Our teachers
We have a talented and passionate team of yoga teachers ready to take you to the next stage of your yoga practice. Find out more about them here.
lisa allwell
Studio DIRECTOR
adventurer, writer, wanna-be chat show host, easily distracted
I’m a health professional who unexpectedly fell in love with yoga. I held senior public health roles in mental health, cancer, stroke and chronic illness, but traded up a focus on evidence, research and evaluation to teach yoga. Now, I encourage my students to run the yoga experiment in their own body and mind, with a sample size of one, and richly reap the rewards of their own personal research program.
Expect a nurturing, light-hearted and creative yoga class. While we move and breathe together on the mat, I want you to forget your 'to do' list and focus on your own body. And I’ll do this by tapping into the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained studying with great contemporary yoga teachers, to help you find a practice that works perfectly for you.
Lisa says: “Life throws us all kinds of challenges. While we can’t control the complications that present themselves, we can control how we deal with and react to these situations. Yoga has given me the tools to cope infinitely better. And - as an added bonus - I’m not quite as clumsy as I used to be (in fact, sometimes I have the occasional moment of grace).”
Seed Yoga was established in 2017. Lisa is a Board member of Yoga Australia (the national peak body for yoga) and has twice been nominated the Australian Ambassador to the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India.
Bodhi
sometimes you just have to paws and relax
I am not a fan of downward dogs. My name, Bodhi, means awakened one, which is kind of ironic as I spend most of my time asleep. I spend several hours each day in savasana. As a result I am extremely chilled and on my way to enlightenment. My regular practice has helped me to feel (slightly) more energetic and I love to spend time saluting the sun, by resting in a warm spot. I’m known for putting the fur in furniture. Benefits I’ve noticed from my cat yoga practice include:
• Improved balance when I walk along the fence.
• Zenlike clarity
• Fuller, more luxurious whiskers
I enjoy gourmet cat food, hiding in boxes and scaring people with allergies. I can’t be bothered teaching a class or coming to the studio. Let the humans do that. Meow.
Rachel Rosenberg
explorer, nature lover, coffee snob, laughs easily, expert puppy hugger
A yoga & meditation practice has always been something that has drifted in and out of my life when I needed it most. However, after spending 10 months travelling in France I reconnected with yoga again and I knew in my heart of hearts that this was something I wanted to dive into and explore completely. Movement has always been extremely important to me, having always done some form of sport or another throughout my life. The practice of yoga took things to the next level through the integration of mind, body, diet, breath and spirituality. I am particularly passionate about how the breath influences our entire being - our energy, hormones & mental state. I love the community that yoga creates; while it is an individual path for each person, it is also the thread that connects us all together.
Each time I practice I learn more about myself and it is a great joy to share that with others. I hope to bring my bubbly personality into each class, to challenge students to push themselves either mentally or physically - but also to encourage them to rest, restore & relax fully. I like to support people to move more intuitively or in a way that suits their body. I think now, in what is often a fast paced world, we need that Yin & Yang balance in our lives.
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Vickie Liew
student of life and all things yoga
Yoga became a part of my life in 2016 when I joined a local studio. I felt its transformative effect on me, in all aspects as I became a regular practitioner. During the pandemic lockdowns, I started and completed my first yoga teacher training course, more for self-knowledge and personal growth. However it eventually led me down the path to teaching, especially after more training and courses followed the first one, as I became more confident in myself. I began teaching online in 2021 in and amongst the frequent lockdowns and finally started teaching in person in December 2021.
I love Vinyasa for the dance-like quality of the practice where you flow from one pose to another in sync with your breath. And I love Yin Yoga for its self-healing and meditative qualities.
I love every aspect of yoga, and now that I teach it, I feel purposeful and fulfilled, that I have something to offer the world that is truly transformative and beneficial to everyone.
Apart from yoga - I love connecting with family and friends, brunching at Melbourne cafes, walking in nature with my dog, holidays where there's sunshine and beaches. Looking at flowers and trees. Food (especially Malaysian food). Singing.
