STRETCH YOGA BRISBANE TEACHERS
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PJ WELLS

PJ is the proud founder of the Stretch Yoga community and when she isn't teaching or practicing in one of the classes, you'll generally find her behind the reception desk. Her passion lies where ancient traditions and modern western science intersect; her teaching focuses on anatomy and bio-mechanical alignment mixed in with playfulness and flow. She loves sharing her passion for yoga with brand new yogis and experienced practitioners alike, and thinks that yoga shouldn't be taken too seriously (a little bit like life!). She spent 9 years at university studying Management and Nutrition and Dietetics (where yoga kept her sane) and thinks she now has the best job in the world. She loves teaching people how to stand on their heads so grab her after class for inversion playtime!

ARI LACKOFF

Ariel first found the benefits of yoga as an injured dancer with a chronic “Type A” personality. Yoga offered both healing and peace. Not long after moving from the USA to Brisbane to be with her partner, Ariel completed her teacher training at My Health Yoga and has been teaching, living and loving yoga ever since. She also holds a Bachelor of Philosophy, a Master of Public Health Nutrition and is currently furthering her studies in Nutrition and Dietetics. Ariel believes there is something in yoga for everyone and encourages everyone to find your own unique practice and, of course, make sure it makes you feel good!

EMMA FROST

Emma’s yoga journey began in 2009 after a car accident left her injured and unhappy. In her quest to relieve chronic back pain she went along to her first yoga class, and in an instant, she was  hooked. Emma soon found that regular yoga practice not only lengthened her spine and left her pain free – but kept her grounded, and gave her confidence. While she was initially drawn to Vinyasa yoga, Emma quickly saw that there was so much more to the practice than the physical asana. She began searching for new and different styles of yoga, and in 2012 embarked on her yoga teacher training with My Health Yoga. Emma has a great respect for balance, and encourages her students towards a place of acceptance and equanimity – working up to, but within, their own limits. Her teaching allows for playfulness, chuckles and lightheartedness, while at the same time affording the space to take our focus inward.
MIRIAM VAN DOORN

Miriam first came to yoga about 22 years ago, and there was an instant awakening of ‘coming home’. Miriam is a certified pregnancy and postnatal yoga teacher. She creates a warm and open atmosphere to explore safe movements to promote optimal positioning for babies and relieve many of the discomforts most common during pregnancy. Having used the tools of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness training in her own pregnancy, labour, birth, and in the raising of her own son Keanu, she is delighted to share any benefits from her practice with you throughout your journey. “I love teaching this wonderful community of women and it is a great privilege to share and celebrate their journey towards birth and beyond”. Miriam is a living icon of wellness, her soft but yet firm and dynamic approach with her deep understanding and passion for yoga has led to a beautiful spiritual path she would like to share with others.

KAITLYN SANDONA

One of Stretch's most nurturing teachers, Kaitlyn teaches a meditative Deep Stretch and energising Simple Stretch filled with kindness and ease. Kaitlyn has studied under some of London's best teachers, and has a passion for learning - when she isn't practicing or teaching yoga chances are she'll be reading about it! Her current focus is teaching and constantly refining our Curvy Yoga Course from which she has received nothing but praise. She loves being able to empower her students, helping them to find themselves within poses they never thought possible. She also loves teaching restorative workshops and recently completed her Prenatal training - baby Kaitlyn will be arriving in July 2017!

