JOY PRATER
Joy Prater was born in a A-frame ‘shack’ her father built in the valleys in Wales and spent the early years living under canvas, in the family tipi, and surrounded by nature without any modern conveniences, such as electricity, running water or sewerage.
The native American culture, alongside other traditions from Africa and the East, and of course the local Celtic heritage, substantially influenced Joy’s upbringing. Later in Joy’s childhood, she lived with her family in New Zealand, very much immersed in the Maori and Polynesian cultures. Music and mantra was also a huge influence, as both parents and siblings brought music into the daily life of the family. Joy’s early life was surrounded by chants from all over the world, including Indian bhajans. Her father played the sitar, African drums, guitar, piano, violin and flutes from all over the world. The whole family enjoyed four part harmony singing, throughout the year, and especially Christmas carols! |
Yoga practices - including hatha yoga, meditation and pranayama (breathwork) - were always around during this diverse upbringing, although it wasn’t until Joy’s later teenage years that she became interested in her own practice of yoga.
However, it wasn’t until Joy’s beloved father, Nick Prater, who was a daily meditator and very wise man, was passing away at Christmas 2013, that her yoga practice bagan to deepen. Her father left her with some profound guidance - to train in something that would prepare her for the experience of death, and would carry her through the experience of life. He encouraged her to enroll on the Devon School of Yoga (DSY) Foundation Course, which then led onto the Teacher Training programme and deeper life of yoga. Joy’s preferred teaching style is a gentle hatha yoga, which is accessible for all, ranging from complete beginners to those who are more experienced, but prefer to be gentle in their practice.
More recently Joy has trained with Uma Dissmore-Tuli - through Yoga Campus - in Pregnancy Yoga and Mother & Baby Yoga, which has inspired a new passion for teaching women during pregnancy, birth preparation and postnatal recovery. Joy is currently expanding her knowledge and expertise in yoga as a form of therapy, as she is training with DSY once again on their extensive Post Graduate Yoga Therapy course.
Joy now runs the beautiful yoga studio and event space, The Angel Hall, within the Bowden House community where she lives. She teaches regular yoga classes and workshops in the studio, sometimes collaborating with her talented and inspiring younger sister, Susie Ro, who lends the exquisite music to the yoga. The Angel Hall also hosts a wonderful selection of yoga, movement, singing and support groups, led by other facilitators.
Since 2020 Joy has also been focusing on her vibrant YouTube yoga channel, which includes many yoga videos and a weekly live streamed yoga class, all of which are free to use and participate in.
However, it wasn’t until Joy’s beloved father, Nick Prater, who was a daily meditator and very wise man, was passing away at Christmas 2013, that her yoga practice bagan to deepen. Her father left her with some profound guidance - to train in something that would prepare her for the experience of death, and would carry her through the experience of life. He encouraged her to enroll on the Devon School of Yoga (DSY) Foundation Course, which then led onto the Teacher Training programme and deeper life of yoga. Joy’s preferred teaching style is a gentle hatha yoga, which is accessible for all, ranging from complete beginners to those who are more experienced, but prefer to be gentle in their practice.
More recently Joy has trained with Uma Dissmore-Tuli - through Yoga Campus - in Pregnancy Yoga and Mother & Baby Yoga, which has inspired a new passion for teaching women during pregnancy, birth preparation and postnatal recovery. Joy is currently expanding her knowledge and expertise in yoga as a form of therapy, as she is training with DSY once again on their extensive Post Graduate Yoga Therapy course.
Joy now runs the beautiful yoga studio and event space, The Angel Hall, within the Bowden House community where she lives. She teaches regular yoga classes and workshops in the studio, sometimes collaborating with her talented and inspiring younger sister, Susie Ro, who lends the exquisite music to the yoga. The Angel Hall also hosts a wonderful selection of yoga, movement, singing and support groups, led by other facilitators.
Since 2020 Joy has also been focusing on her vibrant YouTube yoga channel, which includes many yoga videos and a weekly live streamed yoga class, all of which are free to use and participate in.