Meet The Team

Leigh is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance International, with 8 years experience teaching hatha yoga, chair yoga, children's yoga, and meditation in the South Canterbury region. Leigh has additional certification in trauma-informed yoga and offers trauma-informed yoga classes in Timaru alongside Counsellor, Amanda. She is also a certified breathwork coach and has extensive experience in retreat and wellbeing event facilitation, with a special passion for silent retreats. 

Trudi is a qualified yoga teacher, with a 200 hour teacher training certificate in Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. Trudi has been developing her personal practice over the past 25 years. She has 6 years experience teaching group, 1:1, and pre-natal yoga classes. Trudi incorporates meditation, breathing techniques, and sound into her classes to deepen her students' awareness and develop a deep sense of calm presence. Trudi embodies the Karma Yoga approach - the Yoga of selfless service. In service to her students and to the teachings of yoga. 

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Amanda is a Counsellor/Social worker with over 15 years experience working in the areas of trauma and mental health, and has a Bachelor of Social Work with First Class Honours, a Diploma of Psychology and Counselling, and Certification in Complex Trauma and PTSD. She currently provides ACC therapy for people with a Sensitive Claim, and works alongside Leigh to provide trauma-informed yoga classes in Timaru. Amanda is passionate about delivering holistic, evidence-based healing to those on their trauma-recovery journey.

Jezer is a DJ, sound journey facilitator and spiritual healer, with more than 16 years experience in the development of musical experiences for audiences. In his sound journeys, Jezer uses sacred instruments such as gongs, chimes, and singing bowls to help participants turn inwards, recharge, and embrace the deeper part of themselves, allowing a break from the physical and mental demands of life. When Jezer holds a space for his sound journeys, he is guided by his intuition, feeling the energy of the people and providing the sounds he is led to play.  

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Claudia is originally from Germany and came to New Zealand in 2011. Her background is in 5 star hospitality and management, and she has held several different roles in that area in Germany, NZ, and around the world. She is now settled in Temuka with her husband and young daughter, and eager to offer her expertise and support to the team and clients of Leigh Marsden Yoga. 

Sarah has studied, practiced and taught Tai Chi and Qigong for many years. She has worked with international Tai Chi masters and teaches both the classic long forms and more recent modified forms of Tai Chi for health. Sarah's pilates mat training is from the classical method which has a focus on flow. She threads Qigong exercises, meditations, and pressure point activation into all her class content. Sarah teaches awareness of the body, mind and spirit, aiming for energy rejuvenation, a refreshed mind, and knowledge of the whole self. Her passion is bringing balance to the body through movement. 

Deanna is a passionate yoga and meditation teacher committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students of all levels. She is a registered Yoga Alliance International teacher, with over 500 hours of training in Yoga and 200 hours in meditation.In classes, Deanna emphasizes mindful movement, breath awareness and alignment. She encourages students to listen to their bodies, and turn their attention inwards, building a strong mind-body awareness.Beyond the mat, Deanna is dedicated to ongoing personal growth and professional development, regularly undertaking advanced training.Deanna’s own journey with Yoga and Meditation inspires her to share the transformative practice of Yoga with her students

Kelly brings a wealth of experience in holistic wellness, specializing in sound healing. She is trained in the use of sound bowls, offering group sessions, events, and individual treatments designed to promote relaxation, balance, and deep connection with the self.  

In addition to her expertise in sound healing, Kelly is currently advancing her skills in complementary therapies. She is completing her Touch for Health Kinesiology, Soul Power & Colour Therapy and expanding her knowledge in First Light Flower Essences, further enriching her ability to support holistic wellbeing.  

With a strong background working in the Social Sector dealing with Trauma & supporting well-being & recovery - Kelly brings deep compassion and understanding to her practice. She is passionate about guiding others toward greater peace and wellness and is excited to be part of the Leigh Marsden Holistic Health team.