Our Team
The team at Bend It Like Buddha Yoga is made up of a select group of enthusiastic and experienced yoga experts. They come from a variety of backgrounds, interests and specialties, but all share the same commitment to helping you reach your higher self.
Laurin
Senior Yoga Teacher and Owner
Laurin started working in a Rehabilitation Hospital as an Exercise Physiologist in 2003. She had been practicing Yoga for many years at that point. She started her Yoga Teacher Training in 2010, completing a 672 hour course. She has since completed another 1000 hours of Yoga Teacher Training and over 10,000 hours of Teaching and Mentoring, she is registered as a Senior Teacher (Level 3) & Trainer with Yoga Australia. Laurin opened Bend It Like Buddha Yoga (BILBY) in 2015 after years of teaching in surrounding studios. She now is part of the Yoga Institute Faculty, mentoring Yoga Teacher Trainees and running the Yoga Anatomy Course.
Through teaching a balanced practice of pranayama (breath work), asana (movements) and meditation, you will feel stress ease out of the body and mind and leave feeling grounded and calm. She is passionate about designing classes that are specific to the student's need. Her background as an Exercise Physiologist aids in supporting students with injuries and she holds a firm belief that there is a yoga to fit everyone. Her favorite quote is "If you can breathe, you can do yoga" - Krishnamacharya.
Sarah
Teacher
Sarah has been practicing yoga since 2005. She obtained a Diploma from The Yoga Institute in Sydney in 2019 and is registered with Yoga Australia. She has since done a kids yoga training course and teaches at some of the local schools.
Sarah is a keen cyclist and runner and has found that her students naturally end up having similar interests. Her style of teaching focuses on opening shoulders, chest, back and hips, as well strengthening the core and working the lungs. And while her classes are appropriate for all ages and levels, there will be challenges along the way for those who’d like them. There will always be fun poses to try - often with modifications offered, sometimes using blocks, straps or the wall. Her classes are breath-centered with students encouraged to follow their breathing rhythm.
Her goal is for you to leave her class feeling rejuvenated, a little stronger, slightly looser and relaxed.
Maryanne
Teacher
Maryanne began her yoga teacher training in 2015 with Vinyasa Flow style at Power Living, and continued to expand her knowledge at the Yoga Institute by completing a 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2019. Along the way she has also trained in Yin Yoga, Meditation, Five Element Theory, Advanced Vinyasa and more.
She has a background in group fitness teaching and martial arts. A Heated Vinyasa Flow continues to be Maryanne's favorite personal practice. She continues to explore the mind/body connection and how this contributes to health and wellbeing. As an avid student of Yoga Philosophy, she endeavors to apply these principles to a modern life.
Her favorite quote is "Health in the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best relationship" - Buddha
Katrina
Teacher
Katrina started yoga in 2010 at the age of 39 and started her teaching journey in 2013 with Power Living Yoga's 200-hour Vinyasa Flow training. She has also completed Yin training and various other workshops and courses.
She believes that life is her greatest teacher, and that yoga is for anyone and everyone. Katrina's passion is hands-on assisting; she wants you to gain a glimpse of your potential and to inspire you to see how amazing you are.
Her goal is to leave her students with a fresh perspective, energised, and refreshed and ready for whatever comes next. She would like to create a haven where you can just BE; however she also likes to challenge you. Her hope is to facilitate a deeper self-awareness, which helps you to THRIVE.
Claire
Teacher
Claire is a down to earth teacher with plenty of experience and humour, which will be reflected in her classes, which are accessible to everyone yet provide plenty challenges too.
Her own practice keeps her grounded, and constantly learning!
She is at home with both a dynamic and gentle hatha class and loves teaching beginners as well as well practiced students!
Rae
Teacher
Rae’s warmth and generosity of spirit are key pillars in her teachings. After 20 years in the Corporate world and more than 15 years of practice, Rae started her first 200 hr teacher training with Mark Breadner in 2017. Her motivation was to create classes that were accessible and inclusive for every body regardless of age, experience or flexibility.
Rae’s love of Yin yoga led to her 100 hr Yin teacher training in 2018 with Mel McLaughlin and in 2019, Rae completed her 300 hr Advanced Yoga teacher training with Judy Krupp and Byron Yoga.
Her love of learning and desire for deeper understanding have also led to further teacher trainings in Meditation, Kids yoga and Myofascial release.
For Rae, it’s about the quiet solitude, connection to nature and the seasons, and feeling and being ‘enough’. Her hope is that you leave her class feeling restored, curious and grounded.
Tara
Teacher
Tara is a women's wellbeing specialist with 20 years experience helping women through profound life changes and circumstances. She brings 20 years yoga teaching experience as well & is a mother of 6. She combines yoga, psychology, as well as working with the lunar cycle, to improve energy, pelvic floor, sense of purpose and deeper sense of self.
Izzi
Executive Assistant
Izzi first started practising yoga when she was 16 and since then can recognise the profound impact it has had on her health, mind and body. Particularly during her HSC year, yoga was essential and helped make a massive difference when it came to reducing stress and staying emotionally grounded.
Currently, Izzi is studying Media and Communications at the University of Sydney and majoring in marketing. In her spare time she loves to dance, listen to music and spend time in nature. She is also a certified sound bowl healer.
In the future, Izzi hopes that more younger people will learn to embrace yoga, allowing them to experience the same transformative benefits it has brought to her life.
Madi
Executive Assistant
Madi is a filmmaker, teacher and content creator who is one of the Executive Assistants at Bend It Like Buddha Yoga.
In 2018 she completed her Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. In 2019 she started practicing yoga when she discovered the mind body connection. When she practiced yoga she was able to create better art. In 2022 she completed a Bachelor of Arts: Screen Production at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Madi is passionate about making content she believes in. She also teaches drama at various schools and is a qualified sound bowl healer.
Photos by Paul Frontczak Photography
Interested in meeting one of our team members for a private lesson?