Michele PernettaOwner/Director Fierce Grace, Yoga Alliance Senior teacher, Certified Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher, certified Bikram teacher. Martial Arts Black Belt.

Michele brought Hot Yoga to the UK in 1994. After opening four Bikram studios, and becoming the UK’s leading Hot Yoga business, Michele launched her own unique system of 6 interconnected classes with Fierce Grace.

One of Bikram’s most senior teachers, Michele Pernetta began studying with Bikram Choudhury in LA in 1990. Under Bikram’s direct instruction for 4 years, he helped her heal her injured knees and thus prevented knee surgery. She began teaching Bikram Yoga in the UK from her living room, and then from rented premises 3 nights a week after work (dragging the portable heaters around in her car.) She opened the first Bikram studio in the UK, Bikram North, in 1999.

Michele has 23 years teaching experience; a Certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Teacher; a Black Belt Martial Artist with 8 years experience in Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do; and an ITEC Certified Massage Therapist, giving her over 27 years experience in working with and understanding the body. Michele has been a judge five times at the International Bishnu Charan Ghosh Yoga Championships held in Los Angeles, and a judge at the European, Ireland, Dutch and the seven British Regional Yoga Asana Championships as well as coach for the UK contestants. She has also written and contributed to countless magazine and newspaper articles, and appeared on many TV and radio programmes on the subject of Yoga.

Michele launched her first Yoga Alliance accredited Teacher Training programme in Spring 2014. She has been teaching her popular yoga retreats abroad for 17 years and has taught seminars on in-depth yoga technique both here and abroad. She has a keen interest in Alternative Medicine, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Nutrition and the toxicity of chemicals in cosmetics and food and has been practicing meditation and been a serious spiritual practitioner since she was 18.

Michele is known for her humorous, relaxed teaching style, her no-nonsense approach to teaching and her love of working with people of all ages and body types, especially those with injuries or physical problems. She is also a mentor for new teachers offering support and coaching.

"I find working with people's physical difficulties so inspiring and interesting. Whether it be general misalignment, stiffness or over-flexibility, injuries - pre or post surgery, bodies ravaged by accidents or

illness, or simply people going through emotional journeys. People's bravery and patience always inspires me and lifts my spirits as it communicates the power yoga has to unleash the body's own healing mechanisms. These students are my teachers, and through them I am continually learning

about how the body works and how yoga can be used as a tool for healing and transformation".

Michele is the owner of 4 London studios. She has 2 franchised studios, and Licenses with 4 David Lloyd clubs and FG is now offered in 21 locations across 12 countries. She teaches several times a week and can be found at all 4 centres.