Ryan Chhajed
dancer, daddy of teens, wearer of tye-dyed tees
Ryan loves movement and yoga. Ryan believes that the yoga mat is a great place to find a sense of contentment, self-awareness, and mind body connection. Ryan believes that yoga is not a "one size fits all" practice, and that every person is on a different path. As such he finds immense joy, satisfaction, and inspiration in seeing students discover their own personal yoga journey and hopes to nurture and encourage them along the way.
Yuting Zhou
coffee nerd and music lover
Yuting is a warm and engaging teacher who started Hatha practice 18 years ago. She welcomes students from all ages, background and body types. Her style is supportive, practical, eclectic and she enjoys holding space for her students through a steady paced practice. Outside of yoga, she loves making coffee, reading books and listening to old classics on her vinyl record player.
Katherine Donato
Student of life, mamma, always up for a chat, unique, dedicated
I began my yogic journey 10 years ago exploring Hatha and Bikram yoga lineages with a regular practice. Two beautiful children later and a long successful career in Marketing and Event Management, I found myself yearning for the sense of serenity and peace that a yoga practice afforded me. After much contemplation, I found the courage to complete studies in both Hatha and Yin Yoga giving me the ability to share what I adore so much with others. My practice and knowledge continues to expand as a self-confessed devotee of yoga workshops, literature and playdates with my yoga pals.
The word ‘yoga’ means ‘union’ and ‘union with the divine’. With this meaning permanently etched in my heart, Yoga has become my playground.
My intent is to create an environment that gives us time to share in a contemplative practice using breath and meditation, physical expression through asana, and nourishment with relaxation. Enjoy in the sense of community with other like-minded yogis, from novice to the advanced. Let’s play!
Who wouldn’t rather don fancy patterned active wear and bare feet as their daily uniform over a stuffy suit and a pair of high heels (Christian Louboutin exempt of course)? Yoga gives me the ability to feel bendy, stretchy and softly, softly. What does that mean? Come and do one of my classes and you’ll find out!
Vanessa Hollo
Crazy cat lady, traveller, masterchef, human rights advocate
I played around with Yoga as a child in the 70s, when my mum was going to classes. Back when everyone wore leotards..... I explored yoga living in Varanasi India in the early 90s, but it was not the yoga that you see commonly practiced these days in the West. I returned to it after a long history of anxiety and depression. Yoga helped ground me. I felt my body and stopped listening to the noise in my head. The breathing, the meditation, the movement were all a part of my recovery. Now I’m hooked on exploring modern yoga as well as the ancient roots. It takes me all over the world to study with my teachers! I like to practice gentle movement and Yin at home with my cat attacking me and my husband joining in.
love biomechanics and modern movement exploration so there are sometimes new versions of traditional asana as well as new and creative asanas. I enjoy incorporating strength and mobility practices and love using a variety of props to enhance the practice. Sometimes my yoga doesn’t look like yoga!
I teach in a very relaxed way and keep the practice gentle, sweet and delicious giving you the time to unwind and find ease. I love sharing new and exciting ideas with my students and the yoga world has endless opportunities to learn, grow, move, relax, change, chill, sweat, reflect, laugh, cry, and travel.
Karen Robotis
playful, nature lover, wildly adventurous, over-thinker
Karen has 15 years experience as a dance and yoga teacher. Having travelled extensively, she adapted her knowledge, skills and passion to bring a unique style of yoga to children enhancing a joyful and rich connection through creative expression. Karen is passionate about helping kids to find creative expression, imaginative play and fun in her classes. She has taught in kindergartens, neighbourhood houses and other education settings.
GREG NORDEN
artist, dances to supermarket music, responsibly irresponsible
Greg sold his metal finishing business in 2017 with the aim of travelling the world and following his heart. His first stop was India, where he fell in love with the people and culture. He studied Sattva Yoga and Meditation, and now with over 1,000 hours of training, he shares these life-changing practices at Seed in his meditation and breathwork classes.
An adventurer at heart, Greg has hiked mountains in Nepal, Switzerland and France. He’s ridden his bike from Melbourne to Rockhampton. He’s done ironmans, marathons and plenty of other crazy stuff. He’s lived on the Camino in Spain, road tripped through Norway and continues to return to India again and again.
Greg values honesty, spontaneity and fun. He is a master at holding space and encouraging people to find authenticity and connection in yoga and in life.
Yuliya Tamanyan
animal lover, picnic addict, dreamer, seeker, laughing enthusiast
I was introduced to yoga a decade ago. In fact, it was my sister who suggested it in a form of a dare... I don’t recall the pose, but I do remember thinking “sure, I can do that!” and then not even being close to it! It didn’t take long for me to realise, yoga isn’t just an exercise. As I uncovered the depth of this practice, I was instantly drawn to it and knew this was a lifelong romance. It got me through some tough times over the years, when I felt lost it was there for me, guiding my way back.
The peace you can find on your mat is like none other, the warm welcome of a familiar bolster, to know the space on your mat is yours, it’s a gift you can give yourself, whenever you need it. Something special about unrolling your mat in a room full of like-minded individuals who too have come to practice. It’s having a laugh together and finding your own specific challenge to a pose. It’s where I go to feel more grounded, where I know I can just be, present, here in the moment. It’s where the world takes a pause. Nothing needs my attention except my breath.
I believe in practicing both the yin and yang. My yin classes are an offering of a gentle and nourishing practice, allowing this breath to guide the mind. The flow classes I teach, are playful and all about having a go and seeing how it feels in your body. I believe in not taking yourself too seriously, especially on the mat and always welcome laughter in our practices.
Catherine Martin
mamma, sincere, kind, generally all round wise woman
Whilst living in Spain thirty years ago, a weekend introductory course to Hatha Yoga began Catherine’s long held love affair with yoga which has continued to grow and mature through various life adventures and challenges. Catherine understands yoga to be a profound practice that brings peace to the heart and mind, nourishes and soothes our over worked nervous systems whilst promoting a strong, healthy agile body. With a focus on developing a skilful breath practice married with mindful flows, sprinkled with neuroscience and positive psychology, Catherine will support you on your journey where you can return home to your essence, able to tune in to your infinite wisdom, your compassionate nature and your joyous expanding spirit.
Lisa Matthews
mentor, traveller, thinker, downward dog lover
Lisa has been a dedicated student of yoga for the past 20 years and a yoga teacher for 13 years. Initially introduced to yoga through meditation, philosophy, chanting and seva (selfless service) her practice expanded to incorporate a fluid yet grounded asana practice.
Lisa served as a manager of international ashrams both in Sydney and Ganeshpuri India. Continuing her yoga studies on her return to Australia, she was handed over the reins to a boutique Yoga and Creative Dance School in Warrandyte, The Bhava Centre. Lisa lovingly owned and operated the studio for several years; guiding the direction and progress of many students through weekly classes and supporting the 300 hr Teacher Training program offered at the studio.
Honouring her deep desire to make a difference in the lives of trauma sufferers through the lens of yoga, Lisa travelled to New York to undertake Off The Mat into the World’s Yoga for Purpose, Social Change training with Sean Corne, Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling. On her return to Australia, Lisa was invited to join the Board of Directors of a yoga inspired Not For Profit, Yogahood Australia. Together she co-created and delivered a Trauma Informed Teacher Training to upskill volunteers in preparation for teaching in these sensitive and specialised settings.
Lisa has studied under many renowned teachers including Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and the Siddha Yoga tradition, Anusara Yoga, Embodied Flow and Sarah’s Powers Yin yoga training. An eternal student, Lisa is always adding to her skillset and is currently furthering her studies in Holistic Counselling to broaden her offering of support and for her own growth and evolution.
Erin Kondarovskis
indoor plant lover, avid seamstress, baby beginner handpan player,
I have a podiatry background and am a mother to three little ones. I found myself in a studio after I was gifted a pass to a class a few years ago, and I never really got off the mat. I felt a pull to complete my teacher training and I am currently undertaking more training in kriya, breathwork and meditation. The discovery and exploration of these practices changed my life and it’s such an amazing thing to be able to share them. My yoga practice really helps me navigate the complexities of life.
My classes have a focus on mindfulness and presence, and my aim is that you leave feeling nourished and that you’ve filled your own cup by being present to yourself, for yourself.