Profiles - staff teachers at Gita

Lucille

I was born an Aquarian on a mission – to make the world a better place. Having read my way through the local library by 13 and driven my parents, teacher, and church leaders mad with all the ‘why’ questions of life, I discovered Gita Yoga in my late teens and found the answers I was seeking, it made sense of life. The gentle but thorough physical work made the body feel good and fixed my asthma. Emotional balance acquired with the Gita System freed up energy to enjoy life more and the sheer breadth, height and depth of the philosophy continually enriches and expands the mind, making every day a delight.

Pranayama and meditation form the deep foundation. Breath is Life and Meditation is tapping into the LIFE which runs the Universe. What more could one ask?

When some 27 years ago I along with Di, assumed the responsibility for the Light Centre which is Gita, it seemed a very natural step.

What keeps me going? The Hatha yoga as it continuously regenerates the body along with lots of lovely surprises like suddenly being able to do the splits at 40 (I never could as a child) Teaching and sharing the philosophy with so many people is exciting and enriching, as  together we all push the boundaries of understanding.  Studying, travelling and exploring the Ancient Wisdoms from different perspectives creates an endless flow of teaching material, all of which I want to share instantly with others, imparting in encapsulated form, a lifetime of learning and growing. Most of all I want to make a difference, To take the fear out of peoples eyes, to impart a clarity of thinking which will make life rich, fulfilling and worthwhile for them.

The Joys? Watching the unfolding of potential in the TT’s as they travel the journey together. Seeing faces open up and shine, watching the growth in confidence and ability, observing the clarity and connection of a life “on track” with its souls purpose!!

Future? To create a large Centre in the heart of the city which is an oasis of Peace, a haven from the stresses of the commercial world. It would have all of the supportive and complementary businesses eg. Organic Restaurants eco friendly shops and products, ethical lawyers, accountants, a true health spa as well as all of our GITA visionary programs. All of course all in an energy sustainable building, with roof gardens and quiet spaces!

Our vow is “To create conditions in which souls may grow”:

Di

What makes me tick? Yoga!!! Gita Yoga to be specific!

For just on 30 years I have been a student in the Monday advanced class Lucille teaches. This sustains and inspired me. I’m a wee bit radical and I know it is possible to bring the essential wisdoms from the classical past and create relevance for people in this 21st Century. As C0-Director of Gita I share the intent to create conditions which encourage, facilitate, support and celebrate GROWTH.

Annika

I’ve always known that there is more to life then just breathing, eating and dying, and felt that life has a purpose, and is a miraculous discovery. My ‘wonderlust’ parents encouraged me to follow my passions and to expand my understanding of the Universe.  That’s how Gita yoga came into my life.

To this day, after hours of learning, and now teaching I still can’t believe what a miracle the act of Yoga is. It is the only way I know to balance every aspect of my being, and the very busy, and often intense ’film making’ life.

 We all have questions, small ones and big ones, and the answers are all around us. Yoga helps me to release the tension, so I can dip into the Infinite Celestial soup of solutions and live a joyful, sparkling, and purposeful life.

Geoff Arber

Hi!! I lead a busy life as the Director of a specialised timber business. In my spare time I like to go surfing, travel and create beautiful handmade furniture.

Take some time out for yourself. Life and work gets so busy, its great to build a discipline like yoga into your everyday Life. It gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself! Gita taught me this - and it works!!!

Vicki

I am surrounded by people that uplift me and inspire me, I couldn't be in a better place.

A favourite Yogic verse of mine: "Live this day for it is life, the very life of life.  For today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.  Live this day.

Like others, I spent many years searching 'outside' of myself for answers to life's questions, Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? and Is this it?  After a somewhat seemingly endless search 'out there' I found Gita Yoga, and my search moved to “ in here".  A door appeared and I realised I held  the key.  The answers to my questions had been hidden in a place that only  I had access to, locked away for safe keeping, that place was inside me.  Everything you need for this life is inside you.  Yoga is the doorway to freedom, joy and peace and you are the key.

Julianne Wantrup

I head the in – house legal team at Monash University.

Gita Yoga brings balance into my life. The joy about yoga at Gita  is that it is a life long learning process.

One of the highlights of my teaching week is 8pm wednesdays at Gita. We call it "transitional beginners' and really it is a class for everyone.

Recent Beginners often like more time to review the postures ... sometime its overseas visitor passing through or regional students or family people fitting in with a baby sitter or a student whose workload means "8 o'clock Wednesday" is the only time available. So, I meet a wide variety of people and enjoy moulding the class to suit individual needs. Gita really is "Yoga for You" Keep it in mind for those times when 8pm wednesday is the only time you can enjoy.

Krysto

I first came to Gita in 1991 and have been a general student since then. Now as a Teacher I love to give out all I have learnt and experienced, not just at Gita but in all my adventures.

For me Yoga is a way to get the balance right. Being involved in the fashion Industry, means sometimes my day can be pulled apart in all areas, but regular practice keeps the smile on my face and me under control.

Robyn Lyons

I have been teaching Gita Yoga for 22 years. My interest in health and wellbeing lead me into an associated field of study in 2001. I now also hold a Diploma in Reflexology.

I am passionate about the benefits of regular Gita Yoga. I too believe that Yoga is for every ”body” Lorraine McCleave  another Gita Teacher and myself have adapted the Gita system to a chair based program for those with Physical limitations. Chairs are used to give confidence, to improve posture and balance. It truly is yoga for everybody.

