our teachers
Clare Lovelace
I grew up in the secluded Herefordshire countryside and spent my formative years roaming around covered in mud, making friends with the trees. One of my earliest memories is playing ‘looking at grass closely’ with my Dad, examining the intricate root systems that were home to the most interesting and unique species of insects. My parents both instilled in me a fascination, love and respect for the earth that weaves through every part of my life.
As a teenager/young adult I lost this connection for a while. I became consumed with the need to conform and for a few years I gave little time or meaning to nature.
One day I left England to rediscover what I’d lost. A year of solo travel gave me space to realise that nature always has been and always will be by spiritual home. My journey took me to the East Coast of Australia where I started practicing yoga. I felt my spirit return through sacred movement, breath and meditation. I realised that what I’d been searching for was inside me and I learnt the tools to connect with my own heart. I spent immersing myself in the beauty of my surroundings, lounging in rivers, climbing mountains and falling asleep under the burning milky way. I fell back in love with the earth.
I believe that yoga does not just take place on the mat but intertwines with every element of our lives. My practice has taught me that genuine happiness is not based on external conditions but can be achieved by living simply and mindfully with generosity and compassion. This is a philosophy that I want to share with the world.
Clare founded Soul Tribe Studio in November 2018 and has called Walbunja country her home ever since.
Clare started teaching yoga in Sydney’s inner west in 2013 under the mentorship of Matthew Bergan. She has been teaching yoga as her full time gig ever since. She’s trained with Sarah Powers, Jasmine Tarkeshi, Shiva Rae, Donna Farhi, Simon Borg-Oliver and has completed thousands of hours of teacher training. In 2018 after teaching full time in Sydney for 5 years, Clare embarked on a big adventure in her little van which took her as far as Batemans Bay and Soul Tribe Studio was born. Clare is the founder, director and primary teacher at this highly successful and innovative studio on the far South Coast of NSW. Clare has been facilitating exceptional yoga teacher trainings since 2018 and has taught over 30 retreats and tens of thousands of classes across Australia and the world. Clare is passionate about making life beautiful, through the written word, song, music, mantra, movement & the spoken word. Clare brings a wealth of experience to all her teachings, drawing on her years of world travel, eclectic life choices and over a decade of working for herself, doing what she loves against all odds. Clare is a lover of life. She brings joy and gratitude to everything she does, and truly believes everyone has magic inside them. She’s passionate about facilitating spaces where others can realise how incredible they really are.
why do you love teaching at soul tribe?
I love being a part of the soul tribe community. I’ve felt supported both as a teacher and a student from day 1 and have met so many people I can call friends. As a teacher, I love being able to help people connect to their bodies, learn more about their bodies and move their bodies to support longevity and healthy living.
what’s your favourite pose?
The hover - it’s my favourite because it’s a total body exercise, a strong pose which is also a transition pose between many others, training strength and stability - great for day to day function like getting onto and off the floor.
what’s a funny story about yourself?
I’m not very funny and don’t tend to put myself in situations where funny things happen to me (call me risk averse) but I recently was shown a video of me singing karaoke to “I want it that way” by the backstreet boys with my sister in law in the old malua bay club, that was pretty funny to look at and now I’m wondering whether soul tribe should start karaoke nights
- what’s your star sign?
Virgo
- what’s your favourite thing to teach at the moment
I love connecting people to their deep core, which involves a connection to breath so spending the time to talk through breath and core engagement/relaxation before we get moving is my favourite. But also, the Hydrant donkey combo - great glute burner!
Joelle holds office hours at Soul Tribe through the week. For more information about Joelle, check out her website at www.tidalphysio.com and feel free to email her for more details at info@tidalphysio.com.au or through social media @tidalphysiotherapy
Vanessa Willis
Back in the late 80's Kodak made underwater disposal cameras so basically my whole teenage years are documented underwater. You can date me based on the Cherry Lane t-shirt I'm wearing for those old enough to know .
Those were the summers of care free, beach soaked, fearlesss days. It was never too cold or the surf too big to get wet. This picture is jumping off Square at Clovelly. I was probably 14.
