Mollie Cox

Owner + Founder + Course Coordinator + Lead Teacher

Mollie Cox is a Yoga Practitioner and Senior Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher with over 1,000 hours of Yoga Teacher and iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation training. She is an E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) with Yoga Alliance Australia and International, and a Senior Level 3 Teacher with Yoga Australia. Additionally, she is a qualified Counsellor, Massage Therapist with 16 years of experience, and a licensed Mental Health First Aid Facilitator with Mental Health First Aid Australia. She is currently studying for a Cert 4 in Training & Assessment and upskilling in Yoga Therapy for those living with acquired brain injuries.

Jala Yoga®, founded by Mollie, is registered as an internationally recognized yoga school with Yoga Alliance and offers trauma-informed yoga teacher trainings.

Mollie’s teaching methods draw from Ashtanga, Iyengar, Hatha, and Yin Yoga, as well as Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapy. She also teaches iRest Yoga Nidra, Meditation, and Pranayama. Mollie’s approach is trauma-informed, making yoga accessible to a wide demographic of bodies, ages, and minds. She believes there is no one way of doing anything, reflecting this in her teachings through various methods to access all forms of practice. With a background in gymnastics, yoga, and various forms of movement spanning over 25 years, she has a thorough understanding of human anatomy and movement. Her passion for neuroscience and research allows her to teach from an evidence-based approach.

Mollie is based on the Southern Gold Coast for most of the year. When she is not there, she is either in India facilitating teacher trainings or hosting retreats, or practicing with her teachers Mark Robberds and Deepika Mehta in India or Bali.

Practicing yoga since the age of 15, Mollie intensified her learning in the Ashtanga method from the age of 20. The lineage of her practice and teaching approach includes Richard Miller, Sharath Jois and the Jois family, BKS Iyengar, BNS Iyengar, Swami Veda, and Swami Rama.

Mollie teaches in an open, light-hearted manner while honoring the source of yoga, making it accessible to all levels of practitioners. Her aim is to hold space for each individual and meet them wherever they are in their body and mind.

She specialises in teaching yoga for complex mental health, chronic pain, chronic health conditions, and disabilities in a one-to-one context. Mollie creates a warm, welcoming, kind, and playful space for her clients to explore what yoga means to them, supporting them in building a home practice that suits their health goals and values.

She has worked extensively with kids and young people in high schools and through Headspace, educating groups on how yoga and meditation can support mental health, physical health, and emotional intelligence.

Mollie also created and leads the Jala Yoga 350-hour Teacher Training alongside her team of Allied Health clinicians and educators. She is on a mission to elevate the standard of yoga education and contribute to the integration of trauma-informed care, yoga, science, and the clinical healthcare system.

She accepts referrals from rheumatologists, GPs, counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, and other Allied Health practitioners who wish to incorporate trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness into their patient treatment plans.

Mollie offers trauma-informed yoga classes to self and plan-managed NDIS participants, as well as those seeking a trauma informed approach to private classes, tailored to their needs. 

She also works in the education space, teaching how to use yoga to support mental health in high schools, healthcare conferences, and workplaces.

Mollie feels blessed to wake up and share the practice that brought her out of the darkest hours of her life. She is honoured to empower those she encounters to build their own practice and toolkit of shock absorbers for this wild ride we call life.

The Jala Yoga Team

Mollie has sourced the best of the best Health Professionals & Experts in their field to co-facilitate on the Jala Yoga 350hr Teacher Training.

Oliver Crossley 

"Ollie"

Physiotherapist + Senior Yoga Teacher

Oliver is a Physiotherapist, a dedicated practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga and Zen Buddhism, and advocate of holistic wellbeing and all things movement.

After first discovering Yoga and Buddhism whilst living in North-west India in 2011, Oliver quickly fell in love with the practice that ended up changing the direction of his life. Switching from studying Economics at the University of Melbourne, to Physiotherapy at James Cook University in Townsville, he had an aim of one day blending the worlds of Yoga and evidence-based medicine.

Oliver has had the privilege of practicing and learning from some of the world’s best Ashtanga teachers, including Matthew Sweeney, Mark Robberds, David Keil, Dena Kingsberg, and completed his teacher training in 2015 with renowned teachers Monica Gauci and Gregor Maehle. Oliver has taught Yoga and Meditation in studio, clinical and rehab settings since 2015.

Oliver lives right here on the Gold Coast, operating his business Yogic Physio and continues to practice and study with his teacher Mark Togni.

