Jaymala Sharma
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook & Westside Yoga, Seddon & Yoga Space, Balaclava
Founder & Director of Laya Wellness Group, Jaymala is humbly the custodian of three thriving yoga communities in Victoria: Laya Yoga (Point Cook), Westside Yoga (Seddon) and Yoga Space Melbourne (Balaclava), and teaches across all shalas.
With over 17+ years of yoga teaching experience in India and Australia, Jaymala blends her rich life experiences and spiritual journey into her classes.
Her teaching approach is non-judgmental, compassionate, and infused with philosophical awareness. She empowers her students intuitively, focusing on anatomy, alignment, and the scientific reasoning behind yoga's age-old wisdom.
Born in Rajasthan, India, Jaymala grew up practicing yoga under the guidance of her role model, her grandfather, who led a simple and principled life despite his remarkable career accomplishments.
Jaymala considers herself a lifelong student of yoga and has completed over 2000+ hours of training with renowned yoga schools and teachers, including Mahayogi Aksharnath, Dominique Salerno, Mark Pheely, Jenni Morrison-Jack, Simon Borg-Olivier, Leslie Kaminoff, Jo Phee, and more.
She is deeply grateful for the rich lineage and collective wisdom of all the teachers and yogis who have played a significant role in her journey of connecting to the universal consciousness through yoga. Her journey as a student has involved the following learnings and experiences over the years:
Masters Yoga Teacher program in Bengaluru, India
Advanced Teachers Training Program at AYA
Post-graduate program with Ihana Yoga
Masters degree in Human Resources and Finance
Jaymala is deeply grateful for the rich lineage and collective wisdom of all the teachers and yogis, who have contributed immensely to connect to the universal consciousness through yoga.
David Gorvett
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon & Yoga Space, Balaclava
I first came to Yoga while I was still living in the UK, more than a decade ago. I’d been involved in various movement disciplines all my life, from team sports to solo endeavours, and while I might have initially come for the movement, I quickly fell in love with the grounding nature of Yoga.
I became more and more interested in the improvements a mindful practice can have on the health of both body and mind, and so, inspired by a thirst to deepen my own understanding as well as a desire to share the benefits of Yoga with others, I completed my Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teacher Training with AYA. By the end of that training I was hooked, and went on to complete a certificate in Yin Yoga & Functional Anatomy with Karina Smith, as well as various other workshops and certifications.
I love continuing to learn and deepen my understanding of this incredible system, and hope that I’m able to convey some of that passion in my own teaching. In my classes, I aim to encourage a strong focus on mindfulness, on marrying breath with movement, and an understanding that we must listen to the feedback from our unique and incredible bodies and honour how they feel each and every time we step on (or off!) the mat.
Ari (Ariella) Markman
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Ari loves, lives and breathes yoga. From her first class as a uni student trying to get her life together, she became deeply and richly immersed in the practice, teachings and philosophy of yoga.
After a 20 year career in human rights law and conflict resolution, Ari had an epiphany. It was yoga that made her feel most alive. All the teachings over the years, her love of this beautiful practice started to make sense. Time to free her inner teacher and create a community space.
Ari has been teaching yoga for many years. She has completed many incredible teacher trainings, has lectured hundreds of yoga teacher trainees and has run many workshops and retreats.
For Ari, yoga is a holistic frame that guides her through life. It supports the way she parents, the way she partners and the way she lives.
Ari’s classes share breath, philosophy, laughter and connection. She teaches with an authenticity and wisdom that will deepen your practice and your connection to you.
Annie Manos
Teaching Location:
I was drawn to deepen my yoga practice after struggling with regular sickness soon after becoming a mum and developing an autoimmune disease. I had practised yoga sporadically throughout my life and travel throughout India in my 20s also sparked a curiosity in me towards yoga and Buddhist philosophies.
As an isolated mother with relentless illness, the practice became an important investment for mostly my mental wellbeing and it provided a road map to healing for my mind and my body.
Yoga for me has been a vehicle for self-discovery and reflection, a tool to develop mindfulness, self-compassion, deeper self-love and love toward others, ease and clarity within my life’s challenges, recognising and releasing my ego and ultimately, learning to let go of and heal from both physical and emotional pain and suffering.
