Michelle Cassidy

• Founder of Essence of Living
• Yoga & Pilates Teacher Trainer
• Mentor
• Soulful Guide of Movement & Stillness
• Thai Massage Trainer
• Forest Bathing Guide
• Nature Conservationist

If you’ve felt the quiet whisper that there’s more to life—more to give, more to grow, more to embody—then you already know the path Michelle Cassidy walks.

As the founder of Essence of Living and one of the Gold Coast’s most beloved yoga and Pilates teacher trainers, Michelle has spent over two decades guiding others home to themselves through movement, breath, and deep listening.

She teaches not only how to lead a class—but how to live a life that’s rooted, expansive, and true. Her accredited yoga and Pilates teacher training programs are woven with ancient wisdom, nervous system regulation, and nature-based practices that meet the modern soul right where it is.

Michelle’s journey began early and grew from a quiet calling into a full-hearted devotion—one that led her to open her first studio at 22 and train over a thousand teachers across Australia and beyond.

Now teaching in community centres and open-air spaces across the Gold Coast, Michelle invites her students into a practice that is earthy, embodied, and filled with heart. Her classes and trainings are less about perfection, and more about presence—less about the shapes we make, and more about the lives we shape through conscious movement and service.

She is a twin mama, a forest walker, a truth speaker, and a woman who lives what she offers with an open heart.

To learn with Michelle is to be welcomed into a space where your growth is honoured, your voice is nurtured, and your unique path is celebrated.

If something within you is stirring—trust it. The journey begins here.

Amanda ODempsey

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Pilates Mat
• Roll & Release Teacher
• Massage Therapist
• Sound & Energy Healer

Amanda is a creative spirit, nature lover, self-confessed ‘go-getter’, and Mum of 2.

Based here on the Gold Coast, Amanda shares her love and passion for personal growth & empowerment through movement, health and wellbeing, as a Yoga and Pilates Instructor with Essence of Living.

Coming from a business background of more than 15 years, Amanda is also a business mentor, actor, avid book reader & adventurer!

Bringing her warm, inclusive and light-hearted approach to her movement classes, Amanda creates grounding and uplifting experiences that invite you to reconnect with who you truly are, opening the doorway to self-discovery and self mastery, through mindfulness, awareness and lighting your own inner spark.

Chantelle Wallace

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Pilates Mat
• Barre & Pilates Props
• Reformer
• Meditation & Breathwork

Hi I am Chantelle & I am a mindfulness and movement lover!

I am here to support you in finding physical, mental, emotional and spiritual equilibrium.

My aim is to guide you in finding balance, building strength, and cultivating joy from within.

All whilst connecting with your body and breath through mindful movement.

Of course with some fun & laughter along the way.

I look forward to meeting you on the mat soon!

Frency Delmindo

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Yin Yoga
• Senior Yoga Teacher
• Yoga Philosophy
• Meditation & Breathwork
• Pilates
• Barre & Pilates Props

Frency’s journey from martial arts to wellness has been one of deep growth, healing and self discovery. It began when she was a Tae Kwon Do athlete, where her coach introduced her to meditation.

This marked the beginning of her journey into connection between body, breath and mind.

Though yoga wasn’t part of her original plan, a spontaneous new year’s resolution led her to the mat. It quickly stuck into a daily ritual that brought mindfulness and clarity into her everyday life.

Later, after sustaining an injury, a chiropractor recommended pilates for rehabilitation.

What began as part of her recovery soon became a vital part of her routine, revealing a new kind of strength, alignment and body awareness.

Today, Frency is a certified yoga, yin, pilates, barre instructor and an ayurvedic trauma informed breath-work facilitator.

She completed most of her training with Essence of Living and now shares these practices through group classes, 1:1 sessions and heart led community and exclusive events.

Frency’s classes are where movement meets mindset. Her own practice has taught her that when you feel empowered in your body, you begin to believe in yourself more deeply.

You realise you can choose your path and create a life that truly feels like yours. She can’t wait to share that feeling with you!

She warmly invites you to join her classes, which will leave you feeling grounded, empowered and more connected to your truest self.

When she’s not teaching, you’ll often find her off grid camping under the stars, road tripping with friends or enjoying slow self care days with her two cats.

Josie Cross

• Pilates Mat
• Barre & Pilates Props

Josie has trained extensively in the art of movement, beginning her journey as a dancer nearly 20 years ago.

Training under the Royal Academy of Dance, she has completed up to her Advanced 2.

From here Josie seamlessly transitioned into the world of theatre as an actor.

However, it was her discovery of yoga and pilates at the age of 13 that truly ignited a lifelong passion for mindful movement.

Working extensively in theatre and film has led Josie to pay strong attention to the mind/body connection, focusing on awareness, mindfulness and expression in her classes.

Driven by a desire to deepen her practice and share its transformative power with others, Josie completed her pilates teacher training with Michelle Cassidy through Essence of Living. Josie incorporates traditional methods and modern power pilates to guide and support students through their practice.

Join Josie on the mat to discover your strength, inside and out!

Karen Harding

• Vinyasa Yoga

If you believe, as I do, that synchronicity is the universe’s gentle nudge guiding us toward where we’re meant to be, then you’ll understand how my journey into teaching yoga was anything but coincidence.

My love for yoga began when Lululemon opened a small showroom at Nobby’s Beach, offering free Saturday morning classes where I was lucky enough to take classes from one of the most inspiring teachers I have ever met—Michelle, who introduced me to a practice that quickly became an essential part of my life.

