Our Team
OUR CULTURE
By incorporating traditional Eastern philosophies and practices with current Western thinking, our culture, atmosphere and environment is one of colour, unpretentiousness and friendliness. This is conducive to stress release and a holistic mind/body connection.
The Shanti Yoga Health Institute maintains an uplifted and supportive work environment that fosters a community of health practitioners, teachers, students, interns and volunteers that helps you co-create an enlightened world.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
provides the objective advice found to be most successful for creating effective policies, choosing best practices, setting expectations with respect to time, responsibilities, outcomes, organisation, communication, information and opening hearts and doors.
PEO, Practice and Education Mrs Shanti Gowans
Director, Nirvana Mr. Peter Gowans
Director of Practice and Education Queensland Ms Sonja Stauder
Director of Practice and Education in Sydney Ms. Hilary Sullivan
Ms. Rebecca Sinclair
Director of Practice and Education in Mullumbimby Ms. Linda Bailey
Director of Practice and Education in Melbourne Dr. Robert Campbell
Ms. Christine Villias
OUR VALUES
Our values drive us. They include:
- Mindful awareness.
- Responsible participation in professional and social life.
- Respect for others and their rights with dignity.
- Understanding and respecting the importance of the environment.
- Commitment to being sincere and open in our dealings.
- Commitment to strive relentlessly to constantly improve our team.
OUR TEAM
Our team comprises a wide range of people, with widely diversified backgrounds and practice levels with relevant vocational and industry currency. Our team consists of handpicked, qualified professionals who have been selected for their commitment and dedication to providing high levels of service to the world. They are friendly, professional, helpful and skilled and desire to help in various areas to provide enriched surroundings for all our guests, students and staff.
Here at the Health Institute Australia, we function as a true team, working together to create the ultimate healing experience. Each member of the team is as important as the next. From our reception staff, instructors, lecturers, practitioners and therapists to management, we all work together to ensure our students, patients and clients are given the very best product, service and care.
Our global team provides the foundation for our work. Everyday they inspire, energise and support Shanti Yoga and our various programs. They help us realise our vision of transforming the educational paradigm to one that services the whole human being and the planet.
Propagating the vision of Shanti Yoga through respect for and knowledge in the tradition's practice forms and educational path deeply moves me and makes me feel excited. I am so grateful for many things. I have always been inspired, encouraged and feel truly grateful for the people who have influenced the path of my life. I really appreciate being in touch with all my students and cherish my relationship with you. Australia has allowed me to live fully and lovingly, sharing and contributing openly. I am grateful for the unfoldment of my life with the newer tools and technologies that seem perfectly congruent with enjoying the task of building and nurturing holistic education in health care. The vision and values of the Health Institute Australia have an integrated and holistic platform to unleash the life enhancing and health improving message of Yoga, Ayurveda and Meditation. Our team's willingness to support others in their endeavour to study and practice is simply amazing. Thank you!
Shanti Gowans
NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING
Developing Ayurvedically based herbal products and supplements that comply with the rules, regulations and standards of the countries in which we operate has been a strong focus for us. However, I have always known that just herbs and medicines are not enough for natural wellbeing. This is why we are fully dedicated to bring about Health and Wellness Training programs for both individuals for personal health and professionals. Our training and courses are fully compliant with the Australian Quality Training Framework. This means that you can be assured of our commitment to the highest quality education available, and that your qualifications are recognised Australia wide.
FACULTY
Shanti Gowans
PEO, The Meditation Institute, The Health Institute
Shanti Gowans is a gifted, clear-thinking, articulate, spiritual teacher with a gentle, awakened heart. Her work has influenced the domains of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda on a global level. It is transforming, and just to be in her presence is healing, strengthening and clarifying. If you study with her, you will be empowered, uplifted and inspired into your own next level of conscious evolution. Shantiji is a meditation master. Her major life's work has been with yoga. These together with her clinical skills in Ayurveda and the innovation and manufacture of Ayurvedic formulations is seamlessly integrated within the Health Institute Australia. She is the author of over 30 books and has been teaching and mentoring students of holistic, natural and complementary medicine in meditation, yoga and ayurveda for more than 40 years in Australia.
