Doris moved from Switzerland to New Zealand in 1995 and soon after began her Yoga journey. In 2007 she started studying Ayurveda medicine, the sister science of Yoga which resulted in her graduation from Wellpark College in Auckland with a Diploma in Ayurvedic Lifestyle Management in 2009. Since then Doris consults and advises clients on a regular basis.
In 2002 Doris enjoyed a three-month-long teacher training with Nicky Knoff in Cairns, where she was introduced to Nicky’s style of yoga, a mixture of Ashtanga Vinyasa and Iyengar Yoga. Doris completed the training with a certification in Level I and Level II.
A few years later she was introduced to John & Lucy Scott’s Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and was instantly mesmerized by their teachings. Doris had practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga before but under Lucy and John’s wings she started to understand the complexity and beauty of this practice and the importance of working from the heart. Since then Doris has worked with John & Lucy on a regular basis and due to their guidance her practice and her understanding of Yoga has deepened and changed. Doris has completed their teacher trainings I and II. Since 2009 she is a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher with the International Yoga Alliance.
To Doris Yoga is a way of living. It is about letting the heart rule and it is about connecting with all that is around us. Yoga to her is the path of self-realization, the magic of discovering who we really are.
The focus of her teachings is on synchronizing movement with breath, the uninterrupted and easy flow of the breath in each posture. Doris offers varied classes that include different elements of posture work, breath work, chanting, and meditation. Doris also puts emphasis on the spiritual side of Yoga. All her classes are physical and she endeavours to provide an oasis of security, love and sharing.
Urs was a late starter, at 48, and only came to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga because of the dedication and transformation he witnessed in Doris who had been practising for many years.
He enjoys the synchronicity of breath and movement in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice; the combination of physicality, spirituality, and meditation; challenging and rewarding at the same time.
His main influences are Doris and Lucy & John Scott. Urs has been fortunate to attend workshops and trainings with Manju Jois, David Kiel, Jude Hynes, Lucy & John Scott, Katie Lane, Ganesh Mohan, as well as Simon Borg-Olivier.
Urs has experienced firsthand the many benefits a regular practice has had on his stiff and injured body, on his busy mind, on his well-being in general, as well as the changes it brought forth in his everyday life.
It is his desire to introduce beginners to the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice and to enable them to start experiencing the many benefits of this beautiful practice.
Urs also helps long time practitioners with fine-tuning and adapting their practice to their own body, mind and lifestyle. He also assists Doris in some of her classes.
In 2003, when chronic back problems became intolerable and therapeutic remedies no longer gave any relief, I turned to yoga. After practicing different styles, I was introduced to the Iyengar School of Yoga and very quickly found that this method was right for me.
After experiencing such profound personal relief, I wanted to share this with others and so began my teacher training with Rosie Holland J13 in 2008. Rosie is a highly respected Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Trainer and Assessor in New Zealand.
I maintain a close working relationship with Rosie, with ongoing professional training on a monthly basis. I also attend regular workshops with her and other senior teachers from New Zealand and overseas, working towards the teacher certification.
My own Yoga journey began in Wellington in 1985. Intuitively, I knew this is what I needed to explore.
In between different countries, Yoga teachers, Yoga styles and raising a family I:
2002 attained the IYTA (International Yoga Teachers’ Association NZ) Teaching diploma
2007 Donna Farhi Advanced Yoga Studies Certificate
2009 Laughter Yoga Certificate Yoga Vidya Germany
My Yoga practice is so much more than just a physical practice. It allows me to explore body, mind and spirit and to discover what I need to practice and apply in my life. The practice on my mat filters into my daily life. It helps me to maintain and improve the quality of life all around me. This I am very passionate about, to share in my classes.
I am committed to ongoing learning and self development. I attend Yoga training courses on a regular basis both in NZ and overseas.
I have been teaching in NZ and Germany (where my mother, a Yoga teacher, lives) for 10 years.
My name is Nici Haliburton; I have been a Pilates instructor for 4 years and own with Jacqui Core Pilates and Fitness Studios. I am married with three young girls. Finding Pilates was exactly right for me after I had my third child, as a participant I found a form of fitness that made me strong and supple – something I will be able to continue all my life.
As an instructor, I love teaching people to move from a strong centre so that they are able to move with freedom and ease.
Qualifications:
Netfit personal trainer, PIA qualified pilates instructor including pre and post natal, LSSM massage therapist, trained in muscle imbalances and correctives.
Clare’s interest in Yoga began when she moved to Havelock North in 1971 reading deeply and practising from books. This developed her inner calm and self-reliance and a lifelong interest in the health benefits of simple living and connected consciousness. While studying for Diploma in Naturopathy in Auckland in the 1980’s Clare started attending Yoga classes and weekends at the Satyananda Ashram centres in Grey Lynn and the Waikato, and also classes with Kanya Stewart, a Sivananda devotee.
On returning to Hawke’s Bay Clare was invited to start teaching Ray McCarthy’s classes and has developed her teaching practice since then. Daily practice of Yoga and meditation has been a cornerstone of Clare’s adult life and service as a householder, mother and naturopath. Further teachers include John Scott and Peter Sanson, who set Clare on the flight path of Ashtanga Vinyasa; Nicki Knoff who inspired with her longevity of practice, attention to detail and integration of mind/heart training into mat work; and other teachers in Australia and NZ.
In 2001 Clare undertook a ‘Training the Trainer’ Samatha meditation course with Lama Chodeak Rinpoche and has taught several 8 week courses per year since then. Now in mid-life and with a healthy, strong and pliant bodymind Clare’s teaching practice is further informed by Buddhadharma and ChiGong. Each day is a blessing, each breath is life.
