our people
"Tossed by waves on this ocean of samsara, yoga is the sturdy life-raft
and meditation our compass to steer us safely home." Robert
and meditation our compass to steer us safely home." Robert
our founders & directors
Robert Becker & Mandy BeckerKnox"From a young age, on different continents, we discovered yoga and then sought out the great masters of traditional yoga in the ashrams of India. Over the years we immersed ourselves in the powerful, transformative practices and methods of various yoga traditions with the guidance and blessings of our teachers and gurus. It became our path and dharma to find each other, to share this lifetime, raise our family, and bring together our experience, knowledge and commitment to share the beauty, power and grace of traditional yoga to benefit others. It was with this intent we created Kookaburra Yoga. It is our sincere wish that you enjoy your experience of yoga at Kookaburra Creek, and come to appreciate the history and tradition which underlies our courses and program." Mandy and Robert
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Robert
Robert was initiated into yoga in Cape Town, South Africa by his Guru Swami Venkatesananda of the Sivananda lineage at the age of 20. He has dedicated his life to teaching and sharing traditional yoga and built and founded Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre in 1998. Robert has a Masters degree in Social Work and worked professionally in the field for 3 decades. He is known for the depth of his yogic and vedantic knowledge, astute wisdom, gentle guidance and skilfull process work and group facilitation.
Robert spent many years practising intensively living in ashrams and travelling in India before settling into family life and building the Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre in honour of his Guru which he co-directs with Mandy, with whom he shares the spiritual journey.
The centre has been blessed by some great souls (Mahatmas) over the years. Sri Swami Ramakrishna of the Amritanandamayi Mission has visited a number of times, Sri Somanatha Maharishi of Hyderabad introduced the centre to Mano Yoga. More recently Sri Swami Satyanarayana Chillapa initiated Robert as a preceptor in the path of Pranahuti meditation.
Robert attained a Masters degree in Psychiatric Social Work in South Africa, worked professionally for 30 years in the public sector here in Australia in counselling, social work and managerial roles. Robert integrates his professional skills with yogic wisdom in his yoga sessions, personal counselling, and group facilitation. He strives to integrate a purposeful working life in the world with a love of yoga and meditation and the responsibilities of being a householder, husband and father. This is the challenge many face today, spiritualising day to day life.
Robert spent many years practising intensively living in ashrams and travelling in India before settling into family life and building the Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre in honour of his Guru which he co-directs with Mandy, with whom he shares the spiritual journey.
The centre has been blessed by some great souls (Mahatmas) over the years. Sri Swami Ramakrishna of the Amritanandamayi Mission has visited a number of times, Sri Somanatha Maharishi of Hyderabad introduced the centre to Mano Yoga. More recently Sri Swami Satyanarayana Chillapa initiated Robert as a preceptor in the path of Pranahuti meditation.
Robert attained a Masters degree in Psychiatric Social Work in South Africa, worked professionally for 30 years in the public sector here in Australia in counselling, social work and managerial roles. Robert integrates his professional skills with yogic wisdom in his yoga sessions, personal counselling, and group facilitation. He strives to integrate a purposeful working life in the world with a love of yoga and meditation and the responsibilities of being a householder, husband and father. This is the challenge many face today, spiritualising day to day life.
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"I didn't realise it at the time, but when I was initiated into yoga at the age of 20 it became my dharma, my life's work, to share the wonders of yoga and help guide others along this beautiful, but bumpy path. I feel the grace of my teachers and the masters is always with me."
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Mandy
Mandy was initiated into yoga at the age of 20 and has practiced and taught since then. She has studied with renowned masters, and spent a lifetime learning, integrating and sharing. She is a natural leader and in her professional life has worked as an Editor, Designer and recently CEO of a healthcare organisation. Mandy is deeply committed to creating safe and sacred spaces for participants to experience the wonders of yoga.
Mandy has studied and practiced yoga since 1990 in both India and Australia. She has taught yoga for more than 30 years in Perth, India, and on international retreats. She is a registered Senior Teacher with Yoga Australia (over 1000 hours formal training and 10+ years teaching experience), creator of the Hatha Yoga Method, co-director of Kookaburra Creek with her husband Robert, and continues to develop all the programs and content Kookaburra Yoga is known for.
Mandy has had the great privilege of travelling to India many times for extended periods studying directly with teachers and masters of yoga. Mandy's primary influences and long-term mentors are A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan of the Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda, Chennai. Mandy continues to study closely with the Mohans. In addition to this Mandy has studied yoga with:
Mandy has been a resident in the following ashrams and spiritual centres:
Mandy is certified (by Svastha Yoga) to teach Hatha Yoga, has also studied Ayurveda at the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine. Mandy has undertaken additional teacher training in Yin Yoga and is certified (by Jo Phee) to teach Yin.
Mandy considers being still in nature to be the greatest of all spiritual teachers, and seeks out inspiration through immersions in the sublime landscapes of this wondrous planet.
