Taryn Weggelaar
Growing up by the pristine coastline in Western Australia, with loving parents who also enjoyed frequent camping adventures in the outback, Taryn was constantly surrounded by nature. She believes all these natural elements were her first teachers to broaden her awareness to the lasting wild beauty of life.
Taryn loves ‘all things yoga’. She embraces all yoga styles, meditation and breathwork and enjoys learning about herself through practices that offer a challenging vinyasa format, where postures are linked together, as well as a gentle or yin approach where poses are held for a longer period. Connecting mindfulness, breathing techniques and absolute awareness.
Her teaching approach utilises a progressive format where postures are built step by step and grow in complexity towards a challenging or pinnacle posture (asana). She has an inclusive attitude and integrates the use of various yoga props including the wall, blocks, belts, straps and blankets to make the postures accessible and to invite challenge. Creative sequences and a fresh-minded view of the world lead to classes that move students towards their full potential and inspire the desire to look for the good.
Layering alignment instructions with reminders to connect and move with the currents of the breath, Taryn uses themes emphasising yogic philosophies that celebrate individual expression and encourage reverence for life.
Skillful corrections and assists, therapeutic adjustments and a vision for detail, accentuated by instructions that enhance her student’s feeling of strength and grace, are hallmarks of Taryn’s teaching style. Her strongest desire is to be of service and to remind each student to connect to the power of their own inner light.
Although she first experienced yoga when she was 16, Taryn devoted herself to the practice of yoga in 2008 and has been a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) since 2013. She completed her training in Australia and is currently an independent teacher at the E-RYT 500 level. She has specialised in teaching in various yoga studios, corporate yoga and sports teams (including working with some of the Australian Olympic teams).
Teaching in Australia, India, Indonesia and internationally for 8 years, as well as running yoga teacher training courses in India and Bali, she has logged over 10,000 hours of teaching experience with Yoga Alliance. As an avid practitioner she embraces all styles of yoga. Being an ardent student, Taryn participates in advanced Yoga studies to further her understanding and ability to serve others.
Alka Martine
“One of the greatest gifts I have received from Yoga and Meditation is the connection with the divine that lies within me. This connection allowed me to begin the long journey of discovering the true essence of who I am and what my purpose here on earth is.”
Alka is a seeker, forever a student and someone who is incredibly passionate about her mission in life. Empowering human beings to become extraordinary and life a life that makes them feel like their best version of themselves. She believes that in order to feel like your best version of yourself a harmonious balance between the fundamental five secrets of health should be achieved : Movement of the body, Nutrition, Spirituality, Career and Relationships. She has a gentle approach toward nutrition, movement, love, health and wellbeing.
Alka specialises in Nutritional Therapy and Yoga for burnout, anxiety and stress. She is a qualified Hatha, Vinyassa, Kundalini, Yin, Pregnancy yoga teacher, life coach, Reiki Master and currently completing her Clinical Hypnotherapy training. She is devoted to being a student for life in self-development.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Alka has been living in Bali for 5 years where she has been spreading her love and knowledge with clients all over the world by empowering them to create a life filled with purpose. She hosts Nurture and Nourishment Yoga Retreats, talks and workshops in beautiful Bali and internationally.
Stella Attwood
Stella Attwood is a highly skilled and vibrant movement trainer famous for her knowledge in human body movement, attention to detail, hands-on assists and warm connection. She is our Yoga Mechanics & mobility expert!
Her extensive training worldwide began in 2010 with Pilates in Melbourne, and Hatha Yoga in Bali. Since then her passion for movement, anatomy and human physiology has drawn her to do continuing education in: FRC® Functional Range Conditioning, Pilates (full cert apparatus), Yoga therapy, The Garuda Method, Pre and post-natal exercise, Barre fitness, Aerial fitness, Personal training, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Pain science, Evidence-based movement practices and Rehabilitation.
She strives to keep up to date with current best practices and is eager to share her knowledge to help others’ wellbeing.
Her focus is mindful intuitive movement, empowering you to move with self efficacy, to build strength, create a deeper mind/body/breath connection and experience feeling energetic and invigorated.
