Katie Manitsas
Katie Manitsas: is a co-director of Jivamukti Yoga Sydney (formerly Samadhi Yoga). Katie is the first certified Advanced Jivamukti Yoga teacher in Australia and has also studied extensively with the Wise Earth School of Ayurveda under the guidance of Swamini Mayatitananda, as well as being a qualified Kundalini Yoga teacher. Katie grew up in the English countryside surrounded by nature and animals and at the age of ten became a vegetarian; today she is a vegan and along with her business partners opened Earth Vegan Café in Sydney in 2010. Katie's first yoga teacher, who has now left his body, was an elderly gentleman from the Bahamas who taught classes in the local community centre of the village where she lived. She started attending those classes at twelve years of age and has been doing the best she can to practice yoga ever since. Simon Low from Triyoga was the teacher who encouraged Katie to begin teaching. Katie’s previous books are 'Spiritual Survival in the City' and the more recent ‘Yoga Off the Mat’. Katie is mother to four-year-old Christos who sometimes likes to practice yoga but sometimes prefers to ‘fix cars’ with his Dad who is a mechanic. She is also mother to little Ziggy who was born at home. Katie is a trained doula (birth companion) and is currently studying the Montessori education method for pre-schoolers.
Gabrielle is a co-director of Jivamukti Yoga in Australia and spends all of her working life (and much of her leisure time!) furthering the vision of bringing these holy teachings to Australia.
Gabrielle has been practicing yoga for many years, and teaching since graduating from teacher training at what was then Samadhi Yoga in 2007. She has also studied with Rick Burrel (Avalon), Mark Whitwell, Donna Farhi, Jasmine Tarkeshi (Laughing Lotus), Peter Thomson (Iyengar Yoga), Sharon Gannon and David Life.
She particularly resonates with the teachings of the Jivamukti Yoga method due to their deep spiritual and philosophical teachings and aspects.
Gabrielle teaches with a sincere sense of service to her students and is always willing to 'give a little more' in her classes. Her teaching is kind and nurturing and never comes from a place of ego because she considers herself still very much a student of yoga and of life.
Whilst new to teaching the Jivamukti Yoga, Gab has been a passionate advocate and student of it for many years. (particularly her great regard and sincere compassion for animals - especially those who are suffering).
Gab has recently qualified as a Jivamukti Yoga Teacher in New York under the guidance of Jivamukti co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life.
Her little dog Minka is her constant companion; you may even meet her before of after one of Gab's classes
Doug trained as a yoga teacher at Samadhi Yoga in 2008 and subsequently travelled to New York to complete the Jivamukti Yoga teacher training.
Doug swapped his surf board for a yoga mat a few years ago and enjoys practicing and teaching a dynamic physical approach to asana.
Now the Manager of Jivamukti Yoga Sydney (formerly Samadhi Yoga) as well as a teacher there Doug loves a good sense of humor and (as a vegan) fondness for cakes from Earth Cafe.
Sarah De is a grounded, calming teacher whose classes are uplifting and challenging yet in a gentle and approachable way. Sarah has a special interest in making yoga available to people living with social disorders and physical
limitations.
She began practicing and her journey with yoga while still at school doing her HSC, and has gone on from her initial studies to focus on Pranayama (breathing practices) as therapy in Yoga. Sarah has also spent time studying some of the Buddhist texts through a Tibetan Yoga view and enjoys bringing the beauty and poetry of these texts into the practice of yoga postures.
Sarah teaches deep relaxation or Yoga Nidra and Beginners yoga at Samadhi and firmly believes this excellent practice provides a basis for deep healing that is available to everyone.
Justine teaches a dynamic style vinyasa yoga as well as restorative yoga, pranayama and meditation. A certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, Justine travels regularly to New York to study with Sharon Gannon and David Life. Her other teachers include Mark Whitwell, Katie Manitsas, Yogeswari, Andrea Boyd and Jeffery Cohen. Justine’s approach is vibrant, creative and uplifting with a focus on the breath. Her classes will assist you to bring strength, flexibility, balance and stillness to body and mind, and to take your yoga off the mat and into the world. Justine has a special interest in nada yoga and in her classes you will explore how sound vibration and intention can deepen your practice. Justine is a graduate of The Victorian College of the Arts, The University of Melbourne and The University New South Wales where she studied music and law. As well as being a yoga teacher, Justine is a singer, lawyer, artists’ manager and mother of two. Justine’s aim is to inspire you to discover how yoga can transform your life.
Anna loves to teach a dynamic vinyasa class with a rockin' sound track. She believes in teaching with compassion and aims to convey the potential yoga has to be fun, playful and liberating. Anna has recently qualified as a Jivamukti Yoga Teacher in New York under the guidance of Jivamukti co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life and many amazing Advanced Certified Jivamukti teachers. Anna first came into the world of yoga teaching at Jivamukti Yoga, Sydney when it was called Samadhi Yoga, and has done over 500 hours of teacher training.
