MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Nathan Strauss

Flow & Yin Yoga

Nathan gained his 200 hour YTT certification in Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore, India and has returned to India for 6 months for advanced asana training in Mysore, Vrindavan and Rishikesh, as well as studying Acro Yoga in Croatia. He has completed the Breathe Diploma of Clinical Pilates. He is fascinated with the role of neurology in movement.

Nathan's affinity for both yin and yang is manifested in his other dual loves: Cross Fit and Yin Yoga. Permaculture and gardening are also hobbies, but most notably he's obsessed with fermenting anything. Especially beer. But also yogurt, kombucha and cabbage. He scours regional Victoria to obtain the purest ingredients. (Outside Warburton has the best water).

Georgia Cato

Iyengar & Prenatal Yoga

Georgia has been practising Iyengar Yoga for over 12 years. In Georgia's classes, you can expect a focus on alignment, occasional use of props to access and make progress in the full range of yoga poses. She wishes people to share her love of movement and to leave her classes feeling more mobile, happy and physically and mentally lighter.
Georgia is passionate about all things pregnancy and birth and is a Birth Support Doula – trained with Rhea Dempsey. She is passionate about active, positive and conscious birth and supporting pregnant women through the amazing transformation that parenthood brings forth. She encourages her Mamas to enjoy their pregnancy and to feel the empowerment obtained through knowledge and understanding of the process of birth.
Georgia's own experience of actively birthing her son demonstrated to her what an incredible tool the breath & yoga postures are for the birthing woman.

Bianca Milione

Iyengar Yoga & Meditation

Bianca began her practice of yoga in 1998. She has completed her teacher training with Peter Scott (Senior Intermediate Iyengar yoga teacher) and continues her study with him on a regular basis. Bianca holds a Junior Intermediate 1 certificate in Iyengar yoga. She has also previously trained in Hatha yoga with Acharya Venkatesh, and in the Knoff style of yoga with Nicky Knoff.

In Bianca's classes you can expect to find emphasis on connecting to stillness in the midst of a dynamic physical practice. Iyengar yoga differs from other styles in its sequencing, timing and intricacies. Iyengar yoga includes the practice of a broader range of more challenging asanas including inversions and backbends, while developing steadiness of mind and the ability to look inside. Sequences vary from week to week.

Bianca is a naturopath. Her roots are in Italy, she is an Italian speaker and comes from a long line of organic farmers.

Ferry Lubis

Pilates & Functional Fitness

Ferry's infectious warmth, sunny smile and incredible attention to detail make him a natural-born instructor. He holds a Breathe Certificate IV in Pilates and a Certificate IV in Fitness, and is currently completing a Diploma of Clinical Pilates. He has also spent considerable time in Kerala, India studying yoga.

Ferry is a big fan of the great outdoors and for him, nothing beats a good long trek; his most memorable being the legendary Druk path in Bhutan and the grueling Machame trail to the summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

When he's not teaching Pilates, Ferry loves nothing better than to relax with his favourite music, enjoy a glass of bubbles and spend time with his two dogs, Ilha and Kibo.

Georgia Herford

Senior Pilates Instructor

Georgia is our Senior Pilates Instructor. She has completed comprehensive STOTT PILATES instructor training, a Breathe Certificate IV in Pilates, a Certificate IV in Fitness and the Breathe Diploma of Clinical Pilates. She has also studied Posture and Flexibility with Kit Laughlin.

After her years of training in classical and contemporary dance with a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) from Deakin University, Pilates was a natural evolution for Georgia, and teaching Pilates has been her full-time career since 2005.

Georgia specialises in Clinical Pilates, in her classes, you'll benefit from her 13 years experience and an emphasis on form and technique.

Lori Campagnolo

Pilates, Barre & Functional Fitness

Lori was always sporty and active as a child, yet did not find a love of Pilates and Fitness until later in her adult life. She was wondering how she could possibly improve her energy levels and get the most of life. Firstly, by visiting a nutritionist, who encouraged altering her diet to include natural, whole foods. Secondly, she indulged in the world of exercise. With the help of a Strength and Conditioning Coach she smashing out chin ups quicker than she could say ‘Is training 7 days a week enough?!’ Not long after, she tried reformer Pilates. The rest they say, is history!

Lori has completed her Cert IV in Pilates and Fitness in 2015 and is dedicated to continually learning and challenging herself. She is driven by the thought she may be able to improve other’s lives as she did her own. Lori firmly believes in trying new things, getting out of her comfort zone and, most importantly, having a laugh whilst doing so.

