Vanessa‑Leigh Willis brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, fitness leadership, and deep yogic study to her teaching. With a professional background in health promotion and as a Registered General Nurse, she began her career leading fitness and spinning classes alongside her nursing work, developing a strong foundation in anatomy, wellbeing, and holistic care.

Her journey into yoga began with a profound connection to Hot Yoga, a practice she found both physically transformative and spiritually grounding. This passion led her to complete a 200‑hour Hot Yoga Teacher Training in Fort Lauderdale, where she studied the Barkan Hot Yoga Method. Around the same time, she also completed her BSY Hatha Yoga Instructor training, broadening her understanding of traditional yogic principles and strengthening her teaching foundation

Committed to expanding her knowledge, Vanessa later undertook a 100‑hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand and went on to become an Advanced Yoga Teacher Alliance Member. With more than twelve years of teaching experience, she brings seasoned insight and a warm, grounded presence to every class.

In 2025, Vanessa qualified as a Reformer Pilates Certified Teacher through the Fearless Fitness Training Academy. Her Pilates classes are designed to help students move safely while still being challenged to explore strength, control, and awareness within each repertoire. Her training spans both classical and contemporary Pilates, allowing her to offer a balanced, intelligent approach to movement.

Her teaching style weaves together the dynamic heat and strength of a Yang‑inspired Hot Yoga sequence, the stillness and depth of Yin Yoga, and the precision and embodied awareness of Reformer Pilates. This integrated approach forms the heart of HAY — Hot and Yin Yoga, the evolution of her original practice and the expression of her belief in movement as both a physical discipline and a pathway to inner steadiness.