Something Beautiful is Unfolding in Mermaid Beach

I have something special to share with you!

Remember the old Essence of Living Studio space in Mermaid Beach?

A space many of you know well… It’s a space that has held years of movement, learning, and connection, and… It’s about to begin a new chapter!

Flolo (who we are collaborating with on Essence of Living’s trainings) is about to open their third studio space!

Introducing: Flolo, Mermaid Beach!

Spaces carry memory.

They hold laughter, breakthroughs, challenges, quiet moments, and deep breaths.

I couldn’t be more delighted to see this room filled with the Flolo community; a community designed for genuine connection, with the best teachers around (many of whom are Essence of Living alumni).

Flolo is approaching this opening with great care for the experience they’re creating, for the people who walk through the doors, and for the history of the space itself.

As a quiet nod to that history, they’ll be bringing back the much-loved feature wall, which many of you will remember.

A familiar touch, woven into a fresh new energy, to honour what has been, while making space for what’s next.

If you’ve been curious about Flolo, this is a beautiful time to step in.

They’re known for offering: Warm, welcoming classes Highly skilled teachers An unintimidating environment Yoga, Pilates & barre delivered with professionalism and care.

Whether you’re brand new, returning after a break, or deep in your practice their new space (as well as their existing spaces in Robina and Helensvale) are designed to meet you exactly where you are.

Doors to their Mermaid Beach studio open on 7th March.

To celebrate their opening, Flolo is offering a Foundation Membership: FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP OFFER

Join on an unlimited membership before launch day (7th March) and receive your first two weeks of practice completely free (your membership will activate ON launch day).

After your complimentary first two weeks, you’ll role straight into an unlimited membership for just $40 per week (with full flexibility, access to all three of Flolo’s studios, and no lock-in contracts).

If you’d like to explore information about the studio you can do that:

HERE: https://flolo.studio/mermaid-beach-yoga-pilates/

And, if you’d like to sign up for a Foundation Membership, you can do that:

HERE: https://momence.com/m/681397

If you’ve been thinking about:

Returning to yoga

Starting Pilates

Rebuilding strength
Moving more consistently

Or are just looking for a studio you resonate with

This is a wonderful opportunity.

And if someone you know has been looking for the same…

Please feel free to share this email with them.

It brings me real joy to see this space continue to serve the community in such a thoughtful way.

I hope many of you will find your way through those doors again.

When Learning Becomes a Homecoming

There are moments in life when learning stops being about information and quietly becomes remembrance.

This recent 200hr Yoga Teacher Training unfolded like that. Slowly. Naturally. Like roots finding water beneath the soil.

Held in nature, surrounded by trees, birdsong, and shifting light, the training became more than a curriculum. It became a living experience. One that softened edges, invited honesty, and gently asked each person to come home to themselves.

Throughout the weeks together, breath became our anchor. Again and again, students spoke of how returning to the breath changed everything. Not just within their practice, but within their nervous systems, their confidence, and their daily lives. Breath led movement. Breath led awareness. Breath led presence.

For many, yoga expanded beyond the physical shapes they had known for years. It revealed itself as a lifelong practice, one that touches relationships, mindset, patience, and self-trust. Yoga became less about striving and more about listening.

Nature, as always, was a silent teacher.

Beneath open skies and forested hills, the land held us steadily as everything else shifted. Learning in nature slowed the pace in a way no studio ever could. Nervous systems softened. Breath deepened. Silence became just as valuable as instruction. The landscape itself reminded us that yoga was never meant to be rushed or confined.

Hands-on learning played a powerful role. Through adjustments, sequencing, and assisting in real classes, confidence quietly grew. What once felt intimidating became embodied. Theory landed in the body. Teaching stopped feeling like a performance and began to feel like service.

The learning was not always easy. There were moments of doubt, of fatigue, of being asked to stay open when old patterns wanted to close. And yet, within a supportive and honest container, those moments became portals. Students shared that learning to trust the process, to do their best, and to stay present was one of the greatest lessons of all.

One of the most touching moments came when a student shared a watercolour painting created during the training. A quiet expression of what words sometimes cannot capture. Six colours, side by side, each unique, each held by the same landscape. It felt like a reflection of the entire journey. Gentle, layered, imperfect, and deeply true. A reminder that yoga, like art, is not about perfection, but presence.

While not every member of the group could be present on this final day, their energy, contributions, and place within the circle were deeply felt and honoured.

What emerged from this training was not just a group of newly qualified teachers, but humans who feel ready. Ready to share yoga with children, elders, beginners, and communities. Ready to teach with authenticity. Ready to continue walking the path with humility and curiosity.

Above all, the reflections were filled with gratitude. For the teachings. For the honesty. For the depth. For the sense of being seen and supported. For a space where yoga was honoured as a living tradition, woven into modern life with care and integrity.

This training was not an ending. It was a beginning.

A planting of seeds that will continue to grow, in studios, community halls, living rooms, classrooms, and quiet moments of breath.

Sometimes the path doesn’t call loudly. It whispers. And when we listen, everything begins to align.

When Yoga Becomes a Way of Life

There is a moment in every yoga journey when the practice stops being something we do and becomes something we live.

For Mel, one of our recent 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training graduates, that moment arrived quietly, honestly, and deeply, over five sun-filled weekends immersed in nature, community, and self-reflection.

When Mel first enrolled in the training, she wasn’t entirely sure what she was stepping into. What she did know was simple yet powerful, she loved how yoga made her feel, and she trusted that she would be held in safe, grounded hands.

“All I knew was that I loved the way I felt after a good class and that I knew I’d be in safe hands with Michelle as my teacher.”

After more than 20 years of personal practice, the training didn’t just add knowledge, it brought clarity, meaning, and connection. The poses, the breath, the philosophy, and the rhythm of the practice suddenly made sense as one integrated whole.

Yoga revealed itself not merely as movement, but as relationship.

Connection to body.
Connection to breath.
Connection to mind and soul.
Connection to community and the natural world.

Held within the quiet beauty of five sunny October weekends on my forest property, Mel trained alongside a small group of women whose paths aligned at exactly the right time.

“I was lucky enough to meet some beautiful souls whose timing had them joining me those five sunny weekends in nature, and I am so grateful for Michelle and her teachings.”

This training is intentionally designed to be more than a certification. It is a space to soften, to unravel, and to remember who you are beneath the layers of life.

Mel beautifully captured the heart of this work.

“Michelle is the most authentic and grounded teacher. She holds space for you, challenges you in postures, and shares herself in such a way that it’s hard not to let all the walls melt down on arrival.”

And perhaps that is the essence of yoga.

To become open.
Present.
Adaptable.
Ready for whatever life brings.

Through asana we learn flexibility, not just in the body, but in the way we meet change. Through breath we learn to move through challenge with steadiness. Through stillness we find peace. Through shared practice we rediscover joy in community.

“Yoga for me is a way of life. You stretch the body to become more adaptable, you breathe through the drama, you find peace in Shavasana, and happiness in others around you doing the same.”

Mel’s journey is a reminder that yoga teacher training is not only for those who wish to teach, but for those who wish to live more fully, more honestly, and more lovingly.

“If you are thinking of doing this course, I highly recommend it. For joy, for love of yourself, and for growth in all areas of life.”

To Mel, and to every soul who steps onto this path with openness and courage, thank you. It is an honour to walk beside you, to witness your growth, and to share this ever-unfolding journey.

And to the wider Essence of Living community, this is why we gather. This is why we train. This is why we return to the mat, again and again.

A Powerful New Partnership. 

Some collaborations feel practical.
Others feel inevitable.

My latest partnership with Flolo Studios is very much the latter.

Together, we are offering one of the most respected and experience-rich teacher training pathways on the Gold Coast, one that beautifully blends deep education, real-world teaching experience, and heartfelt community connection.

This collaboration brings together my 25 years of industry experience with Flolo’s vibrant studio environment, creating a seamless bridge between learning, integration, and confident teaching.

Why this partnership matters

Teacher training does not end with anatomy, sequencing, or philosophy.
It comes alive through observation, repetition, human connection, and the courage to step into the role of teacher in many different environments.

Through this partnership, trainees now have access to an extraordinary breadth of experience.

Students can assist, observe, and refine their skills across more than one hundred classes each week between Flolo Studios and the Gold Coast City Council’s Active & Healthy Program. This means exposure to studio-based classes, community programs, outdoor spaces, and diverse student groups, each with unique needs, abilities, and intentions.

Never before has the integration between training and teaching been so fluid.
The pathway to confident, embodied teaching has never been stronger.

Learning to teach in the real world

Teaching yoga and Pilates is not a one-size-fits-all practice. A class held in a beautiful studio feels very different from one offered in a park, a community hall, or a council-supported wellbeing program.

This partnership allows trainees to develop adaptability, awareness, and sensitivity. They learn how to support different bodies, different nervous systems, and different life experiences, skills that are essential for modern, inclusive teaching.

It is here, in the real world, that confidence grows.

Meeting a real industry need

The truth is, there is a genuine shortage of highly trained, confident, and caring teachers. Gyms, studios, and community programs reach out to me weekly looking for graduates who are ready, grounded, and capable of holding space with integrity.

This collaboration directly addresses that need by supporting students not just to complete a training, but to step into teaching with clarity, competence, and heart.

All paths are welcome

Some students enrol in teacher training with a clear intention to teach.
Others arrive simply wanting to deepen their own practice, embodiment, and self-understanding.

Both paths are equally honoured.

All levels of experience and intention are welcome within our trainings. What matters most is curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to grow.

Aligned values. Shared vision.

What makes this partnership truly powerful is alignment, as businesses and as people.

We share a commitment to quality education, ethical teaching, community connection, and long-term support for our students. Together, we are creating not just courses, but pathways. Pathways into practice, into confidence, and into meaningful work that serves others.

I am deeply grateful to be working alongside the Flolo team and look forward to supporting the next generation of yoga and Pilates teachers as they step forward with skill, compassion, and purpose.

Ready to explore this pathway?

If you are feeling the pull to deepen your practice, step into teaching, or simply explore what is possible for you, I would love to connect.

Booking a one-on-one call gives you the space to ask questions, share your intentions, and feel into whether this training and pathway is the right fit for where you are right now.

There is no pressure, only an open conversation and honest guidance to support your next step.

I would be honoured to walk this part of the journey with you.

Children, The Great Reframe

Some people say that having children ages you. And honestly, I’ve said that too.

I’ve felt the tiredness. The stretch. The moments where my reflection looked a little older than I remembered. But I’ve learned that those thoughts are often a reflection of a depleted body. When I’m tired, my mindset narrows. When I’m rested, nourished, and supported, my perspective naturally softens again.

Over time, I’ve come to see that children don’t age us in spirit. They keep us young. They invite us back into curiosity and wonder, back into seeing the world with fresh eyes. Ordinary moments become extraordinary when you slow down enough to notice them.

Some people say kids make them grumpy. Too much noise. Too much chaos. Too much demand.
And yes, there are loud days. Messy moments. Emotional edges.

But when I really pay attention, what I notice most is the joy. Children laugh freely, often for no reason at all. A silly face, a made-up word, a shared glance across the room, and suddenly the whole house feels lighter. Their laughter reminds me that joy doesn’t need to be earned or scheduled, it simply wants to be felt.

Some people focus on the germs that come home from school and daycare. The broken sleep. The endless sniffles.
And I’ve felt that frustration too.

Yet my love language has always been touch. There is something deeply calming about a child’s cuddle. Those small arms wrapped around your neck slow the breath and soften the body. In those moments, nothing else matters. It is presence in its purest form, love without condition or agenda.

Many people say children add stress to their lives. That they stretch time, energy, and patience.
And at times, that is undeniably true.

But I’ve also noticed how grounding my children are. When work feels heavy or my mind races ahead into what’s next, they pull me back into the now. They redirect my attention away from problems that feel big but, in the grand scheme of things, are small. They remind me what is real, what is important, what truly deserves my energy.

And yes, people often say children are expensive. That they take away from what we could have bought, saved, or invested in.
I’ve had those thoughts too.

But with time, my definition of wealth has changed. I don’t believe we’ll regret the money spent on family holidays, the sacrifices made so our children could follow their passions, or the experiences chosen over possessions. What we will remember are the moments. The shared sunsets. The long car rides. The quiet conversations. The laughter echoing through the house.

Children don’t take from our lives.
They expand them.

They stretch our hearts and soften our edges. They invite us to live with more presence, patience, and play. And if we allow them, they don’t age us at all.

They keep us wonderfully, beautifully alive.

Our Family Love Affair With Fiji

We recently returned from another unforgettable family holiday in Fiji, a place that continues to call us back time and time again. This was the twins’ third visit, and it’s easy to see why Fiji has become a firm family favourite. Just a short 3.5-hour flight away, it offers the perfect balance of adventure, ease, and deep relaxation.

We’re drawn to the simple tropical lifestyle, the clean, unpolluted beaches, and the crystal-clear waters that feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. Coconut trees line the shoreline, swaying gently in the warm sea breeze, while the open hearts and genuine warmth of the local people leave a lasting impression. There’s a sense of connection here that goes far beyond the surface.

The fresh seafood is exceptional, and for our family, the added peace of mind of not worrying about travel-related illness is a huge bonus. A holiday impacted by sickness limits everyone’s experience, and Fiji allows us to relax fully and enjoy our time together with confidence.

Fiji is also incredible value for families. Many resorts offer children staying and eating for free, making it an accessible and practical option for young families wanting a quality holiday without compromise.

With warm ocean temperatures year-round and endless water activities, Fiji is a dream for those who love the sea. From surfing reef breaks to snorkelling, scuba diving, and a wide range of water sports, there’s something for every level of adventure.

Beyond the beaches, the mainland offers unforgettable experiences. Epic zip-line parks with multiple lines let you fly through the forest canopy, while river-tubing adventures take you deep into lush landscapes and traditional villages. Visiting communities where families continue to live simply and in harmony with the land offers a humbling and deeply grounding perspective.

One of the most meaningful parts of our Fiji experiences has been the opportunity to give back. On a previous trip, we brought a suitcase filled with our children’s old toys, school supplies, and small treats. The joy and gratitude we witnessed were unforgettable. It was a powerful learning experience for our children, gently showing them how blessed they are and how even the smallest gestures can have the greatest impact.

This most recent trip was centred entirely around the kids, so we stayed at Plantation Island, which they absolutely loved. Exploring the island freely by bike and spending hours on the large aqua park were definite highlights. Watching them play, explore, and connect with nature so effortlessly was incredibly special.

With my husband also having business interests in Fiji, we’re fortunate to return regularly. Over the years, we’ve experienced many ways of travelling here, from large family-friendly resorts to surf camps, which my sister and I enjoyed when we were younger. Fiji truly offers something for every season of life.

Life here moves at a slower pace. Locals call it “Fiji time”, a gentle reminder that not everything needs to happen quickly. It’s relaxed, unhurried, and deeply calming, and while it may take a little adjustment for us Westerners, it’s ultimately what makes Fiji so restorative.

Fiji isn’t the place for shopping sprees, nightlife, or fine dining scenes. Instead, it offers something far more valuable, space to slow down, reconnect, and be present. Unlike destinations such as Bali, Fiji is especially family-focused, attracting travellers who value simplicity, nature, and genuine connection.

For us, Fiji is less about the destination and more about how it makes us feel. Rested. Grounded. Connected. And that’s why we’ll always return.

Growing Towards the Light

A new school year begins. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new adventure for many young people, a new chapter of growing, stretching, and evolving.

As adults, growth does not come with the same built-in milestones. We have to seek it intentionally. Don’t get me wrong, life is full of lessons, though some are much more difficult and harder to learn than others.

But there is something truly wonderful about this stage of life. We get to choose what we want to learn. Unlike school, where learning is often structured and compulsory, as adults we can study for the love of it, not just for a financial outcome or a qualification.

For me, making the conscious effort to continuously learn from great teachers and wisdom holders is something that truly lights me up. When we learn purely out of passion, something magical happens. Everything lights up. Our curiosity, our energy, our sense of aliveness.

If nature is our teacher, the standard is simple. We are either growing, or we are decaying.

Just like a garden, we are always in a constant cycle of growth and letting go. Some things are blooming, some things are withering, and some things are ready to be composted back into the soil of our lives.

A garden does not thrive by accident. It needs watering. It needs tending. It needs weeding. Without care and attention, even the most fertile ground becomes overrun and eventually stops producing what it is capable of.

In the same way, there are always parts of ourselves that are dying and falling away, like leaves from a tree. Sometimes we are letting go of old thoughts, sometimes old words, sometimes old ways of being that are no longer aligned or useful. And sometimes we are consciously choosing what we want to nourish, what we want to grow, and what we are finally ready to release.

As a mother, it is so easy to get wrapped up in our children’s dreams and pour most of our energy into supporting their aspirations. At the beginning of last year, I felt deeply content and had no big aspirations other than to be the best wife and mother I could be.

But one thing I have learnt is that my spirit is so much happier when I have a clear intention for my own evolution for the year. Somewhere along the way, as life and seasons shifted, I realised I needed a compass again. A direction. A gentle sense of where I am heading, even if the path changes along the way.

I love to set my year up with both personal and professional goals, so I have a clear roadmap to follow. I am always open to my plan changing, but I have learnt that without direction it is very easy to become stagnant.

A flower is always growing towards the light. Always moving in the direction of its pull.

Right now, I am feeling called to do more in-person training with some amazing teachers, to learn the latest techniques for maximising mobility, strength, and longevity, and to explore how I can integrate that wisdom into my current offerings.

I also have a new small business idea that I am deeply passionate about, as an extension of everything I already offer, and I am hoping to launch it in 2027. There are still many things that need to line up, and as we all know, a garden doesn’t bloom the day you plant it.

But it feels so good to have new dreams to chase. To feel in flow. To feel aligned. To feel inspired.

So I’ll leave you with these questions.

What dreams are you chasing?

What new and exciting things are you inspired to learn this year?

And perhaps most importantly, who are you surrounding yourself with?

Choose people who cheer you on. Choose people who see your light. Choose people who encourage your growth and your greatness.

Because, just like in nature, we are here to grow towards the light.

Learning to Refill My Cup in a Full Season of Life

If you’re the one who holds everything together.
The organiser. The driver. The supporter. The one everyone relies on.
Then this is your reminder.

Living within a family of high performers and achievers is deeply rewarding, but if I’m honest, it can also be exhausting.

Over the last two years I’ve ticked over more than 100,000 kilometres in my car alone. Between training sessions, competitions, school commitments, and extra-curricular activities, I often joke that I’m more than a full-time Uber driver. But this is the season we are in, and this is what it takes to support our children in pursuing their dreams. Some weeks it feels like I spend over forty hours just navigating traffic, schedules, and logistics, all in the name of love.

As the school holidays draw to a close and the rhythm of full schedules, early mornings, and packed weeks begins again, I always feel a quiet moment of reflection. Not dread, not resistance, but a conscious recommitment. A recommitment to how I want to move through this next season, and more importantly, how I want to care for myself so I can truly be there for my family.

Our house is run a little like a military camp, in the best possible way. There is a lot of structure, clear standards, and a strong commitment to keeping our home clean, organised, and as chaos-free as possible. There’s a reason I love the message from the book Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven. It reminds us that if you can’t do the small things right, you’ll never do the big things well, and that discipline, consistency, and personal responsibility create a foundation for everything else in life.

We also don’t have a TV, and we have a zero screen time policy from Monday to Friday. Not because we’re extreme, but because we’re realistic. Our weeks are full, and we want our energy to go into what actually matters, not into negotiating, distracting, or unwinding in front of screens.

One of the biggest values in our family is quality holiday and adventure time. Time to slow down, to play, to rest, and to refill our cups together. Those breaks are what help us sustain the intensity of our everyday life.

For me personally, what allows me to move through these big, full weeks with steadiness is my morning ritual.

I get up well before everyone else and begin the day slowly and intentionally. This quiet time is sacred. It’s when I align my nervous system and tend to my mental and emotional health before the world starts asking things of me. Meditation, yoga, red light therapy, reading, and walking are my favourite ways to start the day. They’re simple, but they are powerful.

I also make my physical health a non-negotiable. Pilates, strength training, and more recently, a season of experimentation with how I nourish my body have become part of that commitment.

The truth is, what used to work for my body no longer works in the same way. And instead of resisting that, I’m choosing to listen.

As a woman in my mid-forties moving through perimenopause, I’ve had to become more curious, more flexible, and more willing to try new approaches. If we can’t expect change, then we must be willing to change. I choose to stay open, to stay adaptive, and to keep learning how to support my body so I can continue living the brightest, most energised version of myself.

That’s what led me, most recently, to experiment with a ketogenic lifestyle. What started as curiosity has completely changed my relationship with food and energy over the past two months.

Ironically, I’ve never felt so nourished or so satisfied, and my body feels lighter, less inflamed, and more at ease. My cravings for sweet things have dissolved, my blood sugar feels stable, and my energy is even throughout the day, no crashes, no spikes.

I also want to say this clearly. Like anything, keto can be done in an unhealthy way, just like veganism or any other way of eating can be. For me, this has been about choosing clean keto. Plenty of green, nourishing vegetables. Quality proteins and healthy fats. And, most importantly, listening to my body every step of the way.

None of this is about perfection.

It’s about sustainability.

It’s about recognising that you truly cannot pour from an empty cup.

If you’re constantly giving, supporting, organising, holding space, and caring for others, here are three gentle questions you might like to sit with:

• Where am I running on empty?
• What is one small thing I could do each day to refill myself?
• What no longer works for me, even though it used to?

You don’t need a total life overhaul.

You need rhythms, rituals, and boundaries that keep your cup full.

Not occasionally. Daily.

As this next season begins, I’m choosing to meet it not with willpower alone, but with practices that support my nervous system, my body, and my energy, so my family, my students, and my community receive the best of me, not what’s left of me.

And maybe this is your invitation to do the same.

If you’re feeling tired, stretched thin, or a little disconnected from yourself, you don’t have to do it alone. My community yoga, Pilates, and Forest Bathing classes exist for this exact reason. Not to push or fix you, but to give you space. Space to breathe, to move, to soften, and to refill your cup in a supportive, welcoming environment.

You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to be fit. You just need to come as you are.

What would filling your cup look like right now?

Maybe it looks like rolling out your mat.
Maybe it looks like walking slowly under the trees.
Maybe it looks like giving yourself one small pocket of time each week that is just for you.

If you’d like to join us, you’re always welcome in our community classes.

She Froze on Stage, Then Did Something Extraordinary

This week is the National Dance Competition, and it is already becoming one of the most profound life lessons my daughter Grace has ever experienced.

There is a saying I love, “You either win or you learn.” And this week, my nine-year-old daughter is showing me exactly what that really means.

She has already done incredibly well. In her very first year competing at this level, Grace placed Top 5 in the Elite category, up against dancers who, even though they are only nine and ten years old, have often been training and competing since they were five or six.

She has also placed second in the Any Style category. Her solo, choreographed by her beautiful teacher Miss Maddison, is a lyrical and acrobatic fusion that still makes me cry every time I watch her perform it.

But this story isn’t really about results.

It’s about the moment everything goes wrong.

On the national stage, competing for the Jazz title, the very routine that won her Rookie of the Year at Get the Beat Nationals in September and is the dance she used to place this week, Grace freezes.

About twenty seconds in, she completely blanks.

She stands there under the spotlight, hands covering her face, tears streaming down her cheeks, in front of a room full of strangers.

Time seems to stop.

And then something extraordinary happens.

The entire room, including me, begins to clap. To cheer. To will her forward.

Like a deer in headlights, shaking and crying, she finds the music again. And she keeps going.

She flips. She spins. She dances her little heart out.

She cries as she moves, but she moves.

She doesn’t run off. She doesn’t quit.