Anyways, I started my yoga journey with all the virtuous reasons and now I realise what I have been chasing is the freedom and joy of living in the present. Jumping off a rock shelf fully clothed not caring I had to walk 5 kms home, through Waverley Cemetery, wet and salty. The thrill was always in the moment and moments were was always thrilling.There is something so wild and beautiful about youthfulness.
Yoga teaches me to get back into my body and stop living in my head. This is an ongoing challenge for me.
As a teacher, I believe everyone has the ability to connect with their own wild and beautiful Self, and I especially enjoy watching my students develop their practice and progress on their journey.
Currently, I love teaching slow, asana based inquiries. Supporting all people of all abilities to connect with their body, find balance and alignment and ultimately navigate their own inner journey.
Liz Fulop
What do I love about teaching at Soul Tribe?
I love having a place where people can come together and practise on a regular basis. I really love the community that has been built and seeing the students progress and grow over time. Sharing practical tools that people can use in their everyday life that helps them respond to life instead of reacting to life is one of my main reasons for wanting to teach.
What's your star sign?
Cancer
What's your favourite thing to teach right now?
I love encouraging the students to challenge themselves on all levels. Body and mind. Also, to not take themselves too seriously and learn to laugh and really enjoy the practise.
What's your favourite pose? Yin pose is Dragon. It is an awesome shape to really feel into your body and learn to breathe through and explore the sensations.
Otherwise, it's triangle. This feels amazing in my body.
Elizabeth is available for Massage & Private sessions and can be contacted on
0435 297 873 or liz@challengefitness.online
Karen Hope
- why do you love teaching at soul tribe?
All the beautiful hearts all around - practitioners and teachers
- what’s your favourite pose?
Baddha Konasana
- what’s a funny story about yourself?
Having thought since I was young, I was very different to my mother - I’ve realised now the years have passed, I’m almost exactly the same! Which is kinda nice.
- what’s your star sign?
Taurus
- what’s your favourite thing to teach at the moment
Ashtanga standing sequence
Paula Simons
- why do you love teaching at soul tribe?
Soultribe is about connection, it’s the most exquisitely wrapped package-a sacred held space which you feel when you enter the studio, it’s a place where you can just be You! Then there are the wonderful yogis that come along to classes, sharing their practices, making it a joy and privilege to teach there. Clare and the beautiful teachers offer guidance and form a very inspiring, supportive fun team.
- what’s your favourite pose?
Wow, so many poses to choose from-I have to say all of them at some stage, depending on how I feel and what I need at the time.
- what’s a funny story about yourself?
The time I was snorkelling and picked a stingray by the tail as it looked like a flat head (fish) that day.
- what’s your star sign?
Gemini
- what’s your favourite thing to teach at the moment
I love teaching yin accompanied by sound healing instruments.
Deepika Mistry
My belief in yoga as a healing system for mind and body- a way of life- began in earnest whilst completing my Teacher Training with the Yoga and Meditation School of India. Before this, I regarded my practice, primarily as a means of physical conditioning.
Gaining an understanding of the origins of this ancient practice, its inherent spirituality and ethical foundations made me realise that 'doing yoga' means so much more and the more accurate phrase should be, 'living yoga'.
In 2021, after moving to the beautiful NSW south coast, I completed additional teacher training with Clare here at Soul Tribe Studio. Learning from this incredible teacher has further deepened and enriched my practice whilst supporting me in establishing myself within the wonderful yoga community in and around Batemans Bay.
My classes are gentle yet strong with a focus on mobility, breath, and embodiment whilst fostering freedom and choice within movement. Chanting is a passion of mine and I like to incorporate mantra into our practice as well as pranayama and meditation.
To me, living yoga means moving through the world being true to ourselves, true to others and true to the wider communities to which we belong. I am so excited to share this transformative practice with you so we can change the world together!
Namaste x
Website: https://www.satyayogasouthcoast.com.au/
IG: @satyayogasouthcoast
Eliza Milenkovic
What do you most love about teaching at Soul Tribe?
