Our Team

Our whānau here at AWHI Yoga & Wellbeing are intentional on delivering authentic, connecting and impactful classes. At AWHI, our instructors speak not only to the body, but also to the heart and mind. We take pride in the training and development of our team both on and off the mat so that our community feels held, challenged and nurtured as we grow together and support each other in our humanness. We hold ourselves and our team accountable to provide a world-class Yoga and development experience across all of our programmes.

Photo 2-03-20, 9 03 18 PM.jpg — **Tom Brotherstone - Co-owner & Staff Manager**
Tom (he/him) has completed 500hr YTT in Rishikesh, India. He has subsequently been teaching Yin and Vinyasa for the past 8 years. Tom has also been competing and teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for last 10 years. His focus now is on building community through both practices, providing a supportive platform for the growth and self-discovery of others.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Awhi to me is all about being part of a community. It is a safe and positive environment that allows for creative expression, without judgment or attachment for ideas. Being part of a community allows you to draw inspiration from people from all walks of life, enabling us to find our own voice and ways of thinking.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Being present, loyalty and authenticity.

**Amelia Bardsley - Yoga**
Amelia (she/her) has been practising yoga for the last 20 years, and completed 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in 2020. Since then she has been teaching both Vinyasa Flow and Yin. Her hope is that students leave each class with more space and joy in their mind, body and heart than when they entered the class.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
To me Awhi means to nurture, embrace and cherish - being connected to others & nature. Practising yoga supports me to Awhi my children and my students.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Curiosity, compassion & courage. This is how I approach everything. I believe all humans deserve a right to their biggest life, however they decide to do that.

**Hana Buchanan - Yoga**
Hana (Taranaki iwi, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika) has been developing her own yoga / pū āio practice for over 25 years. Hana loves exploring the synergies between mātauranga Māori and yoga philosophies and practice - centuries old indigenous wisdoms supporting contemporary holistic wellbeing! She completed her 200-hour Vinyasa, and 100-hour Yin teacher training with Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing and through teaching, hopes to share the love, joy and challenge of yoga / pū āio with others. Nau mai, haere mai e hoa mā!
***What does AWHI mean to you?***
Awhi mai, awhi atu. Awhi is a warm, dynamic radiance that encircles, holds, supports and celebrates - me, you, us.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Hononga (Connection), Aroha (Love), Manawanui (Dedication)

**Lachlan Broughton - Yoga**
Lachlan (he/him) is originally from Melbourne. He moved to Wellington to study contemporary dance with the New Zealand School of dance, graduating in 2018 with a diploma in elite performance. Here he found his love for yoga and completed 200hr YTT with Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing in 2019, followed by a Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher Training with Moksha Yoga.
Lachlan’s teaching style has a focus in the experiential and feeling based side of yoga, stemming from the Embodied Flow Teacher Training he completed in 2022.
Lachlan has an interest in somatic and movement practices, how we connect with the world around us on the outside, to self on the inside, and the practical application of yoga to everyday life. He believes that yoga shapes don’t have to be perfect (safe, of course), but should be practiced to elicit felt experience so we can connect into the unfolding that’s happening on the outside and in.
Lachlan teaches vinyasa and meditation, and you’ll see him in Heated Flow, Align, Yin and Meditation.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
To me, AWHI has the quality of embodiment. The surreal feeling of a warm, full-body hug with a loved one or with the earth. Being held, cradled, embraced and supported. A surrendering. A vibrational aligning. Our beautiful studio is a great manifestation of awhi.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Kindness, aroha, authenticity.

**Marcelly Ribeiro - Yoga**
Marcelly (she/her; they/them) has a degree in Physical Education. and 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga and 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, Childbirth & Doula and Active Birth Centre certificates. An experienced Hatha, Vinyasa and pregnancy yoga teacher and personal trainer, Marcelly teaches an alignment-based practice aimed at improving physical functionality and relieving stress from everyday life. Originally from Brazil, her experience as a doula and passion for pregnancy yoga blends asana (postures) and pranayama (breathwork) with birth education to empower women preparing their bodies and mind for labour.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Awhi is about care for the community embracing the sense of togetherness and nurturing the love and respect.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Openness, connection, honesty.

**Maya Castrejon - Pilates**
Maya (she/her) has been teaching Pilates since 2020. She completed her training course with AWHI’s Zuri Brudenell through her Pilates Teacher Training Course in Kāpiti. Maya loves Pilates and the whole body connection you gain through the exercise — you really get to see how your core is truly the powerhouse of the body. Originally from California, Maya’s been living in NZ since 2015 and has been a student at AWHI since 2018.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Awhi means community to me, somewhere I can go to be reminded of my growth and the growth I want. Somewhere I can be grounded but also flourish.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Growth, community, understanding.

