“Confidence, clarity and compassion are essential qualities of a teacher.”
Gina Funke
E-RYT500
Principal Yoga Teacher & Lead Teacher Trainer
Gina is an E-RYT500 Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance and has been sharing her wisdom of Yoga and meditation for over 20 years.
She is the founder and Principle teacher of Mudita Yoga Studio, Melbourne, Australia.
Gina has dedicated her life to the study and practice of Yoga and meditation. By studying and practicing with various teachers globally, teaching classes, workshops and trainings, writing, mentoring and service, Gina shares the gifts of her practice, discipleship and life with a wide range of students.
Gina continues to use her years of experience to inspire students, teachers and teacher trainees alike to live up to their best life with a sense of meaningful purpose, playful creativity, committed responsibility and joyful freedom.
As a teacher she is dedicated to guide her students through a practice that will connect them to their higher self, restoring the natural state of balance, peace and calm. With regular practice her students will feel physically more comfortable and stronger.
As a mentor she is committed to inspire and lead her mentees to develop a discipleship to their practice and share their understanding of this wisdom authentically and skillfully.
As a Lead Teacher Trainer she will assist teachers to acquire the skills, study and understand the knowledge and develop the habits required to be a conduit of the teachings of yoga.
Gina is skilled in her ability to apply the ancient wisdoms and teachings of yoga in a fun and contemporary way.
Collin
Collin began practicing yoga in 2002 in NYC while pursuing a career in theatre. She fell in love with the practice and decided to delve deeper getting her certification in 2005. She began teaching for several different studios in Southern California, including Triad Yoga, Yoga Room, and Equinox Fitness, eventually making her way to Yogaworks. At Yogaworks, she did trainings and workshops with some of yoga’s most sought after teachers, Sean Corne, Baron Baptiste, Pattabhi Jois, and Shiva Rea. She teaches a dynamic class that is playfully designed to create strength, stamina and flexibility.
Melanie
Melanie took her first yoga class last century (okay 1998) and noticed the positive difference it made in her physical body. It was another 10 years later that Melanie practiced with greater consistency when more studios appeared. The challenge of moving her body into different shapes and balances was exciting and also created the focus she needed in life. Melanie's interest in Asian religion and philosophy was also a big attraction to yoga and she eventually came to the conclusion the regular yoga practice was the perfect element to add to her life.
Melanie likes to pair philosophy with asana in her classes. Her aim is for students to feel supported and encouraged to be their best selves on the mat. Melanie feels strongly about keeping the authenticity of this ancient practice as well as offering it to students as a valuable tool for modern times.
RUBY
Ruby first discovered yoga almost seven years ago in search of a way to stretch out sore muscles. With time, she fell deeper and deeper in love with the practice as she began to learn of yoga philosophy and witness the transformative positive effects yoga and meditation were making in her life both on and off her mat. Her dedication to her practice over the past three years has ignited her passion to share the gifts of yoga with others. She believes yoga is for all bodies and all minds of all ages. Ruby’s compassionate approach to yoga focuses on easing tension and connecting to breath. Her classes are infused with yoga philosophy and pranayama and aim to leave students feeling grounded, rejuvenated and empowered.
Samira
Samira discovered yoga back in 2016 while suffering from chronic back pain. After experiencing the many benefits of yoga herself she went on to complete her Teacher Training in 2019. Through her classes, Samira aims to inspire everyone to get on the yoga mat and make it part of their everyday life. Samira is passionate about Yoga Philosophy and uses it in her classes as a way to challenge the students thinking, to make them question things, and to inspire them to make profound changes in their life.
“That’s the pride of a teacher: That they have the privilege to serve another student, because somebody served them.”
Ruth
Ruth has had a consistent and focused yoga practice for 20 years, yet only recently started to unpack what the drive to the mat was for her and why it was so strong. Within this reflection she found her dharma, her desire to serve others and share what yoga looks like and feels like through the eyes of someone over 40. Ruth wants everyone to feel included and supported through their yoga journey, especially if it is yet to begin!
