Byron Bay Presenters

Present at Evolve

Join us in a coming together of the yoga & wellness community, and teach or present a session at Evolve.  Engage with an audience of yogis and others interested in learning more about health and wellbeing.  Build your profile and make valuable connections with others in the yoga and wellness community.

For more information about presenting at Evolve, call Sandy Lynds on 0409 871 044, or fill out the Contact Form.

Here is our fabulous line up for Byron Bay 2012:

John Ogilvie 

Founder and director of Byron Yoga, John has been teaching yoga for over twenty-five years and leads 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 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.

Rishi Yoga Diwali and Nityabodhananda

Rishi Yoga Diwali and Nityabodhananda are senior and international teachers in the Satyananda Yoga Movement. Rishi Yoga Diwali is a spiritual artist and is published in many Yoga books. She usually teaches art with Yantra and Tantra images to take aspirants deep into mind. Rishi Nityabodhananda is a published author of Yogic texts and is versed in the ancient Yogic lore. He has simplified classical Yoga philosophy offering informative inspiring understanding as to why we should walk the inner path.

Flo Fenton

Director of Intouch Yoga, Flo's focus is on cultivating an ever deepening awareness of the relationship between the body, the breath, and our state of mind. 'Paring back' each pose and starting always from a point of the essential foundation of each posture, we build precise awareness of alignment, through the medium of graceful, flowing sequences in synchrony with the breath. Her style is both meditative and enlivening, balancing the active and the passive sides of our nature. As we focus within, developing the capacity to witness ourselves, the sessions themselves become a form of Yoga Therapy, which flows out into our lives beyond the class-room.

Kevin James Carroll

A practicing Bhakti Yogi since his first visit to India in 1990, Kevin James now leads chanting circles and workshops in yoga festivals and studios all over the world. The intention of his circles are to empower and reconnect to oneness through mantra. His music is a world fusion of chanting.

Gwyn Williams

Founder of Zenthai Shiatsu, an integrated form of therapy where Zen meets Oriental medicine, Thai massage and Osteopathic techniques, Gwyn has spent close to 15 years studying and teaching around the globe spending many years training under masters of Yoga, Thai massage and Osteopathy. Originally a Zen Shiatsu therapist he is also recognised Yoga teacher in a number of styles including Acroyoga and is co-founder and facilitator of Zenthai healing centres at  Mt.NInderry, Sunshine Coast , Australia and Shanti Agung East Coast, Bali.

Stephan Kahlert

Stephan has over twenty five years’ experience as a meditation practitioner and teacher in the Soto Zen, Vipassana, Vedanta and yoga traditions. He has taught overseas on many occasions in his capacity as a meditation teacher. Stephan trained as a yoga teacher with John Ogilvie in 2005. He teaches meditation and Hindu philosophy on retreats and teacher training at the  Byron Yoga Centre. His style is light-hearted, humorous, engaging and fun. Along with his wife Bettina, Stephan regularly travels to India to deepen his practice. 

Kester Marshall  

Kester has been a practicing Naturopath, Western Herbalist and Ayurvedic Practitioner for over 15 years. He is the Director of the Mudita Health Clinic in Byron Bay and Co-Managing Director of the Mudita Institute for Applied Ayurveda and Buddhist Psychology. He is a passionate clinician and speaker and works closely with a number of Yoga schools teaching Ayurveda at their level 1 and 2 Yoga Teacher Trainings.

Yogi Sandashiv                                                                        

Founder of Shiva Shakti Yoga Centre in Byron Bay, Sadashiv started practicing Yoga from a young age. He studied Ashtanga in Mysore, India with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath. To further his understanding of mind, body, emotion Sadashiv completed a Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy and studied accurate energy anatomy. Whilst teaching Ashtanga in Sydney he often returned to India to further his studies in Yoga. There he met his teacher Yogi Vishvketu who is continuining to guide him in his practice.One of Sandashivs passions are the purification practices known as Shatkarmas which he will be sharing with us at Evolve.

Kim Michelle

Kim Michelle feels our dance is within us and being in your rhythm, dancing your heart is what she looks forward to sharing in classes. Dance is a passion in Kims life embodied in teaching Wu Tao, connecting within and embracing the rhythm of the elements, a path to balance mind and body.

Avishai Barnatan

Avishai Barnatan has been working with the transformational power of sound for more than 20 years. Researching various traditional and contemporary approaches to the therapeutical qualities & applications of sound and music, he has developed a unique approach to the soundhealing modality and facilitates group and private healing sessions/workshops.His sessions take you into a deep meditative state experiencing directly the physical nature of sound and its ability to remove energetic blockages and realign unstable frequencies . 

