Birthday 28 December
Hometown Perth
Describe your first experience with yoga.
I remember being told to stay in a standing position for what felt like eternity, with eyes closed, oscillating all over the place. I remember being told to hold a down dog and my arms shaking uncontrollably. I remember arriving home after that first class to announce to my family that I had decided to change all career plans and become a yoga teacher.
Training
200HR Vinyasa and Ashtanga, 300hr Vinyasa, 50hr Yin, 100HR Pregnancy Yoga, Trainings with Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley and Jean Byrne.
Describe your class in one sentence
It feels like you’re coming home. At least, that’s what I hope my students find when they come to class; a home within themselves.
How have you seen yoga change students?
A realisation that the universe isn’t against them.
Secret talent
I’ve got a Heavy Vehicle Licence…yep, I’m technically allowed to drive a truck!
Guilty pleasure
Nordic crime shows in bed!!
Sarah Founder
Birthday
18 March
Hometown
Santiago de Chile
Describe your first experience with yoga.
A Yin class in the jungle in Central America while being bitten by 10.000 mosquitoes.. cannot say it was love at first sight
Training
YTT 200h Vinyasa, Yin
Describe your class in one sentence.
Fun and sometimes sweaty, we go deep in self discovery. Sometimes you are going to hear some spanish words slipping in, but I guarantee a good playlist totally in sync with the body moving and breathing.
How have you seen yoga change students.
I have seen yoga changing students in ways they never saw coming. We focus on pranayama, meditation, and asanas. Not on results, but on the process itself. Then someone comes looking to improve their flexibility, and suddenly they experience an emotional release, or that post yoga absolute bliss. That is beautiful, pure self discovery.
Your secret talent
Op shopping
What is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate and Destiny's Child.
Poly Teacher
Birthday
8 April
Hometown
Perth
First yoga experience.
Technically, Bikram yoga nearly fifteen years ago as that seems relevant to the yoga journey that then followed. But actually, I took maybe 4 weekly classes in second year University. I recall feeling taller after class, and realising I could make more space between my vertebrae!! When I heard the teacher say this the first time I was incredulous!!
Training
Bikram Yoga, Tony Sanchez, Yin Yoga with Joe Barnett, Yoga Nidra and Meditation with Yoga Space, Yin with Danielle Mercer. Various workshops with Meghan Currie, Patrick Beach, Santina Giardina-Chard, Mark Robberds, Simon Borg-Olivier and Alys Pardoe.
My class in one sentence.
Tapping into fierce grace in Vinyasa, dissolving inwards in Yin.
How have I seen yoga change students?
That pivotal moment when students/all of us realise we don’t have to change a thing, but allow ourselves to be our authentic self. This true and deep acceptance, contentment, is ground breaking and earth shattering.
My secret talent
I can entice nearly any cat to come to me or at least for a head rub if not a full cuddle! It’s a secret noise!! No, not Me-ohm!
Guilty pleasure
Eating roasted almonds and simultaneously watching ABC crime shows - no blood and gore, but the ones where they say things like “I could murder a cup of tea”.
Fran Teacher
Birthday
10 August
Hometown
Santiago
Describe your first experience with yoga.
When I was in year 11, mom told me to try something called Hatha Yoga, to balance all the physical activity I was involved in, since very young I was very passionate for sports, mainly track and field and soccer. So I started going for a bit and I loved it, it was so relaxing and calm, veeeery challenging, cause I was very stiff, I really appreciate it.
After a while i stopped and not til 2012, when I decided to be vegetarian and i found on the internet that Spirulina was a really good supplement for Vegos, so i went into a place to buy not knowing that place was going to be my first based Yoga studio, haha i remember i rock in asking for a kilo of spirulina and the girl on the desk who was the teacher and founder, told me after "do you want to stay for the class it starts in a few minutes" and that was it, i was hooked, i loved it so much and after a month i was so in love with Yoga and the practice, i knew that this was exactly what i wanted to do with my life.
Training
2013-2014 12 months Vinyasa training at Chile Vinyasa Yoga, with my based Teacher. 500 hrs YTT with Yogayantra Dominique Renucci. Meditation and Vinyasa Krama Training following the teachings of Rigpa Yoga Chile. Anatomy and physiology applied to Yoga training by Simon Borg Olivier and Bianca Machliss, NSW Australia. Yogic Studies with Seth Powell
How have you seen yoga change students?
There's change after every class, it's a gift and I'm forever grateful to witness the transformation through Yoga, the connection with themselves, the kindness, compassion and gratitude that emerges after the practice, showing their own true nature.
Your secret talent
I think my intuition is very accurate, sometimes it is a bit overwhelming.
Your guilty pleasure
To be a faithful Grey's anatomy fan and Chips.
Maria
Teacher
Birthday
14 October
Hometown
Margaret River
Describe your first experience with yoga…
School gymnasium in Walla Walla, Washington State; an Iyengar teacher
Training
3 year Iyengar Yoga Teacher training 2003-2006; regular trainings with Iyengar family in India/visiting Australia; Trauma sensitive Yoga 2018; Mindfulness trainings 2016; regular Iyengar yoga trainings with senior teachers around Australia; multitude of mental health trainings/workshops/conferences; Bachelor of Applied science (occupational therapy) graduate diploma child and adolescent mental health
Describe your class in one sentence….
Combining the art, science and philosophy of yoga expect a nurturing, healing and transformative class individualised with a focus on precision, alignment and integration.
How have you seen yoga change students?
Gain strength and courage, greater awareness of their bodies, breath and mind; increased confidence; transformation of busy minds; progress to touching toes!