Jeanne Welsh | Kids Yoga Teacher
Deva
Originally from Scotland, Deva has been practicing yoga for over 2 decades, is an Ashtanga yogi and teacher and has facilitated Ecstatic Dance in Cape Town and, in recent years, throughout various parts of Bali. She has been an Ecstatic Shamanic Dancer since 1999 when Ecstatic Dance ‘dropped’ into her being. She experienced an energetic freedom and expansiveness of consciousness and received the gift of ecstasy through dance!
Deva began to DJ and facilitate this transformational practice in 2012, hosting Ecstatic Dance Facilitator & DJ Training in Bali.
She feels truly blessed to have been guided by the Shaman’s of Peru, the yogis in India and international Ecstatic & Shamanic Dance communities. Over the last 20 years she has also been a fulltime yoga teacher in Bali and the lead teacher of several YTTs.
Deva shares; “Accessing our inner truth and remembering our connection with source energy are at the heart of everything I share.”
Sharada Felicidario
Almost 16 years ago Sharada’s spiritual journey started with the love for Yoga and Ayur Veda, followed by an Indian Classical Dance called Odissi.
Sharada studied Odissi Indian classical dance and learned about the different archetypes of Hindu mythology, their meanings and stories in India. This devotional dance is a puja, a prayer, in itself. In 2009 she created a group of seven students from Bali and Lombok called ‘The Yoga Dance Dakini’.
Together they danced all over Bali for two months in temples and sacred festivals, as well as at the popular Bali Spirit Festival. Today she still shares the jewels of this ancient practice in a prayerful authentic way during ceremonies, classes and women’s devi circles.
10 years ago she met her revered teacher, Shree Swami Vagishananda Saraswati with whom she has been living and studying the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, Yoga, Vedic mantra chanting, Puja and Sanskrit language. He introduced her to Shree Radhaji, Dr. Carol Whitfield Ph.D. Radha has been Sharada’s teacher of Vedanta, as well as mentor. She guided her personally in psychology, inner child work and meditation.
With the blessings of her teachers she had the privilege and honor to live and study with Shree Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati during the last three-and- half year course of Vedanta, Yoga, Sanskrit and Vedic Tradition at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Anaikatti, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Sharada was asked to teach along with her teachers on many different occasions, guiding and introducing Vedanta, chanting, puja, meditation and Sanskrit language.
Sharada continues to teach in Bali and teaches on different occasions at well known yoga teacher training schools.
Her love for Vedic chanting and prayers have inspired her to record and teach mantras and prayers for students to learn and chant along.
The secret of Devi, ‘the way of the sacred feminine,’ has been a deep discovery for her. Learning many Devi chants brought her closer to understanding more about Goddess, how to honor and worship her. Sharada’s passion and love for the sacred feminine brought her to lead women’s circles & retreats, sacred gatherings, offering a safe non-judgmental space to heal, find self-acceptance and courage. Sharada loves to offer her students support to overcome fears, insecurities and the sense of unworthiness through knowledge, sharing and devotional practices.
Chiara Janssen
Chiara is a very passionate yoga instructor with teaching experience in different settings
around the world. Her key strengths lie in her adaptability, personal attention, passion and
patience to mentor others. Her story starts in the Netherlands where she grew up
surrounded by loving family and friends, but also an adventurous heart. Her adventurous
nature and craving to explore the world, led her to many continents and countries, to finally
settle in Bali.
After completing her 200 hour YTT, Chiara was immediately teaching yoga in the Netherlands.
She taught in both Dutch and English, slowly getting used to an international audience, and understanding the importance of the English language to teach Yoga internationally as well as online.
Working on YTTs here in Bali, she understood the necessity of a broad English vocabulary in teaching yoga, in order to provide students with clear, safe and simple cuing. She also realised that many YTT graduates are not native in English and often lack the confidence to teach and adjust their students in English. These observations inspired Chiara to combine with Loka Yoga School and offer an English Course specifically for Yoga Teachers. She created a comprehensive yoga vocabulary in English, as well as extensive and specific video content, to help international teachers find their voice in English, build safe and strong sequences, and gain confidence teaching in a language that is not their own!