And somehow, through the tears and the fear, she still finds her technique, her expression, and her presence. What she shows in that moment is far beyond her years.

I think the whole room is cheering, not for perfection, but for courage.

The day before, my husband Brad and Grace watch this exact scenario happen with an older dancer. When it finishes, Brad says quietly, “That girl is a winner.”

Grace looks at him, puzzled. “But Dad, do you think the judges will still make her the winner even though she messed up?”

He smiles and says, “No darling, she probably won’t win the competition or get a medal. But she’s already won. Her medal is the one she carries in her heart. Because she didn’t give up. She stayed the course. She didn’t quit when it was hard.”

Whether Grace consciously remembers that conversation in her frozen moment, I don’t know.

But her body does. Her nervous system does. Her heart does.

She doesn’t give up.

As a mother, watching your child face fear, do something incredibly hard, and save themselves by reaching into their own well of courage is one of the most powerful experiences you will ever witness.

I tell Grace, with tears in my eyes, that I have never been more proud of her.

Because life is not about the external accolades.

It is about the inner mountains we climb.

The fears we face.

The way we keep going, even when everything in us wants to stop.

Life isn’t perfect. We all stumble. What matters is how we move through those moments with grace and dignity, knowing we are always doing our best.

You cannot buy these character-building moments. They are forged in discomfort. They are shaped in brave rooms. They are strengthened by being surrounded by loving, high-vibe people.

I am endlessly grateful for Grace’s dance family and friends who lift her up and remind her that everyone has been there at some point.

And I am deeply grateful to Evolution Dance Competition for awarding her a Never Give Up card and two rounds of applause at the awards ceremony. That kind of recognition means more than any trophy ever could.

But in a twist of fate, on the second last day of the competition, we discover something incredible.

Grace actually placed equal third, but on a technique count-back she missed out by just 0.1 of a point, placing her fourth overall.

And now… the story continues.

One of the Top 3 dancers is unable to compete.

Which means Grace is dancing tomorrow for the Evo Elite National Title.

Only the Top 3 dancers in the country are invited to perform for this crown.

And it has to be the same dance they used to place.

The very same dance she froze in.

The very same dance she finished anyway.

Like a true champion.

Right now, the universe is giving her a rare and sacred opportunity.
Not just to perform.
But to return.
To rise.
To trust herself.
To prove to herself that she can move through mistakes with courage.

There is a saying, “Fortune favours the brave.”

And I believe that with all my heart.
The universe supports those who are willing to show up, even when they are afraid.

Especially when they are afraid.

Because this week, my daughter isn’t just learning how to dance under pressure.

She is learning how to rise.

Again.

Living Aligned With Nature

For most of my life, nature meant the ocean.

I was beyond blessed to grow up just a few houses from the Pacific, with picture-perfect sunrises welcoming the day for over 30 years. The beach was my first love. The soft white sand squeezing between my toes, the constant hush of rolling waves that would send me to sleep at night. Salt in my hair, sun on my skin, and that deep sense of spaciousness only the ocean can give.

But over the years, my little seaside suburb began to change.

The houses grew bigger. The density grew thicker. Concrete slowly replaced calm. What was once a sleepy coastal pocket became busier, louder, and more crowded. And somewhere along the way, I felt a gentle but persistent pull. A quiet remembering. A call to come home to something simpler. Slower. More alive.

My sister felt it too, in her own way. She followed that call to a quiet seaside village that reflects the slow, nature-rich childhood we shared.

I, on the other hand, felt the call of the land.

So my family & I chose a green change. We moved into the forest, surrounded by rolling hills, bird song, and what my kids lovingly call “the broccoli forests.” Instead of chasing waves at first light, I now begin my days walking under a rainforest canopy with my husband and our dogs, breathing in cool air and letting my nervous system soften before the day begins.

And something beautiful happened.

As my environment changed, so did my inner world.

Remembering Our Natural Rhythm

Living closer to nature has reminded me of something we so easily forget in modern life.

Everything in nature moves in rhythm.

The sun rises and sets. The seasons turn. The forest rests, grows, sheds, and renews. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced. Nothing is out of time.

And yet, as humans, we so often live as if we are separate from this rhythm. We eat at all hours. We work late into the night. We push, strive, and override the very cycles that are designed to support us.

Standing on the beach at sunrise, or walking beneath the trees in the early morning light, it becomes impossible to ignore a deeper truth:

We are not meant to live against nature. We are meant to live with her.

Little by little, I have been simplifying. Listening more. Letting my days be shaped by light instead of screens, by breath instead of urgency, by presence instead of pressure.

And as I have done that, something interesting has unfolded.

Without forcing change, my life has started to organise itself.

The way I move. The way I rest. The way I eat. The way I care for my home. The way I start my mornings and close my days.

Not through discipline, but through alignment.

Nature as the Great Teacher

Nature doesn’t shout. She whispers.

She teaches us through cycles, through seasons, through repetition. She shows us that growth requires rest, that clarity follows simplicity, and that everything has its right time.

When we come back into relationship with her rhythms, something inside us remembers how to soften. How to trust. How to breathe again.

For me, this remembering has changed everything.

It has changed how I begin my days. It has changed how I care for my body. It has changed how I shape my home and my life. Not perfectly. Not rigidly. But gently. Humanly. With compassion.

And always, with room for life.

An Invitation

This morning, sitting on the sand as the sun rises, I am reminded that alignment does not require a new life.

It simply asks for a more honest one.

One that listens.
One that honours rhythm.
One that remembers we belong to the earth, not the other way around.

Perhaps the real question is not:

How can I do more?

But rather:

Where am I being invited to return to what is natural, simple, and true?

Because when we do that, everything else begins to fall back into place.

New Year: Walking the Path of Light

I love reading now. These days I read fifteen to twenty books a year. But the truth is, this was not always the case.

At school I did not enjoy reading at all. I cannot remember ever wanting to sit down and lose myself in a good book. My mum, on the other hand, is a true bookworm. She can read for twelve hours straight if she is captivated by a story, much to my dad’s disbelief. He left school at fourteen years old and would be lucky to read a book every few years.

It was not until I left school, finished university, and began choosing books that inspired me that everything changed. Once I discovered non fiction, personal growth, and educational books, I became obsessed with the vast inner worlds they opened.

Each book offered a new perspective. Sometimes just one sentence was enough to shift my entire way of being.

What we choose to read matters. Just like what we choose to watch or listen to, the content we consume shapes our mental and emotional state. I am deeply intentional about what I allow in. I see myself as the gatekeeper of my own wellbeing.

In many ways, the way we choose what we read mirrors the way we choose how we live.

These days, with endless driving to and from school, sport, and life, audiobooks have become my companion. While nothing beats holding a real book, there are seasons where practicality meets devotion. Podcasts also have their place, but I find a book offers depth that nothing else quite matches.

As we step into a new year, my intention is simple. To continue walking the path of light.

For me, that looks like waking with the sun. Honouring slow morning ritual. Yoga. Reading. Red light therapy. Rainforest walk with my husband and our dogs. Choosing presence over pressure.

It looks like continuing to show up for my community classes and teacher training course with my whole heart.

It looks like strength training four times a week, one VO2 max session that I do not love but still show up for, and intentional recovery. Sauna, time in the massage chair, and deep rest become part of the ritual. Not as a reward, but as respect for my body.

It looks like experimenting gently. A keto continuum lifestyle. Time restricted eating within daylight hours when possible. No perfection. Just awareness and recalibration.

As a woman in her mid forties moving through perimenopause, I am learning that listening matters more than forcing. Curiosity matters more than control. Compassion matters more than comparison.

This year is not about doing more.
It is about living more intentionally.
Choosing light.
Choosing wisdom.
Choosing nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.

And perhaps choosing a really good book along the way.

As we move into this year, I invite you to ask yourself.
What nourishes my light, and what quietly dims it?

A Season of Connection for Every Heart

Christmas does not belong to one belief system alone.
It is a season that invites us all, regardless of faith, background, or tradition, into connection.

Connection with each other.
Connection with nature.
Connection with something greater than ourselves.

Living on the beautiful Gold Coast, Christmas arrives wrapped in warm breezes, long days, and endless opportunities to be outdoors. It is a time when nature feels especially alive. A time to explore new hiking trails, plant a garden, share a picnic, wander along the beach, or sit quietly beside rock pools watching life unfold. There is something deeply grounding about this time of year, when the earth seems to offer herself so generously.

One of the greatest lessons I have learnt from the forest is this.
We are never truly alone.

And yet, Christmas can be a lonely time for many. For those navigating grief, loss, or the absence of someone deeply loved, the festive season can amplify feelings of sadness and isolation. If this is you, please know that your feelings are valid, and you are not forgotten.

This is where the trees have become my greatest teachers.

Spending time beneath the canopy, you begin to notice the quiet companionship of nature. The birds calling to one another. The insects moving with purpose. The leaves whispering stories carried on the wind. Life exists everywhere, in countless forms, reminding us that connection is always present, even when human connection feels distant.

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself talking to the plants and animals as though they are old friends. Greeting trees. Thanking flowers. Smiling at birds. With every breath, new friendships are formed. With every moment of stillness, the world reveals itself more fully.

My wish for everyone this Christmas is that you remember how deeply loved and connected you are to Mother Earth. She is always listening. And if you slow down long enough, truly listen, she will offer wisdom and insight far beyond anything you could imagine.

From my family to yours, we are wishing you a wildly wonderful Christmas season.

May it be filled with connection to plants, animals, and humans alike.

May you feel held, supported, and never alone.

A Christmas Love Letter to Our Community

For the last twenty one years I have hosted an annual Christmas party.

Partly because it is the thing you do when you run a service based business. A way to thank your staff and clients. A way to mark the end of another year. A way to gather, reflect, and celebrate.

But for me, it was always so much more than that.

Essence of Living was never just a business. It was never simply clients and staff. Essence of Living was family. It was a chosen family. A coming together of kindred spirits whose hearts danced to the beat of the same drum. People who shared the same values, ideals, and beliefs. People who valued kindness, compassion, good health, and good company.

We were, and still are, a community of kind hearts and open minds. Drawn to one another like moths to a flame. Attracted not by appearances or performance, but by the quiet burning light we recognise in each other.

My love for community began long before Essence of Living ever existed.

As a little girl I always had the biggest birthday parties. Our home was the sleepover house. The place where everyone gathered, lingered, laughed, and felt welcome. It probably helped that I grew up just three doors from the beach, and that my parents cultivated a lifestyle filled with freedom, connection, and togetherness. But more than that, I simply loved people.

I still do.

I genuinely love connection. I love creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported. Running a service based business has always suited my nature because it allows me to do what comes most naturally to me. Bringing people together. Holding space. Building community that lasts.

I also want to honour and thank every soul who has walked this path with me over the years.

Some of you are still here in our weekly rhythm. Some of you are now walking different paths, in different places, in different seasons of life. Yet your spirit is still felt, and your light is still seen, no matter the distance or time apart.

There is something truly special about the people who choose to walk the path of light. Those who live in alignment with their soul’s highest potential. Those who lead not by force, but by example. With kindness. With integrity. With an open heart.

I know that if you are reading this, you are one of those souls.

You are a lighthouse for many. You are the one who brings hope when things feel dark. You bring steadiness when life feels wobbly. Your presence alone is a gift to the people around you, often in ways you may never fully realise.

Thank you for simply being you. I see your radiance. I feel your love. And I am deeply grateful to know you.

As we move toward Christmas, I wanted to gently remind you that many of our classes are still running this week for those who wish to connect in person before the year closes.

For those I will not see before Christmas, please know how deeply grateful I am for you. Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for sharing your energy, your presence, and your hearts.

I am wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. May it be filled with warmth, connection, and moments that truly matter.

Pilates Barre Teacher Training. Strength, Softness and a Deep Return to Self

There is something truly sacred about a learning environment where people feel safe enough to soften, strong enough to rise, and supported enough to be exactly who they are.

Our Pilates Barre Teacher Training is not just a course. It is an experience. One that lives in the body, settles in the nervous system, and gently reshapes the way we move, teach, and meet ourselves and others.

Ellie joined our Barre Teacher Training journey with a background in Pilates and a clear vision of what she was seeking. What she did not expect was how deeply this training would meet her on every level.

From the very beginning, Ellie shared that she had never been in a learning environment that felt so accepting, non judged, and genuinely safe. A space where she could fully be herself, without pressure, comparison, or fear of getting it wrong. That sense of safety became the foundation for everything that followed.

An Intimate Training Experience. Personalised, Present and Deeply Supportive

Due to the nature of our training space and its forest immersed location, this Pilates Barre Teacher Training is intentionally intimate. Group numbers are kept small, allowing for a level of personalised attention that is rare in modern teacher trainings.

This intimacy creates space for truly seeing each participant. For questions to be explored in depth. For hands on guidance, thoughtful feedback, and meaningful conversations to unfold naturally throughout the day. It allows each trainee to be met exactly where they are, physically, emotionally, and professionally.

Ellie shared that this level of personalised support made her feel deeply held throughout the course. It allowed her to grow with confidence, refine her teaching skills, and feel supported rather than rushed or overlooked.

In a world where trainings are often large and fast paced, this gentle, intentional approach is what makes this experience so special. The forest, the space, and the small group dynamic work together to create a learning environment that feels calm, focused, and deeply human.

Learning in Nature. Moving with the Forest

Set within our forest immersed training space, this course invites nature to be an active participant in the learning process. Ellie, visiting from Ireland, was completely blown away by the environment. Wallabies resting on the lawn, birdsong echoing through the trees, and the steady background rhythm of the forest became part of each day’s practice.

She shared that the sounds of nature were unlike anything she had experienced before. Constant, alive, grounding. By the end of the course, she noticed how much calmer she felt, how deeply supported her nervous system had become simply by learning and moving in this environment.

The forest does not rush. It does not judge. It holds space. And so do we.

Strength, Fitness and High Vibe Movement

Physically, Ellie experienced profound changes. By the end of the training, she shared that she felt the fittest, strongest, and most flexible she had been in her entire life. In the very first week alone, she lost one kilogram, not through restriction or force, but through consistent, intelligent, high energy movement.

She loved the high vibe fitness style of Barre classes she learnt to create. Classes that are strong yet fluid, athletic yet accessible, and deeply connected to breath, music, and intention. This training is designed to equip teachers with the tools to create dynamic, creative, and empowering Barre classes that keep students coming back again and again.

Learning to Teach by Teaching Each Other

One of the most valuable aspects of this training, as Ellie reflected, was the opportunity to teach. The course is intentionally designed so trainees teach three full forty five minute sessions to each other.

Ellie shared that this was something she had not experienced in previous Pilates training elsewhere. Being able to teach, receive feedback, observe others, and learn from fellow trainees created an incredibly rich learning environment. One where confidence grew naturally and skills were embodied rather than memorised.

I truly believe we all hold wisdom, no matter our age or experience. Our souls carry gifts. This course honours that by creating space for everyone to contribute, explore, and learn from.

The Power of Family Rituals: How Weekly Conversations Shape Connected Kids

There is a quiet kind of magic that lives at the dinner table. Not in the meal itself, but in the way time seems to slow just enough for everyone to be seen. In our home, this happens once a week when we sit together, lean in and share the stories of our lives. It is a simple ritual created by my husband Brad, yet it has become one of the most meaningful anchors in our family life.

Between the children’s endless training rhythms and the full hearts and hands of working parent life, the days can blur together so quickly that it becomes tempting to skip these moments of togetherness. Yet every time we choose to gather, I feel the reward. These seasons are flying faster than I ever imagined and these conversations are stitching memories we will treasure long after sport schedules fade.

Why Family Dinners Matter

Modern life pulls families in many directions, yet the simple act of sitting together still holds incredible power. Research from the Harvard Family Dinner Project shows that shared meals support emotional resilience, communication and a sense of belonging. But for me, the real evidence is what I see in my children when we gather without distractions, phones or screens.

We don’t have a TV in our home and we don’t use any screen time during the week. Not that we would have time to watch anything anyway, with most evenings getting us home around 7.30pm.

Though we eat dinner together each night after our daily activities, it often happens at the kitchen bench. It is quick, it is practical and it feels more like a groundhog rhythm of organising, preparing and discussing what needs to be done for the next day. It nourishes our bodies, but not always our hearts.

That is why our one longer meal each week means so much to me. It is the moment we intentionally sit at the round table, slow down, pray, talk deeper and truly relish each other’s company. That weekly ritual reminds me of what it feels like to sit together and share a heart to heart meal that feeds more than hunger. It feeds connection.

And in the stillness between questions and answers, I see their confidence growing, their hearts softening and their inner world unfolding.

Our Weekly Family Reflection Ritual

Each week Brad guides our conversation with curiosity and intention. The questions change, but the purpose stays the same. To reflect. To connect. To grow together.

Some of our favourites are:

• What are three things you are grateful for and why?
• What were you excited for this week?
• What are your goals for next week and how do you think you could achieve them?
• What are you proud of, no matter how big or small?

These questions draw out stories, emotions and insights that might otherwise slip quietly beneath the surface of life. They teach our children to pause, notice and understand themselves more deeply. They also show them that their voices matter at the table.

The Daily School Pick Up Ritual

Our reflection doesn’t end at the dinner table. Every afternoon at school pick up I ask three gentle questions that help unpack the day.

• What challenged you and how did you overcome it?
• What did you learn today?
• What was your favourite thing today?

These simple prompts keep communication flowing and help the kids remember moments that might have been lost in the rush of the day. What I cherish most is that my children always ask for my answers too. They genuinely want to know what challenged me, what I learnt and what lit me up. It becomes a shared exchange of presence, honesty and connection.

The Unexpected Joy of Car Pool Conversations

Even the kids I car pool with now jump into the car ready to share their three answers before I even ask. They burst with excitement, eager to tell me something meaningful from their day. Their enthusiasm reminds me that children are always wanting to be heard. They want someone to hold their stories, their victories and their worries with tenderness.

These small shared moments weave threads of connection that strengthen a child’s inner world. They nurture confidence, emotional intelligence and the ability to reflect with honesty and courage.

Why These Rituals Matter More Than Ever

In a world that moves so quickly, rituals like these help families reclaim presence. They become pause points. Invitations to say we are here together and that matters.

They nurture:

• Emotional regulation

• Self expression

• Gratitude

• Problem solving

• Resilience

• Family unity

Most importantly, they create memories made of heart rather than activity. Our children may forget the details of their weekly schedules, but they will never forget how it felt to be heard, supported and deeply valued.

A Final Reflection

Parenting is full of seasons. Some are loud and busy, others soft and slow. Our rituals hold steady through them all. They remind us to keep choosing connection even when life stretches thin. They remind us to keep showing up for the conversations that help shape our children into grounded, thoughtful and compassionate humans.

And in the process, they help shape us too.

A Journey of Strength and Self Discovery

Every teacher training carries its own heartbeat, but this November’s Pilates Mat Teacher Training felt like its own sacred season. Five weekends where women stepped out of their comfort zones, softened into themselves, deepened their body awareness and reclaimed the confidence that had been quietly waiting within.

Over and over again throughout the course, one theme echoed through every feedback form. Transformation. Not only in physical strength, sequencing knowledge or technique, but in the deeper places where identity, courage and self belief are formed.

Bree shared that the training felt thoughtful, compassionate and truly transformational. She described the environment as safe, warm and full of space to learn and grow. She arrived unsure of what the training would unlock, but left feeling more connected to her body than ever before. Her confidence returned. Her inner strength resurfaced. Her heart softened in ways she never expected. She wrote that she felt honoured to have trained in this space and grateful beyond words for the experience.

For Val, the experience was life changing. She felt encouraged to step out of her comfort zone without ever feeling pushed. She loved coming together each weekend with beautiful people who made her feel supported and empowered. She shared that Michelle’s presence, understanding and acceptance helped her reconnect with her truest self. She knows she will carry this growth into every area of her life.

Samantha loved the depth of the course content. From sequencing and communication to cues, empathy and powerful exercises, she wrote that the training exceeded every expectation. She felt inspired by learning how to connect deeply and authentically with others. She described Michelle as a teacher with a beautiful soul, someone who is genuinely invested in bringing out the best in each student not only as a Pilates teacher but as a human being. She called the experience transformative and said it helped her grow into a better version of herself.

Jessica shared that she loved absolutely everything about the course. She wrote about the nurturing environment, the in depth explanations, the opportunity to ask endless questions and the feeling of being truly seen and supported. She found herself deepening her mind body connection and learning the powerful importance of slowing down and prioritising herself. She described the course as something special and said she cannot express how much she gained from it. She called it an honour to take part and described Michelle as the most inspiring and nurturing person to learn from.

Again and again the feedback came back to the same essence. Safety. Support. Growth. Connection. Deep feminine energy. A space to return home to the body. A space to rediscover inner strength. A space that allows every student to rise.

To each of these beautiful women, thank you for trusting the process, for showing up wholeheartedly and for allowing yourself to be transformed. It is a privilege to guide you, support you and watch you step into your power as teachers and as women.

This training was so much more than Pilates techniques. It was a journey of becoming. And it is only the beginning.

From Bullied to Brave: Raising a Gentle Warrior

Some years stretch us the way an ancient tree stretches toward the sun, slowly, quietly, determined to grow through whatever weather comes. This year has been one of those seasons for our family, as our twins reached toward new heights, testing their roots and discovering their own inner strength.

Kobe, in particular, has risen like a young mountain after a storm. At the beginning of the year, he faced a challenge no child should navigate alone. Another student, bigger in size but smaller in spirit, made him feel unsafe. His ball was thrown onto the roof so playtime would end, harsh names were tossed like stones that sting, and another conflict in the sandpit left him quiet and unsettled. These small moments might seem insignificant to an adult, yet to a child’s heart they can feel like earthquakes.

I encouraged him to stand tall and use his words, to root himself like a strong gumtree in the wind. But sometimes even the boldest voice goes unheard. So I stepped in, speaking with teachers and parents. Peace came swiftly, as it often does when the adult world finally pays attention. Yet I knew something deeper was needed. Not just protection, but empowerment.

So we decided to take Kobe’s journey into the arena of growth, discipline, and embodied strength. After four consistent years of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, showing up week after week, season after season, slowly embodying this chess-style of wrestling. Not fighting against others, but studying movement, learning patience, learning to breathe and respond rather than panic and react.

His first competition was the Sunshine Coast Regional title. He not only won, but something more beautiful happened. Confidence bloomed in him like spring after a hard winter. Next came the State Championships where he fought courageously, placing second against an absolute weapon of a boy from Townsville, another young fighter who represents the Fight Club team. And just this past weekend, Kobe stepped onto the mat once more, digging deep to take out the Gold Coast title.

This year of facing his fears and entering full contact tournaments has changed something in him. He is standing taller. He is moving with presence. And this newfound confidence has flowed into every part of his life. On the football field and futsal court he now tackles and defends players much bigger than him without hesitation. Not with aggression, but with courage. Not to hurt, but to hold his ground. A boy who once shrank away from conflict now understands his own strength.

Because Kobe is not a fighter at heart. He is a lover by nature. Gentle, thoughtful, and deeply connected. Which is why this path feels so aligned. I once heard Jordan Peterson say that a good man must have the potential to be dangerous. Not dangerous in action, but dangerous in capacity. The ability to protect, defend, and stand firm for what he loves. To hold his values with strength. To build with integrity and guard what he has worked hard for.

Our intention is not to create a champion in sport, but a champion in spirit. To teach Kobe the resilience to face hardship, to stay kind but strong, and to keep getting up no matter how many times life takes him to the ground. We want him to know that confidence is earned. Power is disciplined. And true strength is peaceful.

Raising children is not about shielding them from storms. It is about helping them learn how to breathe through the wind, how to bend without breaking, and how to rise again when life presses heavy on their shoulders. Our job is not to build a smooth path, but to nurture strong roots.

