Co-owner of The Yoga Space B.A.Hons, Grad Dip Ed, Dip Childbirth Education, PhD.

Jean began practising yoga at the age of 19 while completing a Bachelor of Arts in World Religions and Philosophy. Her study of world religions led to an interest in yoga and meditation and she spent many years intensively studying yoga and meditation in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. For many years she practiced Iyengar Yoga and was part of a dedicated Zen group. Her academic and personal journey into Eastern philosophy and practice led her to Mysore, India.  Her teaching encompasses Restorative Yoga, Intuitive Flow and Vinyasa classes. Jean is dedicated to sharing the transformative power of Yoga and loves working with students and carefully and safely watching the way in which both mind, body and spirit open and unfold through practicing steadily.

Jean has lectured in Eastern philosophy at various Australian universities and has a PhD in Eastern Philosophy & Feminist Theory. She is a qualified primary school teacher, Childbirth Educator, a Yoga Alliance E-RYT500 and Registered Pre Natal Yoga Specialist Teacher, and a senior member of Yoga Australia (YA). Jean is also a certified Yoga Therapist. Jean co ordinates the YA Teacher Training course at the Yoga Space and works with trainees over the year both in class and workshops to facilitate their pathway into becoming a loving, competent and kind yoga teacher. For her this can only happen with time, and thus the Yoga Space Hatha Vinyasa Teacher Training is run over 12 months (minimum). Jean is co-editor of the book, Yoga in the Modern World: Contemporary Perspectives (Routledge 2008). She writes for yoga magazines, yoga websites and academically her work is published in books and peer reviewed journals. She has undertaken the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Professional Training retreat with Dr Jon Kabat Zinn and conducts Mindfulness-Based research projects. She is mum to two beautiful boys, Jamie & Jesse, and is passionate about women’s spirituality and the benefits of yoga for pregnancy, birth and beyond. Parenting is for her the ultimate practice of taking her yoga off the mat.

Rob Schutze is a Senior Yoga Australia Teacher, ] Ashtanga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Clinical Psychologist. He is a Post Doctoral Fellow at Curtin University and explores the intersection of pain, psychology, physiotherapy and mindfulness. Rob runs the Psychology practice Wisdom Health Psychology.

Stephen was introduced to yoga at the age of 16 and immediately felt a connection to its benefits. After some years of exploring the practice he dedicated himself to the system of Ashtanga Yoga. Stephen has made many study trips to India for asana, sanskrit and chanting studies.  Stephen is passionate about teaching Ashtanga Yoga and Yin Yoga. He teaches the evening Ashtanga Led, Yin and co teaches the morning Mysore classes. He also finds Yin Yoga a complement to his daily ashtanga practice. Stephen is registered with Yoga Australia and has completed Yin Yoga & Anatomy Teacher Training with Paul Grilley. He is currently a student of Physiotherapy at Curtin University and is very experienced in working with injuries in a Yoga context.

Saam started doing yoga and meditation in 1991 and spent several years in Asia practicing intensively during the 90’s. He has practiced a wide range of hatha yoga styles and meditation techniques, primarily Zen and Vipassanna. Saam has spent extensive time practicing meditation and yoga in monasteries, centres and ashrams in Thailand, Malaysia, India, Australia and California. He began teaching in 1995 and his dynamic classes incorporate yoga and meditation techniques from all of the traditions he has studied. He is particularly interested in the links between mindfulness meditation and hatha yoga. Currently Saam is an associate professor at UWA and teaches Vinyasa classes and meditation workshops at The Yoga Space. He is a Senior Member of Yoga Australia and has 3 young children.

Dimi began practice in her home country of Malaysia at 23. Initially falling in love wiht the physical aspects of the practice yoga has become something much deeper for Dimi. I explored many styles until I found Iyenagr yoga, and then upon moving to Perth I commenced an Ashtanga Yoga practice at The Yoga Space. I find a different kind of strength from my current practice. One where I can show up find softness and space even on a difficult day. The yang nature of ashtanga yoga has also allowed me to appreciate stiller practices a lot more, this includes meditation, yin and restorative practices which I am enjoying exploring. My yoga practice has really become a part of me, riding the highs in life and supporting me in my lowest lows. I have always found a way back to myself through my practice in the changing phases and circumstances that life has thrown at me. This is really why I practice and why I am passionate about giving the gift of yoga back to others.

Elena Pinto is the mother of two grown children and has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga diligently for over 15 years. She is a registered teacher with Yoga Australia and Authorised Ashtanga Yoga teacher and has completed additional studies in Sanskrit, Chanting Pregnancy and Yin Yoga.