Seventeen years on, after a steady and devoted personal practice, I felt a need to go deeper.

I knew that yoga teacher training was the next step in my personal growth.

My search led me back full circle—to Essence of Living and a four-week intensive Yoga Teacher Training with none other than Michelle herself.

Today, I share yoga from a place of joy, authenticity, and lifelong curiosity.

My intention is to weave together mindful movement, breath awareness, and soul connection.

Yoga has given me so much—patience, insight, community, and acceptance.

Now, I’m honoured to give back through teaching.

And the icing on the cake?

I get to teach in my own community.

When I'm not on the mat, you'll find me enjoying time with friends and family, sipping good coffee, or walking my much loved dog.

Kaylah Binkins

• Pilates Mat

Laurel Collofello

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Pilates Mat

Laurel discovered yoga in her teenage years and was hooked ever since.

Trying to reach some kind of work life balance, Laurel began teaching Yoga in 2017 having graduated from Michelle’s Yoga Teacher training.

More recently, Laurel completed Michelle’s Pilates Teacher Training 2024 and is currently teaching Pilates.

Passionate about the important life lessons that comes from practicing yoga, Laurel has experience teaching all kinds including Hatha Flow, General Gymnasium Yoga for all levels, Kids Yoga, Yoga for Surfers, Private Client Yoga, Corporate Yoga and Gut Health Yoga.

Laurel is currently teaching Pilates and Yoga for the Active and Healthy program, private Gymnasiums and Corporately at her day job.

Laurel surfs every morning and knows the benefits that yoga and pilates can bring to everyday life.  The flexibility, the strength and the confidence has helped Laurel with family life, work and play. 

Laurel is committed to helping others and there is no greater joy for her to see the growth in her students no matter how great or small.

Laurel has had the pleasure to support one of her students through her first pregnancy and now during her second pregnancy.  Having 2 children of her own, Laurel knows all the safe alternatives.

Laurel is happy to support all ages and abilities and can adapt and modify her class plan to suit. 

Laurel checks in with all her students prior to teaching to make sure the student stays within their safe limits whilst still being able to enjoy the class with relevant alternatives.

Get ready to sweat, stretch and breathe to bring out your best version of yourself.

Today’s busy lifestyle means that incorporating yoga and pilates into your daily movement is all so important and an absolute must in de-stressing and looking after one’s body for the now and the future.

Laurel’s greatest inspiration is her family.

She wants the best for herself, husband and children. 

Lisa Sheree

• Vinyasa Yoga

With a passion for learning, self discovery and experimentation, Lisa encourages the same of others through the practice of yoga.

After practicing yoga for over 10 years and completing yoga teacher training she is able to create a space for practitioners to feel strong and challenged while staying balanced and open.

Lisa notices the beauty of all movements and aspires to assist everyone to feel light and graceful in their pose.

Transferring yogic teachings into the everyday is an important part of Lisa’s own practice and she finds sharing these teachings with others to blend into their own lives extremely rewarding.

She has a strong belief that there is a lot to learn from yoga on and off the mat.

Susie Tagarro

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Yin Yoga
• Pilates Mat
• Barre & Pilates Props
• Roll & Release Teacher
• Meditation & Breathwork
• Yoga Philosophy

Tahnie Takefala

Tania Fleming

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Barre & Pilates Props

Hi, I’m Tania – a mum of four, fitness instructor, and movement lover based on the Gold Coast.

My journey into health and wellness began in 2012 but truly took off in 2017 when I discovered yoga shortly after moving from London, UK to the Gold Coast.

That moment sparked a deep passion that led me to complete my Yoga Teacher Training with Michelle in 2018—and I haven’t looked back.

These days, I balance the beautiful chaos of family life with sharing my love for movement teaching Yoga, Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates, empowering others to feel their best, move with purpose, and live a life full of strength, energy, and joy.

Yas Shimodaira

• Pilates Mat
• Barre & Pilates Props

Hi I'm Yasuko, everyone calls me Yas.

I'm extremely energetic and an energise bunny.

I started training with Michelle's class and fell in love with Pilates.

Pilates has become a huge part of my day to day life.

Get ready to feel the burn, have a laugh, and leave every class feeling unstoppable.

Pilates with me is all about high energy, killer moves, and lots of fun.

I will guide you through a full body workout (with modifications to suit all levels) that'll challenge you but, also make you smile (even if you sometimes want to cry!). 

So, if you're ready for some serious fun vibes and an energetic class that will leave you feeling stronger, let's get moving together.

Yuka Yoshinaga

• Vinyasa Yoga
• Pilates Mat
• Barre & Pilates Proops
• Thai Massage

My experience at Essence of Living Academy has been truly life-changing.

Under the guidance of my incredible teacher, Michelle, I’ve learned everything I need not just to teach, but to live a life full of meaning, mindfulness, and movement.

Since completing my Yoga Teacher Training, my life has expanded in the most beautiful ways.

I’ve grown so much in both skill and confidence, and I’m beyond grateful to now work in a field I truly love.

Every class and every training with Michelle has inspired me deeply her knowledge, energy, and passion for teaching are simply amazing.

Recently, I returned to study Thai Massage with her after some time away from last training, and it reminded me just how much I love learning from her.

Michelle creates a space that is welcoming, empowering, and full of heart.

I feel lucky every day to be part of the Essence of Living family, and to continue growing as both a teacher and a student.

After almost 10 years of working as an instructor, I feel incredibly grateful to still be doing what I love guiding others through movement, healing, and connection.