Meet the Teachers
Who We Are
Justine Sydenham
Founder/Owner, Teacher,
Reiki Master, Bodyworker
For almost two decades, Justine has been practicing and exploring Integrative Healing Art forms. She is a Reiki Practitioner/Master, 500 ERYT Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Bodyworker, Integrative Energy Healer, Retreat Facilitator & the Founder of Sangha Yoga Studio.
Her favourite yoga quote is: “We use asana to get into our bodies, not our bodies to get into asana’s.” This sums up how she holds space & what these sacred practises means to her, a gentle re-wilding approach to arrive back home, remembering who we are - loving presence.
She is most passionate about weaving a trauma informed approach through all of her methods, as well as somatic mapping, intuitive embodied movement, recalibrating & healing the nervous system & working with elemental energy medicines for deep everlasting healing & change.
Justine's life’s work has always been inspired by Moksha – A Sanskrit term meaning Freedom & liberation; in the mind, body & life itself.
0413332505
Karen Pike
Owner, Teacher
A teacher of yoga for almost 10 years, Sangha co-owner Karens love for the practice of yoga deepened when she was in her early 40s. Expanding on her 5 year certification as an Instructor of Bodybalance (a tai chi, yoga and pilates inspired group fitness class) Karen under the guidance of her teacher and mentor Danny Fremantle began teaching yoga at Divine Wellbeing. Completing her 500 hour teacher training, co-facilitated by Danny and Michael DeManincor of the Yoga Institute, Karen's desire to teach continued. Karen has since studied trauma sensitive yoga, 20 and 25 hours consecutively Yin teacher training, Reiki Level 1 and 2 with Justine Sydenham and continues to practice, study and learn through the many resources available from the great teachers of our time.
Teaching Hatha and Yin yoga, Karen's invitational teaching style, allows students to honour their own unique human experience and perspective. Starting from where your at, offering opportunities for self exploration/inquiry for potential healing. Reminding us yoga is not just physical exercise but a practice of intention, attention, ethics and disciplines that support how we show up to and treat other's, and more importantly how we treat and show up to ourselves. Enabling yoga to be embodied, lived and taken off the mat.
0438983702
Bre Knobel
Teacher, Social Media Manager
I wish to share a bit about my yoga journey, in hopes that it will provide a sense of the energy I hope to bring into my yoga classes..
I attended my first yoga class at age 16, and for a few years yoga was only a physical practice. The focus was primarily on my flexibility and managing back pain.
At 20, my world changed when I attended a Chakra workshop series by now Sangha Studio owner Justine. Delving into the magic of the Chakra system, I began to realise the deep impact yoga could have on my mental health which I had been struggling with for years. I began to cry during a yoga flow, having a massive realisation of how unkind I had been to myself and my body throughout my teenage years, and how I needed that to change. Just like that, yoga had transcended what had been purely physical and become a deeply transformative spiritual practice.
Connecting to my physical body, my breathing, and my emotional body has become a new way of being. Yoga continues to support my mental health recovery, and to hold space to nourish self-love.
As a yoga teacher, I am simply a guide and a container to hold space for you to have your own experience and healing journey on the mat. I believe in the power of autonomy, choice, strength in softness, and communicating safety to the nervous system. I look forward to practising with you!
0447767889
Liv Glynn
Teacher
Liv has recently moved back to Australia after living amongst the mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand for 6 years. As a rambunctious child growing up on a small cattle farm outside Byron Bay, NSW she has sustained many injuries that - while cool in primary school- began to manifest difficulties for her growth and movement as age crept in.
Liv found yoga at 25 after several different health emergencies left her body with limited function. Working with healing practitioners, Liv found layers of strength within the yogic philosophy, not only for physical health but also psychological. She undertook her teacher training in 2022 with Awakening Arts in Golden Bay, New Zealand. A 6 week immersive training in a style of yoga called "Terra Soma", with rivers of influence from mind/body centering, poetry, eco-psychology and eco-somatics; giving freedom to expression in movement and balancing the connection of the self.
