Sydney : Ivy - George Street
Michelle Gibson
http://www.yogabowl.net
info@yogabowl.net
Ever since I was young I’ve always been driven to do something that involves movement.
I did ballet for 8 years as a child, then moved onto competitive softball and volleyball. My career in fitness started at Chase Fitness Centre (Chatswood) in the early 80’s– a pretty scary & funny time in hindsight. In amongst all that lycra & legwarmers, the very young fitness industry’s growth was initially trial and error – mostly based on how people looked and how much an exercise hurt. It was when instructing developed into a skill, and exercise began to evolve as a science that it all started making sense for me.
My fitness industry career evolved into training new generation instructors, presenting at fitness conventions nationally and internationally, and teaching fitness classes (mostly step, muscle conditioning and stretch classes) for 18 years before making the delicious transition into yoga in 2002. My mentors include Dede Daniels and Denise Klatte (Flow-Yoga, USA), Claire Norgate, Grant Wolf (Yoga Boy Charlton, Sydney), Seane Corn (www.seanecorn.com), Twee Merigan (www.tweeyoga.com) AND each one of my students. What a blessing to have crossed paths with you all.
My philosophy around yoga continues to evolve. While maintaining utmost respect for the original yogic teachings, I strongly believe in a necessity to modify poses and teaching style for some individuals. As a generation our body types and postural issues aren’t as they were thousands of years ago back in India.
My class has a flowing (dynamic) Hatha style, drawing influence from Ashtanga and Vinyasa style yoga, infusing traditional yoga poses with fitness principles (ie. safety guidelines) to make the poses safe, effective and accessible to most individuals.
I’m hugely passionate about how and what I do, being one of those lucky ones who genuinely loves her work. The energy exchange I experience when I teach is a total pleasure.
I have been the proud and nurturing owner of Yogabowl since October 2005. It’s my first small business venture, and I’m hugely excited and enthusiastic about continually making small changes that align client needs with my vision for my business.
In addition to teaching at YOGABOWL, I am growing my corporate business in the city - teaching clients including Commonwealth Bank, Ernst and Young, Supreme Court.
I am honoured to be involved with lululemon athletica (they make the best yoga gear on this planet!) as one of their ambassadors. I have been wearing and loving their incredible yoga gear for years now, and thrilled that they're finally opening a few stores in Sydney this year. Stay tuned for more info about the stores, the gear and their amazing community.