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ASHISH BAHUGUNA, Yoga Instructor
Ashish Bahuguna possesses depth of knowledge and experience way beyond his years. He has been practising yoga since he was 3 yrs old and speaks English, Hindi and Chinese. He studied and practised Yoga at The Ved Niketan Yoga Training centre in Rishikesh, The Shivananda Yoga centre (under the supervision of Swami Vishwaroopanandjee) and The Prarmarth Niketan Ashram (including studies in Hatha and Iyengar). He has also completed the Advance Teacher Trianing course at Rishikesh Yoga and a Vipanasa Meditation course in Dehradun India. Since 2006 Ashish has been teaching Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa and Iyengar yoga in India. He also held the position of Senior Yoga Teacher at the Yogi Yoga Center conducting Yoga Teacher Trainings. Ashish was awarded “Best Yoga Teacher” by the Center in China in 2007 and demonstrated poses for Yoga Journal in August 2007. Ashish is dedicated to refining his yoga teaching skills and has a deep passion to share the art of yoga by teaching others. He brings warmth and a sense of fun to his teachings. He is thrilled to be a part of Santosha and is honoured to have the opportunity to assist students in finding their own path. |
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Arvind Zanje, Yoga Instructor
Arvind comes to the Santosha team from India’s well known Yoga Club, having instructed yoga there for the past eight years. He studied yoga in Calcutta and in Gujarat and has also spent time teaching in the United States. He enjoys practicing yoga at every opportunity so that he can better impart his knowledge to his students. Arvind has conducted research linking yoga to reduced mental stress and as a healing art for diabetes, asthma and cancer. He holds all India Yoga Federation (AIYF ) Certifications in Hatha Yoga as an instructor. Arvind has worked with an international, diverse base of clients in his journey and has been teaching for the past ten years. His strengths include his expertise in Advanced Asana, Meditation, Pranyam (Breathing Exercise) and Yogic Kriyas. Arvind feels that Santosha embraces the essence of yoga and is honored to be a part of something that creates change for the better. |
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JEAN CAMPBELL, Yoga Instructor
Jean Campbell has been practicing yoga since 1994. As a qualified yoga teacher, Jean has been running yoga teacher training courses in Australia for the last four years and is currently involved in workshops and teacher training's both at home and internationally. She has taught and practiced various styles including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and pre and post natal yoga. With a great interest in the many aspects of yoga, Jean has travelled to India several times. She continues to further her study in Anatomy, Ayurveda and Yoga Philosophy. Jean's Anatomy teaching emphasises core strength and stability. She loves Yoga because it is such an effective system for cultivating awareness, strength & flexibility, at the same time stilling & calming the mind.
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LENTINE ZEHLER, Yoga Instructor
In 2005, Lentine and her husband moved to Okinawa, Japan, from the United States. It was on this tiny island that she met Sunny, director of Santosha. That's when Lentine's 10-year journey into yoga, athletics, social ecology and travel culminated in the beginning of an entirely new journey in search of the meaning of balance. Her personal practice grew into a new profession as a yoga instructor, and surfing logically became a new pastime. Together these passions infused a new sense of peace, connection and acceptance into her life.
