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. I love to share what helped me bring balance and ease into my life and hope to guide my students to feel into the body and find their rhythm.

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My love for Oriental medicine started 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 took a deep dive into Traditional Chinese Medicine. Studying Zen-Shiatsu and Qigong opened up a whole new perspective on health- as you can imagine, it was quite different from my Western Biomedical education.

Today the practices of Yin Yoga and Qigong are my anchor to the ‘here and now’. Although I am still busy working in medical research, my habits and lifestyle are more in alignment because of my regular practice.

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I am trained in somatic Yoga, Yoga Nidra meditation, myofascial release as well as 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) | Qigong (20hours), modern Qigong (60hours)

WHAT I TEACH

• My Yin Yoga classes are infused with somatic movement to bring you into a sensory awareness and a place of ease. I integrate a lot of 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. Paired with the stillness in a Yin pose, the practice becomes a journey back to yourself.

• My Qigong classes are an interpretation of the various forms I learned from my teachers. I call it modern Qigong - a practice that is suited to our contemporary lifestyle, infused with Daoist principles and wisdom from TCM.

group classes in Melbourne:

I am teaching regular somatic Yin Yoga and Qigong classes in Melbourne’s inner south.

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

WORKSHOPS IN MELBOURNE:

Qi Circle

CULTIVATE HARMONIOUS QI

What is Qigong? Together with Yin Yoga we explore the 5 elements of TCM.