Teachers

Maria (E-RYT500)

Maria first came to yoga in 2008 after anxiety and physical pain had left her at a bit of a loss. Her body was physically very tight and she had sustained injuries from years of high impact gym and outdoor exercise. Feeling emotionally challenged at that time, she thought that a little yoga might be good for her. Little did she realise that after that first class, her life would be forever changed. Maria became a member of Hot Yoga Wellington in 2009, did the Teacher Training in 2010, and bought the studio on Wakefield Street in 2012 (back when there was only one studio). Since then, she has been to India twice to learn more about her own practice as well as teaching (particularly the philosophy side of things), opened two more studios in Wellington and Lower Hutt, completed 500-hours of teacher training, and started facilitating our own in-house Teacher Training. The principles of yoga have allowed her to take some courageous steps, to love, to forgive and to let go, mostly with her own self. Maria believes there are many paths we can take as humans. But for her, it’s yoga, which makes her role in this community of yoga a fulfilling and passionate one--connecting, believing, growing, and learning.

What certifications and trainings have you received?

My 200-hour training was done with Hot Yoga Wellington. In India, I completed another 300hrs in Ashtanga Yoga. Yin and Chakras L1 & 2, Joe Barnett. Chakra and Charge Workshop, Anodea Judith. Yoga as Medicine, Timothy McCall. Anahata, with Swami Karma Karuna. Wisdom of Meditation, with Shikhaa and Mayank

Why do you teach yoga? What has it given you?

Yoga has offered me a way of living my life on and off the mat, from the inside. My own practice is just as important as teaching as what I have learnt is that there is no destination, this life is a journey, one that is constantly changing and evolving. However, it is only through awareness of the present moment that I or any of us can come back home, to ourselves. Teaching yoga is a joy for me, and 12 years on, I still love teaching, whether it is at one of the studios, or in teacher training 200hr, 300hr, for me it is always about learning and growing and the co-creating that happens - that’s the magic.

What do you bring to the mat as a teacher?

My sense of humour, my passion and my life experiences. My intention is to keep things “real” to connect with love and to offer an invitation through conversations, asanas, breathe, meditation and contemplation.

So that members can find some ease, some space, a place to relax and release what no longer serves them.

What do you love doing off the mat?

Walking on the beach, doing some of NZ’s great walks, listening to music and auditory books, dancing, being with my family and friends, my 6 grand-children, learning and growing, meditating, flowers, hot baths, sunsets, taking retreats.

Fav quote

"Your task is not to seek love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you built against it." -Rumi

Annie F

Angela (E-RYT)

Annie B (RYT-500)

How did you first come to yoga?

I first starting dabbling with yoga in my 30s but it became a consistent practice in my 40s. I was looking for healing from unresolved trauma and chronic anxiety and wanting to connect more deeply with myself. I felt like I had come ‘home’. This ancient, graceful and wise practice weaving body, breath and movement together, helped to calm my mind and open to living from a more embodied and joyful place. I was hooked!

What are your certifications and where from?

My first teacher training was with Claire and Lou of Hot Yoga Wellington in 2011. This was the start of working more from my Dharmic path and the realisation that I was called to work with people at a deeper soul level. Already in private practice as a Coach, I retrained as a Psychosynthesis Psychotherapist and currently work in private practice. I enjoy guiding people both on and off the mat, supporting people to open to, and embrace, the heights and depths of who they are, to help them remember their ‘wholeness’. In 2015 my love of yoga sent me to the Himalayan Institute, where I qualified in 2019 as a 500 hour Yoga Teacher. I am also a certified Somatic Experiencing practitioner, an approach to healing trauma through the body and am currently exploring meditation as a way to deepen my practice.

What inspires you?

People inspire me. People who continually show up to do their inner work and take responsibility for their lives, even when times are tough. People who are willing to show their vulnerability, their humanness, whilst opening to their divinity. Yoga inspires and humbles me, continually offering me an invitation to show up and open to love, compassion and kindness, to shed the layers and live I also find inspiration through family, nature, meditation, music, good friends and new learning.

As an instructor and yoga practitioner, what brings you to the mat?

As a yogi, what brings me to my mat is a deeper sense of connection with myself, with others, with spirit and with the earth. To start each day, creating sacred space to be with myself, has such a profound effect on my own wellbeing and enables me to live more consciously. As a teacher, I love creating space for people to explore their inner world, to find more freedom and fulfilment and to connect back to all of who they are. There is always a moment in class, when the energy settles and there is a palpable change in the room, a feeling of connection and transformation happening on all levels - body, mind and spirit.

What do you like to do when you’re not on the mat?

Off the mat, I am an avid reader and love learning particularly about transformational journeys. I do yoga and meditation most days, spend time with my family and friends, love going to the movies and exploring the world. I love walking, particularly out in nature and with Mt Kau Kau on my doorstep spend time at the top of the mountain hopefully once a week. Once or twice a year, I take time on retreat to connect even deeper with myself.

