Nic & Phil
BodyMindLife – the story of Nicole and Phil!
BodyMindLife Yoga studio is part of an ever-expanding global community of yoga studios and teachers, linked by those who inspire us on the path of yoga.
As yoga is a multi-faceted path that encompasses not only the physical practice of asana (postures), it has many tools and approaches that allow us to live fully in the moment. Our desire is to share all that we have learnt, and our personal experiences are the creative source for our teaching. We do not belong to a specific ‘lineage’ or tradition, but draw inspiration from the many teachers we have encountered. We believe that the most valuable experience is one’s own, and we encourage our students to always honour what they are feeling, rather than buying into an ideal or doctrine.
From our early beginnings as a Bikram Yoga studio, our process has been one of continual evolution. We both travel each year to study with our current teachers, and the class offerings at the studio have flowed with our own personal evolution.
In 2003, we introduced Power Vinyasa Yoga to the class schedule, after studying with American yoga master, Baron Baptiste, author of best-selling books “Journey Into Power” and “40 Days to Personal Revolution”. The Baptiste yoga community emanates from Boston, and we became the first internationally affiliated studio. Baron is well known in the US and around the world for de-mystifying yoga, and bringing it into a relevant modern-day context. His popular retreats and “bootcamp-style” teacher trainings empower individuals to honour their own intuition over tradition, and through a process of self-discovery, find their own authentic voice. Many of BodyMindLife’s teachers have gone through Baron’s life-changing teacher training process.
Vinyasa yoga is our passion, and the life-blood of our studio. Inspiring and liberating, vinyasa means “to place in intelligent steps”, and incorporates flowing sequences of postures linked together with the breath, moving toward a specific goal.
Nicole’s desire to explore Vinyasa yoga more deeply led her to study with world-renowned LA-based Vinyasa yoga teacher, Shiva Rea, whose tantric-based teachings are infused with an understanding that we are all energetic beings, and if we liberate the natural flow of prana in an intelligent and unforced way, we attain balance in all aspects of our lives. Nicole recently assisted Shiva Rea in the “Evolution” Asia Yoga Conference, and continues to study with her through her global teacher trainings, retreats and workshops. Our “Fluid Power” classes are BodyMindLife’s offerings that reflect this aspect of Nicole’s training.
Philip has trained with John Friend, creator of Anusara Yoga, a system whose teachings are clear, inspiring and heartfelt. John’s philosophy is that our yoga practice should include three main elements – fullness, freedom and FUN! Something we agree with wholeheartedly! Anusara Yoga’s teachings encourage an intimate connection with our hearts, the place where yoga truly lives, and we learn to practice for the “sheer delight of it”. Sat Chit Ananda.
At the beginning of 2007, we introduced a brand-new yoga sequence to the studio schedule, to replace our Bikram yoga classes. This unique sequence, called “Vinyasa Level 1” is a culmination of many of the teachings we have undertaken over the years, and offers students a fresh approach to Vinyasa yoga that allows them to build a solid foundation for a yoga practice for life!
Recently we have been working with Mark Breadner, one of Australia’s most highly regarded teachers, to develop a system of Yoga that incorporates the best of Eastern and Western philosophy and practices. “The 5 Pillars of Health and Wellbeing” were born out of a desire to use yoga as tool to restore balance to the body and mind. “The 5 Pillars” forms the foundation of our Teacher Training Program, launched in 2007.
Over the last five years, we have had the privelege of working with Metaphysician and Spiritual Teacher, Paul Balch, who regularly circumnavigates the earth, profoundly impacting those he encounters. Paul has been a true catalyst for change in our lives, teaching us to always follow our dream - a spark that keeps us moving forward, evolving and growing, allowing us to become more of who we really are.
We’re blessed to have had so many wonderful teachers cross our paths – and we sure there will be so many more. In fact, on a daily basis, our greatest teachers are you – our students – and we’re eternally grateful to be sharing this time and space with you all.
As we continue our journey on the yogic path, we look forward to sharing more of our own experiences, in the hope that they inspire you to keep up your practice – both on and off the mat. As human beings, we’re connected so much more than we often realise. It’s up to us to go out there and make a difference in our communities. Yoga is where it begins...
Namaste,
Nicole & Philip