‘I love the amazing vibes I get to soak up from everyone. All the students have different styles, goals for practise and abilities and it makes it challenging and wonderful to teach and be a part of.’
What’s your favourite thing to teach right now?
‘finding the options that suit you! I’ve gone through pregnancy and injuries that have changed my style of yoga forever now I just do ME and I am trying to pass that on to my students’
‘My favourite pose in Downward Dog, I feel so strong in this shape’
Lulu Henley
Why do you love teaching at Soul Tribe Studio
love teaching at soul tribe because I love the community. It brings people from all different life journeys together, to experience a safe space and connect with one another. I love the warmth of the studio, the energy of the people, the inclusivity and openness. It’s a sacred healing space that I value very deeply.
Favourite Posture
Favourite pose at the moment is pigeon. Love getting deep into the hips.
Star Sign
Scorpio
Favourite thing to teach at the moment
Favourite thing to teach at the moment : hip opening practices. Such a great release physically and energetically.
Kim Thompson
Why I love teaching at SoulTribe
Felt at home the minute I was welcomed and trusted to teach a class without any hesitation. Figured if I felt so welcome it was going to be very easy to welcome students into that space.
Favourite pose
Depends on what my mind and body need on the day - some days I want to extend myself and grow my abilities by pushing forward, other days need to stay in my comfort zone. all poses have positives and listening to what we need is key.
Funny story
Went on a 3-year mid-life crisis adventure in 1998 to work in the UAE and came back 24 years later after many adventures and many funny stories!
Star sign
Scorpio with a Pitta constitution which can make me pretty energetic and intense at times. Yoga keeps me cool and grounded.
Favourite thing to teach
Whatever the class seems to need and I sometimes ask them. I like to help people to grow in their practice on the mat and educate about yoga's application to their busy lives off the mat. Personally I am enjoying the 'yoga of patience' which is yin and slow flow to get into the body and out of my head.
Caitlin Hopkins
Why do you love teaching at Soul Tribe?
I feel super honoured to be teaching at Soul Tribe as it's where I learned to become a yoga teacher back in 2020 and have since been fortunate to come full circle and teach in this incredible space. I love the community the space creates, the teachers, the overall feeling of warmth, openness and inclusivity Clare and everyone involved have co-created. I also love the rogue peacocks which roam around haha!
What's your favourite pose?
Any back bends! We spend so much of our lives hunched over computers, cars and chairs. The body naturally wants to curl inward when we feel vulnerable or anxious. So back bends to me are an act of rebellion!! When I bend backwards I feel courageous and confident and I love that!
What's a funny story about yourself?
a) I have extremely long toes which means I can do all sorts of strange things with them. I can peel and eat a banana with my feet.
b) The worst injury I have ever sustained was from dancing on a pool table in cowboy boots and jumping off into a crowd after a light fixture almost landed onto my head. I spent the rest of the evening walking through Bondi with a bag of peas shoved down my cowboy boots and a palm frond as a walking stick lol.
What's your star sign?
Pisces sun, gemini moon, gemini rising
What's your favourite thing to teach at the moment?
In terms of asana, I'm loving throwing all sorts of funky transitions into my flow classes plus borrowing some free movement from other modalities to keep things spicy. I am also enjoying experimenting with pranayama practices before and during asana practice to support the flow and keep the mind anchored in the present.
Sarah Mamo
I love the way yoga has an innate way of gently guiding me back to myself, it helps to me to get back in my body and out of my head.
Every time I practice I'm filled with clarity, joy, a sense of trust in the universe or something greater than myself and a feeling of being a part of the interconnected web of life. My hope as a yoga teacher is to teach from the heart, to help guide people back to themselves, and to create a safe space for everyone to come as they are and feel completely held.
Lucy Lichtenstein
One day I walked into a yoga studio in Sydney, and I literally never left! It turned my life upside down in the most beautiful way! I noticed how quickly I felt at home within myself and the community. I started to experience life in a different way, and in 2017 I became a yoga teacher.
