Michelle Merrifield
Michelle Merrifield is the founder and operator of popular Essence of Living Yoga & Pilates studio and International Teacher Training Academy on the Gold Coast. After first discovering Yoga and Pilates at the young age of 16, Michelle knew with every cell of her body this was her calling and she wanted to share both the spiritual and physical benefits of the practice with others.
After completing a Business Degree and an Advanced Diploma in Recreational Fitness, Michelle went on to further her training with an International Advanced ‘Stott Pilates’ Mat course specialising in Stability Ball, Fitness Circle, Flex Band and Foam Roller instruction together with Reformer Apparatus Training. Later she expanded her knowledge and completed the internationally recognised ‘Body Control Pilates’ Mat Course.
She then went on to deepen her understanding of Yoga by completing a ‘Yoga Arts’ 200hr intensive Teacher Training in Ubud, Bali, ‘Brahmani Yoga’ 500hr intensive Ashtanga Teacher Training in Goa India, ‘Jivamukti Yoga’ 300hr intensive Teacher Training, plus a 500hr apprenticeship in New York. Michelle continues to train and study under Dena Kingsberg certified to teach the Ashtanga system by Sri K.Pattabhi Jois.
After falling in love with Thai Massage and the benefits closely linked with Yoga, Michelle also completed a 3 month intensive ‘International Thai Massage’ Teacher Training in Chiang Mai Thailand. Now facilitating Thai Massage courses making graduates more employable and resourceful to accommodate a wider cross section of the population.
With the constant evolution of the industry Michelle has kept her finger on the pulse with the latest trends and went back to New York for an intensive training program where she studied the Barre from the Lotte Berk lineage. Training at the worlds most exclusive clubs learning new techniques and methods bringing a whole new style of Barre back to Australia. Barre is a fusion of Yoga, Pilates and Ballet.
“I live and breathe my vocation as it resonates with every cell of my body. I truly love what I do and do what I love. I want to share my passion with the world around me and hope to create a happier, healthier world with those willing to change and grow with me.” – Michelle Merrifield
Michelle is the creator of all training programs at Essence of Living, she is also primarily delivers all course work as specified below:
- Yoga Level 1
- Yoga Level 2
- Pilates Level 1
- Pilates Level 2
- Thai Massage Level 1 & 2
Student Liaison – Colleen Brown
I am the Essence of Living Academy Student Liaison who has also been through every teacher training Essence of Living Academy offers so I totally understand the process and what students are going through. I will be available to Teacher Trainers from beginning and end of all courses and am here to answer any questions you have pertaining to your studies. I am also the head of the financial department for the Studio and Academy so I will be managing your payments and auto-payments, once again, again queries can come through me for this.
To contact me with questions about upcoming courses or ongoing studies email essence@essenceofliving.com.au
Guest Speaker – Danielle Williams
I have always known that I wanted to work in the health and fitness industry. For me it was an inner calling, it made sense that the quality of ones life depended on their physical health, nutritional status and spiritual and mental growth.
I wanted to learn more about health and went on to study an Advanced Diploma in Natural Therapies and have been working as a Naturopath for the last 10 years for various companies, health retreats and now for myself. This is my true passion helping others to obtain their optimal health.
I met Michelle when I was working at a Women’s Health Spa and finally joined team at Essence of Living as a yoga instructor and a lecturer of Nutrition, Reflexology and Anatomy and Physiology for their Teacher Training Courses.
I feel blessed to be apart of the studio and college which welcomes everyone to experience the journey of health, fitness and the spiritual connection with oneself. Namaste
As a Certified Naturopath and Kinesiologist Danielle delivers Nutrition and Anatomy Modules in the following courses:
- Yoga Level 1
- Yoga Level 2
- Pilates Level 1
Guest Speaker -Lorien Waldron
Lorien is passionate about Ayurvedic Medicine, Yoga and holistic wholesome living! She began studying Ayurvedic medicine in 2006, fresh out of high school to pursue her interest in ancient wisdom, natural medicine, yoga and eastern philosophy & spirituality.
For the past 7 years Lorien has been living and breathing the Ayurevdic way of life, since graduating in 2009 from her Ayurvedic studies with Dr.S Ajit from the Australiasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies she has been working with clients consulting on diet, lifestyle, holistic ayurvedic nutrition, cooking, giving public talks at yoga center’s on the gold coast and as a therapist at the mudita health clinic byron bay.
Lorien’s passion is in education and inspiration. As a qualified Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant and yoga teacher with a focus on wholefood organic nutrition, she loves working with people to inspire and cultivate what she likes to call ‘wholesome loving goodness’ within and without!
She has studied human anatomy at university, communications and has experience with numerous personal development programs since a very young age. Constantly learning and exploring the depths of Ayurvedic, yogic and energetic wisdom of the body, mind, spirit connection for herself in her life as and for her clients, Lorien loves Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga and is excited to be offering the Ayurvedic component of the level 2 TT with Essence of Living.
Lorien has a website, www.wholesomelovinggoodness.com and facebook page www.facebook.com/wholesomelovinggoodness where you can find just that, Wholesome Loving Goodness, a place full of Organic Holistic Ayurvedic education and inspiration! x
Lorien teaches Ayurvedic Principles in the following course:
- Yoga Level 2
Guest Speaker - Erin Bourne
Erin is a natural teacher who finds the opportunity to share anything of value simply irresistible. As she found grounding, peace and of course physical fitness from her own yoga practice Erin was compelled to complete the yoga and Pilates Level 1 and Level 2 teacher training at Essence of Living. Being an instructor at Essence of Living has added a new dimension to her experience as a teacher.
Erin had been teaching Physical Education and Chemistry in high schools for several years since completing a graduate entry Bachelor of Education (following a Bachelor of Exercise Science). It was this wealth of hands on experience in the classroom which gave Erin the ability to make anatomy and physiology accessible to teacher trainers.
- Yoga Level 1
- Pilates Level 1
Guest Speaker - Danny O’Kane
Danny O’Kane joins us from Affordable First Aid, he is passionate about first aid and health and safety making him incredibly qualified in his position. We have been using Danny as our preferred instructor for years now, we can always appreciate his engaging way of teaching and ensuring everybody is on par with their instruction.
Danny joins us as the First Aid & CPR Instructor and facilitator for the following course:
- Yoga Level 1
- Pilates Level 1
