The Teacher Team
Paul
Paul is a senior teacher of Pranayama, Asana and the meditative art and science of Yoga. He has been a dedicated student for over a decade of both Sri O.P.Tiwari, one of the few remaining classical yogis and masters of Pranayama, and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in ashtanga vinyasa. Both of these great teachers have personally
certified
Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor. Paul continues with Mantra practice from the yoga lineage and meditative approaches, influenced by the Thai Forest tradition. This combination of practice and study through dedication and devotion has helped him gain some understanding of practice and to apply this appropriately in Asana, Pranayama, Mantra recitation and Meditation for the different level of students he has the privilege to share the teaching with. He continues his studies in health, digestion, anatomy and physiology. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.
Paul is the happy father of two lovely boys. Together with his wife, he founded Samahita Retreat. For more please see his full bio.
Stephen Thomas
Stephen Thomas is the founder of Yogakailasa and senior teacher of Yoga.
His life and teaching is rooted in the traditional Hatha Yoga practices of asana,
pranayama, and meditation. His philosophical approach to the practice is influenced
by studies in Classical Yoga, Tibetan Buddhism and Tantra and earlier studies in design, philosophy and art.
Over the past decade he has worked directly with his root teacher, O.P. Tiwari, with whom he continues to expand his knowledge in the fields of pranayama, philosophy, mantra and ayurveda. He has completed advanced pranayama studies with Tiwari, and continues to dedicate his work to promoting health and personal transformation through this lineage based practice.
Asana forms the other major part of his teaching. Stephen brings a unique dual view of both the alignment principles of the Iyengar based methods and the transformational elements of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system. His method is to present asana in an detailed, dynamic form, designed to suit the individual growth of the student.
He teaches with a spirit of lightness and clarity. He has helped many students over the years to deepen their practice and understand how to put it into context. In his view, Yoga and life are meant to be woven seamlessly together. For more please see his full bio
Sara Granström-Thorsson
Sara completed her Centered Yoga Training in June 2005. She is a dedicated and focused student of yoga,
which is evident in her teaching and sharing of the practices. Sara has studied both Pranayama and Asana
intensively and is a senior graduate of Centered Yoga Institute. She teaches yoga regularly in Stockholm,
Sweden, and is developing her own center on Gotland, Sweden. In addition, Sara is a student of and practitioner
of ayurveda and nutrition. Sara spends about four months a year teaching at Samahita Retreat. For more please see her full
bio.
Elonne
Elonne has been a committed yoga practitioner and devotee since the early age of 14. She has lived and taught in the Bahamas, Canada, India, the United States, and Taiwan where she has taught asana, pranayama, and meditation at yoga studios, ashrams, resorts, schools, orphanages, hospitals, and clinics. In 2006, Elonne moved to Asia, where she met her teachers, Paul Dallaghan, O.P. Tiwari, and Richard Freeman.
As Elonne's understanding of the practice grows, she feels more and more like a beginner, and she is excited to continue this journey. She feels blessed by the opportunity to teach at Samahita Retreat, and she is extremely grateful for the chance to help others while she continues her own studies. She has completed the Training at Centered Yoga along with trainings from Richard Freeman and Sivananda. For more please see her full bio.
Adarsh
Adarsh teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister sciences of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti. Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage and has received teaching Authorization by his late Guruji Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Adarsh directs the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.
Through in depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.
Sean Kirke
Sean completed his Centered Yoga Training in November 2004. Since 2003 he has spent most of his time in Asia for both yoga and chiropractic, until recently relocating back to Australia with his family where he now teaches and is in the process of opening a shala. Sean's passion for holistic health not only resulted in him becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic but also led him to the path of yoga. His chiropractic studies gave him a deep understanding of anatomy which he is able to apply when teaching yoga and also when treating yogis as a chiropractor. This has proven to be of great benefit in helping people advance their practices and recovery from injury.
For more please see his full
bio.
Rachel
Rachel has practiced and had interests in various styles of yoga since 1999, and felt that all of it led to a greater understanding of her current practice. She completed her Centered Yoga teachers training with Paul in 2005 and has returned regularly to SYT over the last 5 years.
Her main focus in teaching is to create an appropriate intelligent bridge to the dynamic form of Ashtanga, breaking it down so that each person is practicing to their own level and reaching their potential.
She has taught in London, and more recently in Sydney focussing on courses, workshops and Mysore classes. She uses her experience from her daily yoga practice, workshop intensives in yoga therapy, back bending and inversions combined with Thai massage experience for a wholistic approach to teaching and when giving adjustments to share the joy of yoga. bio.
Amy
Amy completed her Centered Yoga teacher training in July 2010. As a resident of Koh Samui, Amy continued her studies under the tutelage of Paul Dallaghan and Elonne Stockton, growing as both a teacher and a student. She joined the teaching team in February 2011, which she combines with her role as SYT Marketing Manager.
Amy studied acting and theatre in London and has been living in Thailand for seven years, working as a freelance writer for magazines, focused on wellness and travel. She has two young daughters, and lives her life immersed in raising children, writing and the biggest practice of all; learning how to live yoga, finding balance and joy through all of life's many adventures.
James Newman
James Newman (E-RYT500hr, Registered Yoga Therapist) is a yoga teacher, anatomy teacher, and bodyworker based in Bali. He's certified to teach in the Anusara, Kripalu, and Vinyasa Krama styles. Since 2005 he has studied extensively (over 400hrs) as a senior student of Srivatsa Ramaswami - one of the great living masters of the yoga tradition. Ramaswami was the personal student for 30 years of Krishnamacharya, the "Father of Modern Yoga" and guru to BKS Iyengar and Pattabi Jois. James is one of only a few dozen teachers worldwide to be certified by Ramaswami. He is also a graduate of the asana sequencing/adaptation program at KYM - the Krishnamacharya family yoga school. James combines his knowledge of yoga with his insight as a Level 5 CranioSacral therapist to create an integrated, effective approach to deepening your yoga practice. James will be teaching the Anatomy course during the training led by Stephen Thomas.