Peter Gowans
Director, Nirvana Wellness Retreat
Peter Gowans worked for the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) in Melbourne for 5 years, where he cut his teeth in television production and film making. He then established a small publication house in Melbourne, Inner Peace Publications, and is now the Managing Director of One World Productions, a highly versatile production company with wide ranging interests in the performing and visual arts, social sector, the corporate world, and films and television. Expertise lies in the area of entertainment which includes Television and Film documentaries and features, Creation and Development of Contemporary Performing, Visual Arts and Literary Publications, and in nurturing new talent across arts forms. Peter Gowans has directed and produced over 1000 hours of a wide range of documentary films and television shows, including drama, art and culture, religious services, sports coverage, news magazines, and lifestyle programmes. He is an active member of the Rotary Club Broadbeach, working to provide support services for Polio Plus, Scooters, Marine reach for the Pacific, Cope (limbs for mine victims in Laos) and for street and working children on the Gold Coast. His Films include: •The Wishfulfiling Tree •The Buddha in India •Sacred Journey •The Soil of Rajasthan •A Tribute to India •Time Out in India •Remembering India •Eye on India •Mumbai Summer •God’s own Country •Where Every Breath is a Prayer •Shared Cultural Heritage of India and Australia •The Art of Historic Fiction • My Self, My World •Adaptations •How they live now
Hilary Sullivan Grad Dip Ed., B.A. Adv Dip Yoga, Cert IV Ayur. Cert IV TAS
Vice Principal. Principal lecturer of Cert IV Yoga and ALC
Hilary obtained her degree in Graphic Design from Swinburne TAFE, and after a career in graphic design obtained her Graduate Diploma in Education at The University of Melbourne. Hilary enjoyed 11 years of teaching computers and graphic design for the Melbourne School of Art and then went on to be course coordinator and teacher in the Adv Dip of Electronic Design and Interactive Media at Swinburn University, coordinating both Lilydale and Wantirna campuses. After a long love affair which included ongoing studies and practice in Yoga and Ayurveda, Hilary taught yoga for The Meditation Institute, Gold Coast, where she was also design consultant and Public Relations coordinator. From 2004-09 Hilary was CEO of City Yoga Studio, Sydney, where she was the principal teacher and practised as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant. Hilary returned to the Gold Coast in 2010 when she completed her Advanced Diploma in Yoga and is currently the Vice Principal of The Health Institute Australia and its public relations coordinator.
Sonja Stauder B.A. Adv Dip Yoga. Adv. Dip Ayur
Director of Education and Studies and Culinary Arts, Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Sonja completed her Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, Melbourne with a double major in Japanese and Law in 1982. She took up training as a Fitness leader with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation in 1985, and has been a student of Shanti Gowans from 1988 which started her intense interest in Yoga and Ayurveda, studying several courses in both. Sonja's hobbies are Bharat Natyam, Bollywood dancing, cooking and proof reading Shantiji's book on Yoga and Ayurveda. She has visited India three times, is the current secretary of AAPA, the Australasia Ayurvedic Practitioner's Association.
Jo-Anne Knight LLB., BA, Dip Yoga.
Jo-Anne Knight has been a student of Shanti Gowans from 2005. Her practice and formal studies in Yoga have qualified her with • Certificate IV in Yoga and Life Education •Diploma in Yoga Teaching and Life Skills •Teaching certification in Shanti Yoga for Children and • Certificate in Hatha Yoga. Jo-Anne is currently studying for her Advanced Diploma in Yoga with The Health Institute Australia, and teaches Shanti Yoga and classical Hatha Yoga classes for adults and a fun and creative Shanti Yoga class for children. Prior to this, Jo-Anne studied Law and Modern Asian Studies at Griffith University 1995-1999 and worked as a solicitor from 2001-2003. Jo-Anne harnesses her qualifications and expertise in the area of human rights as the voluntary secretary of the Management Committee at the Domestic Violence Centre on the Gold Coast.
CEO: Busy Bodies Yoga
Jo-Anne Knight has been a student of Shanti Gowans from 2005. Her practice and formal studies in Yoga have qualified her with • Certificate IV in Yoga and Life Education •Diploma in Yoga Teaching and Life Skills •Teaching certification in Shanti Yoga for Children and • Certificate in Hatha Yoga. Jo-Anne is currently studying for her Advanced Diploma in Yoga with The Health Institute Australia, and teaches Shanti Yoga and classical Hatha Yoga classes for adults and a fun and creative Shanti Yoga class for children. Prior to this, Jo-Anne studied Law and Modern Asian Studies at Griffith University 1995-1999 and worked as a solicitor from 2001-2003. Jo-Anne harnesses her qualifications and expertise in the area of human rights as the voluntary secretary of the Management Committee at the Domestic Violence Centre on the Gold Coast.
Nicole Ugarte Adv Dip Yoga, Cert IV Ayurveda; RN
Nicole Ugarte, is a Director of Naturelink Landscapes and Design a family owned and operated, landscape construction company and plant nursery based in Nerang on the Gold Coast. Nicole went to primary school at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Kensington (Sydney) and then the Star of the Sea, here in Southport, where she obtained her Senior Certificate, and then went on to be a registered nurse. After a career in nursing, spanning from 1984 to 1997, Nicole took a sabbatical to enjoy her family and three children and search for the meaning of life. She came upon Shanti Yoga and has undertaken extensive training with The Meditation Institute and later The Health Institute, qualifying with an Advanced Diploma in Yoga Teaching and Leadership in 2010. En route to her Adv Dip, Nicole has undertaken training and study in several other Yoga and health qualifications, including Children’s Yoga Instructor training, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant and Traditional Ayurvedic Relaxation Massage training. Nicole is a wife, mother of three gorgeous children, loves to travel (she has been to India with Shantiji on two occasions) and teaches yoga at the Shanti Yoga Studio in Southport.
