Conference and Festival Workshop Leaders

Jennifer Allen is a Yoga Alliance RYT 500 senior instructor. Her journey began in New York City, where she was a professional dancer and dance teacher. After suffering a severe spinal injury while dancing, Jennifer began teaching classical Pilates method, after using Pilates for her own personal rehabilitation. It was through her Pilates teaching that she began to develop a love for yoga, and spent the remainder of her time in New York devoting herself to the practice and teaching of yoga. She then relocated to Auckland, her husband’s home, to soak up some New Zealand culture.

She completed her Level 2 500- hour Yoga Alliance Senior Purna Yoga Certification, as well as her Pre/Post Natal Yoga Certification at Byron Yoga Center. Jennifer did yoga through her pregnancy and the birth of her first child.  Jennifer currently teaches a variety of yoga and pilates classes throughout Auckland. She is an ambassador for Lululemon Britomart in Auckland.

As a graduate of the Byron Yoga Center, Jennifer will offer some insight into her Purna Yoga journey with John Ogilvie and Byron Yoga. The word Purna in sanskrit means integrated or complete. Purna Yoga encompasses not only the physical postures but also yogic philosophy, meditation, pranayama and the integration of the 8 limbed path of yoga. The key focus of the postures is proper alignment, and the sequencing can range from gentle restorative to dynamic vinyasa. Jennifer will introduce practices of Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation in the session.  She will leave time for a brief discussion and Q and A period at the end.

Daniel will lead an interactive session where people get the chance to experience firsthand the tendencies of the mind, and then experience the power of two different breathing processes, their effect on the mind, and their ability to create that rare, yet sought after combination, of “relaxed alertness”. He will walk people through what people can do after leaving the session for themselves to maintain that state, so it is not only a one-off experience, but becomes a part of life.
Daniel Batten is a senior teacher of the Art of Living course, a course based on the powerful Sudarshan Kriya breathing practice. This yogic technique has been found through independent research to significantly reduce stress hormones, combat depression, reduce anxiety and increase factors associated with well-being, increased mental clarity and even leadership capability.

This was certainly Daniel’s experience. In the year after he began the regular practice, he co-founded the hi-tech company Biomatters,which today exports into 65 nations worldwide. He has gone on to become a highly respected corporate trainer and also somewhat of a TV personality who you may recognize from quirky dancing lead role in a certain Instant Kiwi ad. Daniel says “There is nothing unique about me. I had no training in business, no qualification to be CEO of a company, no confidence to train senior executives in corporations, and certainly no business dancing ! It was 100% down to the energy, confidence and ability to manage my own negative emotions that I gained through doing a simple breathing practice. He is a dynamic workshop facilitator who does all Art of Living teaching on a voluntary basis as part of a personal commitment to make seva a way of life.

Vincent Bolletta has been teaching and practicing yoga for 17 years and has been involved with the health and fitness industry for the last 19 years. His area of interest lies in structural rehabilitation and integration using the methodology of Yoga asanas and Pranayama. Vincent’s initiation and training to Yoga was in England 1991 with mentor and friend Steve Sharp. Arriving back to New Zealand Vincent continued his studies with a two year teacher training course under Mike Byron-McKay and The New Zealand School of Yoga.

Vincent has been training with Gary Kraftsow and The American Viniyoga Institute. He regularly travels overseas to encompass different traditions and thoughts on Yoga. Vincent’s own practice is about bringing to life the multi dimensional properties of healing that a Yoga practice can offer.

Vincent is also the founder and director of Yogashala. A yoga studio that is dedicated to making yoga accessible to all. He runs private sessions and groups classes. Vincent is also an ambassador for Lululemon.

Integrated Yoga: Yoga practice can take many forms depending on the inclination, needs and personality of the practitioner. The aim is to cater for all learning styles and abilities so that the most effective approach can be developed. The class structure is based upon an “integrated practice” where Asana (postures) Pranayama (Breath work) Mantra (sound) and Meditation can be incorporated within a single session. The foundation of an integrated practice revolves around adaptation and observation.