Victoria Brockfield

Pilates, Barre & Functional Fitness

Victoria is a qualified Pilates and Barre instructor, and holds the Breathe Certificate IV in Pilates, as well as a Certificate IV in Fitness. She is also the Co-Director of Holistic HQ, a wellness community running retreats and workshops in Melbourne.
Victoria has taught Pilates for almost a decade, although her past incarnations as a competitive sportsmodel, soccer player as well as an event coordinator for the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker have greatly contributed to her keen appreciation for competitive sports training and endurance events. She loves working one-on-one to take clients to the next level in their work, passion or play.

Victoria delights in finding the slow burn in class, and approaches functional movement with a diligent eye for perfect posture and flow. Fifteen years of personal yoga practice has also greatly influenced the atmosphere she creates in classes, emphasising mindfulness, breath patterns and finding the calm amidst the challenge.

Anita Del Testa

Iyengar Yoga

Anita began practising yoga in 2002, initially to help her manage her back pain. Her yoga practice began to heal years of back issues but also had a huge transformative effect on her life which led her to train as an Iyengar teacher. She began attending classes with Senior Teacher Peter Scott in 2006 and commenced teacher training with him in 2007. She continues to study with Peter and Sue Scott and is fully qualified at Junior Intermediate Level 1 teacher.

Anita enjoys teaching as she sees how the power of yoga can transform her students’ lives, releasing them, like it did her from a lifetime of stored tension and pain. Anita returns biennially to the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune India to study with the Iyengar family.

Anita is also a member of the BKS Iyengar Association of Australia Events Committee.

Courtney Holm

Pilates

I was first exposed to pilates back in 2001 when I was a ballet dancer. We learned a very classical pilates style and I found it incredibly beneficial for my ongoing back and hip pain.

Coming from a family of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, I was also frequently exposed to my mother’s physiotherapy and pilates practice. Eventually, I left the ballet world to focus on my main passion; fashion and textile design. Studying to become a fashion designer, I continued my pilates practice along-side my studies and found it helped give me the physical and mental strength I needed to work full time and study full time.

After graduating from my degree, I decided to become a certified pilates instructor as a complimentary career parallel to my fashion business. Specialising in clinical pilates, I studied my Certificate in Pilates, Certificate IV in Fitness and Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) at Breathe education in 2013.

I teach clinical and group reformer classes. With my love for fresh and functional exercises blended with the classic pilates style, you can expect an upbeat workout, focus on breathing and fine tuning technique. I am very hands-on and detailed and love helping clients achieve their goals whilst ensuring proper form for optimal results and injury prevention.

Lara Richardson

Pilates, Barre & Functional Fitness

Lara was first introduced to pilates at 15 by her ballet teacher to help in recovering from a back injury. Lara completed her Cert IV in Pilates and Fitness in 2015 and a Diploma of Clinical Pilates in 2017. She has experimented with many training methods over the years from Crossfit and marathons to Muay Thai and enjoys a disciplined approach to exercise. Lara loves to learn and is always on the lookout to find new courses and workshops with industry leaders to expand her knowledge and stay up to date.

In a class with Lara, you can expect a fun atmosphere where you will be pushed to work hard. Lara keeps an open dialogue with plenty of laughs and is dedicated to modifying and accommodating all clients no matter the class. Lara loves to trigger point so you will likely get into the habit of trigger pointing before and after class when you train with her.

Grace Darling

Slow Flow & Yin Yoga

A lifelong fascination with anatomy, neuroscience and meditation have given Grace Darling a unique viewpoint on Yoga guidance. The employment of 4 modalities of yoga training, over 12 years of meditation instruction and her fierce passion for communion with the self, combine to promote deep connection in the lives of her students.

Grace believes yogic practice can be the conduit between body and mind—bringing the whole being closer to equilibrium. Grace’s classes are designed to break the body out of its typical movements patterns, shake the mind free from its repetitive thoughts and engage the mat as a mirror for how we are and who we want to be. Expect juicy flows, deep release and a space held for you to commune with yourself.

Christina Traychevska

Pilates & Functional Fitness

Christina holds a Breathe Education Certificate IV in Pilates, a passion she pursued after completing a Bachelor Degree in Interior Design. In her classes, you can expect to be challenged through a wide variety of movements, drawing from both classical Pilates exercises and more contemporary dynamic movements. With her background in Crossfit and love of all things movement and mobility, Christina will get you working hard, moving freely and feeling good. Your hard work will be rewarded with a beautiful stretch, letting you leave long, strong and (hopefully) smiling.

Julia Jones

Hatha Yoga & Meditation

Julia’s contemporary classical Hatha Yoga classes focus on balancing strength and flexibility. Her sessions are opened to all levels of practitioners as she encourages you to tune into your individual, ever-changing, needs. Julia will informatively guide you through slow flowing movements, integrated with breath, to create a sense of well-being and inner harmony. Her sessions are interwoven with philosophy and practical ways of bringing the benefits of yoga into your everyday life. Julia’s aim is to have you leaving her sessions feeling energised, nurtured and uplifted.

