Originally published 2017 · Written by YSS Founder, Hayley Winter

Editor's Note | Looking Back from 2026

When I wrote this article in 2017, I had no idea how much further the Yoga Sports Science® journey would take me.

Since then, my work has received recognition by the Olympic Channel, and I've been invited to contribute to the Yoga Alliance's Online Standards Committee.

Yet this moment with the British Wheel of Yoga remains particularly special. It brings me back to where my teaching journey began and to the wonderful teacher, Mikki Marks, who first encouraged me to teach.

I remember the day I decided to do my yoga teacher training with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY).

I was rolling up my mat at the end of a practice when my wonderful teacher, Mikki Marks, asked me if I felt ready to teach.

I had been practising with Mikki for several years and greatly admired her. She had been a long-time member of the British Wheel of Yoga and was highly respected within the organisation...