Karla has practiced yoga since 1994 and completed a three-year teacher training apprenticeship at The Auckland Yoga Academy in 2002. She taught Hatha Yoga at The Yoga Academy from 2000-2008. In 2005, she completed a comprehensive advanced teacher training with Donna Farhi. Since then, she has assisted Donna on various intensives and Teacher Trainings in New Zealand and Australia.

In more recent years, as well as teaching weekly classes Karla has co-facilitated weekend retreats at Mana and  taught specialised workshops. Including annual Sunday afternoon restorative events as fundraisers for Tibetan children living in India.

In 2009 she travelled extensively through India, then Nepal where she taught Yoga and English in Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries. Karla is inspired to share the practice of yoga in a simple and safe way to enhance everyday life.

Karin represents Yoga Aotearoa/ IYTA NZ. She has been a member of IYTA for nearly 25years, and has been teaching since 2001.

Besides yoga, she also teach tai chi and group fitness, specialising in working with the mature to senior age group.
She works at AUT University with the ‘never2old’ active ageing programme and teaches private classes at various North Shore locations as her own business Bays Yoga & Fitness.

Karin is giving a short talk followed by an interactive program based on posture and balance and body awareness. Her style of yoga and tai chi is  quite gentle, and it is best suited for mature adults ( although any other age group is also fine). Quite a few of her clients have also health issues like arthritis, osteoporosis etc.

Caitlin is the founder and director of Prema Yoga, currently teaching classes, workshops & retreats. Caitlin attended her first Yoga class in Australia at the age of 19 and found the benefits astounding. She studied the path of Raja Yoga with Swami Durgananda of Samata Yoga, receiving initiation & her teachers training. She continued study with the Sufi Order International of Hazrat Inayat Khan and at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, gaining Dip.Yoga. She has a deep love of all aspects of Yoga and life, continuing to study with great teachers and schools of Yoga. She presents these very deep and amazing teachings in a simple and practical manner. Prema Yoga, Prema meaning love and Yoga meaning union invites all to experience the Unity of Love. In her presence you will sweat, glow and bliss out!

Caitlin will present Prema Yoga a dynamic flowing class of asana, pranayama, relaxation and meditation.

Caitlin and Grant invite you to Yoga Chant! A class full of love and devotion for all to enjoy, this will consist of gentle asana, pranayama, relaxation, meditation and chanting. Open your heart to the Oneness.

Sandra Daubney has a background in psychology (BA), metaphysics, human potential modalities and energy healing. A Reiki Master-Teacher(1990) and  EFT Coach Sandra has been presenting workshops internationally for the past 2 decades. Her work has involved many areas including energy healing research in hospitals, with HIV and cancer patients and with indigenous cultures.Her love of Humanity, Life and Nature are evident in her workshops which are always informative, empowering and fun.

Elandra Kirsten Meredith was an acclaimed film actress in London when she began studying yoga with Antion, the director of the first 3HO Kundalini Yoga Centre and Ashram in London. Encouraged by his example she abandoned her career in the entertainment field and committed herself to full time disciplined practice of group consciousness sadhana, study and practice for what was to be 17 years.

After an extraordinary miracle instant healing on her broken ankle (proven by X-rays) she was inspired to train in 33 healing modalities, created her own healing modality and program and was invited to travel the world teaching how miracle healing is possible. Her vast experience in the field includes over 40 years Yoga teaching as well as 25 years international professional experience in five healing Centres.

Antion, born in London, is a ‘60s rock star, sound healer, multicultural musician, world-class guitarist, singer, recording artist, Hawaiian chanter, master of sacred Sikh Kirtan, and international teacher of Naad Yoga, sacred voice and Vocal Empowerment. At the age of 16 he was a professional musician playing guitar with such totemic figures as Dusty Springfield and Rod Stewart; later he became lead guitarist with Eric Burdon and the Animals. In 1970 he began the study of Kundalini Yoga and Naad Yoga, the Yoga of Sacred Sound.  After mastering the ragas of Sikh Sacred Music (Gurbani Kirtan) in 1979 he became the first Westerner to be invited to sing in the Golden Temple, Amritsar, and the most sacred shrine of the Sikhs. In 1993 he and Elandra were called to Hawaii to live close to the ‘aina, the sacred land where they studied Hawaiian Chant and Healing.

