I am driven to understand people and how we are all unique individuals yet interconnected in amazing ways. 

 

Being fascinated by human movement, in 1986 I graduated in Exercise Science and worked as an Exercise Specialist in Corporate Health Programs, as well as set up and managed Health Spas in Sydney CBD and Hayman Island.

The next phase of my life I not often talk about yet when looking back, it had the most profound influence on my spiritual maturity and understanding of the world. In 1996, I left all the comforts of home, my family and friends, the security of a job, and took off with my best friend (now husband) on an overland bike-packing journey from Sydney to France.  Yes, everyone thought we'd gone mad! After 20 months and 16 countries, and many deep breaths, I had come to realize that growth is always a voyage into the unknown.

 

Along the way, I spent some time studying in a Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India and knew that Yoga had a place in my heart. I visited sacred sites like Borobudur, The Ganges, The Schwedagon Pagoda, and learnt to meditate in Sunnataram Forest Monastery in Thailand. I came home with a mind that was ready to learn and share.

Wanting to understand the mind behind the body, I went on to explore Eastern Medicine, and began my Healing Arts practice. I studied Tui Na Chinese Massage with Master Zhang Hao and experienced the philosophy of the Tao, and the mind-body connection. I remember the profound realization when Zhang said:

 

'with each breath, you take in the whole universe, and breathing out you exchange yourself'

This was also reinforced with Lilian Rytt, my Shiatsu teacher in Sydney. In 1998 I studied and practised Vipassana Meditation at Dhamma Bhummii in the Blue Mountains, and experienced a deep coming home within myself. It was also the beginning of my mindfulness practice.

 

 Vipassana, which means 'to see things as they are', led me into the world of Yoga.
 

I began teaching Yoga in 1998 and undertook Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, the Yoga of awareness, taught by a mentor, Gail Pisani, from the Saraswati tradition. During the course, I was mentored by Turiya Yoga teacher Megan Jones, who continues to be a source of inspiration to me.  I joined the professional Yoga community and continued my interest in evidence-based Yogic studies provided at annual stays at Satyananda Yoga Ashram, The Yoga Institute, and The Yoga Therapy Institute.

I have been fortunate enough to be a long-term student of Sue Ehinger, the ex-director of The Australian School of Reflexology and with international presenters and amazing interstate practitioners like Leanne Moore, an Ayurvedic Reflexologist who has taught me the Padaveda method.
 

In 2017 I completed a 750 hr postgraduate certificate in Mindful Yoga Therapy with Sal Flynn, Louise Godfrey, Annette Louden in the Krishnamacharya tradition and have became the first registered Yoga Therapist in Canberra, and began developing trauma-sensitive yoga therapy for mental health practices and operated a clinical practice from Hyson Green Mental Health Unit at, Calvary Private Hospital.

With a continued interest in Yoga Therapy in healthcare, postgraduate studies have been with Dr. Timothy McCall learning the Yoga as Medicine assessment model, and further Trauma-Sensitive advanced Yoga training including Yoga for Trauma Anxiety Depression and Body Image with Social worker and Counsellor Sarah Ball. In 2019 I studied with Professor Amy Wheeler from Optimal State and ex-president of IAYT, on balancing and assessing the human system through the tri-guna lens of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda and iRest level 2 training with Fuyoko Toyota. 

 

With a deep realization of the world's rising mental health crisis and the need for evidence-based yoga practices, I then became a certified Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga facilitator with the Trauma and Embodiment Centre, The Justice Resource Institute, Boston.

It is now widely accepted in the trauma recovery world, that incorporating the body into trauma work is significantly beneficial. And with this, I am flourishing in my dharma.

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With interest in the intersection of Dr Stephen Porges Polyvagal theory and The Gunas of Yoga, I went on to become a certified SSP facilitator delivering the Safe and Sound Protocol to individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences, ADHD, ASD and more.

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I am currently completing my studies to become a TRE Tremor and Trauma Release Therapist under the guidance of Counsellor Emiline Duncan from The Nurture Foundation and Richmond Heath TRE Australia.

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I mentor yoga students and therapists interested in trauma-sensitive yoga/care and welcome students into view my classes and courses.

 

More importantly, my children, Oskar and Marvin are my most demanding teachers! They have allowed me to master the art of Karma Yoga, and keep me on my toes of humility.

 

Also, some of my earliest memories are when I was moving around a packed community hall joining in with my mother as she taught her holistic gentle exercise for health group classes. Her greatest lesson to me was to;

 

learn from students and always treat them as individuals.

 

With gratitude to all my teachers and the magic of upholding the healing arts.