Ajith Shankara

Yoga Teacher at Lotus Yoga Dubai

Ajith Shankara was born and raised in a beautiful village of the "God s own country" (Kerala ,India) and started the journey on Art of Yoga from very early in life, growing up in a spiritual & Holistic family. But began a serious practice at the age of 12. He has studied under the guidance of his uncle Swami Govindananda Saraswathi  at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams in India, for 4 years. Later served as Director and Assistant Director for the Madurai Sivananda Centre and the associated Ashram.  

Ajith completed his Teacher Training and Advanced Teacher Training at the International Sivananda Ashram in Kerala, India. Ajith is also a Yoga Therapist and he learned Vedanta and Philosophy from the esteemed Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (Rishikesh, Himalayas). He has spent his life in different ashrams, studied under the guidance of many spiritual Gurus and experienced first hand the Art of Yoga, meditation and Vedic Philosophy.

Ali Nimakwala

Yoga Instructor

Mr. Ali Nimakwala is an spirited and down to earth entrepreneur from Dubai, who runs a dance school called ‘Off the Hook’. From being an aeronautical engineer and working with Emirates Airlines to starting his own stationery supply business and juggling between roles of being an Assistant Choreographer, he has done it all. He is dance instructor at  Tender Hearts since 2016 when he realized that he can pass on his talents passionately to people of determination.

Allaoua Gaham

Yoga and Self Defense Teacher

A Yoga success story… “Men Sana In Corpore Sano” is the quote that drives Allaoua’s life since he decided to give up 10 years of his successful but stressful career as an entrepreneur to dedicate himself to other’s wellbeing. As an experienced martial art instructor, calisthenics coach and yoga teacher Allaoua explores all aspect of body’s biomechanics and metabolism to understand and share every methods and practices that empower human being. Adept of Kriya Yoga, he is certified RYT200 from Zen Den School of Yoga Florida and has trained with Guru Ira Om in Ashtanga Vinyasa, Guru Munishwer Goswami in traditional Hatah & Sivananda, Guru Rangaji Ramanchandran in Iyengar & Restorative Yoga. Allaoua is also certified Animal Flow movement instructor and senior Systema Sefl-defense Instructor. Specialized into anatomical alignment Allaoua exclusively developed his own vision of Vinyasa class as a true bridge between traditional and modern approach of yoga. Providing the perfect balance between ancestral isometric asanas associated with an explosive and intense flow, his class will help you redefine your body through fluid and challenging yoga sequences. The class will improve your personal practice of yoga and open up on a new understanding of body and mind relationship using breath as natural connector. Ideal for all level and all practitioners, Allaoua’s class is sparked with Pranayama, Dhyana and many useful information and tips to improve your wellbeing. Allaoua is teaching in the most valuable Yoga Studios in Dubai, Urban Yoga, Yoga La Vie, Karma Yoga and Yoga House. Present in many social events (Yoga Beats, Lululemon, 30x30Yoga Challenge…) he is an active member of the Dubai Yoga community.

Allison Mc Laughlin

Yoga Teacher

Alison, also known as Allie, is a proud Canadian who has been living in Dubai for the last 4 years. She is a 6 foot-tall ‘kid’ who loves to make individuals laugh and help them let go of their serious side. You can expect to smile, laugh, and have just plain fun with each one of her yoga classes. Allie wasn’t always a yoga teacher. She is actually a Registered Dietitian from Canada with a Masters in Public Health in community nutrition. Her yoga journey began, 5 years ago, when she noticed stress beginning to take over her life and her personality. After practicing yoga for many years, Allie finally decided to take her Vinyasa Teacher training in Thailand. She quickly realized how yoga can help put ‘hardships’ into perspective and the stress melted away. When she is not teaching Vinyasa, Allie puts her Pre and Post Natal Teacher Certification to good use by teaching Mom’s to be.

Alpa Lokande

Yoga Teacher

Alpa undertook a Yoga Teacher’s training course (US-Alliance 200 Hours), with an inspiring Yogacharya Santosh Kumar, Ayush Yogadarshanam, Mysore –India & US Alliance 300 hours with Shiva Yoga Peet, Rishikesh. She is also Prana Vashya Yogasana series certified teacher ( 8 weeks Teacher training course), trained under Yogacharya Vinay Kumar.As a qualified Yoga teacher, Alpa has a strong passion for supporting and influencing people to achieve a more fulfilling life and reaches to those who believe in investing in their personal overall health.

Amanda Saif Matar

Hatha Yoga instructor

Amanda Mattar is the owner of Wholly Mama Lifestyle- a wholistic approach to mind body spirit and Mother Earth. She is passionate about sharing and teaching  how to live a wholistic life. By implementing easy habits everyday to help prevent and even reverse a lot of different problems most suffer with day to day. Weight problems, anxiety, stress management, to even more complex issues. Amanda believes going back to basics when it comes to eating moving and thinking will help live a life full of quality and love. With her bachelors in psychology and her passion to empower woman , she went on to study Yoga which is a psychological and physiological practice. Becoming a yoga teacher really helped Amanda add on to her passion for eating a whole food diet to Integrating well thought out movement to help the body rest and digest. Combining all aspects of our day to help set a great foundation for a wonderful life.

Amanda also believes that the experience of pregnancy and delivery is an extremely sacred and empowering moment in a woman’s life. With proper education and awareness woman all over the world can be empowered to have an incredible experience while passing on those incredible emotions on to their newborns. Setting up the newborn with beautiful energy. She also feels breastfeeding is best and advocates mothers try and if they need help, know that there is help in breastfeeding consultants. She s become a prenatal and postnatal doula with breastfeeding consultation.

She is a Hatha Yoga instructor, Swing Yoga Instructor, Teen Yoga Instructor, Prenatal and Postnatal Doula Lactaction Consultant, and Plant-Based Nutrition Certified.

Amanda Sturdevant

Head of Fitness at Fly High Fitness

A professional dancer and choreographer, Amanda brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the festival. With a background of gymnastics, dance and sport, movement is a way of life for this natural born performer. Amanda regards the dance & fitness community is her second family – a home away from home - and she loves to coach both group fitness and private training sessions. She will be offering a Contemporary Dance class which bring together her love of dance and Budokon yoga movement.

Ania Shnyukova

Certified Qigong Instructor

Ania started practicing the Zhong Yuan Qigong system 10 years ago. Today, she is a certified Qigong Instructor. She is fortunate to be a personal student of Grand Master Xu Mingtang, and she has participated twice in the Shaolin Advanced Training Programs under his guidance. Today, she conducts group workshops and one on one sessions in Dubai. She is qualified to use the modalities of Theta Healing, Hypnotherapy and Energy Healing. She works with clients, helping them to heal the physical, mental and emotional traumas, find the balance and get empowered.  

Anishka Bagla

Yoga Teacher at Soul Side Studio

Yoga gave me the tools to break away counter-productive habits while cultivating new positive ones. With a mind that was flexible I was able to stretch the body and the soul to unleash its optimum potential. I teach from my practice: soulful, happy and free flowing movements that are guided by safety. 

Anjaan

Martial Artiste, Mindfulness Coach and Healer

Anjaan is a Yogi, Martial Artiste, mindfulness coach and healer. He was born into a family of Vedic scholars and was surrounded by the world of yoga, tantra, mantras and meditation from a very young age. His love for "The Martial Arts" began when he was 10 years old & he has trained in various forms including Karate, KungFu, WingTzun, TaiChi and Aikido. He currently coaches the Japanese martial art Ninjutsu & is a certified 10th Dan instructor. He also runs a yoga studio in Business Bay called “Kintsugi Dubai”. In these sessions at YogaFest you will get introduced to the basics of Ninjutsu & the mentality of “conflict dissolution”.

Anne Hockett

Hollistic Wellness Coach

Since 1983, I have worked in a variety of capacities with children and adults with physical and emotional needs. I specialize in the care of those managing cancer and heart disease, but my practice has broadened considerably over the years. I am working with more and more young people, students, families, pregnant women, corporate clients and medical professionals. Prior to moving to Asia in 1989, I worked with the Ford Foundation, The U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

I have a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and a variety of training credentials in other health care and healing modalities including homeopathy, yoga therapy, healing breath work, meditation, guided imagery, and Reiki. I am also deeply trained in mindfulness meditation and was selected to join Asia’s first health care professionals to be trained by Drs. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli, both well known for their nearly 30 years of pioneering work in Mind Body Stress Reduction research. I am also one of the few Asian-based Mindfulness Practitioners trained in the U.S. by experts who are successfully integrating such techniques into school systems around the world.

I’ve volunteered in schools across the region and have trained more than 700 students in breath work! I maintain close ties with a number of the world’s leading medical institutions and research organizations. In February, 2016 I completed a 10 day intensive training with Colin Tipping, the pioneer in Radical Forgiveness. I’ve seen first-hand the need for forgiveness (granted and received) in the healing journey. In fact, without it, healing is just not possible. In April of 2017, I completed a year long integrated nutrition course as well as a plant-based medicine course. In May of 2018, I attended an intensive training with Dr. Brian Weiss in past-life regression techniques used to unlock old patter

Anuradha Kamath

Sound Healer and Alternative Therapist

With a post graduate degree in Business Administration & General Management Executive Study from IIM Ahmedabad, I enjoyed a successful career in the corporate segment for over 2 decades spanning over 6 different industry lines such as, Wellness, Beauty & Spa, Health Care, Holistic Wellness & Alternate Healing, Hospitality & IT. To strengthen my Mind-Body-Energy connection, I also  embarked on an extensive study of various Alternate healing modalities such as Hypnotherapy, Reiki, Sound Healing, Drawing Analysis, Access Consciousness & Theta. Through this transformational journey, I established my independent practice as an Executive & Holistic Consultant with an aim to build a successful bridge between corporate & personal wellness.

I have been fortunate to conduct wellness sessions across, UAE, India, Russia, Bahrain and more. The tag line “My Life My Miracle”, is backed by the philosophy that every individual has equal potential to achieve anything & everything they want in life by just switching on the spot light within themselves.

Aparagita Ghose

Iyengar Yoga

Aparajita has been teaching yoga since 2008. Over the years she has practiced different styles including Bikram, Bihar School of Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. She completed her teachers’ training at Yoga Point in Nasik and is currently training under the Iyengar Method at the Iyengar Institute in Pune. Her classes are fun and approachable, with attention to alignment, breath and maintaining mindfulness through the practice

Arpan Ravi Kirpalani

Entrepreneur and Master Trainer

Arpan Ravi Kirpalani is an entrepreneur and Master Trainer for Core Club Pro Dubai which in 2014 became the first studio to introduce the Lagree Fitness Method to Dubai, UAE.

Arpan has over five years of experience as a personal trainer and teacher of the Lagree Method, TRX, and her very own brainchild, the BollyWODFit method.

Arpan’s high energy and passionate approach help motivate and drive all who are in pursuit of their desired health and fitness goals. Her Business was inspired in large part by her own personal experience of being overweight and unhealthy, a particularly risky condition for her given that she is a type 1 Diabetic since the age of three years old.

Arpan’s vision and mission for the studio are clear- she aims to offer not only the best environment, but more options, methods and solutions for her clients. Arpan’s focus remains firmly on enhancing the client experience, and empowering people to achieve their fitness& wellness goals, and perhaps even more.

Arpita Varma

Certified Kids Yoga Teacher

Arpita is a certified children s yoga teacher who graduated as a children s Yoga Teacher from Let s Go Yoga Centre, completing 95 hours of teacher training. She considers that she will always be a student of the practice and is deeply grateful for the loving wisdom her teachers have shared with her.

She is also an early childhood teacher with an international school in Abu Dhabi; certified to teach children between the ages of 3-12 years.  Her love for teaching and yoga combined has encouraged her along this unique and amazing journey. 

