OUR TEACHERS

kat decourcy - studio owner, yoga, Mat Pilates & Qi gong teacher

Kat is the founder of Village Yoga & Pilates and a 300+ hour Yoga, Mat Pilates and Qi Gong teacher with a passion for helping people move well, age well and find genuine connection through movement.

Kat discovered yoga at the age of 30. Although building a consistent practice didn’t come easily, yoga became the one thing she kept returning to, providing balance, resilience and perspective throughout almost three decades in a demanding corporate career.

Over the years, Kat has completed a range of yoga teacher trainings and continues to expand her knowledge across complementary movement disciplines. She believes that movement should evolve with us throughout life and is passionate about helping people build strength, mobility, balance and confidence to support healthy ageing.

Having now completely traded corporate life for Village, you’ll usually find Kat teaching Yin Yoga, Qi Gong and Mat Pilates, planning the next community event or finding new ways to bring people together. She believes that movement is just the beginning, and that connection, laughter and a genuine sense of belonging are at the heart of a happy, healthy life. Kat’s vision is to build a genuine third space where people feel welcomed, supported and connected—a community where movement is the beginning, friendships flourish, laughter is shared and healthy ageing is embraced together.

Mercia Cloete - head teacher, yoga, reformer & mat pilates teacher

Mercia has been practicing Yoga since her early teens as a National Swimmer. She has a BSc in Zoology, Human Physiology and Nutrition, and over 500 hours of Teacher Training in the Ashtanga-Vinyasa System and Yin Yoga.

Mercia has been facilitating Cacao Ceremonies, Women’s Circles and community mindfulness events for years, encouraging understanding of self and connection to the local community as a fundamental pillar to holistic health.

She is passionate about the unique ability our yoga practice has to build strength and flexibility in the body and mind, creating deeper connection, understanding, compassion and trust in Self, whilst nurturing a spiritual connection to (God/Mother Earth/the Universe) however that expresses itself to the individual. All with a healthy dose of laughter, and a reminder to not take it all too seriously. She loves any opportunity to PLAY. When not in studio find her galivanting outdoors with her dogs, enjoying a surf, creating connection events for the local community, or playing games with friends and family.

Becky Murray - yoga, Reformer & Mat Pilates teacher & PT

Dedicated to supporting individuals to rediscover their strength, power, and inner wisdom. With over a decade of experience guiding mindful movement and self-connection, Becky offers Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Mat & Reformer Pilates, Meditation & Breathwork, Zen Thai Influences as well as Functional Neurology practices to create transformative experiences that ground, nourish, and support clients in their journey of rediscovering who they are.

Drawing from such a diverse range of modalities as well as from her passion for holistic well-being and intuitive practice, Becky’s heart-centered approach fosters a safe and welcoming space guiding clients to move, breathe, and live with more intention & most importantly, joy.

David Hardy - yoga teacher

David has been a student of yoga since 2009 when he discovered that a regular yoga practice relieved chronic back pain and sciatica. In 2019 he completed his 200hr Yoga Teacher Training and began teaching the same year. He has since completed a 110hr Meditation Teacher Training and an additional 300hr YTT. David is also a creative Visual Artist and Signmaker.

David believes our life experience is directly related to what we choose to practice each day. Using the tools that yoga provides, everyday becomes another opportunity to direct energy towards our greatest life. He enjoys creating a safe, grounded atmosphere for students to explore and deepen their own practice. His soothing voice and grounded energy makes each class a deep experience and connection to self, not to be missed.

Karren Perry - yoga teacher & yoga therapist

Karren has been a practitioner of Yoga since the late 90’s. She came to Yoga first to relieve the physical pain of sciatica and knew this was the path she must follow. Years of exploring various styles of Yoga led to her first training in Hatha Yoga in 2008, she began teaching in 2009.

