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.
Kaniko Yajima
Restore & Relax – Gentle Yogalates
Teaching @ our Bangalow Studio on Wednesdays 9.30-11.15am
Kanako Yajima has been practicing yoga since 2000 and teaching since 2006. She has been trained in various styles of yoga including Solomon Yogalates, Ishta System with Rachel Zinman, and Vini Yoga & the Five Element Form with Peter Clifford and has completed a number of different specialised trainings including Pre & Postnatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga for special needs, Senior Yoga and Yoga for Mental Health.
Kanako has also worked internationally in many teacher trainings, retreats and workshops as both an interpreter (for Japanese groups) and as a teacher trainer.
Thanks to her experience as a yoga translator/interpreter and her dedication to knowledge and growth, she has been immersed in various teachings including yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology, pranayama and meditation and her teaching reflects that extensive knowledge and experience.
She is passionate about Yoga for Everybody and supports students with all ages and abilities.
Kanako believes every little breath we take and every small movement we make on the mat present us amazing opportunities to practice mindfulness and connect deeply with our inner/outer body intelligence.
She feels grateful and humble to be able to be there as a guide and facilitator for her students on their own individual journeys.
Cornelia Truemper
Yin Yoga
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 Suffolk Park Studios.
Stroma Lawson
Restore & Relax – Gentle Yogalates
Specially designed for those seeking to move their body gently – releasing
tension & relaxing the nervous system.
- Gradually building deep core strength from the inside out to support healthy functional movement.
- Self-paced & adaptable to support injuries or conditions you may be navigating.
- Exploring breath & meditation practices to calm & soothe the mind
About Stroma
"Let me share with you what I love about Yogalates. For me it’s a deeper kind of exercise, gentler on my joints, more about turning my awareness inwards & listening to my body, bringing kindness & compassion to my stretching & strengthening rather than pushing myself to do what the instructor can do."
"It’s about turning up with whatever body you’ve got & starting from there; accepting the aches & pains that come & go being grateful for the capabilities you have, & letting go of how it used to be or how you’d like it to be."
Acceptance. Kindness. Compassion. A Willingness to be Curious. My ageing body needs more TLC than it used to; I have osteoporosis, restrictions in my shoulders, elbows, wrists; sore hips and knees at times. Yet Yogalates has supported me over the last 20 years to nurture and strengthen my body, to find balance in body & mind.
Now in my 60s, I appreciate the strengthening from the inside that Yogalates has given me.
I've been a student of Yogalates for the past 17 years and decided it was time to embark on the teachers journey. I completed the 350hr Yogalates Certificate Course registered with Yoga Australia.
I’d love you to join this exploration in a gentler way of being on your yoga mat.
Stella Wildforestor
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
Amy Broderick
Amy, originally from Ireland, moved to Australia in 2014 after travelling the world working on a cruise ship as a massage and body detoxification therapist. Her interest and studies in anatomy led her to explore movement as a modality for healing and regeneration.
She began her yoga practice in 2015 and did her first 200hrs studies in vinyasa yoga with Power Living Australia in Sydney. Curious to dive deeper into the traditions of yoga, she went to India for 3 months where she did a further 300hrs of study in yoga therapy, hatha, restorative and meditation.
She is also certified in trauma aware yoga and has great interest in the effects of yoga for women’s physical and mental health. Amy’s classes are open and accessible to all levels of experience.
Her style of teaching is warm and supportive so that you feel guided during your practice.
We invite you to join Amys class every Monday at 5:30pm at the Suffolk Park Studio where you can reap the benefits of his guidance.
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