Meet our Teachers
René
René is the founder and owner of Soulspace Studio, where you can find her teaching Vinyasa, Hatha & Advanced Aged Yoga.
Creating a beautiful and communal space to practice yoga has been a dream in the making for René for a long time, and seeing this dream come to fruition has been the most wonderfully rewarding experience!
Finding yoga 20 years ago was pivotal in sparking big changes in René’s life, and sent her to many places where she deepened her knowledge of the practice and completed a Sivananda TTC, Vinyasa TTC as well as prenatal course.
The combination of all these experiences has led her to teach a fluid flow all while being mindful of a strong foundation and alignment — all classes are finished off with deep relaxation.
When René is not teaching yoga she will most likely be found outdoors, near or in the ocean with her beloved family.
Gila journeyed into teaching yoga as she found its magic in allowing her to create and hold sacred spaces for people to find a deeper connection to themselves - physically, emotionally and spiritually. She discovered Yin Yoga "by chance" and was amazed at the transformative power of this particular practice for both herself and clients; she believes the stillness that it brings really allows for a depth of experience that is a different and beautiful complement to more active Vinyasa practices.
Her yogic path has been intertwined with personal expansion in other areas. She has deepened her Yin Yoga teaching with more in-depth training on integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, including acupressure, to promote self-healing through yoga. A Himalayan Sound Therapist (her other passion), she uses sounds and vibrations as part of helping deepen savasana at the end of class.
Immersing herself in the natural world, either climbing mountains, trying to ride waves or snorkelling through kelp forests, is a big part of where Gila finds balance and calm when she isn't on her mat.
Gila
Sam
“Country boy comes to the city, parties like a rockstar, burns out, and finally finds yoga. That’s me in a nutshell.
"In 2013 after two years of drug addiction, my parents allowed me to come back home and that is where I found yoga in my hometown, Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Looking back, I can now see what a big part yoga has meant for my sobriety. In my heart, I know yoga, in combination with my newfound spiritual practice, was a shining beacon for me as I made my way out of a dark, stormy time.
"Three years after falling in love with the practice, I completed my 200hr YTT Diploma at The Wellness Connection in Hout Bay, South Africa.
"I was very fortunate to walk straight into a teaching job at Virgin Active where I taught for two years. Thereafter I joined the team at HotPod Yoga Cape Town. Furthermore, I took over the Cape Men’s Yoga group in 2018 (a nude men’s yoga group in Cape Town) and started another men’s group called Adam Yoga. Both these have since evolved and meshed with Yogi Soul from where I teach all my personal classes. I’ve presented workshops for dancers (which is what I originally studied), nude retreats for men, acro yoga, yin yoga, vinyasa yoga, online yoga, cold exposure, cacao ceremonies, and other shamanic practices.
"I am so grateful to be connecting with the people of Soul Space and cannot wait to practice with all of you.”
Leanne completed her YTT200 in 2018 in Sri Lanka but has only recently started teaching full time.
Leanne is a compassionate teacher and teaches with the intention to guide, inspire and create space for her students. She uses balance, alignment and playfulness in her classes to create a well-rounded practice that leaves students feeling grounded, calm and filled with a sense of purpose.
She loves learning about the practice from multiple sources, including those she teaches and is excited to share the beautiful practice that is yoga with everyone at Soul Space.
In her free time, Leanne enjoys exploring markets, eating out with her hubby and hiking.
Leanne
Sarah Jane
Sarah is a Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Forever Student & Artist.
Her mission is to simply share with you what has set her on the path of truly & authentically thriving.
Sarah's yoga journey began in 2016 when she visited India.
She was a young woman consumed by fear, insecurities, and debilitating anxiety. Her body stored all of this and yoga was extremely painful and uncomfortable in the beginning. However something pulled her and she dove right in and started cultivating a deep, healing connection between mind and body- understanding in time that this would be a lifelong journey.
Along the way, Sarah visited sacred India twice and did her TTC training in Varkala, India. It was after these 2 months in India that her soul resonated with teaching and she knew within this was her purpose.
Sara's approach to teaching is student-centered, non-judgmental, and affirming. "I would describe my classes as an alchemy of Yin & Yang energy. Containing aspects of Yin Yoga as well as Vinyasa Flow, in each class, I read the space and create an intuitive practice that encourages students to honor where they are in that moment, to embrace and appreciate their bodies and individuality, and most importantly come back to BREATHE."