Mandy’s yoga journey has been an integration of these teachings over time and deep personal experience. Her teaching style is practical, relevant and spiritual - with an emphasis on a safe and meaningful practice which leads students towards health of the body and peace of mind. The breath is fundamental to Hatha Yoga and is emphasised in Mandy's classes for the healing benefit dedicated breathing practices bring.
Mandy has developed comprehensive courses, programs and manuals for all levels of students and is particularly focussed on absolute beginners - ensuring those new to yoga receive a comprehensive introduction to the often misrepresented teachings of traditional yoga.
Professionally, Mandy has a BA in English, is a qualified Graphic Designer with a career spanning decades in evolving roles which included working as a writer, editor, graphic designer, publishing and mass communications specialist, communications manager, and most recently as Chief Executive Officer of a health organisation for 5 years. Mandy is an inspiring, highly regarded leader. She brings together her creativity, love of organising, and passion for yoga to create and deliver Kookaburra's yoga and retreat program.
Mandy’s personal practice and the integration of the wisdom teachings of yoga inform every aspect of her life, and have been a guiding influence through the challenges and joys of raising a family and professional life.
Mandy has studied and practiced yoga since 1990 in both India and Australia. She has taught yoga for more than 30 years in Perth, India, and on international retreats. She is a registered Senior Teacher with Yoga Australia (over 1000 hours formal training and 10+ years teaching experience), creator of the Hatha Yoga Method, co-director of Kookaburra Creek with her husband Robert, and continues to develop all the programs and content Kookaburra Yoga is known for.
Mandy has had the great privilege of travelling to India many times for extended periods studying directly with teachers and masters of yoga. Mandy's primary influences and long-term mentors are A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan of the Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda, Chennai. Mandy continues to study closely with the Mohans. In addition to this Mandy has studied yoga with:
- Senior teachers of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai
- Swami Maharshi Somanatha of Somanatha Kshetram, Hyderabad
- Swami Krishnananda of the Sivananda tradition, Divine Life Society, Rishikesh
Mandy has been a resident in the following ashrams and spiritual centres:
- Ananda Marga, Bihar
- Satyananda Yoga, Rikhia
- Divine Life Society (Sivananda Yoga), Rishikesh
- Anandamayi Ma Ashram, Haridwar
Mandy is certified (by Svastha Yoga) to teach Hatha Yoga, has also studied Ayurveda at the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine. Mandy has undertaken additional teacher training in Yin Yoga and is certified (by Jo Phee) to teach Yin.
Mandy considers being still in nature to be the greatest of all spiritual teachers, and seeks out inspiration through immersions in the sublime landscapes of this wondrous planet.
Mandy’s yoga journey has been an integration of these teachings over time and deep personal experience. Her teaching style is practical, relevant and spiritual - with an emphasis on a safe and meaningful practice which leads students towards health of the body and peace of mind. The breath is fundamental to Hatha Yoga and is emphasised in Mandy's classes for the healing benefit dedicated breathing practices bring.
Mandy has developed comprehensive courses, programs and manuals for all levels of students and is particularly focussed on absolute beginners - ensuring those new to yoga receive a comprehensive introduction to the often misrepresented teachings of traditional yoga.
Professionally, Mandy has a BA in English, is a qualified Graphic Designer with a career spanning decades in evolving roles which included working as a writer, editor, graphic designer, publishing and mass communications specialist, communications manager, and most recently as Chief Executive Officer of a health organisation for 5 years. Mandy is an inspiring, highly regarded leader. She brings together her creativity, love of organising, and passion for yoga to create and deliver Kookaburra's yoga and retreat program.
Mandy’s personal practice and the integration of the wisdom teachings of yoga inform every aspect of her life, and have been a guiding influence through the challenges and joys of raising a family and professional life.
"Yoga has provided a spiritual framework for understanding and making meaning of my life and the world. Its methodology and practices have enriched my life and provided the tools to navigate the phases and stages and all their joys and sorrows with equanimity and peace." Mandy
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Our teachers
Classes, courses and programs at Kookaburra Creek are taught by Robert and Mandy, and graduates of our own teacher training program - the Hatha Yoga Method. Our teachers - Michelle, Kylie, Caitlin and Dani - are long term and dedicated practitioners, students, and now educators and guides, committed to teaching and sharing yoga according to the values and ethics of this beautiful, soulful tradition. They each bring their unique gifts, flair and areas of interest and expertise to their classes. We are blessed to have such wonderful souls to share the path with. You can find out more about our teachers and read their bios here.
our teacher training
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In 2021, we launched the Hatha Yoga Method 500 hour Teacher Training here at Kookaburra Creek. This program is the culmination of our lifetime learning and experience. Over 12 months we guide students through their own journey transitioning from dedicated practitioner and student to teacher. It is a lifelong journey!
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“When by the flood of your tears
the inner and the outer have fused into one, you will find Her whom you sought with such anguish, nearer than the nearest, the very breath of life, the very core of every heart.” Anandamayi Ma |