Meet Our Teachers & Facilitators
Kristen's vision and passion is behind the realisation of this consciously evolving collective of Living Yoga Sanga. "Breaking away from the old structures of the past yet drawing from the essence of ancient teachings, natural lore, integrity and sound experience to inform innovative ways of learning, healing and living; inspires and opens my heart", says Kristen.
Kristen met Natanaga Zhander- (founder of Shadow Yoga) and moved to Australia to study in a traditional yogic apprentiship. This experience formed the foundation for the way of yoga she works with today. Based in Chikitsa krama, it is the study and understanding of healing through yoga from the lineage of T.K.V. Krishnamacharya.
Influenced by incredible teachers including the Dalai Lama, Geshe Sonam Rinchen of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Tibetan Medicine with Tulku Lama Lobsang Dhamchou Nyima, Ngon-Dro practice and Truk-khor Buddhist yoga of the Arti lineage with Dhongri Lama, opened her world to the experience of Tantra and Dharma, further developing deeper self-inquiry, compassionate being and visualization meditation.
Kristen has since completed a Graduate Certificate in Yoga Therapy with the Yoga Therapy Institute in 2020. Updating skills in Mindfulness Based Yoga Therapy and Counselling, Functional Anatomy, Biomedical Foundations and Applied Yoga Therapy. After completing the Yoga Mastermind Program with Modern Yoga Teacher in 2021, she is now delivering personalised yoga online within a Signature Yoga Program.
Jason is inspired through a deep and broad perspective to bodywork. Describing it as a multi layered experience that ought to address an entire being at one time or another and at times all at once.
Kahuna Bodywork uses the movement of the entire body much like a martial artist does. Blending the fluid and graceful motion of Hawaiian Hula with martial art principles, gathering Qi, or Muna as the Polynesians called it and applying it through movement that is governed by the hips and expressed through the fingers, hands, forearms to the elbow. The result is an engaging motion that sweeps through the body dissipating tension, stretching, opening and bringing space, breath and light to the held places within. It can be sharp and focused directionaly, broad like a rolling pin or as subtle as a feather adjusting to shifts in the wind. It is a delicate, silent and often challenging dialogue between what is and what is possible.
Kahuna Bodywork is not a style as such but "A Way" that aligns for a harmonious state physically, mentally and emotionally of both the receiver and the giver. It is an approach to bodywork like no other, viewing what is as a whole rather than a collective of pieces. Clients often remark they feel like they have been danced, massaged by the ocean, cradled by their mother, or like a instrument in a symphony. I often hear that their relief last for days, weeks, months and sometimes pain & discomforts disappear completely.
Tabatha Smith is an experienced and passionate yoga and meditation teacher.
Her teaching style is inspired by her study of Vinyasa, Restorative, Iyengar and Yin Yoga. Into her teaching she weaves her experiences with joy, emotions, the senses, instincts and nature.
Tabatha completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Being Yoga in Brisbane, Australia. She has also studied yoga in India, Oregon and California with a variety of knowledgeable teachers. She has been intensively studying Instinctive Meditation with Lorin Roche and Camille Maurine for three years.
In her classes, privates and workshops Tabatha aims to help students relieve tension and find more ease and pleasure in their bodies. She encourages students to connect with and explore their own innate wisdom. She weaves together yoga and meditation to provide an experience that is rejuvenating and nourishing for the mind, body and spirit.
Aesha discovered yoga during a stressful time at work and break-up of a relationship. She found yoga and meditation offered not only deep relief but another way of living life. This led her to enroll in a teacher training in India in1991. Back in New York she started to teach yoga and continued to learn from teachers Cindi Lee of Om Yoga, Sharon Gannon of Jivanmukti, and later discovered Yin Yoga through Paul Grilley.
Aesha’s yoga practice and teaching continues to evolve but at the core is self-enquiry and investigating the nature of reality. Her classes are slow and meditative with a focus on mindfulness and presence. Her calm energy guides students to witness the fluctuations of mind/body phenomena and focus attention in the divine presence of what remains constant.
When she’s not teaching yoga classes, Aesha can be found painting, drawing and making pottery. She is inspired by the beauty of nature.
Aesha also facilitates the popular yearly Bali BlossOM retreats for women combining yoga and creativity.
Jodie is constantly inspired by how even the smallest Yoga practice can bring about a positive shift in our state of being. Teaching between Australia and New Zealand, she is a highly credentialled Yoga teacher who is also currently completing her studies to register as a Yoga Therapist. The majority of her 1300+ hours of study spanning 16 years have been in the Viniyoga Tradition: deeply grounded in Yogic philosophy, breath centred and adapted to suit the individual. This style of teaching is intentionally accessible to all and particularly useful for ageing and supporting wellbeing despite injury and/or mental health.
For this reason, Jodie prefers to teach small groups where she can be aware of every body in the room and facilitate a practice that is beneficial to all, offering any necessary modifications or alternate practices in a subtle way to ensure nobody feels singled out or that they are doing anything ‘wrong’.
Please email Jodie at email@example.com or DM @helloyogamojo if you would like to discuss any injury, concern or interest in coming along to a class.