Rebecca McWilliam

"Bec"

Bachelor of Psychology
AHPRA Registered

Rebecca lives on the beautiful Gold Coast, however graduated from James Cook University in Townsville, North Queensland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology, and since then has worked with the Australian Defence Force, within the Criminal Justice System, with people with disabilities through the NDIS and now in Private Practice. She is a lover of Professional Development and has recently completed further study in Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Chronic Pain education, and Complex Trauma Therapy.

She takes a holistic view of therapy and won't just stop with you coming into the therapy room. For example, if you are someone who suffers from chronic pain she will make sure you are linked in with other specialists to ensure greater care (physiotherapist, naturopath, etc).

Bec is particularly interested in helping people who suffer from chronic pain, or those who need help in the areas of self-care, self-confidence/ self-esteem, social skills, career work, grief and loss, relationship issues, anxiety, stress, weight loss management, relationships, communication/ assertiveness, illness and/or injury, mindfulness training, and women’s health issues. She also has a large interest in burnout prevention in those people working in high needs fields.

Bec teaches on the Jala Yoga 350hr Teacher Training, and shares insights around how various mental health disorders present, and how to manage them effectively in a trauma informed yoga setting while staying within the scope of a Yoga Teacher. She also covers scope of practice, ethical considerations when working in the mental health space and self care/ burnout prevention for the Yoga Teacher. 

Jessica Hewett

"Jess"

Acupunturist + Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Jessica Hewett is a registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner. After graduating in 2011, Jess took her practice overseas to Central America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. She established her own clinic in England which she worked in for 2 years, treating a variety of conditions using Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbs and Massage. Currently Jess is working in her clinic, Nuwa Natural Health, in Currumbin that is 4 years old.

During her career, Jess has always had a passion and interest in womens’ health. Jess has developed her skills and understanding in these areas by taking on postgraduate education as well as attending numerous workshops to further expand her knowledge in the
area of women's health and fertility. Jess moved back to Australia in late 2015, opening Nuwa Natural Health where she is excited to be working in her own practice focusing on fertility acupuncture, IVF acupuncture, pregnancy acupuncture and women's health.

Jess is currently completing her Masters in Reproductive Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine while running her Currumbin Clinic.

Additionally Jess has had many years experience working is spas and health retreats integrating Chinese medicine, Qigong, Meditation and Ayuvedic medicine into treatments and health plans.

Jess teaches Chinese Medicine in the context of Yoga + Therapeutics on the Teacher Training.

Georgia Reupert-Allen

Pelvic Physiotherapist & Women's Health Specialist

Georgia Reupert-Allen is a Physiotherapist who specialises in Womens Health and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy based on the Gold Coast. Georgia has extensive knowledge and expertise in a wide range of womens health areas including pregnancy, postnatal, pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary and faecal incontinence and musculoskeletal conditions. Georgia graduated with Distinction from Monash University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Since then Georgia has done a number of post graduate courses allowing her to assess and treat conditions specific to the complexities of Womens Health. Georgia is also a qualified Fertility Awareness Educator and uses this skill to teach women to understand and use the menstrual cycle as a marker of health but also to avoid and/or achieve pregnancy. She also uses this knowledge to ensure each of her clients are treated holistically, understanding that the unique differences in each person's hormonal profile means that everything from a rolled ankle to pelvic pain to changes in pelvic floor symptoms can be affected by their cycle.

Women are too often dismissed about their health concerns and Georgia is passionate about ensuring women have a safe space to discuss all concerns and is very diligent to ensure that each concern will be listened to, addressed and that treatment options will be made collaboratively. She aims to empower women to take control of their pelvic, menstrual and pelvic floor health with the goal being that every patient she sees knows their own anatomy, what is normal, what isn’t normal and all treatment options, allowing them to be personal advocates for their own health care.

Genna Amos

Neuro Occupational Therapist
Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher + Jala Yoga Graduate

Genna is an OT who specialises in Neuro-rehabilitation and a graduate of the Jala Yoga Teacher Training. She has 10 years clinical experience working as an OT in both in Australia and the UK and is currently a Senior OT with Queensland Health, providing rehabilitation for adults following brain injuries, stroke and other neurological disorders. 

Genna has a huge passion for rehabilitation, evidence based practice and holistic health. Alongside traditional neuro-rehabilitation, Genna provides yoga, meditation and breathwork to individuals living with disability. 

Genna will be educating on the teacher training course on the topic of Adaptive Yoga for individuals with neurological disorders, and the importance of the mind/body connection.

Samantha Cameron

"Sam"

Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher + Jala Yoga Graduate

Sam is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher with over 800+ hours of yoga training behind her, including being a graduate of the inaugural Jala Yoga Teacher Training. Sam is an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and lover of all things outdoors. 