**Kathleen Kuehn - Co-owner & Business Manager**
KK (she/her) is a recovering academic-turned-studio owner and a RYT-500 in Vinyasa, over 100 hours Yin + Yoga Nidra training and Level 1 Pilates certification. Her teaching approach is purposeful and alignment-based, influenced by a range of yoga styles. Often delivered with a cheeky sense of humour, KK sets an approachable environment designed to advance self-learning and personal growth. She also holds a PhD in Media & Communication, but still isn’t really sure why.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
To support and serve others openly and without judgement. It’s an active offering of faith, a confident embrace that says: ‘I know you've got this.’
***What are your top 3 values?***
Community, continuous learning and service.

**Anastasia Theodorou - Yoga**
Anastasia (she/her) reluctantly agreed to go to her first yoga class a few years ago, but quickly found a keen interest in the physical practice. Soon after that, she then found a connection to the wider spiritual practice of yoga, and completed her 200hr YTT with AWHI in 2024. Whilst she is very new to the teaching game, her aim is for her students to leave class feeling grounded and nourished.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
To me, awhi means to water a garden and watch it grow - a place to welcome all onto the mat, and provide them the space to grow their own yoga practice, in a supportive, open environment.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Curiosity, balance, kindness.

**James Mason-Redpath - Yoga**
(They/them; he/him). I first discovered Yoga in 2002, during a rehabilitation program while in recovery from a serious car accident. Realizing the benefits to the body and mind led to the love of sharing the practice with others, resulting in classical Hatha YTT in 2015 with Evolation Yoga in Melbourne, Australia and Yin Yoga certification in 2016. I found Yin’s passive shapes and focus allowed a deep connection & exploration of internal landscapes, bringing a relaxing energy and a permission to ‘just be’ — the perfect balance to our active and engaging lifestyles! In 2018 I traveled to Malaga, Spain to study under the guidance of my teacher Tony Sanchez, diving deeper into the lineage of Hatha in the Ghosh tradition. I prefer a taking a functional approach to the body over aesthetic. My classes focus on simplicity of the postures and their benefits to the body and mind. I encourage an inward focus on your unique body and its needs, helping you create a practice that’s truly your own. Outside the studio I’m usually exploring the outdoors with my dogs or learning how to dance. My other passions are pole dancing and burlesque. Join me on the mat to challenge yourself, connect within and grow. Get to know yourself, truly see yourself in cultivating mindfulness and presence.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Holding space to allow people to find their power and shine authentically.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Support, connection, aroha.

**Lisa Baker - Yoga**
(She/her). I completed 200hr YTT with AWHI in 2021, and 50hr YIN training in 2022. In 2023, I am undertaking YTT focused on meditation, pranayama and yoga nidra. I am a qualified Primary and ECE teacher but now work in the tertiary sector, lecturing in the Bachelor of teaching (ECE) degree programme. I am also a 2nd dan blackbelt in Kyokushin karate and continue to instruct in this martial art. My life journey has included significant trauma. The long, often emotionally intense healing journey I am on led me to AWHI many years ago. Through the physical practice I discovered the true meaning of yoga; union of mind, body, and wairua and yoking of individual consciousness to universal consciousness. Through the practice of yoga, I have found healing, awareness, understanding and authentic connection (self and others). I look forward to sharing the beauty of this holistic practice with my AWHI community.
***What does AWHI (support). mean to you?***
To care deeply, to nurture and nourish, to love; self and others…always xx
***What are your top 3 values?***
Compassion, connectedness, authenticity I Ngākau aroha, kotahitanga, pono.

**Mark Russell - Yoga**
(He/him). I have been practicing yoga for almost 20 years. I first arrived on my yoga mat seeking to improve my flexibility . . . but stayed for the really important reasons! I have completed more than 600 hours of yoga teacher training; most recently a 300-hour Trauma Informed Movement Facilitator course, and I now assist with yin teacher training. I have a strong focus on offering trauma-informed yoga, creating brave spaces where everyone is welcomed and valued.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
For me, in a yoga sense, AWHI is removing all barriers so anyone with a wish to practice yoga can do so.

***What are your top 3 values?***
Compassion, inclusiveness and courage to change what must be changed.

**Nick Busalacchi - Yoga**
Nick (he/him) has been practicing yoga for more than 15 years and completed his 200-hour YTT in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala in 2023. His intent is to weave yoga into the fabric of our social infrastructure, expanding access to its physical, mental, and emotional teachings to heal and build communities. He especially enjoys integrating philosophy, pranayama (breathwork), and somatics into his classes.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Giving space to oneself and others to discover and live their own dharmic paths.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Curiosity, generosity, wisdom.

**Mark Pascall - Co-owner & Business Development**
Mark (he/him) is a recovering computer nerd who spent the last 8 years working in the crazy world of cryptocurrencies, blockchain and decentralisation. This has led to a deep passion for creating radically different purpose-driven organisational structures designed to make the world a better place for his four (sometimes unappreciative) teenagers. Mark runs The Wellbeing Protocol. When he’s not trying to wrestle phones away from his kids, he’s happiest helping AWHI flourish or being towed by a big kite, slightly out of control in Lyall Bay.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
AWHI is an amazing opportunity to build a beautiful, supportive community committed to holistic wellbeing.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Altruism, humility and integrity.