Lila Kirtana

Lila first discovered the healing benefits of yoga 8 years ago, and was immediately entranced by all aspects of the yogic lifestyle. In 2006 she became a Bhakti yogi, and she now teaches regular asana classes at the Byron Yoga Centre. Lila is a qualified Massage Therapist, and assists on the teacher training courses. Lila is passionate to share her love of yoga through Kirtan [spiritual chanting], and also teaches Health and Ayurveda on the courses.

Samjjana

New consciousness music for the harmonious awakening of humanity. Unique, uplifting and captivating, samjjana's music is blissful and profoundly soothing…“A heavenly elixir.” Original compositions, improvisations, soulful harmonies and chants, featuring the enchanting 'hang' sound sculpture, exquisite harps, alchemy crystal bowls and haunting Native American Indian, Bansuri and Shakuhachi flutes.

Tara Fitzgibbon

Tara studied Svaroopa® Yoga with Swami Nirmalananda (Rama Berch) in the USA.  She has been teaching since 2000 and has a passion for Shavasana. ‘One of the first poses we learn, yet one of the hardest to master.’ After teaching this asana at the beginning and end of class for 12 years, she ensures a deeper, fuller, more complete relaxation along with the benefits of the Ujjayi breath.  

Kirsty Nugent

Kirsty has been on the yogic path for most of her life. Yoga helped her recover from injury when she was a member of Canada's national gymnastics team. A student of many traditions including Ashtanga, Iyengar, Purna and Yoga Synergy her classes offer a unique blend of strengthening & energizing vinyasa while creating a nurturing space for peace and stillness. Kirsty is based in Byron Bay where she teaches on retreats as well as regular classes at Byron Yoga Centre.

Sufi Soul

Tahir Qawwal is a passionate and highly skilled performer, having trained with the highest masters of Sufi & Indian music. He teaches Indian vocal music in the Byron shire and performs world-wide. He is supported by his student & beloved, Bhairavi (Barbi) Devi. ‘Sufi Soul’ shares the beauty of the Sufi culture, bridging east and west through the love of music.

Melanie Commons

Founder of Golden Yoga on the Gold Coast Melanie Commons has been a devoted Yogini for many years, living the 8 limbs of Yoga. Melanie's dedicated teaching style is Hatha Vinyasa- a strong, yet playful asana practice with a deep focus on breath awareness and mindfulness. This infusion is teamed with guidance on how to take Yoga off the mat and live an enriched life.

Claire Priestley

Claire began her yogic path at aged 12 when she was introduced to Transcendental Meditation and Pranayama by a forward thinking doctor. She has since studied with todays leading lights, BKS Iyengar and family, Louisa Sears, Donna Farrhi and Simon Morocco. Lance at Inspya yoga has been and remains Claire’s main mentor. Claire has developed her own unique and powerful Hatha yoga practice. She currently teaches Voice Dynamics, Philosophy and Anatomy at Inspya yoga teacher trainings with an avid interest in how the practice of yoga can help and heal the body and mind.

Emma Grant

Founder of Rent Tent Yoga, Emma Grant has been teaching since 2001.She has studied with Swami Satchidananda, Pattahbi Jois and Desikachar, in India and has trained in Ayurveda & pregnancy & postnatal yoga. Emmas vision is to help women and people in the community to connect with their inner wisdom and strength so they can live their life to their fullest potential.Emma currently teaches weekly yoga classes for mums with their bubs & toddlers, prenatal yoga & workshops as well as Ayurveda and Massage.

Tulsi

Tulsi has been practicing the system of Yoga in Daily Life since the age of 21.  After studying and training in India under her Guru, Mahamandelshwar Paramahans Swami Maheshwarananda, she returned home to openYoga in Daily Life on the Gold Coast 7 years ago and is now the Manager of the Brisbane centre of Yoga In Daily Life, a wonderful Retreat in the heart of the city, there she teaches sought after day and evening classes and passes on her many skills in the art of living an authentic yoga life.

Eyal

Eyal has been studying and practicing various forms of tantra, yoga and meditation since 2000. He believes real practice starts when you step off the yoga mat. Eyal is working with women on resolving sexual trauma and expanding their orgasmic potential. He consults and teaches sacred massage and tantric practices for individuals and couples. His intention is to empower others to fully express their sexuality and masculine/feminine essence, and to turn pleasure into spirit.

