About me, Alex West
Founder of the Vitality Academy
A Life Shaped by Movement, Healing, and Curiosity
From an early age, I was drawn to the question: what is the body truly capable of?
That curiosity took me into martial arts as a boy — judo, karate, and later capoeira and Indian Kalaripayattu. I was fascinated by the idea of chi — the invisible power behind movement, strength, and healing.
But martial arts were only the beginning. Over decades, my search took me deep into yoga, qi gong, Taoist medicine, shiatsu, shamanism, and physiotherapeutic movement. What started as survival — a way of holding myself together through life’s challenges — became my vocation.
I’ve now taught more than 10,000 classes worldwide, from small rehabilitation groups in London to sunrise retreats in Goa. My work is guided by a simple mission: to help people move better, breathe better, and live with more strength and confidence as they age.
Credentials That Matter
- Senior Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance UK) – 30+ years teaching yoga with emphasis on functional movement and structural alignment.
- Advanced Qi Gong Instructor (Tai Chi Society of Great Britain) – specialist in therapeutic qi gong and Taoist energy practices.
- Shiatsu & Taoist Medicine Practitioner – trained in Zen Shiatsu, Chi Nei Tsang (deep abdominal therapy), and Taoist five-element diagnostics.
- Martial Arts Instructor – certified in Capoeira, trained in Kalaripayattu; over 45 years’ martial arts experience.
- Breathwork Specialist – trained in pranayama, Iron Shirt Qi Gong, and modern respiratory conditioning.
- Performance Psychology – professional actor trained in the “Science of Acting” (Russia), integrating applied psychology into movement and confidence training.
- Multilingual & Culturally Immersed – fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and Hindi, with years of study and teaching in Brazil and India under senior lineage-holders such as Mantak Chia and Kris Deva North.
Philosophy: Why I Teach the Way I Do
In my early teaching days, I realised the flaw in one-size-fits-all yoga. The same sequence doesn’t work for a 25-year-old athlete and a 65-year-old managing knee pain. So I started blending disciplines, adapting practices, and focusing on what really matters:
- Mobility that makes stairs and trails easier.
- Strength that lets you lift your grandchild with confidence.
- Breath that fuels both health and calm.
- Balance and agility that prevent falls and keep independence alive.
I don’t care for empty promises or abstract jargon. My teaching is direct, evidence-informed, and joyful. Every exercise has a reason, every sequence a purpose.
Join Us Today!
Your Journey to Vitality Awaits
Take the first step towards revitalizing your life.
Our yoga classes are waiting for you to rediscover your strength and renewal.
Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!