Our Story
Melbourne Yoga Academy is the training division of Yoga 8, Melbourne; offering the highest quality yoga courses and trainings since 2014.
Our Yoga Alliance, internationally recognised courses, are renowned for their depth of subject as well as for the clarity and vision of their presentation; with professional course resources second to none that you will treasure for years to come.
Our mission is to provide you with a deeply rooted appreciation and understanding of yoga’s rich history and varied traditions so you can apply this ancient science to the betterment of your life; as well as share it with others should you choose to follow the path of teaching.
We believe that it is through understanding and application that insight and truth are revealed, therefore our courses include both theory and practice - in measures suitable to each course subject.
Our offerings are always in person (never online) face to face immersive experiences that encourage the best possible outcomes for you. Our methods produce outstanding results: through direct and personal feedback - to ensure you are absorbing the teachings; and through supported conversation and group discussion sessions - holding space for you and each unique voice that is sharing the course with you. For this reason, although each course maintains the same core teachings, each intake evolves its own special meaning because of your contribution and the contribution of your peers.
At MYA you will come to see that yoga is so much more than the sum of its parts, and so we warmly invite you into our space and hearts to learn and to share, so that we may help you unlock your incredible potential and achieve your goals.
Founders and lead trainers, Jamie & Karen welcome you to Melbourne Yoga Academy.
Our dedicated team of trainers and support staff include experienced yoga teachers across a wide range of yoga specialty subjects to deliver you world class training. We also invite recent graduates of our courses to sit in and share with you their particular experience of the course you are attending, to give you personal insight into where your learning can take you - and how quickly.
One, or both, of our two lead trainers, Jamie and Karen, will always be your main course guide, giving you an ongoing senior mentor to come back to, even long after your study with us ends.
Read more about Jamie and Karen below…
-
Karen Bicchierai - ERYT 500 PLUS
CO-FOUNDER & LEAD TRAINER
Karen has been practising yoga for 30 years and graduated her first teacher training in 2006 through the Haṭha Yoga lineage of Gīta Yoga – Australia’s first full time yoga school. Karen also has certifications in Bikram Yoga and Yin Yoga.
For Karen, embodying the teachings of yoga is paramount. With this as her mantra she continues to draw inspiration from her daily yoga sādhana which is reflected in the power of her āsana, kriya, prānāyāma and meditation teaching.
Karen has a special talent for verbal clarity and instructional language in her own teaching; as well as in the way she guides and trains aspirational, beginning, and experienced yoga teachers.
Her missile-accurate and concise feedback is praised by students of our courses as the key to removing self-doubt whilst simultaneously helping to develop a teaching voice unique to themselves.
Karen will fast-track your confidence, improve your own awareness of your yoga practice, and cultivate your skillset as a teacher of yoga.
-
Jamie Strathairn - ERYT 500 PLUS / RYT 100 YIN
CO-FOUNDER & LEAD TRAINER
Jamie began his yoga journey as a student of Bikram Yoga. After suffering ruptured spinal discs (non-yoga related) and being forced to re-evaluate his wellness at a deep level, Jamie left a successful corporate career to focus on health and wellness modalities.
Enrolling with The Australian Shiatsu College he began to study Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. This led him to deeper trainings in Yin Yoga guided by Jo Phee and Joe Barnett (senior assistants to Yin Yoga founder, Paul Grilley), Bernie Clark, and others.
Jamie has since studied advanced Yin Yoga courses (anatomy and the energetics of the human body), as well countless immersions into the teachings of Yoga History and Philosophy.
The cross pollination of Jamie’s knowledge and teaching experience brings a hands on approach with an intimate understanding of the healing nature of Yoga, its rich teachings, and human wellness.
Jamie also also holds a BA from The University of South Australia and a Post Graduate Diploma from The University of Melbourne - both in the Social Sciences.