We are raising champions, not of trophies and medals, but of character. Children who stand tall like forests, move with purpose like rivers, and shine with the quiet confidence of the sun. May they grow dangerous in potential and gentle in spirit, brave in heart and steady in soul.

And may we, as parents, walk beside them as they discover the power that was always within.

Return to Stillness: Why Students Love Our Yin Yoga Teacher Training

There is a moment in every yogi’s journey when the body whispers for stillness. When the pace of life feels too loud, too fast, too full. When the heart quietly asks for a softer way forward.

For many of our graduates, this is exactly what leads them to the Essence of Living Yin Yoga Teacher Training. And for Ange Grange, her experience in our 75 hour Yin Yoga program became a turning point in her practice, her wellbeing, and her connection to herself.

In her words, “before joining this Yin Yoga course, I didn’t realise how much I needed stillness and deep release in my life.”

A Sanctuary for Slowing Down

Ange shared that she loved beginning the course with a slow paced Yin class that gently prepared her body and mind for the transformative journey ahead. She loved the location, the energy, the peaceful space, and most of all the environment where learning feels calm, safe, and deeply nurturing.

“Each session guided me to slow down, listen to my body, and reconnect with myself. It was very challenging at the start to be still but I love it now.”

This is the essence of Yin Yoga training at Essence of Living. We teach you how to melt into stillness, understand meridians and chakras on a deeper level, and facilitate healing not just for your students but for yourself.

Guidance Rooted in Wisdom and Heart

Ange spoke with so much gratitude for the teaching and support she received throughout the course.

“Michelle’s guidance throughout the course was exceptional. Her calm presence and energy created a truly safe and nurturing space. Not to forget the location. Wow stunning.”

Our Yin Yoga Teacher Training is intentionally intimate. It is designed to help you feel held, supported, and encouraged as you deepen your knowledge of anatomy, energetics, and the emotional landscape of Yin.

Growth That Flows Beyond the Training

This course is more than a certificate. It is a doorway back to yourself.

Ange left feeling inspired to practice more regularly, explore new teachers, keep reading, keep learning, and keep expanding.

She even shared her excitement about continuing into Thai massage training and exploring chakra work after finding that part of the course so interesting.

When a training opens up more curiosity, more pathways, more passion, it is a sign that something powerful has taken place.

Perhaps her most meaningful reflection was this:

“I didn’t realise how much I needed stillness and deep release until this course. Michelle helped me reconnect with myself and find ease again.”

This is why Yin Yoga Teacher Training exists.
To teach you how to share this gift of stillness with others. To help you hold space with confidence, compassion, and presence.
To deepen your understanding of meridians, chakras, anatomy, and the emotional layers of the human experience. To gently transform the way you move through the world.

If you feel the call to slow down, breathe deeper, and step into a new chapter of your yoga journey, our next Yin Yoga Teacher Training in the Gold Coast hinterland is waiting for you.

Your mat is ready.
Your space is here.
Your journey inward begins now.

Moving? Take Land For Wildlife With You

As more people seek the serenity of tree-filled properties between the big smoke and the deep blue sea, the Gold Coast’s Land for Wildlife team has witnessed an incredible surge in new landholders embracing nature stewardship. With this shift comes both challenge and opportunity to ensure that local biodiversity continues to flourish, no matter who holds the keys to the land.

The City of Gold Coast Land for Wildlife team, led by the ever-dedicated Lee and her passionate crew, have remained steadfast in their mission to conserve native habitats and connect like-minded custodians. Through educational workshops, show days, and local networking, they empower property owners to restore and protect native wildlife corridors, creating ripples of positive change across our hinterland hills.

Carrying Conservation Forward

When I moved from Tallebudgera Valley to my new sanctuary in the lush Austinville Valley, I brought my Land for Wildlife journey with me. With guidance from my devoted Land for Wildlife officer, Todd Burrows, and countless hours of hands-on weeding, planting, and observing the land, I had built not only skills but a deep relationship with the ecosystem around me.

Within just over twelve months of settling into our seven-hectare property, I have already made exciting progress:

• Restoring wildlife habitat and native vegetation across the bushland

• Successfully receiving Nature Conservation Assistance Program funding

• Joining the inspiring Austinville Landcare Group to continue learning, sharing, and connecting with fellow conservationists

Rooted in Connection

This journey has reminded me that community can be found wherever you choose to plant yourself. Land stewardship is not bound to one location; it is a way of life. Every weed pulled, tree planted, and creature protected adds to a much bigger story of healing, balance, and care.

When we carry our environmental knowledge from one place to another, we are not just nurturing the land; we are weaving threads of connection between people and planet.

So, if you are moving house, remember: you can always take Land for Wildlife with you. Your knowledge, compassion, and commitment to protecting nature are portable and priceless.

A Journey of The Heart

Every teacher training has its own rhythm, a unique flow that mirrors the people who gather, the lessons that unfold, and the hearts that open along the way. For Kim Keen, our most recent graduate of the Essence of Living 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, this journey was more than a course. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

“I am beyond grateful to my mentor, my guru, and my friend, Michelle Cassidy, for helping me fulfil a dream I’ve carried in my heart for such a long time, to complete my Yoga Teacher Training with you.” — Kim Keen

Guided by curiosity, courage, and love, Kim immersed herself in the art and science of yoga, exploring not only alignment and anatomy but also philosophy, mindfulness, and the deeper layers of self-awareness that make yoga such a sacred practice. Her dedication, presence, and humility shone through every session, reminding us all that true transformation begins with an open heart.

“Being guided by your professionalism, your unlimited knowledge, and your expertise, all delivered in such a heartfelt, kind, nurturing, and caring way, has been an experience I will treasure forever.”

Our trainings are held at my forest-nestled home in the hinterland hills of the Gold Coast, where birdsong, sunlight, and community weave together to create an inspiring space for learning. It’s a sanctuary designed to honour the body, calm the mind, and awaken the teacher within.

“You have created the most beautiful and inspiring environment for learning and transformation at your magnificent home.”

Witnessing students like Kim blossom into confident, heart-led teachers is one of the greatest joys of my life’s work. Each graduate carries forward not just techniques and teachings but also a spark, a light of understanding that will illuminate countless others on their own yoga journeys.

“Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your wisdom and light so generously, and for helping me grow not only as a yogi but also as a person.”

Kim’s story is a reflection of why I continue to evolve this training after 18 years of teaching, blending modern science with ancient wisdom, delivered through heartfelt connection and lived experience. To guide others as they step into their purpose as teachers is a sacred privilege.

With gratitude to Kim and to all those who have walked this path with me. May your practice continue to unfold with grace, love, and infinite curiosity.

A Heartfelt Win for Inclusion on the Gold Coast

I’m feeling so proud and inspired to share some beautiful news. The Active Inclusion Program (AIP), the initiative that supports our Friday Forest Bathing sessions for neurodivergent women, has just received global recognition at the Smart Cities and Sport Awards in Seoul, South Korea.

To know that this program, born right here on the Gold Coast, has been honoured on the world stage fills my heart with so much joy. It’s a powerful reminder that when we move with love, inclusion, and authenticity, our impact ripples far beyond what we can see.

Our Friday Forest Family

Every Friday lunchtime, my dear friend Gabriella and I gather with a group of incredible neurodivergent women in the lush embrace of the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens. Together, we create a sacred space in nature that weaves together soul healing, singing, breathwork, yoga, mindfulness, partner connection, and self-care practices.

We arrive dressed in bright, colourful clothing, like wildflowers blooming in the garden, each woman bringing her own unique energy and beauty. Week by week, we’ve witnessed these women blossom, becoming calmer, softer, more heart-centred, and more confident in their own skin.

The transformation has been profound. What began as a weekly gathering has grown into a sisterhood of support, laughter, and belonging. It’s not just about yoga or mindfulness. It’s about being seen, being held, and being free.

Celebrating a Global Moment

The Active Inclusion Program, led by Gold Coast Recreation and Sport in collaboration with the City of Gold Coast, was recognised by the World Union of Olympic Cities at the 2025 Smart Cities and Sport Summit for its innovative approach to improving access to sport, wellness, and recreation for people with disabilities.

Since its launch in 2023, the program has supported over 220 inclusive programs, connected with 14 grassroots organisations, and engaged more than 700 participants, building a city where everyone, regardless of ability, can move, play, and belong.

As Acting Mayor Mark Hammel shared,

“This program is helping break down barriers by providing people with disabilities with a pathway into sport and recreation from beginners to the elite, ensuring that no one on the Gold Coast is left behind.”

A Shared Vision for a More Inclusive Future

For me, this recognition isn’t just about a trophy or title. It’s about hearts connecting, barriers dissolving, and possibilities expanding.

To stand among these women each Friday and witness their growth has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I’ve seen tears turn to laughter, self-doubt soften into confidence, and nervous newcomers become radiant leaders within our little forest family.

To now see the broader program celebrated globally reminds me that small, heart-led actions can create extraordinary change.

Here on the Gold Coast, inclusion is not just a word. It’s a way of being.

The Essence of Living Through the Eyes of a Student 

Some moments in life leave an imprint so deep that they become part of who we are.

For Ellie, one of our radiant 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training graduates from South Korea, October 2025 was one of those unforgettable months of transformation, connection and awakening on the Gold Coast, Australia.

She shared,

“In summary, my October 2025 was truly unforgettable.
Of the Essence of Living, by the Essence of Living, for the Essence of Living.
I can confidently say it was one of the most meaningful months of my life.”

Each weekend of training passed in a heartbeat. Between preparing her 45 minute teaching sequence, studying anatomy and philosophy, and crafting a heartfelt two minute speech, Ellie found herself completely immersed in the rhythm of learning and living yoga.

“Sometimes it was challenging,” she reflected, “but it felt like a joyful challenge to myself. I found myself studying with a happy heart, sitting at my desk with excitement. Maybe because it was not like school days. This time it was something I chose for myself, and that made all the difference.”

That one sentence captures the Essence of Living Yoga Academy perfectly, choosing growth from a place of love, not obligation.
Our Yoga Teacher Training on the Gold Coast is not just about postures and philosophy; it is about rediscovering your authentic voice and living yoga as a daily practice of awareness and compassion.

Ellie described her yoga journey as being “clearly divided into two parts, before meeting Michelle and after meeting Michelle.”  These words reflect the heart of our approach, teaching from lived experience, authenticity and genuine connection.

At Essence of Living, every training is a community of souls learning together, students, teachers and mentors growing side by side.

On the final day of the 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, we sat together in stillness beneath the metaphor of the tree, one of nature’s most profound teachers.

“A tree never compares; it simply stands tall as it is. All trees in the forest are connected through their roots, sharing and supporting each other.”

That message reminds us that yoga, like nature, thrives on connection. Each practitioner is unique, yet part of something greater, a global forest of yogis supporting one another with kindness and steadiness.

Ellie’s reflection closed with a line that continues to ripple through our community and into the lives of every teacher we train.

“Yoga doesn’t make your life better, it makes you better at your life.”

And perhaps that is the true essence of living, showing up with open hearts, strong roots and steady breath to meet life as it is.

Begin Your Own Yoga Teacher Training Journey

If you have ever dreamed of deepening your practice, finding your authentic voice and sharing the gift of yoga with others, our 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training on the Gold Coast invites you to do just that.

Students travel from across Australia and the world, from places like South Korea, Japan and New Zealand, to immerse in this transformative experience with Michelle Cassidy and the Essence of Living team.

Explore upcoming yoga teacher trainings 
and discover why so many describe it as life changing.

Free Sunrise Yoga at the Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit

Start Your Day with Movement, Nature, and Mindfulness

Join Michelle Cassidy for a FREE Sunrise Yoga class at Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach on Saturday 25 October at 7:00 am as part of the Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit, a weekend dedicated to health, longevity, and holistic living.

As the sun rises over the ocean, you’ll flow under the trees to the sounds of birdsong and sea breeze. This gentle, grounding practice is open to all levels and is the perfect way to awaken your body and prepare your mind for the inspiring day ahead. Bring your mat, water bottle, and open heart.

Why the Biohacking Summit Aligns with Essence of Living

At Essence of Living, our philosophy blends traditional wisdom with modern science, and biohacking perfectly complements that approach. Through awareness and measurement, we can make informed changes to optimise how we live, move, and age.

In my own teacher training programs, I offer biological screenings so students can learn about their biological age, bone density, fat percentage, muscle mass, visceral fat, and hydration. I use Tanata commercial-grade scales, the same technology I used in my holistic wellness coaching practice.

As my husband often reminds me, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Many people feel nervous seeing their data, but once we sit down together and explore the results, they feel empowered to make small, meaningful changes that create big shifts in how they feel and function.

I’m 44 years old, but my biological age is 29. The machine doesn’t read any lower than 15 years younger, so I’ve maxed it out. This isn’t luck; it’s a measured and mindful approach to wellness, building muscle mass, maintaining strong bones, reducing visceral fat, and staying hydrated.

Three Simple Shifts That Keep You Biologically Young

Even my dedicated yoga and Pilates students benefit from these three key habits:

1. Hydrate deeply: Drink at least 3 litres of water daily. Add high-quality electrolytes such as Dr Hydrate to enhance absorption.

2. Lift heavy: Strength training at least three times a week builds lean muscle and bone density, which naturally decline with age.

3. Walk every day: 10,000 steps daily supports your metabolism, mood, and overall vitality.

These simple actions can profoundly affect how you age, not just how you look, but how you feel and perform on a cellular level.

What to Expect at the Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit

The Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit brings together international wellness leaders, scientists, and teachers for two days of inspiration, education, and embodied practice. You’ll explore the latest tools, technologies, and philosophies that help you live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

Start your experience with the sunrise yoga session, then dive into workshops, talks, and demonstrations throughout the weekend. It’s the perfect blend of science and spirit, designed to help you feel grounded and energised.

Event Details

When: Saturday 25 October, 7:00 am
Where: Kurrawa Park, meet northern side of SLSC Broadbeach
Cost: FREE
Presented by: Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit
Instructor: Michelle Cassidy

Why This Matters

At Essence of Living, we believe that wellness isn’t a trend; it’s a way of life. Events like the Wanderlust Wellspring Biohacking Summit remind us that when we blend modern science with mindful movement, we can truly embody longevity and vitality.

Join me at sunrise and throughout the weekend as we explore the beautiful intersection between nature, movement, and mindful living.

The Ancient Forest That Casts Its Spell

For me, it’s the whisper of a 180 million year old rainforest that makes the Gold Coast feel like magic.

As a Pilates and yoga teacher for more than 25 years, I’ve spent much of my life immersed in the Coast’s natural beauty, from sunrise classes by the ocean to twilight meditations under the stars. But it’s the hinterland that has truly captured my heart.

“It’s an outdoor fantasy land,” I shared recently with the Gold Coast Bulletin. “We have the most incredible soft sanded beaches, but in just 20 minutes you can find yourself surrounded by lush rainforest, rock pools, and nature hikes filled with extraordinary biodiversity.”

After 30 years by the sea in Mermaid Beach, where I founded Essence of Living in 2004, I eventually felt called to the forest, to the slower rhythm, the green canopy, and the grounding energy that only the hinterland can offer.

“I’ve loved the green change,” I told the Bulletin. “When you go into that forest, you can just feel the magic. There’s something really special about tapping into something so ancient.”

My sanctuary is Springbrook National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests, where I regularly visit landscapes dating back 180 million years. It’s one of the most special places in the country, and walking there reminds me how deeply nature restores us.

One of my favourite trails is The Cream Track, a 3.3 kilometre stretch weaving through rainforest, creek crossings, and both wet and dry eucalypt forest from the heights of Springbrook Plateau to Tallebudgera Valley.

For the past two decades, I’ve shared this love of outdoor wellness with my community through free and low cost yoga, Pilates, and Forest Bathing classes across the Gold Coast, in partnership with the Gold Coast City Council Active & Healthy Program. Every time I guide a group into nature, I see how it brings people back to themselves.

“When you go into nature,” I often say, “what you see is usually just a mirror of where you’re at. It’s very therapeutic.”

The forest, the ocean, the people, together they make this region such a special place to live & for me it's the green behind the gold that has my heart. 🌿

Planting a Wildlife Corridor

I am absolutely thrilled to share that this week we begin planting a brand new wildlife corridor on my property as part of a conservation initiative supported by the government’s NCAP program. Over the coming weeks we will plant 320 endemic trees and shrubs, linking two patches of bushland together.

The goal is to give wildlife a safe crossing, reduce their exposure to predators and other dangers, and strengthen the ecological connection across our land.

Why a Wildlife Corridor Matters

Many species rely on connected habitat to move, find mates, forage and respond to environmental changes.
Fragmented landscapes isolate populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing risk.
By connecting habitat patches, corridors help animals move more freely and safely.
A properly planted corridor also offers shade, shelter and foraging resources, benefiting birds, mammals, insects and more.

Our Project Vision and Partners

This corridor will quite literally bridge two areas of bushland. Thanks to the dedication of Land for Wildlife, they are generously donating the trees in support of the ecological value of this project.

Our planting will focus on local endemic species, prioritising those best suited to the soil, moisture and microclimate of this landscape. We will use clustering, staggered planting and lower understorey species to create structure, diversity and resilience.

How You Can Get Involved and Access Free Trees

Did you know that every year Gold Coast City Council offers a free tree program for residents? You can collect native trees and shrubs to plant on your property.

👉 Find out more here 

Here’s how the program works:

• The program is open January to June each year.

• Each household can collect up to three free trees (subject to availability).

• Trees can be collected from designated sites such as the Coombabah Nursery during specified times.

• You will need to bring proof of your rates notice when collecting.

• These trees must be planted on private property, not council land.

If you would like to plant more than the free allocation, the Friends of the Gardens Nursery at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens has a wonderful range of local natives. You can also use the GroNATIVE app to find nurseries in South East Queensland that stock locally appropriate species.

For updates, workshops and community planting days, explore the NaturallyGC program, which hosts volunteer Landcare and tree planting events across the city.

Tips for Planting and Maintenance

• Mark out your corridor line ahead of time, considering gradients, water flow paths and existing vegetation.

• Plant in clusters rather than single rows to help create sheltered microclimates and improve survival.

• Use mulch, guards and regular watering, especially in the first two years, to support establishment.

• Monitor for weeds, pests and animal browse and manage them early.

• Be patient. Ecological corridors take time to mature, but every plant contributes to long-term connection and resilience.

I am so excited to see how this corridor develops and supports wildlife movement over the years ahead.
If you have a patch of land, no matter how big or small, I encourage you to plant native species and be part of creating habitat for the beautiful creatures that share our home.

Conscious Fashion: Healing Ourselves, Healing the Earth

Every morning when we open our wardrobe, we are making a choice that ripples far beyond what we see in the mirror. Fashion is not just about how we look, it is about how we live, how we care for our planet, and how we honour our own health.

Yet the fashion industry has quietly become one of the most destructive forces on Earth. It is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Every year, over 85% of textiles end up in landfills or are burned, which is the equivalent of one garbage truck of clothing being thrown away every second.

The Power of Second-Hand

One of the simplest, most joyful shifts we can make is choosing second-hand. Platforms like Depop are more than just a marketplace, they are a community where garments find new life and continue their story. For those who love the experience of shopping in person, places like the Salvation Army, Lifeline, Vinnies, and local op-shops offer affordable treasures while supporting charities that give back to the community.

In this way, second-hand shopping becomes a double blessing — lightening our footprint on the Earth while uplifting those in need. Buying one used item reduces its carbon, waste, and water footprint by 82%, while also giving clothes another chapter in their story.

Fabrics that Heal

Our skin is our largest organ, and the clothes we wear touch it all day long. The fabrics we choose matter more than most of us realise.

Synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon shed microplastics with every wash, polluting our oceans and entering our food chain. They are also treated with chemicals that can irritate skin and disrupt our health.

Natural fabrics, however, breathe with the body. Linen, for example, can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, making it antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and deeply comfortable. For centuries, linen was used in hospitals for bed sheets and bandages because of its hygienic properties and ability to support recovery.

Other pure, natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, wool, and bamboo nurture both body and Earth. Bamboo grows quickly without pesticides, uses far less water than cotton, and is completely biodegradable. Silk and wool are timeless fibres that honour tradition, durability, and the rhythms of nature.

Linen in Practice: Dressing for Different Styles of Yoga

Over the years, I have noticed that the fabrics I wear completely change how my body feels in practice. Linen is one of my favourite choices when I am teaching or practicing yin yoga, restorative sequences, or meditation. Its natural breathability and antibacterial qualities feel grounding and supportive. There is a calmness in the way linen rests on the skin, it is as though the fabric itself invites you to slow down and soften into stillness.

But when I step onto the mat for a more dynamic vinyasa flow or Pilates practice, linen does not quite work for me. It absorbs sweat quickly, becomes heavy, and does not stretch in the way I need for fluid movement. For those practices, I choose fabrics that honour both the earth and the body’s need for flexibility.

One of my favourite discoveries has been Nagnata, a beautiful Byron-based brand creating sustainable wool blends. Their pieces give me the stretch and durability I need in a sweaty, high-energy practice while still aligning with my values of choosing consciously made, natural fibres. Wearing Nagnata reminds me that it is possible to feel stylish, supported, and sustainable all at once.

Choosing Clothes that Last

Fashion does not have to be fleeting. When we choose consciously made, durable pieces that suit our body type and natural colouring, we are investing in a wardrobe that will last a lifetime. These garments do not just clothe us, they empower us.

By stepping away from fast fashion and into choices that reflect our true selves, we move from consumption into connection. We create wardrobes that honour the Earth, nurture our health, and remind us that beauty is found in longevity, not excess.

A Gentle Invitation

Buy less, but buy with intention. Seek out the treasures of second-hand markets, allowing garments to live many lives. Choose natural fibres that support healing for both body and planet. Let your wardrobe be a mirror of your values, a reflection of your spirit, and a love letter to the Earth.

When we shift the way we dress, we do not simply change our appearance. We change the story we are writing for the world we share.

What We Focus on Expands: Mindset Shift

In a world that promotes drama, controversy, extremism, and fear mongering, it’s no wonder so many people are living in a state of anxiety or depression. Between 2007 and 2020-22, there has been a 47% increase in the rate of mental health disorders among Australians aged 16-24【abc.net.au†source】.

Social media algorithms are designed to keep us engaged at any cost, even when that cost is our mental health. The news follows a similar formula, amplifying conflict and tragedy to sell advertisement space. Yet our nervous system was never designed to process the entire world’s drama, violence, and corruption all at once.

Try this: Take a 24-hour break from news and social media. Notice how your body and mind feel afterwards.

Why I Stopped Watching the News

Years ago, I stopped watching the news. I noticed the content lingered in my thoughts long after I consumed it. The strange thing was, I had become unconsciously addicted to the constant stream of drama and the rolling narrative.

The moment I chose to detach from what I couldn’t control and began to focus on what I could, my daily actions, thoughts, and words, everything shifted.

“God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”

Choosing to Focus on What I Can Control

Instead of worrying about the whole world and becoming overwhelmed, I looked closer to home. I asked myself: What can I do in my immediate community with the time, resources, and skills I already have?

I decided to focus all of my attention and energy on the things already closest to my heart: caring for the land I am custodian of, offering low-cost community yoga and Pilates sessions to locals, and sharing the forest each week with a beautiful group of neurodivergent women through Forest Bathing walks. Alongside this, I committed to being the best mother, wife, and friend I could possibly be.

Last week, as I was planting more endemic shrubs along the water run off to support the bank from landslides, I realised that building a stronger support system for the soil was also building my own resilience and inner strength.

Try this: Write down 3 things in your immediate world you can positively influence today and gently place your energy there.