Yoga has been a part of her life for over 8 years, and her practice has only helped her grow stronger; more flexible and fearless; both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires her to live each moment more mindfully.  She has been successful in incorporating yoga and mindfulness in her classes to the benefit of her students. 

In her classes, she combines Yoga poses for children by combining with interesting stories which allows to build confidence,  awareness and focus on the breath.  Classes integrate yoga poses, flowing sequences, relaxation and meditation.

Awakenning Prema

Sound Healing Reiki and Crystal Therapy

Awakening Prema aim is to raise the awareness about our true nature by empowering and inspiring people into the self inquiry, awakening to the power of our mind that lies within us and how to apply it in the day to day life. Renato Koch has more than 10 years of experience in practicing and studying the essence of Yoga and many Healing Modalities like Reiki, Pranic Healing, Chinese Energetics, Theta Healing and the science behind yoga and energy healing.

He did a 200h Hatha Yoga and Vedanta TTC with Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham in Varkala – India. Together with Ana Palma, graduated in Tibetan Bowls in India and a deep immersion into Sound Healing in Spain and developed several workshops helping many people to find their balance and inner peace through their high vibrations sounds and teachings using instruments from many ancient traditions and the knowledge from Vedanta to modern Science.

Ayman Abo Hind

Yoga Teacher

Ayman is a pharmacist from Riyad, Saudi Arabia who se passion in teaching yoga. A practitioner for the last 9 years his passion is sharing the life-changing vibe of yoga with his students. He is the only person in Saudi Arabia registered at YinYoga.com and is an advanced level student of Bernie Clark.

Ayukta Thakur

SEN Educator and co-founder of Integreat

Ayukta Thakur is a SEN Educator by profession and co-founder of Integreat Center for Special Needs. With a Masters in Mental Health, Ayukta believes in the importance of having open dialogue about mental health. Through her meditation journey, Ayukta has learned the importance of meditation and mindfulness for all, regardless of their abilities, and its positive impact on a person s overall health and well-being.

Brianna

Yoga & Fitness Instructor

Brianna’s mission is to orchestrate playful and profound experiences that move every breath and body regardless of any “prior experience.”  Her energetic, inspiring, and compassionate teaching style translates into offering a wide range of yoga and fitness formats.  Whether you join her on the mat, on a hike, on the fitness floor, or in the water, you will have the opportunity and encouragement to explore and express yourself through every breath and every movement.

Briar Jacques

Psychologist and Yoga Therapist

Briar is Counselling Psychologist, Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapist, Mindfulness Trainer and Yoga Therapist. Her work focuses on helping people build and sustain a kind and compassionate relationship with themselves, so they can grow and transform and then contribute to their community in values driven, creative ways. Originally from Australia, Briar has been in Dubai for four years working with individuals and groups on a wide range of psychological and emotional issues.

Prior to this, she was in Vietnam for six years where she worked in a hospital and with an NGO (Education for Development), again with individuals and groups and also with a focus on mindfulness and ACT training. In Australia, Briar started Brisbane’s first certified organic farmers market, the Northey Street Organic Market. This came out of a strong desire to build a community of likeminded individuals and connect farmers directly with families, so fresh organic food could be made affordable for all. As a therapist, Briar’s areas of specialization are trauma treatment (including a trauma sensitive yoga therapy approach), anxiety management through mindfulness and ACT and helping people achieve vitality and purpose through working with their bodies, minds, emotions and spirituality. She runs two eight-week Mindfulness and ACT courses (‘Mindfulness Foundations’ and ‘Deepen Your Practice’) using the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) curriculum and drawing from the ACT body of research and neuroscience.

She also facilitates the six-week ‘Embody Compassion’ course – using mindfulness practice and ACT to develop kind and healthy relationships with body, food and ageing

Carla Julian

Yoga Teacher

Carla Julian left London for Dubai in 2013, pioneering Children’s Yoga in the region. She actively raises awareness and inspires little ones to a happier development, self-esteem, and mindfulness; in order to become more successful in all aspects of their life journey through Yoga. She is the avid Holistic Influencer amongst her circle, and has converted many students into a Yoga practice due to its Therapeutic benefits. Besides training her clients mainly through Yoga Therapy, she has brought in “Sensory Yoga” for children with needs to the Emirates, as well as ignited “Mom & Daughter Yoga” & “Mom & Me Yoga” across Dubai, bringing the joy of partner and acro Yoga to strengthen the mother & child bond. Carla comes from an Education & Performing Arts background, which has given her the skills to help children, teenagers and adults strive towards higher levels of physical, emotional, holistic and overall lifestyle achievements & well-being.
London trained in Hatha by Conrad Duckworth’s Yoga Professionals, and Jo Manuel’s Children’s Yoga at Special Yoga, she s also a Mindfulness Coach who often spends lengthy retreats in Southern India at Sivananda Ashram where she deepens her Ayurvedic Science learning.
London s educational sector piloted Yoga for Children & Teen programs run under her guidance in residential, personal & social development sessions, referral units, nurseries, & children’s hospitals across the city.

Cecilia Ayoub

Holistic Health Coach

Cecilia Ayoub is a Holistic Health Coach trained and certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She is a cancer survivor with a passion for inspiring people around the world to transform into the healthiest version of themselves. Over the past twenty-five years Cecilia has developed a highly personalized approach to physical and emotional wellbeing. Trained in a broad range of exercise and dietary methodologies, her approach is an evolution in the practice of medicine. Her core philosophy is that as we face an explosion of chronic diseases, we need to identify and address the underlying causes (often linked to lifestyle choices) rather than relying purely on conventional medicine that is often too late or insufficient to comprehensively treat the issues.

Chandra Winzenreid

Yoga Instructor

Chandra feels truly blessed to have been brought up by open-minded, strong-spirited and well-traveled parents who have continuously been beacons of encouragement, support and love in her life adventures. Chandra was born and raised in the United States, settled in Dubai for a few years after her yoga teacher training (in 2012) and is currently living in her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. She is teaching yoga and working on her series of children’s books. Chandra has yoga certifications from India, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Her books are meant to uplift children and inspire them to chase their dreams, as she is doing herself. Throughout her world travels and yoga teachings, Chandra invites everyone and anyone to join her for unique adventures where they can meet new friends, have fun, and try yoga! Explore how Chandrini Yogini uses yoga to help her learn more about herself and the world around her. Free your mind, body and soul and you can enrich your life forever.

Collect all the books in the series and discover Chandrini Yogini’s true joys and life’s riches

Claire Clinton

Yoga Instructor

Claire literally ran into Yoga: breath work whilst running was the start and then her asana and pranayama practice really deepened during the four years that she lived in India

Claire appreciates the Yin and Yang of Yoga: her Vinyasa classes have a strong focus on core and moving deliberately with the breath – her Yin classes offer more than a deep stretch, they are a way of continuing the journey into the mind and body, often using a mix of stretching techniques whilst the mind surrenders to music.

Claire is E-RYT 200, Yoga Alliance CET, RPYT (pre-natal) and Usui Tibetan Reiki Master

Clari Lehmkuhl

Zumba Instructor

Clari Lehmkuhl has been living in Abu Dhabi with her family for 12 years. She has been a Zin Member /Zumba Instructor since May 2017 and she absolutely loves teaching Zumba classes. She is the only Down Syndrome Zumba Instructor in the UAE. She is currently licensed to teach Zumba, Zumba Kids & Zumba Kids Jr and Zumba Gold. Her motto is: " With hard work, anything is possible".  Clari teaches 3 classes ( 2 adult classes & 1 kids class) per week  at Fitness Express in Abu Dhabi, and participates in many other Zumba events in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Clari is also the only female that will represent UAE in tennis for the Special Olympics in March 2019.

Cristina Najjar

Yoga Teacher

While running a private tutoring business Cristina began practicing yoga as a way to connect to her body and unwind her mind.  Her journey evolved and intensified with the loss of her mother in 2009. She used the time on her mat to grieve and gather a new source of abundance, and in her desire to share this peace with others transitioned to become a yoga teacher. Cristina has completed 3 yoga certifications, led 2 yoga teacher trainings, and is qualified as a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. Cristina infuses her classes with lessons in academia and creates progressive learning environments where students can benefit physically and mentally.  She teaches an empowering vinyasa flow with the aim to decompress stress and tension. Cristina also teaches ballet inspired fitness classes and pilates where she draws insights from her time studying dance. Cristina has a passion for travel and has spent the last 5 years in Dubai, completing an MBA and teaching an international clientele.

Dawn McCarthy

Kids Yoga Teacher

Dawn McCarthy is an experienced primary school teacher currently working at a private school in Abu Dhabi. With the stresses and pressure on children currently surpassing any generation before, Dawn recognizes a huge need for schools to provide children with more than just curriculum content. She believes that parents and educators can use yoga and mindfulness to teach children relaxation techniques and skills that help them to focus, become more self- aware and self-confident.

Dawn enjoys teaching yoga and mindfulness to the children in her school and has observed the vast benefits this brings to the children. She is currently working towards creating her own children’s yoga business ‘Little Yogi Bears’.

In the last ten years, Dawn has lived and worked in many countries such as Australia, Brazil and Spain and has enjoyed living in Abu Dhabi for the past four years. In addition to travelling and yoga, her other hobbies include reading, swimming and going to the beach. Dawn is extremely excited to help promote the benefits of children’s yoga in the UAE. 

Diana Bordon

Facial Yoga Teacher

I have always been a restless and eager to learn new things. I used to live with too much tension, which eventually affected me. So after suffering from stress and fatigue myself, I started to travel around the world and I found my great passion, Facial Yoga, and I was fortunate to train with the best facial yoga professionals.

I studied in New York with Annalise Hagen, the pioneer of this discipline in the United States. I spent some time at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, while learning about Vipassana mediation and Thai massages in Chian Mai in Nuad Boran. I took a course at the prestigious center for facial yoga in Dubai. Then I was taught the Jade stone facial massages technique in China, as well as the Imperial Facial Massage in Japan. These are just a few of the techniques that I mastered and which have worked wonders on my skin. Now I want to share all my knowledge with you. I want to teach you how to take care of your skin, oxygenate it, improve your health… it is not just about having a good physical appearance. Our face should be a reflection of our heart.

Dina Ghandour

Yoga Instructor | Director of PR and Social Media

Dina manages our social media handles and PR. We’d be lost without her.  Dina is a Jivamukti Yoga 300 Hour Certified Teacher and has been sharing her passion through teaching since June 2015. At heart, Dina dedicates her teaching and her practice to help spread joy and compassion to all – making yoga accessible through a safe and uplifting environment.  She is the founder of Yapparel and is committed to selling ecofriendly yoga clothing and accessories.

Dionne James

Yoga Teacher

Dionne has a fresh uplifting style that supports her students in opening up to their highest potential. In Vinyasa Flow she uses the breath with a creative combination of dynamic flowing movements, peppered with elements of Iyengar’s focus on alignment of the body and some funky tunes to improve strength, flexibility and balance in the body and mind. The students leave the class feeling energised and exhilarated. Dionne’s yoga experience began over a decade ago where she embarked on her first teacher training course at the Iyengar inspired Ruth White Yoga School.

Since then Dionne has trained in many other forms of yoga including Vinyasa Flow, Pregnancy Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Out recently she has graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a health coach. Her journey maintains momentum as she continues to train and teach.

Dr Awatif Sharaf

Meditation Teacher

Dr. Awatif Sharaf is a former Primary Healthcare Development. Dr. Awatif also serves as Vice President of the Bahrain Meditation Centre. She travels extensively, teaching and facilitating various activities. Participated in organizing self-development and meditation retreats in Oxford, UK, and India. She was a co-organiser of the International Self-Development conference in the Kingdom of Bahrain; Creating Change (February 2017).