My journey as a teacher (and forever student) has taken different twists and turns. What started out as Vinyasa, Embodied Flow, and Yin, also progressed into Chanting, Sound Healing, and Tantric Hatha.
Yoga for me is a way of being, seeing, and living in the world. I experience it as one of the greatest opportunities for reflection, awareness, and self-responsibility.
Yoga shows up everywhere. It’s in the decisions I make, how I navigate challenging times, in the joyous moments, in the way I show up in life, and how I relate to myself, others, and the world. It's a reminder of my connection to all.
Holding space, sharing insights, lessons, teachings, and guiding students back to that peaceful and enlivened place within is a great honour. I see how much the practice supports people in their lives, and allows them to feel more connected, empowered, and part of a community. This is a gift I’m grateful to be a part of.
You can practice with me in Yin class, chanting circles, workshops, and retreats at the studio and beyond.
I often bring sound into my offerings in the form of the Native American Flute, Crystal Sound Bowls, Harmonium, Koshi Chimes, and other enchanting sound toys.
See you in circle and on the mat!
Website: https://lucylich.com/
IG: @lucy.lich
Michelle Yount
Hi, I’m Michelle and I have recently embarked on my Pilates teaching journey. I discovered the joy of Pilates while I was pregnant with my son as a great pregnancy-safe way to maintain strength - and I haven’t stopped since!
I teach Pilates for beginners but can modify to all levels of comfort and experience. So whether it's your first time in a studio or you’re a seasoned pro, come join me on the mat!
Mary Castrisios
My introduction to yoga was 20 years ago on a very cold winter’s night. It was held in an old beautiful sand stone church at the end of my street. So off I went, leaving my 2 year old baby behind for ninety minutes of bliss. I tried to look like I knew what I was doing….. Sure I know what a downward dog looks like…… HELP!
Then came Shavasan. The beautiful old building had those old fashion radiators that hang from the ceiling, clicking and buzzing. I can still remember the glow of red that radiated out of them and the connection to the sound. That’s what got me in, inner clam a deeper connection to my body through space, movement, sound and the beauty of my surroundings.
In 2017 I studied Meditation with the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness which then lead me to Yin yoga.
I love the slow-paced mediative style of Yin yoga it helps me to create space in my life. The best part about teaching and sharing Yin with our community is seeing people slow down and the effect that it has on them.
I like to integrate sounds throughout my classes, through the way of Tibetan bowls and Koshi charms.
Teaches that have inspirited me Lisa Forde principle of the Australian Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness, our beautiful teacher Clare Lovelace, Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Sarah Blondin and the greatest teacher nature.
Amy Nowakowski
Why do you love teaching at Soul Tribe?
I enjoy sharing the magic of yoga and feel that Soul Tribe is the perfect place to do that. From the moment you enter the space something magical happens. The energy, the sacredness, that overwhelming feeling of home. All created by our wonderful yoga tribe/community and Clare.
What is your favourite pose?
That's a hard one! They all have different purposes and move different energy around your body. If I Had to choose one it would be Kapotasana or Pigeon Pose.
Why? Because this is the pose I find most challenging. Both physically and mentally. It's a great practice when in the pose to sit with that overwhelming discomfort and be ok with it. It helps to teach us that just like in life when we have uncomfortable moments to be ok with them and they soon will pass.
What's a funny story about yourself?
Some people may know that I was an International flight attendant in a previous life. One trip whilst in South Africa I was at a friend's wildlife sanctuary. I was walking amongst Lions and giraffes. On this day a baby Giraffe (which was still huge!) decided it would come running towards me and bowl me over! I dislocated the AC joint in my shoulder.
This has taught me in yoga about limitations and how to adjust postures to suit my injury. It has also taught me to listen to my body and not to go as hard as I normally would without an injury.
Whats your star sign?
Im a VIRGO!!
Whats your favourite thing to teach at the moment?
I'm enjoying talking in my classes about the different Yamas and Niyamas.