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" ANN-MARIE MACKENZIE
RYT250 + 100
Ann-Marie is a natural yoga teacher, guiding students with compassion and understanding for the past 7years. Ann-Marie is inspired to support others on their individual paths of wellbeing through the holistic teachings of Yoga, Pilates and Integrative Nutrition.
Yoga came to Ann-Marie in a career filled with high expectations met with a pressured and unsupportive work environment. Wound with anxiety and self-doubt; unbound stressors and internal “not-enoughs”. Yoga became her retrieve, a place to just be with breath and body. The practice became a place of mental clarity, opening and a return home to self. The intinutive unfolding from student to teacher diverted her career trajectory to the studies in science, art and philosophy of Yoga leading her to complete over 1,000hours of Yoga trainings, in the United States, India, Indonesia and New Zealand. Her passion for integrated wellbeing is clearly evident in her classes deeply supportive and authentic. Ann-Marie’s WHY: “I teach because I want to share the gift’s that Yoga gave me - the propensity of unfolding awakening to self and source” Clarity | Intuition | Freedom | Love Ann-Maries HOW: “I teach an accessible embodied physical flow. The practice is breath focused; attention to the present is funneled to support mental clarity and autonomy”. ALEXA GERLACH
RYT250Mibella was born and raised in Southern California and is one of the lucky few who migrated to beautiful Aotearoa. She believes a true yogi is kind, discerning, inquisitive, deep, light, grounded, vibrant, generous, creative, always growing, and has a contagious energy about them. She is a dedicated student to the practice. She teaches what she learns along the way. At Urban Ashram she teaches a grounding and warm Yin class, but also loves teaching Vinyasa and Reformer Pilates throughout Auckland. She came into her yoga practice while studying Psychology at UCLA (2009-2013) and feels as though Psychology is to the mind as yoga is to the mind, body and soul; and that really drew her in, never looking back since.
Practicing mindfulness with her 2 young wild child boys keeps her on her toes and very humble. Alexa has been practicing yoga for 12 years across four different countries. She started attending classes as just another workout but studying with inclusive, exciting teachers helped her to find joy and freedom instead of punishment in movement. Yoga became a way to reconnect with her body as part of recovery from disordered eating and exercise. Yoga has been a profound source of confidence, community and connection in the different places Alexa has called home around the world.
Having completed her 250 hour teacher training with Nikki Ralston in 2019, Alexa enjoys teaching active, flowing classes with a sense of humor. Students have the opportunity to build body awareness and confidence in a welcoming environment. After over a decade abroad, she still hasn’t managed to shake that American twang, but hopes you’ll forgive her for the accent and delight in the practice as much as she does. LAURA HETT
RYT250
Laura has been dedicated to the practice of yoga for the past 13 years and has recently embarked on the journey of becoming a teacher. As a dancer, Laura was initially drawn to the physical side of yoga to improve her strength and flexibility but what has kept her on the mat is the balance and presence that it brings to the fast pace of her life, Laura has completed 250 hours of yoga teacher training with Nikki Ralston in 2018. She adds this to her degree in sports nutrition, experience as a personal trainer and years of instructing mind-body exercise, deepening her understanding and knowledge of holistic health and the individual. Laura creates a playful and intelligent class that will connect you with your body, your breath and the present moment. BROOKE NEAL
RYT250
Brooke discovered yoga after struggling with multiple injuries and chronic pain through her sport. She has played hockey at an international level for the past 9 years, and she believes that if it weren’t for her yoga practise, she would not have been able to continue playing after the 2016 Olympics.
Brooke has always been drawn to Yin style yoga, although she sees the benefit in all styles. She finds that the contrast between her hectic life and the calmness in a yoga class is just what she needs to find balance in her life. Her classes are all about connecting your mind to body, so that you leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and empowered to take the learnings into your day to day life. Brooke has managed to be part of The Ralston Method teacher training program while being a high performance athlete. She continues to evolve in her study and runs All About Balance a program that empowers young female athletes to find balance in their mental, social and physical wellbeing. |
CARSON ROBERTSON
Carson has always used movement as an avenue of self expression. The feeling of release and the elegance of moving her body, pose to pose were what drew her to the practice. Her mat became her safe space, she no longer felt behind, she felt powerful and strong. Carson has had many teachers along her journey, including her Mom whose compassionate and caring nature are something she strives to emanate each day.
A class with Carson is a moment to be curious, she encourages her students to explore new depths and find a sense of balance and ease. She truly believes that yoga is for everyone, no matter if you are standing on your hands or simply breathing, everyone can benefit from yoga in their lives. MIBELLA VILLAFANA
Mibella was born and raised in Southern California and is one of the lucky few who migrated to beautiful Aotearoa. She believes a true yogi is kind, discerning, inquisitive, deep, light, grounded, vibrant, generous, creative, always growing, and has a contagious energy about them.