“You both radiate so much love, joy & light – which is why so many people are drawn to be in your presence – the unspoken energy exchange is enough without the wonderful teachings you are sharing with us here in Aotearoa”.

Antion & Elandra Meredith have been married and teaching together internationally for four decades. They were directors of the San Diego California Kundalini Yoga Centre and Ashram from 1977 to 1991. After 21 years in California they transitioned to Hawaii for 16 years of immersion in healing shamanism incorporating ancient wisdom and the power of Aloha into their music and teachings. They are now based on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand.

Carolyne Taplin:   Carolyne, a born teacher and joyful dancer, began her dancing life at the age of age five.  Now a Nia Blue Belt instructor and 5 Stages Apprentice, she loves sharing the freedom within the form and the yin-yang balance of this incredible blend of creative wisdom, martial arts, precision and dance arts, expression and healing arts.
Sally Cook has a background in healing from many modalities including massage, counselling and life coaching.  She is a Nia Blue Belt Teacher and Apprentice Nia 5 Stages Teacher who is passionate about allowing others to follow their own path to self discovery and healing.  Finding and sharing the Joy of Nia has been a highlight of her life so far.

Workshop 1 in the Glade  What is Nia?

An introduction to some of the Principles of Nia, a lifestyle practice which enables you to have a deeper connection to and awareness of your body.  A full Nia class is included.  No previous movement, athletic or dance experience necessary.

Workshop 2 in the Glade    Nia and the Nine Movement Forms

Feel the essence of the nine different movement forms which make up the core of Nia.  Experiment with 3 Dance Arts: Jazz, Duncan and Modern,  3 Martial Arts: Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido, and 3 Healing Arts: Yoga, the work of Moshe Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique.  A full Nia class is included.  No previous movement, athletic or dance experience necessary.

Workshop 3 in the Glade    Freedance the Nia Way

Do you find yourself always moving the same ways  when you dance?  Find the freedom within to really dance freely.  Move out of tendencies and movement patterns and into new and exciting ways of moving your physical body.  A full Nia class is included.  No previous movement, athletic or dance experience necessary.

Workshop 4 in Lotus    Nia 5 Stages Workshop and class

Deepen your awareness of your physical body as you explore your body’s way of moving through the 5 Stages of human development: Embryonic, Creeping, Crawling, Standing, Walking.   We will then focus on a particular part of the body, learn more about its form and function before we focus on moving that body part through the 5 Stages.

“I continue to be astounded by our body’s ability to self-heal with just five minutes of this daly practice.  I will do it forever.”  -Debbie Rosas

Neal has been practicing Yoga for thirteen years and teaching since 2003. He sees Yoga as a map showing us the way to return home to a place of peace and a relaxed heart-centred openness in each moment. Neal’s teaching focuses on refining natural movement and alignment principles and learning to embody these principles in a way that takes our spiritual practice into our everyday lives.
He is a Senior Associate Teacher with world renown teacher Donna Farhi and has assisted Donna on her Advanced Teacher Training Program. Neal is also an experienced Holistic and Thai massage therapist (he regularly teaches bodywork workshops in New Zealand) and accomplished musician, living and teaching on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.
He brings to his classes an open heart and enjoys creating a warm and inviting space in which to learn, play and practice Yoga.

Martina has practised yoga for over 15 years and has been teaching for more than 10 years. Her first experience of yoga was in 1991 at Stress Less Yoga Centre, where she attended for four years and completed a one-year Yoga Teacher Training Programme. Since 2001 Martina has been teaching at the Yoga Academy, where she completed apprenticeships in Hatha Yoga in 2002 and Ashtanga Yoga in 2004. In October 2008 she became an Experienced Yoga Alliance 500hours Registered Teacher (E500 T500).

