About – Yoga Australia

With an ever-growing community, we were established to:

Mentor

Provide guidelines on curriculum and best practice within the Australian yoga industry

Lead

Set quality standards for teachers, yoga therapists and teacher training

Protect

Promote, advocate for, and protect our members’ professional interests, development, and well-being

Support

Advocate for and support the independent regulation of yoga teaching and yoga therapy within Australia

Represent

Inclusively represent Yoga teachers in Australia, from all traditions and styles

Educate

Educate and inform the general community and professional groups about Yoga

A Brief History

Yoga Australia is a member-based organisation, incorporated in 1999 (originally known as the Yoga Teachers Association), by a group of independent yoga teachers who recognised the need to bring yoga teachers together from all different traditions, styles and backgrounds, to provide mutual support and professional recognition of yoga in Australia. This was a step towards the development of the independent self-regulation of the profession of yoga teaching in Australia.

Since it was first incorporated, the organisation continues with this primary objective and mission, and has now grown to become recognised as the peak-body for yoga in Australia. It has also gained a reputation internationally for best practice and Yoga Australia registered teachers enjoy international as well as national recognition.

Yoga Australia provides a variety of benefits to members, including: professional support networks; access to continuing professional development; access to publications and resources; personal webpage; registration for the purposes of health insurance, referrals and public searches for teachers, and assistance with the promotion of each member and yoga in general.

Yoga Australia is also recognised as the peak advocacy organisation for yoga teachers in Australia. It aims to promote the values and benefits of yoga, and to support teaching yoga as a profession. Yoga Australia is available to provide information and resources to the media, health professionals, educational organisations and the general public.

Purpose

Our Principal Purpose and powers are enshrined in our Constitution. Yoga Australia was established to:

Develop and promote best practice for Yoga.
Support and represent Yoga teachers in Australia, from all traditions and styles; and Educate and inform the general community and professional groups.
A thriving community of yoga teachers, yoga therapists and teacher trainers delivering high quality yoga across Australia.

Vision

A thriving community of yoga teachers, yoga therapists and teacher trainers delivering high quality yoga across Australia.

Mission

Supporting our members through a well-resourced and inclusive community committed to high standards and integrity in the yoga tradition.

Organisational Structure

Yoga Australia is governed by the Corporations Act 2001 and overseen by a Board of Directors who are tasked with ensuring financial compliance and risk management for the organisation.

The Staff of Yoga Australia are managed by the President/CEO, who consults with and reports to the Board (monthly) and reports to the Audit & Risk Committee (quarterly).

Josh Pryor

President/CEO

Josh is a Mysore Style Yoga practitioner, author, studio-owner, and life-long student.

A strategist with the technical depth to build new models, Josh moves between technology, philosophy, and organisational leadership. His work spans digital transformation, commercial negotiation, and international positioning, powered by conviction and long-term perspective. As CEO, he leads Yoga Australia’s evolution into a globally respected voice for yoga education, championing depth and contemporary relevance. A scholar of Sanskrit traditions, Josh is the author of several books including “The Spirit of the Matter,” a new translation of the classic 8th century text Yoga Tārāvalī.

Rebel Tucker

Vice President

Rebel is a naturopath of over 30 years, yoga teacher, and qualified Yoga Therapist.

A senior member of Yoga Australia, Rebel has been practising yoga for over 40 years, since her mum introduced her at 12. She is passionate about research and ongoing education in natural health and yoga, finding the philosophy and meditation practices most supportive in her own life and for her students. Rebel serves on the Yoga Therapy Committee and hopes to support Yoga Australia in growing the community and developing resources for members.

Estefi Maiztegui

Ordinary Board Member

Estefi is a lighthearted and passionate educator who brings traditional yoga concepts to life in an engaging way.

With a background in education and experience as a teacher in international schools, Estefi has spent half her life living across different continents and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds. Her sensitive approach empowers others to let their inner wisdom manifest through yoga.

Michele Fletcher

Treasurer

Michele is a pragmatic finance and risk leader, known for building high-performing teams and delivering complex initiatives.

With extensive experience in business turnaround and change management, Michele brings adaptability and strategic vision to help navigate diverse domains and translate complexity at all levels. A committed yoga practitioner of over 20 years, her practice has been a source of grounding, focus and inspiration. She is delighted to contribute to the profession as Yoga Australia’s Treasurer.

Anita Lucas

Ordinary Board Member

Anita has 15 years experience in secretariat and business analysis roles.

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.

Erin Tucci

Erin is the Yoga Australia’s Business Development Manager. Her passion for self-care and wellness is what inspired her to leave her job in tourism and venture out into the Wellbeing Industry. Erin is excited to work for a member-based organisation to establish deeper relationships and make a difference to the wider community. Her organisational skills help her to effectively plan events nation-wide, at the same time ensuring Yoga Australia’s vision is upheld.

Wendy Lim

Wendy is our Finance & Systems Officer, as well as being a passionate Yoga Teacher, and 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. Wendy is a big foodie and loves cooking. She has three happy free ranging chickens and two baby boys who bring her lots of daily joy.

Samantha Hewinson

Samantha (Sami) is our Membership and Content Lead. Sami is a Senior Teacher and teacher trainer, and is the founder of Live to Serve Academy, a social enterprise dedicated to helping people live a vibrant, meaningful life. As our head of customer service, she enjoys interacting with our friendly members and liaising with the broader yoga community.

Carolyn Drought-Leblang

Carolyn is Yoga Australia’s Digital Marketing Lead, managing social media, the website, and newsletters. With a background in corporate marketing and a previous career in the health industry, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her role. A yoga teacher since 2008 and a creative at heart, Carolyn is passionate about sharing yoga’s depth and wisdom with the community.

Education Committee

Leigh Wood (Chair)
Gabrielle Boswell
Estefi Maiztegui (Board rep)
Valérie Fimat-Faneco
Alexandra Espinosa

Yoga Therapy Committee

Liz Bennet (Chair)
Rebel Tucker (Board rep)
Fiona Donohoe-Bales
Anne-Laure Peaucelle
Vijaya Kedla
Kassie Doughty

Would you like to be a Community Representative for Yoga Australia?

Our volunteers offer support, education and networking opportunities to the industry’s future leaders and influencers/instructors.

Located in various states around Australia, our representatives plan & host events for yoga teachers and students to connect online & in person.

Benefits to you

Sense of purpose

Become part of something bigger than yourself where you can share your knowledge or provide support. Contribute to the industry as a whole by helping other yoga teachers on their journey.

Personal development

An opportunity to focus on some new skills such as verbal or written communication, public speaking, event planning, teamwork, rapport building or critical thinking skills.

Sense of community

There’s no better way to achieve a sense of community than to immerse yourself within it! Get to know local teachers, trainers and studio owners, as well as the other volunteers that you will be working with.

Free attendance

Gain free admission to In-Person events around the nation that are hosted by Yoga Australia.