Jessica began practicing yoga as a wee little thing, as one of her many after school activities.She then came back to it as a teenager during a period of illness, and in her mid-twenties she was lucky enough to stumble into being the manager of Samadhi Yoga, which kickstarted her teaching of Yoga.
Keith was born in the year of the rabbit. In his teens, he practiced yoga in the Ananda Marga tradition as a way to deal with adolescence. Throughout his career as a musician (including a long time gig as house pianist and musical director at legendary jazz venue, side-on cafe; and playing the Rhapsody in Blue for six pianos at the Gershwin Centenary) and dancer (favourite roles include Prince Rama in the Ramayana and The King in The Firebird) he felt creatively satisfied but spiritually hungry. Then whilst backpacking around Thailand he discovered Jivamukti Yoga in a girlie bar in Chiangmai. He practiced religiously with Jivamukti teacher Casey Gramaglia.
Chris Johns discovered yoga over 10 years ago whilst working on assignment in Mexico City. He enjoyed the openness and physical wellbeing that yoga classes gave him and found it to be a wonderful way to balance the pressures of his then international financial career. His true passion for yoga was ignited by his first jivamukti class at Samadhi Yoga on his return to his home town Sydney in 2005. He nurtured his practice by studying with world renowned teachers such as Simon Borg Oliver (Aus), Donna Fahri (NZ), Simon Low (UK) and Advanced Certified Jivamukti teachers Yogeswari and Alanna Kaivalya (US). He commenced teaching in 2007 on completion of the Samadhi certified teacher training in Sydney run by Advanced Certified Jivamukti Teacher Katie Manitsas. In 2010 he completed the Jivamukti Teacher Training in New York with David Life, Sharon Gannon and Gabriela Bozic under the mentorship of Anja Kühnel.
His inspiring classes not only focus on increasing strength and flexibility but also bringing about balance and inner calm. He has also studied various anatomy and physiology courses to improve his understanding of human movement and also the application of bandhas to create a strong safe yoga practice, and applies this in every class.
Chris has a fascination for languages and cultures, and has curated the Sydney Latin American Film Festival. He also works on a range of films projects from documentaries to university online yoga courses and DVDs.
He would also like to thank all yogis - students and teachers alike - who constantly inspire him to dive deeper into the teachings of yoga.
Lynda has been working in natural health for twenty years, and she has been teaching yoga for six. She was one of the first students to graduate from Samadhi Yoga's teacher-training program. Lynda came to yoga through her experience as a Chivutti massage therapist.
Rachael’s background with movement spans 25 years; firstly as a rhythmic gymnast competing at a national level until her late teens and later receiving a scholarship to study French physical theatre in Paris at L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier. Rachael came to pilates and yoga as a way to heal her body and calm her mind. Her other great passions are acting and writing. She can't remember her first yoga class but it all began with Ashtanga.
Patty’s professional career has been eclectic and diverse.
Idit begun her practice of Hatha Yoga whilst traveling through Asia, since then she has studied different styles of yoga and regularly trains with varied well known international teachers including Donna Farhi, Sarah Powers, Simon Low, Seane Corne, Sharon Gannon, David life and many more, being inspired by their wisdom and their different techniques. Yoga has influenced Idit's life and she hopes to share this gift with as many beings as possible in the hope that it will benefit others as much as it has benefited her. The kind of yoga classes she teaches are varied and postures are adjusted to meet the needs of her individual students accordingly. Idit is also mother to beautiful Inbar.
Sandy completed her Level One Teacher Training in 2008 under the guidance of Katie Manitsas (studio director of Jivamukti Yoga Sydney, formerly Samadhi Yoga). In 2011, Sandy travelled to USA to undertake the world renowned Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in upstate New York.
Upon welcoming in 2012 by her teachers' sides in New York City, Sandy gained Advanced Certification in the Jivamukti Yoga Method.
She is currently undertaking the 800hr Jivamukti Apprenticeship program in Sydney. Upholding the lineage of her teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Sandy uses an artistic approach to yoga and is drawn to the psychically challenging and intellectually stimulating aspects of the Jivamukti yoga practice, as well as the creative process of class planning and conscious sequencing.
Sandy teaches upbeat, uplifting classes, with focuses on music, devotion, political and spiritual activism, ancient scriptural teachings, as well as discipline and dedication through commitment to a daily practice, while maintaining space for spontaneity and humour.
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Dom is a student of the last teacher training in 2011 at what was then known as Samadhi Yoga (now Jivamukti Yoga Sydney).
He has always expressed himself through artistic pursuits, being a former martial artist and performer, as well as being a long time musician. 'Understanding & connection to the self & your surroundings' has been Dom's ambitions and desires since he can remember.
Being a personal trainer in the health & fitness industry for over 10 years, he has been constantly surrounded by yoga and yoga practitioners. For a long time he never let in what's now become his passion.
