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. You can expect to learn basics from standing forms, to tapping, acupressure massage and intentional movement to open the fascial lines of the body for the energy to flow through.

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

Experience Qigong with intentional, slow movement to cultivate harmonious Qi. Followed by a Yin Yoga practice to explore the 5 elements of TCM. Depending on season, one of the elements will be explored at depth.