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

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 

Kester Marshall

Kester has been a practicing Naturopath and Western Herbalist since 1996. In 2000 whilst living in India he fell ill and was introduced to the life science of Ayurveda. He has studied Ayurvedic Medicine through the American Institute of Vedic Studies (Dr Frawley) and the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies (Dr Ajit). In 2001, he spent six months gaining clinical experience at the Ayurvedic Research Institute and with Private Doctors in Pune, India. Since that time he has spent thousands of hours studying classical Ayurvedic literature and returns to India whenever possible to continue his studies.

He teaches the Ayurvedic component at several Yoga Teacher Training Programs in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, is a regular speaker at Gaia Retreat and Spa in Northern NSW and has had articles published in national health magazines. Kester is also a formal Zen student of Doko’s and has trained since 1996 in the Japanese martial art of Aikido.

Kester teaches Ayurvedic Principles in the following course:

• Yoga Level 2

Sensei Michael Doko Hatchett

Sensei Michael Doko Hatchett is a Zen Buddhist Priest, Senior Zen Teacher, Abbot of the Dochu-an Zen Centre in Northern NSW, and Dharma heir to Zen Master Rev Hogen Yamahata Roshi (pictured below). He has been a disciple of his teacher and studied the Buddhist approaches to health and healing for over twenty years and, more recently, studied Ayurveda under Dr Ajit of the Australasian Institute of Ayurvedic Studies. He is the Author of “Feeling Into Human Warmth and Wisdom” and a renowned speaker on the mind, health and happiness. He teaches meditation and is a Holistic Counsellor at Gwingana Lifestyle Retreat.

Sensei Michael teaches Buddhist practices and mindfulness in the following course:

• Yoga Level 2

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 teacher training at Essence of Living in 2009. Being a yoga 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 an insight into the great need there was for yoga for children. It was a natural progression to teach children’s yoga classes out of school and to incorporate yoga into her regular school classes. The benefits were quickly apparent, as was the student’s enjoyment and Erin is now working with schools to make yoga a part of the curriculum. To further this cause Erin recently travelled to the United States to complete ‘Teaching Yoga to Teens’ training as well as gaining qualifications to teach ‘Tools for Teachers’. Erin is now able to empower other teachers to incorporate yoga into their lessons.

Joining the facilitator team for the yoga teacher trainings is a fantastic opportunity and Erin is excited to share the fun and fulfilment that is teaching yoga to children.

Erin joins us to teach Kids Yoga in the following course:

• Yoga Level 1

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