In the following years her interest in the therapeutic aspects of Yoga grew, the ability to heal through the practice was something she was extremely curious about. After two years travelling overseas, Karren returned in 2014 to embark on a three year post graduate diploma in Yoga Therapy with one of the most accomplished teachers in this field, Dr. N. Chandrasekaran, in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya. In recent years, Karren has completed hundreds of hours of training in Traditional Hatha Yoga, enjoying the immersion of study and the opportunity for personal growth and evolution. Humbled to always be a student, Karren continues to study Yoga Philosophy, Sanskrit and Vedic Chanting, with a particular interest in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, which is often the inspiration behind her class themes. Her dedication to her own daily practice and the choice to live life according to the principles of Yoga shine through in her life and her classes. It is her hope, as a teacher, to inspire and hold space for all to enjoy their own experience.

Hang Nhan - Yoga, Qi Gong & Mat Pilates teacher

Hailing from Canada as a former secondary and tertiary school teacher, Hang’s style of teaching is inclusive, fun and full of wisdom. Her classes are inspired from her personal experience in fitness, yoga anatomy, acupressure, massage, Reiki, mixed martial arts, and various styles of yoga and Qi Gong including her first love, the Lohan’s system of Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocades).

Hang’s teachings and workshops are joyful, nurturing, and dynamic. Be prepared to laugh or at least smile in Hang’s classes. She focuses on good alignment, stability, and breath to help connect to the highest form of mindfulness. Hang often reminds students that, “There’s no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” Hang follows the teachings of Zen teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh and regularly visits Plum Village Monastery in various parts of the world to deepen her mindfulness practice with her life and work partner, Sarah, and their two young children. In 2013, they co-founded saigon om, a holistic school offering all things wellness in Canada, Vietnam, and Australia.

Maureen Jensen - yoga & Qi Gong teacher

From Maureen’s early adult life she has always had a fascination and interest in exploring spiritual enrichment, eastern cultures and philosophy. The love of movement and learning has led her to be a passionate student and teacher. She started the journey in her early twenties as a student in a Traditional Japanese Martial Art and then instructing for 10 years. Attending various styles of yoga classes spasmodically led to a more regular practice after becoming injured with knee and back issues and being introduced to Yin yoga.

Being drawn to learn, Maureen studied with knowledgeable teachers the traditions, philosophy, tools, techniques and methods of Hatha yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Yin yoga & Myofascia Release and Yoga & Traditional Chinese Medicine. Maureen’s classes oﬀer a variety of traditional and modern practices in movement, breath work, meditation and a sprinkling of philosophy weaved into the class. Her teaching style is to support students to create a mind and body connection using breath and movement and explore, challenge and create their own unique form of yoga. Her mantra in class is “you do you“.

Jasmine (Jazzy) Clement - Reformer & Mat Pilates teacher

With a lifelong background in movement, Jasmine brings a deep passion for mindful, strength-based practice to every class. Jasmine has been practicing Pilates since her early teens and has spent her entire life as a dancer, training and performing competitively.

Jasmine currently teaches Ballet, Aerial Pilates, and Reformer Pilates, blending precision, artistry, and functional strength. Her goal is to create classes that are challenging, empowering, and accessible—helping students move with confidence, control, and grace both in and out of the studio.

Ava Chiarella - yoga, reformer & mat pilates teacher & PT

Ava is a qualified personal trainer with a cert 3 & 4 in Fitness along with Yoga, Mat and Reformer Pilates certifications. I believe Pilates is a powerful tool for changing the body and mind and love the community aspect of group classes.

My teaching style is very technique focused and I aim to help my clients learn about movement patterns, correct alignment and breathing technique so they can tune in to their own bodies. I like to empower people with my guidance to help incorporate movement regularly into their lifestyle as something they enjoy.

Jackie fox - reformer & mat pilates teacher & PT

Jackie has been teaching group fitness since 2008 and first turned to Pilates to balance out the intensity of her strength and cardio classes. What began as a way to give her body a break soon became one of her favourite ways to move, helping her develop a deep appreciation for the benefits of moving with control and alignment.

