Marcus came to yoga for the physical fix but soon found the magic went deeper. Having (mis-)used his degree in philosophy to go off and spend the best of his 20s as one half of the Loose Cannons DJs, remixing, recording and touring the world, living the high/low-life. But all professional jumping around was put pay to by a dodgy football tackle and compounded by some even more ill-fated onstage “breakdance” choices, that led to finally taking a (guru) friend’s advice in trying yoga to get better. A need to properly heal the body coincided with a sneaking desire for change in the mind that landed Marcus on the mat…
Trying every style of class he could get to on every studio intro-offer in London, he finally landed on dynamic vinyasa and more specifically, the Ashtanga-inspired Rocket system, which satisfied his undying urge to fly. Going on to teacher trainings with The Yoga People, David Swenson, David Kyle, and Jason Crandell, he also studied in Yin Yoga too, complementing the daily yang of London city-life with a deepening appreciation of meditation, stillness of mind and yoga beyond the asanas that drew him in. In 2015 he co-founded the Dead Yogis Society, a karma yoga movement to wipe the gloss off the lips of #instayoga and return to the breath, sweat and rawness of the practice… Letting (e)go. He has also co-written a book with Hannah Whittingham on yogic philosophy, “Greed, Sex, Intention- Living like a yogi in the 21st Century.”
Before he came to yoga, Marcus gained his Black Belt in the ancient Japanese martial art of ninjutsu, which still inspires his practice, combining self-discipline with freedom of movement, and lightness with control.
He gives heartfelt gratitude and respect to his many teachers past and present including Stewart Gilchrist, Alaric Newcombe and Eileen Gaulthier in London, The Yoga People- Jamie and Dulce- worldwide, and Larry Schultz up there. And new addition, baby boy Phoenix who has thrown-down some real life-lessons into the mix.
The Rocket is an attitude not a sequence and Marcus’ teaching embraces its joyful rebel spirit while respecting the discipline it instills. The physical challenge is ever-present, but it’s the breath-focused moving meditation that is the real core of the practice. The DJing still plays an integral role, with specially mixed soundtracks laying down the rhythm and specifically attuned tempo of every class. He understands what it is like to not feel flexible enough, or strong enough for yoga. He has been there (and still wakes up there most mornings) so hopes to inspire people that that is what should get you onto the mat, not keep you off it.
More about Marcus: marcusvedayoga.com