She travels regularly to India where she studies in Mysore at the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI). In February 2009, KPJAYI authorised her to teach the primary series as set out by the Institute and in June/July 2010 she completed their Level 1 Teacher Training. Martina came to yoga from a heritage in gymnastics and is a Naturopath specialising in massage therapy, she finds this background enhances her work as a yoga teacher.

Jane and Theo Oneness Trainers / Teachers for Oneness University India have been sharing Deeksha in New Zealand for the last 10 years. They are used as vehicles where they give transformative Blessings to Awaken individuals through the power of the Deeksha Phenomenon.

Deeksha is a neurobiological process that deepens and enlivens ones own spiritual path. Many have shared their experiences of profound revelations and insights where the oneness of everything is experienced as a living thing. There is nothing to analyze or understand. It is not a puzzle to be solved. It is a mystery to be experienced – to be believed. Deeksha is a very Ancient, Sacred Divine Energy that has the power to Awaken You into the fabric of your existence.

Oneness is a force in consciousness that transcends all religions, all cultures, class based and national barriers, thus unifying people in the experience of one divinity, one humanity, one suffering, one love and one consciousness. We have a destiny to create – a state of consciousness that is Oneness with All That Is… “Sri Amma Bhagavan”

At the conference Jane and Theo will give a brief intro, then do a Kundalini Yoga meditation followed by Deeksha.

Kim Knight will be representing KYANZ – the Kriya Yoga Association of New Zealand and  presenting a talk on  Kriya Yoga Initiation &  the path to immortality.

KYANZwas established in 2004 to share the information and teachings of Kriya Yoga in New Zealand. It is a charitable trust which offers regular meditations for Kriya Initiates and ongoing events including annual Initiation into Kriya Yoga and retreats with Kriya Yoga masters.

Kriya Yoga is an ancient and powerful system of yogic meditation, practiced for many centuries under the guidance of trained teachers. Practically-speaking, it is a blend of pranayama (breath control), meditation and yoga stretches. Most people are familiar with Kriya Yoga through the well-known book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahamsa Yogananda.

In the middle of the 19th century an elusive and mysterious Master Mahavatar Babaji brought this technique to the world through the lineage of Masters Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, Swami Shriyukteswar, Swamy Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Swami Sri Satyananda and Sri Paramahamsa Hariharananda. Today this lineage is continued by Sri Paramahamsa Prajnanananda (pictured).

Kriya Yoga approaches the study of the Self with a sense of reflection and introspection so that the spiritual traveller may understand the conditions of his / her mind, because the ever-changing mind is the biggest barrier to calmness and self-realization. Kriya Yoga is the ancient path of Soul-culture and spiritual life.  In the teachings of Kriya Yoga we are taught how mind and breath are correlated: We are what our mind is and our mind is what our breath is. The life of the entire creation is breath, the life force of the entire creation is God Himself and breath integrates the body and soul.

Without proper breathing process, disintegration starts. The physical body starts diverging away from the soul, which is a form of death. Not only the breath, but also its quality or type, or the way each inhalation and exhalation is undertaken, is important to the evolutionary process of becoming a human being. Through breath control one can get calmness and inner peace.

“Breath control is self-control. Breath mastery is self-mastery. Breathlessness is deathlessness”

Dr Pooja Maddela is the Assistant Head of Faculty for Yoga at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies. She is recipient of “Tutor of the year 2010 NZ” (NZAPEP) for Excellence in teaching and facilitating Yoga Philosophy, Practice and therapy in tertiary education, “Yogini Award” and “National Women Excellence Award 2009” for her contribution in the field of Yoga and Yoga therapy. Her expertise in sculpting the mind and the body through the traditional practice of Yoga has transformed numerous students in their personal journey, academic and professional development. She graduated in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) from NTR University of Health Sciences, post graduate Diploma in Yoga & Naturopathy from Gujarat Ayurved University, and also holds a Diploma in Physiotherapy from India. Her research profile includes she is involved as supervisor for student research Projects in Gujarat Ayurved university. Pooja also works for Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and other community health education projects which are well received and much appreciated by both the ministries. Also Registered as E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and sees her role as promoting Indian Traditional Art of Yoga and Naturopathy to the western world.