Her classes blend intentional movement, postural awareness, steady breath and functional strength that supports you well beyond the reformer. Jackie enjoys helping people feel confident, capable and more connected to their bodies. With many years of experience teaching all ages and abilities, her classes are welcoming and inclusive, offering plenty of options so everyone can find a level that feels good for them.

magdalena szczerek -yoga, reformer & mat pilates teacher

With over 20 years of international teaching experience across Europe, South America, Asia and Australia, Magdalena brings depth, precision and intuitive intelligence to every class she leads.

Her background spans Mat & Reformer Pilates, Yin and Zen Yoga, mindful strength training and nervous system-based recovery practices. She is passionate about helping clients build strength without tension, move with greater awareness, and reconnect to their bodies in a way that feels both empowering and sustainable. Magdalena’s classes blend strong, intelligent sequencing with breath awareness and subtle cues that invite deeper embodiment. Expect focused, flowing movement, refined technique, and moments of grounding stillness woven throughout. Her approach supports not only physical strength and posture, but resilience, balance and long-term wellbeing. She believes movement is more than exercise — it is a pathway back to yourself.

Sofie Avilez - reformer & mat pilates teacher

Sofie is a dedicated Reformer Pilates Instructor with four years of teaching experience and a passion for empowering clients through mindful, form focused movement. My classes emphasizes on strength, mobility and precise alignment, blending challenging sequences with intentional cues that deepen body awareness.

I believe in meeting clients where they are while encouraging them to move powerfully and with purpose. My style of teaching is motivating, supportive and rooted in thoughtful technique, helping clients build resilient strength and a more balanced, connected way of moving.

Cara szabo - yoga teacher

Cara was first introduced to yoga while studying at the New Zealand School of Dance. Initially, yoga supported her dance career by helping her build strength, recharge, quiet her mind, and draw inwards. Since then, yoga has been a constant in her life, helping her navigate many personal and professional transitions.

In 2020, Cara undertook teacher training to deepen her practice and found joy in sharing this beautiful practice with others. Alongside regular classes, she now facilitates workshops and retreats, bringing a deeper connection to her community through yoga.

Sal Henderson - yoga teacher

Sally came to yoga after suffering burn out from many years of working full time, studying as a mature aged student at university and raising a family and not applying self-care to her life. A friend invited her to a hot yoga class and she was intrigued and blown away at the intensity all at once. She did a 7-day challenge shortly after and continued this practice for many years as a daily practice.

Sally has also practiced other forms of yoga including flow, yin and anything else she could throw herself in the path of. Sally began to study yoga as a practice and uncover parts of herself that were previously hidden.

She wanted to learn more and booked a teacher training then another the following year and has not stopped learning and studying since and plans to continue. Sally is certified in hot yoga, Yin, traditional Tantric Hatha including philosophy and Ayurveda and flow styles.

In addition, Sally also has certification to teach trauma sensitive yoga. She has taught children, adolescents, veterans, groups and corporate events and yoga as therapy such as in private health retreats and one to one as part of her Counselling practice. Sally works as a drug and alcohol Clinician and specialises in addiction, PTSD and trauma.

Kelly Briese - yoga teacher

Kelly is a certified meditation teacher, holistic counsellor + hatha & yin yoga teacher.

Although Kelly draws from all styles of yoga and meditation, she has developed a deep love of yin yoga in alignment with surrendering to the feminine and cultivating a slow and intentional practice on and off the matt.

Kelly has developed a transformational, yet deeply nurturing approach to yoga that centres your individual experience and integrates mindful healing modalities to achieve your unique goal.

She spent the past few years in the deep study of mindfulness, including extended time in India studying Hatha / Aruyvedic and Yin Yoga.

Since 2021, she has been a course facilitator and trainer for students in meditation + teaching holistic counselling for a mindfulness school,
which has now expanded internationally with online mindset workshops.

Kelly is passionate about creating a safe and sacred space for her students while integrating modalities of mindfulness for mental health care.