She is a dedicated student to the practice. She teaches what she learns along the way. At Urban Ashram she teaches a grounding and warm Yin class, but also loves teaching Vinyasa and Reformer Pilates throughout Auckland. She came into her yoga practice while studying Psychology at UCLA (2009-2013) and feels as though Psychology is to the mind as yoga is to the mind, body and soul; and that really drew her in, never looking back since. Practicing mindfulness with her 2 young wild child boys keeps her on her toes and very humble. KATE AITKEN
RYT250
Kate had suffered from chronic pain since she was a teen, since discovering yoga three years ago, she has noticed significant improvement in her physical practice and pain. Diving deeper into the practice it has been the non-physical aspects that have ignited Kate's passion and lead her to start her teaching journey. Yoga has not only transformed Kate’s view of physical activity but also her view on the importance of connecting with, and being kind to yourself
Kate has recently completed her 250-hour yoga teacher training, under the guidance of Nikki Ralston. Kate’s vision is to share her love of yoga in a way that is relatable, approachable and fun. Her classes are Vinyasa based, incorporating functional and mindful movements. Kate’s humour, empathy, and compassion allows for an inclusive experience for beginners to experienced students. Expect a movement based practice that heats the body from within, combined with spaciousness that allows for a deeper understanding of the body and mind relationship. When Kate isn’t teaching, you will find her at the beach with her guitar, reading a book or organising retreats. Kate and her brother Luke own and manage Mahia wellness retreats, where their love of movement and mindfulness brings people together to connect and relax on the beautiful east coast of New Zealand. NIAMH RYAN
RYT200Originally from Ireland, Niamh (pronounced Neeve; meaning bright) aims to provide a safe space to help you to illuminate your inner radiance through breath and movement.
For Niamh yoga has always been about coming home within yourself by slowing down in order to understand how our habits off the mat are shaping our reality. Coming from a fast paced, competitive, corporate world, this yogi had a few painful truths to come to terms with on her journey on the mat. Empowered by these realisations, Niamh is now dedicated to helping others shape their journey through their yoga practice. Living by her mantra "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step", she invites you to take a step on the mat with her. Offering different levels and modifications to meet you where you are in your journey, everyone is welcome in her classes. AMBER JANE
RYT500 & E-RYT200
Amber feels that yoga changed her life, as she has also learnt that Yoga is life; a beautiful life. Born in NZ, and since the age of 4 Amber was lucky enough to have dancing in her life, and through the love of movement found the asana practice to be pure magic to the mind, body and soul. From mindfully rotating the wrists to pressing her palms firmly into the earth, she felt (and still feels) elated and a true sense of peace when struck with the present moment.
After pursuing a professional dancing career in Sydney, Australia, she soon discovered that this path wasn't for her. She had put so much pressure on herself to succeed that she’d had lost the joy of Self. Anxiety and an eating disorder took hold of over those few years that followed, and it wasn't until she started attending a number of Pilates and Yoga classes that she began to see the sun again. It eventually became clear to her how much the practice of Yoga was benefiting her health and well being. In 2014 she went to Auckland, New Zealand, where she 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! She went in for personal development reasons, and came out with a loving determination to help others on their own journeys. Following my 200/500HR training in Yoga she returned to Napier, Hawke's Bay, where she taught at a number of studios and her own home studio. Nothing has made her more content than seeing the true growth in students, on and off the mat. Ambers soul is happiest when helping others, kindness is her religion, and she endeavors to embody this always. Lasting words; I am just a vessel; Yoga is the wisdom. Namaste LISA CHER
RYT 250+
Lisa began yoga at the age of 15 after hearing about the mental and physical benefits. What started out as a casual weekly practice grew into a journey of transformation and realization of the deep and powerful healing yoga has to offer.
This lead her to exploring different styles from Bikram to Yin, taking meditation classes and being drawn to books and podcasts around yoga and spirituality. She completed her first 200-hour training with Sampoorna Yoga in India and returned the following year as a karma yogi to assist in teacher trainings and teaching number of drop in classes. Lisa is very passionate about continuing her yoga education and most recently completed a 250-hour training with The Ralston Method in New Zealand. For Lisa, practicing and teaching yoga is about helping to create the most fulfilling experience of life and spreading joyful energy. She encourages students to use their mat as a way to explore and learn to navigate their mind and body, leading to finding comfort, happiness and peace within themselves. She has a strong emphasis on teaching safe alignment and mindful movement to be able to sustain a life long practice. |