Jose Goossens

My primary background is years of lecturing in all areas of Naturopathy. I graduated as a Gita teacher in 1989 and the fact I can still do a Bridge (Chakrasana) safely, despite a back problem, gives me great joy. I have taught the Therapeutic class at Gita for longer than I can remember.

The weeks work flows so easily and well when regular practise is being done. The hiccups that could potentially disrupt the weeks flow diminish in size, intensity and effect!! Don’t miss your class!!!

Rob Capes

"I’m  a local resident having lived and grown up in the area over 62 years

I have a background in the law and teaching, and I have a Japanese partner,  two cats and a passion for gardening,needlework, Opera and creative energy generally.

I have taught Hatha yoga at Harold Holt swim centre in excess of ten years  since graduating as a Gita Gold Diploma Yoga Teacher in 1997

I am of the view that "whilst yoga will not keep you alive forever it will make the journey towards death more comfortable"

People say my classes are laced with a sense of humour and down to earth sensibility"

Penny Digaletos

I love being with my friends. Part of my favourite poem is Ithaca by Cavafy.

“Have Ithaca forever in your mind. To reach it is your object your goal. But hurry not your journey in the least. It is for best to travel many years, and in old age, to reach that island’s shore. Enriched with all your gains upon the way. And not expecting wealth from  Ithaca”   I Like to apply this to my yoga,too.

I love it when everyone is so relaxed at the end of a class that they don’t want to move!

Simon Corbett

I have been practising Gita Yoga for 16 years now, and graduated as a teacher in 2005. After 10 years of trying to master the headstand, I finally achieved it, to realise that it doesn't really matter what the result is, but it is the intent you put into your work that makes it all worth while. I have a  day job as a mild mannered office administrator, but in the evenings, that’s when the real me comes alive with the opportunity to share my love of Yoga and how it relates to the Zodiac and daily living, keeping it real , keeping it humorous and keeping it serious all at the same time  .It’s always a joy to have the opportunity to share something that you love.

Some think that you have to be the bendiest pretzel in the box , but thats not true. The true art of Yoga, which means union , is to focus your intent and allow the focus to go within, and by working with the classic yoga poses and their variations, the organisational realities of living in this modern world can for a short time be put to the side. So if your are tired of running around constantly looking for something but never quite finding it, perhaps what you are looking for is an opportunity to spend some quality recharging time with your self, and this is achieved by what we call GITA YOGA

Melissa Coutts

Climbing to the 5,895 metre summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on the African continent was a significant moment in my life.  This journey to the summit seemed to fit my whole life into a week; it mirrored a life spent with beautiful, inspirational people, in an environment of change, wonder, challenge and opportunity and it required a level of inner strength, consciousness and determination I did not know I possessed.  Other facts about me . . . I am committed to making the world better for children, and I am fortunate to be able to do this with my work at the Parenting Research Centre.  I was fortunate to have Brett propose to me at the 2007 Gita Bali Retreat, and feel blessed to have so many amazing people and of course my cocker spaniel (Indy) in my life.

Finding yoga was like magic.  Perhaps you may relate to this too?  Yoga came at a time in my life when I was looking for something more, I wanted to have a connection to other like minded souls.  Gita was my introduction to yoga, and where I later undertook my training to be a yoga teacher.  I teach yoga at Gita and also in a corporate environment. Gita Yoga inspires me daily to continue to grow and to rejuvenate – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  I aspire in my teaching to provide an opportunity for others to do the same.

Sally Wood

Every person has a story. Often we measure that story by external accomplishment. What of the inner story? How do we access more of the vast inner story? How do we detach from opinion, framework, platform and agenda to expand our experience of freedom and truth? For you, I have no answer. What I do know is health underpins any opportunity to find out. Gita Yoga provides me with an efficient way to liberate my tight muscles, balance my neuro-endocrine system (mind/ emotions) so I might approximate a stable starting point for exploration.

Lesley Mansfield

I have been teaching for twenty years and am forever an ongoing student at Gita (about forty years now!!!) As an artist and teacher I have found in Gita Yoga the ideal complement.

Gita Yoga is fantastic and it is always exciting to discover more insight into our Spiritual, intelligent human beingness. It will give you confidence, curiosity, self control, ability to relate, capacity to communicate and a sense of Self.

Edward

I like to think I can inspire people of all ages to make Yoga an important part of their lives. Teaching people they can be more flexible with their body and mind. Teaching that it is important to have a balance between a busy life style and a quiet personal time for self.

When I begin to feel stressed I stop and tell myself "Do More Yoga so you wont be sick or stressed”

Jennifer Shepherd

In my daily work, I assist two medical specialists in running their practices.   I enjoy singing in choirs and attending orchestral concerts.  

Gita has opened up my body, mind, heart and soul to the infinite possibilities of change and growth.  Join me in a Progressive Yoga Relaxation Class. Gita  Relaxation is a wonderful tool to get in touch with that deep sense of peace that is within us all and find some respite from your daily routine.

Belinda Llewellyn

My regular work is in dental hygiene where I educate and provide treatments for people so they may achieve optimal dental health.

In my opinion the best kept secret at Gita is the 10am General Hatha class  on Saturday – it’s a time to connect with and realign self at the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend – come along and see for yourself.

Alan Smith

Now a semi retired travel agent, I was drawn to Gita Yoga about 16 years ago mainly to improve my health, particularly my breathing from a lifetime of asthma. Not only did my health improve from regular physical Hatha classes, but it led me to meditation, pranayama and esoteric studies which has become a life and lifestyle changing experience.