Being asked to become part of the Santosha team was a wonderful opportunity to continue doing what she loves. Lentine looks forward to imparting her knowledge and helping others achieve balance in their lives |
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MARIA KIRSTEN, Yoga Instructor
Maria Kirsten is a senior certified teacher who has been practicing yoga for 19 years, and teaching yoga for 8 years. Originally certified in the Yogalates method, Maria is now a senior teacher trainer in Yogalates. She has studied under various teachers to deepen her understanding of anatomy and physiology as well as Viniyoga and Body Mind Centering. The emphasis of her teaching is on helping people practice yoga in a way that supports the needs of their body and the goals of their life. Classes with Maria are relaxed and fun; she offers lots of simplified variations of poses which make beginners feel safe and which challenge the foundations of experienced students. |
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FLO FENTON, Yoga Instructor
Flo Fenton has been practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching since 1997. Due to the diverse knowledge of her teachers, Flo has a wide range of expertise in yoga. Trained by masters of Iyengar, Astanga, and Satyananda traditions, Flo's focus is on building core-strength, and an ever deepening awareness of the relationship between the body, the breath, and our state of mind. She teaches precise awareness of alignment in the postures, 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
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ZOË TRENWITH, Yoga Instructor & Massage Therapist
Zoë Trenwith has been practicing yoga since 2003. Zoë first came to yoga after suffering injuries in a car accident but yoga quickly changed her life. She set about learning as much as she could both for herself and, as a qualified yoga teacher, she aims to help others along their individual journeys. Zoë’s journey in yoga has taken her to Bali and India and led to her move to Byron Bay, where she has worked as a yoga teacher as well as on teacher trainings. She has practiced various styles including Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa, Iyengar and Hatha. As well as being a qualified yoga teacher Zoë is also a qualified Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Thai Massage therapist and Massage Therapist. Zoë feels that Santosha’s foundings are true to her beliefs and ethics in her Yoga journey. Zoë feels strongly about her connection with Santosha and knows she has an abundance to offer. |
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PETER CLIFFORD, Yoga Instructor
Peter began studying Raja and Hatha Yoga in Tasmania in 1964 and then travelled to further his studies of Yoga and train in India in 1973 and since that time in India he has studied with the Indian Yogis of the Krishnamacharya Yoga tradition. BKS Iyengar, TKV Desikachar, AG Mohan. While living in Australia he continued to study and practice Yoga and trained with Nicky Knoff, James Bryant and Michel Besnard. Then in 1992 Peter was personally trained and certified to teach Hatha Yoga by Swami Sarasvati in Sydney and after satisfying the Australian Yoga Masters Association Teachers Registration Board was recognized as a teaching member in 1993. |
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JUNKO NAKAYA, Yoga Instructor / Japanese Interpreter
“Yoga teaches us to be grateful for everyday life and to connect with our pure love. “
Junko was born and grew up in Japan; at the age of 23 she immigrated to Australia and subsequently moved to Byron Bay in 2000 where Yoga became a deep and special part of her daily life. Junko is now a 500 hour YTAA certified yoga instructor. She leads international workshops in Japan and Bali and has been involved in many Yoga teacher trainings in Australia since 2006 as both a teacher and translator. Junko has just released a beautiful meditation CD dedicated to the promotion of peace and tranquillity throughout the world. Junko’s classes are inspiring and transformational and for her “Teaching yoga is the joy of bringing love and compassion into people’s lives “ Thank you to Santosha for giving me this possibility to share love through yoga with others. |
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CONSTA GEORGOUSSIS, Yoga Instructor
Consta began a yoga practice in 1989 and has since studied various popular forms with many talented teachers. Since 2000 he has worked on various teacher training programmes in a wide range of capacities from teaching asana to philosophy, as a principle teacher to a guest speaker. In the last few years he has worked exclusively in Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation bringing the insights he has developed in yoga practice for the service of others who are in crisis. He believes a yoga practice is worthless unless others benefit from it. In teaching philosophy, he works by developing a narrative that is engaging and stimulating which can cover a wide range of topics all geared towards encouraging insight and enquiry. |
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Rishi Nityabodhananda
Rishi Nityabodhananda is a Yogacharya (Master of yoga), a versatile and experienced teacher. He was initiated into Rishi Sannyasa during Easter 1999 by Paramahansa Niranjanananda.
In the late 1960’s Nityabodhananda left a professional career and for many years studied under his guru Swami Satyananda in India. Over the years he has taught yoga classes and run seminars in many parts of the world. With a vast knowledge of all aspects of Yoga he is well known for his ability to relate original Yoga texts and render abstruse philosophies in a language that enthuses and enlightens Yoga aspirants. Rishi Nityabodhananda conducts programs right across the broad spectrum of Yogic subjects. These include Bhakti Yoga, Gyana Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Currently he writes, having just completed an exhaustive work on Ajna Chakra he has now embarked onto his next book, Manipur Chakra. "Ajna" is due to be released in November 2009 at the Yoga Poornima celebrations at his Guru's ashram at Rikhia near Deoghar in Jharkand State India.
Also he teaches and gives satsangs around Australia and has just started a series of practical Kriya Yoga courses in Sydney and Melbourne. He was a senior teacher at the Satyananda Yoga Academy in New South Wales Australia, conducting seminars and lecturing in Yogic Studies programs for the Diploma of Satyananda Yoga Teaching. Now he devotes his time mainly to writing on the philosophy & practice of Yoga.
His life’s purpose is to serve the needs of people by carrying the message of his Guru, Swami Satyananda through his classes, lectures, seminars writings and satsangs.
