I fell in love with yoga in 1998 - during my early 20s - having experienced regular bouts of low mood and body dysmorphia. I was never the sporty type, and had gradually become increasingly disengaged from my body, avoiding movement in general. Yoga provided a surprising pathway towards a healthier and happier relationship with my body, and taught me what true relaxation felt like. I started to feel so supported by the practices that I vowed to dedicate myself to sharing the gifts of yoga.

I’ve been a full time yoga facilitator now for more than 13 years, offering group classes, 1-to-1 sessions, retreats and workshops. So you could say that I’m “living the dream” from all those years ago. I’m fascinated by the relationship between postural yoga, breathwork, mental health and nervous-system wellbeing, and I love supporting people on their journey towards greater resilience.

I hold a Diploma of Yoga from Wellpark College of Natural Therapies (2013) and, more recently, trained as a certified Mental Health Aware Yoga Teacher (2022). I believe that yoga offers a profound framework for overall wellbeing, with movement and embodiment, breath and awareness all providing essential tools for modern humans to navigate life with greater ease.

I have taught in community halls, gyms, retirement villages and mental health centres, with mental-health-focused work becoming a particular passion. My six years working at an Auckland maternal mental health centre — offering restorative yoga and relaxation practices to mums experiencing overwhelm — was some of the most rewarding work I have done. Seeing many of them arrive exhausted, depleted, anxious and low, and leave having had space to breathe, relax and just ‘be’, was a joy.

In 2024, I moved from Auckland to the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames, where, with my husband Pete, I’ve co-created our beautiful RiverSong Retreat. I now offer regular community yoga classes here in our peaceful yoga barn, alongside our seasonal wellbeing retreats.

My approach is accessible, inclusive and mental-health aware. I was never very good at boot camp style teaching, and I believe that you know your body better than I do. So a kinder, more gradual approach to yoga ensures the sessions are less about performance or unrealistic extremes, and more about exploring your own inner experience.

"So good for my posture..."

"I love attending Sarah’s yoga classes and notice the difference to my posture and stress levels when I miss a class. Sarah's classes always give me a chance to stretch out the seated posture I spend my working day in. I look forward to the guided relaxation exercises at the end of her classes as she has the perfect voice to help you relax."

- Fiona Hall

"The highlight of my week!"

"Sarah’s classes are the highlight of my week! A beautiful balance between challenge and relaxation, practical release of tension in the body and mind and meditative practise. Sarah is a caring, gentle and highly professional capable teacher who generously continues to bring new elements to class. As the seasons and elements change so do Sarah’s classes, aligning perfectly with the ebbs and flows. Thank you for sharing the teachings with us."

- Zoe