Zena

Jen

Sarah M

Ardya (RYT)

Ardya first came to yoga in 2012 after a back injury, looking for movement that felt supportive rather than punishing. Her journey began in a hot yoga room and stepping onto the mat felt like coming home. What started as a physical practice quickly became a space for self-inquiry, healing, and reconnection.

In 2016, after years of living overseas and navigating chronic stress and unbalanced work-life rhythms, Ardya felt a clear call to deepen her practice and train as a teacher. She completed her 200-hour training with New Zealand Yoga Collective and has since continued to study, teach, and live yoga as an integrated, everyday practice.

Today, yoga is woven into all aspects of Ardya’s life - how she moves, breathes, parents, works, and shows up. Her teaching is grounded in mindfulness, compassion, and the belief that yoga is not about striving, but about meeting yourself where you are.

Certifications & Trainings

RYT-500

Certified Mindfulness Instructor

Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition Coach

Why I teach yoga

Yoga has given me a way back to myself, again and again. I teach because I love witnessing those quiet moments of recognition when someone reconnects with their body, their breath, or a sense of inner steadiness. Teaching allows me to keep learning, unlearning, and sharing the practice as something lived, not perfected.

What I bring to the mat

A supportive, compassionate space where students are invited to move with curiosity rather than expectation. I encourage people to arrive as they are, explore their own experience, and let go of comparison. Expect mindful sequencing, breath awareness, moments of stillness and occasionally a playful flow set to great music.

Off the mat

Being a mum to my son, Benji Marama, is my greatest joy. I also treasure slow mornings with coffee and a book, meaningful conversations over shared meals, time in nature, and dancing whenever the moment calls for it; especially if Benji joins in.

Favourite quote

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness — it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”

Brené Brown

Kate

Kate is a daughter, sister, friend, teacher, boss lady and lover of food (especially chocolate). She was born in the UK, moved to NZ aged 6 and has lived in Wellington, Wairarapa, Palmy, Hawke’s Bay and since 2014 she's back in Wellington.. Her ‘day job’ is in local government making a difference for the community and the environment.

What certifications and trainings have you received?

I am RYT-500, completing both my 200 hour and my 300 hour qualifications with the NZ Yoga Collective in 2019 and 2021 respectively.

Why do you teach yoga? What has it given you?

I teach because it brings me a lot of joy! I love being able to connect with the yogis in the room and seeing the transformation from the start of class to the end of class. Yoga has helped me immensely – it’s been a healing practice for me and I teach because I want to share this with others. Helping others in this way is also part of my own healing experience. Yoga has enabled me to build confidence and work through mental health struggles. Being on the mat – uniting movement with the breath helps get me out of my own head, shift perspective and see the real me (rather than the story in my head I tell myself about who I am ).

What do you bring to the mat as a teacher?

As a ‘PV girl’ my classes a strong and flowing, but I like to bring some fun and softness to the practice as well. I increasingly lean towards an emphasis on the philosophical teachings, linking the sequence to an aspect of philosophy in some way and relating this to our modern day lives. While the entry point to yoga is the asana practice for most of us, this physical aspect is actually one part of a much bigger whole. To truly experience ‘yoga’ I believe we need an understanding of the other aspects and to make it relevant for our current circumstances. Yoga philosophy has enabled me to make sense of who I am, my actions and behaviours, and to make positive changes as a result and this is part of what I teach. I am definitely a more compassionate human-being as a result of practicing and teaching yoga.

What do you love doing off the mat?

Aside from teaching and practicing yoga, I also love running and walking and getting into nature. I also enjoy time with my friends and family and a good book in the sun.

Fav quote

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change "– Dr Wayne Dyer

Rusty (E-RYT200 RYT500)

Bridgette

Holly

HJ (Hye Jeong)

I started practicing yoga about 10 years ago without knowing much about it. I soon became a huge fan of hot yoga for all the sweats and the sense of accomplishment. I then realised there was more than that in yoga. It calmed my mind, taught me to accept myself as who I was, and provided me with a different perspective for many things in life. It took a few years' contemplation to decide to be trained as a yoga teacher but it was one of the best decisions I made in my life.

What certifications and trainings have you received?

I have completed RYT 200 hr yoga teachers training through New Zealand Yoga Collective. Since then I have participated in various training sessions and workshops including yoga anatomy and yoga for lower back pain. I am particularly interested in using yoga as a tool for chronic pain management and mobility increase because I want to be able to practice yoga for much longer than I've been doing.

Why do you teach yoga? What has it given you?

Teaching yoga gives me the opportunity to completely move away from hectic daily life and recalibrate my mind. Once I'm on the mat teaching, there is a new me and a new world in front of me. It's even therapeutic. I also appreciate that teaching allows me to connect with other yogis to a different level. We sometimes share life stories, joys and sadness. We share a sense of belonging together. We can share so many things without a single word. It's just magical.

What do you bring to the mat as a teacher?