Topic: Yoga therapeutic lifestyle management

Research shows that Yoga is having significant role in improving quality of life

Learn the foundational therapeutic principles of yoga and their application in daily life to improve the quality of life. (Includes simple practical yogic skills to manage daily health issues)

Dr Sridhar Maddela is the head of faculty for Yoga and Medical Sciences at Wellpark College. His ability to integrate orthodox and Yogic cause of disease, applying Yoga philosophy and practice in Yoga Therapy has made him a unique teacher and an inspiring clinical training facilitator. Initially educated in India graduating with BNat and Yogic Science / Post Graduate Dip Naturopathy and Yoga / Dip of Physiotherapy, Sridhar has continued his passion for learning here in New Zealand pursuing Masters of Health Sciences at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland. His research on the Psyche of Parkinson’s disease is been appreciated by the Yoga fraternity. He is a keen proponent of integration for health and well-being, utilising yoga for its holistic approach to healing. Sridhar is a promoter of Patanjali’s mind-body relations by recognising mind as a central cause of imbalance and consequently the cause of disease/suffering.

Topic: Battle Bone Density, Arthritis, and Osteoporosis Using Yoga

Recent research has indicated that long-term yoga participants have significantly gained bone density, which can be attributed to the effects of muscles working against gravity.

Learn just how easy it is to integrate yoga techniques into your life to combat ageing, injury and degenerative conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Swami Muktidharmananda Saraswati is an inspiring speaker and teacher who has dedicated his life to yoga. He shares a deeply experiential and practical understanding of yoga, having begun his spiritual journey as a young man in his native Colombia, before spending 16 years in India living directly with Yoga Master Paramahamsa Satyananda Saraswati. He lectures throughout the world and imparts more than 40 years of yoga practice. His main purpose is to inspire and uplift humanity.

Satyananda Yoga combines classical hatha, raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, mantra, kriya, kundalini and other branches of yoga based on the ancient philosophies of Samkhya, Vedanta and Sannyasa.

The yoga he teaches is a practical, scientific and balanced approach to the modern human being. Swami Muktidharma uses ancient yogic techniques, which foster an expansion of awareness and life improvement.

During his time in India, he received direct training in all aspects of yoga science (meditation, postures, breathing techniques, service to the villagers and most importantly creating a flexible mind.) He taught yoga throughout India, including stress management courses for Indians, conducted research into the affects of yoga on body and mind, built houses for the villagers and had many other mind expanding experiences.

From India to New Zealand: Swami Muktidharma left the ashram in 1996 and began travelling and teaching internationally. He has based himself in Golden Bay with his partner Swami Karma Karuna and their daughter Atma Sundari. They are cofounders of Anahata Yoga Retreat and are connected with a web of people internationally sharing a practical holistic approach to yoga.

A scientific approach: He approaches yoga from a scientific point of view to bring it into the 21st century in a valid way. Swami Muktidharma uses yoga techniques to treat asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes and other psychosomatic diseases.

Spiritual Approach: He also teaches yoga to spiritual aspirants as a spiritual practice and for people to achieve deep relaxation.

Yoga & Children: Swami Muktidharma believes that if children are introduced to yoga at a young age, we will have a more balanced society.

Mind-Body Integration  (Saturday 11:15-12:45pm in Aroha)

“Yoga is not only about stretching the body; it is about flexibility of the mind.”

 Yoga is often understood as being synonymous with physical exercise, but this is only one aspect. The aim of an integral approach is to develop and balance all aspects of one’s being – body, mind, emotions and psyche – leading the practitioner towards a more harmonious state of being.   Experience a meditation technique integrating the male (Shiva or consciousness) and female (Shakti or energy) aspects of body and mind.

