really proactive in their health.
In fact, I still fi nd at medical
seminars patient compliance is
always a huge topic that I rarely
deal with in the yoga world. I
think this is one of many of the
“side effects” of yoga: the yoga
lifestyle it often initiates. Yogis
are more in touch with what
their body needs and more
proactive to begin care earlier
on when needed.
As I continued seeing patients,
I found my patients who did yoga
responded to treatments more
quickly. So, I started giving what
I called “yoga prescriptions” to
my patients who didn’t do yoga
(just 1 or 2 poses or breathing
exercises they could easily do at
home). It was so effective that,
over time, I started to weave it
into the teacher trainings I was
leading, which eventually evolved
to become Yoga Medicine.
The guiding philosophy
behind Yoga Medicine is to be a
guide to our students and help
them investigate the path to
healing that is unique for them.
We do this by training our
teachers to understand both
western methodologies (anatomy,
physiology, kinesiology,
pathology) more deeply as well
as yoga specifi c applications to be
an adjunct to their medical care.
Our teachers are trained to work
with medical providers: not to
replace their medical care, but
to support our overburdened
medical systems. As a healthcare
practitioner, I saw fi rsthand the
desire for providers to refer their
patients to yoga. However, the
diversity of care and training of
teachers made it almost
impossible. Yoga Medicine is a
transparent training program
that allows doctors to see exactly
what our teachers have trained in
so they can make the appropriate
referrals. We have over 7000
teachers now around the world,
so we have a pretty wide network
of which to choose from.
Yoga Medicine isn’t a style
of yoga, but rather a deeper
training in western and eastern
concepts so that we can use both
the experience from hundreds ofmy back and it’s funny to think
that there was a sense of relief
that I had accomplished my goal.
The reality is that it wasn’t the
practice, it was my approach and
if it weren’t yoga it would have
been something else. At least the
yoga gave me the awareness I
needed to eventually heal my
body.
Over the past decade my
practice evolved the most. From
handstands and arm balances,
feeling like I needed to teach that
because that’s what people
wanted, to just teaching what I
really believed in and fi nally to
what is now Yoga Medicine. In my
own practice and in my teaching,
I love to investigate and explore
the relationship between so many
things like my mind and body,
neuroscience and meridians,
anatomy and a spiritual practice,
non-judgmental awareness and
working with pain and, of course,
the power of the mind. I love to
investigate what drives our
deepest desires and needs and
how that shows up in the world.
Chinese Medicine has taught
me the value of introspection and
slowing down on my health. I love
to investigate what happens when
I shift from a place of lack (I have
to do more, I have be more, I must
do more chaturangas to keep my
arms strong...) to a place of
abundance (What do I need today?
How can I nourish/heal myself?).
In everybody there is clearly a
place for movement and a time for
stillness but it requires that we
empty ourselves of preconceived
judgements to be able to clearly
see what it is we truly need in that
moment. I never would have
guessed yoga would become so
mainstream, but I love it. As a
yoga teacher, my mission has
always been to help as many
people as I can.
How did your these studies
culminate in the creation of
your business, Yoga Medicine?
I taught all through university and
post-grad work, so when I started
seeing patients, many of my
patients were also yoga students.
I found my yoga students to be
Please email [email protected]
or call 0409443034 for more details
http://www.soulcentre.com.auThis training will
leave you feeling
confident in your own
practice and ready to teach.
We believe that the best
teachers embody yoga in
their day to day life; therefore,
this course is designed to help
you dive deep into all facets of
yoga so that the teachings
become a part of your life.
The course framework and
length allows you to ingest and
digest the full yogic experience.- Technique & Yoga Practice
- Teaching Methodology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle
and Ethics for Yoga Teachers - Nutritional Awareness
- Practice Teaching & Assisting
This is an immersive training.
The course will run from Monday through
Friday 5.45am – 4pm (times will vary for days)Location: Soul Centre Studio, The Brickworks,
3 Brolga Ave, Southport QLD 4215Pricing: Early Bird: $3500 (until May 30th)
Full Fee: $3900An AUD$500 deposit is due upon application
to the teacher training.200HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
30th July - 25th August 2018