ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge the Ngunnawal People as the traditional owners of the land on which I am blessed to reside, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia.  I pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

MY VALUES

Growing up in South Africa and seeing the devastating, heart-breaking impact of Apartheid, I have always had a strong desire to help build a world where no human being experiences discrimination or oppression .  The idea that anybody is “less than” because of their race, religion, cultural background, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or health status is deeply upsetting.  Both in my personal life and my work, I endeavour to treat all those I come across with kindness, dignity and respect, and to contribute to them feeling valued and valuable. 

MY COMMITMENT

I regard being a life coach, yoga teacher, women’s circle space holder and retreat facilitator as a privilege and a responsibility.  Holding brave and inclusive spaces where people feel welcomed, accepted and appreciated is of extreme importance to me.

As a white, cis, able-bodied woman I am aware of my vast privilege and that this has influenced my upbringing, conditioning, thinking, belief systems, past and current circumstances.

I am committed to:

• Owning and unpacking my biases.
• Investing time and money in education in areas of anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-oppression, cultural appropriation, trauma-awareness, inclusion, equity and diversity.
• Staying open to being corrected when I get it wrong and stepping out of denial and defensiveness so I can hear what I’m being told.
• Honouring the lived experiences of all those I come across and believing people when they share their encounters of prejudice, oppression, trauma, exclusion and marginalisation.
• Speaking out and standing up against injustices, even when my voice shakes.
• Working and living in a way that endeavors to do the least amount of harm.

INCLUSTION, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY

In my capacity as a yoga teacher I welcome people of all ages, body types, gender identities, sexual orientation, cultural and religious backgrounds into the spaces I teach in.

As a circle facilitator and coach I work with women-identifying folk of all ages, body types, sexual orientation, cultural and religious backgrounds

I offer reduced pricing on all my services for those who hold a marginalised identity.  This includes anyone who is Black, Brown, Indigenous, A Person of Colour, A Person with a physical disability, and members of the LGBTQIA+ Community.  Reductions are decided on a case by case basis.  If this is applicable to you, I invite you to reach out to me HERE to begin a conversation.  I look forward to hearing from you.

TRAUMA INFORMED TRAINING AND SCOPE OF PRACTICE

I did volunteer work for the South African Police Force as a victim empowerment and support person, for which I received training for.  I have also undergone several trauma awareness trainings as a yoga teacher.  I’m committed to ongoing education in this area and continuous attention on my own healing journey.  I approach my work through the lens that all humans have experienced trauma to some degree in their lifetimes.

However, I am not trained as a counsellor and my services do not include counselling or therapy of any kind.  If the requirement of someone I am working with goes beyond my scope of practice, I have a list of practitioners to offer as referrals.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All correspondence, conversations and interactions between myself and my clients are held in confidence.

Testimonials and kind words (which may include client’s names and photos) are always shared with permission.

Before beginning a coaching series, a contract will be provided that states time-frames, costs (which are also shown next to all services offered on my website), terms and conditions, what the client can expect from me and what is expected of them.

I believe in consent and choice and this underpins all of my interactions.

I will never use tactics of shaming and gas-lighting, create a hierarchy or undermine those I work with.

I will never apply pressure or manipulation in order to get someone to work with me.

My intention is to empower those I guide and treat them as the sovereign humans that they are.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION IN YOGA

Yoga can be traced back to at least 5000 years ago and originated in India.  It is widely believed that Swami Vivekananda introduced Yoga to the Western World through conferences held in the USA in 1893.  Paramahansa Yogananda, B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and others continued the spread of this Eastern Philosophy into the West.  Whilst the origins of Yoga may have been delivered to the Western World freely, it is often practiced and taught without reverence to it’s roots.

I am committed to sharing what I know respectfully by:

• Investing time and money in continued education of the ancient philosophies and history of yoga.
• Referencing the original intention of the practice when teaching.
• Using Mala Beads and other sacred symbols appropriately.
• Purchasing these items in a way that benefits the community whose religion and / or culture they represent.
• Understanding the intention and significance of the words I chant, and sharing this when teaching.
• Holding the practice in reverence and with gratitude.
• Paying homage to the lineage and teachers on which my teachings are based.

MY LINEAGE

My original certification which forms the foundation of my practice and teachings is in a system called ISHTA, which stands for the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda.

ISHTA is translated as that which resonates with the individual spirit.  It recognises that no two people are the same and therefore no two paths can be the same.  It encourages each student to incorporate aspects of the practice that best suit their individual requirements and the essence of who they are.  It is non-dogmatic in its teachings.

ISHTA was created in the 1960’s in South Africa by Kavi Yogi Swarananda Mani Finger and Yogiraj Alan Finger.  It is a culmination and celebration of their extensive studies with Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Venkatesananda, Swami Nishraisananda and Shuddhanand Bharati.

My certification was done under the guidance and mentorship of Christine Henley, who was a long-time student of Mani Finger.  Christine was my beloved teacher for over 10 years.  Her approach to yoga and life broadened my awareness and continues to guide me.  I am deeply grateful for all that she gifted me with