Satyananda Yoga is an internationally renowned system of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, a modern yoga master. Widely regarded as ‘integral’ yoga, Satyananda Yoga encompasses all the major branches of yoga, including hatha, karma, bhakti, jnana and raja yogas.

Mantra – the Healing Power of Sound Vibration  (Saturday 2-3:30pm Aroha)

“Mantras are vibrations that do not have a literal meaning or association. Rather they are sounds produced from vibrations with particular frequencies that activate a part of the brain, the energy, the chakras and the consciousness.” – Swami Niranjanananda

If you shoot a dense cloud, the vibration of this sound travels as waves altering the molecular structure of the cloud, producing rain. In the same way, mantras are specific sounds, found by ancient researchers that are able to alter, modify or increase the energy field of the body, mind and psyche. Experience techniques for healing, relaxation and integration of the human experience.

Yoga Nidra – Psychic Sleep  (Sunday 11:15-12:45 in Shanti)

The mind is the most perfect super computer and it has an inbox where it stores all the information received through the senses. It is constantly overloaded with all kinds of impressions from over stimulation of modern day lifestyle. SATYANANDA YOGA NIDRA™ is a guided deep relaxation. It is a simple but powerful technique that has a profound and deeply relaxing effect on the human system and has been scientifically proven to be a preventative and curative tool to counteract psychosomatic diseases. If practiced regularly, it serves as a means for exploring the deep mind and unlocking our spiritual potential.

Tattwas – Yoga and the 5 elements  (Sunday 2-3:30pm in Aroha)

Explore the yogic view of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether). Tantra states that the macrocosmos is inherent in the microcosmos and so the human being is also composed of those five elements. The elements have a direct effect on our body structure and influence our personality, mind and emotions.  As the predominance and balance of the elements change, their mirror is seen in the body, mind and total health.  Cultivate a relationship with the subtle aspects of your being and experience a yoga practice to balance, purify and harmonize the elements.

John Ogilvie, founder and director of Byron Yoga Centre, has been teaching yoga for over twenty-five years and developed the Byron Yoga Centre teacher training courses. He encourages a light heartedness in our approach to yoga and to ourselves. John teaches regular classes as part of the Byron Yoga Centre’s studio weekly timetable. His classes are both challenging and dynamic, and integrate the different yoga styles of Iyengar and Ashtanga, as well as the softer Sivananda and Satyananda practices of yoga and the energy principles of Aikido.

There are few people around who have lived the life of a traditional yogi – living in Himalayan caves with advanced yogis and traveling with sadhus. Many of us have read stories about Himalayan masters or seen glimpses during visits to India, but most have never experienced it. It is a hard life and only serious yogis are accepted into this inner circle. Shantimurti has lived that life. He has spent extend periods with highly accomplished yogis and seen many wonders.

In yoga, experience is everything and Shantimurti has lots of it. He has managed a number of ashrams over the last 35 years and seen many of the unusual situations that sometimes come with advanced yoga practice. He has trained many sannyasins, yoga teachers and students.

Shantimurti loves to share his wisdom whether it is about the finer aspects of chakras, asanas, pranayama, or stories about the people he has met; famous teachers like the Dalai Lama or Swami Muktananda or the many unknown but exceptional yogis that he has met along the way. He also has many interesting stories about his time with his guru – Paramahansa Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga, India – who initiated him into sannyasa in 1976.

Shantimurti is a leader among yogis and is passionate about sharing yoga with the world. He lives at the Ohui Retreat Centre in the Coromandel and travels teaching yoga in Auckland and internationally. He is registered with Yoga Alliance as an experienced yoga teacher (E-RYT 500).

Exploring the art of Non Violent Communication – Ahimsa

Susie Spiller (Anantadevi )is an Ashram trained yoga teacher. Having completed all three levels, she then went on to study Satyananda yoga and is now also an accredited Satyananda teacher.  She is also a trainer of Non Violent Communication. Also known as Compassionate Communication, which  teaches Ahimsa (Non Violence), the first yama, one of the ethical pricinciples of yoga.

