Philippe was born in Belgium where he lived the early part of his life as a child fascinated by the wonders of the world and with a special interest in mathematics and physics. The ideas discussed in quantum physics were particularly appealing – that we consist of matter and energy and that our position in space is never certain.
As a competitive skier Philippe became aware of the body in space in a different, more physical dimension and would employ breathing techniques during training that would later re-appear in his life in a yogic context.
After completing degrees in engineering and an MBA, Philippe started working as a software developer at IBM. His career in the high tech industry progressed rapidly as he took on different responsibilities in a number of different companies. To maintain balance and clarity and to restore perspective Philippe chose to precede each change in job with a long trip. He spent long periods of time in Asia, where he was increasingly exposed to the philosophy and sensibility of yoga.
His corporate career culminated in him becoming president of Cisco Systems EMEA in the early 90’s. He experienced the stellar growth of the company and gained experience in managing a very large corporate entity in a rapidly changing environment. Philippe finished the 90s by exiting the corporate world with the knowledge that he had achieved what he had aimed to professionally and with the wish to pursue other aspects of life. Extensive travel, photography, diving, treasure hunting and fatherhood have all been part of this new chapter.
The start of his yoga journey coincided with the end of his corporate career. He started practicing regularly and reconnected to a systematic form of body work that he greatly enjoyed. Since then yoga has since become a place where he feels at home and in 2009 he completed a Yoga Alliance certified teacher training programme with Jim Harrington in Cape Town. He currently teaches yoga with his partner Jessica.