It's Sam's passion to merge together the knowledge of both western science and eastern practices to provide an integrated approach to physical, mental and emotional wellness and rehabilitation. In her integrated approach, Sam educates others around the science of the 'why's' and 'how's'. Why certain practices such as postures, movements, pranayama and meditation impact our inner physiology and neurological functioning, and how we can best use this knowledge to  manage our own rehabilitative challenges through these tools and understandings. 

Sam has worked in private practice, home, Telehealth, and rural & remote settings. Now working within her own business of Sama Wellbeing, Sam predominantly works via Telehealth to provide service to those all over the country. 

Sam takes particular interest in working with those living with chronic fatigue/fatigue related conditions and mental health challenges, additionally working with musculoskeletal injuries and athletes. Providing movement rehabilitation looks vastly different from condition to condition, person to person, which is why Sam finds so much joy in what she does; to facilitate a person gain greater internal awareness through felt movement, education, understanding, and safety is such an individualised experience. 

You'll find Sam teaching on the Jala Yoga 350hr Teacher training sharing her knowledge of the human body and physiological processes within, the 'whys' and 'hows' behind movement practices, and how to best support and provide safe and accessible yoga through understanding movement differences, and physical challenges. 

Madelene Moore

“Maddi”

Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master,
Ayurveda & Lifestyle Practitioner 

Madelene is an Ayurvedic Practitioner on the Gold Coast. She is devoted to educating and empowering her patients to understand their unique constitutional design, learn how to bring balance on a daily basis, leading them vibrant health, internal harmony & stability. 

Madelene specialises in diet & nutritional corrections, wholistic rejuvenation & detoxification, daily and seasonal routines focused on eliminating the cause of imbalance, as well as prevention of illness & disease.   

Madelene’s journey towards Ayurveda 11 years ago, seeded from a love & curiosity for the traditional sciences of the body/mind, it’s connections to all things & the innate ability to heal its self.  

This journey lead Madelene to study Yoga & Reiki becoming qualified in: Hatha Yoga, Tantric Yoga, Brain Yoga, Partner Yoga, Kids Yoga, Pre & Postnatal Yoga and Reiki Masters. 

During this time of expansion and study, Madelene was introduced to the practice of Ayurveda. A healthcare system that was so deeply comprehensive & complete. She then began her own self study into Ayurveda completing programs, panchakarma cleanses and workshops under the guidance of senior Ayurvedic practitioner, Jade Newnham. 

From there, Madelene had the privilege to study under Professor Jason Chandler, in Byron Bay at a Diploma level. 

Madelene has applied Ayurvedic principles through the preparation of conception for her two sons, during her time pre & postnatal, and continues to draw upon the timeless methods of Ayurvedic practice weaving this into the daily lives of her family. 

Madelene been involved in the creation of the online program Peace Mumma ~ Ayurvedic & Yoga program supporting pre & postnatal Mothers and baby, and also an Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Wellness online program for Living Ayur. 

She now appears on the Jala Yoga 350hr Teacher Training facilitating the Ayurvedic Lifestyle & Cooking workshop, and the occasional Yoga Retreat.

Cameron Gulliford

"Cam"

Critical Care Paramedic + Educator on the 350hr Yoga Teacher Training

Cameron is a critical care paramedic on the Gold Coast with motivation towards evidence-based and holistic contemporary healthcare practice that recognises a dire obligation towards trauma-focused resources within the community to enhance health outcomes.

Cameron was a combat veteran prior to work as a paramedic. He has completed a Bachelor of Paramedicine and a Master of CCP leading to specialisation as a CCP with Queensland Ambulance. Currently he is undertaking a Neuroscience Masters to advance his knowledge of mental health as to best appreciate individualised mental health needs within the community. This approach aims to augment prehospital point-of-care and emphasize an interdisciplinary evidence-based, yet holistic approach for patients and to support peers. 

As a veteran, Cameron was exposed to high-stress and high-trauma situations with subsequent recognition of PTSD and other trauma-induced conditions involving his colleagues leading to an interest in healthcare. Since working as a paramedic and with further studies and advancement to a clinical leader role, this drive has been strengthened. Constant exposure to traumatic cases, chronic stress, burnout, PTSD and an evidently increasing mental health suffering community has solidified Cameron’s belief that high-level, accessible, ethical, and trauma-informed evidence-based resources such as the Jala Yoga Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training is crucial. 

 Cameron will assist with physiology modules and support students in varied pathophysiology that they may encounter with their clients to safely teach, manage exacerbations and when/how to refer on to appropriate services will emphasise their needs and values. He will also undertake short research courses to assist the yoga teacher with basic research skills and how to effectively review literature to better support an ethical approach in the increasingly confusing landscape of misinformation and unethical practices that enable best client results. 

Cameron is looking forward to teaching as part of the Jala Yoga team and meeting students that will shape a responsible and ethical contemporary yoga community.