Her classes are a gentle invitational Hatha style, with a slow, considered approach. A space to move, or to rest. Whatever the call of your body desires is welcome.
Apart from yoga, you can generally find Liv out and about with her Golden Retriever X Kelpie named Jeff; walking along the river collecting cool rocks, sticks and feathers.
Liv will be teaching Moon Flow on Mondays at 6pm.
0448912181
Maryanne Gray
Yoga teacher, Art therapist and Community Dance Facilitator
With a Yoga practise based in both Hatha and Iyengar, Maryanne has been a student of Yoga for 40 years. In fact, Maryanne attended her first Yoga class here in Wagga as a tween in the 1980s, with her mother Helen as the teacher!
The practice of yoga has always helped Maryanne to stay grounded & connected to her body, mind and energy systems. She also believes that Yoga is very much a spiritual practise. Keeping the mind calm and focused on the breath whilst practising asana is the most important part of Maryanne’s Yoga practise and life. She also loves to move freely, find joy and dance with her body. Please come and join her deep release and slow moving classes.
0432626693
Dee Brilley
Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, Kids Yoga Teacher, Early Childhood Educator
Hi, I'm Dee from Embracing Embodied Minds. With over 15 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher and a Certificate in Teaching and Guiding Meditation and Mindfulness, I'm passionate about creating nurturing environments where individuals can explore emotional awareness and well-being.
Enlightenment, authenticity, and connection are at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I believe in providing a safe space for others to cultivate deep emotional awareness and explore adaptable mindfulness techniques.
In addition to my background in early childhood education and mindfulness, I am thrilled to announce I now hold my Children's Yoga Teaching Certificate as well as My certificate in Yoga Therapy. This new offering will see integration of meridian-based yoga therapy. These offerings further my commitment to holistic wellness and provide valuable tools for both children and their families to thrive.
My vision is to broaden awareness around trauma-informed education and highlight the importance of emotional literacy from a young age. By equipping children with mindfulness techniques and emotional regulation skills, we can empower them to navigate life's challenges with resilience and confidence.
Join me in exploring these transformative practices at Sangha Studio, where we create positive waves of change and set children up with lifelong skills for well-being and success.
I am deeply grateful to be part of the Sangha community and able to share these empowering skills. Let's embark on this journey of growth and discovery together!
Bonnie Heidrich
Teacher
(On maternity leave)
My name is Bonnie, and I am a yoga teacher based in Wagga Wagga. I would like to be known for embodying the essence of yoga on and off the mat. My goal is to inspire others to practice yoga, embrace their unique gifts & cultivate mind/body awareness.
I first found yoga through a DVD when I was 12 years old. I was inspired by the strength and flexibility gained through a consistent practice. That path led me on a journey to learn more about the benefits of yoga and living each moment more mindfully. I travelled to Bali and completed my 200 hour Yoga Teaching Training with Abode Yoga in 2018. I love being a student have since completed further training focussing on yoga philosophy, pranayama and meditation.
My mission is to empower others through yoga, and give students a deep understanding of their yoga practice. My classes combine dynamic vinyasa flows with soothing restorative poses to help present the balance that is the ebb and flow of life.
I look forward to meeting you on the mat.
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Alanna La Cioppa
Teacher, Somatic Coach
"Take a breath, and meet yourself - Alanna"
Like many others, I first found yoga during a time of emotional turmoil. I came out of my first class with that ‘yoga glow’, elated and somehow lighter. With each class, I noticed my worries seemed smaller, my trauma more okay, my fears less prevalent. I was more peaceful, present and calm, and felt called to share this ancient medicine with others :)
Originally a Sydneysider, I have 375hrs of training in Vinyasa yoga, yoga therapy, philosophy, advanced energetics and trauma aware yoga from BodyMindLife and Byron Yoga Centre.
The yoga breath and movement practices I'll explore in my sun flows are designed to get you out of your head, into your body, and aligned with your true self - creating distance from the narratives in our heads and helping you to get REAL. My classes will be dynamic and strong, heating you up to burn away whatever is no longer serving you. Bring along a towel because it will likely get sweaty!'
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