Four Yogi Extroadinaires
Meet
Our Team
Dr Yamuna
Yamuna has been stepping onto the mat since 2003 with over 20 years of evolving yoga practice and has been teaching this holistic science since 2015 with an E-RYT 500 registration with yoga alliance international.
She has undergone 11 years of training and practice as a UK medical graduate and hospital doctor in medicine and surgery with Radiology specialization. As such, she has seen the human body through every lens, dissecting cadaveric specimens at medical university, conducting physiological examinations in hospital, assisting in major surgical operations, reading and interpreting anatomy and diagnosing disease anatomically on X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI and live barium studies. One comes to know the body very deeply.
Her later years in Yoga, breathwork, reiki energy healing and meditation allowed her to finally complete the picture of the human form with the interwoven presence of the subtle energy body, even subtler mind body, emotions and eternal spirit within.
For the last decade she has lived a nomadic life, off the beaten track, travelling, teaching yoga, facilitating her own workshops, retreats, intensive immersions and co-facilitating teacher training programs around the globe, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali and India.
Her understanding of the form and function of the body and sensitivity to the subtle energetics and mind, underpins her guidance and teachings in the yogic practices, ensuring that what is being offered is nurturing, balancing and transformative.
Yamuna integrates her experience in Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Restorative, Yin, Somatics, Iyengar, Breathwork, Kriya, Pranayama, Meditation and trauma awareness to deliver an intuitive practice that is relevant and appropriate to the students in front of her.
She has a growing connection to the practice of Bhakti, offering regular community Kirtan (Devotional Chanting) throughout the pandemic in India, fanning the qualities, trust and faith that heals the heart.
“Yoga, practiced in its totality is medicine for the mind body and soul”
I spent an unforgettable week at the retreat led by Yan just last month (April 2019) in Ubud, Bali. She is an amazing teacher - knowledgeable, focused, compassionate and a real yogi to the core. I decided to go after being inspired by a close friend who went previously, and I'm truly happy and grateful I did. I learned so much not only in terms of alignment, technique and anatomy (the workshops were fantastic), but also about the philosophy of yoga as well as meditation. Although I found the week to be physically and emotionally challenging at times (as I expected!), it was also incredibly satisfying on a spiritual level and very transformative for me. I was also very lucky to attend with four other wonderful people. And the food was great too! I hope to continue to deepen my practice and I send lots of love out to Yan and the rest of my cohort around the world
I love the energy and wisdom that Yan brings to each class. I was lucky enough to be in a teacher training with Yan and her A&P is second to none! However, the real beauty of her teaching lies in her gift of grace and wisdom as she weaves the sacred art of yoga into all that she does. Her knowledge of asana and yogic principles is profound and she teaches with integrity and humility. Having practiced yoga for almost twenty years I found new and deeper understanding through Yan in all of the poses that she shared with us. I hope for the day that I can share some sacred space with Yan again, and urge you if you feel drawn to, to do the same – your heart will thank you for it. Namaste.
Yan's retreat was one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. The yoga, meditation and the gentle supportive energy at the retreat and from Yan not only deepened my practice, but more importantly, led to a profound shift that transformed me from within. This transformation must have been visible, because shortly after I returned home from the retreat, my best friend and partner were asking me how can they join the next retreat! Thank you, Yan.
Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra Ji turned his life towards helping others after shedding his old career in management in 2013. His path guided him to practice, apprentice and become a personal trainer in 2015, incorporating cross fit, bodyweight and eventually yoga practices after entering into a two year post graduate diploma in yoga studies in 2016 at the well known institute of Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala.
He had always a curiosity to explore and know the body in every aspect and how to heal with any instrument, and his life force guided him increasingly towards the more balanced holistic methods of Yoga, energy work, meditation and self enquiry, studying a further 200 and 300 hours of Yoga training in Hatha, Ashtanga and Iyengar method.
His awareness in subtle energy expanded in 2018 when he met his Master Sri C Kailash and initiated into the Pranic healing tradition. He became close to his master and co-facilitated a large spinal manipulation and Pranic healing retreat with him at the Pranic Healing Foundation in South India in 2019. He taught yoga practices specific to spinal health and offered advice and intensive adjustments for correct spinal alignment. He is now an experienced Pranic healer with use of Crystals.
For some time he guided meditation with the blind association and offered a holistic blend of practices to private clients in his home city.
He has created and conducted his own Chakra Sadhana healing workshop series with groups and individuals and shared his knowledge and experience on teacher training programs in Goa.
Every step of his life has made him more curious to know the ways of Nature and his curiosity continues to expand his learning, exploring the physical, mental, emotional, energetic and vibrational.
Amit taught Philosophy, Pranayama as well as some of the yoga training on my YTT200. I was a complete novice and also in need of some spiritual guidance. Since this course I have returned to see Amit in Goa on a further 2 occasions for further sessions with him with meditations, crystal healing and general guidance.
I can honestly say that my initial time spent on the YTT200 was life changing and have since aligned myself back onto my true path in life; from serial entrepreneur to studying QiGong and acupuncture at 56 years old!
I recommend Amit’s teachings either in a class or on a private basis to anyone seeking knowledge and gentle support.
