The Free Spirit Wellness Journey
My Story
Free Spirit Wellness was born out of a desire to break out of the conventional box I lived in for 22 years. It was a deep need for freedom and fun, for something that would feed my soul on different levels and fill me up. Doctors thought anti-depressants were the answer and for 17 years, they kept my head above water just enough to cope. I was depleted, depressed and completely disconnected for a long time.
Only after a friend invited me to a yoga studio in Rosebank did I experience “a yoga awakening”. At the end of that class, I lay in Savasana glowing from the inside out and in awe of what I had experienced.
I was hooked and wanted more.
Since then, I have completed five yoga teacher training courses in Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundalini and Yin Yoga. I have also qualified as a Shamanic Sacred Chocolate Ceremonialist, as well as a Sistership Circle Facilitator. And I continue to deepen my knowledge and training of being a Shamanic Medicine Woman by exploring healing practices that include Ecstatic Dance Embodiment, facilitating deep and powerful ceremonies, and working with the Sacred Mesa and Despacho, Breathwork and more.
Yoga has been a powerful stepping stone into my new journey and I am loving every single moment.
I have found my freedom! I have found my tribe and this beautiful community continues to grow.
The Vision
The heart behind Free Spirit Wellness is to build a community of like-minded women who enjoy sharing sacred space and fun-filled activities.
This space, regardless of whether it is live or online, is where women can connect to the joy and light that we inherently are.
I would love you to have a taste of what Free Spirit Wellness has to offer.
But this is only the beginning…
Kirsty-Rae Cocolas
After the dream of becoming a ballet dancer was crushed, Kirst discovered that yoga brought the same joy without the demand to perform or be perfect. Kirst will meet you exactly where you are in your practice and provide you with the space to explore what it means to move your body with integrity; pushing yourself where you can, and pulling back where you need to.
Marloes Joseph
Marloes is a passionate teacher of over 13 years who has studied Hatha, Vinyasa and Tibetan Heart Yoga. Her classes are richly influenced by what she has learned, bringing together the classical teachings of wisdom and modern asana practices.
Free Spirit Wellness Studio Instructors
Mandla Qayiso
They call him the African dragonfly! Mandla has been teaching yoga, breathwork and meditation in and around Johannesburg at various gyms and studios for over 8 years. He received his 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India in Ashtanga, Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, he then completed his 300hr Vinyasa YTT in 2019 with Tegan Burger. Mandla has also completed a 100hr meditation, breathwork and mindfulness course with Yoga Union in Bali and has a degree in philosophy and anthropology from Wits University as well as an LLB Law degree from Wits.
“Yoga is such an amazing and powerful practice and has the ability to bring tremendous knowledge, peace and bliss to any sadhaka (practitioner). My passion is to use yoga to help others journey deeper within themselves and help them explore every layer of their being: the physical, mental as well as the spiritual. My classes are quite challenging but also very fun and are Ashtanga Vinyasa-inspired”
Natalie Gianoglio
With over a decade of experience in counselling and working therapeutically with children and adults, Natalie has a passion for creating therapeutic experiences that are not only playful but embodied and impactful. During the 2020 pandemic, Natalie discovered Breathwork as another accessible, embodied and powerful healing modality and officially became certified as an Advanced Breathwork Practitioner. Now, with new-found zest, she is weaving the powerful impact of breathwork with her training in psychology, hypnosis and play therapy to create safe spaces and therapeutic experiences.
BOOK A CLASS AT OUR STUDIO
View the class schedule that offers a wide range of yoga disciplines throughout the week hosted at the Free Spirit Wellness studio with one of our skilled instructors.
BOOK A LUXURY RETREAT
Join Sophia and other collaborators for one of our luxury retreats that are intentionally designed and hosted in beautiful locations to revitalize your soul.
