Our Team

Laurin is a highly experienced Senior Yoga Teacher, Mentor, and Trainer with over 10,000 hours of teaching experience. She began her journey in 2003 as an Exercise Physiologist at a Rehabilitation Hospital, where she combined her deep understanding of movement science with her passion for yoga, mindfulness, and holistic wellness.

With more than 1,600 hours of certified Yoga Teacher Training, Laurin is a Level 3 Senior Teacher and Trainer accredited by Yoga Australia. She founded Bend It Like Buddha Yoga (BILBY) in 2015, after years of teaching in leading studios, to create an inclusive space for students of all levels to explore the transformative power of yoga.

While serving as a faculty member at The Yoga Institute, Laurin noticed a growing need for a more comprehensive, supportive, and accessible training experience. After hearing concerns from aspiring teachers about the limitations of existing programs, she saw an opportunity to develop a more personalized and engaging approach. In response, she created the BILBY 350-hour Yoga Teacher Training, which is Yoga Australia certified and designed specifically for those seeking their Level 1 certification. This program emphasizes hands-on mentorship, practical teaching skills, and a deep understanding of yoga’s foundations, preparing students to confidently step into teaching roles.

With a background in rehabilitation, yoga therapy, and functional movement, Laurin integrates evidence-based approaches into her teaching. She specializes in yoga teacher training, mentorship, yoga anatomy, functional movement, mindfulness, meditation, rehabilitation, injury prevention, holistic wellness, and therapeutic yoga. Whether guiding beginners or mentoring advanced practitioners, she empowers students to deepen their practice and embrace yoga as a lifelong journey.

As Krishnamacharya famously said, “If you can breathe, you can do yoga.” Laurin believes yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, experience, or physical ability.

Rosie has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 40 years and has spent the last two decades training yoga teachers at The Yoga Institute. Now, she brings her wealth of experience to the Bend It Like Buddha Yoga (BILBY) faculty, where she plays an integral role in delivering the Yoga Teacher Training program.

Specializing in Yoga Therapy, Rosie is passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges with resilience and balance. She works closely with individuals to create personalized practices that support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Her expertise lies in guiding women through transformative courses, workshops, and retreats, always with a focus on individualizing yoga practices to meet each student’s unique needs and intentions.

Following the lineage of TKV Desikachar, Rosie offers private one-on-one sessions and small group classes, ensuring that students feel supported in working at their own level and pace. While she takes the principles of yoga and yoga therapy seriously, she also embraces a lighthearted and fun approach, creating an uplifting and welcoming atmosphere for all.

Rosie believes that yoga is for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Whether through deep therapeutic work or joyful group practice, she encourages students to cultivate a meaningful connection with yoga in a way that fits their lives.

Sarah has been practicing yoga since 2005. She obtained a Diploma from The Yoga Institute in Sydney in 2019 and is registered with Yoga Australia. She has since done a kids yoga training course and teaches at some of the local schools.

Sarah is a keen cyclist and runner and has found that her students naturally end up having similar interests. Her style of teaching focuses on opening shoulders, chest, back and hips, as well strengthening the core and working the lungs. And while her classes are appropriate for all ages and levels, there will be challenges along the way for those who’d like them. There will always be fun poses to try - often with modifications offered, sometimes using blocks, straps or the wall. Her classes are breath-centered with students encouraged to follow their breathing rhythm.

Her goal is for you to leave her class feeling rejuvenated, a little stronger, slightly looser and relaxed.

Maryanne began her yoga teacher training in 2015 with a focus on Vinyasa Flow at Power Living and later expanded her expertise by completing a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Institute in 2019. Along the way, she has deepened her practice through additional training in Yin Yoga, Meditation, Five Element Theory, Advanced Vinyasa, and more.

With a background in group fitness and martial arts, Maryanne brings a dynamic and well-rounded approach to her teaching. Heated Vinyasa Flow remains her personal favorite practice, allowing her to explore the intricate connection between mind and body and how it contributes to overall health and well-being. As a dedicated student of Yoga Philosophy, she integrates these timeless teachings into modern life, helping students cultivate balance, resilience, and self-awareness.

As part of the Bend It Like Buddha Yoga faculty, Maryanne will be teaching the History of Yoga in the Yoga Teacher Training and Diploma Program, offering students a deeper understanding of yoga’s roots, evolution, and philosophical foundations. Her passion for yoga history and philosophy brings richness and depth to the training, helping future teachers connect tradition with contemporary practice.

Maryanne’s classes offer a blend of strength, mindfulness, and fluid movement, creating a space for students to challenge themselves while fostering inner peace. She believes that yoga is not just a physical practice but a pathway to deeper self-discovery and holistic wellness.

Her favorite quote, “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, and faithfulness the best relationship” – Buddha, reflects her belief in yoga as a tool for cultivating a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Katrina started yoga in 2010 at the age of 39 and started her teaching journey in 2013 with Power Living Yoga's 200-hour Vinyasa Flow training. She has also completed Yin training and various other workshops and courses.

She believes that life is her greatest teacher, and that yoga is for anyone and everyone. Katrina's passion is hands-on assisting; she wants you to gain a glimpse of your potential and to inspire you to see how amazing you are.

