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Yoga Today

Yoga Today is a newsletter that brings you the latest news, articles and discussions from across the yoga industry. You’ll uncover new stories, insights, research articles, resources and more from yoga practitioners, teachers and therapists across Australia.

Yoga is Not a Religion

Yoga is often asked to answer a question it never set out to answer, whether it is a religion. The question is understandable. Yoga emerged in ancient India and reaches us through philosophy, contemplative practice, sacred language, symbolic imagery, mythology, and, at times, ritual forms that can appear religious to a modern Western eye. When encountered without context, these elements can easily lead people to assume that yoga is simply another religion, or that participation in yoga requires adherence to a particular belief system.

Ailsa Gartenstein in a seated balance with hands joined at the chest, sepia studio portrait

Yogic Light, In Memory of Ailsa Gartenstein

Ailsa Edith Gartenstein taught yoga across Brisbane for half a century, and she passed on 28 November 2025 at the age of ninety-two. During Yoga Week, her students remember a teacher who lived what she taught. Through the late 1960s and into the 1970s, when the Beatles had been to see the Maharishi and ordinary Queenslanders were curious about what all of it meant, Ailsa was the one offering them a way in.

EOFY = Exciting Opportunities For You!

The end of the Australian financial year can feel stressful for business owners but it can also be a great time to reflect on your progress, consider embracing additional opportunities and plan for a successful remainder of 2026 (and beyond).

Strength Through Mantra

Jodie Lunn, Co-Founder of Abhyāsa Yoga speaks with Nitya Mohan of Svastha Yoga, daughter of renowned yoga masters A.G. and Indra Mohan, about the profound role of sound and mantra for mental, spiritual and physical health.

Resources for teachers

Learn, create and expand your potential with online short courses and resources for teaching, building your yoga business, marketing your offerings, engaging your students and more.

Become a member

We’re here to support your yoga journey, every step of the way. Enjoy all the benefits, perks & partner discounts, resources, ongoing professional development, events, on-demand video library, dedicated support, and more included in your new membership.

Yoga Enthusiast

$72/year

A Yoga Enthusiast is someone passionate about yoga but not currently earning an income from teaching.

Yoga Teacher

From $144/year

We welcome all Yoga Teachers at any level of experience who are keen to develop themselves and support the profession.

Yoga Therapist

$33/year (add-on)

For existing members who have taken an approved Yoga Therapist Course to work within this specialised space. This adds onto your teaching membership.

Featured CPD Short Courses

Expand your knowledge and up-level your skillset with our latest CPD Short Courses, presented by Yoga Australia Senior Teachers.

Just Breathe Summit

This landmark event brings together leading voices in breathing practices – from traditional prāṇāyāma to clinical breath education and research. We aim to explore the therapeutic wisdom of classical prāṇāyāma while addressing the benefits and challenges of modern breathwork trends.

The Core Connection

An integrated exploration of the core as both a physical and energetic centre. Learn specific therapeutic Japanese Yoga exercises to warm up and connect with the core.

The Prana of Food: Yogic Nutrition

Join Naturopath, Cancer Researcher, Yoga Therapist & Senior Yoga teacher Chandrika Gibson, PhD C-IAYT for a informative workshop introducing an inclusive, non-diet culture approach to yogic nutrition.

The Way of the White Lotus

Join Malcolm Fletcher in this transformative session that challenges conventional approaches to meditation. Moving beyond traditional techniques like mantras and breath-watching, Malcolm guides you to discover the doorway to pure consciousness that exists within the simplicity of your practice.

Thanks for all that Yoga Australia do to ensure a high quality of education for new trainings, and for being a collective voice for the industry. Keep up the great work!

Trish

What is yoga?

With its roots firmly grounded in ancient eastern teachings, Yoga is recognised as a traditional system of wisdom, principles and practices derived from the Vedic teachings of India.

Yoga takes a holistic approach to the integrated and innate wisdom of the human mind-body connection, with modern science nowadays beginning to uncover and fortify these ancient teachings and the many benefits this practice holds for your biological, psychological and sociological well-being. 

Ultimately, yoga is a tool that may be used for self-discovery, stress-management, physical health & fitness, and mental & emotional wellbeing. 

Yoga Australia is the peak national body for registration and representation of Yoga professionals from all traditions and styles of yoga, independent from any one lineage or training provider.

As the peak body for yoga in Australia, we actively advocate for positive change and improvement within the profession. This includes engaging with government and the health industry, lobbying for better pay and conditions for yoga teachers, promoting a broader understanding of yoga’s benefits for health and well-being, conducting industry forums, and collaborating with stakeholders both within and outside the yoga community.

What we do