OUR TEACHERS
Louise Solomon
Olive McLeod
Olive has been practising yoga since 1994 and has been teaching the Yogalates method since completing her Cert IV Yogalates Teacher Training in 2003.
Beyond her Yogalates training, Olive has attended numerous chanting and meditation workshops which she incorporates into her classes. Join one of her studio classes to experience the many benefits of Pranayama and meditation that she weaves through her practice and you may also be blessed by one of her singing Savasana as she uses her exquisite voice to take her students on the journey into deep relaxation.
Olive is a Level 2 Yoga Australia member and a senior facilitator on the Yogalates Teacher Training program, both online and in-person. Over the last 12 years her participation in every Yogalates Teacher Training means she embodies the method, sharing her passion and extensive knowledge as a teacher in online lectures for Pranayama, Meditation and Mudras.
You'll find her at the Bangalow & Suffolk Park Studios.
YanYan
Yanyan is a dedicated yoga practitioner (Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin), a devotional yoga student (>1000 hours yoga teacher training), a passionate yoga teacher and a massage therapist.
Yanyan is forever grateful to receive her teaching from her main incredible yoga teachers, Bec Issacs and Dena Kingsberg who embodies the true essence of yoga practice in their daily life. Their strict and simple teaching constantly reminds her the integrity of yoga: self-discipline, devotion, extending the yoga practice (sadhana) on and off the mat to be real, be humble, be patient and grounded. She sees yoga as an Art and a Science that is healing, grounding, powerful and soothing.
Yanyan’s classes are simple yet comprehensive. She loves weaving key elements of yoga into classes to help students dive deeper into their own self-healing and self-discovery journey. Her class includes intelligent sequencing, mantra chanting (her new passion), pranayama (breath work), yoga philosophy and meditation etc. She loves linking each movement with breath and guides students to a smooth flow where they simply dance with their breath in a meditative state. She truly believes yoga is for everyone, so all levels are welcome.
Yanyan teaches and Slow Hatha/Vinyasa flow in our Bangalow Studio and Yin Yoga in our Suffolk Park Studio.
Cornelia Truemper
Cornelia started dancing at the age of 3, her journey as a professional dancer began at the age of 15 when she started a part time education of classical ballet and modern dance. Her journey lead her to Spain at the age of 19 where she studied contemporary dance, following 4 years of dance education in Cologne, Germany where she graduated with a Diploma for Contemporary Dance in Performing Arts.
Cornelia’s passion for movement lead her to various forms of experiencing, healing and strengthening the body and her biggest joy today is to share her knowledge with others in her classes and treatment sessions.
Towards the end of her career as a professional dancer, Cornelia discovered her passion in the healing arts and became a practitioner of the Ilan Lev Method, a body awareness practice, developed in Israel. After leaving Israel, she traveled to India, where she finished a 200h Hatha Yoga teacher training.
Living in Australia since 2016 she then studied and completed a 3 year long course of 800hrs Yoga Teacher Training and Management of Yoga Business at the Byron Yoga Center. And for the past 5 years Cornelia has been teaching Hatha and Yin Yoga.
Cornelia teaches weekly Yin Restore classes aiding fascia release at our Bangalow Studio.
Sarah Allely
A student of Yogalates for the past 12 years, Sarah completed our Yogalates Academy Teacher Training program and teaches Saturday morning classes in the Bangalow studio. Coming from a dance background (with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance/Drama from Queensland University of Technology and many years working locally and overseas in dance-theatre), Sarah understands that all movement, whether on stage or in daily life, must come from a foundation of strength, stability, and flexibility, in order for us to move with ease and poise throughout the course of our lives.
She believes that Yogalates is the perfect exercise regime for those wishing to complement their existing practice in sports or other physical activities, as well as a stand-alone, wholistic practice, accessible to all participants regardless of their age or level of experience. She is excited to bring her passion for movement to the Yogalates mat.