**George Lake - Yoga**
George/Hōri (Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, me Ngāti Pikiao) (he/him/ia) gained his 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in 2020 and his 50hr yin certificate in 2022 from AWHI Yoga & Wellbeing. He has also been a secondary teacher since 2012 and has taught in Aotearoa and Australia. A volunteer trip in Africa for 3 months coaching touch rugby and rugby opened his eyes up to the spirit of whakawhanaungatanga (strengthening relationships) and how a united community creates a special bond to support one another through life’s challenges.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
The kupu (word) “awhi” means to embrace and acknowledge all the parts that make you “you.” As a kaiako (teacher) it’s an honour to guide people in their practice by creating a takiwā (space) that allows them to show up on their mat exactly as they are in any moment. Tuta kurehe, poho kererū – A creased back of the neck, a proud kererū – remember to hold your head high with mana in order to give permission to those around you to do the same.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Ngākau aroha (compassion), māia (courage), and whakakata (humour).

**Jody Samuel - Yoga**
(He/him) After serving 7 years in the British Army, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, traveling the world before finally settling in New Zealand, which has been my home for the past 18 years. My yoga journey began when I was 21, initially to balance my athletic pursuits and “force” myself to stretch, but it quickly became much more—a grounding practice that brought balance to both my body and mind.
In 2016, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training in China with my teacher Lance Schuler, deepening my connection to the practice and its transformative benefits. As an avid endurance athlete, I’ve participated in events ranging from Ironman triathlons, ultra marathons and adventure racing, and now as my journey has evolved, I have traded my running shoes for bike cleats and now find joy in mountain biking.
Beyond yoga, I am deeply committed to meditation, incorporating it into my daily routine for clarity and mindfulness. I’m also passionate about men’s mental health, having worked extensively with The Mankind Project and co-founding a local men’s group in New Plymouth, where we provided a supportive space for personal growth and healing.
As a lifelong learner and avid reader, I continually seek new ways to expand my understanding of the world, and I bring this curiosity and dedication into my teaching. I am focused on creating a nurturing space for others to explore their inner and outer strength, encouraging balance, reflection, and well-being in all aspects of life.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
For me, Awhi embodies a sacred community, a gathering of kindred spirits. As we come together, our diverse energies, thoughts, and unique qualities intertwine, creating a harmonious tapestry of consciousness. Together, we tap into a higher wisdom.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Integrity, discipline, ownership.

**Martine Matapo - Yoga**
Martine (she/her) completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through AWHI Yoga & Well-being in 2022. With a warm and approachable teaching style, she brings joy, connection, and a deep sense of grounding to every class. Martine is passionate about making yoga accessible to all, creating clear, thoughtfully structured sessions with options to suit every level. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga, Martine's classes are designed to meet you as you are. She’s also currently undertaking a PhD in Physical Activity and Public Health looking at the experiences of Cook Islands women moving their bodies.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Awhi means to create environments where people have the opportunity to move in their bodies and connect with their hearts and minds.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Have fun! Openness and integrity.

**Satvika Iyer - Yoga**
(They/them). I completed my 200hr YTT certification at AWHI Yoga & Wellbeing and have been teaching since the start of 2022. I was raised in India, Tāmaki Makaurau and Canada. My path in life has been winding and bumpy but through the practice of yoga, I have supported myself through many challenges. Practicing yoga feels like accepting myself and alchemizing the energy within and around me. My yoga mat is a safe space where I can unlearn what no longer serves me and embrace key things that do. With a focus on stilling the mind through intentional breath and flowing movement, I intend for my classes to be an inclusive space where you can feel comfortable in your truth.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
To me, Awhi means tuning into my inner wisdom, what I know to be true, so that I may then connect with all beings. It also means choosing to accept myself unconditionally and treating this Earth like one cherished community.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Lifelong learning, free self-expression, and leading with my heart.

Other Teaching Whānau

Picture of Charlotte smiling in front of a backdrop of trees — **Charlotte Cook - Yoga**
Charlotte (she/her) is a broadcast journalist by trade which started through her love of connecting to people from all different ages and stages. Through yoga she’s found other ways to connect with people and share stories of strength, bravery and self discovery. Charlotte started yoga for the physical benefits but stayed for the mental hauora it provides. Her teaching style is fun, daring and about embracing whatever shows up on the mat. She trained through AWHI's 200 hour teacher training and looks forward to upskilling further.
***What does AWHI (support) mean to you?***
Awhi as a word and a studio for me is about showing up for yourself and holding space for others. It’s about standing in your mana, connecting with yourself and offering that vulnerability and strength to others.
***What are your top 3 values?***
Kotahitanga, aroha and honesty