the bit about mj
Hey there... I'm Matt. Or Matty. Or MJ.
I grew up in Adelaide, loved my life, and thought I knew everything.
In my mid-twenties I woke up and realized I knew nothing.
So I left to explore the world and try to fill in some of the gaps.
I travelled a lot, ended up in London for a decade, and 15 years later realise that I still know nothing, but at least have some lessons and adventures behind me.
I'm still travelling and learning... and I practice and teach yoga.
longer version
(just in case you find my yoga story in any way interesting...)
My yoga journey was sparked many years ago when I was a tennis player, using a sporadic few yoga poses as a way of keeping flexible and agile.... I didn't take it too seriously back then but the seed was planted... and this less than regular practice continued through the next decade of working in the health and fitness industry in Adelaide and Sydney.
15 years ago an awakening of sorts convinced me to box up my Aussie life and set off with my backpack across Europe, with no real idea of where I would end up, or what I was searching for.
It was during these travels I met my not-yet-but-soon-to-be yoga brother and teacher Ryan Leier. Although I didn’t know it at the time, he would become a big influence on my journey and teaching!
This wandering journey brought me to London, where I discovered a vibrant yoga scene and my practice became a far deeper part of my life. It was in London I first felt the calling to teach yoga, and I was first trained in teaching Vinyasa Flow by the amazing Claire Missingham, who continues to inspire whenever I take further practice with her. I have been lucky enough to mentor and teach the next generation of teachers on her recent teacher trainings.
Soon after my first training the planets aligned and re-connected me with Ryan, and I have since traveled to Canada and Iceland several times to study with, practice with, and learn from Ryan and the One Yoga community.
I was blessed during this period to have also studied Vinyasa Krama with Srivatsa Ramaswami – the direct teachings of Krishnamacharya.
On one of these trips to Canada I also met and was inspired by Suzanne Slocum-Gori, so later I travelled to Bali to take further training with her, and have since completed 500 hours of studies with Suzanne and her faculty, which included Noah Maze, Nico Luce, and Dr Genieve Burley.
Since committing to yoga I have found my body, mind and life open up in ways I was not expecting... and I am blessed and grateful to be a part of inspiring yoga communities in both London and Canada, and look forward one day to becoming a part of the community in my home town of Adelaide!
My quest for answers to the deep questions has also taken me to the Amazon several times to work in a profound way with plant medicines, and I have recently finished living and teaching yoga in the jungle in Peru.
I also have a degree in Human Movement, I am a qualified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and I was a personal trainer for many years, in addition to being the Head of Fitness for premier health clubs across London, Sydney and Adelaide. All these things contribute to and influence my teaching style today.
I aim to make my classes dynamic and fun, so expect a strong vinyasa based practice, with an energetic flow, constant focus on the breath, and of course sweet tunes!
And if you are still reading... my favourite things are sunsets, sunrises, trees, Earthing, dinosaurs, coffee, starry skies, full moons, tolerant people, positive people, walking on the beach, swimming in the sea, handstands on the grass... and the Port Adelaide Football Club (my non-Aussie friends may not know who they are, but AFL fans will).
My yoga journey was sparked many years ago when I was a tennis player, using a sporadic few yoga poses as a way of keeping flexible and agile.... I didn't take it too seriously back then but the seed was planted... and this less than regular practice continued through the next decade of working in the health and fitness industry in Adelaide and Sydney.
15 years ago an awakening of sorts convinced me to box up my Aussie life and set off with my backpack across Europe, with no real idea of where I would end up, or what I was searching for.
It was during these travels I met my not-yet-but-soon-to-be yoga brother and teacher Ryan Leier. Although I didn’t know it at the time, he would become a big influence on my journey and teaching!
This wandering journey brought me to London, where I discovered a vibrant yoga scene and my practice became a far deeper part of my life. It was in London I first felt the calling to teach yoga, and I was first trained in teaching Vinyasa Flow by the amazing Claire Missingham, who continues to inspire whenever I take further practice with her. I have been lucky enough to mentor and teach the next generation of teachers on her recent teacher trainings.
Soon after my first training the planets aligned and re-connected me with Ryan, and I have since traveled to Canada and Iceland several times to study with, practice with, and learn from Ryan and the One Yoga community.
I was blessed during this period to have also studied Vinyasa Krama with Srivatsa Ramaswami – the direct teachings of Krishnamacharya.
On one of these trips to Canada I also met and was inspired by Suzanne Slocum-Gori, so later I travelled to Bali to take further training with her, and have since completed 500 hours of studies with Suzanne and her faculty, which included Noah Maze, Nico Luce, and Dr Genieve Burley.
Since committing to yoga I have found my body, mind and life open up in ways I was not expecting... and I am blessed and grateful to be a part of inspiring yoga communities in both London and Canada, and look forward one day to becoming a part of the community in my home town of Adelaide!
My quest for answers to the deep questions has also taken me to the Amazon several times to work in a profound way with plant medicines, and I have recently finished living and teaching yoga in the jungle in Peru.
I also have a degree in Human Movement, I am a qualified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and I was a personal trainer for many years, in addition to being the Head of Fitness for premier health clubs across London, Sydney and Adelaide. All these things contribute to and influence my teaching style today.
I aim to make my classes dynamic and fun, so expect a strong vinyasa based practice, with an energetic flow, constant focus on the breath, and of course sweet tunes!
And if you are still reading... my favourite things are sunsets, sunrises, trees, Earthing, dinosaurs, coffee, starry skies, full moons, tolerant people, positive people, walking on the beach, swimming in the sea, handstands on the grass... and the Port Adelaide Football Club (my non-Aussie friends may not know who they are, but AFL fans will).
See here for upcoming events and where you'll find me:
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