She herself has been studying Meditation since 2004 and has found it to have had a very positive impact on her life.

Dr Lanalle Dunn

Anthroposophical Medicine

Originally from Western Canada, Dr. Lanalle completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at The University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada.  After years of research and travel, she developed a strong interest in, and great respect for herbal and traditional forms of medicine, and went on to study at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She graduated in 2003 as a Naturopathic Doctor, and moved to Hawaii where she began practicing family medicine. Dr. Lanalle later settled in Dubai, where she has been practicing for nearly 12 years. Dr. Lanalle treats a wide-range of family medical issues but specializes in hormonal complaints (including fertility), child health & development (including autism), allergies, spinal health, and mental health (including depression and anxiety).   “I have a special interest in looking at the integration of how our thinking, feeling, and willing impact our nervous system and thus our overall health.  This is the focus of my practice and a key principal of Anthroposophical medicine.

Dr Swami Mahavanam

Yoga Teacher

Dr. Maha has a PhD in Yogi Science and Prana and has been practicing yoga for 40 years  and teaching for 30 years. He assisted at the Bihar School of Yoga Munger for 12 years directly under guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati.   He is currently the manager of Trident Wellness center.

Dr. Lina Barot Rathod

Homeopathic physician and Yoga Instructor

Lina is a homeopathic physician and a certified yoga instructor from  Mumbai. She started learning yoga in 1998  from Yoga Institute,Mumbai. She strives to inspire others to improve their wellness by spreading her knowledge on the importance of yoga.Lina is an adherent of healthy eating and enjoys promulgating ideas for healthy lifestyle. She has worked as a yoga teacher in Global Indian International School  Dubai from 2010 to 2012. At present she is a motivated yoga instructor for differently abled at Tender Hearts Arena and has contributed in enriching and elevating the abilities of these children for the past three years. She also conducts antenatal classes for pregnant women. Lina is a strong believer of Yoga  and continues to promote benefits of yoga in all walks of life.

Dr. Oudi Abuchacra

Chiropractic Practitioner

Dr. Oudi Abuchacra is US & Canadian Board Certified, Former VP - Emirates Chiro Association, author of Eat - ology & Perfect Your Posture. 

Edwina Viel

Pure Certified Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

Edwina is a mum of 4 children who has lived in Dubai for over 10 years. She has an infections passion for healthy living particularly in relation to being a parent and the positive impact we can have on the lives of our children. She is the author of award-winning blog Seashells On the Palm, a luxury mummy website which shares her knowledge and insight with others. Edwina looks forward to demonstrating the many benefits of DoTERRA oils and answering you questions.

Elaine Kelly

Yoga Instructor | Founder Yogafest

Elaine Kelly founded Yogafest in 2010 when she became a certified yoga teacher while working for Microsoft.  Driven by her life-long passion for health and wellness, she wanted to support her fellow employees with their work life balance. Her plan was to organise free yoga classes every hour from sunrise to sunset to encourage them to go outside and stretch and breathe in the beautiful grounds behind their offices in Dubai internet city. 

So, on Tuesday, 21st December 2010 with the full moon rising on the winter solstice, something that only happens every 400 years, a few hundred people attended the yoga classes from sunrise to sunset and Yogafest was born. Today these free community events attract more than 8000 people a year from November to May.

Elena Stepanova

Yoga teacher, Reiki Practitioner, Doula

She fell in love with yoga back in 2014, and completed 400hrs yoga teacher training studying at several ashrams in India. This period of living like a yogi enabled her to significantly deepen her practice, bringing together the yoga asanas philosophy, yoga therapy, meditation, Ayurveda,  pranayama and chanting. She is also a reiki practitioner, and a certified doula, providing physical and emotional support to women during pregnancy, labour and in the post-natal period. Today, Elena draws on this broad base of knowledge to design classes that effectively address a variety of health issues.  Each of Elena’s classes are different depending on the client’s individual needs and aims, be it physical or emotional.

While Elena helps her clients build physical strength and motivation, she also pays close attention to the energy body and its role in healing and maintaining a healthy body and mind. As such, she incorporates breathing techniques, guided meditation, energy healing, aromatherapy and contemplation into her classes, in addition to traditional hatha yoga practice.

Emilie Mikulla

Co-founder The Mindful Body , Pilates Teacher

Having contracted a major case of wanderlust, Emilie traveled the world, working as journalist and teaching movement in Thailand, South Africa, San Francisco, and now Dubai. After two surgeries on her spine, Emilie discovered Pilates and the rest is history… A certified Yoga Therapist, Emilie is also an Integrated Yoga Tune Up® instructor and Roll Model Method® trainer, an E-RYT500 and Pilates teacher. She is also the co-founder of The Mindful Body, a health and wellness platform dedicated to improving people’s quality of life through mindful movement and practices.

Inspired by her teachers Jill Miller and Harvey Deutch, Emilie breathes life into anatomy, making it fun, accessible and applicable. Her powerful yet therapeutic classes will help you break your pain cycle, improve your performance and empower you with the selfcare tools you need to practice the activities you love for a lifetime. 

Enji Yassin

Yoga Teacher

Classically trained in India and Nepal on the wisdom and traditions of Yoga, Vipassana Meditation, and Reiki healing, Enji is committed to making a difference by applying a wide knowledge base of Yogic philosophy and practice. Her yoga teaching is fuelled by the desire to serve others in the process of finding their authentic path to deeper self- awareness and happiness. 

Recently interview by the Good Morning Arabia live TV show on the Global Network channel MBC, Enji is an experienced yoga teacher with over 10 years in sharing the blessings of yoga into many lives. She is currently teaching at Exhale Yoga studio in JBR.

Evelyn Spillane

Yoga teacher and primary school teacher

Evelyn is an experienced primary school teacher and yoga advocate who is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of children in an enjoyable, interactive way. She trained as a kids yoga teacher with Let s Go Yoga, Abu Dhabi and completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training course with Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre in her home city of Cork, Ireland. 

She believes in today s fast paced, digital, demanding society it is very important for kids to have an outlet where they can relax, unwind, destress, move, stretch, breath and have fun! Her kids yoga classes aim to deliver just that.

Through dynamic movement, postures, yoga adventures and games, meditation and breathing techniques, her classes foster self confidence, compassion, a sense of calm and wellbeing, improved focus and positive body image as well as the many physical benefits such as balance, coordination, fitness and flexibility. 

Based around a child friendly theme or journey, kids leave feeling empowered, joyful and relaxed

Fleur Antoine-Hindermeyer

Sufi Dance / dynamic meditation

Dancer and choreographer, 450hr Indian Ancient philosophy and Tibetan meditation (curriculum Unity in Duality), 50hr teaching meditation course, Dhyan, Tantric Yoga, Bihar University tradition.

Last creation : #MEDITATE DANCE-THEATRE

Gill Dow

Kids Yoga Teacher

Originally from Scotland, Gill is an experienced Primary School Teacher with a passion for children s overall wellbeing and development.  Her love for yoga and the benefits she felt from regular practice to heal and strengthen her both physically and emotionally led her to undertake a 95HR Kids Yoga course in January 2018.  Moreover, she will be embarking on her 200HR adult yoga teacher training later this year. She is fully certified to teach kids yoga to children ages 3-12.

Class description: Family yoga  We will explore different breathing techniques and encourage some quiet reflection all whilst strengthening our communicative bond between parent and child.

Goli Hashtroudi

Yoga Teacher

Goli was born in Tehran in 1982 and from a young age was very interested in sports such as horseback riding and swimming. An interior designer by education, she completed her first group exercise certification in 2000. Since 2011 she has been interested in Pilates, Rehabilitation and Aerial Yoga. She loves helping people get over injuries through these disciplines, which have really helped her alot personally. She is certified in Pilates Mat and Reformer, Aerial Yoga by Gravotonics, Les Mills Bodybalance and Barre as well as TRX and Trigger Point Therapy.

Gwennaelle Deroost

Yoga Teacher

Gwen is a passionate founder of Wild and Wise. A company built with a sole purpose to share tools and knowledge that helped me grow, heal, and feel deeply the movement of life within her. 
After a decade of research, personal experiences, She gained a practical knowledge that helped her understand the keys of healing from within by the free- will power.  So throughout her courses people experience and explore their own movement of life and reach their highest potential by practicing every day the art of being and accepting themselves.
 
She has been fortunate to learn from masters with beautiful souls that did an incredible work in embracing own spiritual journeys and passed it to others like her. Through them She learnt the practical, ancestral and spiritual methodologies that she infuse in her teaching techniques.

In the search of her spiritual purpose, She studied, researched and traveled all around in places within Asia, Europe and North America . Her work is deeply influenced by the principles of Hatha Yoga, Nia Dance, Mamas  Gena’s School of Womanly Arts, classical Tantra,  Energy healing by the power of Love and Light.  She has been very lucky to meet and train by some of the well-recognized individuals  like Master Oh , Emily Kuser  , Desiree Merien,  Lorin Roche , Camille Morin  , Mark Whitwell , Jerry Sargeant and  Debbie Rosas.

She is also a certified naturopath  specialized  in  Detoxification and Regeneration of cells, a program well-crafted by Dr. Morse through his International School of  Detoxification. She offers private/group heath coaching and prepare special meal that help enhancing the vitality of the metabolism of the body. She offer classes of yoga / Nia dance, meditation through connected breath and also give specific sessions for women /men  to help empowering them by offering tools to cope up with every day’s life.

Ha Bowtell

Pilates and Booty Barre Instructor

Ha is a certified Pilates instructor in both Matwork and Reformer through Pilates Moves Sydney, Australia. Ha has also trained with Balanced Body and teaches Cadillac/Tower, Wunda Chair and Barrels, Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates, and is a certified Booty Barre instructor.

After 14 years of providing customer service within the Airline Industry at Senior Leadership level, Ha decided to became a Pilates Instructor. An avid Ballerina, mother and wife Ha now enjoys teaching people how to transform their bodies through Pilates and sharing her fitness passion. With her knowledge, qualifications, and experience Ha will help you to achieve your goals whether you are recovering from an injury, are pregnant or want to improve your posture and fitness leveHa is a certified Pilates instructor in both Matwork and Reformer through Pilates Moves Sydney, Australia. Ha has also trained with Balanced Body and teaches Cadillac/Tower, Wunda Chair and Barrels, Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates, and is a certified Booty Barre instructor.

Ha is a certified Pilates instructor in both Matwork and Reformer through Pilates Moves Sydney, Australia.

Ha has also trained with Balanced Body and teaches Cadillac/Tower, Wunda Chair and Barrels, Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates, and is a certified Booty Barre instructor. 

Ha is a certified Pilates instructor in both Matwork and Reformer through Pilates Moves Sydney, Australia. Ha has also trained with Balanced Body and teaches Cadillac/Tower, Wunda Chair and Barrels, Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates, and is a certified Booty Barre instructor.

Haifa Mohamed

Yoga Teacher

Haifa completed her 200hrs yoga teacher training in 2016 but has been practicing for 10 years.  She enjoys the openness and serenity that Yoga offers and her aim is to help others balance their daily lives and enjoy its many benefits. Haifa speaks English and Arabic and is passionate about caring for others’ wellbeing.

Harinaam Anand

Founder of Kirtan Dubai

Harinaam is the founder of Kirtan Dubai, a vibrant community of kirtan lovers in Dubai. He has been practicing Bhakti Yoga since more than 20 years. Harinaam & his team of expert musicians have been doing kirtans in yoga festivals, yoga studios and private home concerts making the audience involved in mantra meditation and chanting. "Kirtan is the Yoga of Music" It is the art of calling upon the divine energies and Harinaam s soul stirring kirtans inspires you to experience those energies and bring in joy and peace within your heart.