Mindset, Optimism & Wellbeing

I became more mindful of the stories I tell myself, the inner narratives I replay, and the words I speak aloud. We are the ultimate meaning makers. We may not control everything that happens to us, but we do control how we perceive it. By choosing to look for the lessons, practice letting go, and cultivate a growth mindset, I found myself moving forward with greater peace and possibility.

This reflection reminded me of Buddha’s words: “What we think, we become.” Just as the soil shapes the strength of the land, our thoughts shape the strength of our spirit.

Reflection: This week, journal on this question: Where in my life am I feeding drama, and where can I redirect my focus toward growth and peace?

Your Choice, Your Focus

And so I wonder…

• What disempowering narratives might you be telling yourself that cloud or colour your current reality?

• What would shift if you looked for the positives first?

Optimists may not always be right, but research shows they experience measurable benefits to both mind and body: better immune function, lower rates of depression, greater resilience, and even longer life expectancy.

So the question remains: How are you going to choose to show up? How are you going to choose to perceive the world?

How to Start Your Yoga or Pilates Teacher Training Journey

There comes a moment when the practice on the mat or in the studio whispers something deeper. Perhaps it is a longing for growth, a curiosity about the philosophy behind the movements, or a gentle nudge from your own heart to share what has brought you so much joy. That moment often marks the beginning of the teacher training journey.

For many, this path begins not with the goal of becoming a teacher, but with the desire to know oneself more fully. Teacher training is less about perfect poses and more about peeling back the layers, discovering resilience, building confidence, and opening to the wisdom that yoga and Pilates have been offering for generations.

Why Choose Teacher Training?

Embarking on yoga or Pilates teacher training is a commitment to transformation. It is about learning how to move the body with intelligence, breathe with awareness, and live with intention. Beyond the certificates and hours, it is an experience that enriches every part of life, relationships, health, mindset, and purpose.

Even if you never stand at the front of a class, the tools you gain, emotional regulation, clarity of mind, strength in the body, and deepened compassion, become lifelong companions.

Choosing Yoga and Pilates

Many people wonder whether to begin with yoga or Pilates. The truth is, these practices beautifully complement each other, and many students choose to study all of them over time.

Yoga Teacher Training (Vinyasa and Yin): Whether you are drawn to the dynamic flow of Vinyasa or the stillness and depth of Yin, each pathway offers philosophy, meditation, anatomy, and practice teaching that strengthen both body and spirit. Many students begin with one and later return to complete them all, weaving together a comprehensive yoga education.

Pilates Mat, Barre, and Small Props Teacher Training: This training gives you a complete foundation in Pilates while broadening your teaching toolkit. You will learn the full mat repertoire, the dynamic flow of Barre, and how to skillfully integrate small Pilates props including the circle, ball, bands, and weights. These additions bring variety, accessibility, and challenge, making it possible to create uplifting and inclusive classes for every body. By the end of the training, you will feel confident to design sessions that build strength, precision, balance, and functional movement skills in your students.

Together, yoga and Pilates create a holistic pathway, strength and stillness, alignment and flow, discipline and surrender. Choosing all means embracing a complete toolkit for yourself and for those you may one day guide.

What to Look for in a Training

Choosing the right teacher training is a deeply personal decision. Here are a few things to consider as you explore your options:

Experienced Mentors: Seek out teachers who not only embody the practice on and off the mat but also bring a wealth of wisdom from lived experience. The most valuable mentors are those who have worked with a wide variety of clients over time, while staying attuned to the needs of the modern-day practitioner.

Accreditation and Recognition: Look for programs that are accredited with respected organisations so you can feel confident your training will be recognised if you decide to teach locally or internationally.

Balanced Curriculum: A strong training should blend philosophy, anatomy, practice teaching, and personal development. Many high-quality trainings now offer hybrid structures, combining online and in-person learning. The online theory can often be completed anytime and anywhere, giving you flexibility, while the in-person components allow for real time feedback, adjustment, and embodied learning.

Ongoing Community: Training does not end with certification. The most impactful programs will offer a supportive community and continued mentorship, so you remain inspired and connected long after graduation.

Common Questions

Do I need to be advanced?
No. Teacher training is about learning, not performing. Curiosity, openness, and the passion to share your love of the practice with others are the only true requirements. What matters most is your willingness to grow, to explore, and to allow the teachings to shape both your personal practice and the way you show up in the world.

Can I fit this in around family or work?
Yes. Many trainings now include hybrid study options, where theory modules can be completed at your own pace, from anywhere. The practical aspects are delivered in person so you can experience real time teaching, connection, and feedback. This balance makes it possible to weave your training into the flow of daily life while still being fully supported by mentors and community.

What if I do not want to teach?
That is perfectly fine. Many people step into teacher training simply to deepen their own practice, reconnect with themselves, or find new inspiration. Along the way, you may discover a calling to share what you love, or you may keep the wisdom as a gift for your own journey. Either way, the transformation is real, and the community you build often becomes one of the most treasured parts of the experience.

Voices From the Journey

“Fifteen years ago I walked into one of Michelle’s classes and thought, what a beautiful life it would be to teach yoga. Fast forward, and here I am, graduated, confident, and living the dream I never thought possible.” Cassie, mother of three

“I came to teacher training to find myself again after a big life change. What I discovered was more than movement, it was a community, a new perspective, and tools that continue to shape my life.” Donna

Your Next Step

If you feel the quiet pull towards this journey, trust it. Teacher training is not only about teaching others, it is about awakening something within yourself.

Explore our upcoming Yoga Teacher Training  and Pilates Teacher Training  offerings, or reach out to me personally if you would like guidance in choosing your path.

The journey of a thousand steps begins with the first one. Perhaps this is yours.

Blessings of the Divine: Platypus Encounters and Mystical Moments

There are certain blessings in life that feel like gifts directly from the Divine. This week, I was reminded of this truth during my first official platypus watch with the incredible organisation Watergum.

For an hour I sat in solitude by the creek, embraced by forest, listening to the symphony of birdsong and flowing water. My heart was chasing the hope of a sacred encounter. But the Divine has a way of teaching us: the moment you grasp, the moment slips away.

Last week, while walking my dogs through the forest, I was blessed to witness a baby platypus playing joyfully in the creek. A year ago, further up the valley, I stumbled upon a much larger one. Both times, my heart leapt with wonder. When I shared these encounters with Wal, Watergum’s director and living legend, he told me I was the first person in forty years of monitoring these creeks to have witnessed a platypus here. To say I felt blessed is an understatement.

And yet, when I joined the official platypus watch before dawn, there were no platypus to be seen. Only one beautiful, gliding eel. It felt like a direct teaching from Spirit: mystical experiences, like wildlife encounters, cannot be forced. They are gifts of grace, arriving in their own perfect time.

“Grace is not something you can force. It descends when the time is ripe.”  Unknown

A Treehouse in Costa Rica

My very first mystical awakening arrived when I was just 21, living in solitude in a tiny wooden treehouse in Costa Rica. I had gone for a surfing holiday, but found myself instead in a wild and challenging place for a young woman travelling alone. So I kept to myself, surfing all day, living mostly on fruit, practicing yoga on a secluded beach, and meditating in the evenings.

One night, without warning, my entire body was flooded with electricity and radiant light, brighter than the sun, saturating every cell. I felt as though I were levitating, tears streaming, my body overwhelmed by the energy. For a moment I thought I might die. And yet, in that moment of surrender I whispered: Take me God, I have faith.

The next morning, unsure whether it had all been a dream, a woman from New Zealand approached me on the beach. She told me she had received a message in the night: that I was connected to Source, and must use this energy for good. That affirmation changed everything. Within a year, Essence of Living was born.

Mystical Sparks on the Yoga Path

Not long later, during my first yoga teacher training, another surge of radiant light and energy coursed through me in meditation. Embarrassed, I tried to hide it, but my teacher Emil Wendell felt it too. These luminous openings, so hard to describe, so full of love, have touched me perhaps eight times in my life.

What I have learned over 28 years of yoga, study, and teaching is this: you cannot chase the mystical. The more you grasp for it, the further it slips away. As the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali teach us, clarity comes not through force, but through surrender.

Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work on becoming Supernatural echoes this truth, and continues to inspire my practice: transformation happens when we step beyond ego and allow the energy of life to flow through us.

The Magic of Nature as Teacher

Today, I no longer sit at the feet of great gurus chasing transcendence. My teachers are the forest, the ocean, the sunrise. To see a platypus ripple the creek, to witness dolphins dancing in the surf, or simply to watch the sky shift with dawn, these are the mystical moments that remind us of our oneness with all beings.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”  Albert Einstein

Platypus encounters and spiritual awakenings both carry the same medicine: they remind us of the miracle of existence. Whether through meditation that lifts us beyond the mind, or through the soft gaze of a sunrise that lights the soul, the invitation is the same, stop grasping, be still, and let the Divine find you.

Final Reflection

Whether we are on the yoga mat, sitting in meditation, or walking barefoot through the forest, the magic is not in what we chase, it is in what we allow. When we stop striving and simply soften into presence, both the mystical and the natural reveal themselves as blessings of the Divine.

✨ “When we stop chasing the magical, the magical will find its way to us.”

Slowing Down in a Rushing World

In a world moving so fast, it’s no wonder we hear about rushing woman syndrome. We rush to get the kids to school, rush to work, rush to after-school activities, then rush to squeeze in our own sessions. I even see people rushing through yoga classes, skipping savasana just to dash off to the next thing.

For some, the rushing becomes almost addictive. There’s this constant need to be busy, as though we are rushing away from ourselves. If we stay distracted enough, maybe we won’t have to pause and notice what’s truly happening inside.

When all of our energy is directed outward, we can avoid the deeper work of clearing the clutter that lives in the mind. But the truth is, there is no running away from our inner work. Eventually, it shows up in other ways such as anxiety, sleepless nights, digestive issues, or countless other forms, forcing us to finally pay attention. The body has an incredible ability to keep score, and if we don’t listen gently, it will find louder ways to be heard.

I’ll admit, slowing down is something I struggle with too. It can feel uncomfortable in a society that glorifies productivity at all costs, where worth is measured by output and achievement seems more important than well-being. The focus is so often on outcomes that the collateral damage, our health, our relationships, our peace, gets overlooked.

It’s like running on a hamster wheel. You don’t even notice how long you’ve been going until you crash and burn out.

This is why I love yoga, especially slower-paced practices that remind us to do less and be more. I find the same medicine in simple rituals: soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts, meditating, sitting in a sauna, walking gently in nature, or savoring a cup of tea without rushing to the next thing.

These practices, simple as they may seem, are powerful tools for recalibrating the nervous system, guiding us out of fight or flight and back into a state of rest, presence, and ease.

And perhaps the simplest practice of all is this: stop for just a moment, anywhere you are. Whether standing, sitting, or lying down, place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly. Take a few minutes to feel the breath moving in your belly and the heartbeat in your chest. Give yourself the gift of reconnecting to your breathing, beating body. Attune to your own instrument, and allow your nervous system the time and space to harmonise.

As Lao Tzu reminds us, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” When we slow down, we begin to notice the wonder of the world around us. The beauty of a bird’s song, the softness of a breeze, the quiet magic of being alive. In the rush, we miss these gifts as we chase man made desires and distractions. But in stillness, life itself becomes enough.

A Journey Inward: Donna’s Transformation Through Yoga Teacher Training

At the heart of every yoga journey lies a story of courage, healing, and awakening. For Donna, that story began twelve months ago when she made the most transformative decision of her life — to surrender fully to the universe and step onto the path of the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Michelle Cassidy at Essence of Living.

“As I sit in stillness and reflect on the journey I’ve just completed, my heart overflows with love, peace, and the deepest of gratitude.” — Donna Jane

Donna’s calling to yoga teacher training wasn’t simply about learning how to guide others through asana. It was a profound journey inward — a sacred immersion of body, mind, and spirit. Through the training, she explored ancient yogic wisdom, powerful breathwork, meditation, philosophy, and self-inquiry.

She reflects:

“From the depths of despair, I placed my full trust in the unknown — and the universe responded in ways more magical than I could have ever imagined. I shed old layers that no longer served me. I softened, I healed, and — for the first time in a long time — I believed in me again.”

Guided With Compassion and Wisdom

What makes the Essence of Living Yoga Teacher Training unique is not only the comprehensive curriculum, but the heartfelt way it is facilitated. With over 25 years of experience, Michelle Cassidy creates an environment where every student feels seen, supported, and deeply held.

Donna’s gratitude reflects this:

“To my beautiful teacher, Michelle — thank you. You have been an angel of divine wisdom, guiding with strength, compassion, and grace. Your presence and unwavering support created the sacred space I needed to rise into my truth. You reminded me that I am whole, that I am love, and that everything I’ve been seeking has always lived within.”

The Gift of Transformation

Donna’s words capture the true essence of teacher training. It is not only a certification — it is a rebirth, an opportunity to reconnect with your most authentic self, and a way to step forward with courage and clarity.

“I now wake each day filled with gratitude — for my practice, my truth, my trust, and my journey. I believe in myself. I love myself. I am the most radiant, authentic, and awakened version of myself. And now, with an open heart and steady breath, I am ready to share my light and energy with the world.”

Are You Ready to Begin Your Journey?

If Donna’s story resonates with you, perhaps the universe is also calling you. The 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Essence of Living is more than a course — it is a life-changing journey that will awaken your spirit, deepen your practice, and equip you with the skills to guide others with authenticity and love.

Spaces are intentionally kept small to allow for intimate connections, supportive community, and deeply personal growth.

🌿 Upcoming Intake: 5 weekends 27th Sept - 28th Oct 
🌿 Location: Gold Coast Hinterland
🌿 Facilitator: Michelle Cassidy — 25 years of teaching experience, mentor, and guide for future teachers

Step onto your mat, into your truth, and allow your own transformation to unfold.

The Power of a Simple Compliment

When I was a little girl, stepping into high school felt like entering a foreign land. I didn’t know many people, and most days I felt like a misfit. The longing to belong tugged at my heart, yet true connection always seemed just out of reach.

Many years later, when I started yoga and Pilates, I at last felt surrounded by my people, kind, caring, passionate souls devoted to wellness, growth, and becoming the brightest version of themselves.

But back in those early days, as a shy pre-teen navigating the changes of adolescence, friendships didn’t come easily. Many people are surprised to learn this about me, because today I can confidently stand in front of large groups and teach yoga and Pilates. Yet as a young girl, I often cried to my mum, telling her how much I hated school and how lonely I felt without friends.

It was in those tearful moments that my mum planted a seed in my heart, a seed that has blossomed into a lifelong practice. She gently suggested that I offer genuine compliments to others: notice someone’s artwork, their athletic ability, their hair, or even their smile.

It was simple, yet profound.

I realised very quickly that beauty is everywhere, and when we name it in others something magical happens. People naturally gravitate toward those who make them feel seen and appreciated, and slowly my friendships began to bloom.

Later, working eight years in retail only deepened this lesson. I loved greeting strangers with warmth, striking up friendships as soon as they walked through the door. That same joy followed me into my daily walks, where I couldn’t resist smiling and saying “good morning” to everyone I passed. My sister used to tease me, asking if I thought I was the welcoming party. I would laugh, but deep down I knew I loved the ripple effect of kindness.

There is something uplifting about being that person, the one who lifts the energy in a room and brightens someone’s dull day.

Over time, I have come to see that offering compliments is not just for others. It recharges my own internal battery, bringing me a renewed sense of energy and joy. Giving is receiving.

That is why in my classes, I often invite students to turn to the person next to them, whether they know them or not, and share a compliment. It could be as simple as “I love your leggings,” or as deep as “I admire your dedication.” You can see the shift immediately, the way hearts soften and the atmosphere brightens.

So I encourage you to try it. Offer a compliment today. Give the gift of a sincere hello, a kind word, or a warm smile. To your family, your friends, your colleagues, and even to strangers. Watch how quickly connection grows, how your own spirit lifts, and how the world around you becomes a little brighter.

Because a simple compliment has the power to change everything. 

How Yoga Helped Nicole Find Peace, Strength and Community”

When Nicole moved to Broadbeach two years ago, she was ready for a fresh start. After ending a 30-year marriage and choosing to step away from alcohol, she sought a space to reconnect with her authentic self. A self that had long been hidden behind the roles of wife and mother.

It was in one of Michelle’s Gold Coast City Council Active & Healthy community yoga classes that Nicole found exactly what she was searching for.

“From Michelle’s first ‘Hello my loves,’ I knew I was in the right place.”

Though Nicole had practised yoga before for fitness, this time it became something much deeper. Michelle’s method and kindness showed her a new way to care for her soul, create mental space, and find peace amidst life’s challenges. Even while travelling to Bali and Japan, Nicole carried her mat with her, making yoga a constant companion on her healing journey.

Like many of us, Nicole has faced difficult moments filled with grief, sadness and uncertainty. Yet she chose to show up on the mat, to breathe through the tears, and to keep moving forward.

“Through tears in some classes, I pushed on to keep my yoga practise going and work through it. Michelle gave me the strength, support and Michelle’s little shared stories, inspiring.”

Two years on, Nicole feels transformed. She is 20kgs lighter, off blood pressure and thyroid medication, and living with a renewed sense of freedom and vitality. Most importantly, she has found inner peace.

“Finding peace in my day sets me free. I will forever appreciate what Michelle and yoga has become part of my life, and my body now needs it.”

Nicole’s story is just one of many reminders of the power of yoga to heal, inspire, and bring people together.

Community Classes

Thanks to the Gold Coast City Council’s Active & Healthy Program, Michelle & her incredible team are able to offer low-cost and free community yoga and Pilates classes across the coast. These sessions are designed to be accessible for everyone, no matter your age, background, or level of experience.

They are more than just exercise. They are spaces to:

• Reconnect with yourself

• Nurture your body, mind and spirit

• Meet like-hearted people in your local community

• Explore practices that bring calm, strength and joy into your everyday life

Life will always throw us curve balls. But as Nicole beautifully reminds us:

“We are all able to handle our journey called life with some help and an open mind.”

Come roll out your mat, breathe deeply, and join Michelle in these welcoming classes that honour not just the body, but the whole being.

From Surfboard to Yoga Mat: How Skin Cancer Changed My Life

When I was young, I truly grew up as a mermaid. Just three houses from the beach, my world revolved around the ocean. My dad, a devoted surfer from Freshwater Beach, Sydney, was among the first to own a longboard in Australia. He travelled the world chasing waves, living the salt-soaked rhythm of a dedicated water man, and even served as a professional lifeguard in both Australia and England, where he met my mum.

They eventually settled on the Gold Coast, got married, and started a family.

So naturally, Dad had me in the waves before I could even walk. I adored beach life and was blessed to enjoy doing nippers, a junior program run by Surf Life Saving clubs in Australia that teaches children ocean safety, swimming, board paddling, and lifesaving skills. It was where we learnt to read the waves, spot rips, and rescue swimmers, all while building ocean fitness and confidence. By my teens, I was volunteering as a lifeguard at my local surf club until I was 15 years old.

I didn’t actually start surfing until I was 14, but because of all my years of Surf Life Saving training, especially my favourite event, board paddling, surfing was an easy transition and I fell head-over-heels for it.

Before long, I was competing locally, gaining sponsorships for boards, wetsuits, and clothes, and travelling the coast on the Billabong Junior Series. But by the time I was 20, my doctor told me my skin was the age of a 40-year-old. I needed to step out of the sun’s embrace before it burned me forever.

That news hit me hard. I didn’t want skin cancer and to become one of the statistics. Did you know that more than 3,600 Queenslanders are diagnosed with melanoma every year?

At age 16, I stepped into my first yoga class with my mum at our local surf club, and my soul instantly recognised the same feeling I used to get from surfing — that deep connection with something far greater than myself. It was the stillness of watching a sunrise, the quiet knowing of being part of something vast and timeless. Yoga realigned me, awakened my spirit, and made my heart smile like the sun itself.

So when I was encouraged to stop surfing, the yoga mat was there to catch me. I swapped my surfboard for surfing pranā— riding the currents of breath, energy, and life force instead of waves.

Nearly 30 years later, my dad faced his own battle. Last year, he was diagnosed with melanoma that had spread to his lungs and liver. Thanks to immunotherapy, it has now completely cleared from his body. He will continue treatment for life, but his journey is a powerful reminder of the long-lasting effects of sun damage.

I have had three basal cell carcinomas (BCC), two on the top of my head requiring 14 staples and plastic surgery to repair scars, and now a new one in my eyebrow — all in places I didn’t bother to protect with sunscreen when I was younger.

That is why I strongly recommend regular skin cancer checks by a dermatologist. Today, I had daylight therapy with Dr. Freeman to remove the BCC from my eyebrow and clear any precancerous cells. This is my fourth facial treatment, both preventative and therapeutic, hopefully allowing me to avoid cutting or stitching my face.

(Daylight therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses natural sunlight to help prevent and treat sun damage.)

Now I rarely go to the beach like I once did. My kids are not beach children, they prefer the bush like my husband. And I have come to cherish the cool, green hush of the forest. Instead of dolphins leaping beside my board, I watch platypuses glide through creek water. The canopy shelters me from the sun, yet my heart remains wide open, connected, and full.

Life throws curveballs, sometimes shifting our path, but it never steals the magic. Because the truth is this: it is not our external world that creates the magic — it is the magic we carry in our hearts that makes life so extraordinary.

It's Never Too Late To Follow Your Passion

Fifteen years ago, Cassie walked into one of my yoga classes and left thinking, What a beautiful life it would be to teach yoga.
Fast forward to six months ago, she arrived for her first day of our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training on the Gold Coast— a moment that felt surreal after holding that dream for so long.

As a mother to three young boys, Cassie is living proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion. She embraced the training not only for her own personal growth, but also as a way to model lifelong learning for her children. The benefits of continuing to grow and learn as a parent are profound — and with yoga, the lifelong tools of breath, mindfulness, and self-awareness not only help us navigate life’s challenges, but also give us the skills to guide and inspire the next generation.

“From that very first day Michelle created a space that felt safe, open & deeply supportive. Michelle guides her yoga teacher training with so much patience, wisdom & grace, & made every moment of this journey feel meaningful.” – Cassie, 2025 Graduate

Throughout the training, Cassie discovered that becoming a yoga teacher is not just about learning to sequence a class or master poses — it’s about deep self-discovery.
She learned to live with intention, to breathe through discomfort, and to trust the unfolding of life.

“This teacher training has changed me in more ways than one. I’ve gained knowledge, confidence & clarity. But more importantly I’ve reconnected with parts of myself I had forgotten.”

Our Yoga Teacher Training program is intentionally designed for small, intimate groups so every participant feels seen, heard, and supported.
With over 25 years in the wellness industry and 18 years facilitating teacher trainings, I guide you through a comprehensive curriculum that blends yoga philosophy, anatomy, sequencing, and teaching methodology — while creating space for personal transformation.

If you’ve ever thought, Could I teach yoga? or What would it feel like to live more aligned with my values? — this course might be your next step. Whether you wish to teach professionally or simply deepen your practice, our training offers a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment to grow.

Celebrating 21 Years of Essence of Living + 44 Laps Around The Sun

As I turn 44 and mark 21 beautiful years of Essence of Living, I find myself sitting in deep gratitude, for the journey, the people, the changes, and the quiet moments in between that shaped it all.

Like the changing tides or the golden leaves of autumn, life has gently, and sometimes abruptly, moved me through many seasons, each one offering its own lessons in letting go, beginning again, and learning to trust.

I look back to the early days of Essence of Living, when I was a young woman with big dreams and a full heart, ready to share the magic of yoga and Pilates with the world. I had no idea the studio would become a sanctuary for so many… or that it would grow into a community, a family, and eventually, a ripple that reached far beyond its four walls.

And then, as seasons do, things changed.

I stepped away from running the studio to step more deeply into motherhood, nature, and the rhythm of a slower life. My teaching evolved, my offerings deepened, and my priorities shifted. What once felt like achievement became a devotion to alignment. What once was about doing became about being.

