fbpx

About Us

We are dedicated to excellence in Yoga therapy education, that is delivered in a professional, friendly, inclusive and supportive environment, by exceptional, highly experienced educators.

Our Vision

Our vision is to change lives by inspiring, educating and empowering Yoga therapists and teachers. We provide exceptional training in Yoga therapy so you can make a difference and gain confidence. Yoga Therapy Institute provides a range of educational and inspiring courses where you can learn, meet and interact with the Yoga therapy community.

Trina Bawden-Smith

Trina Bawden-Smith

Founder

The creative heart behind the Yoga Therapy Institute is Trina Bawden-Smith. Trina’s passion is for connecting people and building communities. Her vision and passion for her work ensures that every course, workshop or training is imbued with her love and warmth. That every participant feels welcome and every detail is attended to. And that people talk about her courses for years after they have finished and often tell her that her courses changed their life.

Trina is a much loved member of the Yoga and Ayurveda community and counts many respected Yoga therapists, teachers and organisations amongst her friends, including Yoga Australia, IYTA, Australasian Association of Yoga Therapists, International Yoga Therapists Association, Meditation Events, Quest for Life Foundation, Dru Yoga, Australian Yoga Life magazine and countless Yoga therapists and teachers working in their communities.

Trina holds a Diploma in Event Management, Bachelors Degree in Commerce, and a Masters degree in Arts in International Relations. Trina also completed a Yoga Instructors Certificate from the research-based Vivekananda Yoga Research and Therapy Centre (Svyasa) in Bangalore, India and undertook an Ayurveda lifestyle consultant’s course in Sydney. Trina is natural organiser and leader and has had a strong interest in yoga, meditation and eastern philosophy from a young age. Trina taught Yoga for a number of years before starting the Yoga Therapy Institute gaining a reputation for her guided relaxations and her love for her students.

Where it all began

Yoga Therapy Institute began as Enlightened Events in 2009. In 2020 we became the Yoga Therapy Institute, which better reflects who we have become – Australasia’s leading provider of Yoga therapy education. 

Over the past decade, we have conducted our acclaimed Graduate Certificate in Yoga Therapy more than 25 times in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and online. We are so proud of the more than 300 yoga therapists we have trained around Australia and the world. These Yoga therapists are making a massive difference in their communities and they have gained more confidence so they can help more people safely and effectively. This life-changing course is delivered by an awesome team of highly qualified and experienced educators – Sal Flynn, Louise Godfrey, Liz Williams and Lisa Blanch.

Since 2010 we have held hundreds of successful training courses and events all over Australia and some internationally. We have had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most respected Yoga therapists and teachers, including Judith Hanson Lasater, Donna Farhi, Dr. Timothy McCall, Dr. Richard Miller, Amy Weintraub, and Dr. Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa. We continue to work with the world’s most prolific Yoga researcher, scientist Dr. Shirley Telles. We have featured at our events top Australian doctors and scientists including wellness pioneer, Professor Marc Cohen, mind-body medicine and mindfulness expert, Dr. Craig Hassed. Wellness pioneer and inspirational speaker and author, Petrea King. Leading Australian Yoga teachers and therapists, including Sal Flynn, mindfulness expert and leading Yoga therapy educator; Dr. Swami Shankardev; Simon Borg-Olivier, Australia’s most famous Yoga celebrity; Eve Grzybowski, Australia’s Yoga legend; Leigh Blashki, former President of Yoga Australia and international Yoga therapy pioneer; Annette Loudon, Australia’s leading Yoga, breast cancer and lymphoedema specialist; and Dr. Michael de Manincor, leading Yoga teacher trainer and specialist in anxiety. Top Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners, including Caroline Robertson, Dr. Shaun Matthews and Farida Irani.

We have also helped build Australasia’s Yoga therapy community through the pioneering, highly acclaimed Australasian Yoga Therapy Conference, which we have run eight times since 2011. This conference is the premier Yoga therapy event in Australia is at the cutting edge of the fast expanding field of Yoga therapy. 

Yoga Therapy Institute continues to educate and inspire our community, by bringing you life-changing, enlightening courses and events.

Upcoming Events

Pin It on Pinterest