50H ASSISTING & ADVANCED ASANA

MEET ESTHER
Esther is the founder of Elements Australia and creator of Elements Studio in Brisbane, Elements TV a brand new yoga + wellness app and facilitator of Elements Retreats and Trainings.
She has been practicing yoga for over 18 years and is a + 500 ERYT trained teacher, Certified Life Coach and AntiGravity / Aerial teacher , Movement Coach and Marketing Guru.
Esther followed her heart to share her passion for yoga, movement and people and draws her inspiration from Functional Movements, Gymnastics and Power Yoga - she loves challenging her students strength and stamina and will make sure each student is taken to the edge of their comfort zone. Growth requires planting new seeds and breaking habits and movement routines that come easily to you. Esther’s classes focus heavily on intelligent activation cues to make you feel and activate in each pose. You are always invited to see your practice as a discovery journey as Esther teaches you a multitude of ways to transition, adapt, and shift from one pose to another.
Esther believes humans are meant to move everyday, in many different ways, pushing, pulling, hanging, jumping, swinging, sliding, building strength and increasing your heart beat just as much as letting it drop deep to nourish your nervous system. Her teachings incorporate traditional yoga just as much as functional movement and primal movement elements - a true Modern Yoga approach.
Esther teaches a range of class styles from traditional formats such as Power Yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin to strength focussed classes such as Core and Sculpt inspired by resistance training and unique Movement classes incorporating Functional Movement, Primal Movement, Gymnastic drills, Monkeybard and Rings.
Esther has trained with and takes her teaching inspiration from
- Duncan Peak, Power Living Australia
- Benjamin Sears, Luxyoga US + France
- Noah Maze, the Maze Method US
- Shane Perkins, Yandara Yoga Mexico
- Patrick Beach, Awakening Yoga Academy
- currently inspired by Movement Guru Jackson Lennan

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Multimedia + Arts + Communications
+ 10 Years Art Direction in Advertising Agencies around the globe
200H RYT TT with Bryce Tunny in Brisbane
300H RYT TT with Shane Perkins, Yandara Yoga Mexico
100H Advanced Sequencing with Duncan Peak
50H Advanced Anatomy Training with Noah Maze
AntiGravity Teacher Training
100H Restorative + Yin at Yandara with Alison Eaton
100H Life Coaching Certificate with Anna Suil Master Trainer NLP
100H Immersion with Benjamin Sears
2 years / Studio Manger Bend+Fly
Creator of Elements Australia the Wellness Business

MEET JULIE
Julie Smerdon is a writer, storyteller, international yoga teacher, and perennial student who has been sharing yoga, meditation and inspiration for nearly two decades. Privileged to have studied under master teachers in both yoga and meditation, Julie offers these practices as a means to empower, connect, and inspire people to cultivate a richer, more conscious experience of life. With her trademark warmth, humour and enthusiasm Julie presents these concepts in a masterful style that blends strong technique with perceptive insights that ignite the soul.

Julie led her studio, Shri Yoga, into the forefront of the Australian yoga scene as the ultimate destination for world-class yoga and meditation education and teacher development. A teacher’s teacher, Julie’s trainings have produced some of Brisbane’s best-loved instructors. In addition to her own trainings, Julie is widely known for bringing some of the top teachers in the world to Australia to share their wisdom.

Having earned certifications in both Power and Anusara yoga, Julie’s extensive knowledge of biomechanics has led to her ongoing work with Cricket Australia. Her work has been featured in Australian Yoga Journal, Australian Yoga Life, and Style Magazine.
Currently Julie teaches workshops, trainings and events that support teachers and dedicated practitioners in Australia and abroad.