My Story:
A Journey from Turmoil to Tranquility
Discovering Yoga: An Unexpected Refuge
Amidst the electric pulse of Melbourne's fringe arts and festival scenes, my life was a vibrant spectacle of performances and late-night celebrations. Yet, behind the exhilaration lay a tumultuous struggle with unresolved childhood trauma, leading me towards a lifestyle that was as destructive as it was dazzling. Therapy offered little solace, and quite unexpectedly, my salvation came through the doors of a modest yoga studio.
In the structured realms of Ashtanga and the meticulous alignments of Iyengar yoga, I discovered more than just physical discipline; I found a silent therapy. The practices, with their challenging and repetitive nature, offered a measurable progression that became a testament to my healing. These classes demanded no recounting of past pains—instead, they provided a profound and healing connection to my body that I hadn't realised was missing.
This transformative power of yoga, discovered amidst personal chaos, is what I bring to every class at SWY. Here, we don’t just practice yoga; we embrace it as a vital pathway to healing and self-discovery.
"Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees." — B.K.S. Iyengar
A Global Quest: Exploring and Escaping
While venturing far from the shores of New Zealand, my travels were marked by a dual pursuit: exploration and escape. In this chapter, my encounters with diverse cultures and practices, including spirited attempts at vipassana meditation and yoga, were interspersed with my ongoing struggle to move beyond a lifestyle of excess. These experiences, though not entirely spiritual, were crucial stepping stones that gradually steered me towards a deeper, more meaningful engagement with yoga.
In Queensland, as I continued to grapple with personal challenges, the absence of a local yoga community inspired me to delve deeper into my practice. It was under the guidance of an old yogi, whose teachings from his humble verandah resonated with simplicity and wisdom, that I truly began to appreciate the transformative power of yoga—not just as a physical discipline but as a lifeline.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." — Marcel Proust
The Turning Point: A Transformative Encounter
At a life-changing retreat in the south, I was captivated by a teacher’s grace—how she made each of us feel truly seen. Her approach transcended the physicality of yoga; it was a celebration of our very being, honouring the essence rather than the execution. This was yoga beyond the mat—it was the heart of living woven through practice.
This experience propelled me into a transformative 350-hour teacher training, reshaping my understanding of what it means to teach. It instilled in me the gentle power of yoga to touch lives, guiding me to cultivate a space where everyone is acknowledged for their unique journey.
Behind the Scenes: The Qantas Safety Video Experience
In a whirlwind moment when life felt particularly unsteady, I embarked on an unexpected adventure—filming a safety video for Qantas on the stunning helipad at Qualia Resort. Amidst some serious challenges facing my family back home, this work assignment transformed into a surprising day of luxury and laughter amidst personal turmoil.
After a cathartic drive, I arrived puffy-eyed but was quickly swept into movie-star treatment, waited on in a pavilion with breathtaking views of the Whitsunday Islands. The shoot buzzed with fast-paced action, laughter, and familiar faces from my past acting days. Racing against the sunset, each take reminded me to stay present and embrace the surreal beauty surrounding me.
This experience wasn't just about filming; it was a poignant reminder of finding unexpected joy and resilience when needed most. It taught me that life's challenges and remarkable moments often come hand in hand, each shaping our journey in unforeseen ways.
"Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong." — Mandy Hale
Sadie Wells Yoga: More Than Just a Studio
Today, Sadie Wells Yoga is the culmination of every lesson learned and every mile travelled on my yoga journey. From the bustling streets of Melbourne to the tranquil Queensland coast, our studio is a sanctuary where each class is a step toward personal and collective enlightenment.