I then went on to learn more with the Australian Yoga Academy completing the 350-hour advanced yoga diploma that was the beginning of a calling to be of service and work within a caregiving framework of yoga teaching.
I am an anaesthetic specialist nurse and love all things anatomy physiology microbiology and anaesthetics, and continue to geek out over the magical human body. I have a particular interest in pre and post-natal students. Having worked for 23yrs with obstetric patients in hospitals.
My classes are a blend of the Western sciences with the Eastern practice of yoga. Providing students with an opportunity to be attuned to their ever-changing bodies, energy and self, whilst learning how to safely practice yoga and meet other like-minded mummas. My aim is that these students will move into their day feeling nourished, connected, empowered and most importantly prepared with a tool kit for their labour, birth and postpartum.
I very much look forward to spending time with you.
Becka Mezzatesta
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon
Yoga found me during a time of feeling pretty fragmented inside. Over time, with guidance and support the practice has a had beautiful way of bringing everything back together and re-affirming wholeness. I am passionate about the potential that the practice has for personal growth, within a supportive community.
My intention is to share safe, supportive space that nurtures agency, creativity and the freedom to explore and love all parts of your Being.
Betty Khumtong
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Betty is a devoted yoga practitioner who shares her experience and passion as a teacher for the past 16 years.
Self-taught from 18, using a book borrowed from her grandfather who was also a dedicated yoga practitioner, Betty’s practice has turned into years of showing up patiently on the mat. She recognizes the importance of self discipline and self motivation in a path towards self acceptance.
Betty brings a mindful practice that incorporates different important aspects of yoga in to her classes. Expect a strong, well-balanced classes that will leave you feel uplifted, opened and grounded.
Catherine Birtchnell
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook
Catherine began her yoga path in 2002. The attraction of linking mind, body and breath, drew her closer to exploring this personal world a little further. Having left the busy construction corporate world in 2014 she then began the journey of studies and further interest in the power of connecting your physical self and soul.
Since then, she has completed several trainings and continues to have a passion for Hatha, 26/2 Detox Series and Laughing Yoga.
A mother of 3, she understands the stresses that come with everyday life but you will discover her classes to be nurturing, yet enthusiastic and accommodating. When she is not teaching, you may find her cooking, camping, hiking and gardening.
She often goes by the name of ‘Cat’ and believes “you should come as you are, no judgement inside or out. It is your class, your sanctuary, your time.”
Connie Lui
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
As a passionate yoga teacher, Connie enjoys guiding practitioners of all levels through dynamic flows, employing thoughtful sequencing and transitions that inspires both body and mind.
Through her own yoga journey and balancing corporate life, she recognises that yoga is not only a physical practice but also a gateway to inner calmness. Connie loves to embrace the power of pranayama, enhancing each class with a deep connection to the breath, cultivating a sense of stillness amidst the chaos of everyday life.
Daisy Tait
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Daisy has always felt the importance of expression through movement, having trained as a dancer for most of her life. For Daisy, yoga was a way to do this, away from the competitiveness of the industry.
Daisy likes to encourage students to listen to their body and practice in a way that feels authentic to them, while ensuring that her classes are inclusive and accessible to all. Her influence from dance means her sequences are playful, creative and dynamic.
Janelle Kingsley
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon
I (she/her) first came to yoga while studying at university almost 20 years ago. Growing up and as a young student, I was naturally inquisitive about the less tangible aspects of our existence. Through continued questioning, I found myself wanting to explore deeper, to bring to light parts of myself and humankind that couldn’t be studied in text books, but required further exploration and embodiment. It was through my discovery of yoga that I accessed further vitality, deeper inner wisdom and soul-fulfilling nourishment.
One of my mantras is: ‘At times a teacher, always a student’, and I guide practices including Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, meditation and somatic movement.
I am trauma informed in my approach and an Ambassador for The Yoga Impact Charity. Having undertaken various trainings over the years, I am currently continuing studies with world renowned teachers like Dr Peter Levine in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy.
Three words to descibe my classes are joyful, caring and connected. My personal practice is supported by my Tantric Yoga roots involving mantra, mudra, breathwork and can range from yin to dynamic flow depending on what supports me on any given day.
I love Westside as from the moment I attended my first class here several years ago, I could feel the deep roots and the care of the space and everyone involved. I feel deeply honoured and excited to be a part of this wonderful community.