Amit is an extraordinary patient and passionate teacher of breathing techniques, meditation and the yogic philosophy. Being born in India, he can explain many things from his own experiences, coming from his heart always, listening and answering with modesty but deep knowledge. He knows many holy traditions and will be able to lead you deeper into the powerful substance of yoga. Together Yamuna and amit are the most wonderful, fun and loving teachers one could wish for and inspired me not only for yoga but encouraged me to live a better life every day. I can recommend them with all my heart to anyone who is interested in yoga and Personal growth
There are mainly two types of trainers one professional and the other is passionate. Amit sir is passionate one. He is really good at what he does. He has deep knowledge of yoga, function training and how body functions. After getting in touch with him I saw positive change in not just my body but overall in my life. He wants to give his knowledge to as many people as he can regardless.
Neil Jefferson
Originally from the UK, Neil has been living in Asia since 1997. He has been practicing yoga since 1999 and has been teaching and sharing his understanding of yoga since moving to Thailand in 2011. Neil has trained extensively in different styles of yoga (Sivananda, Hatha, Iyengar, Anusara, Restorative, Ashtanga-Vinyasa etc).
He brings to his classes a unique fusion of the many teaching styles and teachers he has studied with, in addition to the countless hours he continues to devote to understanding and realizing the universal truth that Yoga points to.
In his group classes Neil teaches both traditional Hatha and a more contemporary Hatha Vinyasa, which he enjoys making accessible to students of all levels. Neil challenges his students to be fully present with their practice in a safe, supportive environment. Neil’s students enjoy his calm presence in the class, and his alignment cues are precise, clear and coherent. He invites students to examine their relationship to each pose in the moment, and to utilize the flow of the breath as a primary focus to simultaneously still the mind and move the body through a slow flow of thoughtfully sequenced poses.
Neil completed 3 teacher training courses, totalling 700 hours, between 2007-2010. All conducted in residence at ashrams throughout India, Neil immersed himself in the yogic way of life to complete the TTC and advanced TTC with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Kerala and Madurai. He also studied at the Yoga Institute: Swami Vivekenananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) near Bangalore. After beginning his teaching journey in 2011 in Thailand, Neil continued to study intensively with renowned yoga teachers in disciplines as varied as Yoga Philosophy, Applied Anatomy & Therapeutics, and Restorative Yoga. Neil continues his passion for Yoga Philosophy and spirituality in general by making annual trips to India to explore different elements of Indian Philosophy, including the schools of Sankhya, Vedanta, and Advaita philosophy. Since 2016 Neil has been hosting yoga and meditation retreats in Thailand, and also co-directed his own TTC in Chiang Mai in 2019. Neil is currently teaching classes and courses in Goa, India. www.neilyoga.com
Anna Ananda
Anna Ananda has been sharing her joy for yoga, meditation, and a healthy lifestyle for over six years.
It all began in her childhood, growing up in a yogic family with strong Ayurvedic influences, which clearly paved the way for her to become a yoga teacher.
When the fire re-ignited, she found herself in numerous yoga training sessions. The most influential was undoubtedly her 300-hour Kaivalya Yoga teachertraining in Bali, where she delved deep into yogic teachings and the styles of Balanced Ashtanga and Yin Yoga – also the place where she met Yamuna. Further training and education in Yin Yoga followed, as well as in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Somatics, and Vinyasa Yoga.
Anna has always been interested in depth and a holistic approach. Therefore, she deepened her knowledge through distance learning as a vegan nutrition consultant and training in yoga coaching too. Exploring and experiencing countless journeys (having visited more than 30 countries) and attending yoga classes and workshops during these travels also enriched her experience, explaining her openness and passion for life and the world itself.
She regularly teaches in various hotels, group classes, festivals, conducts workshops and events, sings at mantra evenings with the harmonium, and provides one-on-one guidance. However, her passion is concentrated in her retreats, where she primarily supports women in discovering a healthy, soothing, and yogic life, guiding them back to their self-worth and self-love.
Her retreats are held in her hometown in Italy but also in magical places like Bali.
Anna is increasingly found in yoga teacher trainings, where she shares her experience but, above all, her love for yoga and people. She is often described as a calming presence, capable of bringing people back to their center and accepting everyone as they are.
Filled with love, she creates transformative experiences in her classes and all other formats, fostering a connection of body, mind, and soul. She prefers to teach what she has experienced herself and is guided by the well-known saying:
“Be ready to learn and become aware of what yoga can truly give you.”
"The retreat was unique. They were incredibly beautiful and intense days full of love. Anna radiates incredible strength and is a wonderful woman. It more than exceeded my expectations. I felt so welcome and so safe from the first second Anna. It was really a wonderful weekend. I could write pages full about what particularly touched me, but I'll try To keep it short - I was able to learn and learn so much from Anna. She was able to pass on so much and responded to each and every one of them. Anna is simply wonderful. One of the greatest teachers I have had the pleasure of meeting. Full of love and she radiates it . She radiates a unique calm that she transmits. I would recommend the retreat to everyone. I look forward to further retreats with you =)”
It was a beautiful, meaningful, valuable time! Timefor yourself, time for your body, time for your soul. It exceeded myexpectations. Anna is so beaming a lot of love, which immediately captivatedme. What particularly touched me was the realization that I have to change,that I have to convey my glow, that I have to convey my love to the outsideworld, that my wishes can come to me. Anna is a person of heart through andthrough! She immediately conveys to you that you are welcome, valuable andunique."
"Anna showed me how wonderful it is to be present in the here and nowfor long periods of time. Being in her company, I realized that I can do ittoo. It’s thanks to her, that now, the primary goal in my life is to remain asconscious as possible of the present moment, of life itself. The factor thatconvinced me is her gentle and loving approach to all yoga diciplines, whichdisarmed me from all my previous beliefs and prejudices."