Essence of Living is no longer a physical place. It is a living, breathing philosophy, a commitment to living with intention, sharing from the heart, and always circling back to what is essential.

I am in awe of how life continues to shape me. At 44, I no longer strive for perfection. I crave presence. I honour rest. I value honesty over hustle, connection over competition, and nature as my greatest teacher.

What I’ve learned, over two decades of teaching, guiding, mothering, and walking through the fire, is this:

We cannot do it alone.

The greatest gift of this journey has been the people. Those who walked beside me, stood behind me, and sometimes even held me up when I couldn’t see the next step.

To my husband, the light of my life, my greatest support, and the one who sees me fully, thank you for loving me through every season.

To the friends, teachers, students, soul sisters, collaborators, and family who’ve surrounded me with grace and strength, thank you.

You’ve shown me what it means to be truly supported. You’ve reminded me that greatness is not built in isolation, but in the warmth of community and the softness of shared dreams.

So, here’s to 21 years of Essence of Living.
To 44 years of living, learning, and loving deeply.
To the seasons that cracked me open and the ones that held me gently.
To the people who made me laugh, helped me grow, and always led with kindness.

May we all continue to evolve gracefully, love wholeheartedly, and surround ourselves with those who remind us who we are when the world gets loud.

With a heart full of gratitude and a soul steady in her purpose, I walk into this next chapter open, curious, and ready.

Thank you for being a part of my story.
Thank you for letting me be part of yours.

Discover The Teacher Within: 200hr Yoga TT

Have you felt the quiet calling to deepen your yoga practice, share its transformative power, or simply reconnect to yourself more fully?

Essence of Living’s 200hr Yoga Teacher Training isn’t just about learning to guide others through asana—it’s a sacred journey home to yourself.

For Liz, a recent graduate, the journey spanned decades:

“My journey with yoga began during pregnancy at age 25 and deepened as part of my rehabilitation following a motor vehicle accident. Now, at 52, yoga remains the foundation of my well-being, supporting my physical longevity, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth.”

At Essence of Living, we welcome students from all stages of life—whether you’re stepping into yoga for the first time, or returning to it with new perspective. Our training is purposefully designed to be multi-level, combining the foundational tools of a beginner’s path with the philosophical depth and self-inquiry that seasoned practitioners long for.

“Michelle’s YTT came highly recommended, and it exceeded all expectations. Her approach is grounded in authenticity, presence, and genuine care for others. Michelle doesn’t preach or impose—she shares openly, guides with compassion, and encourages deep understanding.”

Led by Michelle Cassidy—senior teacher, teacher-trainer, and long-time student of traditional yoga lineages—this training is lovingly held within the lush embrace of the Gold Coast hinterland. You’ll learn how to sequence and teach with purpose, understand the roots of yoga’s ancient traditions, and embody yogic wisdom both on and off the mat.

“Her teaching empowered me to appreciate the strength of a well-sequenced class and to live more intentionally, spiritually, and truthfully. As a teacher, Michelle is nurturing and supportive, yet deeply motivating.”

Whether your intention is to become a certified yoga teacher, enrich your personal practice, or step into a more aligned life, our 200hr YTT will support your transformation on every level—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

“Yogic history and philosophy are core to the experience, and Michelle weaved these elements seamlessly into each module, bringing a profound meaning to the discipline of the practice in all its forms.”

What makes this training truly special is the community it creates—a circle of kindred spirits, each on their own path, yet walking together through these rich teachings.

“The training is truly multi-level, accessible to beginners yet rich and expansive for experienced practitioners. I felt honoured to train alongside such a diverse group of committed students.”

If you’re feeling the nudge in your heart to take the next step, this is your sign. The next intake is now open—and places are intentionally limited to maintain the intimacy and support we believe is essential to this journey.

Join us in the forest and let the practice transform you.

Feeling Stressed You Might Be Overstretched

Over the past 21 years of running Essence of Living, I’ve learned that stress doesn’t always come from what’s happening around us — often, it comes from being overstretched in too many directions.

For me, stress tends to surface when I’ve taken on more than I can realistically hold. And as a mother, business owner, teacher, and woman deeply committed to conscious living — that’s a dance I know intimate

The Pressure of Unrealistic Expectations

I recently caught myself falling into that pattern again — stretching too far, saying yes to too much, and quietly placing expectations on myself that no one else had asked for.

As I reflected, I realised my stress was self-inflicted. It wasn’t coming from outside obligations, but from my internal drive to achieve certain goals within an unrealistic timeframe. Sound familiar?

With my kids immersed in extracurricular activities and my husband kicking major career goals, I realised — someone has to be the glue holding things together at home. And right now, that’s me.

This doesn’t mean I’m giving up on my dreams. But it does mean I’m choosing to move at a pace that’s sustainable, spacious, and in alignment with my values.

There’s a quote I come back to often:

“You can do everything — just not all at once.”

It reminds me that it’s okay to honour the season I’m in. When I stepped away from running my physical studio, it was a conscious decision — a way to be more present with my children. And yet, the desire to continue growing Essence of Living and creating new offerings still lives within me. 

So instead of silencing that desire, I’m simply choosing to hold it more gently.

Kaizen, The Art of Slow Growth

One of the guiding principles I live by is Kaizen — a Japanese philosophy meaning continuous improvement through small, consistent steps.

But even Kaizen invites us to slow down. The work we do in the wellness world — whether it’s yoga, Pilates, teaching, or running a heart-led business — is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.

Essence of Living has been evolving for over 21 years, and I hope to keep sharing, growing, and contributing for at least another 21. There’s no rush. There’s no finish line. I am already exactly where I’m meant to be.

From Stress to Spaciousness: A Self-Check

One of my teachers once said that even if you reach self-realisation, there’s no guarantee you’ll stay in that state. Awareness is a practice. Presence is a practice. So is alignment.

If you’re feeling stressed right now, I invite you to pause and reflect:

• Are you truly overwhelmed — or simply overcommitted?

• What expectations are you placing on yourself that could be softened?

• What could you release — physically, emotionally, or mentally — to create more space?

Stress is a signal. Not a sign of failure, but a gentle nudge to slow down and realign.

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, wellness entrepreneur, or someone navigating multiple roles — know that it’s okay to take your time. Your growth doesn’t need to be rushed. You’re allowed to rest, reassess, and move forward in your own time.

You are exactly where you’re meant to be.

Consistency Is a Kindness: The Ripple Effect of Wellness

“It’s easier to stay consistent than it is to keep stopping and starting again.”

These wise words from my beloved teacher, Dena Kingsberg, have echoed in my heart for decades—anchoring me through countless sunrises on the mat, in moments of devotion, discipline, and deep inner listening.

In the early years of my practice, before motherhood, I was blessed with the spaciousness of time. I poured it freely into my yoga journey—six days a week without fail—gathering golden threads of wisdom in the quiet repetition of Ashtanga. What I learned then still weaves through every breath, every class, every offering I now share with others.

From Devotion to Integration

Today, as a mother, mentor, teacher, and guide, my practice continues to evolve. It’s no longer about how long I stay on the mat—it’s about how fully I arrive.

It’s not about intensity, but intentionality.

I move to stay strong and stable.

To maintain postural integrity and honour the alignment of my spine.

To nourish my nervous system and create space in my body, mind, and heart.

My daily rhythm has distilled into a sacred 22-minute ritual. Eleven postures. Two minutes each. This simple, sustainable sequence leaves me feeling aligned, open, and deeply connected—without overstretching or overwhelming.

My Current Home Yoga Practice (4x a week):

 1. Malasana

 2. Seated lateral flexion (right)

 3. Seated lateral flexion (left)

 4. Pigeon pose (right) – turning the neck for a deeper release

 5. Pigeon pose (left)

 6. Reclined bound angle pose – bolster under mid-thoracic spine

 7. Reclined hamstring stretch (right) – holding opposite foot for added psoas and quad stretch

 8. Switch sides

 9. Supine twist (right) – knees bent

 10. Supine twist (left)

 11. Supported shoulder stand – sacrum resting on bolster

The Inner Ripple

When we show up for ourselves in this way—consistently and compassionately—we begin to feel good from the inside out.

And when we feel good, we’re more likely to treat others with kindness, thoughtfulness, and presence.

“Hurt people hurt people.”

So many of us carry unspoken pain in our bodies and minds—and that pain often seeps outward, colouring how we speak, act, and relate.

But healing, real healing, begins with awareness. With presence. With practice.

Let’s be mindful of how we move through the world. Let’s return to ourselves again and again—softly, lovingly, with grace.

Teaching Others to Teach From Wholeness

When I facilitate Yoga Teacher Training, I don’t just teach asana. I guide people into their own healing, their own alignment, their own power.

Because the best teachers are not those who perform the most advanced poses—but those who embody what it means to live well, move well, and love well.

My trainings begin with the inner work.

We start by learning to care for ourselves—physically, emotionally, energetically. From this space of wholeness, our students emerge not just as instructors, but as vessels of transformation.

When the body feels free, when the heart is open, when the mind is still—teaching becomes a natural extension of living.

An Invitation

So wherever you are in your journey—whether you’re just starting or starting again—know this:

Every moment you spend tending to your wellbeing is a sacred act of service.

Not just for yourself, but for everyone you touch.

Stay consistent.

Stay curious.

Stay kind.

Your wellness has a ripple effect—let it be one of love.

We Are Nature: Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves

So often we speak of nature as something outside of us—something we visit, admire, or protect. But the truth is more ancient and more intimate: we are nature.

The rivers mirror our blood. The trees breathe out what we breathe in. The soil beneath our feet is not separate—it is home, it is source, it is self.

When we tend to the Earth, we are tending to our own bodies, our own breath, our own wellbeing.

Planting Endemic Species for a Thriving Ecosystem

On the Gold Coast, we’re blessed with a rich diversity of forest types, from wet eucalyptus woodlands to subtropical rainforests. But sadly, many of the trees and flowers growing here today are not endemic—a word that means native to this exact place, not just to Australia.

When we plant endemic trees and shrubs in their rightful environments, something magical happens:

• They grow with ease, needing less water, care, and maintenance.
• They invite native wildlife—birds, butterflies, bees—back home.
• They restore balance and vitality to the soil, air, and water.

And in doing so, they help restore balance in us, too.

“To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” — Mahatma Gandhi

 A Simple Act with a Ripple Effect

You don’t need a sprawling backyard to make a difference. A small pot on a balcony, a shared community garden, or a morning spent planting trees with your local council can ripple into generations of healing.

The Gold Coast City Council’s Naturally GC program offers free tree planting days—a beautiful, community-led way to get your hands in the soil and help the land heal.

You’re also warmly welcome to join my family-friendly Forest Bathing sessions, where we reconnect with the Earth not through doing, but through being—listening, breathing, noticing, and remembering our place within the web of life.

 Because When We Heal the Earth, We Heal Ourselves

Caring for the land nourishes not just ecosystems, but also our mental, physical and emotional health.

Gardening, planting, and being outdoors has been proven to lower stress, boost immunity, and improve mood. But beyond the science lies a deeper truth: when we care for the land, we remember who we are.

“The land is my mother. Like a mother, the land gives us protection, enjoyment, and provides for our needs—economic, social, and religious. We do not own the land, the land owns us.”

— S. Knight, Aboriginal Elder

Let us walk gently. Let us plant wisely.

Let us live in a way that honours the Earth, so that she may continue to hold us, nourish us, and guide us home.

 Take Action

• Check out Naturally GC  for upcoming free conservation and planting events

• Join my next Forest Bathing session  for a heart-opening experience in nature

• Choose endemic species for your next garden project—your local nursery can help you pick the right ones for your area

Bali & Lombok: A Soulful Family Retreat

The past 12 days have been nothing short of a dream come true—not only for me, but for every heart we connected with along the way.

Our journey began in the lush embrace of Ubud, Bali, as part of my husband Brad’s heartfelt Kaizen Property Mastermind retreat. We were blessed to stay at the soul-soothing sanctuary of Padma Ubud, where every detail felt designed to support deep rest, family joy, and meaningful connection.

We explored the lush jungle together, supporting one another across narrow bamboo bridges and gently encouraging friends who had never walked through a rainforest before. We passed through local villages and witnessed the simplicity and beauty of daily life—an unforgettable experience of connection, courage, and shared humanity.

One evening, we sat beneath the stars to witness the hypnotic rhythm of the Kecak and Fire Dance—a chorus of chanting men, flickering flames, and ancient Balinese mythology that stirred something primal and powerful within us.

We also gathered under the golden dome of the Pyramids of Chi, and journeyed inward. We grounded together in a private group sound healing session—its soothing frequencies attuned our bodies, minds, and hearts, softening us into presence. It created the perfect foundation for the shamanic breath-work ceremony, which unfolded like a powerful homecoming for my soul.

But the moment that touched my heart the deepest? Our visit to a rural kindergarten, where Brad had pre-organised for our group to paint every classroom wall—infusing the space with vibrant colours and symbols of hope. Watching the children’s faces light up and knowing we had helped create a warm, welcoming space for learning… it’s a memory I will carry with me forever.

I felt so honoured to teach the group yoga in the incredible bird’s nest, floating high up amongst the canopy—surrounded by exotic birdsong, the hum of insects, and Balinese music playing softly in the background. It was a deeply grounding way to begin the day, connecting breath and body with the living forest all around us.

In the afternoon, we cruised through the countryside in a convoy of vintage open-top VWs, their cheerful colours and breezy design adding a playful spirit to our sacred journey. We were on our way to the most informative and inspiring Balinese water blessing I’ve ever experienced—made even more meaningful by sharing it not only with our group, but with our children. It was the twins’ first time taking part in a water blessing, and witnessing their wonder and reverence filled my heart to overflowing.

One teaching from our guide still echoes within me:

 1. Be Ready

 2. Be Aware

 3. Always Fight to the End

After this sacred time in Ubud, we flew to Lombok, where we stayed at the stunning Amber Beach Resort—a coastal haven tucked between jungle and sea. Our days were filled with family adventures: surfing gentle beach breaks at Selong Belanak, where Brad and I took turns pushing the kids into their first waves, and snorkelling the Secret Gilis, immersed in crystal-clear waters and surrounded by the generosity of local fishermen who prepared fresh-caught fish for our group. 

And yet, it was a small, unplanned moment on our first day in South Lombok that stirred something deeper. We were walking along the beach when we saw two local boys kicking around a broken ball. Without hesitation, Brad and Kobe joined them. Soon, laughter and barefoot joy transformed the shore into a makeshift beach soccer match.

Later that day, Brad said, “Let’s find them a real ball.” So we visited the town’s only soccer shop, then drove through winding rural roads until we found the boys’ village. Kobe handed over the ball, and their faces lit up with a joy so pure it brought tears to my eyes.

I’ve always loved the saying: “Do small things with great love.”

We wrapped up our trip with a few final days at Padma Legian, a vibrant contrast to the forest stillness of Ubud—full of waterslides, tropical pools, and the buffet breakfast our kids adored. I also cherished a heart-filled day in the pool with one of my dearest friends and her young family, who now live in Bali—a joyful reunion of like-minded soul sisters. It’s the kind of friendship where years can pass, but the moment we’re together, it feels like no time at all.

Though, if you asked the kids, I think they’d still say nothing beats feeding the animals at Padma Ubud—a daily ritual they could have happily done for hours on end.

This trip reminded me of the power of presence.

Of how joy lives in the simple moments.

Of how giving, connecting, and being immersed in culture and nature can expand our hearts in the most unexpected ways.

It wasn’t just a holiday.

It was a pilgrimage of the heart—and I’m so grateful we got to live it, together.

The Most Important Life Decision Our Children Will Ever Make

As a mother, yoga teacher, and lifelong student of love and life—I often find myself contemplating what truly shapes our happiness.

Not the kind of fleeting happiness that comes from a new toy or holiday—but the deep, rooted contentment that carries us through life’s highs and lows.

And I’ve come to believe that the most important decision our children will ever make is not what they study or the career path they pursue… but who they choose to walk beside for the rest of their lives.

This isn’t something I was ever explicitly taught growing up.

Kindness. Emotional maturity. Growth mindset.

These weren’t modelled to me in my early life.

They are values I’ve come to learn, embody, and love—through the lived experience of sharing life with my husband over the past 14 years.

Raising children, weathering challenges, and finding deeper connection in the everyday moments has taught me more about love and partnership than any book or course ever could.

These aren’t just ideals I hope for my children—they’re lessons I’ve lived, and continue to live, every single day.

Why Relationships Matter More Than We Think

In fact, researchers at Harvard have been tracking this very question for over 85 years. The Harvard Study of Adult Development—one of the longest-running studies of human happiness—revealed something profound:

“The clearest message we get from this 85-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.”

— Dr. Robert Waldinger

It’s not our wealth, our postcode, or even our education that shapes our long-term wellbeing—it’s the quality of our close relationships, especially with our life partner.

So even though my twins are only nine, I’m already gently planting seeds. Not with pressure or expectation—but by encouraging them to be mindful about the kind of people they surround themselves with… and more importantly, the kind of person they are becoming.

3 Qualities I Teach My Children for Meaningful Relationships

1. Kindness, First and Foremost

Kindness is a quiet superpower.

Not just being nice when it’s easy—but acting with compassion when it’s inconvenient, when no one is watching.

I tell my kids:

“Notice how your friends treat animals. How they speak to people who can’t do anything for them. That’s where their true nature lives.”

And just as importantly, I remind them to be the kindness they wish to receive.

Because how we treat others—especially when it’s difficult—is a mirror of how we treat ourselves, and how we’ll one day treat a life partner.

2. Emotional Maturity & Conflict Resolution

No relationship is free from disagreement. But what makes a partnership strong isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of emotional maturity.

I teach my children that staying calm, honest, and kind in the midst of disagreement is a strength worth developing.

To speak the truth with love. To stay present even when emotions rise. To forgive fully and move forward—free of residue.

It takes courage and humility to say:

“I was wrong.”

“I hear you.”

“I still love you.”

These are the building blocks of deep trust. Of lasting connection.

3. Growth Mindset & Shared Evolution

We are not meant to stay the same.

Life changes us, and the best relationships are with people who welcome that evolution.

I remind my kids that the most nourishing friendships and future partnerships will be with people who support their growth—and inspire them to grow, too.

Whether simplifying, expanding, starting over or letting go…

There’s something so beautiful about walking through the seasons of life with someone who says:

“Yes, I’m changing too—let’s change together.”

In Closing…

As parents, we can’t choose our children’s paths.

But we can guide them gently, planting seeds of wisdom, empathy, and self-awareness.

We can model the kind of love we hope they receive.

We can teach them that relationships are living, breathing things that require tenderness, curiosity, and courage.

And most of all, we can remind them—with grace and truth—that who they choose to share their life with may be the most important decision they’ll ever make.

Because love isn’t just something we fall into.

It’s something we grow into, together.

And it’s a garden worth tending—every single day.

Take The Leap Into Stillness, Healing & Personal Growth

In a world that moves at lightning speed, it takes courage to pause. To slow down. To soften into stillness and discover the quiet wisdom that lives beneath the surface. This is the heart of Yin Yoga—an invitation to turn inward, to regulate the nervous system, and to create space for healing and transformation.

Yin Yoga is more than a practice of long-held poses—it’s a journey into the connective tissue of your body, your emotions, and your soul. It nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system, calms the mind, and opens the door to deep introspection. As master teacher Paul Grilley says:

"Yin yoga is the fountain of youth. It restores range of motion, cultivates stillness, and enhances the flow of energy in the body."

And best of all, Yin Yoga is beautifully accessible to all ages, all bodies, and all life stages. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just beginning your journey, this practice meets you exactly where you are.

At Essence of Living, our Yin Yoga Teacher Training is intentionally designed to be offered in intimate groups only. This ensures that every student feels truly seen, heard, and held. The small group setting fosters authentic connection, heartfelt conversations, and a sense of safety that allows for personal unfolding and deep transformation. You’re not just another number—you’re part of a circle, a shared journey.

Nestled in a forest-nurtured retreat setting, this training becomes a sacred space for learning, self-discovery, and profound connection—with nature, with community, and with yourself.

One recent graduate shared her heartfelt journey:

"I have been contemplating completing my yoga teacher training for many years now, however timing and confidence have stopped me from taking the leap. When I spoke to Michelle about her 200hr yin yoga course, as well as my goals and dreams, she instantly made me feel like it was something I could achieve. She inspired me to chase my dreams, and I am so glad that I finally took that leap! This course has given me so much deep insight, wisdom, and has filled me with the confidence to teach yoga to my community."

"The week-long intensive was such a blissful retreat, as we absorbed timeless knowledge amongst the trees with the birds singing. Michelle has a way of teaching that resonates deeply and her depth of knowledge is inspiring. The online content covers so many topics and is very detailed as well. This training has been not only an opportunity for me to really learn everything about yoga, but also an opportunity for my own personal growth and transformation. I will be forever grateful to Michelle and Essence of Living for giving me the confidence to shine. I look forward to spreading this love and light out to the world. If you have been contemplating doing this training for a while now, this is your sign - take the leap! You won't regret it."

Whether your intention is to teach, to heal, or simply to explore the richness of Yin for your own wellbeing, this training offers more than just a qualification—it’s a retreat for the soul.

Come join us.
Let the forest hold you.
Let your body soften.
Let your heart be heard.

Take the leap—you won’t regret it.

Redefining What It Means To Be a Yoga Teacher

I’m still a yoga teacher — but what that means to me now is worlds apart from what it meant when I first began.

In my earlier years, I poured myself into running a thriving yoga and Pilates studio on the Gold Coast. I led thousands of classes and teacher trainings, built a beautiful community, and found deep purpose in sharing what I loved. For 19 years, I believed this was the heart of my calling: to hold space, guide movement, and inspire others through the discipline and devotion of practice.

And while I’m still doing those things — offering yoga and Pilates in local community spaces and mentoring the teachers of tomorrow — something essential has shifted.

What I share today is still informed by years of study — but more than ever, it rises from the forest floor, from the cracks of lived experience, from seasons of change that no textbook or teacher could ever fully prepare me for. Because while formal training offers the map, it’s direct experience and awakened awareness that truly shape the journey. 

From Studio Walls to Forest Wisdom

When I became a mother, life asked me to soften. When perimenopause arrived, it asked me to surrender even more. These transitions peeled back layers I didn’t know I was ready to shed. Though I still loved guiding movement, I longed to be more present — not just for my children, but for myself.

And then something unexpected began to happen.

Every time I looked out the window onto the land my young family and I lived on, I could feel Mother Earth calling me — not in a metaphorical way, but a deep, soul-stirring invitation. She asked me to sit with her. To help heal her. And slowly, I began to listen.

Like a tree shedding its leaves in autumn, I let go of running the studio and all its responsibilities. I didn’t know what would take its place — but something in me knew I was being realigned. And I trusted. 

Regeneration Inside and Out

Two years on, I find myself immersed in the regeneration of our native Gold Coast bushlands. Thanks to Land for Wildlife and NCAP funding, I’m now deeply involved in healing the land — learning from it, working with it, and walking alongside others who care for our waterways, forests, and wildlife corridors.

These days spent planting trees and pulling weeds don’t feel like work. They feel like worship. I’ve come to understand that this is yoga — union — just in a different form.

And the wisdom that nature shares with me out there? That’s what I now bring back into my classes.

Forest Bathing as a New Kind of Teaching

Alongside my community yoga and Pilates classes, I’ve also continued to offer weekly Forest Bathing sessions — slow, sensory immersions in nature designed to reconnect us with the land and with ourselves.

Every Friday, I guide a group of neurodivergent women through the forest at the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens, thanks to support from Gold Coast Sport & Recreation. My dear friend Gabriella joins each week, weaving sound healing into the experience as the birds and breeze harmonise around us.

