Yoga Within Teachers
All our teachers are educated, qualified and committed to providing a safe and supportive environment in which your practice can unfold, deepen and develop.
We are here to support your journey, whether it be to increase fitness and flexibility, find inner calm and reduce stress, toward a general sense of wellness, rehabilitation of injury or your own personal goals.
Jessica Devi
Jessica is a trauma Informed movement and wellbeing practicitoner...
CRYSTAL KONG
I started my yoga journey at the age of 18...
LAURA MCKENZIE
Finding yoga at a challenging point of her life, Yoga became...
NICOLE ALLAN
Nicole's first real introduction to the complex nature of being...
EMMA STONE
Emma comes from a background of theatre and dance and...
Anke Gordon
Born in South Africa and raised in Germany..
JULIE VAN RENEN
Julie first discovered Pilates while studying...
Sarah King
Sarah first discovered yoga when it paired nicely with her...
Sharné LUCAS
Hi, I’m Sharné, I’m a passionate, people focused Yoga Teacher...
Jessica Devi
Jessica is a Trauma Informed movement and wellbeing practitioner who has practiced and studied the physical, emotional and mental benefits of movement, therapeutic dance, restorative practices, trauma and yoga for over 20 years. She is passionate about facilitating a personalised approach for each person in a way that is unique to their body, mind, history and hopes.
Jessica is a sensitive, warm and knowledgeable teacher with a wealth of experience in physical and mental health, holistic fitness and well being. Through the integration of mindful movement, breath practices and awareness techniques Jessica will support you to find – not only the best version of yourself but also a life that is deeper and more connected.
“I continue to be inspired by the endless possibility yoga and movement practice presents and have first hand experience in their healing power, both within my own body and mind and the bodies and minds of those I have had the privilege of working with. I truly believe we have the power to heal and transform ourselves; body, mind and soul and to discover new and more sustainable ways in which to be in our world.”
Jessica is drawn to both traditional and modern yoga, dance and movement practices that are sustainable, authentic and therapeutic in nature. She draws from these to create both group and individual classes/sessions in which the emphasis is on listening to your inner wisdom, nourishing your body and mind and creating long term, life-sustaining, change, growth and development. She considers herself a life-long learner and is currently studying for her Masters in Dance Movement Therapy.
Jessica is available for private, individual, small group or corporate sessions and also runs wellness retreats and Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Mindful movement programmes, which she offers throughout the year. As the owner of Yoga Within, Jessica also teaches weekly group classes at the studio.
“I look forward to sharing these profoundly simple and effective practices with you in a class or session soon.”
Namaste
CRYSTAL KONG
Hi, I’m Crystal Huitian Kong.
I started my yoga journey at the age of 18. I still remember how impressive that yoga class was and how joyful I felt afterwards. I felt I had found a door to a beautiful world and had never known there was such a beautiful thing like yoga before then.
I started a constant yoga practice 8 years ago when my son was born. Everything changed once he came into my life! I needed to reconnect to myself and chose yoga. I enjoy conscious breathing and mindful movement and it continues to amaze me how settling the yoga postures (asana) can be.
I trained as a Trauma-informed yoga teacher (RYT200) and am passionate to share my own experience of yoga while supporting people in their own unique journey.
LAURA MCKENZIE
Finding yoga at a challenging point of her life, Yoga became the tool Laura used to lean into and embrace uncertainty. Quickly recognising the shift yoga had on her outlook and understanding of life, she was drawn to teach.
Laura studied Hatha/Vinyasa under the Embodied Flow methodology with Adele Kinghan, and has continued to study, becoming passionate in Non- Dual Shaivism Tantra, Pre/post-natal Yoga and Embodied Flow Yin Yoga.
Laura is particularly drawn to working in Women’s Health and Somatics; which has also led her to study Somatic Stress Release with Dr Scott Lyons, Yoga for Women’s Health with Yoga Medicine, as well as Pelvic Floor Health.
Laura draws inspiration from her Embodied flow training, to curate classes that are invitational, invoking a sense of agency and flow, as well as promoting curiosity and exploration. With a particular interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Laura often draws on the elements and organs as a key touchstone in her classes. As a natural space holder, you can expect a safe, welcoming and nourishing class with Laura.
ANKE GORDON
Born in South Africa and raised in Germany, I moved back to SA in the late 90’s and worked for a while as a nursing sister in ICU before beginning my career in the fitness industry. I worked as an aerobics and personal trainer and was part of a hip hop dance group.