With a keen interest in spiritual awareness and longing & desire to live the best and most honourable life he can (this time around), Dom has dedicated himself to guiding others - through asana (physical yoga practice), yoga philosophy, and through helping people understand the connections we all desire.
With an emphasis on 'Vinyasa' (where each movement is linked with the breath) style of Hatha Yoga, in one of Dom's classes expect to leave feeling inspired, and grounded...yet uplifted.
Gaby...Gaby grew up in Vancouver, Canada and moved to Sydney three years ago. She turned to yoga because it made her happy and after experimenting with different styles found her home with Jivamukti.
Her warmth, humour, bubbly personality and passion for practice come through in her classes. She likes to tailor her classes to give individual attention to all her students. Gaby loves travel and speaks French and Spanish. She recently completed Samadhi teacher training and works across all the studios as well as teaching class.
David has been practicing yoga for over 15 years around the globe. After just a few years of teaching, David has created a style of teaching based on 'Hatha Yoga'. He has a sharp eye for detail, and promises those who attend his class WILL improve and perfect their yoga. "Yoga is a way of life! Yoga is my way of life!"..David says.
In David's class, he focuses on a slow to medium pace, which means he can facilitate all levels. Remembering; "Faster isn't always better!" His class uses Asana (poses), Breathing Techniques, Meditation, and Yogic Philosophy. David guarantees his class will challenge you!
David teaches a Sunday night mixed level class, and he also teaches kids yoga on Mondays afternoon! It's a little faster, a little noisier and a lot of fun! Let David help your child burn of that excess energy, and make Monday night the peaceful night at home.
Monica has been practising yoga on and off since she was 15 years old, when she was first introduced to Iyengar. Since then she has practised varying styles including Jivamukti, Power, Yin, Restorative and mainly Hatha Vinyasa.She completed her Level 1 teacher training at Samadhi Yoga Newtown (Aus) in 2009, as well workshops in 2010 with Donna Farhi, Sharon Gannon and David Life, Margherita Dal Pra’s Italian Yoga Retreat, and also the Karma Kids Teacher Training course. In 2011, Monica completed the Pregnancy Yoga training at Samadhi Yoga and recently finished a 3 day Anusara Therapy Training with John Friend.
Monica worked for 2 years in London at Alchemy the Centre and assisted in workshops and even ran some herself at retreats in the countryside.
Yotox is a unique blend of breath and vocal warm-ups alongside yoga postures to help students gain clarity in their communication and free the voice and body from tension. Monica has a Bachelors degree in Dramatic Arts and have melded her two passions together.
Monica’s approach to yoga is simple – to be present to each moment, to breathe into each breath. Monica’s classes have a smooth steady flow, and can be tailored for individual needs. Whilst focusing on alignment...music, pranayama (breath technique) and meditation are incorporated into the session, leaving you feel restored, refreshed and centred to carry out throughout the rest of your day.
Aleta & Kundalini Yoga met and fell in love in February 2004. Teacher training was undertaken in 2005 & she began sharing the teachings with friends and like minded yogis straight away, all the while gradually developing her own practice and unique, heartfelt teaching style. Seven years later Aleta Gurubala shares the teachings of Yogi Bhajan in weekly classes for big people, little people & the ever blossoming kundalini yoga community. Her classes include movement, deep stillness, sound practices (mantra, gong, tibetan bowls), women's teachings, chakra & lot's of breath to let your body release, heart to open & light to flow!
Ariana...under construction
Karen's interest in Yoga was first sparked at a young age when she attended Satyananda Yoga classes with her parents . She continued to dabble on and off in different styles until 2004 when she attended her first class with Katie Manitsis at the then Samadhi Yoga and knew she'd found her teacher and studio when lying in Savasana to the sounds of Sting's ‘Fields of Gold'.
Spiritual Activism and the concept of taking Yoga off the Mat, of setting an intention for your practice and making it about more than our own small selves that both Katie and the Jivamukti method as a whole focus on is what has particularly resonated with Karen. She encourages students to go beyond what their bodies are doing on the mat, beyond focusing on their physical limitations and keep connecting with the breath in order to find their inner calm and take it back out into the world so as to create change in both their own lives and in turn others.
Last year Karen left a long career in the airline industry to concentrate on being a Mum and pursuing her love of teaching Yoga. Karen has a daughter Shanti and her own journey through pregnancy and birth has led to her particular interest in Pre and Post natal Yoga. She has completed both Katie and Janice Clarfield‘s (Urban Yoga Vancouver) Prenatal teacher training.
Over the years Karen has felt honored to study with so many incredible teachers including Jivamukti founders Sharon Gannon and David Life, Yogeswari , Sean Corne, Donna Farhi and many more. Karen is a Samadhi trained teacher as well as a qualified Kundalini Yoga teacher and Shiatsu therapist.
Caterina (Sri Ratna) is a qualified yoga teacher with training from Samadhi Yoga, with adaptations of The Radiant Child Program, further training Diploma of Yoga from Satyananda Tradition, BA Interior Architecture, Reiki Master + child care industry certificates.