Jess Robertson
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon & Yoga Space, Balaclava
My favourite quote is, “You are the sky, everything else is just the weather” reminding me that nothing is permanent and it is a constant practise to stay in the present moment.
Yoga for me is a chance to reconnect and re-align the body, mind & breath, either through stillness, movement and/or meditation. I believe in listening to our own intuition and using this as a guide each and every day with kindness & balance. I believe that there is this inner voice in all of us, sometimes it just cant be heard above the noise of our everyday lives.
The intention behind my classes is for students to slow down and reconnect to that intuition while getting all the benefits yoga has on the body, in particular the spine & skeletal structure & finding a sense of lightness & play along the way.
Keigo Kariyan
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon
Drawing on his years living at a monastery, steeped in the ancient tradition of Zen, Keigo offers a steady yoga practice, led with balance, intention and a meditative approach. Having been guided in life by the hands of gratitude and reverence, a lens that opens up his awareness to the richness and precarious nature of existence, he offers this sacred union back to the students. After feeling reconnected to your body and breath he will encourage you to continue cultivating an awakened mind well beyond the mat.
Keigo first approached yoga, over a decade ago, to prepare his body for long sits in the zendo and now further studies the practice as a way of life. His deepest purpose is to help shape the education of team sports with yogic and spiritual awareness.
Keigo completed his teacher training at Australian Yoga Academy (350hr), and continues to learn and grow through his mentors and teachers with the sincerest respect and appreciation; Hogen and Chozen Bays, Andrew and Lucy Lawes.
Lara Dwyer
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava & Westside Yoga, Seddon
With years of teaching experience and wisdom, Lara weaves together a beautiful practice that invites liveliness and joy, a cultivation of steadiness and spiritual connection. An eternal student who has trained with many exceptional teachers, she brings warmth, calm and a clarity to her teaching coupled with poetic guidance and a beautiful flow.
Liz Wells
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Liz believes that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, and brings a light-hearted, relaxed approach to class. With fluid sequencing and a focus on anatomical alignment, she aims to safely balance fire, ease and play in the body.
With a background in Physiotherapy, and years of working with athletes, both elite and amateur, Liz’s approach shifted to include the holistic benefits of asana, pranayama and meditation.
Liz’s teachings create a sense of freedom in the body, flowing breath to movement, allowing students to step out of the analytic mind and into the body’s ebbs and flow.
Lucy Liga Ludmila
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook & Westside Yoga, Seddon
Lucy’s approach: to make yoga inclusive of age, ability and size. She encourages all yogis to explore past the physical posture. Lucy believes this deeper approach can help students heal and sow the seeds of opportunity, clarity, compassion and a deeper enjoyment in life.
She started practicing yoga at the age of 18.
Lucy discovered yoga as a way to gain great awareness and access insights about herself. This has helped her heal, change patterns, and live a joyful life skillfully with compassion, authenticity and kindness.
“Yoga has helped me through stressful times, work challenges and rearing a brood of three children,” she explains.
Lucy has studied mainly under James Bahuth, Amanda Hood, Dominique Salerno and Mark Pheely. She is currently mentored by Samantha Cocker-Godson and is studying Buddhism with Christopher Titmuss - she completed a 14 day vipassana retreat under Christopher's guidance.
Lucy has been teaching yoga for over three years and has cultivated her own style according to the needs of the group. She particularly likes teaching Yin and a fusion of Vinyasa/ Chi Gong. She is currently completing her Level 1 Qigong Training with Nicole Lee.
Nick Fischer
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Nick has a calm approach to teaching, focusing on interesting sequencing, breath, safe alignment and mindful movements. He offers a style of teaching that is accessible for all students, helping to foster a sense of inner awareness and connection for a more balanced life on and off the mat. We know you’ll love his soothing energy and sense of presence.
Rachel Lewis
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Rachel’s teaching philosophy boils down to one overriding principle: helping students find inner
balance by sharing the pure joy of purposeful breath and movement. Yoga is like a coming home or an awakening for Rachel.
With energetic flowing sequences with an emphasis on cultivating prana, Rachel’s classes help to unravel the ties that hold us back and return to one’s divine essence. This helps students to see, feel and experience yoga as a vital life support – a vehicle to strengthen and soften far beyond the
physical. She truly believes it is a great honour and blessing to share these precious, ancient wisdom teachings, with our community.
