About

The teachings of T. Krishnamacharya through his son TKV Desikachar are the foundations of yoga practice at Kyo Yoga & Healing.

This lineage works with a ‘function over form’ approach that brings an intelligence to the construction of each yoga practice and facilitates a unique experience for each student based on their own capacity and needs. Emphasis on the power of the breath as a tool for self empowerment is explored.

Step into practices that flow with the breath and provide support and foundation to the body. The goal is to bring ‘sthira sukham asanam’ (steadiness and ease) to the entire system, restoring energy and promoting clarity of mind.

This Viniyoga approach stems from the teachings of the Hatha tradition – asana, pranayama, mudra, chant and meditative practice.

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Jill Harris

Yoga has been part of my life since my early 20’s and now as I approach 50 I look back on how intrinsic it has been in guiding me in all areas of my life.

My official teacher training ‘path’ was completed in 2004 and I have been studying and teaching consistently since then in the Krishnamacharya lineage - with teachers here and in India. I have around 2000 hours of teaching experience.
This lineage lineage holds strong for me as it imparts the traditional classical teachings of Hatha Yoga. It presents yoga as an approach that can be adapted for the person in front of you - not a one size fits all practice that the student has to fit into. I believe the student should always feel empowered by their yoga practice.

This approach led to my recent 4 year (1000 hour) study in Yoga Therapy and the way the tools of yoga can be adapted for many modern conditions – from depression, anxiety, auto immune disease and more. Examining and changing the pace of our modern lifestyles can have significant health benefits for body and mind.

Over the past 6 years I have been conducting intensive 500 hour teacher training programs. I love watching students blossom over this 2 year period as they delve deep into the teachings and the practice, developing a new awareness that can only be achieved with time, practice and reflection.
However my real passion is yoga as a philosophy of the mind and the way it can inform how we live in our modern world, particularly with our challenges around mental health. The ancient sources have so much to teach us. Yoga is a self empowering process. Inner faith is the outcome of the practice.

In 2019 I was involved in a research project involving Yoga for Mental Health through Deakin University in Geelong. I am about to step into another trial this year in 2021 utilizing Yoga as a Pain Management Intervention for women with Endometriosis.

When I’m not teaching or practising yoga I am fulfilling another dharma to my family and our pet Kelpie who gets his daily 'yoga practice' running on the beautiful Ocean Grove beach.

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