About Us
Dan Jakes
NDA, Dip Acupuncture, BEd(PE), GradDipTchLn, RYT-200, MNZRA, ACC provider
Initially Dan completed a Bachelors Degree with a majors in Physical Education, Health Education and Classical studies and then went on to finish a four year full-time Diploma of Acupuncture which included study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology and Tui Na (Chinese Massage and manipulation). Dan is a Member of the NZ register of Acupuncturists, an ACC treatment provider, and a Yoga Alliance registered teacher.
“I am passionate about promoting good health and believe the integration of complementary and conventional medicine is the way forward. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is incredibly effective at treating such a wide variety of complaints in a truly holistic way.
I love yoga, martial arts, movies, the great outdoors and spending time with my family”
Dan is a member of the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists (NZRA) and a registered teacher (RYT - 200) with the Yoga Alliance
Anna Jakes
BPRTMgt, GradDipTchLn, DipYoga, RYT-500, RPYT, Bikram Yoga Cert.
Anna shifted to Canterbury (from Invercargill) in 1994 to complete a degree in Parks and Recreation at Lincoln University (majoring in community recreation). After which she spent three years traveling overseas and working as an Outdoor Recreation Instructor.
On returning to New Zealand she retrained as a secondary school teacher and spent four years teaching Physical Education and Health at Akaroa Area School. Her interest in health and wellbeing and love of yoga led her to Auckland to study for a Diploma in Yoga at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies. She has also trained in Natal Yoga (with Swami Shantimurti Saraswati, Ashram Yoga , Auckland), Yoga for Post Natal and Infants (with Amanda Reid, Samadhi Yoga, Wellington) and has recently completed an Advanced Yoga Studies Certificate (with Donna Farhi, Christchurch, NZ)
“I am eternally grateful for the guidance and inspiration of my teachers Dr Sridhar and Dr Pooja Maddela who run the Yoga faculty at Wellpark. Although I had been practicing yoga for a number of years it wasn’t until I met Sridhar and Pooja that I truly understood the immense benefits and joy that yoga offers.
I am very grateful to be sharing my philosophy and passion for health and well-being with everyone at our Sanctuary.”
Anna is a registered teacher (RYT - 500) and a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) with the Yoga Alliance
Jo McHarg
BAppSc
Jo is originally from Melbourne Australia, where she went to university and completed a 3 year Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement / Physical Education. She went on to work a personal trainer and fitness instructor in Melbourne before moving to the UK where she continued to work in the fitness industry between stints of travel around Europe.
After moving to New Zealand Jo has worked in event management as well as recently starting on her path as a yoga teacher.
“I first discovered yoga about 10 years ago while living in London where I practiced a style called Sivananda. I immediately loved Yoga and found it to be an essential way to find some relaxation and calm in the midst of a big city and a hectic, fast paced life style.
In early 2010 I decided to take my passion for yoga to the next stage and completed an intensive yoga teachers training course in Byron Bay Australia. The more I study and delve into yoga, the more I experience the positive and powerful effects it can have on each individual. I am excited and passionate about helping make these benefits accessible to all.”
Kerrieann Enright
BSc(HONS)Radiography, Post Grad. Diploma Medical Ultrasound
Kerrieann completed a 4 year BSC in Radiography at King's College, London in 1998. It was around this time she took her first yoga class. Kerrieann finished a Post Grad. Diploma in ultrasound in 2002, with an interest in obstetrics. Kerrieann takes her knowledge and interest in this area into her yoga and hopes to learn more about yoga for pregnancy.
I moved to Christchurch in 2005 where, like Jo, I dabbled in bikram yoga. It was not until February 2009, my real passion for yoga emerged. I met Anna and thoroughly enjoyed the balance she brought to her yoga classes. The lower back and shoulder pain I suffered with from years as a radiographer and sonogarpher had resolved following 6 months of Annas classes. (If ever I missed a class of yoga Anna would encourage me to attend another. This practise ensured the benefits of yoga remained in my weekly routine)
Following Jo's trip to Australia for her teacher training, I decided to begin my teaching journey. I did my Level 1 at the Byron Yoga Centre in Byron Bay under the guide of John Ogilvie in June 2010. It was an inspiring experience. I hope to complete my Level 2 training in India within 2 years.
Yoga will always be part of my daily routine because of it's overwhelming benefits, grounding nature and nurturing effect. I also have a passion for healthy eating, vegetarian cooking, gardening, the movies, I enjoy every form of retail therapy and I love to fly home to Ireland as much as possible :-).
Rachel Brownie
RYT200
After a number of years traveling Rachel has come to settle in Christchurch. Working predominately within the outdoor sector overseas she is now working for a cycling and hiking tour company. Coming from a holistic background; her mother is a naturopath and yoga instructor and her father practiced tai chi and Chinese medicine. Rachel has had an interest in yoga and holistic health for a number of years. She has trained at Healthy Balance in Christchurch, Bryon Yoga, Australia and with Donna Farhi.
"I've been hooked on yoga for a number of years. My mum first started yoga when she was pregnant with me so I'm sure that yoga has just been part of my system since I was born! As a kid I used to attend some of her classes playing around in different poses. For many years I then didn’t have a lot to do with yoga. It wasn’t until I was living in London and needing a little regularity and grounding that I started attending classes again. Ever since then it’s just become part of who I am, what I believe in and where I'm heading. My first teacher training was at Healthy Balance in Christchurch with my second being in Byron Bay Australia. I have also attended a five day workshop with Donna Farhi ."