Dear Refinery Crew …

Happy New Year !! We are so ready for what 2018 has to bring and are looking forward to seeing more of you at the studio.

We know that you all love and value our teachers just as much as we do, so we thought it would be amazing for you to get to know them a little more and find out the answers to some questions you might be wanting to ask.

It’s the first week back in the studio after Christmas, we are sat in studio 1, the heat is set to full whack – have you guessed yet? It’s none other than our forest babe – Ellie Di Martino.

Describe your morning routine …

Hit snooze hit snooze hit snooze !!!! After i’ve fallen out of bed and stood up i put coconut oil in my mouth and swill it around for 15 mins. It’s an Ayurvedic practice called oil pulling. I do that while i’m getting ready. Jump on my bike and get on my way to teach a class. Oh, obviously I shower and everything before I get on my bike. 

What first drew you to yoga?

My first ever yoga class was at Fitness First in Lewisham. I actually have no recollection whatsoever of my first class. I don’t think I was that into it. I was probably just at the gym to keep my bum in check and thought I would try yoga to stretch. The honest thing is, is that I do not ever suffer from jealousy, ever. I’m more of a celebratory type of person. However, every time I heard someone say I’ve quit my job, gone to India and trained as a yoga teacher, I felt really envious of it. I didn’t know at that point I was going to be a yoga teacher.  I was just very unhappy at work, I was in a very high position for my age and I decided to give that up and go and try yoga out. 

Have you always been in this industry?

No, but I was an athlete when I was a child. I did the sprint hurdle and the 100 and 200m flat. I moved to yoga from the TV production industry where I used to make documentaries. 

What do you do for ‘me time?

I go and get my nails done. I LOVE getting my nails done !! 

Do you find much time for your own practice?

Not enough.

What motivates you?

Family and … I don’t know. I was a child athlete so I’ve always been very focused. It’s not something, it’s everything. I’m really motivated to be the best version of myself and I guess what motivates me with teaching is that I really want to help people to be equipped with the right tools. When things get really difficult, they will have the right tools to get themselves through it. That’s the biggest motivation for me. 

What do you eat before and after training?

I never eat before but afterwards I usually have ackee and saltfish, with 2 fried dumplings – yeahh! That’s most days. Oh, and coleslaw. Oh, and there’s usually fried plantain somewhere hidden in there too if I’m really hungry!!

If you could send out just one message to your students, what would it be?

Be yourself and be the best version of that, that you can be.