Shauna fell in love with yoga in her teens and has been practicing since. She originally started practicing to help relieve stress and anxiety, but the practice then led her on a spiritual journey. She completed her 200-hour teacher training with Himalaya in 2021. Since then, Shauna has been teaching online, on the beach, in the park, and at workshops. Her favorite style of yoga is Ashtanga, and she is passionate about yoga philosophy. Shauna is also one of the best online yoga instructors, a qualified meditation teacher, holistic life coach, and practices energy healings Reiki, Kundalini Reiki & Integrated Energy Therapy. She enjoys facilitating healing circles and workshops and connecting people to one another.
Yogita was born in Delhi and studied Arts at Kurukshetra University graduating in 2007. Yogita is a RYT 300, having completed 200 and 300 hour and Teacher Training courses with Himalaya Yoga Valley in Goa. She has become a permanent and highly accomplished member of the teaching staff at the Centre. A highly respected and credible Senior Teacher, she has a warm and endearing teaching style, ever supportive and intuitive towards the needs of her students.
Elmarie’s yoga journey started almost 30 years ago in South Africa and it was truly ´love at first practice´.
She is a RYT500 Yoga Alliance registered teacher, a master Reiki practitioner and a qualified yoga trapeze teacher. She has been Lalit´s student since 2010. From him she learnt to teach from her heart and he continues to be a constant inspiration as a teacher, a yogi and a person. She studied Ayurvedic Yoga Massage with Adam Divine as well as completing many training courses in Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, Chakras and Yoga philosophy.
Elmarie spent 10 years in the UAE in a fairytale-like experience teaching in the most beautiful palaces and homes and travelling with her students. She also taught many expats making friends all over the world. Yoga opens doors and hearts beyond our wildest dreams.
She believes that yoga is an ever-evolving practice and whatever stage in our lives we are in, it is always a perfect fit.
Alysha has been practicing yoga since her childhood, growing up in India where she would join in on the classes that her mother would do from home just for some fun. It was only in her teens that she turned to yoga as a tool to help her work through the anxiety she was facing. By committing to a daily practice, Alysha found great stillness and inner strength that she used to navigate her way through high school in the UK. During the pandemic, she turned to yoga even more and progressed to new heights both physically and mentally. When starting university, Alysha knew she wanted to share yoga, a special tool that all students can use to combat stress. This prompted her to complete her 200-hour teacher training with HYV in Greece, where she experienced a taste of what life could be as a yoga teacher, one that she is very excited to lead.
Laura began her yoga journey in her teenage years over a decade ago. Although she felt a deep calling to become a teacher early on, she chose to dedicate herself to personal practice until she felt truly ready. In 2021, she completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Yogacharya Lalit at Himalaya Yoga Valley, followed shortly by a 30-hour Graduate Immersion Course. After two years of teaching, Laura returned to India in 2023 to complete her Internship and 300 Hour Advanced Training, once again under Lalit’s guidance.
Originally drawn to yoga for its physical benefits—flexibility and mobility—Laura soon found herself deeply immersed in the spiritual aspects of the practice. Yoga has since become a profound and transformative part of her life. She holds certifications in Level 1 and 2 Reiki and continues to study yoga philosophy and Vedanta. Every year, Laura travels to India to further her studies and deepen her connection to the roots of yoga.
In addition to her Vinyasa and Hatha training, Laura has also undertaken Iyengar Yoga studies, developing a keen understanding of alignment and mindful movement. Her teaching is grounded in experience and compassion, and she feels honoured to witness the transformations—both inner and outer—of her students. For Laura, teaching yoga is both a blessing and a responsibility, and she shares her knowledge with gratitude and care.
Lauren was first introduced to yoga in 2013 when she started attending hot yoga and vinyasa classes in university. She fell in love with the fast-paced creative flows that challenged her strength & mobility. Her interest in health & wellbeing grew alongside her yoga practice. After university, Lauren opened a vegan restaurant in Cork city. She realised the importance of staying consistent with her asana practice to release physical tension and the importance of meditation to help with anxiety she was experiencing.
In 2021, She closed her restaurant and travelled to Thailand to become a certified 200hr Yoga Teacher. “This was the most fulfilling decision I could have ever made. I learned about myself and the world in more ways than I could have ever imagined, and I realised then, that yoga was in alignment with my purpose”. She teaches online and in person classes, and enjoys hosting events in Cork and international yoga retreats.
Her classes combine strengthening, stretching, creative and fun flows, breath, balance, and self-love. She teaches Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin. Her classes are suitable for all levels so whether it’s your first time on the mat or you have a regular practice, she’s honoured to guide you.
She has completed her 300hr teacher training in Rishikesh, trainings in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra, Prana Vashya, Meditation, Sound Healing, Anatomy and Reiki II.
After years of being inspired as a student of yoga, Sohmer enrolled in a 200 hour teacher training in Denver, Colorado to expand her own practice. As part of an intensive Ayurvedic certification, she participated in a second teacher training in Kerala, India focusing on advanced yoga therapies. Her Vinayasa flow classes blend technical focus on alignment and adjustments with a more traditional style reflecting her exposure of taking and teaching classes in India for over a decade. Her true love for Restorative style classes allows her students to enjoy a moving meditation to deepen their practice.
Anna’s movement journey began with studying classical ballet from the young age of seven while growing up in New Mexico, USA. She earned her BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, then went on to pursue a career as a professional dancer, instructor, choreographer, and director. As a dancer, Anna was first introduced to yoga and Pilates in her teens as a means for cross training and injury prevention. In 2018, she completed the BASI Pilates Mat and Comprehensive Teacher Training programs and has taught in New Mexico, Colorado, and Ireland.
In 2024, Anna briefly moved to Cork, Ireland, where she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training with Himalaya Yoga Valley Centre and taught both Pilates and yoga in the HYV studios in Cork. Currently living in the USA, Anna is excited to share her knowledge and enthusiasm for Pilates with the Alaya Yoga community. Join a Pilates Mat class with Anna to deepen your body-mind connection while improving your overall strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, and more.
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