Your secret talent?
Shooting free throws on the basketball keyway
Your guilty pleasure?
Licorice
Mon
Teacher
Birthday
1 December
Hometown
Perth
Describe your first experience with yoga
I was living in London when I was 18, I remember buying a hatha yoga book and doing Sun Salutations early in the morning, in my open plan apartment I was sharing with my friend.
Training
Yoga Medicine - Vinyasa 200 Hours
Jo Phee - Yin and Yoga Nidra 50 Hours
Pranayama Sadhana - Breath Work 500 Hours
Describe your class in one sentence…
Expect an inward focussed, deeply grounding, nurturing and breath orientated practice.
How have you seen yoga change students?
Seeing students drop into a connection to their bodies, finding peace, grounding and a more present thinking body after class. Seeing yoga as a gateway to a deeper spiritual journey for students is a beautiful thing to witness.
Your secret talent?
Guessing your Astrological Star Sign
Your guilty pleasure?
Vegan chocolate and getting my pretty nails done
Katie
Teacher
Birthday
14 November
Hometown
Tel Aviv
Describe your first experience with yoga.
At Savasana of my first yoga class I felt electric lightnings in my body, and I knew it was an inner calling to dive into this practice. I was inspired by my teachers in the ‘way of yoga’, that it is not only a physical workout, rather a work-in.
Describe your yoga class in one sentence.
My yin class is pure bliss, inspired by Qi Gong, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vipassana and mobility of the body. I incorporate my Cranio-Sacral therapy and Sound Massage in the class (given to each student), and finish with a Guided Imagery.
My vinyasa class is a strong practice incorporating mobility and alignments by using props, while still breaking a sweat. Starts with meditation and finishes with Pranayama - to let go of the mind and dive into the soul.
Training
YTT 200 - Santosha Bali, 25HR intensive with Maty Ezraty, Yin Teacher Training - Noga Weiss, Cranio Sacral Study Group, Matthew Sweeney, Peter Hess Sound Massage
How have you seen yoga change students?
I constantly receive messages and email from students telling me how my teachings have changed their practice or daily life. Every time it touches my heart as this was the main reason I felt called to pass the magic of yoga on.
Secret talent
Dancing
Guilty Pleasure
Too much coffee
Amber Teacher
Birthday
17 April
Hometown
Nannup WA
Describe your first experience with yoga.
My first ever yoga class was in year 12 and our high school dance teacher at Busselton senior high school organised yoga classes for us.
Training
( Santosha Yoga Institute) 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training, Yin Yoga Training, Pre, Post-Natal and Children’s Yoga
Describe your class in one sentence.
My yoga classes offer are a very mindful and wholesome experience, open to all levels, I teach a Hatha based practice with slow, strong and grounding postures throughout to obtain a greater awareness of both mind, body and soul.
How have you seen yoga change students?
I have seen great change in my students, and also those I have worked alongside. Creating that safe space to really feel our emotions, our physical body and observe our minds is really huge, I have mostly seen Yoga have an massive impact on alleviating students depression, grief and anxiety.
Your secret talent
I am also a singer-songwriter, and sing at the end of every class that I teach.
Guilty Pleasure
Salted caramel donuts from Margaret River Bakery.
Iona
Teacher
Birthday
10 April
Hometown
USA
Describe your first experience with yoga
My first yoga experience was at a hot yoga studio in my hometown. I don't remember my first class exactly, however I do remember the beautiful and powerful moments I experienced during my time practicing there. It was a pivotal time in my life and a time where I was rediscovering myself and my life. All of my teachers there deeply inspired me into my body and into my meditation practice. They always encouraged me on my yoga path and are certainly a big part of what moved me towards a yogic life. I think of them often throughout my yoga journey and feel so much gratitude for their guidance.
Training
200hr YTT Krishna Village
200hr YTT Swell Yoga Studio
Reiki Training Krishna Village
Describe your class in one sentence.
Finding a moment of peace in your day to connect back to yourself and ground in the present moment.
How have you seen yoga change students?
Moments of release and leaving class feeling a sense of lightness.
Your secret talent
Back flips
Your guilty pleasure
Sipping a dirty chai while watching waves
Cara
Teacher
Birthday
27th February
Hometown
Perth
Describe your first experience with yoga.
Bikram when I was 18. Talk about a baptism of fire!
Training
200hr vinyasa and hatha
20hr Standup paddle board yoga instructor
85hr pre and post natal yoga with Ayurveda nutrition
Describe your class in one sentence
A gentle flow incorporating breath work and meditation for a deeper relaxation and to connect with your growing baby. I love seeing yoga bring more confidence to people who say ‘I’m not flexible enough to do yoga’, once they’ve done a class or two and discover that yoga is about so much more than flexibility.
Secret talent
Knowing an unusually high number of lyrics to 00’s pop songs.
Guilty pleasure
A couple of pieces of dark chocolate and some trashy tv!
Jenise
Teacher
Birthday
17 February
Hometown
Margaret River
Describe your first experience with yoga.
A nurturing approach to movement that was eye opening.
Training
Diploma in Ayurveda Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology 200 Hour YTT Byron Yoga Centre, Aus 500 Hour YTT Vinyasa Yoga School, Rishikesh, India Reiki 1&2 Rishikesh, India
Describe your class in one sentence.
A graceful flowing practice lead by the breath, leaving students in a serene state.
How have you seen yoga change students?
Evolving acceptance of themselves and others.
Your secret talent
Adaptability
Your guilty pleasure
Chocolate and Coffee