Dedicated Yoga practitioner 27+Years, teacher and therapist. Classical Yoga knowledge transferred over generations.
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About Jacqui
“Dedicated Yoga practitioner”, this means I’ve spent a great deal of time practicing yoga - asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercises), chanting, embodied meditation, reading and learning to relax - which is perhaps the most challenging :-)
“Classical Yoga Knowledge transferred over generations” or Guru Parampara - Knowledge passed down from teacher to student across generations. My approach to Yoga is consistent with the teachings of my teachers and to Tirumalai Krishnamacharya - the Yogi who brought yoga to the attention of Westerners.
This Yoga path opened up whilst I was at University in Canberra, 1999. A college mate, a practicing Buddhist, invited me to an Iynegar inspired yoga class. Tucked away in a forgotten community hall, no music, no lycra, just a candle, towels for mats and a knowledgable Yoga teacher who maintained her own daily practice. I was inspired from the first. Interested in sports I was a cross country runner with a love for movement and nature. This Yoga was something else. Non competitive, internal, awareness for breath, delivered with light hearted wisdom.
My teacher, Lois, sketched a yoga plan and I started daily yoga practice. It changed my perspective. Without wanting to sound kitschy, it changed my life.
Within a short period of time the path widened and I met another beautiful person. He introduced me to Iyengar Yoga, “Light on Yoga”, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Eastern Philosophy, Siddha Yoga and Jiddu Krishnamurti. Together we travelled throughout Europe, India and Australia to learn yoga. We spent lengthy periods of time studying with Senior Certified Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga Teachers, Primarily Alan Goode, Sharath Rangaswamy (later Sharath Jois), Guruji (Pattabhi Jois) in Mysore India. We stopped for years in Byron Bay, Australia with Senior Certified Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Dena Kingsberg, 2004. With Dena I undertook several years apprenticeship in the Mysore Style Shala and deepened exploration in physical adjustments, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Chanting, Anatomy, Pranayama, Philosophy and personhood. Dena‘s shala attracted international students for intense periods of Mysore Style practice, it was a nourishing environment to meet and grow.
It seems necessary to note throughout this period we also worked. I worked in Government, large Corporates and Family Offices in Project Management, Business Management and Arts Registrar; indeed there was a lot of “doing” whilst learning “being.”
2008 I opened Redfern Yoga Room as a Co-operative space for Yoga and meditation practices. It was a wonderful time in a creative neighbourhood. In order to meet the needs of some students I employed Yoga as a Therapy. Dena’s advice was to find out more.
My Yoga as Therapy Studies include: Several years Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy with the Hakomi Institute, 2011-2016. Complimented with guidance in Hakomi, Gendai Reiki ho, Tantric Meditation and Yoga Wisdom with Karen Workman until her passing in 2022. Ashtanga Yoga Chikitsa / Yoga Therapy studies started in 2012 and are ongoing, this I learn from Senior Certified Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Graeme Northfield.
My specialisation in Yoga as Therapy has grown over the years. I’ve worked alongside Allied Health Professionals and ran control groups for Prof. Dr. Katherine Samaras at St Vincent‘s Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
Our family now live near Adliswil, 10 minutes from Zürich city. I give group classes at Yogawerk, Adliswil, Yoga to Highschool aged children with Adliswil Council and courses for women at the Womens Health Centre, Hottingerplatz. My intention is to include yoga therapy as an adjunct treatment for addictive behaviours and improved mental health.