Teachers

Anna

1. What were you doing with your life before you started teaching yoga?

I was doing my best at being a Mum to my son and daughter and completing a degree in visual arts

2. What do you believe to be unique about your classes?

My deepest and heart felt intention for each class is to instill a sense of inclusivity, safety and presence.

3. What she would change about the world ?

For me, addressing climate change. This is the number one issue and affects every being on the planet.

Catriona

1. What do you look for in a yoga class?

I don’t often go as I practice at home. Once I get on my mat I let my instinct inform my practice and move through a sequence that I ‘need’ rather than what I want. I occasionally like to drop in to a class, and if do I really appreciate a beautiful yoga space, but most importantly I appreciate a teacher with experience.

2. Who is the teacher you most admire and why?

There are so many, but I really admire the teachers who continue on the traditions and lineage of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. He was the teacher of many greats like Indra Devi, Patabi Jois, BKS Iyengar. Many of my teachers have direct influence from his teaching and lineage.

3. What in the wider world is keeping you awake at night right now?

One thing that saddens me more than anything its species extinction and loss of valuable habitat in our natural world due to pollution, deforestation, mining & logging.

Georgie

1. Who in the world inspires you and why?

Women the world over inspire me as they are so brave in the face of adversity. From the brave women and girls of Afghanistan who risk their lives for the right to be educated, to women birthing on the run in conflict zones.

2. What drew you to Yoga?

To me it was the deep sense of peace that I experienced from that very first class. Seeing that sense of tranquility and calm reflected in the students and pregnant mamas at the end of every class inspires me to keep teaching.

3. If you could fix one thing in this world what would it be?

To transform the way that women birth to a place free from fear! For all who inhabit the earth to experience a deep sense of oneness. If we all did perhaps there would be no global climate crisis, no wars and no poverty.

Simone

1. What do you love most about Dharma Shala?

Dharma shala is where I rediscovered a regular yoga practice during a challenging period in my life, so for me it and yoga always represent a coming home to self through practice. As a teacher I love the community of yoga. You really see and feel it in this studio.

2. You have walked the Camino trail – how did your yoga practice prepare you for this pilgrimage?

To trust the process… especially when things are not the way you want them to be…and it seems hard. You are always exactly where you are meant to be at this point in time…an understanding of this really helped me. And Viprita karini – nothing like legs up the wall at the end of a 30km walk, with a pack!

3. If there was one injustice you could fix with the wave of your magic wand what would it be?

A level playing field! We are all entitled to the same starting place! To have our basic needs met, food, water clean air, access to a decent education, and healthcare regardless of who we are.

Jody

1. How has your experience as a performer influenced your approach to teaching?

I see yoga and acting as very similar – they are both about pursuing the truth. As an actor you are exploring the human condition portraying how people think and function. Yoga explores the same things, helping me to go deeper and look for the truth within myself.

2. What do you see as the essential ingredients of a great yoga experience?

The breath – this is where it all starts. Breath is Prana which translates as Life Force. When you learn to consciously control the breath you achieve better balance and your body stabilises. Continuing to use the breath in this way calms the nervous system and becomes transformative.

3. If you had the power to change one thing in the world what would it be?

Change starts with me. I live by the motto of “Be the change you want” If I could, I would go back and start our relationship with our First Peoples differently, entering this land with humility and being respectful for nature and the way the land was cared for.