Our teachers
kindness, empathy, steadiness, dedication to the path
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Classes are taught by Robert and Mandy, centre directors, and graduates of our own teacher training program - the Hatha Yoga Method. Collectively we have many years experience as dedicated practitioners, teachers and educators. We ensure your experience of yoga is of the highest standard, safe, enjoyable, respectful and holistic.
Teacher Bios
Robert BeckerRobert spent many years practising yoga intensively living in ashrams and travelling in India before settling into family life.
In the 1990s Robert built the Kookbaurra 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 fifteen 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 which is now practiced daily and with a group of devotees on a weekly basis. Robert has been practising and teaching yoga for over 36 years in South Africa, Mauritius, India and Australia. Robert was initiated into yoga and meditation at the age of 20 by his Diksha Guru HH Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj of the Sivananda tradition, Rishikesh and was given the spiritual name Narayan. Robert teaches a dynamic style of Integral Hatha Yoga based on the tradition of Patanjali's Raja Yoga. Asanas and Pranayama are used to guide aspirants seeking a deeper experience of meditation. Robert has a Masters degree in Psychiatric Social Work and is a skilfull counsellor and group facilitator. He strives to integrate a 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. about Robert's classes |
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Mandy BeckerKnoxMandy has been studying and practicing yoga since 1990 when she was twenty years old in both India and Australia. She has taught yoga for over twenty years in Perth, India, and on international retreats.
Over this time she has had the great privilege of travelling to India many times for extended periods studying directly with teachers and masters of yoga including her personal teachers AG and Indra Mohan of Svastha Yoga, Chennai, and teachers within the Sivananda (Divine Life Society) tradition. Mandy has been a resident in ashrams and spiritual centres in India, and these experiences have helped shape her spiritually focussed approach to yoga. Mandy has studied Ayurveda at the Australian Institute of Holistic Medicine. She is certified in Hatha Yoga (by Svastha Yoga & Ayurveda) and Yin Yoga (Jo Phee). Mandy continues to study with her teachers with AG Mohan and Indra Mohan. Mandy considers being still in nature to be the greatest of all spiritual teachers. 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. Mandy has developed comprehensive courses, programs and manuals for all levels of students and is particularly focussed on absolute beginners - ensuring people new to yoga receive a comprehensive introduction to the often misrepresented teachings of traditional yoga. Mandy focuses on teaching and sharing yoga as a holistic and comprehensive model of self care and self development. There is a strong focus on yogic diet and lifestyle in retreats and courses. Professionally, Mandy has a BA in English, is a qualified graphic designer and most recently as Chief Executive Officer of a health organisation. She is an inspiring leader and brings together her creativity, love of organising, and passion for yoga to create and deliver Kookaburra's yoga, retreat and teacher training programs. 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. about Mandy's classes |
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Michelle GordonMichelle discovered yoga when she began practising as a means to destress from everyday busy-ness. It was not long before she experienced the positive influence yoga was having on every aspect of her life.
Michelle is a passionate student of Hatha Yoga, and with the intention of deepening her personal practice and consolidating her knowledge of traditional yoga, she successfully completed the Hatha Yoga Method 500 hour Teacher Training at Kookaburra Yoga. Many years as an educator have contributed to Michelle’s genuine empathy and understanding of the learning experiences of students, particularly beginners. She teaches yoga and meditation to students of all ages and stages in life. Michelle is a gentle practitioner who has her student’s wellbeing at heart. Within a supportive and caring environment, she will thoughtfully guide you towards integrating yoga and meditation into your everyday life. |
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Caitlin Dellow
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Caitlin discovered yoga over 20 years ago during her university studies and immediately fell in love with the joy and calm it brought her body and mind. Originally from New Zealand, Caitlin has travelled and lived abroad for many years, enjoying finding new places to practice yoga and connecting with others.
Settling in Perth in 2012, Caitlin found her yoga and meditation practice most helpful when dealing with fertility difficulties. Now a mother of 2 beautiful boys, Caitlin is passionate about supporting and empowering women and families during challenging periods in life. Professionally, Caitlin has worked in media and recruitment for over 15 years, finding refuge on her yoga mat to create more balance and peace when working through life’s more difficult times. Caitlin’s personal practice includes pranayama, meditation and asana. She teaches a nurturing and accessible style of Hatha Yoga with the aim to reduce feelings of stress and tension and cultivate more joy and peace into our lives. Caitlin has recently completed the 500hr Hatha Yoga Teacher Training under her teachers, Mandy and Robert (Kookaburra Creek), finding this a truly life-changing experience. |
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Kylie JonesYoga and meditation have been essential to Kylie's life for nearly two decades. After a severe physical injury as a young adult, she turned to yoga for rehabilitation and found it immensely helpful. Regular yogic meditative practices have brought balance and serenity to her life, which she carries into every aspect.
In 2022-2023, Kylie completed the 500hr Hatha Yoga Method Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training at Kookaburra Yoga with Mandy and Robert, where she could deepen her practice and expand her teaching skills. With years of experience running a natural therapies practice, Kylie now integrates yogic practices into her clients' natural therapies and offers compassionately designed yoga classes. Her teaching method combines a robust understanding of anatomy with deeply meditative yogic techniques, creating a balanced approach that relaxes, restores, and strengthens the body, mind, and soul. Kylie and her family reside in Perth hills, surrounded by nature. She enjoys homeschooling her two children, camping, and engaging in creative projects. |
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Orlando Kirby-Knox
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Orlando is our youngest teacher and a lifetime practitioner! He grew up here at Kookaburra Creek, and has undertaken a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training program in Chennai, India with Svastha Yoga under the tutelage of AG Mohan, Indra Mohan and Dr Ganesh Mohan. He has also graduated from the 12 month 500hr Hatha Yoga Method Yoga and Meditation Training. He currently teaches our 5 week Absolute Beginners Yoga Course.
Professionally Orlando works as an Environmental Scientist having graduated from the University of WA with a BSc in Environmental Science and a BA in Indonesian. He lives by the sea and has a deep love of the ocean surfing most days, and diving in exotic locations around the country and world when he can. The philosophies, practices and self-help strategies of yoga have helped Orlando through the challenges of life, and he is committed to sharing these profound teachings with other people to help them on their life path. |
Community Class teachers
Our 2023 Sunday community classes are currently taught by our graduate teachers Sian Fitzpatrick, Dani Woolhouse, Mei Chan, Kylie Jones, Katrina Orr, Sally Edmonston-Fearn and Deb Wild - all of whom have undertaken a year long comprehensive Hatha Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training Program here at Kookaburra Creek.