Her goal is to leave her students with a fresh perspective, energised, and refreshed and ready for whatever comes next. She would like to create a haven where you can just BE; however she also likes to challenge you. Her hope is to facilitate a deeper self-awareness, which helps you to THRIVE.

Rae’s warmth and generosity of spirit are key pillars in her teachings. After 20 years in the Corporate world and more than 15 years of practice, Rae started her first 200 hr teacher training with Mark Breadner in 2017. Her motivation was to create classes that were accessible and inclusive for every body regardless of age, experience or flexibility.

Rae’s love of Yin yoga led to her 100 hr Yin teacher training in 2018 with Mel McLaughlin and in 2019, Rae completed her 300 hr Advanced Yoga teacher training with Judy Krupp and Byron Yoga.

Her love of learning and desire for deeper understanding have also led to further teacher trainings in Meditation, Kids yoga and Myofascial release.

For Rae, it’s about the quiet solitude, connection to nature and the seasons, and feeling and being ‘enough’. Her hope is that you leave her class feeling restored, curious and grounded.

Tara is a women's wellbeing specialist with 20 years experience helping women through profound life changes and circumstances. She brings 20 years yoga teaching experience as well & is a mother of 6. She combines yoga, psychology, as well as working with the lunar cycle, to improve energy, pelvic floor, sense of purpose and deeper sense of self.

Kimberly is a 5 Elements Wellness coach experienced Yin Yoga teacher, Author & Educator.
She has completed trainings in Yin yoga, Holistic hatha yoga, Tao Yoga, Qigong, mindfulness, sound healing and iRest yoga nidra.
She began her yoga journey at a young age accompanying her mum doing yoga poses & flow, which planted the seed for a love of exploring movement practices.

Kimberly's expertise is in the 5 Elements of Chinese Medicine, and she lives and breathes all aspects of this approach in relationship with the natural world, emotions and life.
She creates safe, enjoyable and deeply relaxing Yin yoga classes with opportunities to unwind tension in the body, fascia and energetic layers.
Her motto for life on and off the mat is to support you to “balance life energy” through food, movement & emotional wellness.

After a serious workplace injury followed by multiple spinal surgeries left Mandy with chronic pain, she eventually turned to yoga.
Through gentle movement and mindfulness, Mandy regained her lust for life and she realised pain was better with movement.
In 2019 Mandy started studying at The Yoga Institute undertaking a 500 hr YTT. She started teaching in 2024. She hopes to be able to make a difference in other people’s lives and give back as she has received so much through yoga.
Her desire for you when you leave a class is to feel more free, calm, grounded and connected to yourself.
Mandy fell in love with Krishnamacharya’s philosophy of yoga is to suit the individual not the individual to suit the yoga.

Tina discovered yoga at 40 during one of the most challenging times in her life. Diagnosed with endometrial and gastric cancer in her late 30s, she spent seven years battling both the physical toll of illness and the emotional weight of depression.

Yoga became her lifeline to healing, offering relief from stress, a renewed sense of self, and a path to recovery. Inspired by its transformative power, she pursued a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training and a 50-hour Meridian Yin Yoga certification to help others overcome physical, emotional, and mental obstacles.

Through her journey, Tina learned to “inhale the future and exhale the past.” She now shares yoga’s healing power with compassion, guiding students toward resilience, hope, and inner peace.


Tina 在人生最艱難的時刻之一——40 歲時發現了瑜伽。

她在 30 多歲時被診斷出子宮內膜癌和胃癌，經歷了長達七年的抗癌之路，不僅承受著身體的痛苦，還深陷抑鬱的折磨。



瑜伽成為了她的生命線，帶來了壓力的釋放、對自我的重塑，以及通往康復的道路。被這股轉化的力量所啟發，她完成了 500 小時的瑜伽師資培訓和 50 小時經絡陰瑜伽認證，希望幫助他人克服身體、情緒與心靈的困境。



在這段旅程中，Tina 學會了「吸氣迎向未來，吐氣釋放過去」。如今，她以慈悲的心分享瑜伽的療癒力量，引導學生走向堅韌、希望與內在的平靜。

Izzi first started practising yoga when she was 16 and since then can recognise the profound impact it has had on her health, mind and body. Particularly during her HSC year, yoga was essential and helped make a massive difference when it came to reducing stress and staying emotionally grounded.

Currently, Izzi is studying Media and Communications at the University of Sydney and majoring in marketing. In her spare time she loves to dance, listen to music and spend time in nature. She is also a certified sound bowl healer.

In the future, Izzi hopes that more younger people will learn to embrace yoga, allowing them to experience the same transformative benefits it has brought to her life.

Madi is a filmmaker, teacher and content creator who is one of the Executive Assistants at Bend It Like Buddha Yoga.

In 2018 she completed her Diploma of Stage and Screen Performance at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. In 2019 she started practicing yoga when she discovered the mind body connection. When she practiced yoga she was able to create better art. In 2022 she completed a Bachelor of Arts: Screen Production at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Madi is passionate about making content she believes in. She also teaches drama at various schools and is a qualified sound bowl healer.