Katie Greengrass: Founder/Head Teacher
Current Qualifications:
200 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Goa, India (2017)
900 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Mumbai, India (The Yoga Institute, 2018 - 2019)
100 hr Yoga Therapy Certificate, Online (The Yoga Institute, 2023)
90 hr Mysore Style Sadhana Certificate Mysore, India (Indea Yoga, 2024)
300 hr Multi-Style Teacher Training Certificate, Rishikesh, India (2024)
E-RYT500 (Yoga Alliance International, 2024)
Early Career and Discovery of Yoga
I left school at 16 and found myself in the Finance and Banking industry for over 10 years, which took me from Auckland to London and finally Melbourne. In my mid-20’s I felt an increasing sense of dissatisfaction and a longing for something more meaningful.
It was during my time in Melbourne that I discovered Yoga, initially seeking it out as a way to stay physically healthy amongst the busy-ness of City life.
Transformation and Training
This very quickly blossomed into a passion. Many amazing things began to manifest, such as becoming Vegetarian overnight and seeing the importance of living by values instead of desires.
In early 2017, I left my corporate job, home comforts and booked a one way ticket to India to undertake my first Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). I completed the course, having navigated the many challenges, both mentally and physically that come with YTT.
In the Yoga Shala, Goa YTT, India, 2017
Graduation Day 200 hour YTT; Goa, India.
I felt an urge to travel to Rishikesh; in the North East of India, said to be the birthplace of Yoga.
Not long after arriving I landed my first Yoga Teaching position, a daily, early morning class on a rooftop overlooking the sacred Ganges River (Ganga Maa - pictured)
.
The Yoga Teacher Emerges
It was at this moment I knew that the universe was in full support, and I have been teaching & learning ever since.
The Learning Continues….
I have spent over 3 years (in total) in India, undertaking various trainings & spending time in Ashrams and sacred places. I continue to be blessed and surprised by the incredible institutions, teachers and wisdom that I cross paths with & have learnt from some of the best Practitioners that India has to offer.
Each year I return to this incredible place to continue my studies, and become the student once again.
Graduation Day with Hansa-Ji (The Yoga Institute, 2019)
The Yoga Institute 2023
Sivananda Ashram, Neyyar Dam, Kerala (2023)
Anil Sir (The Yoga Insitute, 2024)
Pawan Ji (Balmukund Ashram, 2023)
Graduation Day with Bharat Sir (Indea Yoga, 2024)
Kurmasana, Sanatan Yog, (2024)
Applying the Teachings across the Globe
From India to Sri Lanka, Nepal to Australia and many places in between, I have had the honour of teaching across the world.
From drop in classes, to day long and weekend workshops, festivals, private sessions and online classes - I have experience in a variety of formats and situations - because my training showed me the basics and i’ve been building on it ever since.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Earth Beat Festival, NZ, 2023
Rise & Rave, Yoga & Ecstatic Dance. NZ 2022
Daily Rooftop Yoga, Goa, India, 2020
Sunset Beach Sessions, Perth, WA, 2019
Heart Opening Yoga, Dimension Festival, NZ 2023
Sound Journey & Yoga, Flow Camp, NZ, 2023
Founding Yoga Aotearoa
Now my mission to bring the authenticity of Yoga from its roots in India back to Aotearoa, for transmission to the Western mind is coming to life.
What use is knowledge if it cannot be shared?
I am passionate about making Yoga accessible to all and understand its power to bring about positive change, both individually and collectively. Through Yoga Aotearoa, I am creating a space where people can come together to practice, learn and grow, fostering a sense of connection and well-being that extends beyond the Yoga mat into our daily lives.