Exploring the diverse ways the human body can move has always been my passion as movement is such a powerful medium for conveying emotion and understanding oneself. My interest in movement began at a young age, stemming from my experience of learning classical ballet and contemporary dance styles. In 2015 I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT, Brisbane), with an additional minor in Health, Fitness and Wellness. Whilst dance is a fundamental part of my being, I longed for more physical and theoretical knowledge about how movement can intertwine the relationship between body and mind. Through that search for something more I found yoga.
As a dancer, I was under a lot of physical and emotional stress. There was the constant reminder that every step I took needed to be perfected. Over time this began to exhaust me and I sought out and more yoga classes to counteract that stress. I simply craved to be in a supportive, sacred and safe environment where judgement was nonexistent. The yoga studio, teachers and students offered this kind of experience. I embraced the idea that the physical side of yoga (asanas) was not the goal but rather just one tool to achieving peace within. To be able to move in a way that nurtured my body, not just physically but in other areas of wellness (mental, emotional and spiritual), also kept me coming back.
Ever since my first class I’ve been hooked and I am grateful for the journey yoga continues to take me on. Yoga showed me how to truly open my heart to compassion and grace and gave me an opportunity to obtain peace from within. It has offered a life long journey where I know that every time I step onto the mat I’m being shown what matters in life in the most graceful way. Yoga waits for me to surrender, drop judgements and expectations. Little by little, I’m becoming who I am truly meant to be.
Now, as a teacher of yoga I chose not to fracture yoga into categories that suited me but instead to fully embrace it. I felt a burning passion to breathe and live the yogic life every day and to share it with others. I truly believe that being a yoga teacher is what I am meant to do, my Dharma. Because it does not matter whether I’m participating in or taking a class I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for how it transforms my life (on and off the mat). I get immense joy out of being able to share this passion and way of life to others.
I am now a motivated yoga instructor specialising in Vinyasa and Restorative yoga. I understand that when I walk into a space to teach that I have a commitment and responsibility to all students in the room, ensuring the environment is safe and filled with passion and purpose. Through meditation, intention, pranayama and asana I guide students through a class that caters to their level but still challenges them, leaving them feeling refreshed, inspired and renewed.
Out of pure respect and passion I acknowledge the spiritual origins of yoga. This encompasses the teachings of the founders of yoga; B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, Sri T. Krishnamcharya and Swami Vivekenada. By integrating their spirituality and teachings into my classes I can offer students a truly holistic rather than a surface experience to yoga. This holistic approach facilitates a synergy of mind, body and spirit. I use both English and Sanskrit terminology, play subtle and uplifting music and utilise high grade essential oils to take my students to a deeper level of practice and meditation.
Yoga has improved my wellness; not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I consider it an honour to be able to now guide students through this transformative journey as well. I am however, forever a student of yoga and continue to study this field as well as live a yogic lifestyle and lead my classes in a way that reflects that choice.
With Love, Light and Gratitude,
Gianne