Our Teachers
Christie Holt
Christie Holt is a Canadian-born yogi who has found a home on the coast of South Africa. With a deep reverence for both nature and yoga, she weaves these passions together to inspire us all to live in harmony with the earth and the land beneath our feet. Through her teachings, Christie encourages students to reconnect with their innate sense of belonging—to their inner light, to the land, and to one another. She nurtures a sense of community and connection in Ballito, where she resides, inviting all to return to their bodies and the present moment at her open-air studio, Kāya Shala. Christie’s classes carry a poetic and heartfelt quality, fostering warmth, compassion, and equanimity. In her presence, students are encouraged to cultivate inner peace and extend this love outward, creating a ripple effect of kindness and love in the world around them.
Ali Barnard
Ali Barnard is a happy yogi, freelance writer, and lucky mother from Durban's North Coast. She has spent 15 years exploring the intricacies of yoga on a physical and spiritual level, dedicating her personal practice to styles like Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin. In 2019, Ali deepened her practice by completing her 200hr teacher training in Vinyasa and spent much of the covid lockdown sprinkling yoga magic across the internet with free, live-streamed yoga classes. She has also taught at The Open Studio in Salt Rock and The Yoga Studio in Ballito. Yoga is an invaluable source of solace and inspiration for Ali. It is a discipline that allows her to remain curious, propelling her into self-exploration through movement and meditation. Every practice, every asana, every breath is a constant reminder that she has only just scratched the surface of everything yoga has to teach her. She hopes to ignite the same wonder and excitement she has for this beautiful practice in every one she teaches.
Louise van Niekerk
Lou is a devoted student and teacher of yoga and has a deep passion for the human body, how it moves and its ability to heal itself. With a competitive gymnastics and tumbling background it was only a matter of time that she found an interest and love for yoga. Lou is a Vinyasa RYT 200 and has been teaching Group and Private Vinyasa and also YIN classes since 2019. Her classes are designed to be accessible and challenging, with a unique balance of building strength and gaining flexibility. Having gone through a tough rehabilitation process after breaking both her arms, she has a huge passion for regaining strength (mentally and physically) post-op and after injuries. Lou's classes bring you an artful blend of movement and stillness, strength and flexibility, breath and awareness. Each unique class inspires students to bring body, mind and heart into the present moment, enhancing well-being on and off the mat.
Lauren Parnell
My passion and purpose has always been in teaching. Over the past few years I have graduated with a BEd in Early Childhood Development and completed my kids yoga teacher training through YogiBearsZA.
My kids' yoga classes emphasise fun & storytelling as we go on "adventures" & dance & play & learn to move our bodies joyfully, with intention.
Inspired by the connection between yoga & nature , I love teaching outdoors & exploring nature through various yoga postures, games & mindfulness activities.Connecting little bodies, minds & breaths ~ all while establishing a connection with the natural world.
Cultivating a practice of mindfulness for our children can help equip them with the tools they need to find calm amongst the chaos & the busyness of their daily lives & navigate through the uncertainties of today's world.
Through my kiddies yoga classes, I aspire to facilitate meaningful learning experiences that empower conscious, confident & connected children.
I am so looking forward to the privilege of sharing my heart & the joys of yoga & mindfulness with your little munchkins.
Carey Would
"Nature dwells in both directions, not just outside us. Our inner world is also nature. Our minds and bodies are manifestations of the evolution of the living earth.” Micah Moralis from Rewilding.
Yoga has sprinkled its faerie dust on me in my darkest hours and provided a pathway to healing, nurturing and a deep understanding of who I am and how I aspire to be. I have been teaching Yoga for over ten years in various different styles. Currently I like to call my classes ‘Mindful Flow’. As a qualified Mindfulness facilitator my Yoga teaching is deeply rooted in a practice of presence and embodiment, cultivating self-compassion and authenticity through slow, steady movement. I love integrating meditation and moments of stillness in my classes too.
I am also a mom of two beautiful boys and Lead Directress for the Kinship Programme which facilitates inquiry based, nature immersion sessions for children.
Kate Haupt
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self & to the self” - this quote is exactly the embodiment of my yoga practice - it allows me to get lost & at the same time feel closer & closer to my true self. The four corners of my mat represent a safe space for me to be exactly as I am, where I am, & who I am, in any moment in time. Yoga is a sanctuary for my heart and has served as a tremendous healing practice for me both physically & mentally. Early in 2021 I completed my teacher training with the YogaLife in Cape Town where I discovered an even deeper love & gratitude for the practice. My background in psychology & health blends seamlessly with the practice of yoga & sharing this brings me immense joy & fulfilment! I believe creating a connection between the subtle body & breath is where the magic happens. Kāya Shala has my heart & I can’t wait to share this space with you all.
Ashleigh Scott
My yogic journey began in November 2017. I recall hugely disliking my first ever class as I felt completely overwhelmed on all levels. However, I found myself returning to the mat and soon yoga asana (the physical practice) began to shift me in ways I didn't think possible. By moving, opening and challenging myself physicallly I began to tap into my mental, emotional and spiritual layers.
Once I had had a taste of what a yogic practice could do, naturally I wanted to know more. I began teaching Yin Yoga in 2017 and then completed my 500hr Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Cheryl which was an incredibly empowering experience.
As I delved into the the many aspects of Yoga I found a whole new way of living, a new connection to my Self and to the world around me. I am now on a continuous journey to deepen my connection to the natural rhythms of life.
I love to mix up my classes, usually flowing from dynamic Hatha to passive Yin. My intention for you during our time together on the mats - to continually come back to presence and to encourage you to enjoy the process, the unfolding of your own unique journey back to Self.
Zelda van der Merwe
With a background as a Biokineticist and Pilates instructor, I have a great understanding of how to move the body safely and effectively to minimize injury and cultivate a strong core foundation to work from. I am excited to use my 200 hour RYT training that I completed in beautiful Goa, India in 2018 to share my time with you on your mat guiding you through your practice to help you explore your relationship with yoga together in this beautiful community!
My classes are inspired by combining proper alignment based on what you can feel, rather than what you can do in easily accessible stretches working up to a stronger vinyasa flow. The main focus on taking a step back when needed bringing about the full benefit of postures, focusing on the breath and internalizing the mind to create a deeper connection. Through a light-hearted approach, I aim to bring back a feeling of joy and playfulness to the practise while cultivating a deeper connection to the body, mind, and soul.
Trisha Crookes
Trisha is a passionate, energetic, and empathic Yoga teacher.
"Mindfulness has been a journey of healing and self discovery
which has lead me to reimagine who I am and what I'm called to do, every time I step onto the mat."
She completed her 200-hr YTT at Yoga Life in Cape Town followed by advanced teacher training in Power Vinyasa
and Yin/Yang yoga at the Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali.
Trisha is passionate about the mind-body connection and how our trauma and life experiences impact our body's
fascia as well as the power of mindful movement in our healing.”
She enjoys a dynamic mix of strong Power Vinyasa flow and a slow restorative and releasing Yin.