She has studied with many trainers including Marshal Roseburg the founder of NVC and draws particularly from the work of Robert Gonzales. Looking deeply into the consciousness of NVC offering far more than a compassionate way of communicating, but a spiritual path that fosters a new way of being in the world. Anantadevi encourgaes evolving the essential nature with wisdom grace and humour .

“The power of Ahimsa is greater than the power of the intellect. It is easy to develop the intellect, but it is difficult to purify and develop the heart. The practice of Ahimsa develops the heart in a wonderful manner.” 

 The practice of Ahimsa will eventually culminate in the realization of unity and oneness of life, or Advaitic (non-dual) Consciousness. The Yogi then enjoys the highest peace, bliss and immortality”.

Swami Sivananda

Throughout her career Annie has worked with natural therapies. Her background is in the Health & Fitness Industry – yoga provided the meditation practice.  Annie has studied massage, reiki, herbal medicine and explored tarot, runes and crystal healing. She has teacher accreditation in Flow Yoga and has studied Yin Yoga which involves long, slow and deep stretches to target the hips and spine. She has also trained in Vinyasa and Power Yoga, as well as Viniyoga where the focus is the adaptation of poses for individual needs. This background allows Annie to blend yoga styles depending on the group focus.

Yoga continues to be Sannyasi Yogamani’s life’s path, growing from humble beginnings more than 30 years ago. After extensive training here in New Zealand her studies continued at the Satyananda Academy Australia, where she received a Diploma in Satyananda Yoga Training. Along the way she made regular pilgrimages to India, the home and heart of Satyananda Yoga. She feels honoured to be teaching and working alongside other teachers from around the world. The Manipura Yoga Centre has established a strong community in Auckland, thanks to the help and support of the other Centre’s in New Zealand. It is a place of blessing and sharing, a place to deepen one’s understanding of yoga, as a lifestyle, not only as a set of Asanas.

Swami Durgananda is the Spiritual leader of Samata Yoga. She is a modern woman with an ancient job. She is a Guru who is also a mother, grandmother and now a widow. She is a business woman, whose business is yoga and devotion to God. She is in this world but not of it. She spans and unites the past and present; the sublime and mundane; chela and friend.

In 1974, she relocated from Australia to India and she settled her young family down in New Delhi. There she met His Holiness Neelkanth Maharaj. As his student she began her instruction into Raj yoga that was to last over 15 years. Eventually, she was initiated into the lineage of Samata Samashti Dharma. At her final initiation she was given the title of Swami Durgananda or as we know her Durga Swami. At this time she was asked to take the teachings to the West.

Her innate knowledge, the guidance of Maharaj and her destiny have given Swami a profound understanding of the universe and human condition. By nature a gifted healer, she is also qualified in a range of healing modalities and is a member of the World Natural Medicine Foundation. She has suffered and survived many major illnesses and has used her knowledge of yoga alongside Western medicine as a means of healing herself and others.

Swami Durgananda has brought Samata yoga to the west, primarily as a healing balancing yoga of mind and body.

Laurie Ross is an accomplished performer and teacher of the internationally recognized songs and Dances of Universal Peace (over 400 to choose from). She has been a creative spiritual dancer for over 25 years and co-ordinator of the West Auckland Peace Group in 1982-1985.  From 1989-1993 she was co-ordinator of the Environmental and Peace Centre in Auckland.She has always been drawn to the idea of ‘Peace through the  Arts.’

Erin has been devoted to practicing yoga for nearly a decade. After enjoying a range of different types of yoga, Erin found her true passion and love in Kundalini Yoga. Erin is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher (IKYTA), Khalsa Way Prenatal Yoga teacher, Mummy and Me Yoga teacher, and Kid’s Yoga teacher. She completed her training at ‘Golden Bridge Yoga’ in Los Angeles.

