Katie West

Hello, नमस्ते and ♡

I first came to yoga when I was in my early twenties, living in the north of London. I had no aspirations then to become a teacher and certainly no desire to work with people. At the time, I was suffering from anxiety that had led to an eating disorder, and although I was not actively searching for a healing modality, yoga became an integral part of my healing process. The passion that I discovered for my yoga practice led me to a greater self love and heightened awareness of the positive impact that it has on those around us.

This in turn led me to study a range of yoga traditions in India, Cambodia, Nepal, Australia and Bali, before making my home for over a decade on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. Here I became a full-time yoga teacher while running retreats to other international destinations. During this time I also worked alongside renowned retreat centres throughout Asia, including the Hariharalaya Retreat Center in Cambodia.

In 2018, a diagnosis of early stage non-invasive breast cancer moved me more deeply into examining the fabrication of life and opening up space for deep shadow work. My greatest healing occurred during this time.

Now living in my home town of Brisbane, Australia, I currently offer regular classes, Women’s gatherings, 200HR Yoga Teacher Training, and retreats in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Australia.

I remain committed to guiding students to find their own truth by lovingly creating and holding a safe space for embodiment, awareness and intimacy. My teachings draw on the experiences that have shaped my own life, weaving together storytelling, meditation, mantra, body/mind exploration and breath work.

What is Yoga?

To me, yoga is not about perfecting the shapes and striving towards unrealistic goals. What is important is for students to be aware of how they feel both inside and out, to arrive at a connection point between body and mind and allow this to become their heart (Hridaya). Being aware of one’s heart is fundamental to feeling and acting with integrity. This is Yoga.

My Favorite Things

I love travel, mangoes, birdsong at sunrise, being barefoot, the window seat on long haul flights and my rescue dog Poppy.