Martine's love for movement began at four, when she enrolled in her first ballet class in the coastal town of Port Macquarie. She continued with that passion, studying and performing various styles of dance, before fulfilling her next love, producing two beautiful and busy boys (now young men).
After searching for something to fulfil her desire again for movement and passion a friend suggested Power Yoga classes. Martine began practicing Power Vinyasa Yoga in 2006 and loved the transformative effect the classes had on her physically, and more surprisingly, mentally and emotionally. "I loved the way Power Yoga could transform my whole mood by the end of the class, and I could walk away feeling joyful, retrospective, courageous or just relaxed depending on what happened on the mat that day! With continued practice I realised that this style of yoga was a moving meditation and with time I was enjoying staying present during class, not having to fidget or be constantly distracted by a busy mind."
It was this love for yoga and it's many physical and spiritual benefits that inspired Martine to start her own business, Spirit Yoga in 2010. With no fixed studio, classes at Spirit Yoga are taught in various locations such as gyms, yoga studios, Crossfit Box, schools (for sport elective), loungerooms, libraries, the beach and in the local Entertainment Centre. Although, a quiet studio is what a lot of yogis are used to, my students very quickly learn the benefits of practicing 'where they are'. They are more easily able to find 'the calm amongst the chaos' in everyday life instead of being easily distracted or ruffled, as this is their constant practice. After all life itself isn't always quiet and zen with a candle flickering peacefully in the background.
Her Power Yoga (yang) classes are a playful fusion of Power Vinyasa Yoga (flowing) and Core Vinyasa Yoga (CSV). The Still Yoga (yin) classes are mostly seated poses (asana) with the addition of pranayama, mindfulness and a guided relaxation. Martine is also certified and experienced in teaching Kids Yoga (pre-school to teens) and teaches High School children regularly at MacKillop College for Sport Elective. Private lessons are available in all styles of yoga including pregnancy yoga and Mums and Bubs.
Many courses and workshops have been facilitated by Spirit Yoga including Active Nation Day 2014 for Lorna Jane Port Macquarie, Ekam Yoga Festival (Port Macquarie), Kids Yoga Workshops in the 'Glasshouse' (the local Arts, Conference and Entertainment Centre), Kids Yoga Classes (per term) for Primary and High School Sport Elective and also Adult courses for the Community College. At present Still Yoga (yin) classes are provided as a fee-for-service arrangement to St Agnes Parish employees, clients and residents.
Two series of yoga e-Books have been written by Martine and self published by Spirit Yoga on Amazon. The first series, Yoga for the Seasons consists of five e-Books for Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn and Winter. The second collection, The Spirit Yoga Health Series is a collection of five yoga e-Books designed to benefit a particular health concern and made into and easy to follow class. These are, Yoga for: Asthma, Lower Back, Pregnancy, Stress and Anxiety and Weightloss.
You can find Spirit Yoga YouTube clips online, as well as courses on CoachTube with FREE and paid courses/classes available.
Martine is enjoying being able to share her love of yoga in Port Macquarie and afar, and encourages her students of all ages to live from a place of peace, strength and clarity.