Thanks to the continued support of the Gold Coast Active & Healthy program, my monthly Forest Bathing sessions continue across the city — offered during school holidays for families and on weekends for those juggling busy work lives.

I’m delighted to share that the next 12 months of Forest Bathing sessions are now live on my website — including private and corporate offerings if your team or sisterhood is seeking something different.

Teaching from Lived Experience, Not Just Philosophy

Although I still guide yoga and Pilates, my teachings no longer come solely from books or traditional sequences. They come from the forest — from walking barefoot on the land, from watching the way dew gathers on leaves, from witnessing the healing power of stillness and the honest poetry of decay and rebirth.

What I now teach is shaped by what I’ve lived:

• The way the earth gives without asking for recognition.
• How silence can be the most powerful teacher of all.
• That healing doesn’t always look like doing — sometimes it’s simply being.

Teacher Trainings Held by the Forest

And yes — I still offer yoga and Pilates teacher trainings. But they’re no longer confined to a studio. These days, our trainings unfold in a retreat-style sanctuary, nestled among the trees and serenaded by songbirds. We move, learn, and grow enveloped by nature, allowing each moment to be infused with fresh air, birdsong, and the quiet power of presence.

The setting itself becomes the teacher — reminding us that true wisdom doesn’t come from striving, but from stillness. From listening. From remembering.

A New Kind of Guide

I no longer see myself as a “yoga teacher” in the traditional sense. I feel more like an embodied teacher, shaped by seasons, stillness and soil moving gently through life with roots in the earth, an open heart, and a quiet reverence for the sacredness of everyday moments.

I still teach movement. But now, my mat is the forest floor.

And my most trusted guru?

The land — and life itself, in all its rawness and radiance.

Come Home To Stillness: Yin Yoga Teacher Training

“The more space we make for stillness and silence, the more we have to give both to ourselves and to others.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

In a world that rarely slows down, Yin Yoga offers us a gentle invitation to pause… to soften… to listen.

At Essence of Living, our 75-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training is more than a course—it’s a sacred return to self. A journey into the subtle body. A place to remember the power of presence.

For Jess, one of our recent graduates, this training marked a transformational turning point.

“My journey through Essence of Living’s Yin YTT was a gentle invitation to come home to myself—to stillness, to feel, to heal, and to just BE.”

Yin as Medicine for the Soul

Held in a serene retreat-style space on the Gold Coast, surrounded by towering trees and birdsong, each day of the training is carefully curated to bring spaciousness to the body and nervous system.

Jess reflects on how the environment itself became part of the healing:

“Looking out to the majestic forest and being serenaded by birdsong was an absolute joy—like medicine for the soul.”

Early starts and early finishes allow time to absorb, reflect, and integrate. There is no rush here. Just a deep exhale into being.

A Journey of Trust, Surrender & Healing

Many students come to Yin Yoga because they feel the pull to slow down, even if it feels unfamiliar at first. Jess shares:

“As someone who was never drawn to yin, or being still for that matter, I am deeply grateful for the insights, knowledge and courage it has instilled in me.”

This training gently peels back the layers, revealing what’s been held—physically, emotionally, energetically. In the stillness, truth emerges.

“It illuminated the parts of myself that I’d kept hidden. I had been so afraid of being seen, of letting go and surrendering. Since completing the training I’ve had breakthroughs, insights and a deeper sense of trust.”

Embodied Learning with Heart-Led Teachers

Our Yin Yoga Teacher Training includes comprehensive modules in Chinese Medicine, meridian theory, fascia and anatomy, guided by compassionate and experienced facilitators:

• Chinese Medicine with Johnny
• Anatomy & Physiology with Susie
• Sound Healing with Gabriela
• Yin Yoga methodology, sequencing & philosophy with Michelle

Jess recalls:

“Michelle is a pure-hearted soul who embodies what she teaches. Her style of teaching is engaging, heartfelt and interactive. I felt held and seen by Michelle and all of the beautiful women on this training.”

For Teachers, Seekers & Soulful Humans

Whether you’re already a yoga teacher or simply feel the inner call to slow down, this training offers tools to share Yin Yoga confidently—or simply deepen your own personal practice.

Jess’s words speak for many:

“I would highly recommend this training to anyone who is curious about going deeper into their personal practice or wanting to share these teachings with their students.”

October 2025 Yin Yoga Teacher Training

• Location: Gold Coast, QLD
• Dates: 27th-31st October 2025
• Limited to a small group for personalised support

Ready to Come Home to Yourself?

This training is for you if:

• You long for stillness and space
• You’re craving connection—to nature, to your body, to your truth
• You’re ready to rest deeply and rise renewed

Step into the softness. Be held. Be seen. Be transformed.

The Healing Power of Forest Bathing

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” — John Muir

Eight years ago, I gently stepped away from the beachside rhythms of life and moved into the quiet embrace of the forest. What began as a lifestyle shift became a profound spiritual awakening. Living immersed in nature has softened me, reshaped me, and returned me to my truest essence.

At first, it was simple: hands in the soil, weeding and regenerating the land, bringing the native flora back to life. Yet beneath the surface, a deeper transformation was unfolding. As I made space for light to return to the earth, I was also clearing away the clutter within—restoring my nervous system, quietening my mind, and aligning more deeply with my own natural rhythms.

This journey became the seed for what I now offer to others: Forest Bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, the ancient Japanese practice of immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the forest.

What is Forest Bathing?

Unlike hiking or bushwalking, Forest Bathing isn’t about getting from A to B. It’s a slow, sensory-rich experience that invites you to pause, breathe, and notice. There’s no need to achieve anything—just to be. This gentle yet powerful practice lowers cortisol levels, balances the nervous system, and improves mental clarity and emotional resilience.

Modern science is beginning to catch up with what Indigenous cultures and spiritual traditions have known for centuries: nature heals.

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” — Thích Nhất Hạnh

Forest Bathing as Inclusive Healing

Thanks to the Active & Healthy Program and now through the support of Gold Coast Recreation & Sport, I am honoured to guide weekly inclusive Forest Bathing sessions for neurodivergent women at the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens.

Together with my dear friend and co-facilitator Gabriela Groom, we hold space for a dozen beautiful women each Friday—offering a nurturing blend of Forest Bathing, gentle yoga, breathwork, and sound healing.

These sessions are sensory-friendly, trauma-informed, and accessible. There’s no pressure to “perform,” no need to mask. We create a space where every woman can feel safe to connect with nature, with community, and with herself—just as she is.

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir

Why Forest Bathing Matters for Neurodivergent Individuals

For neurodivergent people—those who experience the world differently, whether through autism, ADHD, sensory processing sensitivity, or other unique neurotypes—mainstream wellness spaces can often feel overwhelming or inaccessible.

Forest Bathing offers:

• Gentle, slow-paced movement
• A quiet, non-judgmental space
• Opportunities for sensory regulation
• Connection without pressure
• Healing through presence, not performance

Nature doesn’t ask us to be anyone but ourselves. In the forest, we’re all equal—coexisting in harmony, breathing the same air, rooted in the same Earth.

Reclaiming Our Connection to Gaia

These offerings are more than just classes—they are rituals of reconnection, helping us remember that we are nature. When we slow down in the forest, we return to a state of wholeness that is our birthright.

The forest holds us without judgment. She welcomes every breath, every step, every silence.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein

Join Us in the Forest

If your heart is longing for peace, if you’re seeking community, or if you know someone who could benefit from a gentle, inclusive space in nature—we invite you to join us.

Weekly sessions: For neurodivergent women, every Friday at the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens (supported by Gold Coast Recreation & Sport)

Monthly community sessions: Open to all, through the City of Gold Coast’s Active & Healthy Program

Because everyone deserves access to calm.

To care.

To community.

To the healing rhythm of the forest.

FAQ: Forest Bathing & Inclusive Nature Practices

Q: What is Forest Bathing?

Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice of slowing down and immersing yourself in the sensory experience of the forest. It’s not about hiking or fitness—it’s a form of nature therapy that supports mental clarity, emotional resilience, and nervous system regulation.

Q: How is Forest Bathing different from bushwalking or hiking?

Unlike hiking, Forest Bathing isn’t about reaching a destination. It’s a slow, mindful experience guided by the senses—touch, smell, sound, and sight. The focus is on being, not doing.

Q: Is Forest Bathing suitable for neurodivergent individuals?

Yes, absolutely. Our sessions are specifically designed to be inclusive, sensory-friendly, and trauma-informed, making them accessible for those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing sensitivity, or anyone who benefits from a gentle and quiet space.

Q: Do I need experience with yoga, meditation or mindfulness?

Not at all. Forest Bathing is for everyone. You don’t need to be flexible, spiritual or experienced—just open to slowing down and connecting with the natural world.

Q: Where are these sessions held?

We offer:

 • Weekly Forest Bathing sessions for neurodivergent women at the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens, in collaboration with Gold Coast Recreation & Sport.

 • Monthly community Forest Bathing experiences open to all, as part of the City of Gold Coast’s Active & Healthy Program.

Q: What are the benefits of Forest Bathing?

Some of the many scientifically and spiritually supported benefits include:

 • Reduced stress and anxiety

 • Improved mood and emotional balance

 • Better sleep quality

 • Enhanced sensory awareness

 • A deeper connection to self, nature and community

The Healing Power of Community

There’s a quiet kind of courage in letting go.

Years ago, I made the heartbreaking decision to close the doors of my beloved studio. At the time, I didn’t know exactly where I was going—only that something deep within me was calling for change. I wanted to be a more present parent, to soften into a slower rhythm of life, and to listen to the whispers of my inner world.

It was both freeing and terrifying.

What I’ve since learned is that perimenopause—a transition so often misunderstood—is a time when many women feel a sudden and seismic shift. It’s a season when careers change, relationships dissolve, and long-buried truths rise to the surface. I now see that my experience was part of a greater pattern. A natural, if uncomfortable, unfolding.

And yet, through all the uncertainty, one truth remained: I was still deeply called to teach.

Not just yoga or Pilates classes, but teacher trainings—the kind of deep, soul-stirring experiences that go far beyond a weekly hour on the mat. These trainings are a powerful gateway into self-discovery, healing, and lasting transformation. They remind us that wellness is not just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual.

But after closing the studio, there was an ache I hadn’t anticipated.

I missed the community. The warm greetings. The familiar faces. The gentle accountability. The spontaneous friendships that bloom when people gather in safe, welcoming spaces.

That’s when I realised something vital: I don’t just teach movement—I create spaces of connection. I build community.

Teaching community classes has brought me something I didn’t know I was longing for. It has reconnected me to purpose. It gives my life rhythm, meaning, and a reason to rise each day with a full heart and open arms. I love being useful. I love sharing something that truly helps people feel more grounded, more present, more themselves.

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Gold Coast City Council’s Active & Healthy Program, I’ve been able to offer low-cost and free yoga and Pilates classes on the Gold Coast for over 20 years. This incredible initiative has allowed me to make wellness accessible—so that everyone, regardless of background or budget, can experience the benefits of conscious movement and mindful community.

Even now, I still personally teach 9 sessions a week. Why? Because I love the practices. I love the people. And I love that we’ve created something that feels less like a class, and more like coming home.

In a world that can feel fast, fragmented, and disconnected, community classes remind us of what matters most: being seen, being supported, and moving through life—together.

Why Yoga Teacher & Personal Trainers Are Becoming Pilates Instructors

As a yoga teacher or personal trainer, you’ve already said yes to a path of purpose — of guiding others through movement, breath, and transformation. But perhaps there’s a quiet nudge in your heart… a whisper that your work could go deeper, reach further, support more people — with more precision, more insight, and more care.

This is where Pilates teacher training becomes the next beautiful evolution in your journey.

Whether you teach Vinyasa flows or build strength sessions in the gym, learning to teach Pilates will not only expand your skills — it will elevate the way you serve your current clients and open doors to a whole new client base seeking intelligent, mindful movement.

Why Pilates Complements Yoga and Personal Training

Pilates offers what so many clients need: functional strength, spinal stability, joint mobility, core awareness, and breath-integrated movement. It is a method rooted in precision and alignment, and when paired with the intuition and presence you already bring as a teacher or trainer, it creates a transformative offering.

Many yoga teachers who train with us say that Pilates gave them a deeper understanding of anatomy in motion. Personal trainers often find it adds a softness and mindfulness to their client programs — without compromising on results.

And most importantly, it fills the gap. It supports injury prevention, post-rehab clients, pre- and post-natal women, older adults, and those seeking balance after burnout.

What Makes Our Pilates Teacher Training Different?

At Essence of Living, our teacher training isn’t just about exercises and sequences. It’s about awakening a deeper connection to your purpose as a teacher. You’ll learn the foundations of Pilates matwork, anatomy and biomechanics, cueing with clarity and care, intelligent class design — and you’ll be guided every step of the way by Michelle Cassidy, who brings decades of experience, heart, and insight to every training.

As Elvire a recent graduate shared:

“Training with Michelle has been on my bucket list for years. She’s a pioneer in the fitness and wellness world on the Gold Coast — a true inspiration as both a teacher and businesswoman. So when her Pilates teacher training came up, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity.

Training at Essence of Living was everything I hoped for and more. Michelle’s Pilates teacher training is incredibly comprehensive, filled with wisdom from decades of experience. But what truly sets it apart is how she weaves in her life philosophy — sharing insights that go far beyond Pilates and deeply enrich your personal journey.

If you’re thinking about training with Michelle, know this: she will be your biggest cheerleader. She believes in you, supports you every step of the way, and makes sure you’re confident and ready by the time you graduate. I’m so grateful to have trained with her and even more grateful to now call her my mentor.”

~ Elvire Boyer

Ready to Expand Your Teaching & Your Impact?

Whether you want to:

 • Offer more tailored sessions to your private yoga clients

 • Increase your weekly class offerings with Pilates matwork

 • Support pre/post-natal, older adults, or post-injury clients

 • Deepen your understanding of functional anatomy and cueing

 • Or simply evolve as a teacher, practitioner, and guide…

…our Pilates Teacher Training on the Gold Coast is here to support you.

This is more than a course. It’s a journey back to the heart of why you teach.

Enrolments Are Now Open

Reach out to Michelle to chat about whether this pathway is right for you.

Expand your practice. Support your students more deeply. Step into your next chapter with strength and soul.

Navigating Perimenopause With Purpose

Perimenopause is not just a hormonal shift—it’s a soul shift. For many women, it’s the beginning of a powerful awakening that calls for deeper connection, alignment, and support. At Essence of Living, we see this stage not as an ending, but as a profound beginning—a chance to reconnect with your body, redesign your life, and reclaim your purpose.

My Perimenopause Journey

I’ve been navigating perimenopause for almost three years, and recently, I haven’t had a bleed for nearly six months. The changes in my body have been significant, and at times, confronting. But they’ve also brought clarity.

At 43, I know I’m too young to step fully into menopause. That’s why I’ve taken proactive steps to support my health and energy levels. I’ve just booked my DUTCH test—a functional hormone test that offers deep insights into cortisol rhythms, estrogen metabolism, and other crucial markers that standard blood tests often miss.

I’m also working with an integrative doctor who specialises in all stages of menopause, and I’m exploring bio-identical hormone optimisation—a personalised, natural approach to balancing hormones in a way that supports my body long-term.

Key Takeaway: If you’re noticing shifts in your cycle, energy, sleep, or mood—it’s time to get curious. Ask questions. Seek guidance. Your experience is valid, and there is support available.

Why Yoga & Pilates Are Essential During Perimenopause

Movement is medicine—especially when it’s mindful.

Both yoga and Pilates play an essential role in supporting the nervous system during perimenopause. As hormone levels fluctuate, our stress responses can become heightened. Practices that promote nervous system regulation are key to managing symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, and fatigue.

At Essence of Living, our approach to movement is intentional.

We focus on:

 • Breathwork to calm the mind and soothe the nervous system

 • Functional Pilates to build strength, support bone health, and enhance posture

 • Yoga flows that honour the cyclical nature of the feminine body

These practices don’t just help you cope—they help you thrive. They create space for you to process, integrate, and find meaning in the transition.

“I always say that yoga and Pilates aren’t just physical—they’re spiritual, emotional, and deeply empowering tools for transformation.”

A New Season, A New Calling

For many women, perimenopause and post-menopause bring a complete life overhaul.

Maybe you’re questioning your career.

Maybe you’re longing to do something more meaningful.

Maybe you want to create a lifestyle that aligns with your values.

You’re not alone. We see women stepping into this next season with more wisdom, clarity, and courage than ever before. And we’re here to walk beside you.

Whether you want to deepen your personal practice, support others on their journey, or become a teacher who leads from lived experience—our Yoga and Pilates Teacher Training programs are designed to empower you from the inside out.

Your Healing is Your Power

This chapter is not something to endure—it’s something to embrace.

Your body is speaking.

Your hormones are guiding you.

And your life is opening up to something deeper.

We invite you to stay curious, stay connected, and stay open.

Support your body. Strengthen your mind. And surround yourself with community that honours this sacred transition.

Because you’re not breaking down—you’re breaking through.

Grounded & Growing: How I Support My Nervous System as a Teacher & Twin Mama

Teaching yoga and Pilates is one of the great joys of my life. It’s a practice that continues to shape me—on and off the mat.

Add in the beauty and chaos of raising 8-year-old twins, and each day becomes its own dance between movement and stillness, presence and planning.

I’m often asked how I stay centred through it all. The answer isn’t a secret—it’s in the little things. The quiet rituals that gently anchor me. The tools that help regulate my nervous system so I can keep showing up with softness and strength.

Lately, I’ve been exploring a few simple tools that have softened my edges and brought even more presence into my personal and professional life. Not to replace the ancient practices I’ve long loved—but to quietly complement them.

Grounding Sheets: Bringing Earth into Rest

Forest walks are a non-negotiable part of my self-care. The way the trees hold space without needing to fix. The way the earth draws stress down and leaves you lighter.

Grounding sheets bring that energy into rest. Lined with conductive fibres, they reconnect the body to the Earth’s frequency during sleep. And while it may sound subtle, the shift I’ve felt has been profound. I wake feeling like the forest held me through the night.

My breath is slower. My nervous system, more at ease.

Pulsetto: Support for the Soft Animal of the Body

The Pulsetto device stimulates the vagus nerve—a gentle bridge between our body and its rest state. Just a few minutes a day, often while I move through quiet moments—lighting a candle, scraping my tongue, exhaling into silence.

It’s become a small act of care. A reminder that regulation isn’t just for when things feel hard—it’s a practice of tending to the quiet in-between.

Technology & Tradition, Not in Conflict—but in Conversation

There was a time when I hesitated to bring “tech” into my practice. But I’ve come to realise these tools don’t dilute my devotion to breath, movement or nature. They deepen it. They support the part of me that teaches, mothers, listens, and creates.

They remind me that support can be soft. That wellness can be modern without losing its soul.

For the Teachers, the Mothers, the Women in the Middle of It All

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a seeker—or all three—know that your nervous system is not a side note. It’s the foundation.

I’ve learned (and am still learning) that steadiness doesn’t come from doing more, but from choosing differently. From knowing what helps you return—not just to the mat, but to yourself.

This season, these are my quiet anchors.

Not solutions. Not escapes.

Just tools, woven gently into the rituals that already root me.

Maybe they’ll speak to you too.

Wrapped In Stillness: A Students Journey

In a world that moves fast and asks so much of us, Yin Yoga offers something rare: space to soften, to feel, and to return home to ourselves.

At Essence of Living, our 75-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training isn’t just about becoming a teacher. It’s a journey into stillness. A retreat for your nervous system. A sacred pause beneath the canopy of the Gold Coast hinterland—where nature holds you, and community uplifts you.

Samantha’s Story: From Busyness to Deep Belonging

“I recently completed my 75-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training, and it was truly a transformative experience. The course felt like a blissful retreat—with the added bonus of gaining a valuable qualification. Even if you don’t plan to teach, this training is the perfect opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Gold Coast hinterland, fully embracing all that Yin Yoga has to offer.”

“Michelle facilitates her courses with genuine care and warmth—it feels like being wrapped in a comforting hug. With a small group setting, there’s a strong sense of connection and personal support. You feel seen, heard, and held, no matter where you are on your journey.”

Samantha’s words capture the soul of this training—a blend of rest, renewal, and deep remembering. In a circle of kindred spirits, each person is invited to slow down, to listen in, and to rediscover the quiet wisdom that lives within.

What Awaits You in This Training 

 • 75 hours of immersive, heart-led Yin Yoga education

 • Nature-held days in the peaceful Gold Coast hinterland

 • Trauma-aware, inclusive facilitation with Michelle Cassidy

 • A nurturing small-group environment—intimate, supportive, and safe

 • Time to integrate, to breathe, to be

Whether you’re called to teach or simply to take a deep dive into your own healing, this training is a sanctuary—a place where you are lovingly held, just as you are.

Let the Practice Hold You

The next intake of our 75-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training is now open.

Come, rest in the stillness. Come, remember your softness.

Let the forest floor cradle your feet and the breath guide you home.

The Moon Is Always Full Even If We Can't See It

The moon is always FULL even when we can’t see it!

This was one of the many teachings I shared during my recent Pilates Teacher Training as some of the girls felt at times like they weren’t good enough one way or another.

The truth is, the feeling of not being enough or broken is more normal than not!

We have been conditioned & programmed by society to believe that we need to add or subtract something in order to feel whole & enough.

When we feel like we aren’t enough we spend a lot of money on trying to fill any insecurities which results in big profits for big business.

So the messaging & marketing of the media is geared towards making us feel like we aren’t enough which equals consumerism!

So I gently rewired & reminded the young ladies that they are like the moon, whole & complete even though at times they may not be able to see it or feel it.

I suggested next time they feel like they aren’t enough to lovingly remind themselves ‘I am like the moon, I am full, whole & complete even in the darkest of times!’

It takes courage & confidence to teach in front of a room of people & I absolutely love empowering my trainees to believe in themselves, their own voice & passion to share with others what lights them up.

This analogy is useful whenever we face any fears around self belief & self worth.

We are all full, whole, complete & enough just like the moon even when we can’t see it.

I see you & you are shining so bright!

A Journey Of Self-Discovery In The Forest

If you’re searching for a Yin Yoga Teacher Training that blends nature, mindfulness, and personal transformation, our Essence of Living retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland offers a deeply nourishing experience — designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and truly come home to yourself.

At Essence of Living, our Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings are about more than just learning poses and philosophy — they’re about slowing down, softening, and coming home to yourself.

Nestled in the forest, surrounded by towering trees and the gentle soundtrack of birdsong, our training space invites a kind of inner quiet that’s hard to find in everyday life. It’s here, immersed in nature and stillness, that so many beautiful transformations unfold.

One of those journeys belongs to the radiant Kirsty Rogers.

A Personal Reflection from Kirsty

“Thank you for your support Michelle, not just in my yoga journey, but for being a quiet, compassionate presence through every part of my life. This path has been about so much more than yoga. It’s been a journey of self-discovery.”

“Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the simple, curious way I used to see the world. I stopped listening to my heart and the quiet signals from my body — things I’ve been ignoring for decades. Now I’m learning that I am okay to move at my own pace, to live differently, and I feel supported in a way that’s real and lasting.”

“I’m deeply grateful for your guidance, your wisdom, and your ability to see the light in people, even when it’s dimmed. Your energy has a way of lifting tired spirits and helping them remember the love and strength they carry inside. Thank you.”

The Power of Yin, Nature & Deep Presence

Kirsty’s experience is a tender reminder of why we offer these trainings in the heart of nature. There’s something truly alchemical that happens when you take time to unplug from the rush of life, slow your breath, and be held by the Earth.

The Yin journey teaches us to pause. To listen. To feel.

