The Shanti Yoga Team
Shanti Gowans
CEO
Yoga Teacher Trainer
Our team is led by CEO Shanti Gowans, born in India. After completing her BA at the University of Mumbai, Shanti spent several years travelling around the world as an international guest speaker with global and cosmic perspectives. Whilst on the speakers' circuit, Shanti taught and lectured with Deepak Chopra in Sydney, Australia.
Shanti also brought the concepts and practices of a healthy body and still mind to thousands of Australians through her Yoga and Meditation programs which appeared on Australian national television for 3½ years on channel 10. Shanti Gowans is truly a remarkable and inspirational teacher and has developed life-changing courses with true dedication and respect for the ancient and authentic science of yoga and ayurveda.
Read more about Shanti
Peter Gowans
Dip Ayurveda
Financial director for The Health Institute Australasia
Director, Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat
CEO One World Productions
Peter Gowans is the student financial director for The Health Institute Australasia. He owns and operates the beautiful Nirvana Wellness Retreat in the hinterland of the Gold Coast. Peter Gowans holds a Diploma in Ayurveda from his studies with Prof. P.H. Kulkarni.
Peter Gowans' interest in Yoga, Ayurveda and everything Indian was inflamed when he met Shantiji in 1972. In 1976 he was initiated by Swami Rudranandaji of the Ramakrishna Mission, and since then has actively dedicated himself to the spiritual path and has opened up pathways for aspirants to travel to sacred placed in India and attend the beautiful Nirvana Wellness Retreat, which he owns and operates in the hinterland of the Gold Coast. Peter Gowans holds a Diploma in Ayurveda from his studies with Prof. P.H. Kulkarni. He is the student financial director for Health Institute Australasia.
In his 'other' profession, Peter Gowans is the CEO of the highly versatile One World Productions, with wide-ranging interests in the performing and visual arts. Having worked for the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) in Melbourne, where he cut his teeth in television production and filmmaking, Gowans has directed and produced a wide range of documentary films and features, drama, art and culture, religious services, sports coverage, news magazines, and lifestyle programmes.
Peter Gowans has a passion for social justice and improving the lives of people through community initiatives. He is an active member of the Rotary Club Broadbeach, working to provide support services for a plethora of charity work including 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.
Hilary Sullivan
Grad Dip Ed., B.A. Adv Dip Yoga, Cert IV Ayur. Cert IV TAS.
Vice Principal. Principal lecturer for Cert IV Ayurveda at the Health Institute Australasia
Hilary has a background in teaching yoga and ayurveda. She is currently the Vice Principal of the Health Institute Australasia and its public relations coordinator.
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 Health Institute Australasia and its public relations coordinator. Hilary visited Indian with Shantiji and is current secretary of AAPA, the Australasian Ayurvedic Practitioners Association.
Sonja Stauder
B.A. (Japanese and Law). Adv Dip Yoga. Adv. Dip Ayur, Cert IV in Business Studies
Director of Education and Studies and Culinary Arts, The Health Institute Australasia,
Ayurvedic Practitioner
Sonja Stauder is the director of Education and Studies and Culinary Arts at the Health Institute Australasia. She is the current treasurer of AAPA, the Australasia Ayurvedic Practitioner's Association.
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 books on Yoga and Ayurveda.
She has visited India five times and is the current treasurer of AAPA, the Australasian Ayurvedic Practitioners Association.
Dr. Manish Patwardhan
M.D. (Ayu), F.I.I.M
Ayurvedic Studies Adviser @ the Health Institute Australasia
CEO Spa Consultants, India
Joint Director: Institute of Indian Medicine
Dr. Manish Patwardhan is an Ayurvedic Physician and Consultant and a postgraduate doctor in Ayurveda, who has undertaken studies in the medical school for 9 years. He has been teaching and consulting for the Health Institute Australasia since 1996. During this time Dr. Patwardhan has worked in management with the development and manufacture of natural and organic Ayurvedic products.
He has been joint Director of the Institute of Medicine, a faculty member of Ayurveda Academy, Pune, India, and is currently the CEO of Spa Consultants, the largest Spa Consultancy in the Indian subcontinent with a high profile in the training of Ayurvedic spa therapies. He is the President of Indian Spa and Wellness Association (ISWA) and the 'Association Liaison’ of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC).