With an interest in all things related to health and wellbeing, Julia first discovered yoga, and its holistic benefits, 30 years ago. Since graduating with an Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teacher Training (1120 hours) through the Australian Institute of Yoga in 2006, Julia has been an ongoing and long-term teacher in Melbourne yoga studios, gyms and corporate firms. She created Affinity Yoga where she runs monthly urban yoga retreats and weekend and international retreats throughout the year. Julia is a registered member of Yoga Australia, a Mat Pilates instructor and holds a Diploma of Holistic Counselling and is a Level 2 Reiki practitioner. As an eternal student, she thrives on continuously studying the ancient Eastern philosophies and current Western science, to share the ever-growing multitude of physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga with you.

Teresa Valentini

Pilates & Functional Fitness

Teresa Valentini is a Pilates, Barre, and fitness instructor from the US. As a classically trained dancer with over 20 years of technique and performance experience, Teresa knew from an early age that moving was her passion. After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology at the University of Illinois, Teresa relocated to San Francisco, where she taught Pilates Mat and Barre classes. It was there she began to develop a deeper appreciation for equipment-based Pilates, and shortly after, completed the 600 hour Fletcher Pilates Program in Half Moon Bay, CA. During her time on the west coast, she also completed training through Yogaworks, Barre Pro, and Pilates Proworks.

After a few years of living a relaxed and colourful life in Cali, Teresa said goodbye to San Francisco and headed to Australia in search of sunshine and warmer summers. Since relocating to Melbourne, Teresa has designed and delivered teacher training programs for barre and Pilates, both for Australia and abroad. She is currently completing the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at the University of Melbourne.

We love Teresa's radiant positive energy, and it comes across in her teaching. When you go to her classes, you can experience the precision and quality that comes from her decades-long training in Pilates and physical fitness.

Simon Corfield

Pilates & Functional Fitness

Olivia Hanus

Slow Flow & Yin Yoga

When participating in Olivia's yoga class, you will be lead through a sequence that promotes healing and growth in both the body and mind. In her Vinyasa, Hatha or Yin inspired class she will invite you to release what is no longer serving you and create space for love, awareness, growth, compassion and acceptance. She will teach you how to release tension held in the body, how to calm the mind and how to grow a deeper connection with yourself.

Olivia truly believes that you are the real teacher in your life. You are already enough and you are completely whole. She is simply here to guide you down a path that allows you to accept yourself fully.

Maud Leger

Yoga — Flow & Yin

For Maud, Yoga is an essential life-long practice that maximises our potential, helping us to find, to understand and to share the truth of who we are.
Maud believes in a continuous and holistic practice that incorporates: embodied movement (Asana), meditation, breath (Pranayama), Ayurveda (ancient holistic medicine, encompassing Nutrition, Mind and Lifestyle), self-enquiry (Svadhyaya). She practices daily.

Maud teaches Asana, Pranayama and Meditation to allow people to feel connected to their essence. With a lifelong passion for movement, she is interested in the physical practice of Yoga and the transformative and healing effects of intentional movements of the breath, and of the body on the mental, emotional and physical health.

Maud is yoga teacher certified RYT E-200 and RYT 500 by Yoga Alliance. She practises since 2010 and teaches since 2014. Her mentor is Adam Whiting and her main teacher is Rod Stryker.

Through everything she does, Maud hopes to empower people.

Christy Champoise

Slow Flow & Yin Yoga

A local to the west coast of Canada, known for its alternative lifestyles and outdoor enthusiasts, Christy has always been very interested in health and wellness. It was this interest which introduced her to Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine which she studied from 2015-2019. It was during her studies that she turned to a regular Ashtanga practice which transformed her practise to such a degree that her passion to teach surfaced. Christy completed her training at Moksana Yoga Centre in Victoria, Canada in 2010 and has taught in Melbourne since her move to Australia in 2011. Christy is currently practising Karma Yoga, working as a Volunteer Coordinator for the non-profit Cultural Yoga Project, which offers yoga and community to refugees and asylum seekers. Christy teaches Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Yoga Nidra and Meditation. Her teaching is highly influenced by the teachings of Sri K Pattabhi Jois in the lineage of Ashtanga Yoga. Throughout the past 15 years, Christy has studied with Gregor Maehle, Monica Gaucci, Greg and Tracy Cooper, Amanda Stead, David Swenson, Mysan Sibdo, Simon Borg-Olivier, Harmony Slater, Norman Sim and Channa Dassanayaka. Her class styles aim to offer ways of achieving balanced strength and mobility to improve performance, thus leading to better physical and mental health. Yoga to her is about overall freedom for body and mind with the opportunity for self-reflection and continued growth.