Dr Kai Wheeler

“Kai”

PhD, Exercise Scientist 

Dr. Wheeler, a proud Ngarabal person and Accredited Exercise Scientist (ESSA), specialises in implementation science in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

As the first Aboriginal person to earn a PhD from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Dr. Wheeler examines how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can co-design programs that build community capacity and engage children and young people across various development areas. Dr. Wheeler excels in co-designing physical movement-based programs, ensuring a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive approach to community engagement and empowerment.

Leading high-performing teams, Dr. Wheeler has developed education programs supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through a strength-based and holistic framework. Extending this work, Dr. Wheeler focuses on developing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to better address the complex health needs of the community. Providing First Nations leadership to diverse projects, Dr. Wheeler has partnered to deliver effective governance solutions and educational engagement frameworks.

Specializing in biomechanics, sport analytics, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning research, Dr. Wheeler collaborates with various sporting organisations to implement best-practice sport servicing, testing, and athlete management. As the lead researcher in partnership with Indigenous Basketball Australia, Dr. Wheeler has also worked with professional sporting organisations and teams such as the Wallabies, Brumbies Rugby, World Rugby, the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra Raiders, Canberra Comets, Canberra Meteors, and GWS Giants. Dr. Wheeler co-designs training programs to promote optimal performance in a range of sports and passionately advocates for using sport and exercise to enrich community health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Dr Wheeler joins the Jala Yoga 350hr Teacher Training to provide education around Cultural responsiveness for First Nations People, and how the trauma informed Yoga Teacher can adapt the practice to make classes accessible and culturally safe when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Awards

2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award from the Australian Academy of Science

2022 LSQ Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award from Life Sciences Queensland

2020 Accredited Exercise Scientist of the Year Award from Exercise and Sport Science Australia

2021 Science Peoples Choice Award from National Science Week

2021 Outreach Award from National Science Week

2020 Science Leadership Excellence Award from National Science Week

2017 NAIDOC Award from Fraser Coast NAIDOC Committee

Villia Greenslade

"Vee"

Social Worker
Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher + Jala Yoga Graduate 

Villia is a qualified Social Worker, Trauma Informed Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Tertiary Educator and new Business Owner. Villia studied Social Work at James Cook University in Townsville whilst working in the homelessness sector. Since relocating to the Gold Coast in 2014, Villia has worked in a variety of community mental health, psychosocial disability, and primary health roles.  She currently provides support and case management to people with acquired disabilities, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries.  

Family life is important to Villia, often juggling parenting with ambitious personal goals. Inspired by the work of Brene Brown and Ester Perel, she has a personal interest in relationships and communication. You can often find her talking about her candid approach to parenting, especially motherhood, and she enjoys encouraging  people to be the best, real, version of themselves.

Since graduating from Jala Yoga Teacher Training in 2023, Villia has embarked on a journey to share her love of yoga and the benefits of mindfulness + movement practices for overall health + wellbeing with the community. Villia founded Base Yoga and Wellbeing as a means to bring her Social Work and Yoga practices together. Villia is passionate about making yoga more accessible, especially for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions, people experiencing hardship and people going through expected, or unexpected, life stage transitions.

Villia will be providing education about yoga and social justice with Jala Yoga trainees, and is excited to share her knowledge about the strengths based and humanistic approaches to working with people, and using the biopsychosocial model to understand health, illness and healthcare delivery.

Lorraine Chung 

"Rainy"

Emergency Clinical Nurse 
Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher + Jala Yoga Graduate
Official Jala Yoga Assistant (aka Mollie's second brain)

Rainy’s caring nature has lead her down the path of healthcare. She completed Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Nursing and has been working in one of Australia’s busiest emergency department since 2010, whilst continuing her post-graduate studies and completed Masters in Emergency Nursing in 2013.

Experiencing the continual ups and downs of chronic stress and burnout working in frontline emergency healthcare, Yoga saved Rainy from burnout and quitting the healthcare industry entirely.

As a healthcare professional, she found the scientific, evidence-based and holistic approaches to Yoga particularly useful. Now a senior Clinical Nurse and a leader in her department, her mission is to educate and implement wellness programs for healthcare workers, spreading the benefits of Yoga, breath, mindfulness and meditation practices and continue to advocate for the health and well-being for the staff as well as her clients.

Rainy graduated from the Jala Yoga 350hr Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training, and is the official Jala Yoga Assistant, supports Mollie on the YTT program and organises Jala events such as community Yoga + beach cleans.

Mollie, Bec and Rainy co-facilitate retreats for frontline healthcare workers. Rainy has also completed a 20 hour Sound Bath Facilitator course.