Karen Whightman

Karen founder of 'Creative Yogis' teaches school children both locally and internationally.  Fusing her creative talents of art and yoga, she is a passionate and dynamic teacher.  Her mission is to facilitate a safe and loving space for children to experience their inner joy, confidence and true potential through Yoga.

Zahra Peermohamed

After practising and exploring many different Yoga styles, Zahra discovered Ki Yoga in 2004 and was drawn to its philosophy and it’s fun, healing and dynamic Asanas. Ki Yoga is based on the traditional Hatha Yoga with focus on the Japanese & Chinese 5 element theory working with the meridians in the body. It’s always changing with the seasons and time of day. Zahra teaches Ki Yoga in Mullumbimby 

Davina Kruse

Is a senior certified yoga teacher trainer with the Byron Yoga Centre. Davina has been practicing yoga since 1998, both in Australia and overseas. She has practiced Ashtanga, Iyengar and Hatha styles. This is apparent in her classes, where she gently guides students to focus on breath awareness in order to bring about union of body, mind and spirit. Davina is passionate about encouraging students deeper into their self-practice by utilising the yamas and niyamas.

Betttina Kahlert

Bettina Kahlert is trained as a fitness instructor and more recently complemented this with Pilates teacher training. Bettina has done 4 different yoga teacher trainings, most recently with John Ogilvie and has recently been studying the use of yoga nidra in rehabilitation, recording a CD in India. Bettina’s classes emphasise the core, pelvic floor and the bandhas. Bettina has been lucky to meet with and learn from several spiritual masters, including B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabi Jois, T.K.V. Desikachar and Clive Sheridan.

Suzanna Gray

Suzanne was introduced to Eastern philosophy at 13 and it has remained a passion for over 30 years. It was the perfect platform for her discovery of yoga 17 years ago and informs her practice and teaching at Gold Coast Yoga. She strongly believes asana practice reflects and effects life off the mat.

Radha Rani

Radha Rani is a founding member of Shiva Shakti Yoga Centre in Byron Bay, and has had an extensive and diverse background in yoga: Radha was first inspired by the Jivamukti Style and completed her first teacher training in Ananda yoga. She studied with Yogi Vishvketu in Rishikesh,and completed her training in Kundalini, traditional Hatha, pranayama and meditation. Radha enjoys to play the harmonium and Indian classical chanting and incorporates music into her Vinyas flow class. 

The Australian Sound Institute

As the application of sound frequencies create a revolution in technology, science, and health the Australian Sound Institute rest at the forefront of the current evolution in the use of sound as Medicine. In their courses and seminars they use sound and voice as a learning platform and therapeutic tool to deepen body wisdom, initiate release work and entrain the physical and energetic systems. This way of working with sound acts as a bridge to our innate intuitive ability, enhances our engagement with life and encourages a greater ease of being in the world.

Kathy Mason

Kathy has been practicing and teaching yoga for 15 years and currently teaches at Gold Coast Yoga. Her teaching style reflects her varied background. She has been especially inspired by the Iyengar traditions but combines her own flavours and experience. She believes in a balance practice for a balanced life.

Maria Kirsten

Maria Kirsten, MA, eRYT, has been teaching in Lennox Head since 2000.  A certified Yogalates teacher, and asana and anatomy teacher trainer, Maria’s interests are in yoga therapy, experiential anatomy and making the joy of yoga safe and fun for everyone. Maria's classes are anatomically and functionally based, very visual and fun. 

Keren Cooksey and Jacquie French

Directors of Brisbane Yoga Space, Keren Cooksey and Jacqui French have been teaching since 2006 and dedicated practitioners of yoga for over 10 years. They have trained extensively with Sivananda Yoga, Radiant Light Yoga, Jivamukti and My Health Yoga among others. They are passionate and committed teachers who seek to inspire yogic living to their students and bring joy, power and love through a strong, grounded and sacred practice

Uta Weidemeier 

Uta is a shamanic practitioner, exercise scientist, and bodyworker, who is residing in Ocean Shores, NSW.  The combination of physical exercise, yogic asanas and shamanic energetic healing does provide you with a sense of wholeness. She is available for personal treatments throughout the festival.

YOGAWOMAN 

Yoga was brought to the west from India by a lineage of male teachers. Now there’s a generation of women who are leading the way. They’re strong, they’re inspiring, and they’re radically changing people’s lives. From the busy streets of Manhattan to the dusty slums of Kenya, from the golden beaches of Australia to the serene piazzas of Italy,YOGAWOMAN uncovers a global phenomenon that has changed the face of yoga forever.

Q&A session with film makers after the screening.