Ruth's classes bring you back to your center. Here you meet your most authentic self and with slow and purposeful movements and by following the pathway of the breath, the external starts to fade away. In this space of stillness and quiet we begin to connect to the present moment and our core spirit. In each class prepare to open your heart to compassion, connect to your inner wisdom and nourish your body with strength, flexibility and grace.
Elanor
Elanor has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and has developed a deeper and more connected practice in the past four years. Yoga has taken Elanor on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The presence and balance she finds on the mat help her to welcome the challenges, wobbles and falls in life. And with that comes more space to have fun, to laugh, to feel joy, and the freedom to love and accept more fully.
Elanor teaches yoga in a way that cultivates a space of kindness, acceptance, and enjoyment. Her classes integrate breath guided movement with elements of yoga philosophy and aim to leave students feeling replenished and enlivened in body and mind.
Di
Di started practicing yoga over 20 years ago as a form of fitness. In 2008 she began a pre-natal practice as suggested by her Chinese Dr. and this is where she truly started to feel a connection to the practice.
“My practice has ebbed and flowed over the years until lockdown when I could dedicate the time to make a real commitment to my sadhana and I realised that there is so much more to yoga than a physical practice.
I have studied nutrition and am dedicated to healthy living. I believe as much as we nourish our bodies with healthy food, we also need to nourish our souls with self-love, self-care, kindness and compassion. Yoga is a gift offering all these things and more. I would love to share these blessings with others and hope yoga can touch everyone as much as it has touched me, regardless of age or gender. Yoga truly is a study honouring and unifying the body mind and soul. It offers ongoing benefits even as we leave our mats. I encourage my students to honour their bodies innate wisdom and move with kindness and consistency as they slowly build strength, embrace stillness achieve balance and calm in their soul and peace and joy in their hearts.”
Gabrielle
Originally from Canada, Gabrielle has been practising yoga for over 10 years and underwent her Vinyasa and a Yin teacher training in Melbourne. She was initially drawn to yoga in search of a fitness routine, and perhaps a way to warm up in the cold winter days, but quickly fell in love with the practice. She enjoys the physical challenge it brings, but furthermore, yoga has become a way of healing and a space of peace. She is a continuous student of yoga’s traditions and philosophy and enjoys sharing her findings with her students. She finds joy in being creative with her flows and favours a strong practice while offering a somatic experience in her sequencing. She believes yoga is for everyone and cultivates a supportive and caring approach. As a teacher, Gabrielle wants to share her love for yoga and hopes to spark curiosity and acceptance of self with her students.
Victoria
With a passion for movement and connection, Vic truly believes in the benefits of yoga for everybody at every stage of life.
"Yoga has remained a constant source of healing, challenge, rest and growth. The beauty of yoga is that it's always available; listen to your body and allow your practice to meet you where you're at. With an open mind and some commitment, all you have to do is show up on your mat and the rest will follow."
Like one in seven AFAB Australians, Vic suffers from endometriosis, a condition which often presents debilitatingly painful symptoms.
"A regular yoga practice is instrumental in managing my chronic illness. Not only does it provide physical relief in downregulating my central nervous system, it simultaneously strengthens my body and enables mental fortitude. I encourage those with chronic illness and pain, visible and invisible, to try yoga and feel the benefits."
Vic's classes are taught in a style of servant-leadership, holding space for beings of all shapes, ages, abilities and identities.
lou
I began my yoga journey around 30 years ago. Although I haven’t been consistent in my practice this entire time, I have always come back to yoga, particularly when life has presented challenges. It took me a while to realise that regular practice is the key to a healthy and happy mind, body and soul. My work in horticulture allows me to slow down and appreciate the immense beauty and complexity of nature. Yoga encourages us to take time out for ourselves, to look inwards, and to recognise our deep connection to the amazing world that we inhabit. I have recently completed my teacher training and want to share my love of yoga. I hope to inspire others, regardless of where they are on their journey through life. I love teaching dynamic flowing classes for of all levels.