Sarah teaches weekly classes at our Bangalow Studio.
Stella Wildforster
Stella's Yoga journey began some years ago in Germany whilst studying for her Masters Degree in Special Needs Education. She first started practicing Hatha and Vinyasa and was very passionate about moving her body and building strength. In Australia she deepened her practice and understood that Yoga is about much more than movement of the body. During some difficult months Yoga became her anchor and she experienced the connection between body and mind. Her growing interest in spirituality and the philosophy of Yoga motivated her to complete a Certificate IV in Yoga Teaching at Byron Yoga Centre.
Stella teaches a weekly Gentle Hatha Yoga with Meditation and Breathwork at our Bangalow Studio.
She loves to create her classes using aspects of Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin. In the beginning of the class you will find asanas and flowing sequences to energise the body, build heat and strength, she then likes to infuse Yin poses to wind down. Long holds help to stretch the body deeply, targeting fascia and connective tissue. Her classes also include meditation and pranayama techniques to help still your mind and connect inward.
Linda Kelly
Elle Astrup
As a Yogalates, Qi Gong and Hatha yoga teacher for over 17 years in France, Norway and Australia, Elle has developed her own teaching style empowering body, mind & soul awareness. Elle believes everyone can succeed on the mat, when we allow our body to show us the way. Elle has an intense focus on core integration and alignment stemming from her desire to use Yogalates and functional movement as a tool to heal and strengthen the body from within; using the breath as the centrepiece. As a mother of 4, now in her 50’s Elle understands the challenges and the sacred cycles we face as women throughout our lives. Elle is a true believer in the power of yogic healing through a safe, varied and fun practise catering to individual needs.
"I have had the joy of going to Elle’s classes regularly over the past 6 years. I have never had any injuries and I always feel very safe. Elle’s classes have a gentle approach, yet I always feel I have worked hard, into my deep core, often challenging myself. Every class is different, never boring; she offers a lot of knowledge not only about yoga or yoga philosophy but also general health. Elle has great energy and she encourages me to explore & connect. I always feel amazing at the end of class. Practicing yoga with Elle is a gift."
Helen Walter, Tama Productions, Speracedes, South France
Tracy Craft
Tracey is a Yogalates and Yoga Vinyasa Krama trained teacher.
She teaches subtle, safe practices.
She began practicing Yogalates after many years of chronic back pain and instability. She was amazed at the gradual improvement that a regular yoga practice focusing on functional movement patterns made on her overall health. She studied the Soloman Yogalates method in 2007, and has been teaching weekly classes since 2008. She has also studied the Tattwas Shuddhi Sadhana (5 Element Purification) under Peter Clifford.
Tracey has been a senior teacher for the Santosha YTT 200 hour Vinyasa Krama Yoga Teacher Training programs in Bali, and teaches on the Soloman Yogalates Teacher Trainings and Post Graduate Courses in Australia and Italy.
Tracey’s continued studies include Yoga and the neuroscience connection – Kristine Kaoverii Weber, Subtle Yoga TM. She weaves slow mindful practices into the open general classes. These focus on alleviating and managing daily aches and pains… and supporting greater mental, emotional, and physical resilience.
Tracey is an E-RYT 500 registered teacher and YACEP with Yoga Alliance - you'll find her at the Bangalow Studio.
So happy to have finally joined & loving the classes! I feel so good & find teachers amazing & location wonderful. I’m recommending the Yogalates Academy to everyone. Five Stars! - Alison Bangalow
Yogalates is a wonderful practice tailored to suit my needs - giving me flexibility, calm & confidence after having both hips replaced. I love it. Olive is so professional and easy to engage with, making me feel welcome every session - Jen, Bangalow
My first Yogalates class was terrific, Olive was particularly helpful & understanding, which was important to me as I had not much previous experience of either. She made me feel comfortable & ensured each move was done correctly. Classes are held in a beautiful space. Very calm & relaxing - Jennifer Bangalow