Harpreet Kalra

Yoga Instructor

Based out of Dubai, Harpreet is a management consultant by professional having worked with several companies across the globe in the areas of strategy, sales, marketing, and CRM. Harpreet is a practitioner and trainer of Heartfulness - a simple heart based meditation.

Over the years, the practice of Heartfulness has helped me center within myself, and experience an inner sense of peace and joy. It has made a more balanced person with an equanimous disposition in all spheres of life.

Harsha Varyani

Yoga Teacher for Childern

Harsha’s experience of Yoga was initially challenging as she found she couldn’t bend the way some “super flexible people” bent in her class.After she chanced upon a Sri Sri Yoga workshop by Yogacharya Krishan Varma worldwide Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Coordinator at the time, she immediately fell in love with the experience of Hatha Yoga. When she experienced the universal application of Yoga, in her personal life, she was able to see the scope in Yoga for everyone! In the summer of 2005, she qualified as a Sri Sri Yoga Teacher after a four week residential training programme. From being a person whose health often took a knock due to frequent asthma attacks, bouts of hay fever and rhinitis due to allergies, doing her yoga practice regularly helped her to strengthen physically, boosting her immune system tremendously. Once in two years she sits as a student on the teacher trainings that happen worldwide with Krishan Verma to keep herself updated on her practice. She is also a qualified destress Art of Living teacher for children and teens i.e. Art Excel and YES! Workshops. Today, it is her passion to share the benefits of Yoga as a holistic and natural approach to health care for everyone.

Ivana Silva

Founder of Happy Healthy Expat Life

Ivana Silva is a founder of Happy Healthy Expat Life, mother of three boys, Certified Holistic Health Coach, International Lifestyle Coach and a nutritionist. She earned her Master’s Degree in Nutrition Sciences from University of Vienna, Austria and she is a certified Health Coach from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, New York. In 2009 she earned a certification in Plant Based Nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Foundation of Cornell University. With more than 17 years of experience Ivana is empowering women to step into their best version of themselves.
In her coaching practice she creates completely personalized roadmaps to health and balance for her clients, considering their unique body, mind, lifestyle and goals. Ivana is a devoted cook, traveler and language-learning lover. She moved 9 countries in the past 17 years and with her life experience, intuition and professional knowledge she helps her clients uncover their true potential and lead a life they truly desire.

January Corteza

Yoga Medicine and Balanced Body Pilates Teacher

January is a certified Yoga Medicine teacher, rigorously educated in a fusion of anatomy, physiology & biomechanics with the traditional practice of yoga. January brings education and empowerment of functional movement especially to help people with dysfunction through movement with Pilates and Yoga to discover mobility and pain management. Teaching Vinyasa Flow, Yin Yoga and the Khalsa way Prenatal Yoga, January adds Pilates Reformer to her teaching. Also a part of the official RAD Roller UAE distribution team, bringing innovative ways to introduce innovative myofascial release tools and therapy to the UAE.

Jatta Tjurin

Yoga Teacher

Jatta has been on a path of yoga since 2001 and 11 years ago she encountered ashtanga yoga practice. She has learned from various senior teachers of ashtanga yoga and now her teacher is Sharat Jois at KPJAYI where she returns on an annual basis to learn from the source. She has a daily Mysore self practice with authorized teachers of Ashtanga Yoga. She holds a 500hr + certificate from Tattvaa Yoga Shala in Rishikesh, India as well as a certification to teach Rocket Yoga. She has been teaching for the last 7 years and she is the lead instructor for Yoga House in Dubai. She teachers ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha flow and power yoga. She likes to hold postures longer to help students in better integration and assimilation and is always very hands on to align and assist students into a deeper understanding of their bodies. She has witnessed the healing aspects of yoga for her body and also for the mind and her mission is to transmit the holistic healing of yoga.

Jatta Kristiina Tjurin

Yoga Teacher

Jatta has been on a path of self discovery through yoga since 2001 and 10 years ago she encountered ashtanga yoga practice. She has learned from various senior teachers of ashtanga yoga and now her teacher is Sharat Jois at KPJAYI where she returns on an annual basis to learn from the source. She has a daily Mysore self practice with authorized teachers of Ashtanga Yoga. She holds a 500hr + certificate from Tattvaa Yoga Shala in Rishikesh, India as well as a certification to teach Rocket Yoga. She has been teaching for the last 6 years in Dubai and has recently joined Yoga House as the lead yoga instructor.

She teachers ashtanga, vinyasa and hatha flow and she likes to hold the asanas longer to help students in better integration and assimilation and is always very hands on to align and assist students into a deeper understanding of the asanas. She has witnessed the healing aspects of yoga for her body and more so for the mind and her mission is to transmit the holistic purification of yoga. A great teacher can facilitate more than just asana to the students and she aspires to be the inspiration to initiate the process of yoga into self inquiry and self love.

Jeanne Bedard

Senior Dietitian

When it comes to food, Jeanne knows that unravelling amount of information is confusing for most, that restrictive diets almost always do more harm than good and that change needs equal parts of motivation, knowledge and skills. Jeanne is a Registered Dietitian with a comprehensive approach to physical and mental well-being. She has been providing nutritional services for the last 10 years and helped thousands of individuals in the Middle East, Central America and Canada. Her professional expertise and practical ideas grounded in sound scientific evidence will make fuelling your body, eating mindfully and intuitively easier and will improve your relationship with food and your body. She brings to light meal timing, quantity, quality, combination, mindset and planning.

She helps reduce anxiety related to food, weight, allergies, intolerances, chronic disease and preventative health. She is always keen to help patients find balance and demystify fad diets and trends and is a passionate advocate of traditional food and sustainability.

Jeelna Ruparelia

Physiotherapist and Yoga Teacher

Jeelna is a UK qualified physiotherapist (BSc Hons) since 2009 with experience working in several teaching NHS hospitals in London and Private Practices. She specialises in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, with a special interest in the sporting shoulder and complex shoulder instability in children and adults. She uses gym based rehabilitation, Clinical Pilates, and Yoga to help achieve client specific functional goals.  Jeelna keeps herself fit combining strength training in the gym and multi-style Yoga to achieve balance to her lifestyle. She is a certified Yoga teacher (RYT 200) registered in Rishikesh in India and she focuses on  postural alignment alongside her physiotherapy skills to manage those with injury and assist them safely in the return to yoga or their desired sport.

Jennifer Desclaudure

Yoga Teacher

Jennifer had been wondering about yoga for years but only went to her first yoga class three years ago and became really passionate about practicing and sharing the benefits of yoga around her. She invited a friend to teach yoga in her kindergarten class in June 2018 and simply loved the way kids had fun in moving their bodies and noticing their own breath. So Jennifer decided to start with a 200 Hour yoga certification in Dubai with Peewee from Yogafirst a year ago. Then in March 2018 she completed her 95 hour kids yoga teacher training with Sasha Quince in Abu Dhabi. Jennifer is passionate about teaching mindfulness and yoga to kids whether in a classroom or on a mat. After a session kids will leave energized yet relaxed. They will have moved their bodies and learned how to use their breath to stay focused, present and quiet their monkey minds. Plus, they will start doing yoga anytime and anywhere.

Judit Zombori

Yoga Teacher

Judit Zombori is an enthusiastic children’s yoga teacher who loves using mindfulness in her classes to help children grow in body, mind and soul. Her passion is teaching children how to use their brain capacity more by introducing memory games and self-healing techniques into the yoga. Her goal is to offer today’s young generation access to their full potential, direct them to a more fulfilling life by recognising and achieving their life purpose early on in their development process. 

Judit started her career in fashion and TV before being inspired to teach whilst attending a Kids yoga session with her daughter in Dubai. She has found her passion in children’s yoga where she can pass on her knowledge and mindfulness for leading a more fulfilling life.

Juliette Alexander

Neuro Pilates Teacher

Juliette is a qualified NeuroPilates™ instructor. NeuroPilates™ combines traditional Pilates movements with functional neurology exercises to provide sessions and classes that focus on improving brain health and stimulate the nervous system to maximise athletic performance, help alleviate pain and support injury rehabilitation. Pilates combined with her life-long passion for health and fitness means her classes are interesting, challenging but fun and will benefit males & females of all ages and fitness levels.

Jurate Bendziute

Yoga Teacher and Organizer for Lamu Yoga Festival, Kenya

Jurate is a speaker, feminine embodiment guide & mentor for transformation; meditation facilitator, certified teacher of Qoya practice and a Sound Healing Practitioner. Jurate uses thought, sound, word, music, movement, self awareness and presence to support the Journey of Self Remembering & Embodiment.

Jurate’s mission is to inspire, elevate and empower so everyone is able to uncover their infinite unique possibilities and clarify their life’s purpose to live this life feeling fulfilled, shining and in full expression of creativity in business, social and personal lives.

Jyoth Gupta

Yoga Teacher

Jyoti started teaching yoga in 2012 after completing a 6 month Yoga Teacher Training course at Himalayan Yogshala, Rishikesh and a 200 hour course at Rishikesh Vinyasa Yoga school, Rishikesh.

Kamal Saad

Certified 500 HRS VINIYOGA Therapy Student

Kamal is from Alexandria, Egypt, where he previously worked as a veterinarian. Kamal lived a stressful life for many years in Egypt, but developed strength and flexibility growing up through various activities such as long jump and karate. Nevertheless, a negative environment and improper lifestyle nearly ruined him. He decided to try weight-lifting to improve his situation, but it did not provide the spiritual impact he thought.

Kamal then tried yoga, and was surprised to find it was much more than he thought; yoga shifted his perceptions and made him a calmer, more active and focused listener. Gaining inspiration and knowledge from many teachers here in the U.A.E. and the United States, Kamal is a Yoga Alliance certified 500 hours teacher with plans to complete a diploma in yoga therapy with the Viniyoga Institute. As a teacher, Kamal believes that a stable body fosters a stable mind. He is keen to help his students see the significance of yoga as a truly life-changing concept, not just a body exercise. His powerful style and ability to get his students into challenging poses is balanced by his knowledge of yoga anatomical principles and yoga therapy credentials to give both a challenging and safe experience to all. 

Karolina Wojtas

Yoga Teacher

I began practicing yoga 5 years ago in Santa Monica. This inspiring and positive teacher made me feel that I found something what I was looking for a long time. After that class, I was hooked. I have been dancing since I was 8 years old. I spent 10 years practicing contemporary and modern jazz. I performed in polish theater in musicals and recitalsas well as national and international competitions all over the world. Generally I was physically fit however the mental benefits of yoga kept me return to my mat. Yoga melt away the stress, brought inner peace, and self awareness on and off the mat. Then I had a need to share this beautiful feeling with others and I decided to become a yoga teacher. I completed my 200 YTT in Dubai with incredible teachers Peewee and Jo in Yogafirst school. Yogis are always students... so I have been attending plenty of spiritual workshops in India as well as in Europe and USA which helped me develop my own style. Challenging vinyasa sequence with a soft dancing movement and energizing music is something what comes directly from my heart. I hope my students leave my class feeling refreshed and balance on and off the mat. Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.

Kiran Thakur

Co-founder of Integreat Cente

Kiran Thakur, co-founder of Integreat Center, is a social entrepreneur by profession and know the ins and outs of starting a social enterprise in Dubai, particularly in the field of special needs education. Kiran has built a business and societal case for inclusion of young adults with special needs into both workplaces and society at large. Through her primary research, Kiran has learned of the the struggles of young adults with special needs and their families alike and over time, built solutions to create a more integrated city.