A keen observer, good analyser, precise planner and an excellent executor and teacher, Dr. Patwardhan has brought Health Institute Australasia's program in Ayurveda to newer heights. He is the brainchild behind HIA's Diploma of Leadership and Management, specialisation Spa.
Rebecca Sinclair
BA Psychology Syd Uni
Grad Dip Business, University of NSW
Adv Dip in Holistic Counselling QMAC
Adv Dip of Psychotherapy QMAC
Adv Dip Yoga TMI. Gold Coast
Cert IV ALC. HIA. Gold Coast
I'm a Sydney girl born and bred and over the years I have developed a passion for Yoga, my life changed forever when I met Shantiji. In the early days I trained with Shantiji and then developed a small yoga studio which I nurtured for 9 years.
During my working life I held a variety of marketing roles both internationally and locally in small and large companies. Now I am combining my passion for Shanti Yoga with my marketing expertise as Marketing Manager.
Dalal Soltan
B.Ph.Sc.
Office Administrator, Shanti Yoga Health Institute Australasia
Born in Egypt, Dalal grew up in UAE until she graduated from high school. Dalal studied pharmaceutical science for 5 years in Egypt (Assiut University), where she graduated in 2004.
After working as a Pharmacist in the UAE for 8 years, Dalal came to Australia with her family (her husband and 2 kids), and she has been working at the Shanti Yoga Centre since February 2016.
After graduating from Assuit University in Egypt in 2004, Dalal went back to the UAE where she met her husband, and worked (from 2005 - Nov 2013) as:
Trainee pharmacist
Registered Secondary Pharmacist
Registered Chief Pharmacist
Manager of a pharmacy
Dalal then came to Australia with her family (her husband and 2 kids), and she has been working at the Shanti Yoga Centre since February 2016.
Sue Green
Adv Dip Yoga, Cert IV TAS
Lecturer for Cert IV Yoga and Life Education & Cert IV Workplace Assessment and Training
Sue Green hails from high-level management in the hospitality industry, where she has worked for over 20 years. Sue has been teaching yoga for the Shanti Yoga Health Institute Australasia since 2010.
Sue Green hails from high-level management in the hospitality industry, where she has worked for over 20 years, and brings her successful employment history in training and assessment and passionate commitment to a healthy lifestyle to HIA. Whilst in Canberra, the Capital City of Australia, Sue has been involved in delivering training for the hospitality, fitness and administration sectors, working in the Fitness Industry from 2000-2010, including her employment as an Executive Officer for the Australian Council of Physical Health and Recreation (ACPHR). Before emigrating to the Gold Coast, Sue studied for her Arts/Science Degree from the Australian National University with subjects such as Politics, Cultural Studies, Psychology and Women’s Studies.
Sue started her love affair with yoga in 2001 and has been a student of Shantiji since. Sue is now resident on the Gold Coast and has been teaching yoga for the Health Institute Australasia since 2010. In her other life outside Yoga, Sue works at the Library in Bond University. Health Institute Australasia is pleased to welcome Sue's calm, mature and well-balanced approach to life and her multi-tasking skills and contribution to the lecturing team at Shanti Yoga Health Institute Australasia.
Cheryl Anne Stubbs
Adv Dip Yoga, Dip Yoga Teaching, Remedial Massage
Lecturer for Diploma of Yoga Teaching
Cheryl commenced Shanti Yoga™ in 2005 and obtained her Cert IV in Yoga and Life Education in 2008, and her Diploma in Yoga Teaching in 2010 from the Health Institute Australasia. Cheryl is currently finishing her Advanced Diploma in Yoga Teaching and has embarked upon study for facilitating Meditation part 1 this year with the Health Institute Australasia.
Cheryl Stubbs has been a horse manager, trainer, personal dressage coach and connected with just about everything equestrian since childhood.
Cheryl obtained her certificate in remedial massage from the Health Schools Australia, Qld. in 1988, and certificates in Human Health Sciences from the University of New England, NSW in 1999. Her love of nature took her to Africa, where she obtained her certificate in Game Ranging from the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre, South Africa in 2003.