Rodrigo Capati
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook & Westside Yoga, Seddon
Rodrigo found yoga in his early twenties. It started off simply as a way to stretch and release tightness from his body from years of martial arts and gym training. From completing his first yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India, Rodrigo had unexpectedly discovered its true power and ability to completely shift not only the body but also the mind into a deeper level of consciousness.
While not teaching yoga, Rodrigo also has a love for design and furniture making. The process of woodworking is also a form of yoga for him, the care and attention to detail with the need for deep focus creates a place of calm and serenity.
Rodrigo’s teaching comes rather intuitively and with a focus on dynamic movements that gets the whole body engaged paired with life philosophy that hopefully stays with you long after you’ve left the mat.
Samantha Sepulveda
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook
Samantha’s passion for learning has taken her down some wonderful paths. For most of her life, Samantha has suffered from anxiety, and how to deal with it was always a challenge.
She discovered that moving her body helped her immensely: karate and rock climbing were positive influences at the beginning of her journey to well-being.
Samantha has walked down many diverse career paths and has worked with a variety of artists and designers. For many years, she also worked as a florist and chef.
Good food, exercise and mental health have always been her main priority, even more so since becoming a mother.
She discovered yoga 10 years ago and has found her true passion as a teacher. Always a student, she continues to expand her knowledge, and her daily practice brings her calmness, balance and mental clarity.
Samantha teaches Yin, Restorative, Meditation, Hatha, Flow & Alignment, Vinyasa, Core & Strength. She leads from her heart, with softness, love and empathy.
Her purpose as a yoga teacher is to guide her students to develop and grow not only in their yoga practice, but in their everyday lives.
Diploma of Yoga Teaching - Western Wellness Institute of Training
Yin Yoga and Functional Anatomy Training - Karina Smith - Australian Yoga Academy
Masterclass/Workshops with Lucas Miles, Craig Villani, Karina Smith, Lucy Ludmila
Sarah Machado
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Born in France, mama of 2 daughters, Yoga found Sarah more than 20 years ago. Sarah practices and shares a modern approach to traditional teachings using tools that she has been gifted by her teachers. Sarah loves all aspects of the yoga tradition (Asana, pranayama, mudra, mantra,
yoga nidra and meditation) to help students bring body and mind to a state of coherence.
Sarah creates space for everyone to feel welcome so they know they can practice in a way that feels good for their body. With a strong connection to the breath, energy, philosophy and self-inquiry, Sarah teaches with intention and soul.
Shawn Lee
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook
I'm so glad to join the Laya Wellness Community!!! I have been a long-time student at Westside. As a teacher, Shawn has a passion for sharing on and off-the-mat practices through his offerings such as studio classes, workshops and retreats. Grounded in yoga philosophies and inspired by modern ideas, Shawn weaves a tapestry of wholehearted living into his offerings.
Off the mat, Shawn is a full-time executive in the community sector. He is also a clarinetist in a concert band and enjoys regular public performances. Shawn’s approach to balancing his executive career and life as a non-professional musician is by devoting his practice and teaching of living with curiosity and treading purposefully towards a harmonious existence alongside fellow truth-seekers in a supportive community.
Shawn started exploring aspects of yoga ever since he qualified as a physiotherapist in his early 20s. During his journey in the realm of wellness, Shawn laid a solid foundation in understanding the intricacies of the human body and its interconnectedness. Shawn became progressively aware of the transformative nature of yoga beyond movement and fell in love with this holistic technology.
Sushil Atik
Teaching Location: Laya Yoga, Point Cook
Sushil has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 9 years. She later discovered her passion for teaching in 2016, completing her yoga teacher training in hatha, yin and pregnancy yoga.
Sushil is passionate about yin yoga and incorporates meridians and the chakra system in her teachings. She includes meditation, pranayama, yogic philosophy, and mindfulness in every class. You can expect to finish your class with a yoga nidra, which will leave you feeling relaxed and reconnected to your physical, mental, and energetic body.
Alongside teaching yoga, Sushil is also a massage therapist, pilates instructor and reiki master teacher. She values the importance of moving the body and stilling the mind as a means of deeper connection with ourselves.