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Rishi Yoga Diwali
Rishi Yoga Diwali brings to Yoga the light of inner experience Paramahansa Niranjanananda initiated Rishi Yoga Diwali into Rishi Sannyasa during Easter 1999. Originally She was initiated into Yoga by Swami Satyananda in 1980 after her transcendental Kundalini experiences which awakened her to the Truth in the intuitive realm.
Since that time her formal Yoga training and resultant teachings have always been highlighted by a characteristic hallmark, an exceptional intuitive understanding and approach to practices and theory ranging from elementary Asana practices through to Pranayama Meditation and Tantric visualisation techniques Always a spiritual aspirant, Diwali pursued a successful career in the art industry and simultaneously sought higher teachings.
She trained in Yoga at Satyananda Ashram at Mangrove Mountain and during extended stays in India where she received direct instructions from Swami Satyananda. Then her true calling came and she devoted her energies to spreading the light and knowledge of Yoga.
Her natural creative nature always shines from her sparkling individuality and her classes and lessons, based on tradition are modified with her creative flair to adapt to the minds and hearts of today. Rishi Yoga Diwali is a devoted and talented artist. She brings the light of Yoga through symbol yantra mantra and divine form.
She introduced a fresh approach to Yoga through her original Yoga and Art courses helping others to pursue imagination and visualisation as tools for relating to the sacred and divine within.
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Sanjay Sharma
Sanjay loves to teach Yoga and help others change their lives, this is his passion. Sanjay started Yoga teaching in May 2001 and currently teaches at the JVBU University in India, teaches various Yoga Teacher Trainings in China and has taught on many summer yoga programs in India for Europeans. Sanjay holds his ERYT 500 certification with Yoga Alliance. His own practise is an art form and loves to explore various styles of Yoga. Sanjay feels blessed to be apart of the Santosha team, as he knows that Santosha is indeed making a positive change in the world. |
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Sharon Little – Yoga Instructor/Fitness Instructor
As a yoga practitioner and Group Fitness Instructor of 10 years, Sharon was well aware of the wonderful benefits of fitness & yoga for the mind & body, yet became increasingly aware of these benefits during her prenatal & postnatal months with her 1st child. Since then it’s been her passion to share this knowledge with other women to assist them through this amazing chapter in their lives. Sharon teaches Prenatal, Postnatal, Active Birth, Children’s Yoga and Vinyasa Flow classes on the Gold Coast and co-ordinates Teacher Trainings around Australia. Sharon is also an active member of the ‘Australian Birth & Parenting Network ‘ conducting seminars on gentle and natural ways of birthing and parenting. As a registered Yoga Teacher (YTAA) and Fitness Professional (Fitness Australia), certified to teach Prenatal, Postnatal, Active Birth & Children’s Yoga for all ages, she looks forward to sharing her knowledge and passion of yoga with you. Sharon is excited to be apart of the Santosha Teaching Team! |
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Kester and Nadia Marshall
This husband and wife team are the Managing Directors of the Mudita Institute, an Australian-based education and training organisation established to teach people the fundamental practices of Ayurveda and Buddhist Psychology, to live their lives with greater peace, joy and wisdom. Kester is an Ayurvedic Naturopath specialising in women’s and children’s health.
He has run a successful health clinic for over 15 years in South Australia and more recently in Northern NSW and Qld. Originally trained as a Naturopath and Western Herbalist, Kester has studied Ayurvedic Medicine through the American Institute of Vedic Studies, the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies (A.I.A.S) and the Ayurvedic Research Institute in Pune, India. Kester is also a black belt in the Japanese martial art of Aikido and has practiced yoga for many years. Nadia is an Ayurvedic Consultant, Yoga Teacher, Professional Writer and Author of the Ayurvedic food and lifestyle course, “AGNI: Building a Strong Digestive Fire” and the Ayurvedic cookbook, “WARMTH”.
She has practiced yoga for over a decade, predominantly in the Shadow style and began teaching in 2006. The two are both formal students of Zen Teacher and Spiritual Director of the Mudita Institute, Sensei Michael Doko Hatchett. Through the Institute, they run educational and experiential retreats teaching a confluence of Ayurveda, Buddhist Psychology, Meditation and Yoga.
They wholeheartedly agree with Santosha’s emphasis on integrating Yoga and Ayurveda into daily life and are delighted to be part of the teaching team.
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More Santosha staff >
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We are currently updating all staff for the Teacher Trainings – please email for more information if needed. |
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