Erin also holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Auckland University; is currently completing her final year as a Naturopathic Doctor; and competed a few years on the International professional triathlon circuit.

Erin enjoys helping others improve their lives and well being by assisting them in all aspects – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Bringing humor, warmth and compassion to her classes, Erin challenges students by combining asana, mantra, pranayama, and meditation of Kundalini Yoga. Her goal is to guide people to a place of inner strength, joy and bliss!

Sika’s highly amusing stories help carry us into the world of vision and power. For this reason, Sika is passionate about sharing his music with children, to inspire them with a vision of hope for now and the future.

Mande is the founder of City Yoga. Her remarkable teaching ability and creative approach to yoga, movement and health have made her one of the most sought after fitness consultants in New Zealand. Mande’s enthusiastic and positive approach to life and fitness is motivational.

Mande has spent more than 2 decades expanding the horizons of health and fitness for people of all ages and fitness levels. Her many yoga trips to India, Europe and the US have given her depth and understanding of yoga. Early in Mande’s career she gained an Iyengar Teaching Certification and since then has diversified into many of the Hatha yoga styles.

Mande maintains a very practical and hands-on teaching approach that can be easily incorporated into every day life. Her students come from all walks of life and are inspired by the passion and devotion that she brings to her classes. After 2 decades of creating fitness and health trends, Mande remains one of the industry’s brightest innovators.

Prem Prayojan (born 1969 U.K.) is a teacher specializing in the tradition of Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of devotion. With over twenty-five years experience, Prem Prayojan has translated and published several Sanskrit classics, such as Brahma Samhita, Gita Govinda and Ujjvala-nilamani, along with medieval and contemporary commentaries by his divine preceptors. He is currently Director of Education at the acclaimed Sri Gaura Narayana Sanskrit College, Vrndavan, India. Along with academic research, he stresses the importance of daily devotional practices, and also guides pilgrims on annual tours to the most important sites of historical, cultural and religious significance in the Himalayas and throughout the Indian subcontinent. Due to high demand, he has circled the planet 23 times on his intensive international seminar tours. When asked about the secret of his success, Prem Prayojan lays all credit at the feet of his illustrious teachers, the late Srila Gaura Govinda Swami and Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami, whose unconditional affection and diligent endeavours have crafted a unique gift for the benefit of the whole world.

Premratna (Sarah Spence) discovered yoga when living in Canada being introduced to the broad spectrum of yoga, firstly by attending asana classes. This has led to several periods living full-time at ashrams learning about yogic lifestyle in Canada and Australia. Here in Aotearoa, she teaches Satyananda Yoga (TM) at Manipura Yoga Centre and shares kirtan (joyful chanting) regularly. She teaches yoga in the tradition of Swami Sivananda Radha (little known in NZ) who was the first western woman initiated into the Sanyas order of renunciation. Premratna is a founding member of the kirtan band Shakti and offers a variety of workshops such as kirtan and nada yoga as well as Hidden Language Yoga and Sacred Dance.

Steve White’s yoga journey started in the late 70′s when everyone was illuminated by BKS Iyengar’s amazing oracle book “Light on Yoga”. In the late 90’s he embraced K Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and finally found his path when a friend invited him to join a Shiva Rea Yoga Flow Retreat in Greece in 2005. He is a Registered 200 hr Yoga Alliance Teacher but has gone on to complete over 550 hours of Teacher Training mainly in Ubud, Los Angeles, Santorini, Fiji and Costa Rica. He is continually amazed at how much he doesn’t know. His honoured personal gurus are Mark Whitwell, Shiva Rea, Daniel Aaron, Edward Clark, Simon Borg-Olivier, Kathy Budig and Emil Wendel… his deities are Ganesha, Shiva and Lakshmi. Steve discovered the Yoga Sanctuary in 2009 and liked it so much that he bought into it in 2010.  He describes his style as “moving meditation with breath and a smile” or more seriously as Krishnamacharya Prana Vinyasa (Flow) but he honours all styles and all teachers of Yoga.