And when held in a space of compassion, with the support of community and the stillness of the forest, we begin to remember who we truly are.

Ready to begin your own journey of reconnection and healing?

Our next Yin Yoga Teacher Training is now open for enrolment — whether you come to deepen your practice or to become a teacher, you’ll leave with so much more than knowledge. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of self, a softened heart, and a deeper connection to life.

The Universe Is Always Working For Us

That’s a wrap! Pilates Mat Teacher Training face-to-face immersion finished strong with 10 classes completed in just 2 days due to cyclonic conditions. 

Mum Following Her Heart To Teach Yoga

My Yoga Teacher Training with Essence of Living was an unforgettable journey & I owe so much of that to my incredible teacher, Michelle.

From the first day, Michelle’s presence was a source of inspiration, warmth & wisdom.

Her ability to create a safe, nurturing space allowed me to dive deep into my practice & emerge transformed.

Michelle’s teaching is a perfect blend of expertise & compassion.

She guided us through every aspect of yoga—pranayama, asanas, anatomy, philosophy & adjustment techniques —with clarity & patience.

Her deep knowledge & passion for yoga were evident in every session, & she had a unique way of making even the most complex concepts feel accessible & relatable.

What truly set Michelle apart was her ability to see & honour each of us as individuals.

She encouraged us to embrace our strengths, confront our challenges, and grow at our own pace.

Her thoughtful feedback & unwavering support gave me the confidence to step into my power, both as a student & as a future teacher.

In just two weeks, Michelle helped me uncover a deeper connection to myself & to the practice of yoga. Her emphasis on mindfulness, self-reflection, & authentic living left a lasting impression on me.

This training wasn’t just about learning to teach yoga—it was about learning to live with intention, grace & joy.

The supportive environment made all the difference! My fellow trainees became like family & the sense of camaraderie we shared was invaluable.

Whether we were practicing together, sharing stories, or simply sitting in silence, I always felt a deep sense of belonging.

By the end of the immersion, I not only earned my certification but also gained a renewed sense of purpose & clarity.

I now feel equipped to share the gift of yoga with others & am forever grateful for the tools & insights this program has given me.

To anyone considering this training, I can’t recommend it enough.

Michelle’s guidance, combined with the transformative curriculum at Essence of Living, it will not only prepare you to teach yoga but also inspire you to live a more meaningful & connected life.

A Childs First Teacher is Their Mother

What an incredible 2 weeks we shared deep diving, soul searching & heart opening during the new 200hr hybrid vinyasa yoga teacher training.

Everyday I pinch myself that I get to do this work!

I feel so blessed to be able to share my teachers teachings in such a beautiful place in such an intimate setting.

I am so inspired by these incredible women who shared this path with me as 8 out of 9 them are mothers juggling households & commitments outside of the training.

The Mother is the first teacher of the child.

The message she gives that child, that child gives to the world.

~ Malcolm X

It just goes to show that no matter our situation we can always find a way to follow our passion thanks to the good fortune & loving support of our friends & families.

I know firsthand how incredible it is to be able to show & share with my kids what I am studying & learning.

Inspiring them to never stop learning & growing, to stay curious & to seek wisdom from great teachers & mentors from all walks of life both near & far.

Ultimately life is a wonderful teacher & there are lessons in everyday experiences, however there is something special about being able to learn what lights up our souls & makes our hearts sing.

It’s totally different when we get to choose what we study & it isn’t just about a job or a pay check at the end of the training but rather about learning what we love & are inspired by.

That’s when the real magic happens & life just gets so much sweeter & brighter.

Let this be your sign to sign up to that course you have been wanting to do for years but just keep putting it off!

Life is short & we never regret investing in ourselves!

A Lifelong Love Affair with Yoga

Recently I was asked how I was & my response was 'I feel like I'm sitting at the top of the mountain & the view is so much more beautiful than I could of ever dreamed of!'

It certainly has been a journey to get here & the road less travelled has definitely been filled with ups & downs. But one thing I know for sure is that there will be another mountain to climb, hardships to overcome & trials that will test me.

However, for the time being I am sitting in sincere contentment with what is. Not needing to add or subtract anything, just basking in the being-ness.

Everything feels like it's in flow! My relationship is flourishing, my kids are thriving & my heart is shining like the sun.

I understand that life is cyclical & we have to weather the different season of life. So, right now when the sun is shining on me I can't help but take a moment of gratitude as I know that nothing lasts forever & that this too will pass.

With that in mind, I am enjoying the sweetness of this season & the lightness it brings. I have come to learn that nothing is permanent, both good & bad & to hold each moment lightly as it slips past so fast.

The art is being able to maintain that spark of faith, love & light in our hearts whilst experiencing the darkness of life from either our external environment or disturbed internal dialogue is the real test. If we can stay positive & pure in those trying times that's when we know we have progressed into the next evolution of our spiritual awakening. Similar to a student getting the next colour belt in martial arts only the spiritual warrior reveals its mastery by staying calmness in the chaos & finding clarity in the clouds of confusion.

Right now, I am in the middle of facilitating another 200hr yoga teacher training course & I cannot express how much joy it brings me to share this path & practice with others. Everyday I wake up so grateful for the gift to share my teachers teachings, my personal & professional experience of yoga over the decades, as well as the many lessons I've learnt from my forest friends (the flora & fauna) with my students.

It's so nice to sit back & observe my own continuous evolution over the 27 years of personal practice & how I now offer 'yoga' & what it means to live, teach & be yoga. One thing that hasn't changed over the last 21 years teaching & that's my love for both the people & the practice I get the privilege to share & enjoy in this heart driven community.

For all my friends that have shared this practice & path with me over the last two decades, thank you for giving me this wonderful life. I feel so blessed & truly love my job with all my heart.

Yoga is More Than Just Movement

I came to Essence of Living’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training looking for something. I wasn’t entirely sure what. A deeper understanding of yoga? A way to push my practice? Maybe the confidence to teach? What I found was so much more. 

From the very first moment, Michelle's presence radiated warmth, wisdom, and authenticity. She has an extraordinary ability to see and nurture the potential in each of her students, creating a space where growth felt both safe and encouraged. Her deep knowledge of yoga philosophy, anatomy, sequencing, and teaching methodology was delivered with such clarity, passion, and patience that every lesson felt like it was written just for me.

This training wasn’t just about learning postures or perfecting alignment, it was about self discovery, discipline, love and devotion to one’s true self. Michelle guided us through not only the physical aspects of yoga but also the deeper layers of self-inquiry, breathwork, and the true essence of what it means to be a yoga teacher. She helped us understand that yoga is more than just movement, it’s a practice of presence, compassion, and self-awareness.

One of the most remarkable things about Michelle is her incredible ability to hold space. She meets her students exactly where they are, empowering each of us to step into our own strength, confidence, and authenticity. She doesn’t just teach, she truly inspires. Her passion for yoga is contagious, and her dedication to her students is unmatched.

Throughout the training, I felt challenged yet supported, pushed yet uplifted. I gained not only technical skills but also a deep sense of purpose and direction in my yoga journey. Michelle’s mentorship has been a gift, and the Essence of Living community, a place of love, growth, and connection.

To anyone considering their YTT, I can say with absolute certainty, this training will change you. It will push you beyond your perceived limitations and open your heart to the endless possibilities within yourself. Thank you, Michelle, for your wisdom, your patience, and your unwavering belief in all of us. I am forever grateful for this life changing experience. 

All my love,

Sarah Davey Xo

Podcast: The Healing Power of Forest Bathing

Dr. Harmony Robinson-Stagg and Michelle delve into the practice of forest bathing, exploring its origins, benefits, and the profound connection it fosters between individuals and nature.

Michelle shares her personal journey from a beach-loving lifestyle to embracing the forest, highlighting the therapeutic effects of nature on mental health and well-being.

The discussion also touches on the cultural significance of forest bathing, its scientific backing, and practical ways to connect with nature, even in urban settings.

Ultimately, the conversation emphasises the importance of nurturing our relationship with the natural world and recognising it as a source of life and healing.

200hrs for a Lifetime of Living Yoga

Before embarking on this 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training course with Michelle, I had little to no knowledge of the ‘yogic way of life’ and the rich history and philosophy that follows. 

I discovered and learned so much about yoga during our training, but was not expecting to uncover so much about myself along the way.  

I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to learn from a teacher like Michelle. 

Her dedication, patience, wisdom, and warmth are poured into every session, and she has so much to share and give to all she meets. 

I left every weekend feeling so inspired and with my cup overflowing.

Weekends spent at Essence of Living were something truly special and eye-opening. 

I love how our open conversations were a safe space to share and learn and these moments I will always cherish. 

The time shared with Michelle and my yogi peers is held so close to my heart and I cannot recommend her teacher training course enough. 

The decision to begin this course is a decision I'll be forever grateful for. 

~  Chantelle Tamasese

Healthy Hardship Creates Happiness

This Yin Yoga Stuff Really Works

AI an Attack on Humanity

I have always been very intuitive & my gut instincts are on high alert as I believe we are about to have a massive shift in the way the whole world works.

I don’t have a crystal ball but, I can sense something big is happening & we are like the apologue of the frog in a pot of water slowing being brought to the boil.

With so much uncertainty around the future of the human species & its integration with self-thinking AI Agents & super computers I can’t help but be forced even more into the generous present moment.

All I know for sure is what I have NOW, this moment, this breath, this sensory experience with the real world around me.

More than ever I believe in the importance & impact of deep human connection & in a society that is becoming more disconnected & disenchanted by the beauty of Mother Earth, I feel it’s my mission to remind people of the power of community & nature.

Last week I had a number of clients over joyed with my return to teaching because they much prefer practicing in person in a room of like minded people opposed to at home alone or online.

As a mother, I think of my kids future in a world where the majority of jobs as we know them will be gone in the next 10 years.

As I sit & contemplate the change that is coming I can’t help but hope that humanity will return to the heart & seek raw & real connection & community.

In a technologically advanced world with limitless information & application at our fingertips I predict that we will need to sharpen the sword of discrimination between what is real & unreal, true & false more than ever.

I expect that those who have embodied self mastery or reached the pinnacle of an athletic pursuit will always be sort after to inspire others, as well as those who can tune into their 6th sense & connect with the heart of others will also be valued & in demand.

I trust that as a species we will always seek meaningful connections like moths to a flame.

One of my favourite quotes of all time is from @tonyrobbins ‘The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships!’

📸 AI generated photo my husband created & sent me back in 2018!!!

More Than Just a Pilates Course

Feeling beyond grateful for the incredible journey I had during my Pilates teacher training with Michelle & the Essence of Living Academy.

Michelle is a true wealth of knowledge, not only within her extensive skills & experience within the Pilates industry but also in life.

Her wisdom & guidance went far beyond the Pilates mat, encouraging me to believe in myself & inspire me to step into teaching with confidence, heart & purpose.

Her mentorship & support also extends far beyond the training itself.

When I first began Pilates, it was to support my chronic pain as a result of exercising in ways that didn't support my body.

What I've gained has exceeded far beyond that - not only improved mobility & strength, but a deeper connection to my body & the powerful role that breath plays in healing & movement.

During Pilates TT, there were definitely moments of self-doubt however Michelle was always there, helping me move past those barriers.

Her support made all the difference in cultivating both physical strength & emotional resilience.

Michelle's training also taught me the power & importance of listening to my body's wisdom, respect its limitations, and most importantly, honour it in every movement. 

She empowered & equipped me to confidently provide modifications, knowing that everybody is unique & thats what makes Pilates so personal.

She's shown me that teaching Pilates is not just about the physical practice - it's about guiding others to listen to their bodies too, connect with their breath, & move with intention.

This transformational training is much more than Pilates instructing.

It's an opportunity to challenge yourself & confront limiting beliefs, all within a supportive & nurturing environment.

Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of the body, develop a stronger mind-body connection, or simply grow personally, Michelle's training is for anyone who wants to learn more about how movement, breath, & awareness can positively impact your life.

~ Elleise Miranda

The Light & Dark of The Human Experience

When serious health issues hit your family you can’t help but be reminded of the light & dark of the human experience.

And, it could not of been more evident during this weeks Yin Yoga Teacher Training course when I got the news.

When we look at the yin & yang symbol it sums life up in its colour, shape & design.

On one side we are living in the light & experience moments of darkness & on the other hand we are living in the dark & experiencing moments of lightness.

We are forever ebbing & flowing from light & dark as there are many layers & levels of our yin & yang experiences & expressions.

And yet, everything is whole & complete as it is.

Light isn’t better than dark, it’s just a different reflection of oneness.

Similar to the sun shining on an object, yet casting a shadow simultaneously.

This duality of life simply displays our interdependence and interconnectedness with all of life’s experiences both enjoyed & endured.

Without one, the other loses its meaning.

And, who is to say what is light & dark as it’s all subjective based on personal preferences & perspective coloured by time, place & circumstance.

For me being with these women for 5 day’s in paradise enjoying meditation sessions with the sunrise & then blissfully stretching our bodies, minds & hearts throughout the day is living in the light.

When I got the news it didn’t diminish my light, in fact the shadow only made me even more grateful as it highlighted the blessing that I still have more time with my loved ones!

It has made me even more inspired to make magical memories with them.

Life is precious, surround yourself with people who are aligned with your soul & inspire you to shine brighter.

Do the things that light up your heart, take that holiday, do that course, make those memories & let your loved ones know you love them 🤍

Wow, what an experience!

Completing my Pilates teacher training with Michelle was one of the best decisions I have made for myself, & it is an investment that your future self will deeply thank you for!

I had wanted to complete my Pilates Teacher Training for about a year before I decided to enroll in Michelle’s course; it had taken me so long to decide on a training provider as I wanted to make sure I was choosing the best place for me & my learning journey.

And so, I spent months reading websites & testimonials, talking to staff & graduates from different providers, & creating the good old trusty pros & cons lists.

And yet, despite all of this, I couldn’t stop thinking about Essence of Living; after visiting the website & talking to Michelle over the phone, it was as if my gut feeling was screaming, “THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO IT.”

And so, I followed my gut feeling & I’m so glad I did.

From the first day of training, Michelle welcomed us into her home & training space amongst the forestry with open arms & a loving heart.

Michelle has such a beautiful, motherly presence where I always felt so seen, heard, understood, & valued throughout the entire experience, as well as to this very day.

Michelle’s passion & dedication to the Pilates craft is truly unmatched & it shines through her entire presence & teaching philosophy by supporting you to become the best Pilates instructor & version of yourself.

Although Michelle definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, it was the best way for me to learn the skills & knowledge that I needed to start teaching as soon as I finished the course.

Not only did this Teacher Training benefit my professional learning journey, it allowed me to learn a lot about myself & overcome personal challenges as Michelle created a safe space.

I’m extremely grateful that I made the decision to do my Pilates Teacher Training at Essence of Living & I will be forever thankful for the opportunities & experience.

If you’re currently deciding whether or not you should enroll in Teacher Training or commit to any other type of education, course, or degree, all I can say is to listen to your gut & simply give it a go!

After all, learning is never wasted & it allows us to keep getting better each day.

~ Kaylah Binkins

From the Frying Pan to the Fire

I’m not sure if anyone else can relate, but 2023 was my biggest year of letting go to date.

Not only did I close my studio after 19 years of unwavering passion & purpose, perimenopause hit me hard with countless symptoms from sleepless nights, hair loss, weight gain, skin issues, anxiety & heart palpitations to name a few.

I was recovering from a significant back injury & it felt like I had jumped out of the frying pan of chronic continuous pain in 2022 & into the fire of perimenopause in 2023.

The good news 2024 saw my symptoms significantly settle but my menstrual cycle is now far & few in-between bleeds.

In fact, I began bleeding 🩸 at only 10 year’s of age, but like my family always reminds me I like to do things early!

I was born 3 months premature, I opened my business at 22 years old & am I’m now transitioning into menopause at 43 years young.

Last year I let go of lots of old leaves & planted many new seeds & as the year ended I could feel the tides turning in who I am as a woman & what that means to me.

It’s as if the clouds have lifted & my paradigm has shifted, gone are the days of grasping, reaching & striving, here’s to sitting in the centre of deep resting, trusting & natural unfolding.

This pretty much sums up my modus operandi ‘You can’t open a rose with a crowbar’ ~ Zen proverb

Flowers continue to grow because that’s their nature, they follow the source of light, they don’t compare or compete, they simply share themselves unapologetically & bloom as they were born to.

I am looking forward to blooming beside YOU in the garden of life this year & beyond 🌹🌺🌷🌸🌼🌻🪻

New Monthly ‘Living Yoga Immersions’ being announced at the end of the week 🫶🏻

Pro Surfer Zahil to Pilates Teacher

Completing Pilates teacher training has profoundly transformed me in ways I could never have anticipated.

Initially, I embarked on the journey seeking a deeper connection with my body & a desire to help others experience the same.

However, what I discovered was far more transformative than I imagined.

Through the rigorous study & practice of Pilates, I developed a heightened awareness of my own body, not just in terms of strength & flexibility, but also in how I move through space, breathe, & connect with the present moment.

Pilates has taught me to listen more closely to my body’s needs & limitations, allowing me to cultivate greater self-compassion & mindfulness in my daily life.

This newfound awareness extends beyond physical movement; teaching me to stay grounded & centred, even during stressful moments.

The process of becoming a Pilates teacher also shifted my perspective on how I view teaching & leading others.

I learned the importance of clear communication, empathy, & patience.

Every client is unique, & guiding someone through their own physical & mental transformations requires an approach that honors their individual experiences.

This has made me more patient & understanding, both with myself & others.

It’s not just about teaching exercises; it’s about encouraging self-discovery, fostering empowerment, & helping people connect to their bodies in a way that supports their overall well-being.

Pilates Teacher Training has shaped me into a more compassionate & mindful person, both in my personal life & professional endeavours.

The dedication & discipline required throughout the training also instilled a sense of resilience in me.

I learned to embrace challenges & setbacks, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

The balance between strengthening the body & nurturing the mind through Pilates has taught me the importance of taking care of both aspects in harmony.

Pilates Teacher Training has empowered me to lead with confidence, live with intention, & inspire others to do the same.

The essence of living I’ve come to understand it, is about being fully present, honouring one’s body & mind & creating space for growth - Pilates has made that a reality in my life.

~ Zahil Hession

The Golden Years... Soaking it all up!

As hard as it was to close my studio I am so grateful that I did as these precious years with my young family will never return.

No one on their death bed ever said ‘I wish I worked more!’

The gifts I have gained from letting go include; more time, more energy & more presence to name a few!

It takes courage to align with your highest values as sometimes they aren’t accepted by everyone.

All I know for sure is that when I follow my heart, whilst being smart in the process I am so much happier & healthier on every level.

In fact, I just googled the main regrets of the dying & this is what I discovered:

1) “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

2) “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”

3) “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”

4) “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”

5) “I wish I had let myself be happier”

It’s funny reading these points as they completely echo my own realisations.

Practicing yoga prepares us for death everyday in our savasana pose as we get the opportunity to reflect, review & realign to what truly matters.

This is the traditional intention of the posture, not relaxation!

So next time you are in savasana contemplate your own death & take a deep dive into your priorities & practices.

For my friends who don’t practice yoga, sit under a tree & give yourself the gift of contemplating your own mortality.

If you are anything like me you will find it extremely liberating.

When Dreams Come True

I will be forever dreaming of my time in paradise with Michelle and my yogi sisters for our yoga teacher training.

A truly special experience, to sit under the golden sunshine, learn how to live yoga and evolve with like-hearted souls. 

Everything has been thought of and included within the training to make each of us feel so supported and well rounded.

Not only do you learn all about yoga, the body and the business, you get to know yourself better alongside a group of incredible people who are growing with you. 

I particularly resonated with the introduction to yoga history and philosophy which is mind blowing!

It connects all the different aspects of yoga and leads to a lot of (optional) interesting reading which I loved.

Some of my favourite shares and conversations came from this part of the course.

Practicing pranayama and asana with adjustments first thing each morning was simply blissful.

Michelle’s guidance is pure magic.

Sharing from the heart, she has so many insightful and practical little gems of information from her many years of experience.

Helping to bring through numerous realisations that, for me, explain life and how to live it moving forward.

I will be forever grateful for these teachings, so thank you Michelle. 

And thank you to all the supporting educators who add so much to the course as well.

Weaving Ayurveda, nutrition and anatomy seamlessly into the course. 

If there is even a small light in you that is calling to do a course with Essence of Living take the plunge, trust your gut.

Indulge in the teachings and enjoy every moment because it goes too fast!

I feel incredibly grateful to have been on this adventure but it doesn’t end here.

Inspired for life ✨

~ Lisa Sheree

How we can Learn from Nature

This is a very special episode because I get to share me life's experience as a twin mother, devoted wife, yoga & pilates teacher trainer & landcare conservationist.

I will share beautiful insights to how e can learn from n aturee, embrace our bow + arrow season and how being in alignment and leading with the heart has allowed me to feel truly the most joyous and fulfilled I have in my life.

Inside, you'll hear chats about:

• How setbacks are not failures - its a strategy for success
• I share my secrets for success in growing a thriving business
• Powerful insights and my biggest lesson upon deciding to close the studio after 2 decades
• How shifting away from "doing" and just "being" has helped her to make more impact than ever

To listen, head over to the YOU Unlocked Podcast on Spotify.

Yoga Teacher Turned Pilates Teacher

I recently completed the hybrid Pilates teacher training with Michelle.

It was a last-minute decision, but one of the best decisions of my life.

The timing and stars all aligned for me to undertake the training; the universe sometimes speaks very loudly. 

Set amongst the rolling hills of the Gold Coast hinterland, Michelle’s teacher training was the perfect location to focus on all things Pilates.

The sounds of the birds including whip birds made her impossibly difficult classes that little bit sweeter.

The 5 weekends went so quickly I was so sad when they were over.

The last day at the nearby rock pools was an absolute treat which we all relished.

Michelle’s on-line component was very thorough as were the specialist speakers.

The wide range of content meant that we all graduate a holistic practitioner ready for the real world.

I was very fortunate that Michelle offered me a permanent class just before I graduated!

The large repertoire of online classes meant I could still work and look after my family and practice in my own time in my own home.

Michelle’s generosity of spirit and heart was evident as she openly shared her home and life with us all.

Michelle is the absolute Pilates guru having mastered the business for over 20 years on the Gold Coast.

We were all so fortunate to soak up all her knowledge and wisdom during the course.

I highly recommend this teacher training and have no doubt Michelle’s future students will also gain immensely from the training.

Hard work Beats Talent

It’s been a roller coaster 🎢 month of lessons & learnings for Kobe as he has been through a very challenging process of trialing for his favourite soccer club Gold Coast United Football Club

Kobe is a late bloomer, he has only lost 3 teeth 🦷 is still super small & far behind most of the boys in his development.

Making it much harder when he is competing against not only talented kids, but those much bigger & stronger!

After the first day of his soccer trials he cried his eyes 😭 out because he didn’t think he would make the Academy team which would mean he wouldn’t get the same level of coaching & opportunities in the game he loves so much!

His tears broke my heart, however I believe in tough love & I honestly said to him that he isn’t as good as some of the boys, however I believe he will work harder, train longer & is more resilient.

So after that day, we signed up to every extra off season training opportunity so he could work towards being ready for the academy team if not next year, the year after!

We explained to Kobe that if he really wants it he needs to prove to his coaches that he is willing to outwork everyone even if he wasn’t the best!

Both my husband & I are extremely hard working & are not scared of digging deep & doing what needs to be done in order to get the results we are so passionately working towards.

He asked me to design him a strength & conditioning program he could do daily to get stronger which he has been doing religiously & his mindset has gone from self doubting to that of a champion saying ‘I’m going to make it!’

I can’t tell you how valuable this process has been for him, at 8 years old he really understands that we have to work hard to make our dreams come true & that things don’t just magically manifest!

