About Simone

Melbourne based Yoga & Qigong teacher, Medical researcher and Shiatsu lover

Years back, I lived most of my life in a career driven headspace, rushing and racing, quickly angry and overwhelmed- until my friend took me to a Yoga class. I was suspicious at first, frowning my head at the teacher sitting on a piece of sheep skin...

But with time into the class, I felt myself slowing down and the ease in body and mind in that Shavasana felt so good - it gave me a glimpse of that peaceful place within, beneath all that stress and mental overwhelm.

Hooked by this easeful feeling, I continued my Yoga journey. I tried various classes, went on retreats, until one day I enrolled for a teacher training to dive deeper. Although I did not intend to teach, this is exactly what I ended up doing.

Today I share what helped me bring balance and ease into my life: a regular practice as a return home to the body, create space in body + mind and fill your energetic cup.

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My love for Oriental medicine began when my mum took me to her Qigong classes in the forest of northern Germany. Shortly after, I received an acupuncture treatment and OMG - my scientific brain could not explain why just a few needles made me feel so different!

I needed to find out more and took a deep dive into Traditional Chinese Medicine. Studying Zen-Shiatsu and Qigong opened up a whole new perspective on health and wellbeing- as you can imagine, it is quite different from my Western Biomedical education.

Today the practices of Yin Yoga and Qigong are my anchor to the ‘here and now’. I am still busy working in Medical Research, but my habits and how I spend my energy are now in alignment with my values and intentions.

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I am trained in somatic Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra meditation, myofascial release, Zen Shiatsu and Qigong:

Soma-Chi Yoga (200hours) | Yin Yoga (50hours) | Yoga Nidra meditation, Amrit lineage (100hours) | Prenatal Yoga (25hours) | Female Health for Yoga (25hours) | Myofascial Release (55hours) | Zen-Shiatsu (100hours) | Zen Thai Shiatus (20hours) | Qigong (20hours), modern Qigong (60hours)

What I teach and my approach:

My Yin Yoga classes are infused with somatic movement to bring you into a sensory awareness and a place of ease.

I integrate gentle movement, (acupressure)-massage or myofascial release tools into a Yin class for you to listen to your body, explore how it feels and release tension. With touch of either hands or props, we influence our fascia - which houses the meridian pathways of the body, so the energy can settle. This is soothing to the nervous system and paired with the stillness of Yin, the practice becomes a journey back to yourself.

My Qigong classes are an interpretation of the various forms I learned from my teachers.

This modern interpretation of Qigong is suited to our contemporary lifestyle and is infused with Daoist principles and wisdom from TCM. You can expect to learn basics such as standing forms, tapping, acupressure massage and intentional movement to open the Huang (= fascial lines, connective tissues) for the Qi to flow, with intentional movement for focus and cultivating energy awareness.

group classes in Melbourne:

Find me Mondays at Wellness Zone MSAC, Albert Park, Wednesdays at Trinity Wellness, South Melb.

Corporate/ booked Qigong classes available.

recurring WORKSHOPS IN MELBOURNE: