About me
Giinagay, my name is Ilka.
I am a highly qualified yoga teacher, shamanic practitioner and educator (MEd). I live in a tree house in Hyland Park on the beautiful Mid-North Coast of NSW on Gumbaynggirr Homelands. I pay my respect to the land, the waters and the trees. I am blessed to have my small yoga studio here and I hope I will be able to connect with you soon.
Sat nam ♡
I have been teaching yoga since 2011. I passionately teach four different styles of yoga, which I believe all complement each other really well: Hatha Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin as well as AcroYoga. I also hold a Masters Degree in Vocational and Tertiary Education from the University of Hamburg. I am a modern Languages Teacher (German/English) as well as a Business & Economics Teacher. I have taught at prestigious educational institutions such as the University of Edinburgh and Napier University in Scotland as well as the Vocational College for Media and Communication in Hamburg. I have a fair command of the Gumbaynggirr language, the language of the land that I live on and occasionally weave Gumbaynggirr worldviews into my yoga classes that are being held on country. I was a presenter of a bilingual yoga class in English and Gumbaynggirr at Puliima Indigenous Language & Technology Conference in 2023. As a Kundalinia Yoga Teacher I feel deeply connected to the Gurmukhi language as well as Sanskrit. I am currently studying to become a level 2 certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher.
Further, I am initiated as a shamanic practitioner by my amazing teacher Alida Birch, Oregon, who is also the author of "The Co-Creation Handbook: A Shamanic Guide to Manifesting a Better World and a More Joyful Life". I am also a recipient of the Munay-Ki Rites by the Four Winds Society, which include the womb rites who were given to Marcella Lobos. Together with the German Philosophy guru Eckard Wolz-Gottwald we have published his book “Living Yoga Wisdom - Philosophical Exercises For Personal Practice" in the English language:
Through the practice of AcroYoga I have been introduced to the technique of Thai Yoga Massage, a powerful healing modality to increase vitality, mobility as well as reduce stress. I am very passionate about music and in particular chanting. Together with friends I regularly hold kirtans and song circles in the Nambucca Valley. I also offer harmonium lessons for beginners.
Through my broad educational knowledge and my shamanic background I can help you when you feel stuck or low in life. With tailored coaching sessions which can include shamanic journey work, yoga, elements from kinesiology, ceremony etc. I can help you shift energy powerfully so that you can take the next step in your life feeling empowered and being able to reclaim your vitality and your creative life force. I am looking forward to meeting you.
Sat nam! ♡