NIKKI RALSTON
Owner of Urban Ashram
Developer of The Ralston Method ERYT 1500hrs, Teacher Trainer Nikki is a natural teacher who has been working with the human body for over 15 years, her passion for yoga and wellbeing shines through and is infectious to others.
Nikki has devised her own 'Ralston Method' which blends together the best elements of hatha, vinyasa, precision alignment and mindfulness teachings. Her classes are strong yet grounded, guiding her students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, giving skilled yet simple cues from her deep understanding of the human body and subtle energies, creates a transformative experience, empowering the student to become their own guru. Balanced by her delightful sense of humour that encourages students to reclaim the joy within their practice and life. The owner of Urban Ashram in Auckland, featured presenter at Wanderlust festivals NZ/AUS ambassador for Eco Store and GreenLeaf Organics, Mother and wellness powerhouse. Off the mat you will usually find her flipping handstands at the beach with her delightful daughter or indulging in dark chocolate. "I believe that we are all born to shine bright as children do, as we let go of our fears and step into our light, we inspire others to do the same" TRACEY GIMBLETTTracey is an escape artist. In her classes she creates an escape haven for the body, mind and soul. Her classes are an extension of her own yoga practice, a journey of sharing, discovery and transformation.
Tracey has studied and work shopped with Ana Forrest, Noah Maze, Rocky Heron and Amy Ippoliti. She completed a Level 1 Purna Yoga training at Byron Yoga Centre. Which she followed with level 1 Teachers Training With Om Yoga Studio and Teacher Development program with Nikki Ralston. Tracey is committed to growth and development, completing a Yin and MFR training with Jo Phee, Tracey is fascinated about learning more about the human body and mind through this practice. ELLA RICHARDSON
RYT500
Ella found yoga at a pivotal moment in her life. As many people do Ella came to the practice to seek clarity in an otherwise turbulent time in her life. The practice of yoga brought moments of peace and a feeling of well-being, a welcome relief to a somewhat distraught young lady. Over the next few years, yoga came and went with sporadic visits until finally, after the arrival of her son in 2012, Ella found herself drawn to the vibrant rhythm of a daily Astanga yoga practice. It didn't take her long to realise that yoga was more than an hour spent on a mat: it was a way of life.
Living life through yoga was like wearing beer goggles - she fell in love with everyone, including falling back in love with herself! Gradually, it brought kindness into her heart, for herself and others; it brought truth into her thoughts, words, and actions; and it shaped her in many, many other ways. Grateful and awestruck, Ella made the decision to train to be a teacher in this wonderful art. She wanted to deepen her understanding of the practice, and she wanted to serve as a yoga-catalyst to other people - just as her own inspiring teachers had done for her. She spent 2015 completing her 500hr teacher training at the New Zealand School of Yoga, under the fierce guidance of Mike and Sharon Byron-Mackay. It was a vigourous training, steeped in the Iyengar tradition: plenty of props, long holds in postures and an acute attention to alignment. The memory of the Astanga fire remained seared in her bones, and after graduating in 2016, Ella found herself drawn once more to the power and fluidity of a moving practice: enter Vinyasa. The creativity and freedom of Vinyasa allowed Ella to find a balance between her Iyengar and Astanga backgrounds. Today, she practises and teaches a style that fuses the meticulous spirit of Iyengar with the moving poetry of Vinyasa. Ella's classes are challenging, but given in a gentle and playful manner. You will walk out of class feeling strong, stretched and radiant. TAANE METE
RYT 200hrs
Taane Mete was born and raised in Napier, New Zealand and began dancing while at high school. As an accomplished professional dancer, Taane has sustained his performing career for more than 36 years. In 2011, he stumbled upon Bikram yoga as a way of enhancing and supporting his dancing career and maintaining body and mind connection on and off the road.