Stephanie Tenter
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
It took Stephanie a long time to finally step onto a yoga mat and once she did, it became a huge part of her life. Working in a busy corporate world tired, uninspired and stressed, yoga gave Stephanie what she longed for, a feeling of lightness and brightness.
With a desire to deepen her practice and share what yoga gives, she began to teach and a new path opened up. A dedicated yoga student who speaks authentically and from the heart, Stephanie loves to teach strong vinyasa classes, beginners and Yin – different class types that allow different parts of her personality to shine bright and support students.
Tam Connor
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon
I am a creative at heart, and an eternal student, I love learning new things. I probably teach because I have more questions than answers. When not exploring aspects of yoga, you will find me engaged in my other passions, graphic design, hanging out with my dog Maisie, art, books, travel, cooking, anything crafty or creative.
I believe that yoga is an empowering self-care practice that encourages and supports personal reflection and growth. After sporadic practice through my 20s, I returned to yoga in my 30s looking to overcome persistent back pain, but I found so much more. A truly holistic practice, yoga supports not just the physical, but also the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.
I completed my first teacher training at Australian Yoga Academy in 2014-15 and in 2017 completed a Post Grad training at Ihana Yoga, St.Kilda. My love of learning has led me to many further trainings including Yin with Karina Smith, Restorative and Yoga Nidra with Cathie McGill, and numerous workshops with Donna Farhi, Lesley Kamminoff, Sadie Nardini, Simon Borg-Olivier, Jenni Morrison-Jack, Dominique Salerno, Les Leventhal, Mysan Sidbo, and many other inspirational teachers.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the idea of yoga as a living tradition. While humbly acknowledging the ancient wisdom on which we all build our interpretations, this is an experiential practice that is deeply personal. Learning to trust in our individual experience and knowledge is part of the journey. I am excited and grateful to be able to share this practice with the wonderful Westside community.
Tiffany Simon
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Tiffany’s nurturing and playful teaching style encourages students to engage in a practice of self-discovery and move from a place of intuition and intention. No two classes are ever the same, with creative, dynamic sequences and a modern interpretation of ancient yogi philosophies and techniques.
Tony Dennis
Teaching Location: Westside Yoga, Seddon
I'm delighted to join the Westside Yoga Community!!! My name is Tony Dennis, I'm 59 years old and have been practicing Yoga for over 25 years (Iyengar, Shadow, Ashtanga and Akhanda). I have been teaching for over 10 years now, both in the northern rivers and India. I studied under my root Guru Geshe Doha at Tara Institute in Melbourne for 5 years, I studied Mahayana Buddhism, primarily on Shantidevas graduated path of enlightenment and received initiations in both White Tara and medicine Buddha practices.
2012: I completed my 200-hr training with Sahshiv and Radha Barley, Akhanda Yoga Australia.
2016: I completed my 300-hr training at my guru's ashram in Tapovan, Rishikesh
2017: Completed Advanced alignment and assist programme with Eoin Finn, Torquay.
2018: Assisted in YTT programmes in India and completed Yin Training.
2020: Assisted in running online Masters of Pranayama, Akhanda Yoga.
Tzvia Ben-Rahamim
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Known and loved by many, Tzvia teaches a class rich with feeling, soul and strength. An immensely experienced teacher, Tzvia’s classes are filled with creative flows, modern wisdom and so much love. Join her on the mat to experience their magic.
Thana Buathong
Teaching Location: Yoga Space, Balaclava
Thana's yoga journey began in 2013 when he discovered Bikram yoga, when he stepped out of that first class he knew straight away that what he wants to do for the rest of his life. He also discovered Vipassana Meditation which had a big impact and completely transformed him to a better version of himself.
Thana merges an asana practice with philosophical elements sharing the physical and mental transformations a yoga practice can bring to students in an inspiring and passionate way. Thana’s classes are mindful, creative and lighthearted. He loves creating playlists to go with each sequence to weave the rhythms of breath and music together.
With 800+ hours of teacher training, he has been fortunate to learn from beloved teachers such as Maty Ezraty, Shiva Rea, Noelle Connelly, Simon Park, Kat Clayton , Ari Hunter, Dice Yoga , Joanne Gates and Jo Phee Yinspiration.