Kirsty MacPherson-Wright

Pilates & Yoga teacher, Co-founder Phoenix Rising

Kirsty first discovered Pilates after suffering several years of chronic lower back pain which was never properly diagnosed. Pilates immediately struck a chord, helping to change her entire health and well being; the only therapy that could keep her pain free. She left the corporate world after completing the comprehensive 12 month, 950 hour Pilates teacher training programme in 2012 through The Pilates Centre, Boulder, Colorado and has since added to this with the Anatomy Trains focused Contrology Pilates Method (CPM) qualification to bring a unique myofascial Pilates approach to her teaching.

Kirsty’s extensive personal experience with back pain gives her a unique perspective to work with clients who are also suffering with pain or injury, or rehabilitating from surgery and she is trained to use fascial Pilates across all the Pilates equipment (reformer, chair, Cadillac, barrels & therabands). Kirsty also works extensively with both pre and post-natal clients and has a passion for helping new mums return safely back to mindful movement and exercise, teaching a popular Mummy & Baby Pilates class since having her daughter 3 years ago.

Kirsty has also completed qualifications in Dorn body alignment, restorative Hatha Yoga (200hr), Thai Yoga Massage and childrens yoga.  She can be found bringing the magic of childrens yoga classes to schools & nurseries in Dubai using her unique story-based classes as a way to explore the physical yoga and Pilates poses combined with an exploration of relaxation & mindfulness through breathing exercises, meditative games and partner massage.

Kirsty partnered with The Animal Agency to bring the regions first Puppy Pilates class to the UAE; a strengthening & energizing Pilates class that provides a fun, social and bonding experience for dog owners and their dogs. The Puppy Pilates classes take place regularly across Dubai and will be making their first appearance at Yogafest this

Lara Skadsen

Biofield Tuning Practitioner and Reiki Master

Lara is a Vibrational Energy Lightworker who specializes in Reiki and the Sound therapy practice called Biofield Tuning. 

Laura Brennan

Counselling Psychologist, Empowerment Mentor & School Counsellor

Laura is a 37 year old Irish counselling psychologist & volunteer with the mental health awareness group Darkness Into Light. She is also trained in Reiki, Theta Healing, Mindfulness and possesses a keen interest in psychotropic plant medicine interventions for mental health. Spiderman has been her biggest  influence to date as he taught Laura how to help others without expecting anything in return.  She is also influenced by the Toltec wisdom tradition of Mexico and spiritual mystics such as Sadhguru & Osho.

Lee Whyberd

Descended from a long line of sensitives on his maternal side, Lee began reading for close friends and relatives in his 20’s. However, he was called to work with spiritual and energy healing more seriously after an illness in his 40’s which led him to develop his natural gifts and abilities in order to help others on a full-time basis. He frequently does group readings at clairvoyant evenings and séances across the country, where he has worked with some of the best known mediums in the UK, including Colin Fry, Jayne Wallace, Derek Acorah, Billy Cook and Alex Baily. However, his first love is one-to-one readings, where he strives to help those who feel lost to re-discover their sense of purpose and direction in life. His straightforward, warm personality and extremely precise, detailed readings have earned him a loyal following in both London and Kent, although Lee also regularly reads for clients across the UK and internationally.

Leona Wisely

Leona enjoyed dance and Pilates training for many years. In 2009 her journey to becoming a Pilates instructor began. Studying with Balanced Body Leona has trained in Pilates mat, reformer, tower/Cadillac and chair. Combining her love of dance and Pilates she became a Bootybarre instructor in 2014. She also teaches pre/post natal Pilates. Leona is always developing and evolving her practice through continuing education and loves to embrace new concepts combined with traditional methods.

Leonora Franklin

Co-Founder Akoya Social Retreats – Drum Circle Facilitator

Leonora is passionate about exploring holistic wellbeing techniques that support her and the community around her. The process of studying to become a certified Health Coach helped her reflect on all areas of her life and the choices of what to explore next continue to be wonderfully endless.

With Akoya Social Retreats she is producing exciting retreats to support people on their journey to Connect – Discover – Align with themselves, their community and the world around them through a medley of Adventure and Illumination.

Today she is sharing one of her favorite activities which is known to reduce stress, boost the immune system, create a real sense of community and most of all, have great fun in the process: Community Drum Circles!

Lina Nahhas

Chief dreamweaver @thesamenessproject and 5Rhythms teacher

Lina Nahhas, an Arab-Canadian based in Dubai, was one of the first in bringing 5Rhythms® practise to the region in 2010, and her passion for the practise has led her to Waves® level teacher certification by 2014, weaving teaching into her life whilst running her social innovation work via The Sameness project.

Livia Anzaldo

Hatha Yoga Teacher

Livia is a qualified Hatha Yoga Teacher with a strong passion for inspiring and influencing people to live a more fulfilling life. As a practitioner and teacher for over 8 years with a strong desire to explore new cultures, Livia Livia leads groups of adventurers and Yogis while teaching the philosophy of good, healthy living and most importantly having fun!

Yoga became a refuge for her at some point during her corporate career as the practice of yoga kept her sane, fit and healthy. Livia fell in love with the grounding and balancing effects it had on the mind and body. She was also fascinated with the depths of this ancient art and science. She enrolled in an intense 300hr Teacher Training in Kerala back in 2005 and her yoga teacher journey began.

Dubai has given her the opportunity to practice regularly, establish her own yoga business, and most importantly encourage others to include it in everyday life or in a holiday, retreat or getaway.

Lizel Cameron

Aroma Yoga Teacher

Lizel C. Cameron has been practicing yoga for more than 10 years now and teaching for 5 years. She is a Certified Aroma Yoga® Teacher and continuously studies aromatherapy, essential oils and it s therapeutic applications.

Her classes are focused on alignment, restoration of energy and holistic movement. She considers herself to forever be humbled as a student of yoga & other holistic disciplines and still continues to study extensively, take courses and workshops to gain more knowledge to make her classes safe, professional, effective and fun!

Aside from being a yoga teacher, she is also a certified American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer & Mind-Body Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist of The BioMechanics Method®, Functional Movement System™ Certified, Mike Boyle Certified Functional Strength & Conditioning Coach, and a Pilates teacher. Although she teaches different styles of yoga from hatha to swing yoga, to therapeutics & restorative, she is committed in practicing daily the traditional Ashtanga Yoga by Sri K Pattabhi Jois with certified/authorized teachers.

Lorna Russell

Pilates Instructor

Lorna is a UK trained and qualified Pilates instructor and personal trainer. She worked within Fitness for 8+ years and moved to Abu Dhabi just over a year ago. As a mobile instructor she worked with a lot of people both in a 1:1 and a group class format, and has worked with different types of fitness levels and age groups.

Maan Khzam

Acro Yoga Teacher

Maan discovered Yoga in 2010 when he attended his first Ashtanga class at one of the rooftops in Dubai and that sparked a lot of his curiosity. 

After several years of practicing and experimenting with different methods of yoga, Maan was introduced to Acroyoga by one of his best friends.  Shortly after that, Maan caught the "Acro bug" and attended hundreds of hours of classes and immersions in Dubai and outside. Maan attained his 200 hour Hatha teacher training certificate in 2015 from Rishikesh Yoga Peeth in India. He also completed several Acro Yoga immersions with international teachers until he got his teacher certification in 2017 from Seattle Acro. Maan’s passion is to build and grow communities by bringing people together to communicate, learn and play through movement. He is representing House of Om at this year s Yogafest.

Malini Ramani

Kundalini Yoga Teacher

Malini Ramani is from India. She has been a fashion designer for the last 18 years. She discovered Kundalini Yofa about 10 years ago and was completely amazed at its instant magical effects . A few years ago she did her Teachers -training in Bali and has been teaching along side her designing. Kundalini yoga is a combination of Breathwork -Kriyas and Mantras with music. It balances your chakras and works on many different parts of the physical body, the mind and the subconscious and nervous-system. It’s effects are endless. Kundalini yoga helps you live a life of your highest potential.

Manish Pole and Neetu Singh

Yoga Teachers | Co-Founders of Total Yoga

Manish Pole & Neetu Singh have been Yoga & Meditation leaders for over 15 years. They co-Founded the Total Yoga style of Yoga class in 2010 that incorporates Asana, Pranayam & Meditation in every class! Total Yoga classes are taught by Teachers who ve trained in that style in India, USA, UK, UAE and NZ. Manish and Neetu regularly write columns on Yoga in various publications and also teach on the TATA Sky Active Fitness TV channel. They also lead Himalayas Retreats yearly.

Total Yoga Teacher Training is hosted in India and Dubai. Anahata is the Chakras based workshop that they teach in various cities globally each year. They are currently completing books called 21st Century Yogi and Yogi Journey which will be released in January. The ANAHATA session will explore stimulating each of the Chakras through Yoga & Meditation done to Music.

Manisha Dutta

Feng Shui Consultant

Manisha has been studying metaphysical subjects since 2012. Started her journey by becoming a certified Feng Shui practitioner from the International Feng Shui Association (IFSA) and followed this with many modalities such as i-Ching, Bazi, Access Bars®, Crystal Healing, Chakra Balancing, Angelic Healing, Dhyaan (Meditation) Teacher Training and Intuitive Readings. Aspiring to be a Yoga teacher someday, this busy mum of 2 young kids is learning something new everyday. She compliments her consultancies with products that are carefully collected from across the world that can help her clients in healing themselves in natural ways.

We are all made of the same stardust; but we each take our own time in reaching higher states of consciousness. Her aim is to create this awareness through everything she has learnt and experienced herself.

Manpreet Pannu

Manpreet is certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach passionate about holistic health. She is also a Yogi, Mother, Wife, Vedic Chef and Sound Healing practitioner.

A firm believer in natural health and healing, she believes health does not come from pills or potions meant for suppressing the symptoms. One needs to get to the root cause of any symptoms and resolve it. The primary cause of all modern human diseases is the food we eat and the lifestyle we lead. Food changes everything. Simple healthy real food is foundation for good health.

Manpreet worked for 10 years in corporate world as a software engineer. Her dedicated journey in holistic health began with the birth of her first child in 2005. Instead of medicines for ailments, she started to read, research and explore natural healing modalities. Things she discovered changed her and her family’s lives forever. Their lives became simpler, healthier and filled with real happiness. She felt so empowered with the natural health that she wanted everyone to know this path to true wellness. It lead her to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, New York where she got certified as Integrative Nutrition Health Coach in 2015. She is also certified in Ayurvedic nutrition from Kerala, India and Sound healing from Nepal.

Manpreet leads workshops on holistic health and vedic cooking and also offers individual health and nutrition coaching. She works with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results as apposed to quick fixes and fad diets. She’s passionate to empower her clients by supporting them in their journey towards creating happy, healthy and naturally simpler lives.

Marco Zigon

Sound Therapist

Embracing frequency and vibration as life mission. Bonded with sound since 1998, first as musician he later graduated in Acoustics and continued the life path as trained Sound engineer all until he felt the call for something deeper. After treating more than 600 souls on individual sessions he had the chance to witness how sound can affect individuals mood and consequently transform their life s. Trained and certified in Germany, Nepal and Italy, he is currently offering a vast program of group sound meditation, one on one private sessions and certified Sound Therapy courses.

Maria Leonard

Pranic Healing Practitioner | Founder of Stopandaffirm

Maria combines the art of Breathwork, Energywork, Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness in her sessions, workshops and trainings. She believes that we all have the power and ability to transform our lives, when the right tools and the right timing is met. Her motto in life is “change is truth”. She has been certified as a Rebirthing Breathwork Practitioner, Pranic Healing Practitioner, Sacred Activations Practitioner, Access Consciousness Practitioner, Reiki and Quantum Touch Practitioner, and 200 hours of multi-style Yoga Teacher. She has a background in teaching and holds a Diploma in Language Teaching and Teacher Training from Cambridge.

