Our Teachers

Melissa Knapp - Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, Baby & Me Yoga, Toddler Yoga, Yoga 4 Preschoolers, Kids Yoga, Infant Massage, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yoga 4 Beginners, Family Yoga

Melissa is the Creator of Yoganic. She discovered Yoga and her love of working with children whilst teaching English to children in Japan in 1999. After returning to Australia in 2001 she started practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga as a means of managing severe back pain as a result of being hit by a car as a pedestrian. At this time, she found herself unfulfilled in a fast paced role at one of Sydney's largest advertising agencies. In 2003, inspired by her vision for teaching yoga to children of all ages, Melissa exchanged her corporate career for her yoga mat and completed the Centered Yoga Teacher Training programme with Paul Dallaghan in Koh Samui (Ashtanga Vinyasa), Thailand and later studied with Angelika Knoerzer at North Sydney Yoga (Ashtanga Vinayasa) and continues to be inspired by Nikki Fulford at Yoga Studio and Sharath Rangaswamy, the Director of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI) in Mysore, India as well as Shakti and Lotus (her two cats), the greatest Yogis of them all.

Melissa has a Diploma in Baby Yoga and SMART Toddler Yoga from Birthlight International (Francoise Barbira Freedman) and has completed Levels 1 - 3 of the Radiant Child Yoga Program with Shakta Kaur Khalsa and the Mini Yogis Teacher Training with Shana Meyerson, Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training with Janice Clarfield from Urban Yoga (Cananda), Ana Davis from Bondi Bliss and Katie Spiers from Samadhi Bliss. Melissa is also accredited as a Community Coach with the Australian Sports Commission to provide yoga for the Active After-School Communities Program. Melissa also has recently become a certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM).

Melissa is wildly passionate about teaching Yoga to beginners, teens, pre and postnatal women as well as babies, toddlers and their families.



Alarice Van Den Berg- Hatha Yoga & Vinyasa Yoga
Alarice began practicing yoga over 6 years ago and has found that this practice has slowly developed into a new way of living, and a more holistic way of being. She approaches teaching through her wish to share her experience and love for yoga with her students, she has studied here in Sydney and India.

Alarice incorporates her artistic background and passion for yoga in her classes teaching a creative, flowing and dynamic style of hatha yoga. Bringing together readings, music, and meditation, principles of alignment, pranayama (breathing techniques) and yogic philosophy to create a special and safe experience in every class.



Angela Hill - Baby & Me Dance
Angela Hill is a dancer, teacher and award winning choreographer who has focused much of her 15 year career on education and the sharing of dance as both a community practice and a healing art with people of all ages and abilities. She earned a BFA in Dance Education from Arizona State University in 2001. She was trained as a classical ballet dancer (RAD) before falling in love with contemporary and improvisation, and she has performed and choreographed professionally in the US and Australia. Her teaching experience ranges from pre-school all the way to university and professional level having taught dance in various studios, community centres and school programs across two continents. Angela has experience bringing dance to a wide range of people including babies/toddlers, at-risk youth, the elderly, people with intellectual and physical disabilities and refugees She has trained in many dance forms and movement practices and is also Somatic Movement Therapist, Certified Rolfer™ and Rolf Movement Practitioner. Angela is in awe every day of her toddler who she loves dancing with.



Cath Evans - Massage Therapist, Reflexologist, Reiki Master & Certified Infant Massage Instructor
Cath is originally from the UK, where she owed her own Holistic Therapy Center since 2003, offering a range of treatments from Massage, Reflexology and Reiki - both treatments and Reiki teachings. Supporting women through all stages of pregnancy, from conception, pre-natal to post natal care; she has enjoyed seeing the benefits it can provide as women go through this exciting time in their lives and the relief of those additional pressures on the body! 

She went on to train with IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage) as a certified instructor to teach her clients the benefits of massage to enable them to massage their newborns.  For first time parents especially this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your baby better, the physiological benefits to their tiny but developing bodies, and can assist with colic problem but more importantly help with the one thing all parents seem to want more of ... sleep!

Cath has first hand experience of the benefits of baby massage with her daughter Elyssa, born in 2009.  Being a proud mum she loves the one to one bonding time this provides and sees the joys of a relaxed and happy baby. ''To see the excitement in her face when asked if she would like a massage is priceless!''

Heidi Mostert - Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates
It was during her time as a professional ballet dancer that Heidi discovered Pilates. Teaching became a natural progression from a career in dance, so in 1998 she completed a Pilates Mat & Reformer qualification from Bodywise Physiotherapy in Perth whilst working in Events Management.

