Author’s acknowledgements

Firstly, I would like to thank Fiona, my beautiful wife, without whose constant love-bombing and support this book would not have materialised. You are my girl.

I would like to thank my publishers at Vermilion, and wholeheartedly to Morwenna Loughman for your unwavering belief in me. A huge thanks to my gifted editor, Jo Godfrey Wood, who shared my passion in this book and patiently gave structure to it; without you this book would not exist.

Most importantly I would like to thank the great teachers in my life. Mind Body Cleanse is a journey that started its life in a classroom at Churcher’s College in Petersfield, Hampshire. I would like to thank the late David Pooke, who inspired me to follow my heart and read theology at university. And at King’s College London, I would like to thank the late Colin Gunton, professor of systematic theology, for his genius mind and for giving me a place. In India T.K.V. Desikachar was the teacher par excellence who taught me how to be a good yoga student. And a special thanks to Fay Beddowes for teaching me so well.

I would like to thank Joy and Adrian Bennett, the Oli Bennett Charitable Trust, and the Prince’s Trust for giving me the start that my business needed. I would also like to thank Peter Wright, Richard Cooke, Clive Herbert, and Grace Fodor who helped turn the key.

In my professional life as a teacher, I would like to thank the late David Collins, you are sorely missed, Hermione Crossfield, Panos Kakoullis, – the teacher is oftentimes the student. And to Marcus Cauchi for your humour and your psychiatry!

I would also like to thank my sister, Tania, Neil, Ben and Ella for your love and being the best family I could ever have wished for. Special thanks to my uncle Rodney and Grainne Hedont for being my rock in difficult times.

And finally a special thanks to my friends for their love and support on the way and this is not an exhaustive list: Kim Rudd, Ben Ramalingam, Tony Tregidgo, Giles Parker, Graham Paul, Jim Samuel, Mike Cuomo, Steven Marks, Leon Fisk, Richard and Nicola Marret, Jacqueline Purnell, Anthony Sowyer, Darren Devlin, Charlie Dennis, Pascale Gibon, Marianne Schmidt Barr, Boo and Stan.

And then finally, I would like to thank the Indian gentleman on that train to Kashmir, who pointed at my cigarette and told me, ‘This is not yoga!’