Practitioner and Mentor Community @ Payapà

Our Team

  • Nadine Arboleda

    Nadine aims to build shared spaces and a community to practice methods and philosophies to proactively look after our health and wellbeing physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Introducing and allowing yoga to be more accessible for all through postures, movement, breathwork and meditation.

    Nadine studies traditional hatha and ashtanga yoga with Yoga and Meditation School of India and continues to explore and deepen her practice through Vedic theory, eastern medicine and psychology studies. Practicing yoga supported my journey of healing, personal growth and understanding the self and excited to learn and share this with you all.

  • Laura Benitez

    Embark on a journey of transformation and healing with Laura, a dedicated yogi whose personal odyssey through yoga has illuminated her path to balance and vitality. Confronting immune system challenges, Laura discovered the profound therapeutic power of yoga and pranayama breathing, restoring harmony to her health and igniting a passion to share these transformative practices with the world.

    From her experience as TV Producer in Venezuela, broadcasting in Adelaide, and  Media Producer in the corporate educational sector, Laura seamlessly integrates her professional expertise with her profound love for yoga and storytelling. In 2018, she embarked on a quest for personal enrichment, completing a rigorous 200-hour yoga certification. Since then, she have tirelessly devoted themselves to teaching yoga, enriching the lives of students while balancing full-time professional commitments.

    Learn more at highvibestorytelling.com

  • Gemma Palmer

    Gemma became a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher in Suzhou, China with the Kundalini Research Institute in 2012. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she believes Kundalini Yoga and Gong meditation can be powerful tools for healing and awakening inner strength and self awareness. With a background in herbalism, health science, and permaculture, she is passionate about supporting others to reconnect with their innate healing power and find balance in body, mind, and spirit. Gemma loves the ocean, and the Australian bush. Her special interests are edible and medicinal plants, local native bush plants and seaweeds.

    For more information you can go to gemmapalmer.au 

  • Alex Midas

    Hi Payapa community my name is Alex Midas and I’ve been teaching Japanese Therapy Yoga for over 10 yrs and practicing yoga for over 15yrs. I began to practice yoga due to a health scare which in turn helped me heal & changed my life for the better. 

    Japanese Therapy Yoga is based on Hatha yoga incorporating Asian philosophies. Using Traditional Chinese medicine working seasonally & using unique exercises to work into meridian channels ( acupuncture pts ),specific breath techniques are used to help shift Qi ( energy ) through the body releasing blood stagnation and therefore allowing the body to heal itself. 

    A more dynamic style of yoga, you will gain strength, tone, flexibility and ease in the mind and body. 

    Looking forward to seeing you on the mat.  Alex Midas xxx

  • Catalina Mendez

    Catalina, founder of yogasutra.com.au, has always had a passion and interest in the body and mind, metaphysics and philosophy, science and art, and how these allow us to discover our Universe.

    She found that true yoga merges all these aspects when she first started yoga at 17 years old, practising authentic Sivananda Yoga very intensely. With an understanding of energy and yoga, Catalina can really guide you to align and optimise the way energy flows in your body for maximum well-being. This way she can transform it into the most optimal and enhanced tool for your evolution.

    For more information, check out www.yogasutra.com.au

  • Guru Devi Masako

    Guru Devi Masako is an internationally qualified Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Trainer, Gong practitioner, Biomagnetic Therapist, and Sat Nam Rasayan Healing Practitioner based on Bidjigal Country, Sydney, Australia. Her journey began in 2003 with the Radiant Child Yoga Teaching Program (RCYT), where she first discovered Kundalini Yoga and quickly progressed to teaching. Since then, Guru Devi has taught classes across the globe—including in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, New Mexico, the USA, and India—while dedicating much of her work to supporting women’s shelters in Sydney.

    Guru Devi’s dream is to help people reconnect with their inherent healing power and support a world where individuals heal each other together.

  • Samir Rane

    Established in 2010 in Australia we teach and specialise in  yoga teacher training in TRADTIONAL HATHA yoga  and ASHTANGA YOGA SYSTEM  which is based on one common principle  of holding body position in unique way for particular time to revitalise  and balance your mind and body.

    The yoga school is based in Melbourne was  founded by Yoga Teacher Samir Rane.  Ashatanga Yoga originitated in India from Sage Patanjali about 5000 year ago followed by  Hatha yoga  believed to be originated from Lord Shiva(Nath tradition), later followed by many great yogis like Sage Mastyendranath, Churangi, Sage Gorakhshanath in 8th and 9th century. While Ashtanga yoga 196 Sutras was passed on to next generation  through oral recitations.  First comprehesive text  “Hatha yoga pradepika “of Hatha yoga was established in 1200AD by Swami Swatmarama

    School Founder - Shri Samir Rane  comes from a  yogic family from India where  yoga has been his family tradition for many generations and he is associated with yoga for last 32 years. The lineage is carry forward from his Grandfather (Yogacharya Arjun)who was also a Yoga Guru back in India teaching in one of the most distinguished Yoga school . He has travelled and practice under well respected yoga teachers (gurus) who had distinguished themselves as celebrated yoga teachers in different parts of India.

    With years of yoga experience he is on the panel of Senior Level 3 yoga teachers of  Yoga Australia with only few having that   privelage.

  • Larissa Mizuhira

    A dedicated and passionate yoga teacher, Larissa was introduced to the practice in 2017 after moving to Australia from Brazil. Yoga became a source of strength and motivation for her to continue during a challenging time in her life, following the unexpected passing of her father. 

    Certified 1000Hr YTT by Australian Learning Group in Sydney, the discipline and consistency she had cultivated through yoga, played a vital role in her life to navigate through the busy hospitality industry. It helped her alleviate the tension, stress and anxiety that accumulated over the years. 

    In 2021, Larissa started teaching private and group yoga classes, incorporating breathing techniques, meditation and asanas inspired by the Ashtanga Vinyasa style. Her teachings aim to guide individuals in practising mindfulness, calming their minds, energizing their bodies, and cultivating conscious breathing. 

    Learn more at www.larissamizuhira.com