Nikki Shilling
Life & Yoga Stuff
Hey health-seeker, thank you for visiting my website. I'm stoked that you're here!
It was more than 30 years ago now, as an active, but anxious teenager, that I became conscious of health and wellbeing. Like many people on these types of quests, I never felt 100%. I wanted to feel better.
I did not know back then that my quest was more about self-acceptance. This, I have come to realise, is the magical (and, free) elixir.
Aside from being a chronic over-exerciser at local gyms; cycling, swimming, jogging and having a love/hate relationship with food as well as myself, I attended Yoga classes on and off for many years.
Im 1997, I settled in Sydney's Inner West after a few moves around the Eastern Suburbs.
With this move came a new resolve; to become a "proper" Yoga student.
Finding the "guru"
There is a wonderful saying; "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". It really does seem like an amazing stroke of luck that I happened to chance upon Simon Borg-Olivier's amazing Yoga Synergy class in Australia Street, Newtown.
I walked backed home that evening on a high. I was hooked and never looked back. The class, the teacher... it was the perfect fit for me.
In 2001, after a few years packed full of tragic, personal and life-changing events as well as Yoga classes, Anatomy and Physiology workshops, and personal invitations to join Synergy's very own highly regarded teacher training programs, I took myself off to Bali for two months to complete a short, yet intensive 200 hr teacher training course. It was time out for reflection as much as anything else.
The course began directly after 9/11; the group was in shock and we connected quickly. Despite this, I came home two months later feeling a lot more peaceful.
A year or so later - pregnant with my first child - I enrolled in the year-long, full-time Advanced Diploma of Health (Yoga Teaching) course at Nature Care in Sydney.
I had chanced upon such incredible mentors that it was only after I had completed this course of study that I finally began to feel comfortable enough to describe myself as a beginning yoga teacher (of sorts!).
My partner and I relocated to Port Stephens with our baby boy in 2003 and I began teaching yoga professionally.
To sum it up, I've accumulated a lot of anatomical, nutritional, physiological and psychological knowledge since my health journey began as a naive and not-so-happy 17 year old, but I have no intention of stopping since there is sooo much to learn!
One thing I can tell you for an absolute fact, is that apart from a few exceptions, there is NOTHING to distinguish our emotional and physical health.
Acceptance of life, knowing who we are - this is where contentment, happiness and wellbeing is at.
This much I know from experience (oh, and that it's kind of normal to feel unsettled and overly self-conscious as a teenager!)
Looking back at my 17-year-old self I might suggest trying to "be with" rather than fight those feelings. Things change and nothing lasts forever. x)
So...Experience & Knowledge - What can I Offer You?
My own incredible yoga teacher, genetic scientist and physiotherapist, Simon Borg-Olivier, is considered to be one of the most knowledgeable teachers ("brains") on the planet.
Simon is a contributing writer and lecturer of The Masters of Wellness program for the Health Faculty of RMIT. Thanks to Simon's regular Yoga and Anatomy intensives, I have covered much of the same material as is incorporated in the Uni course.
With all those hours of teaching and practise, I have accumulated more than 1000 hours of practical and applied anatomy and physiology.
This, applied in my own practise and teaching, has evolved into a deeply practical and intuitive understanding of how posture, breathing and movement pattern impact our physical and emotional body (and indeed the other way round).
Thanks to life, its occasional lemons, parenting and lots of self-practise, I do hope I've also accumulated some wisdom and a deeper understanding of the human psyche along the way!
Related Qualifications and Study
- Level 3 (Senior) Teacher in accordance with the specifications of Yoga Australia
- RYT 200 (Yoga Arts) 2001
- Advanced Diploma Health (Yoga), Nature Care 2003 (1000 hours) which incorporated:
- Yoga philosophy, physiology and teaching specifics
- Holistic Counselling
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Yogic Nutrition & cleansing practises
- Yoga for Special Needs (children, pre/post natal etc)
- Yoga Chikitsa (yoga therapy)
- Ayurvedic Lifestyle studies - Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training - 2005
- 7 x 50 hour face to face Anatomy & Physiology intensives with Simon Borg Olivier (Yoga Synergy) over the years (ongoing)*
- 1 x 50 hour face to face Yoga Therapy with Donna Farhi - 2008
- 3 x 14 hr wkd intensives with Master Zhenua Yang
- 1 x 50 hour face to face Yoga Therapy with Simon Borg Olivier - 2015
*All up, I have accumulated more than 1000 hours of practical and applied anatomy and physiology training when my Teacher Training courses are included.
Some Yoga Feedback & Testimony...
"Never change what you do. Your classes are awesome." Renee
"It's incredible; your cues are amazing! When I listen, it makes so much sense...! I think, wow, when I do that it feels so much easier...! Why have I not being doing that?" Stef M
"Sometimes, in all honesty I'm not really sure I understand everything, but I totally trust you because when I listen and I do something in the way you are explaining, it always feels right. It makes sense then because it works and my body feels so much better.." Mary
"I just wanted to thank you for my year of yoga. We arrived here not knowing anyone. Finding you was a true blessing for me. In the course of the year I learned; to stick my stomach out (the first person to tell me that in my 41 years); to focus on the present, as I do not remember the past as well as I think, nor can I predict the future as accurately as I imagine and, best of all, that even if I cannot totally empty my mind of thoughts, I can still meditate. Thank you for all of this as well as your humour and warmth". Madeline.
"I initially wanted to try yoga because my back was playing up, but what I wasn't expecting was what change it would make to my mind! Oh and my back is better too!" IW
"Even after a couple of classes, I feel so different and really look forward to it. My husband even mentioned it the other day..he made a comment about how much happier and relaxed I seemed!" J
"I really did enjoy your yoga class...it was probably the best class I have ever attended.." Krystal.
"Nikki, I would like to thank you! I am absolutely loving having yoga as part of my life now. I have noticed such a difference in my stress levels, my way of thinking and my sleeping. I really enjoy the classes and would like to thank you for being such a great inspiration...I was diagnosed with post natal depression and really did not want to take medication. It wasn't the answer for me. When I found out about your yoga it felt like it was meant to be, a divine intervention! So thank you for helping me and teaching me to relax, breathe differently and even change my attitude towards exercise and well-being.." K
"All in all I want to say thanks for all the yoga classes. I'm so glad that mum convinced me to start just over a year ago now. I have built up so much strength physically and mental. I always look forward to class. Thanks for everything. You are an amazing instructor" CR
"I needed to change my training mindset. I played competitive basketball, and even now, when I go to the gym, it’s all about competing and beating the guy next to you! Nikki introduced me to the idea of balance – something between “ effort and surrender". I like that analogy, it resonates with me. The yoga class is peaceful, neutral and encouraging". BR
"Yoga has helped me manage and prevent lower back injury. It also keeps me flexible, fit and, importantly - for me - keeps me surfing. It is also a great de-stressor. Nikki has a great sense of humour which makes it fun to participate" Ian
Blessings & Namastes to My Teachers
Simon Borg-Olivier (who also suffers from a spinal condition - not that you would know!) was my "class" teacher for seven years and his energy, knowledge and dedication to yoga continues to be my main inspiration. I have also been lucky enough to benefit from the teachings of many advanced yoga practitioners including Bianca Machliss (Yoga Synergy), Master Zhen Hua Yang (Calligraphy Health & Yoga), Lance Schuler (Insypa Yoga), Astanga master Matthew Sweeney, Louise Sears from Yoga Arts in Byron Bay and renowned yoga teachers and authors, Donna Farhi and Eve Grzybowski.