Cheryl commenced Shanti Yoga™ in 2005 and obtained her Cert IV in Yoga and Life Education in 2008, and her Diploma in Yoga Teaching in 2010 from the Health Institute Australasia. Cheryl is currently finishing her Advanced Diploma in Yoga Teaching and has embarked upon study for facilitating Meditation part 1 this year with the Health Institute Australasia. We welcome Cheryl to the team of accomplished yoga teachers.
Louise Hall
B.Ed Mus, L Mus A, Adv.Dip Yoga, Cert IV in Small Business
Artistic Director, Theatre LOTE Fantastique
Louise began studying yoga with Shanti Gowans twenty-five years ago, when she was teaching in secondary schools and performing. After completing a yoga teacher training course in 1992, she went on to teach yoga in schools and in community centres in Melbourne.
Louise began studying yoga with Shanti Gowans twenty-five years ago, when she was teaching in secondary schools and performing. After completing a yoga teacher training course in 1992, she went on to teach yoga in schools and in community centres in Melbourne.
In 1999 after living and working as an actress and theatre student in the UK, Louise moved to Sydney to co-manage and teach at City Yoga Studio, Sydney.
Professionally Louise has also worked as a music teacher, playwright, composer, director, performer, and business owner of a language-based theatre-in-education company Theatre LOTE Fantastique!
Lyn Moore
Dip Library & Info Studies,
Dip. Yoga Teaching,
Cert IV Yoga Ed.,
Cert IV TAE
Lyn had the privilege of studying under Yoga master Shanti Gowans at the Meditation Institute/ Health Institute of Australia from 2000-2006, attaining a Certificate IV in Yoga Education and Diploma of Yoga Teaching.
has taught Yoga for the Meditation Institute at centres in Southport, Merrimac, and Harbour Town.
Lyn discovered Shanti Yoga™ on the Gold Coast in 1998 and has been a student ever since. Lyn had the privilege of studying under Yoga master Shanti Gowans at the Meditation Institute/ Health Institute of Australia from 2000-2006. Attaining a Diploma of Yoga Teaching, and Certificate IV in Yoga Education.
Beyond Yoga Lyn has a Diploma of Library and Information Studies, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and a full-time job as Manager, Customer Services at the Bond University Library. Lyn is deeply grateful to find Shanti Yoga™ and the Shanti Yoga Health Institute Australasia. Lyn has taught Yoga for the Meditation Institute at centres in Southport, Merrimac, and Harbour Town.
Lynanne McKenzie
M.Ed., BA., Pregnancy Yoga, Dip Yoga
Lynanne’s yoga journey was inspired by the authenticity, compassion and guidance of Shantiji and the teachers at the Shanti Yoga Centre. She has studied Cert. IV in Yoga, followed by the Diploma in Yoga Teaching.
The traditional living principles and teachings of yoga resonate with her; in particular the principles of compassion for all living things, non-violence, and truthfulness which have been embraced as an integral part of her life.
Lynanne’s yoga journey was inspired by the authenticity, compassion and guidance of Shantiji and the teachers at the Shanti Yoga Centre. She has studied Certificate IV in Yoga, followed by the Diploma in Yoga Teaching. The traditional living principles and teachings of yoga resonate with her; in particular the principles of compassion for all living things, non-violence, and truthfulness which have been embraced as an integral part of her life.
Beyond yoga Lynanne is a wife, the mother of three adult children and has a fulfilling job in research development, supporting members of the Griffith Institute of Educational Research at Griffith University. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University with a double major in urban geography and Australian history and a Master of Education from QUT. She is currently researching in the area of distributed leadership.
Life is a journey and regular yoga practice supports and enhances that journey. Lynanne cherishes the opportunity to share this understanding and experience with others willing to grow with her.
Christine Starmer
Higher Art Certificate, Wollongong College of Fine Art. Cert IV TAE
Christine currently teaches mandala construction and creative arts at The Health Institute and Nirvana Wellness Retreat (2011-current).
Christine is passionate and enthusiastic about what she teaches which is conveyed through the wonderful art work that her students create. Even total beginners feel a sense of achievement with Christine's encouragement.
Born in the U.K., Christine Starmer's life has revolved around creative art, theatre and dance. 1n 1983 Christine graduated with a 3 year Higher Art Certificate from Woollongong College of Fine Art, where she studied painting, life drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture and art history.
