Free Yoga Community Day Byron Bay

John Ogilvie is one of Australia’s most respected and experienced teachers and founder of Byron Yoga Centre. John has been practising yoga for more than 45 years and teaching for over 40. John developed his signature style of yoga, Purna Yoga, after 20 years of disciplined yoga training including both the Iyengar and Ashtanga lineages. Purna integrates asanas, breathing techniques, meditation and philosophical principles.

The Purna method John teaches focuses on safety through intelligent sequencing, individual attention including hands-on assists, and the use of props to support optimal alignment. John’s teaching style is entertaining and accessible. His instructions are clear and simple, always encouraging students to listen to their own body’s needs and only work at a level appropriate to the individual, at any given time.

John encourages students at all levels to build flexibility, strength and stamina of body, mind and spirit. Many students discover, as a consequence, that yoga becomes a way of life.

Erin guides a holistic yoga practice and holds a nurturing space for deepening presence and insight. She believes yoga is a technique for transformation and that by developing awareness, we create opportunities for shifts towards greater well-being and fulfilment.

Erin has been teaching yoga since 2010. She also draws on 20 years’ experience facilitating positive change for clients in their health and wellness. Her background and educational accomplishments bring together yoga, exercise and health science (BSc), psychology (MSc Coaching Psychology), and mindfulness training.

She discovered yoga in university, finding it a compliment to playing competitive sport and studying exercise science. She later realised the importance of a dedicated practice in dealing with the adverse effects of sustained stress. She decided to deepen her yogic knowledge through teacher training.

Her teaching is influenced by her mentors and the styles of traditional Hatha, Vinyasa flow, Restorative and Yin Yoga. She regularly teaches on teacher trainings and retreats.

Elise teaches a powerful slow flow with an emphasis on body awareness, alignment and the mind body connection. Her intention is to create a space where students can connect, grow and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

Elise’s background in personal training and holistic wellness took her on her own wellness journey that led her to yoga five years ago. Since then she has travelled to India where she completed her 200 hour Level 1 training in Hatha and Ashtanga, and more recently her Level 1 with Byron Yoga Centre. She also regularly attends short courses and workshops.

Elise believes that there is some form of yoga for every person, and it is her goal to try and help students find it.

Richard Mouthaan (Rich) coming to the Yoga way later in life, he has now embraced it completely, and wants to assist others to do the same. Level 1 Teacher, Trauma Aware, Remedial, and Seniors qualified through BYC, with over 500 hours of teacher training completed.

Rich is a Veteran and served 25 years in the Australian Army, and has been drawn to Yoga to address mental and physical injuries, without the requirement for prescription drugs and alcohol. His own personal experience with Yoga has had a profound effect on his quality of life, and he wants to pass on this experience.

Meet Stella, a dedicated yoga practicioner and teacher specializing in Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga. Her journey into yoga began as a quest for spiritual awakening and self-discovery, leading her to embrace a path focused on soul remembrance through ancient practices.
Stella’s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in the wisdom of Traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga.

Her classes are designed to go beyond physical postures, emphasizing fewer poses held for longer durations. This method allows students to delve into the subtleties of energy flow within their bodies, fostering a profound connection with their inner selves.
Central to Stella’s teaching is the belief that yoga is accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. She encourages students to cultivate inner awareness and reconnect with their true essence. For Stella, yoga is not merely about flexibility but about nurturing a stable
mind and grounding oneself in the present moment before harnessing the flow of prana, or life force energy.

In Stella’s classes, you will find a sanctuary where calmness and grounding prevail, creating a space for spiritual growth and personal transformation. Through her gentle guidance, students are empowered to explore the depths of their being and rediscover their authentic selves.