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Our Teachers

IRENE

Irene whose Chinese name is Tsui Lang was born in China and grew up in Brunei but spent much time in Hong Kong with relatives. As a teenager she became seriously ill. Her Chinese herbal doctor in Hong Kong , himself a YOGA practitioner and a man already in his 80’s, recommended YOGA to assist in rebalancing, strengthening and energizing her body. Irene found that under his wise tutelage she regained her health. Understanding that maintaining her healthy body would, for her, be a lifetime commitment, she undertook to study to become a YOGA instructor.

Since 1987 Irene has taught YOGA in Brunei . She teaches Hatha YOGA, with an emphasis on the breath. Irene considers her methods classical, for she tells her students, “there are 300 YOGA positions. These cannot be changed.” Over the years Irene has gained the experience to recognize the specific requirements of individuals and takes pride in helping each achieve their personal objectives.

CATALINA

Geophysicist by profession, mountain and rock climber by choice. Always liked sports (running, spinning, swimming, skiing) but somehow managed to get injured in ALL of them, well not in swimming (yet). Tried Yoga as part of an HSE program at Shell in Houston in 2004 and liked as a complement for running - she liked the stretching and breathing component. Had a hip injury that prevented her from running in the year 2009 but kept spinning/biking/swimming, broke her knee and wrist in a ski accident in the year 2010 that put her out of commission, not being able to run, swim or bike for a long time. It wasn't until coming to Brunei and the Panaga life-style last year (2010), that she started to take up on Yoga seriously as the means of recovering her hip's, knee's and wrist's previous capacity. Thanks to Sirkka's classes and a yoga workshop from Kania (Singapore) she really got into Yoga and all the health benefits it brings along. On February and April 2011 she followed an instructor's course with Cat Kabira and Bex Tyrer here in Brunei together with 13 more women from Panaga and Seria. She's now a "Yoga instructor in training" for the Panaga community. Her preferred style of Yoga is Power Vinyasa Yoga.

SAM EGAN

I came to practice yoga seriously in Shanghai China where I lived and worked for 5 years and this is where my journey and love of yoga began.

I was fortunate enough to have a fantastic Hatha yoga teacher for approx 2 and 1/2 years in Shanghai and it was there I realised I wanted to teach it too. I trained in England for my 200 hour qualification in the summer of 2010  with Zen master 'Julian Diazan Skinner' and became qualified in July of the same year.

I chose to teach hatha because for me hatha yoga encompasses the practice of static physical exercise enabling development physically, physiologically, psychologically, and spiritually.  Amongst other things hatha yoga utilizes stationary postures called asanas and practice of the asanas is said to encourage physical well being, mental discipline, and spiritual growth; all of which I feel privileged to have some knowledge and be able to share that knowledge with others.

ALICE NEWALL

Alice Newall arrived in Brunei in 2010. For five years previously she was practicing Ashtanga Yoga in Egypt: on the beaches, on the rooftops and in old colonial villas.

Despite early yoga classes as a 10 year old, the opportunity to practice yoga again didn’t present itself  until almost 30 years later. Noticing how her friends who were practicing yoga were overcoming their battles with poor posture,  troublesome skin and stress, Alice gave Yoga another go.

Recently Alice has experienced a variety of yoga styles: Forest, Vinyasa Flow,  Partner yoga, Hatha Flow, Pranayama, Meditation and Seva. She brings to Panaga Yoga Section a fusion of yoga to encourage, strengthen, cleanse and awaken you.  She invites you to take a walk towards the deeper dimensions of yogic living and breathing!