David Scarr first set foot on a yoga mat in March of last year. Since then, he left his life in Broadstairs, England, did his teacher training in India, moved to the Philippines, gotten married and, last May 2, opened the shala he built with his own hands on Siargao Island in the Philippines.

While the location is easily accessible (- it is behind Surf N Dine, formerly Nine Bar, and beside Siargao Surfers Lodge), it isn’t exactly the most serene as it is right smack in the middle of the town of General Luna where you can hear a cacophony of roosters crowing, dogs barking, motorbikes revving, children playing, and villagers calling out to each other.

I can see how it can challenge one’s focus, but I’ve been going almost everyday since the shala opened (- I missed two days on account of late nights out – and now, of course, while I am away from the island) and, surprisingly, find that I can easily tune out the background noise.

For those with extensive yoga backgrounds, David’s inexperience as a practitioner and as an instructor might be obvious. He readily admits that the whole process is still a learning experience for him and, by making his classes donation-based, he wants to make yoga accessible to everyone on the island; it is also his invitation for others to grow in the practice with him.

David comes from a background of addiction. He’s been sober since September 2013, and yoga and meditation are his way of sharing his redemption with others. “If I can help even just one person,” he say, “then it’s all been worth it.”

The classes start on time so be sure to get to the shala early.