In 2015, Taane did his first yoga training with Power Living in Wellington and began teaching Auckland. He has had the opportunity to teach Asana at Wanderlust in Taupo in 2015 and 2016. Taane is also a teacher at The Tropical Island; a yoga retreat in Aitutaki. Taane values the calming effects that yoga provides, as well as the associated healing benefits and improvement of injuries in dance, while improving overall confidence and strength, both physically and mentally. He draws inspiration from his Maori culture to infuse spirit and connection into his classes. Yoga has brought Taane closer to himself and those around him. JOSEPHINE LORELLE
Yoga teacher
Josephine first came to yoga over ten years ago after joining a yoga class for actors. Her teacher Melissa Billington then became her teacher for the next seven years, and eventually received her first 200-hour training with Melissa. This training gave Josephine a strong foundation in the practice and the ability to work with anyBody. For Josephine yoga has been as healing journey after enduring a back injury and various allergies. It was through yoga that she was able to strengthen her body and find a sense of calm in everyday life. For Josephine yoga is a devotional practice and more recently she has been training with San Fransisco-based vinyasa and bhakti teacher Janet Stone. She has travelled to Bali and the USA to study with Janet. She is currently completing her 500 level training. Josephine's classes are full of expression, heart, and creativity, with an emphasis on breath and alignment. She loves to bring the benefits of yoga to anyone of any ability or experience. |
AMBER JANE
RYT500 & E-RYT200
Amber J is a lover; a curator of kindness, guided by her heart & server to her souls divinity. Yoga has changed my life, as I have learnt that Yoga is life; a beautiful life. I was born in NZ, and since the age of 4 I have been lucky enough to have dancing in my life, and through the love of movement I found the asana practice to be pure magic to the mind, body and soul. From mindfully rotating the wrists to pressing my palms firmly into the earth, I felt (and still feel) elated and a true sense of peace when struck with the present moment.
After pursuing a professional dancing career in Sydney, Australia, I soon discovered that this path wasn't for me. I had put so much pressure on myself to succeed that I had lost the joy of Self. Anxiety and an eating disorder took hold of me over those few years that followed, and it wasn't until I started attending a number of Pilates and Yoga classes that I began to see the sun again. It eventually became clear to me how much the practice of Yoga was benefiting my health and well being. In 2014 I went to Auckland, New Zealand, where I studied a Diploma in Yoga at Wellpark College. The person that came out of that course was totally different to the one that walked in. I went in for personal development reasons, and came out with a loving determination to help others on their own journeys. I can't express through words how grateful I am for all the beautiful wisdom that I received in that year. The tutors and students there are now my life long friends, and I will hold that experience in my heart forever. Following my 200/500HR training in Yoga I returned to Napier, Hawke's Bay, where I taught at a number of studios and my own home studio. Nothing has made me more content than seeing the true growth in my students, on and off the mat. My soul is happiest when helping others, kindness is my religion, and I endeavor to embody this always. Lasting words; I am just a vessel; Yoga is the wisdom. Namaste FRANCESCA HOPKINS
Francesca was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. Her parents are both dancers and yoga practitioners.
With the practice of body movement ingrained in her from day one, Francesca is deeply passionate about the human body, how it functions and how that affects the world we live in. She has taught yoga for the past 4 years, has a Yoga Diploma from Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, is a certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and holds a Certificate in Personal Training. Francesca presents her classes using multiple modalities with the intention of being inclusive to all levels of learning as well as encouraging people to become educated about their own bodies through their experience of movement. Francesca is committed to her ongoing education of yoga, movement and the human body and believes that this commitment means she able to offer full presence of mind, individual guidance and sincere compassion to her students. BONNIE O'NEILL
RYT500 Registered Ashtanga Yoga Teacher
Certificate in Hatha Yoga + Pregnancy Yoga +Restorative Yoga MIC: Masters of International Communication Bonnie's interest in yoga philosophy began over 25 years ago, a subsequent trip to India in 1992, and throughout her life since, she has practiced Yoga postures (Asanas) on and off during this time and have seen first hand the transformative eect of a regular practice. 6 years ago she decided to become a dedicated practitioner and teacher. Bonnie incorporates knowledge gained through her training in Yoga, philosophy, applied anatomy and physiology to create classes based on individual needs; focusing on keeping you safe while creating a sustainable Yoga practice specically for your body/abilities and mindset.
POPPY SALTER
Yoga teacher
Poppy moved to NZ in 2013 after completing her teacher training with Power Living Australia. She set up beachside yoga classes in Mt Maunganui which quickly grew in numbers over the summer and gave her the confidence to teach her classes in Auckland studios by 2014. Poppy found a love for yoga when she came to a crossroads and felt her life lacked meaning, direction and service. Her classes are balanced, lighthearted and challenging. She passionately believes that people don't need radical change in order to be the best version of themselves but through a deeper sense of awareness everybody can tap into the greater powers that remind us we are the creators of our own destiny. Her words to live by are: Be silly. Be honest. Be kind ~ Ralph Waldorf Emerson |
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