Carol Alvis
Hi, my name is Carol Alvis. I was born in 1971 and have lived in Townsville all my life. The first time I did yoga was in 2002, I practised on and off for the next 3 years but I got serious about my yoga practice in April 2005. After the birth of my second son, I needed a way to get back into shape, I also needed to find a way to relax. Yoga was the answer for me. It had everything I needed and more. After practicing yoga for 2 years I wanted to know more about the other aspects Yoga has to offer. My teacher, Jasmine encouraged me to do a Yoga Teacher Training course. I have enjoyed doing the 9 month course, and found there is so much to know, you can spend a lifetime studying it. I intend to do more study in the years to come. While doing the course I found I was drawn to the teachings of Erich Schiffmann and T.K.V. Desikachar, I have read their books many times and find their style of teaching very interesting. I love Yoga! It has become part of my life, now and forever. The thing that is so amazing about being able to teach Yoga is, I’m going to teach others something that I love. I hope to give my students the physical benefits as well as relaxing their bodies and minds. To be able to do something you love everyday is a gift that I will treasure forever.

Nigel Treloar
I first learnt yoga from a friend while travelling in India and Sri Lanka in 1982. I spent 15 months in the Indian sub-continent and travelled widely, experiencing different yoga styles in many locations including Rishikesh, Delhi and Kathmandu. On my return to London in 1983 I learned as much yoga as I could absorb. After attending a B.K.S. Iyengar lecture/demonstration in 1984, I quickly found my enthusiasm became directed towards the Iyengar approach and I became a very regular student at the Iyengar Institute in London. I gained my Iyengar Teaching Certificate in June 1986, which I then followed up with 3 months of intensive yoga instruction with the Iyengars', in Pune India, in 1986 and again in 1988. 1986 was also the year that I first came and taught Yoga in Australia at the North Queensland Yoga School on Charters Towers Road. I taught yoga full-time from 1986 to 1989 and part-time until 1992 and toured New Zealand for 3 months in 1987, teaching workshops in both the North and South Islands. In 1988 my daughter was born and by 1991 I was also a full-time High School Mathematics Teacher. A blend of abstract mathematics and yoga philosophy has always been a comfortable union which has given me some perspectives and insights which I cherish. While in Rishikesh, my teacher enquired whether my interest in yoga was spiritual or just physical? At the time, I really wasn't sure what my answer should be. I now feel comfortable with how my life has evolved over time and the choices I have made. Yoga strengthens my body and spirit and has helped me enormously and although it is often challenging, I don't believe it has ever let me down. It is an ultimate experience which is best practised with vigour and devotion and then left to speak inwardly for itself. Ultimately, it is for you to experience but I have no doubt that Yoga was and still is the greatest method of all and will enrich your physical, mental and spiritual health irrespective of the particular school of thought you choose to adhere to. My current yoga practice is strong and playful, fitting in between teaching senior mathematics to adolescents, my two wonderful children, my beautiful wife and many other projects and interests, but I am, and remain a committed yoga student and teacher, and nothing will give me greater pleasure than to see the wonder of yoga within you too.

Jasmine Healy-Pagan
About Jasmine... A former competitive swimmer, teacher and fitness trainer, Jasmine was first drawn to Vinyasa Yoga for its many physical benefits. After many years of intermittent yoga practice, Jasmine's desire to deepen her yoga understanding began in 2005 when she completed her 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training in Boston, USA. Jasmine embraces many styles of yoga and believes that a broader understanding of yoga teachings brings us alternate ways to tune into our needs as our lives change. Jasmine has also studied with many teachers at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts. These teachers include Todd Norian (Anusara Yoga), David Williams (Ashtanga Yoga) and Shakta Kaur Khalsa (Children's Yoga). More recently (since 1997), Jasmine has been training with Shiva Rea in the USA and India. Jasmine's classes are a blend of asana technique, movement meditation and the living principles of yoga. "My love for Yoga began in 1997 when I was living and working in New York City. I believe that yoga finds us when we are ready to learn more deeply about ourselves. Our commitment to our yoga asana practice can change considerably from year to year. As our lives change, so can our yoga journey. Many people have told me how they once tried yoga and that they didn't like it or that they just couldn't do it. I too tried yoga many times before I found a style of yoga that suited my needs and then it was years before I started to understand how yoga is a complete system for living. Like our favourite tastes in a world full of variety, yoga also comes to us in a range of styles from a variety of teachers. When we find a yoga teacher that connects with our needs, it is then that our amazing yoga journey begins! May you discover many connections to bring you inspiration, awareness and balance throughout the year." namaste ~ Jasmine

