We connect with those living in remote and regional environments who appreciate the similarities of living in isolation—whether you’re a new or seasoned yogi. The aim is to unite an outback yoga community across Australia. Feel connected through the shared interests of yoga. Let’s make yoga more accessible across outback Australia.

Let us connect through the traditional culture of yoga.

Some talking points in our community, include:

• the benefits behind physical poses (asanas).
• how mythology ties into each practice cultured by ancient traditions.
• correct posture alignment to gain benefits through a range of areas such as oxygenating blood flow.
• the advantages of controlled breathing (pranayama) techniques, like Fire of the Breath to stimulate energy. 
• conscious ways to live moment-to-moment during your day using an ancient framework that maintains set ethical standards based on customary philosophy.
• alternative ways to evoke energy through various method systems.
• understanding anatomy, organs, and senses for functional movement.

Online classes: pre-recorded and live. Coming soon.

What is Yonda Yoga 

Yonda Yoga is your online community that offers connection with others living similarly in remote and regional locations. For those seeking a traditional yoga community with like minds.

Our Mission

Yonda Yoga’s mission is to support people in their journey to better health and wellbeing. Connecting those living in remote and regional environments who appreciate the similarities of living in isolation—whether you’re a new or seasoned yogi. Jointly, we can achieve great things by encouraging like minds committed to supporting each other’s personal growth and journey.

The aim is to unite an outback yoga community across Australia.

Personal Story:

Background

As a recently registered yoga instructor through the global peak body Yoga Alliance, and having completed a 200-hour hybrid training model through continued teaching from my yoga master based in Perth, Western Australia. I’ve deepened my 15+ years of student practice by reconnecting with other like minds via an online and in-person overseas teacher training, from the comfort of my isolated home in Coffin Bay, South Australia.

My yoga journey joins my ongoing studies in journalism alongside my public servant role in projects. From this cross-over emerged Yonda Yoga, a platform inspired by a clear gap in the industry. A need to unite yogis living in isolated areas. Fostering connection and growth while supporting health and wellbeing.

Always a student first. Making time for my own yoga practice. Images: Tiharna Seiffert

Journey into Yoga

At the time, I was working for a mining company in Western Australia. A colleague introduced yoga to me—I’ve tended to land roles expected to hit-the-ground-running, primarily meeting unrealistic deadlines. At that time, it seemed like an obvious way to find stillness.

Over the years ahead, I continued dabbling in yoga, only to be met by an illness that left me bedridden for many months. It took years to fully recover. I’m still yet to find peak performance. Unlike my previous avid up-hill power road cycling days conquering Albany to Perth (700km) in 4.5 days for the Hawaiian Ride for Youth. Or, my long-distance running and weight training. I used these to support my time as a contestant on the hit reality television series The Amazing Race broadcasted by Channel 7. Unfortunately, my team mate and I failed miserably on the first leg. An unspoken truth—this experience was both the most rewarding and the most traumatic for numerous reasons. 

Yoga naturally became a comforting journey allowing me to find a sense of peace, energy, and strength—in my own way around a supportive environment. Through that journey evolved deep insights about anatomical and spiritual connections between mind, body and soul.

Fast-forward, I moved to a tiny remote town with a population of 600 people located in Coffin Bay, South Australia. On a map, picture Uluru then vertically think of the most southern tip downwards from there. Fun fact, Uluru is where the first left of my experience on The Amazing Race began. If you eat oysters, you might have heard about Coffin Bay. It’s known for its “world class oysters“. Surfers flock to the region to enter the “green room” (boldly surf along skyscraper thick waves). Did I mention that my husband’s religion is surfing. He grew up in these areas. Another fun fact—both our names are unusual, and people mostly incorrectly pronounce or misspell them. It’s got something to do with the ‘h’.

Images: Tiharna Seiffert

Anyway, before moving to our tiny town, I had an avid yoga practice with my local studio in Western Australia. Unfortunately, a studio does not exist in Coffin Bay. As a “newby” (new person) to the town, I’ve really noticed how much I’m missing an easily accessible studio close to home, and being involved in that community. To paint a picture, my closest yoga studio involves dodging haphazard emus and kangaroos showcasing their pectoral and bicep muscles, during a 100km car trip.

Holistically, this resulted in a new idea. To simply combine my love of yoga, and eagerness to connect with like minds, while making the practice more accessible for others in similar circumstances living in rural and remote communities throughout Australia. I knew I had to start somewhere. I signed up to complete my yoga teacher training back at my old studio in Western Australia. In undertaking that journey, it reminded me why the traditions of yoga are important to share with others.

If you have thought about trying yoga, why not join our community? Yoga is different for everyone. It’s a unique journey shaped by our individual stories, yet the pathway to the yogi’s goal remains similar. Connect with an authentic and kind community. Comment below, and join the conversation through Facebook and Instagram to discover what yoga means for you.

Join our Yonda Yoga community.

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