Josh Pryor – President/CEOJosh is a Mysore Style Yoga practitioner, author, studio-owner, and life-long student. He also has an extensive background in IT consulting and business development, with specialist expertise in systems analysis and development. Josh is an experienced commercial negotiator and has provided business development services to numerous sectors, while actively participating in local business advocacy and support organisations. Since exiting that career (mostly), and pursuing yoga, Josh has travelled to India six times, participated in several teacher training courses, run teacher training courses, workshops and weekend retreats.
Merridy Woodroffe – Vice PresidentMerridy is a certified Yoga Therapist, Level 2 Yoga Teacher, and Lawyer with a passion for wellbeing. She combines the principles of yoga with a successful legal practice by encouraging her corporate colleagues to live well through movement, breathing and meditation; and by supporting the legal needs of yoga studios and teachers. As a Board member, Merridy is committed to furthering Yoga Australia’s objectives in supporting the important work of our country’s yoga teachers, their wellbeing, and the health of their students.
Dee Garcha – TreasurerDee is a Chartered Accountant with over 18 years’ experience in private sector organisations in Australia and United Kingdom. As a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with a passion for good governance, transparency, strong culture and respect. Dee has extensive experience in treasury, financial management and organisational effectiveness and is looking forward to applying her financial expertise to Yoga Australia. Dee has been practicing mindful mediation for many years and has is a strong advocate of the benefits of Yoga mindful meditation in the management of stress and prevention of mental health issues.
Rebel Tucker – Ordinary Board MemberRebel is a qualified naturopath of over 25 years and a yoga teacher of 7 years. She has been practicing yoga for over 35 years, since her mum introduced her at the age of 12. She is a level 2 member with Yoga Australia and is currently extending her studies in yoga to become a yoga therapist. Passionate about research and ongoing education in the field of natural health and yoga, she particularly finds the philosophy and meditation practices of yoga to be the most supportive in her own life and for her students. Rebel believes that ongoing professional development is fundamental for yoga teachers and that belonging to a membership group that encourages learning and supports yoga teachers with the business side of things is incredibly helpful. She comes to the Board of Yoga Australia as Secretary and hopes to support Yoga Australia in continuing to grow the community of teachers and therapists and further develop the resources and support available to members.
Danielle Gordon – Ordinary Board MemberDanielle brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. As well as a passion for yoga, Danielle has a background in law and governance. These skills are extremely valuable for guiding Yoga Australia through the unchartered waters of COVID-19 and beyond, developing new ways to be sustainable, inclusive and supporting members in meaningful ways.
For Danielle, this appointment presents an opportunity to give back to a yoga community that has guided and supported her on her path. Her goal is to support the Yoga Australia board to serve members, grow the yoga community and promote the practice of yoga with integrity.
Shahzma Patel – Ordinary Board MemberShahzma teaches yoga and meditation to both children and adults. She has been practising meditation most of her life and starting teaching yoga formally in 2020. Shahzma works in Banking and uses yoga and meditation to deal with her own stress. She is passionate about helping the vulnerable in society and has enjoyed working in the Social Impact side of banking, mainly Sustainability and Social Responsibility. Shahzma’s areas of special interest chronic pain/injuries and children’s yoga as well as sustainability and social responsibility.
Estefi Maiztegui – Ordinary Board MemberWith a background in education and experience as a teacher in international schools as well as many years teaching yoga, Estefi is a lighthearted and passionate educator who loves bringing the most traditional concepts of yoga practice to life, in an engaging and educational way. Having spent half of her life living in different continents and collaborating with people from different backgrounds and walks of life, Estefi’s sensitive approach empowers others to let their inner-wisdom manifest through yoga.
Anita has 15 years previous work experience in Company Secretariat roles. She currently works in the Philanthropic sector as a Partnerships Specialist. Anita has been a student of Ashtanga Yoga for many years and wishes to use her passion for volunteering to benefit the yoga society that supports her.
Grievance Committee
Governance & Policy Committee
Let us introduce you to the team that provides the best of support for members, yoga schools, teacher trainees and the general public while ensuring the ‘best-practice’ management of the day to day operations of the Organisation.
Gabrielle Boswell – Teaching and Standards PrincipalGabrielle has been teaching yoga since 2002 and her greatest passion is sharing the joy and benefits of yoga with others. She is C-IAYT yoga therapist and registered senior teacher with Yoga Australia. Gabrielle brings her experience as a yoga training provider and studio owner to her role as Training and Standards principal. She loves walking in nature and cuddling up with her two rescue dogs, a whippet and a grey.
Erin Tucci- Communications and Events Coordinator
Wendy Lim – Member Support, Communications & Systems ImprovementWendy is a passionate Yoga Teacher and creator of PT for the Mind, who in a past life was a Chemical Engineer. She personally loves the mental benefits that yoga brings and considers herself a lifelong student of yoga. Her current fascination is guiding people through inner exploration in Restorative Yoga. Her experience organising and managing projects and her interest in yoga are assets she brings to the Events team. Wendy is a big foodie, loves cooking and spending time growing anything edible (herbs, veggies, fruits, etc). She has three happy free ranging chickens who bring her lots of daily joy.
Yoga Therapy Committee
RAP
QLD – Camille Jeboult
With 25 years of teaching experience, Yoga Australia Level 3 Senior yoga teacher Camille Jeboult imbues her classes and professional-growth-for-yoga-teacher programs with intelligence, warm-heartedness and professionalism. Camille has a Master’s degree in Communication through which she refined her skills in mediation, dialogue facilitation writing and digital media production.
Sunshine Coast, QLD – Agnieszka Maminska – Gray
Agnieszka is a fully qualified Hatha yoga and meditation teacher. She’s studied at the International Gita School of Yoga. Gita Yoga is integrating classic Hatha postures, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. Agnieszka has completed the Diploma of Teaching Meditation and Gold Diploma of Teaching Hatha Yoga (over 900hrs training), as well as other short courses. She began her classes in her own home while she worked as an accountant in the city. Supported by a loving husband, they both have two beautiful daughters together, Isabella and Amelia.
QLD – Guy Hancock
NSW Wollongong – Merryn Lee Perez
NSW Byron Bay – Flo Fenton
TAS – Sophie Keegan
VIC – Julie Marshall
VIC – Kirsteen Warrington
WA – Valerie Faneco
SA – Vani Shukla
NT – Vacant
ACT – Vacant
The Yoga Australia Council of Advisors (YACA) is an honorary group of respected leaders in the field of Yoga and related professions. We are grateful for our Advisors’ independent, authoritative opinions on critical matters related to the operations of our Association and the teaching of Yoga in Australia. Appointment to the Council of Advisors is regarded by the association as an expression of honour and respect.