I was introduced to pilates due to an injury in 2001 and decided to study the art of pilates with Renee Watson who was a good friend and mentor. I completed my teacher training in 2003.
My husband Chad is a Chiropractor and former professional triathlete and our two children are 14 and 16. We moved to New Zealand to join family in April 2021.
I love the outdoors, animals and especially horses – competing in long distance riding. I am passionate about pilates because it is non-competitive and is about physical and mental health which directly affects our immunity. This is particularly important for the time we now live in.
I enjoy creating a relaxed and are happy environment so participants can enjoy the exercise they do.
JULIE VAN RENEN
Julie first discovered Pilates while studying her Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (majoring in Contemporary dance) at Unitec in Auckland. She began using it to build core strength, rehabilitate injuries and enhance personal performance.
Julie loves the versatility of Pilates and its adaptability to every
individual body. She loves to see the positive effects Pilates has on
her clients, and enjoys assisting them on working towards their
goals.
She completed her Pilates teacher training in 2014.
When Julie is not teaching Pilates she works as a freelance Contemporary dancer and dance teacher. She is passionate about ‘Inclusive’ dance for all bodies and abilities and works as a dancer and dance teacher for
Touch Compass Dance Trust (Aotearoa’s foremost integrated
professional performance company).
Julie is also a mumma to her 3 year old daughter Atawhai.
NICOLE ALLAN
Nicole’s first real introduction to the complex nature of being human and what the spiritual path could offer came after her first 10 day silent Vipassana meditation. Nicole then ended up travelling to India, where everything changed, she learnt about yogic philosophy and decided Yoga Teacher training was the next step. Returning to NZ, she trained at The New Zealand School of Yoga.
Over the past 10 years training has never stopped, this includes: Reiki, Yoga Nidra, Acro Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga, Diploma of Counselling and Psychology, Emotional Freedom Technique, Hanna Somatics, Yin Yoga, Kids Yoga and more.
Nicole believes the process of getting to know ourselves is the journey to freedom and that this happens in the most loving and empowering way through a Trauma Informed Perspective. Our physical bodies, our minds, our emotions, our spiritual connection are all intimately interconnected and in essence need to be addressed as one to truly come home to ourselves.
SARAH KING
Sarah first discovered yoga when it paired nicely with her long life passion for running. Originally from London she moved to New Zealand four years ago, during this time she has said goodbye to the running shoes and fully dedicated her daily practice to yoga.
Yoga personally for Sarah has inspired her to live more presently, mindfully, and for her yoga is about the balance between strength and surrendering both physically and mentally. Her current passion within her own practise is pranayama and the exploration of the power of breath.
Sarah’s style of teaching is from a place that offers self exploration and variety for students. She gets an immense amount of joy in supporting others in achieving their ambitions within yoga be that through movement, self discovery or body awareness.
Sarah is a big animal and nature lover. Most days you can find her down the beach attempting to cuddle and sneak love from the local dogs or frolicking in the waves, having a surf.
Sarah has completed both her 200 & 300 hour teacher trainings within the style of Trauma Informed Vinyasa, she has also trained in the style of Yin & Aerial Yoga.
EMMA STONE
Emma comes from a background of theatre and dance and has always experienced a strong connection to nature, travel and adventure. Training in music gave Emma an understanding of creativity and harmony, which she brings to her Yoga practice.
Emma has been practicing Yoga personally for fifteen years and felt a desire to pursue training after living in Bondi, Sydney, where she attended weekly workshops and built in a daily practice. Her love for teaching has led her to further her study, and she is now a qualified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher (RYT500).
Slow flow and yin-style practice is where Emma is most passionate, but she also enjoys teaching Vinyasa, Yogalates & whole-brain Yoga. Her warm presence and enthusiasm will help to gently guide you on your Yoga journey.
Sharné Lucas
Hi, I’m Sharné, I’m a passionate, people focused Yoga Teacher, Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) and Early Childhood Teacher. I’m a South African now Kiwi, lover of nature, outdoor activities, yoga and travelling.
Yoga has been part of my life for about 10 years now. Recently I have deepened my own practice by completing a 200 hr Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training (2021). This has been a part of my pursuit to better understand myself as a teacher, partner, family member, and friend, and has supported my interest in learning more about developmental psychology, neuroscience, a trauma informed approach to life and yoga.
My vision is to share my learning to empower others on their own unique journey to deepen their sense of self at all ages and stages. I view yoga as a lifelong pursuit, and aim to always be learning, especially as I teach.