Energy, creativity and positivity

I like to encourage people to explore their limits, both physically and mentally. I believe limits are often created and applied to us by ourselves. I hope everyone can have the 'can do' attitude. Without that sort of positive mindset, no one can achieve a positive life.

What do you love doing off the mat?

My happiest moments will have to be the time I get to spend with my furry babies. Every moment with them is precious which I always crave. I also enjoy travelling, fashion, music, good food, wine and many more other things. Personally I am a busy minded person who is interested in lots of things. I get bored easily, and don't appreciate repetitive stuff in general. Practicing yoga for nearly 10 years is, thus, exceptional for me.

Fav quote

'This too shall pass' I know it's way too common and ordinary but it gives me the insight that nothing is permanent. It makes me appreciate the present moments, the 'me' as of now and even the hardships life brings. Also, when you realise 'things' are not permanent, all the things become way more precious.

Karina

Karina first experienced a yoga asana class while visiting Bhutan with her Mum in 2007. Until then, she thought yoga was all about the spiritual side. The sense of mind and body connection from that first class sparked Karina to start exploring a physical practice but it was not until early 2014 that she fell in love with the heated room and began regular early morning practice at the Lower Hutt studio. Little did she know that a few years later she would be starting her own teaching journey with Hot Yoga from the same beautiful room.

What certifications and trainings have you received?

I completed my 200-hour Teacher Training with Hot Yoga Wellington/New Zealand Yoga Collective in 2020 (yes, impacted by Covid lockdowns, restrictions, and all!). In 2021, I undertook further training in styles that promote relaxation, completing a 125-hour training course in Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga and Basic Breathing with Anahata Yoga Retreat in the magical hills of Golden Bay. Currently I am participating in an online yoga study group run by Instituto Hermogenes who are based in my country of birth Brazil. The focus of the study is the method “Autoperfeição com Hatha Yoga” (literally translated as “Self perfection with Hatha Yoga”).

Why do you teach yoga? What has it given you?

Curiosity leads many aspects of my life, and is a big part of my yoga journey. As a practitioner, I love being surprised by what yoga brings to my daily life; the pathway towards acceptance of the good and the bad; action and stillness; viewing the new and the old from different perspectives; the changes off the mat. As a teacher, I enjoy the ongoing learning that comes from the exchange of every class. My style encourages students to go deeper into a sense of presence, exploring self-awareness through body movement and breath. It fills my heart to see students who arrive to class stressed after a hard day surrendering to the magic of yoga and leaving with that inner and outer smile.

What do you do off the mat?

I love travelling – and the planning that goes with it. Every now and then you’ll find me joining a group of strangers in some part of New Zealand (or the world) where we can indulge a shared passion or hobby and get to know one another. Other passions are more simple: I love nothing better than enjoying a cup of tea sitting in the sun at a favourite cafe, people and dog-watching. Spending time by the sea is also important to me and being able to do this with my four-legged baby is always a highlight. Contemplating nature at dawn and finding pockets of silence throughout the day help keep me strong for all that yoga off the mat.

Fav quote

“There is no greater wealth than the feeling of having enough, being content with who you are, as well as who you are not yet, or have not yet become”, Professor Hermogenes.

Sonny

Courtney

Courtney believes that yoga truly is for everyBODY and is passionate about supporting others on their unique yoga journeys. Her passion shines through in her dynamic and inclusive sequences, which encourage people of all abilities to explore familiar yoga poses in new and accessible ways. Whether using props like blocks, straps, bolsters or chairs, Courtney creates a space where students can connect more deeply with their bodies—how they move, how they breathe, and how they feel.

What certifications and trainings have you received?

2022: RYT 200 hr NZ Yoga Collective Yoga Teacher Training; 2023: 40 hr Yuva Yoga Chair Based Yoga Training; 2024: Bliss Baby 60 hr - Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training. I am currently completing further prenatal and postnatal training to become a RPYT.

As an instructor and yoga practitioner, what brings you to the mat?

I truly believe that yoga is for every body—regardless of age, ability, or gender. Since fracturing my ankle, I’ve come to embrace yoga not just as something I do on the mat, but as a way of life. It’s become a daily practice that extends into how I live, think, and move through the world.

Yoga isn’t just a physical exercise—it’s a holistic practice that supports overall well-being. Since discovering yoga, my mental health has improved significantly, and I’m deeply grateful for the grounding it brings to my life.

What might we find you doing off the mat?

If I’m not on my yoga mat, you’ll likely find me out walking in nature. I regularly explore local favourites like Cannon Point, Birchville Dam, or the Hutt River Trail in Upper Hutt. Alongside my passion for movement and mindfulness, I also work part-time as a Primary School teacher. When it’s time to unwind, there’s nothing better than relaxing with a good movie or TV show.

Favourite quote?

“Let the body be the doer, the brain the observer”. B.K.S Iyengar

“It [Yoga] is literally a way of living. Yoga is designed to bring you more and more awareness of not only your body but also your thoughts.” Deborah Adele