine that is each of us, I offer myself to share and explore as nature asks. Bringing knowledge from my teachers as it rises, to reflect through my heart. I aim to share, educate and inspire!”
Swindon Yoga & Massage Centre
The College, Bedminister, Bristol
Bristol City Yoga, Bishopston, Bristol
Thanks, Gayle...