In 2005, Heidi had a life- changing skiing accident and badly injured her knee. After two knee constructions and lots of rehabilitation, Heidi decided to return to her passion, teaching Pilates and helping clients to achieve their personal goals. She has since completed a Certificate IV in Fitness Pilates from Fitness Network Australia focusing on Preganancy & Pilates, Pilates on the ball and Remedial Pilates. Heidi loves teaching Pre and Postnatal Pilates and making a real difference to women's lives during and after birth.



Kathi Janssens - Discreetly Fit
Kathi has spent the past 20 years working as a fitness club manager, international presenter and personal trainer with special focus on rehabilitative exercise. She was a national gymnast in Hungary and began a career in the fitness industry shortly after moving to Australia. Kathi was involved in international competitive aerobics, as a competitor and coach, for 6 years.

After the joyful birth of her daughter, Kathi's attention turned from general fitness to feminine fitness. She became aware of the need to take care of the hidden part of the female body - the pelvic floor. Kathi realised that changes affecting the pelvic floor following pregnancy and childbirth could be permanent and could deteriorate with additional pregnancies and ageing - unless specific action is taken to reverse the weakness.

Since 2004 Kathi has dedicated herself to helping women become active participants in their health by tackling pelvic floor weakness. She is incredibly passionate about sharing the secrets of lifelong intimate fitness and offers her information with love, joy and sincerity. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help women improve their quality of life.

Lena Lowe - Baby Hands
Lena discovered Baby Hands when she was pregnant with her son. Baby sign language seemed the perfect means to enable earlier and easier communication with her son, reducing frustration and making for a happier family overall. He is now 16 months and using nearly 20 signs which greatly cuts down on confusion. It is also heart warming as a parent to see the look of satisfaction and achievement on his face when he has got across his need, want or interest clearly and quickly. Teaching Baby Hands seemed a natural progression. Lena wanted to share the many benefits with other families, because she believes strong communication is a cornerstone for happy children and healthier communities.



Rebecca Mar Young- Prenatal Yoga & Acupressure for Pain Relief
Rebecca has been practicing yoga for over ten years and has tried almost every kind there is. She's passionate about the benefits and lives a calmer, more stress-free life as a result. She became a certified teacher shortly before having her baby girl in July 2008. She also runs an established Traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Woollahra specializing in women's health.



Sara Ritchie - Acro Moves
Sara Ritchie graduated from NIDA in 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Communication in Theatre and Media from Charles Sturt University. Sara was the Artistic Director of Cirkidz, Australia's longest running youth circus and the Associate Director of the Oxfam International Youth Parliament with Cirque du Soleil. She features in the documentary Beats across Borders screened on SBS and choreographed Cirkidz in the feature film "Hey Hey It's Esther Blueberger" starring Toni Collette. From 1998-2001Sara was a professional circus performer with Circus Oz, touring nationally and internationally and has also performed in Singapore with Legs on the Wall. In 2002 Sara performed in the musical The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe touring around Australia. Sara has over ten years teaching experience with Australia's best youth companies including: Sydney Festival, NIDA Open Program, The Australian Theatre for Young People, The Song Room, Northern Rivers Performing Arts, Kids Up Front, Australian Sports Commission, London Circus Space and New York University. In 2008/2009 Sara was Movement Advisor for The Australian Academy of Dramatic Arts and is the 2009 Head Judge for Wakakirri - National Story Telling Festival.



Scott Helbron - Men's Core & Stretch
"If we can develop harmony internally within the mind and body, then this will reflect externally and our relationship with life will become harmonious."

Using the 'breath' as the focal point of our practice and the correct application of structural and functional bio-mechanics, we can perform movement and posture in a form that has the potential to give us an experience beyond just physical exercise, and possibly bring ourselves to a deeper, more profound place where we can feel a sense of 'wholeness'.

Scotts classes are intended to be a stepping stone toward improved mind/body health. His classes are aimed at developing strength and flexibility and stamina; with the goal of improving ourselves on the physical, mental and emotional level.

He has spent over 10 years studying various 'mind/body' disciplines and has trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yoga and Contrololgy (aka Pilates).

Sharyl (Shaz) Soh- Ashtanga Yoga 4 Beginners
Shaz was first introduced to yoga in 2003 and has since developed a consistent Ashtanga Yoga practice while juggling a busy corporate career. She has completed a 2 year Teacher Training with Frances Liotta of Yogamat and continues to be inspired and guided in her practice and teaching by Nikki Fulford at Yoga Studio.