Rachel Bowater
Rachel is passionate about yoga and has been practicing a variety of yoga styles for 10 years, including Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, Iyengar yoga, dynamic dance-style yoga and pregnancy yoga (during both her pregnancies). Rachel was first drawn to Ashtanga vinyasa yoga because of its physical appeal, but slowly over time became fascinated with the other ‘styles’ and philosophical aspects of yoga. Yoga is like a lure that draws you in, and ultimately will lead you to where you want to, and will, be. It is a lifetime journey, and one never stops learning. In 2009, Rachels’ desire to learn and know more about yoga, and to share yoga with others, compelled her to complete an intensive yoga teacher training course at The Cairns Yoga Academy, studying under Susi Davies and Ian Laver. This was a life-changing step that opened up her mind, heart and realisations about the potential that yoga has for each and every one of us. Rachel has furthered her studies in yoga by attending various yoga workshops with Paddy McGrath (spinal awakening), Mark Robberds (Ashtanga yoga) and Jason Nemer (Acroyoga), John Stirk, and pregnancy yoga workshops with Karen Schlegeris. Rachel has always had an interest and love of body movement, has an interest in anatomy and physiology which she studied at University. Rachel was a former competitor in triathlon, running, swimming and horse-riding. However, over time, Rachel found that competitive sports can be very demanding on the body and on the mind. After she was diagnosed with a lower back condition, which meant a cessation of competitive running (which she loved), she began yoga classes 10 years ago. With the acceptance of no longer running competitively, and her continued yoga practice, she found an alleviation of her lower back pain, much to Rachels’ surprise, and to that of the physiotherapists. This is the beauty of yoga ! Yoga not only has many physical and therapeutic benefits, but it has many spiritual and mental benefits. Yoga will open your heart, clear your mind and release any emotional blockages or tensions. Yoga will take you on an all-encompassing inward spiritual journey which is never-ending, inspirational, rewarding and joyful. Rachel is married with a young family, and also works part time in the field of veterinary science, which she also loves. However, no matter how full and varied your life is, yoga can always be a part of your daily life…all it takes is 5 mins on the yoga mat to start ! Rachel currently teaches the Tues evening and Wed morning Easy Yoga class, with compassion and attention to correct anatomical alignment, with an emphasis on connecting the mind to the body movement through the breath, and with a focus on a long relaxation. I look forward to sharing your yoga journey with you !

Kylie Jaques
I absolutely love yoga and have no doubt it will be part of my life forever. I first started practising yoga in 2000 I dropped into one of Nigel Treloar’s classes at the Yoga Space on Ingham Road, I was hooked! At fist it was a purely physical practise, something that I would ‘make room’ for in between gym sessions, playing netball and dancing, as I grew as a yoga student, these other hobbies slowly became less important to me, and I can say now that yoga gives me so much more that I could have ever dreamed of, this is why it has become my favourite past time. I commenced my teacher training course at the Byron Yoga Centre in April 2011. I completed this course in August 2011 and I am now in an exciting part of my yogic journey, learning as much as I can about all aspects of yoga, as well as creating safe and interesting ways to teach yoga to my students so they too will benefit from this life transforming practice.

Meredith Starck
Meredith Starck started practicing yoga over 30 years ago at age 17 and has continued ever since. In the mid 1980's she undertook three years of intensive Synergy yoga/dance training in Washington, D.C. Her teaching experience totals’ over 25 years including several years overseas experience in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. She has been involved in the production of two instructional yoga DVDs. One was her own training video, the other featuring a unique form of Chakra Dance know as Synergy Dance (http://www.synergydance.com/) developed by Meredith’s own teacher, Charmaine Lee. This video was filmed in Jamaica along with 6 other teachers. From 1990 through 1996 Meredith lived in the Daintree Rainforest where she produced an exercise video on Yoga/Chakra Dance and conducted classes and workshops. Since returning to Townsville in 1997 she has taught a Vinyasa style Dawn Yoga on The Strand. She has also published a cookbook featuring her favourite vegetarian dishes including many recipes from her family’s restaurant, the Metro East Side Café. She teaches a flowing style of Hatha yoga and Chakra Dance developed through years of practice. Her abiding passion is for women and girls to honour their bodies through breath and movement. As a mother of teenage daughters and carer for her own invalid mother Meredith has personally found yoga to be of the greatest value to her inner peace and compassion. Meredith’s website is at: www.goldendolphin.com/yoga.htm

Leanne Haronga
I'm from the land of the long white cloud (NZ). I am married and have 3 teenage sons. I have been involved in the sport, health and fitness industry for nearly two decades, my yoga journey started 10 years ago, mentored by NZ respected teacher Mande White who inspired me (and continues to) as well as many people with her dedication, motivation and connection to both yoga and her students. I have found yoga to be a system that gets results with consistent practice. I like to keep fit and maintain this doing cross-fit. I have competed in the sport of outrigger canoeing for 8 years in both national and international competitions. I have won many national and international titles, my best individual achievement was winning Gold and Silver at the World Sprint Championships. I have maintained yoga to be the difference during my sporting career. My experience of yoga is that it hits the 'refresh' button every time, it offers posture alignment, correction and gets into muscle fascia, avoiding injuries. Yoga forges therapeutic benefits and organises the delicate balance of strength and flexibility. Whatever your ailments or goals I am sure you will find the magic in doing yoga. I hope to see you on the mat soon.

Sarah Jorgensen
I have been a student of yoga in varying intensity for ten years. I credit yoga with helping me find balance and peace whilst I worked in the child protection field for nearly seven years. The benefits I found from yoga prompted me to train to certify as a teacher in 2011. Teaching for me has been a rewarding experience as I am now able to pass on the many benefits I have received from yoga, to heal and to improve mind and body wellbeing for all. My style of teaching focusses on breath and posture awareness, strengthening the mind and body in a way that feels good for the body and the soul.