What led you from Australia to the UK?

I found the nightlife scene in Australia, and after falling in love with it, decided to pursue the DJ life and made the move to London to study electronic music production. I have a deep love and connection with music, always have, and was often searching for ways to express that. When I found DJing it was game over.

How did you get into rocket yoga?

My mother was a yoga teacher so its practises and teachings were always there. She used to teach my friends and me when we were growing up. As I got older, things began to shift. I always felt what my mom explained to me was helpful but it didn’t resonate until I was at the point in my life where I needed a change.

My first love of yoga was actually Ashtanga, which is a dynamic sequence that teaches a very strong foundation through breath and repetition. It was created by Patthabi Jois and is one of the first styles of physical yoga to reach westerners. It’s a moving meditation. Rocket is an adaptation of the ashtanga sequence, invented by late Californian yoga teacher Larry Schulz, which keeps the skeleton but allows teachers and practitioners to adapt and modify the sequence. It’s more playful and rebellious, and I loved the balance of tradition and innovation.

How does one go from DJ to yoga master?

DJing took me to some crazy places, gave me some wild experiences, and created some beautiful memories and connections. But I began to become tired of the business side of things. It lost the magic for me.

A tricky relationship and a break-up triggered a spiral of dark times. Without going too much into detail, I fell into a space of hating myself, developing body image issues, being filled with anxiety, and just feeling depressed. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. It hit me how bad I was when my best mate pulled me aside for a chat. I decided to pick myself up and make some changes, incorporating meditation and yoga into my life. Fast forward two years and I headed to India to do my 200-HR in Ashtanga and Vinyasa. Teaching and practising are like nothing I have ever experienced and yet it gives me the same high as when I would play in a nightclub. Now I incorporate the tools and skills I have learnt into my classes, curating unique soundtracks for that lift. I practise and teach with a bit of a party vibe!

How has the outlook on wellness changed, since Covid?

It’s definitely reinforced by a lot of encouragement to keep both mind and body healthy in both psychological and physical practises, but really the importance of taking care of our inner wellness. It also really highlighted how vital friends and family and societal interactions are in keeping our state of wellbeing strong.

How has it affected you?

The biggest part has been the separation from my family. It’s been the hardest, especially watching siblings grow up from afar. I also miss the weather and the quality of food and, of course, the nature and the beach. But for the most part, Covid really set me loose on what was actually possible teaching and opening up my world, both in life and business. I was fortunate to have spent most of my time travelling around Europe and Mexico. It made me think outside the box about how I can develop my teaching and interact with people as well as how I want to live my life.

“For an expat, home is never as simple as one place.”

How do you see fitness vs healthiness or wellness?

For me it’s everything. Fitness is key, but really living a healthy and sustainable life for me is vital. I was lucky enough to grow up with two health-conscious parents, so for me it’s embedded in my life. Being conscious about my body, about what I eat, and how I am keeping my mind are critical. All need to sync together for the whole thing to work. It’s learning how to tune into the more subtle nature and voices of our inner self and letting that guide the life we live.

Any words of wisdom?

Live a life that is authentic to you, whatever that looks like. For you are the only person who gets to look back on it all at the end of the road. Be of service to others for it’s not about the ‘you’. But maintain value to yourself and your needs.

Where is home now?

For an expat, home is never as simple as one place. Home is with the people you love – part of my heart will always be in Australia with my family, and part will be in London with the amazing people I’ve met. I’m lucky to have travelled a lot, and I find my home anywhere through community, friendship and sharing space.

So East End or West End?

I’m an East Londoner. I live in Shoreditch and love the buzz, the mix of cultures and the creative vibes.

Expat or a local?

For me: Expat. My mum moved over to the other side of Australia when she was around 26 and I think that always plays a part in my thinking that you grew up somewhere and then left to explore the world and decide your home. It’s a crazy concept for me to be in the same place you grew up in. In saying that, I love what local communities have and share.