Since then Christine has travelled to London and Paris in pursuit of inspiration from the world's finest artists and has had group and solo exhibitions in several art galleries, including being a yearly exhibitor in the Jupiter's Art Prize and the Gold Coast City Council and Art Gallery. Her most recent solo exhibition was in 2013 at Welch Street Art Gallery, Gold Coast.
Christine has also been engaged in the construction of stage sets, costume design and masks, for performances and eisteddfod, Expo 88 Brisbane, Labrador Primary School (1997-2001), Silkwood Steiner School (2001-2005), and murals at Southport High School and Benowa High School (2005), with ongoing domestic commissions for murals.
Christine currently teaches mandala construction and creative arts at The Health Institute and Nirvana Wellness Retreat (2011-current). Christine is passionate and enthusiastic about what she teaches which is conveyed through the wonderful artwork that her students create. Even total beginners feel a sense of achievement with Christine's encouragement.
Nicole Ugarte
Adv Dip Yoga, Cert IV Ayurveda; RN
Director: Naturelink Landscapes and Design
Nicole came upon Shanti Yoga™ and has undertaken extensive training with the Meditation Institute and later Health Institute Australasia, 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 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 Health Institute Australasia, 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 three occasions) and teaches yoga at the Shanti Yoga Centre in Southport.
Dr. Shilpi Bose Roy
BAMS
Dr. Shilpi Bose Roy BAMS is an experienced, trusted, patient-focused doctor with a long history of serving patients by successfully diagnosing and treating them with Ayurvedic medicines, procedures, lifestyle and dietary changes and exercises, suggesting and conducting panchkarma (various massages, sudation and enema) therapies as required on the basis of their diagnosis, with good knowledge of Allopathic medicines as well.
Dr. Shilpi Bose Roy BAMS is an experienced, trusted, patient-focused doctor with a long history of serving patients by successfully diagnosing and treating them with Ayurvedic medicines, procedures, lifestyle and dietary changes and exercises, suggesting and conducting panchkarma (various massages, sudation and enema) therapies as required on the basis of their diagnosis, with good knowledge of Allopathic medicines as well.
Her previous experience was in helping with general surgeries, deft in the day-to-day management of ICU (Intensive Care Unit), Gynecology and Obstetrics and is an expert in maintaining the daily report/records of patients.
Dr. Swapnil Daspute
MBA. BAMS. FIIM
Dr. Daspute qualified with his Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery in Dec 2005, and was honoured as a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Medicine in February 2011. He completed an MBA course in 2012, and is registered with state council of Indian Medicine.
Dr. Daspute works closely with Dr. Manish Patwardhan and is Director of Pre-Opening, Training and Quality at Spa Consultants, India.
- CEO and Founder, Health Institute Australasia, Mrs Shanti Gowans
- Director, NirvanaWellness Sanctuary, Mr Peter Gowans, CEO, One World Productions
- Ayurvedic Studies Adviser Dr. Manish Patwardhan, BAMS, CEO Spa Consultants
- Ayurvedic Studies, Short Courses Dr. Swapnil Daspute MBA. BAMS. FIIM
- Ayurvedic Studies, Weekend revisions, Dr. Shilpi Boseroy BAMS
- Ayurvedic Studies, Diploma. Ms Hilary Sullivan GradDipEd. B.A. Adv.Dip.Yoga, Dip. Ayur
- Mental Health Adviser Ms Pam McAsey, M.A. Clinical Psychologist
- Director of Practice & Education Qld. Ms Sonja Stauder, B.A. Adv Dip Yoga. Adv. Dip Ayur
- Director of Practice & Education Syd. Ms. Rebecca Sinclair, CEO, City Yoga Studio, Sydney
- Director of Practice & Education Mullum. Ms. Linda Bailey, CEO Yoga Peace Centre, Mullumbimby
- Director of Practice & Education Melbourne Dr. Robert Campbell
- Adviser, Melbourne Ms. Christine Villiers, CEO, Southern Yoga & Health Centre
- Adviser, Melbourne Ms Linda Leah, M.A., CEO Yoga Dance, Melbourne
- Director of Classical Indian Dance Ms Kamala Shakti, B.A. B.Ed, CEO Padma, A Step Ahead
- Director of Languages, Communications, Performing Arts, Music and Drama, Ms Louise Hall, B.Ed Mus, L Mus A, Adv.Dip Yoga
- Research Adviser Dr. Shane McIver, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne