Woman practicing yoga in a low squat position on a wooden floor in front of a wooden fireplace mantel with plants and decorative items.

Katie Greengrass: Visionary & Teacher

Current Qualifications:

200 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Goa, India (2017)
900 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, Mumbai, India (The Yoga Institute, 2018 - 2019)
100 hr Yoga Therapy Certificate, Online (The Yoga Institute, 2023)
90 hr Mysore Style Sadhana Certificate Mysore, India (Indea Yoga, 2024)
300 hr Multi-Style Teacher Training Certificate, Rishikesh, India (2024)
E-RYT500 (Yoga Alliance International, 2024)

Early Career and Discovery of Yoga

I left school at 16 and found myself in the Finance and Banking industry for over 10 years, which took me from Auckland to London and finally Melbourne. In my mid-20’s I felt an increasing sense of dissatisfaction and a longing for something more meaningful.

It was during my time in Melbourne that I discovered Yoga, initially seeking it out as a way to stay physically healthy amongst the busy-ness of City life.

Transformation and Training

This very quickly blossomed into a passion. Many amazing things began to manifest, such as becoming Vegetarian overnight and seeing the importance of living by values instead of desires.

In early 2017, I left my corporate job, home comforts and booked a one way ticket to India to undertake my first Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). I completed the course, having navigated the many challenges, both mentally and physically that come with YTT.

Woman wearing a flower crown holding a certificate of completion from Abhinam Yoga Center, smiling indoors with a background of windows and palm trees.

In the Yoga Shala, Goa YTT, India, 2017

Graduation Day 200 hour YTT; Goa, India.

I felt an urge to travel to Rishikesh; in the North East of India, said to be the birthplace of Yoga.

Not long after arriving I landed my first Yoga Teaching position, a daily, early morning class on a rooftop overlooking the sacred Ganges River (Ganga Maa - pictured)

The Yoga Teacher Emerges

It was at this moment I knew that the universe was in full support, and I have been teaching & learning ever since.

The Learning Continues….

I have spent over 3 years (in total) in India, undertaking various trainings & spending time in Ashrams and sacred places. I continue to be blessed and surprised by the incredible institutions, teachers and wisdom that I cross paths with & have learnt from some of the best Practitioners that India has to offer.

Each year I return to this incredible place to continue my studies, and become the student once again.

Two women in sarees, one holding a certificate, sitting outdoors near a tree, smiling.

Graduation Day with Hansa-Ji (The Yoga Institute, 2019)

A woman with a large backpack and holding a shopping bag is standing outside the entry gate to Shivanananda Ashram, which has stone steps and orange gates. The sign above the gate shows the ashram was founded in 1978 and is marked as Gate No. 4, surrounded by lush green trees and plants.

The Yoga Institute 2023

Sivananda Ashram, Neyyar Dam, Kerala (2023)

A man with gray hair and glasses and a woman with long wavy hair smiling and standing together with their arms around each other indoors against a brick wall with purple curtains. Both are barefoot.

Anil Sir (The Yoga Insitute, 2024)

Inside Hindu temple with two people standing in prayer pose in front of a green gate, ornate deity sculptures and paintings on the walls, and checkered black and white floor.

A man and a woman sitting on the floor, engaged in a conversation. The man has gray hair, a beard, and is wearing a blue shirt with orange pants. The woman has dark hair, is smiling, and is holding a booklet or flyer. They are near a brick wall.

Pawan Ji (Balmukund Ashram, 2023)

Graduation Day with Bharat Sir (Indea Yoga, 2024)

Person practicing yoga poses on a black and white checkered floor, with yoga blocks, a yoga mat, and folded towels nearby.

Kurmasana, Sanatan Yog, (2024)

Applying the Teachings across the Globe

From India to Sri Lanka, Nepal to Australia and many places in between, I have had the honour of teaching across the world.

From drop in classes, to day long and weekend workshops, festivals, private sessions and online classes - I have experience in a variety of formats and situations - because my training showed me the basics and i’ve been building on it ever since.

A large group of people participating in a yoga class under a decorated tent outdoors on grass.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Earth Beat Festival, NZ, 2023

A woman lying on a yoga mat on stage during outdoor yoga class, with participants practicing poses on the grass in front of her, set in a green open field with hills in the background.

Rise & Rave, Yoga & Ecstatic Dance. NZ 2022

A group of people practicing yoga outdoors under a canopy of colorful fabric, sitting cross-legged on mats with closed eyes and focused expressions.

Daily Rooftop Yoga, Goa, India, 2020

People practicing yoga on mats on a grassy area facing the ocean at sunset, with trees on either side and a few people on the beach.

Sunset Beach Sessions, Perth, WA, 2019

Group of people sitting and kneeling on a grassy field during an outdoor event with tents and vehicles in the background.

Heart Opening Yoga, Dimension Festival, NZ 2023

A woman sitting outdoors on a colorful, patterned blanket, playing crystal singing bowls in front of a vibrant, psychedelic backdrop decorated with a dragon skull, driftwood, and greenery.

Sound Journey & Yoga, Flow Camp, NZ, 2023

Founding Yoga Aotearoa

Now my mission to bring the authenticity of Yoga from its roots in India back to Aotearoa, for transmission to the Western mind is coming to life.

What use is knowledge if it cannot be shared?

I am passionate about making Yoga accessible to all and understand its power to bring about positive change, both individually and collectively. Through Yoga Aotearoa, I am creating a space where people can come together to practice, learn and grow, fostering a sense of connection and well-being that extends beyond the Yoga mat into our daily lives.