My journey into Yoga…….so far

Initially, at 17yrs old, I found myself dabbling in various styles including Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Bikram, Meditation, Vipassana, chanting and residence in ashrams. I was also delving into reading all about the Dalai Lama, Buddhism and spiritual growth ~ I remember in the beginning having huge ‘a hah!’ moments with Celestine Prophecy and The Art of Happiness. At age 30yrs I landed in my teaching foundations in Byron Bay with Louise Solomon and The Yogalates Method. Whom I am now honoured to be supporting these last 10 years as a Master Trainer in our teacher trainings worldwide. In 2019 we developed our teaching programs as online courses, including short courses for teachers.  The reason I chose this teacher training, firstly in 2004 there wasn’t a lot on offer in Australia, but I had tried Pilates mat classes and I was terrible at it. I had no stability or core strength. Whilst it annoyed me I wasn’t good at it, fortunately the milligram of humble in me knew that meant something was missing within. So, against my ego’s desire to be ‘the full blown Yoga Yogi’, my intuition guided me to Yogalates. The Yogalates Teacher Training is a complete 350hr training with in-depth studies in Anatomy + Physiology, Yoga Philosophy, History + Physiology, Pranayama (breath work), Asana practice and theory. However it differs from other trainings as it’s supplemented with Adaptive Therapeutic Yoga for injuries + conditions (use of props and modifications), Restorative Yoga, physiotherapy based application of core + functional movement (from Josephine Key, The Key Method). It is a unique methodology of sequencing breath, core and mindfulness into Asana, discovering the micro movements within the macro moves, a somatic experience on the mat. Nope not one bit is it a Yoga class mixed with Pilates!

In 2004 my training was a 645hr full-time training immersion from February to October 5 days a week. We lived and breathed it (yup literally) from 6am well into the evenings, which I am sure embedded the practice into my every cell.  I knew early in the training this is exactly what I wanted to do, I became a sponge and absorbed away! I have since completed over 1900hrs of teacher trainings and updates.

I had found my Dharma - to share with as many people as possible the gifts Yoga has blessed me with.

From 2004 to 2018 I owned a thriving Yoga studio & wellness centre in Sydney's south, Body Awakenings, where I found myself surrounded by a vibrant heart-felt Yogi community. I’d honestly created it by accident, it feels like it just rose up around me.  Now years later I still feel so nourished by and infinitely bound to a worldwide Yogi community (thanks also to social media) of all the teachers and students I have met, each and every one of these Souls have influenced who I am and how I share Yoga today.  

I am beyond grateful to have had the insight to create my online studio in 2019 for the Community I have now moved away from (unleashing my technical nerdship - and yes it was all up and running for my students in 2020 when my in-person classes closed down). Ultimately this free’d me up to then be Sailing Away with my two loves on our adventure in 2023, we are now living in the Northern Rivers of NSW which has provided me with opportunity for teaching classes, workshops + retreats whilst embracing a new Yoga Community. I’m loving every minute especially the support of Greg & Sarah and being a part of Samadhi Collective Yoga. I also love not being the boss-lady anymore, this really suits my free spirit ;-)

I am so grateful for how Yoga has transformed who I am and provided me with a mind and body I LOVE living with, a deep unwavering connection to Spirit AND our extraordinary ability to heal.

By the time I started my teacher training at 30yrs of age, I had a lot of injuries, conditions and ailments - some from birth. My training supported me in moving through it ALL ~ knees, neck, shoulders, scoliosis, wrists, lower back - Spondilolysthesis, SIJ dysfunction, hip dysplasia, abdominal surgeries ~ which I either don’t hear a peep from these days or I manage myself if any symptoms re-appear. As I have continued on this ride of life I have heavily relied upon my breath to move through challenges with anxiety, stress, grief, divorce ……..and the rest.

Knowing my breath intimately is how I have come to know Yoga truly is a phenomenal healer on all levels ~ the physical, emotional and mental.

Everyone finds Yoga from a different angle, it has something unique for each individual. I am passionate about sharing breath, meditation, movement and alignment of the body in postures (Asana) so others can experience the strength (Stirrha) and peace (Sukkha) this practice offers. Whether you’re looking to learn basic Yoga principles, improve your posture, learn how to breathe efficiently, meditate, flow into your mornings, restore into your evenings or rehabilitate from a condition/injury, I can support you. My teachings are recognised by GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors and exercise physiologists for an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, application of core, injury + condition rehabilitation.

The content of my Inspya Me Online allows you to explore your body, your mind, align with your needs, to find your Yoga.  I am here to help design a practice, to find your Yoga safely in the comfort of your home.  There are 350+ Yoga, Yogalates + Meditation practices in my online studio, including learning how to breathe ~ it’s everything I taught in my in-person classes for all those years at my studio (yup even the Foam Roller classes!)

 My in-person retreats, classes + workshops are small groups only so I can provide a more personalised practice for my students.  I also offer private sessions, both in-person and online, to support students on their unique journey. 

Yoga means 'union or connection' in Sanskrit, my goal is to help you find your way of practising and connecting. 

My teaching over these 21yrs has evolved in response to both physical and personal challenges, expanding from asana focus to the more subtle alignment and energy flow. 

My goal is to ‘inspya’ as many as possible to live + love Yoga! 

Namaste, Nic Dorsch (aka Nic Whiteman)

Yoga + Yogalates Teacher ~ Meditation + Breath Therapy Coach ~ Yogalates Master Trainer