Maria has always been fascinated and curious about human psychology, metaphysics and esoteric teachings. For more than 13 years, she’s been learning and experimenting with different healing modalities and philosophies to understand human mind patterns, energetic and genetical influences, as well as  womb and birth experiences in shaping the persona. Over the years she has given hundreds of individual sessions, meditation classes, and has designed Affirmations and Mindfulness workshops. She has produced 2 healing meditation CDs with her husband, ALIGN and PROSPERITY 108. Maria continues to learn and expand and her aim is to spread the teachings and practices she has cultivated over the years, in order to help elevate the collective consciousness. She is the founder of Stopandaffirm, a social media platform and clothing line to bring awareness on mindfulness through Affirmations.

Martine Nates

Acupuncturist

Martine has been practicing mindfulness meditation for over 20 years.  Having completed her training with Bangor University, UK, she is a fully certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher.   She teaches regular 8 week MBSR programs to the general public in Umm Suqeim, Dubai.

Martine is  a well-respected Acupuncturist with over 20 years’ experience, specialising in the treatment of stress-related conditions as well as  pain, addiction, fertility and pregnancy. She believes in discovering the root cause of a condition in order to empower her patients to take control of their own health.   This is achieved through a series of life-style adjustments, that may include meditation, Qi Gong and dietary changes.   She has been working and living in Dubai for the past 11 years with her husband and 2 daughters.

Mary Rose Swing

Yoga and Mindfullness Teacher | Sound Healer

Rose has been working in a corporate world for more than 12 years and with the unstoppable digitization and industrialization – she immersed herself in promoting worklife balance within her workplace and within her peers to manage stressful environment. Her immense enthusiasm to work on personal development leading to self-improvement is an innate character of her being a mother, a friend, a sister, a confidant and like all of us a working individual striving to be the better person we wanted to be. It is through mindful practices and being present at the now that she succeeded to build a deep connection and friendship with her free-spirited daughter despite living miles apart from each other. Rose is currently working as Junior Project Manager in an energy management firm; a certified NLP, Hypnosis and Timeline Therapy Master Practitioner; a People-Fuel Facilitator, a Mindfulness Practitioner, a Sound Healing and Reiki Practitioner and a 500RYT Yoga Instructor from Yogafirst ME. Join Rose on her advocacy to be of service and help those who are willing to step up and to commit positive changes in their lives; to unlock boundless potentials that is innate in each one of us with a continuous cultivation of selflove, gratitude and compassion.

Master Can

Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi Teacher

Born and raised in Dengfeng (birthplace of Shaolin), Master Can has been practicing Kung Fu since age 7. After many years of trials and challenges he achieved the title: National Master Sportsman.

Over the years Master Can began to develop a greater appreciation for Kung Fu. He decided to travel beyond and share his knowledge. For several years he has been teaching Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi around the Globe.

Master Oh

Meditation Teacher at Jungshim

Master Oh’s life purpose is to help others find health and happiness by teaching them how to harness the power of their own ‘human energy’ - Qi - and renew it in a sustainable and natural way, in order to regain their innate good-hearted, generous and compassionate state of being - their ‘beautiful mind’. Master Oh became a Qi Master at the age of 20 when he discovered a method that helped him to change his life and also enabled him able to help others. From a young age he always struggled with his health and spent days in and out of hospital. After searching for years he came across a practice which allowed him to harness Qi energy and to renew it in a sustainable way. Master Oh has been teaching this method to people all over the world for 30 years.

"I believe that if everyone knew how to harness the power of their own ‘human energy’ we would live in a happier healthier world."
- Master Oh

Mathilde Lumiere

Ascencion Guide and Sound Master | Founder of Ascension Platforms

Mathilde Lumiere is a holistic therapist, intuitive channel, and spiritual teacher, who is specialized to awaken and raise your vibrational frequency to open the physical, emotional, psychic and spiritual gateways to Divine Love. Holding space for transformation as a Lightworker, Sound Master, Hypnotherapist, Gatekeeper and Light Codes Cosmic Channel she activates and guides you through remembering your unique gifts and soul theme. Her inspirational path brings forth higher consciousness wisdom and knowledge to assist you reunifying the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine inside-out and bringing back your life into balance and unity, within yourself, your relationships and your life so you manifest the reality of your true desires.

“You are in the process of embodying your Divine essence, and it is my honor to connect with you at this time on your journey. May you re-birth your Holy Light and arise in your Sacred Heart in pure grace, power of creation and Love radiance. In service of the Humanity Awakening on the New Earth, With High Frequency of the Diamond Golden Light.
- Mathilde Lumiere, Founder of Ascension Platforms. 

Meetu Singh

Spiritual Teacher and Empowerment Coach

Meetu is a Gifted Healer, Spiritual Teacher and Empowerment Coach.
She is the founder of “Heal with Love Sanctuary”, a community center for women in Dubai.

As an intuitive and empath, she naturally connects with people and brings them ease and solace with her vibrant loving energy.
She facilitates empowering workshops around Dubai and works with Women in healing through life’s traumas, deep core wounds, and emotional distress arising through depression, anxiety disorders, and relationship issues.

She is certified and trained in various Modern Energy Healing modalities such as Reiki, Reconnective Healing, Sound Healing, Shamanism, Hypnotherapy, Past Life Regressions, Color Light Vibrational therapy and many more. She is also a 500hrs certified yoga teacher.

She offers her work in UAE and internationally through private healing sessions, workshops, certified courses and retreats.

Melissa Ghattas

Yoga Teacher

Melissa’s vision towards yoga is one that increases self-awareness and self-love, bridging the relationship between mind, body and spirit. Aspiring to guide students to practice with awareness, freedom, respect and joy, she leads vinyasa flow classes that are fluid, energizing and self-motivating.

Mihai Sarbu

Head of Gymnastics at Fly High Fitness

Head of gymnastics at Fly High Fitness, Mihai, has been a gymnast since the age of four. Competing from age six he was on the Romanian national team for 15 years, competing around the world. His favourite event is the rings though he is also an accomplished aerial and hand balancing performer. He loves coaching as a way to help people develop mentally and physically.

Mylene Pezzotti

Yoga Teacher

After years of corporate life and practicing yoga to balance work stress, Mylene decided to "do what you love and love what you do." she fell in love with Yoga while living in China for 8 years and traveling throughout Asia. Mylene is an RYT-200hr her journey started with Ashtanga and her trainings with YogaWorks and Brahmani Yoga developed her style into an inspiring, rhythmic and safe flow.  Her passion for Yoga is contagious and she focuses on the benefits of this traditional practice with a modern twist. She is athletic, leading an active, healthy and happy lifestyle. Mylene now shares her gentle and calming presence with a strong and dependable practice on and off the mat.

Nada Harb

Meditation Instructor at Elevated Vibrations

Nada s spontaneous awakening arose out of an out-of-body experience at the age of 14 and since then I have been on a journey of healing the inner masculine, inner feminine, inner child, inner parent, inner guide, inner earth in order to fully embody the awakened path and be of service to the community. Using her intuitive abilities of seeing, hearing, feeling, and direct knowing combined with the studies of the mind, body and soul, as well as her connection to the ascendant masters,  she is fully present and have the ability to tune in and hold a space of unconditional love for energetic transformations, body healing, soul awakening, and co creating realities with joy, heart expansion, womb activations, love, wisdom and abundant frequencies. While working with individuals, couples, children and corporations, she has witnessed amazing miraculous physical, emotional healings as well as mind empowering shifts and activations of love within the heart.
"I commit to hold a space of truth , healing and unconditional love to all my brothers and sisters , who cross my path, in order to heal, elevate, expand and transcend. I love you all BEYOND MEASURE."
- Nada Harb

Nafisah Khan

Kids Yoga Instructor

Nafisah was born and raised in the Fiji Islands and lived in USA for 17 years. She is a certified Kids Yoga Instructor RCYS. She teaches kids yoga to 3-12 years of age. She saw first-hand what a blessing yoga has been for her little girl and herself. As a parent, it marks a time of change, physically and emotionally.  They have been practicing yoga for a little over 4 years and seen the benefits in both their lives.  She decided to get certified, to share her knowledge and guide others to a more enriched existence. Learning to practice a sense of appreciation through the physical, mental and spiritual awareness yoga teaches us. It is her personal mission to expose as many children as she can to the benefits of yoga!  

Nancy Zabaneh

Kundalini Yoga Teacher

Nancy is founder of The Red Chair, a platform for raising consciousness and pushing boundaries around topical issues. Educated at both McGill University and the London School of Economics with an MA in International Relations, Nancy began her career as a corporate banker, then later progressed into the world of communications. Today, she continues as an independent consultant in the realm of mentoring, emotional intelligence and motivational speaking. A Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (ABNLP), Timeline Therapy™ and Hypnotherapy (ABH), Nancy holds regular classes and workshops in mind-body wellness and yogic science. An active Kundalini Yoga Instructor with the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI), she is a member of the Kundalini Yoga Wellness and Health Association, supporting and helping to facilitate Beyond Addiction, an internationally-recognized recovery program for addiction. In addition to her current training in Compassionate Inquiry and work toward an internship with the academy (KRI), Nancy develops mindfulness initiatives for schools. Married with three children, Nancy moves frequently between Dubai, Toronto and London.

Naseem Kapasi

Iyengar Yoga

Naseem started practising Iyengar Yoga in 2001 with Djoeke Van Der Werf one of the pioneer Iyengar Yoga teachers in Dubai. She started teaching after completing her Introductory Level certification in 2004. She has studied at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune under Guruji BKS Iyengar as well as attending classes and workshops with Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. She has also studied with senior teachers Jawahar Bangera, Rajvi Mehta, Gabriella Giubilaro, Mary Dunn and James Murphy. She currently holds Junior Level II Intermediate Certification and is working towards Level III under the guidance of Azita Dadfar a Senior Iyengar teacher in Dubai.

Naser Al Riyami

Laughter Yoga Teacher Trainer

Naser’s career in psychology centers around a dedication to the wellbeing of others. He aims to make therapy a comfortable, safe and collaborative space to support children and adults facing obstacles in their life. Naser wants to bring life skills into common households, and aims to spread awareness about how people can understand, survive and thrive through suffering. 

He specializes in Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Psychology, using these techniques to provide a platform for deep contextual changes by tapping into and tweaking subconscious processes such as beliefs and habitual emotional reactions. Naser is licensed as a psychologist by the Behavioral Science Pavillion of Shaikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, and holds 48 certifications in specialized areas of Hypnotherapy.

Naser uses Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Psychology to help children and adults overcome mental and behavioral obstacles like anxiety, depression, fears and phobias, pain management, stuttering, weight management and relieving addictions. 

Naser is committed to using his expertise to better the community; He is a member of the UAE Diabetes Society and has been involved in the UNICEF “Zero bullying” project as well as the National Program For Happiness And Positivity In The UAE, the Wudeema Child Protection Law, the Public Health Ambassador project and the International Day of Yoga. Naser’s Abu Dhabi-based company, Changeworks, provides workshops on Hypnosis, NLP coaching, Reiki, Qigong, Laughter Yoga and Tapping.

Natassa Paneri

Natassa’s passion for physical fitness and movement started from a young age of 4 where she studied classical ballet right till the age of 18. During her years of dance training, she took Pilates classes and instantly fell in love. In 2013 Natassa became a qualified Pilates mat instructor with Studio Pilates International and since then her passion, dedication and curiosity kept growing. Attending many other workshops, certifications and courses throughout her years Natassa stumbled upon the BASI Pilates education and fell in love with the method. In 2018 she completed the BASI Pilates Full Comprehensive Teacher Training. Natassa hopes to encourage and inspire people to stay healthy, happy and strong through Pilates whether they may be new to Pilates or have been on this journey for many years. 

Nazya Ismail

Touch Healing Practitioner

Nazya celebrates her Heart everyday, Honouring & Breathing Her Light & Liberation, reflecting this in everything that she does. 

Her Circles bring the Collective into this Grace, combining Inward Love, Celebration & Prayers. 

Her exploration of Beingness expands as she shares this Love for All. 

She remains in gratitude to her Teacher Prasad, in Lifetime Service & Gratitude 

to The One. 

Nea Ferrier

Certified Ashtange Teacher and Founder of Ashtanga Yoga Dubai and Nilaya House

Nea is the founder and principal teacher of Ashtanga Yoga Dubai. She is the only KPJAYI level II authorised teacher in the UAE having received her blessing to teach in 2010. She has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for 12 years and has made eleven individual trips over the last ten years to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore. Originally from Sydney, Nea has shared her love of Ashtanga Yoga with students in Australia, China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Turkey and now Dubai, where she teaches the morning Mysore classes at AYD’s shala at the Habtoor Grand JBR. She continues to study with Sharath in Mysore every year, where she is learning the Advanced A series.

Neli Merris

Passionate Yoga Teacher (RYT500), Sound Alchemist & Vibrational Healer, Holistic Health Coach

Neli is a Yoga Teacher, Sound Healing Alchemist, Raw Vegan Food Advocate and a Holistic Health Specialist. She has been sharing her passion and gifts with her students for almost a decade. She believes in the uniqueness of each individual and aims to inspire, guide and support the community live a happier, healthier, more harmonious life.

Nicole Michalandos 

Nici is a 800 Hr certified International Yoga teacher & 1000 Hr certified Holistic Life Coach from Vienna, now based in Dubai. She is one of the main teachers at Karma Yoga in Dubai Marina where she teaches nearly every day. About ten years ago Nici found her passion for Yoga and healthy living. Since then her journey lead her to many different teachers and yoga styles all over the world and her own Yoga Studio in Austria. Her teaching style is very creative mixing all different kinds of yoga styles (Anusara, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, Yang, Shivananda, Vinyasa) and healing technics (field of consciousness, trauma work, chakra healing, classic systematic techniques) As a mother of to beautiful boys she knows the importance and finding balance in every day life. For Nici Yoga is a way of living in every day life.

Nikita Patel

Co-founder of Integreat Cente

Nikita, co-founder of Integreat Center for Special Needs, is a social entrepreneur in the field of education. Nikita learned that there was a gap in terms of services for young adults with special needs here post-18 years and withing two year, along with her partners, started Integreat Center, the first holistic special needs center in Dubai for young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Nikita believes that education should be accessible for everyone and we should teach the way students learn best. Nikita is a strong advocate for creating more inclusive workplaces, public spaces, and communities at large

Nirmala Varsani

Kids Yoga Teacher

Nirmala is a Certified Kids Yoga Teacher, originally from the UK and has been living in Abu Dhabi for 4 years. Personally practicing yoga for over 20 years she started to share yoga with her son from an early age and this helped to develop focus, balance, coordination and self - regulation of emotions.  Nirmala now teaches children regularly at nurseries and schools in Abu Dhabi - There is tremendous joy in spreading a love of this magical practice from an early age to help create a happy and healthy future generation. 

Oksanaji

Kriya Yoga Teacher

Oksanaji came into teaching Himalayan Kriya Yoga through a personal story of conquering a heart disease. Intuitively feeling that it was something on an energetic level, Oksanaji set off on a spiritual quest to study many yogic and healing practices. Focusing on purifying the body and connecting with the cosmic consciousness, Kriya teachings truly resonated with Oksanaji and helped her to experience dramatic shifts in her ability to heal herself and channel healing to others. As a teacher, Oksanaji believes everyone has an innate ability to heal and experience bliss, it is a just a matter of remembering how. 

She has been a certified Himalayan Kriya Yoga teacher since 2017 when she completed her training in India with Kevala Foundation and Yogafirst Middle East.

Payal Kanwani

Yoga Teacher at Kintsugi Yoga Dubai

With the quest to learn, grow and evolve , for Payal, Yoga is nurturing, soothing and empowering. She believes Yoga & Meditation takes care of developing and ‘discovering’ ourselves on all levels : physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual and spiritual. She completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Yogalife® in Dharamsala, India & several modules of Prana Flow® in Europe. She is born and brought up in Dubai and spent a few years in India where she first stepped on the mat at the age of 17. Her interests are in Mindfulness, Science, Health and Wellbeing.She has experience in biomedical research with a publication on music meditation.She truly believes the world needs more of yoga and meditation to lead a mindful, balanced, conscious and fulfilled life.

Peewee Sanchez

Yoga Instructor

Bringing 20 years of Yoga and Meditation practice to her teaching, Peewee’s qualities are flexibility of body and mind, clear accessible communication and adapting to the needs of specific individuals and groups.  She helps people to understand how yoga works, take their practice deeper, bringing out the best in everyone. Peewee’s fun factor and sunny approach to yoga is supported by a firm consciousness for good body alignment and class safety. She blends the coaching skills learned from her experience as a Les Mills Bodybalance Presenter and her days mentoring yoga teachers as the Regional Yoga Trainer for Fitness First Middle East with the internal awareness and the ancient traditions of her Vajrayana Buddhist and Himalayan Kriya Yoga Lineages with modern day Vinyasa Flow styles to give a one of a kind yoga experience.

Through her Hatha Yoga School: Yogafirst Middle East she has trained yoga teachers in 200hr, 300hr and Swing Yoga throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia Pacific Regions. She currently teaches Yoga Teacher Training Courses, Workshops, Yoga Retreats and Group Classes throughout the world and specially in her home base: Dubai where she is considered a senior figure in the yoga scene and mentor to many of UAE’s yoga teachers. She is also the yoga advisor for REPS in UAE. A firm believer in Karma Yoga, Peewee involves herself in several charity activities such as Yogathon, Global Mala and Yogafest Middle East. Her mission in this lifetime is to aid people on the path of self- realization through igniting their yoga journeys.

Purva Kaushal

Sivananda Yoga Teacher

Purva Kaushal is a teacher of yoga from the Swami Sivananda lineage. She studied at the International Sivananda Vedanta Center in India. Purva’s approach is to teach authentic, pure and traditional way with no distortion from the original teaching method.  Her lessons are designed for new to yoga clients or for those that have been practicing for a while, with focus on the fundamental yoga poses, breathing (pranayama) also leading to exploration of the principles of yoga.

She finds meaningful purpose and inner satisfaction in offering individuals a chance to turn inwards for empowerment, solace and nourishment.

Ragini Nagu

Yoga Teacher At Kintsugi Dubai

Ragini Nagu was first exposed to yoga pranayama by her mother at 16. Since then she has studied under many teachers of traditional lineages of yoga/meditation such as Vipassana, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga and Hatha style.
With over 700 Hrs of yoga teacher training from Rishikesh, Ragini’s classes pay tribute to both tradition and contemporary knowledge she gained from her own experiments with flow based practices like Hula Hooping and AcroYoga. Her classes encourage slow concentrated movements, focused on the need to bring the mind and body back into alignment with a natural inner rhythm.
Ragini currently studies under Sunil Sharma, a psychologist and a pranayama teacher in Rishikesh who’s developed a system of healing through pranayama & yoga nidra

Rawan Alawnah

Yoga Instructor

Rawan is a yoga teacher specializing in Yoga Therapy, with over 6 years of teaching experience in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Therapeutic & Restorative Yoga. A Palestinian born and raised in Kuwait, she witnessed the growth of the yoga community in the Gulf region.

She has studied with teachers in India, Thailand and Hong Kong in the tradition of Krishnamacharya - the father of modern yoga. Krishnamacharya believed that yoga should be taught according to the student s needs and goals and this has been a priority for Rawan in her path of teaching. Rawan s teaching method is known for its fluidity leaving you with a sense of calmness and comfort.

Raya El Murr

Therapist/Kids Yoga Teacher

Raya is a therapist who works with autistic kids and became a kids yoga instructor to pass on the benefits of yoga to these kids. Her interests include dancing, music, traveling and laser tag!   

Real Food By Two Mums

Children Nutrition Specialists

Jenny and Gem are two mums who became friends over sharing recipe ideas and empathizing in each other’s hysterical tactics to get healthy food into our little ones’ bellies.  We hope our tried and tested recipes bring out the chef in you and inspire creativity in the kitchen.

Jenny s from the US and Gem s from the UK. We met in Dubai in 2015, we both have young children and we have both struggled at some time or another in getting food into our little ones. Sharing our concerns, our triumphs and failures not only in the kitchen but along this journey of motherhood, helped seal our friendship. Together we created Real Food by Two Moms, a blog and cookbook which we hope will help give you some inspiration and useful information on how to feed your kids.

Rebecca Pritchard

Co-founder The Mindful Body, Yoga Teacher

Rebecca was introduced to yoga in 2010, on the floor of her corporate office canteen in Oslo, while working in Marketing for an Oil and Gas company. Never having been a sporty or particularly active person, she persisted and once a week was all it took for her thoughts, skills and strength to quickly start improving both on and off the mat. Seeing the positive impact on everyday life, she started to realize the power of yoga and since then it has become a part of her daily practice and lifestyle.
 
Now teaching, Rebecca is passionate to help others discover and define their own yoga and selfcare practice. Her classes combine styles and methods from various teachers with the hope that this will accommodate all levels of students so that everyone can build a practice that works for them by staying true and connected to individual needs.
Instagram: becks_pritch

Renate Baur-Richter

Yoga Teacher

Ria Haffar

yoga teacher/yoga therapist

Ria has been teaching yoga for almost 13 years with most of yoga education done in India with "The yoga school of Bihar "and advanced in "shivanada." She studied under her teacher Rod Stryker whom she is ever grateful.

Along the years she developed a passion for yoga therapy so she went further with her education and acquired a diploma certification in yoga therapy and her journey continues for her love for satya practice 

Salina Bakaou

Acro Yoga Teacher and Circus Performer

Salina aka faerie hoopla has  been teaching acro yoga for around 5 years. She is constantly wanting to explore new ways to move her body so that she can best transfer this to others.She believes that life can get too serious sometimes,so she wants to create a space for people to play again,to find their child like curiosity and abandon all the worries of the world outside. Sali is an acro teacher by day ,a circus/fire performer by night and is excited to share her skills with you.

Samantha Howick

Yoga Teacher Trainer with ShivaShakti

Samantha is the founder One Yoga, inspiring a profound dedication to living yoga. Her classes and workshops are deeply transformative and unique; always leaving you with a deeper sense of yourself beyond any border. She is a working artist and a devoted mother of four. Samantha tries to live Yoga in its deepest expression in every aspect of her life. Over twenty years of dedicated discipleship & passion, she brings this wisdom into her life and her teachings.

Sara Dwyer Lane

Abu Dhabi based Yoga Teacher | RYT 500

Sara Lane is a RYT-500, Abu Dhabi-based Yoga teacher who has been a practitioner and student herself for the last 18 years. She continuously evolves in her own yoga practice and strives to bring what she learns directly to her teaching.

Sara believes the work we do on the mat directly impacts how we live our lives off the mat.  With a focus on mindful, adaptive alignment and movement, she helps her students build strength, flexibility, stamina, steadiness, compassion and self-awareness in their practice - striving to break old patterns, becoming unstuck and then creating new, more thoughtful and meaningful ones.

Sara aims to help other practitioners cultivate the kind of mindfulness in their yoga that lets them live more mindfully and joyfully in their daily lives.

Sara Fakhouri

Feng Shui and Yoga Teacher

Sarah’s path to the ancient acts of healing began at 13,000 feet off of the ground. She sought after moments of stillness while in free fall during skydiving, where the only sounds you hear are the sounds of your breath, and the collective noise of the universe. Her need to feel connected to earth and the energy of our universe was only actualized by the exaggerated movement of jumping out of a plane to land on earth with both feet planted on the ground. But a healing trip to a yoga retreat 6 years ago in Thailand was all it took for her to realize that observing your breath on the mat, and harmonizing that breath with physical movement was a powerful act of connectedness matched by none, not even skydiving between the heavens and earth. This experience triggered a series of explorations into ancient healing practices including Feng Shui, Yoga, and then Reiki that lead to a formal training in all practices.

Sarah Hackett

Yoga and Pilates Teacher

Effervescent, vivacious and fun, Sarah’s personality always shines through during her yoga teaching. She has practiced for many years, her mother being her biggest influence and support, and after turning her back on the corporate world she decided to invest more time into her spiritual needs by studying for her teaching qualification. Sarah is caring, supportive and knowledgeable, she will guide you through your yoga practice with patience and kindness, both to you and your body. Do not think that her cheery disposition means you will have an easy ride though, after a class with Sarah you’ll feel worked out and accomplished too.

Sasha Quince

Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Teacher - 200 hour - Kids & Prenatal Yoga Teacher Trainer

Sasha Quince specializes in Core Strength Vinyasa which is an empowering and intelligent style of yoga that moves you through the science of your fascia lines and connects you to your inner fire. The signature breath and intelligent sequencing helps you detox the body, mind and light up your inner spirit. Sasha understands the anatomy of yoga (from her past experiences with injuries) so she creates space for all her students to evolve and grow unique to their own body type. Practicing and teaching for over nine years has allowed Sasha to discover the various layers involved in Yoga. Standing on the head is one very small aspect - yoga is a lifestyle. Her style of yoga is founded by Sadie Nardini & developed through anatomy expert Lesile Kaminoff.  Sasha s signature offerings now include Core Strength Yoga, Corporate Less Stress at your desk programs, Pregnancy yoga teacher trainings and Kids yoga & mindfulness teacher trainings & 200 hour CSV teacher trainings. All her programs are rooted in a belief that each of us are so unique, each of are capable and Sasha firmly believes that everyone has the potential to live a life and connect to the ocean of self. 

Shayma Cortesi

Bellydance Teacher and Performer

Shayma, Argentinian belly dancer with 20 years of experience, teaching the art of oriental dance and all its secrets. She fell in love with oriental dance and its culture at the early age of 12. She had learnt from best Master teachers of Argentina, Brazil, USA, Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey. In addition to her belly dancing training, she studied Ballet, Contemporary, Modern Jazz, Flamenco, Hip Hop & Argentinian Tango. At the age of 20, Shayma opened her own Dance Studio in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From 2008, she traveled around Middle East, based in Lebanon but in 2010 she finally settle down in UAE. Shayma had performed around Argentina, Lebanon, UAE, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar, France & The Netherlands.
Currently studying a Degree in Psychology made her aware of the power of dance, through it Shayma started to investigate about dance therapy and its benefits. Teaching belly dance for more than 15 years Shayma is now focus in an overall experience, her classes will help you to gain confidence, discover your own mental barriers, explore your inner femininity and make it bloom.

Simonanda Juchert

Sound Artist and Therapist

Sonia Carolina Gonzalez

Sound Alchemist and Voice Activator

Sonia Carolina González is a Vibrational Sound Alchemist, Voice Activator, Reiki Master, Published Author and Opera Singer. Through her own healing journey she has discovered the healing powers of the voice and sound to not only heal but manifesting the reality of peace, love and abundance that we all deserve. She is now committed to share the wonders of this vibrational medicine with the world.

Sonia offers group and private sound healing journeys, cacao ceremonies, voice activations  and Reiki sessions. 

Soniya Mehra

Actor, Yoga Teacher and Influencer

Soniya’s journey with yoga began almost 13 years ago, as a teenager. Being born and brought up on the coast of East Africa in Mombasa, Kenya- she was always nature’s child and believed in living in the moment. After moving to Mumbai in 2007 her love for Yoga then became a passion. She started to explore different forms of Yoga- finding peace of mind in the fast city and the Bollywood industry, which she was then a part of, through Yoga.

She is a certified 200 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher from an institute in Goa, India and has about 7 years teaching experience. She is also a certified Reiki Practitioner, Crystal Therapy certified, Sound Healing- Tibetan Singing Bowls Certified, as well as practising Thai Massage and Aromatherapy- incorporating all into her practice. She is also certified to conduct Osho Meditations and is a Spirit, Wellness and Life coach. To her yoga is all about feeling free in your body and freeing your mind, healing yourself from within. Using asanas, meditation and pranayamas as vehicles to obtain this. Unity of the mind, body and soul taking us on the path towards pure Samadhi

Sophie Basyouny

Yoga Teacher

Sophie’s yoga journey started in 2010 in Pune, India while working for a corporate institution. Having been into competitive sports in early childhood and teen and struggled with asthma her whole life, yoga brought a sense of calmness, inner healing and focus rather than competition. Yoga helped her grow stronger and more flexible physically and mentally. She completed her 200 hour Asthanga teacher training in Goa 2012 and her advanced 300 hour Vinyasa training in Bali and Costa Rica 2016. She continues to be a student of this beautiful practice which inspired her to live each moment more mindfully. In her classes, she loves to combine dynamic and creative sequences with a dose of traditional yoga philosophy and inspiration. She seeks to help others connect with their own body and mind and appreciate their uniqueness in a nurturing way. She hopes her students leave her class feeling nourished and balanced with a sense of enlightenment.

Suman Suneja

Laughter Yoga Master (LYM)

Suman Suneja is a qualified Laughter Yoga Master (LYM) based in Dubai conducting Laughter Yoga workshops all over the middle east for various schools, corporations and organizations. He is an experienced Yoga practitioner, teacher and cofounder of the Friends of Yoga organization personally conducting daily morning classes for its Jumeirah Park branch. He regularly conducts seminars such as “Be Stubbornly Happy” and “Keep growing younger” to promote the individual well-being .

Sundar Singh

Yoga & Meditation Instructor

Sundar is certified Yoga instructor with deep understanding of yoga philosophy and human body anatomy from the perspective of yoga postures; He practiced a variety of meditation techniques from different traditions. 

Having worked in a leading role in IT for 10 years, in a demanding corporate environment, led him to an understanding about how body and mind are affected by stress. Through his own personal journey to heal himself, he learnt various techniques to cope with modern day demands. He is happy to share his insights during his classes.

Sundar teaches Hatha yoga, mainly focusing on mind body integration, posture correction, conscious breathing techniques and meditation for deeper relaxation and healing benefits. 

He is passionate about introducing yoga to beginners.

Vanessa Woodthorpe-Wright

Menstruation Mentor

Vanessa Woodthorpe-Wright is a scholar of Women’s Spirituality, a Menstruation Mentor, a Purveyor of Womb Wisdom and a Keeper of Women s Mysteries. She is a mother of 4 and has been facilitating women’s circles and workshops for many years. She is the founder of WomanSpace, a Dubai-based company that sells reusable cloth menstrual pads. Vanessa is passionate to advocate cycle awareness, sustainable living and sisterhood.

Vijay Sharma

Yoga Teacher

Vijay comes from a very spiritual family in India. Even as a very young child he has practised yoga. Currently he is a certified yoga instructor and have been teaching for more than 15 years – 11 years with Jumeirah as a wellness practitioner. He is a specialist in all forms of yoga, plus meditation, laughing therapy and Reiki.

Vipin Methasery

Yoga and Acro Yoga Teacher

Vipin is a seeker a believer with a willingness and dedication to take you far and deep into the secrets of yoga. Having spent years of practice with continuous learning in his personal yoga lab, connecting the traditional yoga texts to the path of the modern yogis, and guiding students into a space of safety, inquiry and experimentation so that they can recognize their inner tools to actually know the teachings in their own bodies and trust the wisdom of their own experience.

Wendy Johnson

Yoga Teacher

Wendy has lived in beautiful Al Ain city for 7 years, and when she s not teaching/ practising yoga, she is either in the garden or wrangling a horde of rescue cats. 

After discovering yoga in her late 20s, it remained a steadying constant through the next 20 years, both the happiest and the most challenging times (and all the in between bits too). 

She started Love Yoga UAE 2 years ago, while still employed as a full-time school teacher, and last year took the biggest deepest breath and a Hanuman-like leap into full time yoga teaching.

She loves the diversity of yoga and is a strong advocate of YOGA FOR EVERY BODY . She takes free yoga to the park every week, helps to organise community picnics alongside ENABLE (supporting families with special children) and delivers Positive Vibes , a yoga-based program for girls and young women to boost confidence and self-esteem.

Wissam Barake

Yoga Instructor

Yafa Goawily

Artist and Body Painting Teacher

Yafa Goawily is an artist. Coming from an artistic family with her roots from the ancient cultures (Egypt) She started her way from performing arts then studied fine arts at Alexandria university and now after a lot of experience and workshops all over the world, she is doing her development-through-art program and sharing her experience and love of Art with all. She has a development through art program called The Body Painting which started 15 years ago and sprang out of her passion for art and the human body. People leave her sessions with more acceptance for their bodies and feeling good about themselves.

Yasmin Sewgobind

Kids Yoga Teacher

Yasmin is an experienced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teacher in Abu Dhabi.  She became the first Dutch female black belt in BJJ and is passionate about teaching children to feel empowered, healthy and happy.  Yasmin is a certified Kids Yoga Teacher with Letsgoyogame and enjoys combining BJJ and Yoga as feels they complement each other so that children reap the benefits of both.

Yogi George

Ascencion Guide and High frequency Healer

An awaken soul, cosmic galactic channel. A mentor on the journey of consciousness awakening. Assisting the remembering of our heart resonance power. Serves as a wayshower and spiritual guide in the 5D Ascension time on our beloved planet mother Gaia. YogiGeorge is an open conduit to transmit the cosmic frequency with the guidance and support of Ascended Masters, StarFamilies and ArchAngelic Realm for the anchoring and embodiment of the Christic Energy of Divine Unity Consciousness. Through his deep comprehension of the life sciences such as information technology, biology, nutrition, chemistry, even quantum physics, he can provide a much-needed bridge between spiritual and science understanding with practical applications. He guides on reawakening the high-frequency universal energy practices, such as heart resonance, light body activation, third eye awakening, ascension alchemy, cosmic channeling, light codes, light language transmissions. Founder of "Ascension Platforms". Sessions facilitated in English and Arabic.

Zarine Dadachanji

Sound Meditations and Energy Healings

Zarine is a facilitator for guided, sound meditations and energy healings. She plays the gongs, singing bowls and other sound instruments during the sessions. She continues to study the Way of the Gong with the Grand Gong Master, Don Conreaux. She facilitates these sessions all over the UAE and has played in England, France, San Diego, Karachi and Kuwait. 

Zhuldyz Koshpanova

Meditation and Yoga Teacher

Zhuldyz Koshpanova is certified Mindfulness instructor and yoga teacher in Abu Dhabi. She has completed 200 hours Yoga Teacher training by Yoga First, registered with Yoga Alliance, USA. Mindfulness teacher training by Shamash Allidina Teacher Program.  Happiness coach program by Berkeley Method of Well Being, California. Zhuldyz has successfully participated in the international Chief Happiness Officer Academy in Denmark. She currently studies at Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute as Teacher for mindfulness programs, developed at Google, backed by neuroscience and Emotional Intelligence.