NIRVANA PILKINGTON

From a young age, movement and bodywork have been a part of Nirvana’s life.  As a youngster, she was exposed to dance, various sports, drama, yoga and massage.  Her yoga journey continued into adulthood giving relief to the pressures of school teaching life.  Nirvana’s practice and teaching has been immersed in a variety of styles and her classes have become a fusion of these elements (hatha, vinyasa, sakshin ghatashta, anti-gravity aerial yoga, acroyoga and mindfulness based training).   Her classes largely connect to the flow of movement and breath, anatomical alignment for greater energy flow and intuitively working with the needs of students.  She passionately continues to explore new realms of yoga by regularly immersing herself in workshops and ongoing training.
MABEL ANG
Mabel's alignment focused classes are some of our most popular at Stretch! Her practice is amazingly refined, and her kindness and compassion for her students are immediately evident. Mabel has lived in numerous countries - a truly international yogini!- and has called Brisbane home for the last 4 years. She has a cat named Tobi and a love for travel, family and the beach.
CHARLOTTE KESSLER
Charlotte describes her journey into teaching Yoga as a natural continuation which combines different aspects of both practices such as living in harmony with the environment and sharing knowledge. She believes that Yoga is about balance, peace and creativity. She invites her students to build a solid base and become familiar with the asanas whilst encouraging them to go deeper into their practice by connecting with their breath and their inner selves. Charlotte's original background is in sustainable design and teaching and she hails from Grenoble, France.
KRISTY ROBINSON
Having danced for over 18 years Kristy initially turned to yoga as exercise for injury rehabilitation but quickly discovered it was so much more than just the postures. Intrigued she travelled to India to gain an entire modern yogic understanding and completed her yoga teacher training with Dr. Gaurav Malik at the Ashtak Yoga School in Goa. After her teaching training she taught briefly in Thailand before moving to London for a year where she taught in studios, gyms, corporate classes, secondary schools and community classes. Kristy is a Hatha based teacher with a strong focus on alignment and breath. Her classes are light-hearted, fun and never too serious. Kristy is also an advocate for more conscious living and enjoys sharing more eco, greener and sustainable choices.

LEANNE GERICH

Leanne has always been interested in health. She graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in 2011, Strala Yoga training in 2014, Karma Teachers for Vinyasa yoga in 2015, and has completed the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner program at the International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine as of 2016. Although Leanne’s original interests began with sports performance and energy balance, she has grown into an interest for longevity.  Feeling great at any age is her ultimate goal and her highest interest is stress management and guiding people towards a more positive life. Her teachings in yoga include fun explorations and a lot of concentration.  The classes work up a sweat, and greatly aide in confidence building and strength. Leanne’s passion for health is displayed in her youthful attitude towards life, and determination to continue growth.

MANDA F

Manda first came to yoga as a training dancer, looking to build strength and flexibility… that was four years ago, and she’s never looked back! It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with all of the benefits of a yoga practice beyond the physical; that her breath, mind and heart have all found a greater depth and peace. Throughout 2015 and 2016, Manda took a leap of faith and completed her Yoga Teacher Training at My Health Yoga. She loves teaching an energizing Flowing Stretch and a soothing Deep Stretch, but her favorite style to teach is Flow ‘n’ Deep – the best of both worlds! When she’s not on the mat, you’ll find Manda singing and dancing up a storm as she rounds out her final year of her Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium.

KATIE M

Katie comes to Stretch with a background in Physiotherapy and Pilates. With over 15 years of physio experience, mostly in corporate health, Katie started her Pilates training in 2009. Now working part-time in both fields, Katie turns to Pilates to assist her clients with injury rehab and management and uses the method to support her own busy running schedule. Naturally, Katie incorporates physiotherapy teachings into her Pilates, with a strong emphasis on posture and glutes. Her classes are a lot of fun though, with great tunes, exciting props such as the "magic circle" and few giggles when the moves don't always go as planned. Complete beginners are most welcome as Katie offers all the options and modifications you require. When not on the mat, Katie is on the run. Either working in the corporate space, chasing her 2 children around or literally, running marathons. There's plenty of things left on the bucket list, but luckily, she's managed to tick "watching Beiber perform live" off that list this year.

DANNY P

Danny has always been connected with movement. With his background in dance, yoga became another form of creative expression infused with spirituality. Originally arriving at the studio for a physical work out, he soon became aware of the transformative power within the practice which changes his life every single day. "My mat is my playground. It's an exploration of who I am and how to live life". Danny is passionate about sharing his love of Yoga and teaches from an authentic, kind and playful place. You can expect to move and flow fluidly through his classes. It's his intention to create a space where students are able to connect intimately with themselves through movement and breath leading towards self-awareness and transformation. "Come journey through self inquiry and let's dance with breath. See you on the mat!"
GRACE C
Grace is a dedicated student of the art of yoga. Inspired by the practice of mindfulness, Grace's classes emphasize breath awareness and presence of mind. She will guide you through creative sequencing to harness both your inner strength and serenity. Grace is continually awed by yoga's transformative and healing powers and aims to share that sentiment with every student she encounters. She looks forward to seeing you on your mat!