Talent can of course be very helpful & gives an advantage initially, but it will only take us so far.

The true secret behind every success story is someone who has had the courage to dream, the strength to commit to it & the resilience to consistently show up through all of the challenges that inevitably present themselves.

The good news, yesterday he got a letter of offer & his coach said it was because of his work ethic 🥹

Italian Aupair Follows Her Passion to Teach Yoga

Hello, it’s Marghi from Italy!

I remember getting to Australia in a place where I was feeling quite lost and was desperately looking for answers to reconnect some patterns of my life.

Most of those explanations I was able to find them with yoga under the supportive guide of Michelle.

She has the ability to make you feel the teachings, her words really get deep in your heart and I think that’s the best way you could learn about yoga.

It is a really sensational journey you get to share with beautiful likeminded people, surrounded by Mother Nature which makes it a whole different experience.

Best part of it is that the journey actually just started and will never end, and I’m really excited to be in it life longing.

I feel ready and blessed to start my journey as a yoga teacher and share with you what I learnt and keep learning.

Thank you Michelle for the precious time together.

~ Margherita Gennaro

What People Don't See Behind Closed Doors

A well known quote my husband Brad Cassidy shared with me in the kitchen a few weeks ago sums it up perfectly ‘Everyone wants the glory of the view from the top of the mountain, but no one wants to endure the struggle or sacrifice it takes to climb to the top!’

Yesterday he competed for the Australian Natural Body Building Title in a brand new category Physique & as a Master (over 40s) which he won both!

But, like he told the kids all week leading up to the competition, it doesn’t really matter what he places as in his mind he has already won!

The kids were a little confused but as he explained what’s most important is that he had done his absolute best, he had loved the process & grown so much along the journey that the final result from the judges didn’t even matter!

It’s been so inspiring for the kids to witness their dad transform over the last year as he has been working so hard from the build phase gaining 14kg to then strip it all away stronger than ever before 💪🏼

However, the strength has been far more than gaining extra muscle mass!

The commitment required is insane from food to fitness, everything is calculated all whilst balancing businesses, property & family.

I have to admit it’s hard not to be inspired when you are married to someone who has such high standards across all areas of life!

Someone once asked me ‘If I could invite 3 of the most inspiring people either living or dead to join me for dinner who would I invite?’

My response was;
1. Oprah
2. Mahatma Gandhi
3. My husband Brad

What I love about this achievement is that we are never too old to try something new, to learn new things or to set big goals for ourselves.

The truth is, I actually don’t have any big personal goals right now!

I am so content within myself that my main goal is to help my family members & teacher trainees achieve their dreams!

Because, behind every successful person are their devoted supporters & guides who help them make their dreams come true!

For me my mission is to help others reach their full potential & I’m looking forward to starting Pilates Teacher Training this weekend.

Never Give Up on Yourself or Your Dreams

For over three decades yoga has been my sanctuary, my constant companion.

What began as a simple practice to manage stress and cultivate physical wellbeing evolved into a profound journey of self discovery.

After 30 years of personal practice I found myself at a crossroads.

Yoga was initially a simple way to counterbalance the demands of life and guide me towards inner peace.

After becoming lost in this fast paced forever changing world, my desire to deepen my relationship with yoga and to connect with my true essence was the spark that led me to formally embark on my yoga pathway with Michelle, starting with my 200hr Teaching Training.

Looking towards studying after many decades focusing on raising a family, supporting a partner and managing the runnings of day to day life was very daunting, until my call with Michelle.

Michelle’s vibrant energy and thirst for sharing her passion for yoga and a yogic way of living is inspirational.

The wisdom that she shares nourishes your heart and touches your soul.

Michelle’s teaching took me out of my comfort zone.

Her self paced style of teaching supported me when I needed it and gave me the strength to forge forward when I believed I didn’t belong.

Yoga training has given me tools to navigate life’s challenges with grace, resilience and presence and by walking this pathway I feel a passion to support others, whether it’s by teaching or simply inspiring others to explore beyond their personal limitations.

As I continue my yoga journey with Michelle working through my 100hr Yin Teacher Training I have a renewed sense of pride.

Yoga is no longer just a personal refuge it’s my connection to self empowerment!

I hope to share the ripple effect that Michelle creates in fostering, peace and connection within the community.

Yoga has been a steady companion through the ebbs and flows of my life and this could inspire others to see yoga as a lifelong practice of growth, healing and discovery.

Thank you Michelle for opening my heart to endless possibilities.

~ Kirsty Rogers

More Than a Teacher Training Course

It’s one thing to become a yoga & Pilates teacher, it’s another to become a yoga & Pilates studio owner & over the last 16 years I have had the good fortune to be at the beginning of that journey for many aspiring teachers & studio owners.

Sowing the seeds & sharpening the swords of countless spiritual warriors has been both an honour & privilege I feel blessed to call my life’s mission.

Today I thought I’d share with you one of many messages that enter my inbox each week from studio owners who call me for advice & support along the way.

Darling Michelle,

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for my training and for your love and guidance as a yoga and Pilates teacher.

I think of you all the time when I’m teaching and send love and gratitude your way just mentally and spiritually thanking you for everything… in the hardest time of my life you literally were a massive part of my healing and I will always be grateful for you.

Thank you for being the best teacher I could have ever hoped for.

Love you loads

~ Natalie Rasmussen 

Natalie is one of the most incredible women I have ever meet & in the last 16 years there have been two earth angels that have come through my academy that have shined brighter than the sun Natalie is one of them!

Her selfless service rescuing wildlife (primarily possums & koalas) for the last 18 years is truly inspiring.

Just being in her presence, she lifts your frequency to another level.

If you are looking for a heart driven studio & want to be surrounded by high vibe people look no further than Soul Squeeze.

Feeling Wired & Tired? You Are Not Alone

Have you ever wondered why you feel exhausted, yet can’t sleep at night? 

There is a high probability that your nervous system (NS) is out of balance! 

I will never forget when I first heard the saying, ‘We are all just walking nervous systems!’ 

Our NS is so intelligent, it not only communicates with the outside world, it also has many mechanisms inside our body that it controls.

It takes in information through our senses, processes the information and triggers reactions, such as making our muscles move or causing us to feel pain.

In brief, there are two parts:

The voluntary NS that controls all the things that we are aware of and can consciously influence, such as moving the muscles in our face, our arms, legs and torso.

The involuntary NS that regulates the processes in the body that we cannot consciously influence, such as breathing, heart beat and metabolic processes.

It does this by receiving signals from the brain and passing them on to the body. 

It can also send signals in the other direction – from the body to the brain – providing your brain with information about how full our bladder is or how quickly our heart is beating! 

The involuntary NS is made up of:

* The sympathetic NS

* The parasympathetic NS

The sympathetic NS prepares our body for physical and mental activity, making our heart beat faster and stronger, opens our airways so we can breathe more easily, and inhibits digestion.

The parasympathetic NS on the other hand, is responsible for bodily functions when we are at rest: it stimulates digestion, activates various metabolic processes and helps us to relax. 

Most of us have over stimulated sympathetic NS & need to switch into our parasympathetic NS!

I have found the best way to harmonise my NS is through these four practices:

1. Meditation & Pranayama (Breath-work) 

2. Mindful Movement such as Yoga & Pilates 

3. Time in Nature simply Being 

4. Follow the Sun For Sleeping & Eating 

We are nature so let’s get back to our roots & realign.

No Love = No Power

We may perceive love as a sign of vulnerability or of weakness, yet, in truth, it is a hallmark of true strength.

Albert Einstein famously said ‘Love is the most powerful force in the universe’.

It is powerful because it can overcome obstacles, break down barriers, and offer solace in distress.

It brings about feelings of empathy, compassion, and selflessness, and can motivate us to do extraordinary things for the well-being and happiness of our loved ones.

Love is a powerful, complex emotional experience that involves changes in our bodies chemistry, including our neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).

It impacts our social relationships in varied ways, affecting how you relate to others around us.

Studies have shown that our happiness levels soar when we prioritize love and nurture strong relationships.

It’s as if love opens up a world of joy, fulfillment, purpose, and meaning that we never knew existed.

True love is such a powerful force that has been written about and celebrated for centuries.

It is often described as an intense feeling of deep affection and connection between two people.

While many may view love as a simple emotion, the power of true love goes far beyond mere feelings.

The strongest type of love is Agape — Selfless Love.

Agape is the highest level of love to offer, it is a type of love that is not sexual and is not concerned with yourself; used especially in Christianity to refer to Christian love: Agape is a giving love, entirely unselfish.

It’s given without any expectations of receiving anything in return.

Offering Agape is a decision to spread love in any circumstances — including destructive situations.

So, let’s spread a little more love because it truly does make life sweeter not only for ourselves but the whole world benefits from our unselfish love.

Photos captured by a very special wedding yesterday of two of our favourite people JJ & T.

Baby onboard didn't stop this Pilates Trainee

Completing my Pilates Mat Teacher Training was a long and rocky journey and absolutely all worth it.

When I first signed up, I wasn’t sure if it was the right path for me.

It was more to have an extra qualification to add onto my Personal Training business as some of my clients kept asking for Pilates.

Finishing the course, I feel like I am a changed person.

Not only adding value to my PT business, but also learning more about myself & my body which in turn has shown me how to help others find their way to or back into exercising.

Pilates is made up of safe exercises that literally everyone can do, as it is so versatile and adjusts around the person.

After signing up to the course, I fell pregnant, so by the time the course came around I was 15 weeks pregnant and in the middle of a back injury.

Michelle was super supportive and encouraged me to give it a go & showed me how to move mindfully even though I hardly could move without pain at the start.

I successfully completed the training and worked my way through the practical Pilates classes right up to 30 weeks pregnant as I knew how to modify & adjust to support my body whilst keeping my baby safe inside.

I took a little break from my practical classes and completed the rest of my classes & course work after I had my little one when the time was right.

Along the way I faced countless challenges and hurdles, Michelle never gave up on me and always was there when I needed that little extra support.

Pilates kept my body both strong & moving during pregnancy and helped me a lot with my recovery after having my little one.

I have never regretted any minute of my training and would do it all over again.

Michelle is the best teacher.

I love doing her teacher trainings (I completed 200hr yoga TT with her also) as she brings so much value and wisdom to all her training and classes.

If you are on the fence, then do it, you will not regret it!

~ Daniela Becker

Depths of Divorce to Light of Love

This time ten years ago my best friend asked me to marry him after what he jokingly calls my '4 year apprenticeship'.

Those who know me know that I love, love.

I'm that girl who loves romantic movies, but the truth is life isn't always like a romantic movie & there are definitely peaks & troughs to move through.

One thing I learnt after my first failed marriage is that the most important decision I have ever made in my life is choosing the 'right' partner!

Studies have revealed that choosing our life partner is the most important decision we will ever make in our lives!

In fact, it is proven to be 4x more influential & indicative in our overall feeling of happiness, health, contentment & longevity than the career choice we make.

With this wisdom both lived & learnt I can't help but make a conscious effort to educate my kids on not only what to look for in a partner, but also what are important qualities to cultivate within  to BE a great partner.

Here are 5 key qualities I believe are important to seek externally & sow internally;

1. Open mindset - the willingness to learn & adapt as we change over time. I believe its helpful to have the flexibility to shift, change & rearrange through the seasons of life.   
2. Be kind - to everyone & everything, especially in all communication & conflict resolution situations. I believe the storms will come & when they do, it will be nice to know that you will have the capacity to talk it through to calmer conditions.  
3. Healthy habits - balanced exercise, nutrition & lifestyle. I believe health is wealth as it not only prevents physical illnesses, but also supports mental health which is super important in maintaining an intimate lasting relationship.   
4. Be the change - if we want something in life we must be willing to do it & be it in order to attract it. Don't just complain, be proactive & create the change you seek.  
5. Be positive - the quality of our lives is based on the meanings we choose to make. We can choose if the glass is half full & we can choose to focus on the rainbow instead of the rain. Life is brighter & better when we lean into the light of optimism. 

If you would like to learn more about living in alignment with your brightest self join my upcoming Living Yoga Immersion this weekend.

Juggling Mothers Following Their Hearts

Michelle's yoga teacher training was far and beyond what I had hoped and expected.

I was not intending to become a yoga teacher and I had actually first considered doing a yoga retreat of some kind.

I decided to do the yoga teacher training instead; however, as I really wanted more than just a weekend of doing yoga and meditation, I was more interested to learn the philosophy and the reasons "why" yoga is what it is, and not just the postures but why we do them. 

 And wow did I get all that and more!

Not only was it 2 weeks of cracking open our inner fears and inhibitions with other like minded women while learning the skills and teachings of yoga (all while juggling with our "real" lives in the background mind you), but Michelle wove in so so many other lessons which in my mind made it the yoga training like no other.

Yoga is a philosophy for life and Michelle helped us to learn how to tune in to that.

 Michelle's has taken her years of experience and time spent with the "guru's" and delivered it to us in a way that was meaningful and powerful to us now, as modern women/mothers.

Will I become a yoga teacher now?

Not sure.

But doing this training was one of the best decisions ever!

How Grace Got Her Wings

I am so proud of both my kids as they have such incredible work ethics & are driven from the inside out.

On the weekend Grace danced her heart out & achieved a diamond score for her very first time on stage as a soloist.

A diamond performance is reserved for dancers that achieve between 90-95% score.

To be honest Grace had a huge amount of fear stepping on stage as a soloist as she doesn’t realise her own greatness!

So to help her overcome her uncertainty we encouraged her to do extra practice because as my husband likes to say ‘What we practice in private we get rewarded for in public’.

Her fear of getting up on stage reminds me of how many of my teacher training students feel when they first show up to become a yoga or Pilates teacher.

The truth is many of us don’t realise our full potential due to our limiting beliefs & fear which is ultimately False-Evidence-Appearing-Real!

The difference that makes all the difference is having a strong support team that believes in us & is willing to work with us to help us overcome any hurdles that may arise internally &/or externally.

One of my strengths is being able to see other people’s innate gifts & talents & fan the flame that is already lit within them & make it even bigger & brighter.

It's such a privilege to be a parent & a trainer & I love being able to pour all my heart-work into my children as well as the future teachers of tomorrow inspiring them to spread their wings & fly.

I Found My Calling As A Yin Yoga Teacher

The 200hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Essence of Living was a truly transformative experience.

The location was incredibly tranquil, providing the perfect setting for presence and practice.

Michelle is a beautiful soul, inside and out, and her deeply compassionate nature shone through every day.

She created a safe, open, and supportive space for us all to learn and grow.

The theory was so intriguing, and the daily yin and meditation classes were amazing.

The facilitators were so wise and insightful, bringing the theory to life with clarity and depth.

Through this training, I feel like I’ve truly found my calling, and I am so grateful to Michelle for her love and encouragement throughout the journey.

I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone seeking a comprehensive and heartfelt Yin Yoga training.

I'm already looking forward to doing more trainings with Michelle in the future!

~ Nikki Callan

We Are Like Trees... Stronger Together 

The recent cyclone drove this teaching into my bones as I returned back to my home in the forest.

You see we went over a week without power, which in our case also equals no water!

That’s because the pumps don’t work without power to push through the tank water & septic system!

Having no power is manageable, it just means lots of cold showers & bbq dinners under candlelight which we ended up experiencing for 4 nights anyway!

But, having no water to drink, flush a toilet or have a shower is not ideal with young children.

Especially, when we have the very real reality of being flooded in & not being able to get supplies.

So we decided to have a little getaway to the grandparents with the dogs in tow whilst we weathered the slow moving storm.

The truth is, we haven’t got a generator yet as we are building a second house on our property for my parents-in-laws & we were waiting to professionally wire everything in simultaneously so both dwellings would have a back up system in place to support us through all wild weather conditions.

But one thing that was really obvious to me was how many great big old established trees that stood in isolation in the city streets had come crashing down due to the wind gusts compared to how few had fallen in the forest!

It was heartbreaking to see these giant lonely trees completely uprooted because they that had no support system & had to endure the full force of the winds alone.

Unlike the trees of the forest whose roots who are deeply intertwined with every other plant being within close proximity giving this invisible web of stability below the surface.

Plus, the trees in the forest stand together strongly side by side; sheltering, sharing & supporting each other against the harsh & hard winds that rip through their branches & leaves.

I believe we humans are no different!

We too can endure the harshest & hardest of circumstances when we are surrounded by a close knit community of friends & family.

I say find your forest friends, build your community & start establishing those deep unbreakable connections rooted in kindness, love & support that you can count on.

Back To My Roots With Thai Massage 

My Thai Massage Training is more like a 5 day retreat starting each day with meditation & yoga followed by a full day of giving & receiving the most delicious massages/adjustments.

Most people don’t know that this ancient traditional (northern style) Thai massage actually comes India!

Everyday we chant a beautiful Indian prayer in respect to Shivaga Komarapaj the founder of this practice which is 1500 years old.

What I love most about this practice is that it supports people with special needs & seniors as asana may not be accessible for them.

This practice very gently stretches the body & in-turn opens up all the fascia (connective tissue) improving flexibility & mobility as well as circulation & digestion.

The Thai’s call this offering ‘Lazy man’s Yoga’ as it also is great for people that need to slow down & relax but still want all the benefits of asana.

Northern Style Thai Massage the therapist does all the hard work twisting & turning, bending & stretching the clients body so they can receive all the goodness without any effort which is super healing & restorative for the nervous system.

I have always believed in the healing power of this practice which is why I not only became a Thai masseuse but also a trainer. 

I actually lived & studied in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 3 months back in 2009 & it feels so nice to be coming back to my roots & sharing this training again.

I have already had many requests to run another one later this year so watch this space as I may offer one in November.

If you want to learn more let me know & I can help you develop & refine your healing hands. 

This course is open to everyone with no prior experience necessary.

Podcast: Thriving Building a Business & Raising a Family

In this inspiring episode of the Thriving Workplace Podcast, we sit down with Michelle Cassidy, a twin mum, devoted wife, yoga & pilates teacher trainer, and landcare conservationist.

With over 20 years experience teaching yoga and Pilates, Michelle shares how she built an incredible career in wellness while balancing family life, running Australia's largest yoga and Pilates teacher training company, and staying grounded in her mission to protect the environment.

Michelle opens up about:

• How following her heart shaped her journey in wellness.
• Practical tools for quietening the mind and improving mental health.
• Simple, actionable steps you can take today for your wellbeing.
• Her secrets to juggling family, business, and personal wellness.
• Insights from managing over 60 staff and ensuring their wellbeing remains a priority.
• Corporate wellness strategies and her work with major organisations like Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, Versace, and KPMG.

Whether you're a corporate leader, busy parent, or someone passionate about wellbeing, this episode offers invaluable advice and inspiration to help you thrive.

The Path to Becoming a Senior Teacher

As the great teachers share, yoga doesn’t make life better, it makes you better at your life.

The more I travel down this path the more this rings true.

I am so grateful a dear friend led me to Essence, without her I wouldn’t have begun this journey, I wouldn’t have met Michelle, and I wouldn’t have found the tools and techniques to handle life’s twists and turns the way I do now.

Moving through the 300-hour yoga teacher training pathway with Essence of Living has been such a joy.

I have gained so much both on and off the mat.

These trainings have provided me with in-depth knowledge about the human body, which has helped me care for myself better and deepen the relationship I have for my body.

Plus, with better understanding of how the body functions I can provide safe effective classes for my students.

I feel comfortable and confident speaking in front of large groups of people, because I know that I have the skills to guide classes with a variety of different bodies and abilities!

I have been provided with continuous support and guidance, and all the tools required to achieve the goals I set for myself.

Michelle delivers the teachings in a way that is accessible to everyone.

With in-person and online study options there is no limit to where and when you complete these courses.

I have studied with Michelle on the Gold Coast, interstate and overseas.

Even after completing my qualifications, there is still so much more to learn and explore in the world of yoga, self-development and in life.

Michelle has helped me create solid foundations on which I can continue to grow and develop my own flare as a teacher and as a giver to the community.

If you are looking to become a yoga instructor, or even to connect with yourself on a deeper level I can’t recommend Essence of Living more.

I feel truly blessed with all the opportunities and insights these last 3 years have given me.

I am so excited to continue making friendships and memories within this community.

Thank you again to Michelle for all that you do, I am so grateful to have found you!

~ Jessica Taylor

The Ebbs & Flows of 'Spanda' Spiritual Path

When I was younger (15 years ago) I used to have a great teacher that lived in the forest with her husband & two kids & she would take time away in isolation to go inwards & to be with herself.

I remember thinking how wonderful to have created such a beautiful life & her example planted a seed within me that would eventually bloom in time under the right conditions. 

She really inspired me how she would intentionally take time away every year to detach & disentangle from the daily drama.

She didn’t go to a fancy retreat, but rather designed her own solitary sanctuary on her property that gave her space for her petals to unfold.

For the last 10 days I have been on my own self paced inner journey & it has been such a wonderful home coming.

It has reignited a deeper part of me that had been dimmed due to the constant commitments of working whilst raising a family.

You see in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras it states that there are three different types of practitioners; mild, medium & intense which can then be broken down even further.

However, the levels are essentially dependent on the practitioners personal commitment, consistency & concentration.

If I am honest, I was as intense as they come for two decades, but when I injured my back badly, closed my studio, hit perimenopause & made my kids commitments my priority I began to drop the ball on my daily morning meditations.

Pain, stress, hormonal imbalances & a shift in focus are all common obstacles for anyone on the spiritual path, myself included.

My ‘traditional’ spiritual practices started to slip & yet my connection to nature grew stronger through my forest bathing & regeneration efforts. 

In Tantra Yoga we call it ‘spanda’, the expanding & contracting pulsation of the absolute. 

I have observed within myself my own dynamic ebb & flow of body, mind & heart on this spiritual journey & I couldn’t be happier with where I am.

I have reinstated my old routines which feels like returning home to an old friend & it’s as if no time or space has been between us.

What I love is that at anytime we can realign & start again! 

Are you ready?

I’m so excited to be back teaching community classes this week!

From Student to Teacher

Meet Tahnie one of our yoga teacher training graduates & latest addition to our Active & Healthy Gold Coast weekly classes.

Tahnie will be teaching Yoga every Saturday 7am for FREE at the new Greenheart Parklands Robina!

We will be launching the new class this Saturday at a special time 10:15am!

"Hi my name is Tahnie,

My yoga journey began at the age of 14, when I attended my very first class with the beautiful Michelle through my Surf Life Saving Club here on the Gold Coast.

From that first class, I was hooked on the feeling of bliss and connection that yoga gave me.

Not only did I fall in love with stretching the body through different postures and slowing down the mind, I was instantly captivated by the wisdom, inspiration and nurturing spirit that Michelle radiated in each class and the yogic teachings that could be applied on and off the mat.

Over the years, Michelle’s encouragement to one day become a teacher stayed with me, and in 2024, the timing finally felt right to dive in!

What I have come to realise through my yoga journey and really hope to share through my classes is that there is beauty in slowing down and just being; that more often than not, less is more.

Yoga isn’t about mastering the most advanced postures and looking a certain way in the shapes; but how we feel in the practice, and creating that deep, pure, blissful connection to self that lingers long after the practice ends.

Yoga isn’t just for the super flexible, bendy, experienced practitioners, it truly is for every body, no matter their starting point.

Through my classes I hope to make yoga accessible, and create a welcoming space where people feel empowered to explore how yoga feels in their own body, without feeling judged or comparing to others.

Outside of teaching, you’ll usually find me soaking up the sunshine at the beach, enjoying time with friends & family or spending time with my dog.

I love having a balance between embracing life’s adventures and having fun but also being able to tune back inwards through the grounding practice of yoga.

I look forward to seeing your smiling faces on the mat for a bit of fun, relaxation and bliss!"

~ Tahnie Takefala