Yoga for Sarah is a practice of self-intimacy and creative expression. Learning to turn your gaze within, thinking less, and feeling more. This practice is a mindful way to move that expresses on the outside what we experience on the inside.
"I believe we never stop learning and growing, as I continue doing both my style of teaching evolves and reflects my understanding as both a student and as a person."
Sarah looks forward to our paths crossing on this magical journey of self-exploration and cultivation.
Shannon's dancing background and love of creative movement led her to discover yoga in 2014. She fell in love with the strong, physical practice, but over time has discovered that her yoga practice extends far beyond the mat into life's littlest moments.
Shannon completed her Yoga teacher training in 2017 and Pilates teacher training in 2020. She looks forward to learning and adding new forms of bodywork to her repertoire. Her classes focus on deep stretches, fluid transitions and correct alignment.
When she's not teaching or doing handstands on the beach, you will probably find Shannon experimenting with different flavors in the Kitchen. She is a SERIOUS foodie and can happily discuss anything food-related for hours on end.
Shan
Nadia
Nadia is a former professional classical ballet dancer with the Royal Ballet, her love affair with yoga started about 15 years ago.
It was Bikram Yoga that offered her the greatest opportunity for transformation, it quickly became her passion because of its physical intensity, as well as its ability to heal and strengthen. This dynamic series of postures brought health and balance to her life. Inspired to share this platform for healing and self-discovery with others, she graduated from Sally Flanagan-Gutjahrs Yoga Intense, Hot Yoga Teacher Training in 2018. The following year she finished off a 200hour Vinyasa teacher training and Mentorship with Marinus Muller all at Yoga Experience Josie.
She brings passion, intuition, and authenticity to her yoga teaching through her experiences and dedication to ballet, creative dance, and yoga. She believes in order to be a responsible teacher, she must continue to be a humble student - always learning, growing, and sharing her knowledge of this practice from countless numbers of teachers who have come before her.
Nadia is currently doing a 300 hour training to be certified to teach Trauma-Senstive Yoga through the Yoga Therapy Institute in Europe. Nadia is truly grateful for the gift of yoga and looks forward to sharing this great daily practice of self-discovery.
Kathy
Lies
For Lies, yoga is a life-changing discovery she wishes she had discovered a little earlier in life. She had touched upon the practice on and off between the rather turbulent decade between her twenties and thirties, but it was only after quitting a fast-paced career in PR & Communications in Belgium and committing herself to ‘stop, feel and be’, that yoga really became a way of life. During an interesting period of soul searching and, in the meantime, experiencing the nurturing effect of a life amidst nature in Kommetjie, Lies rediscovered yoga at Soul Space.
For Lies yoga is a way to connect to herself and to other people more closely. She views yoga as a very inspirational philosophy she aspires to live by every day and as a life-long learning possibility.
She completed a 200 hour teacher training at Yoga Spirit in Constantia, and hopes more moments for yoga immersion will follow.
As a teenager, Sian struggled with mental health and endured significant pain due to a spinal abnormality. Her days were consumed by doctor’s appointments, ice packs, and painkillers. Like many others, she found sanctuary in yoga. Not only did she discover a sense of presence on the mat, but her pain began to alleviate with each practice.
Inspired to share this healing experience, she completed her first intensive teacher training in 2019.
Today, she is an advanced 500-hour RYT with experience in various styles. She is particularly passionate about somatic healing, mind-body medicine, and nervous system regulation. Currently, she is pursuing an honors degree in psychology, with the dream of one day bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine.
Sian
Beatriz
Beatriz discovered yoga 10 years ago in an Ashtanga studio in Lisbon. This transformative practice shaped her body, mind, and spirit, eventually leading her to Bali for her teacher training.
In her vinyasa classes, Beatriz weaves together elements beyond the physical poses, drawing from her deep understanding of yoga's broader teachings. As a massage therapist, she places great emphasis on proper alignment, guiding students to tune into their bodies and stay present.
Beatriz believes in creating a space where students can drop the ego, embrace challenges, and explore their practice with curiosity and playfulness.
Yoga has been a grounding force for Francesca, especially since moving to South Africa from Germany in 2018.
Navigating motherhood and personal growth, her practice continues to guide her toward clarity and purpose. With a background in fashion retail and product development, Francesca found yoga essential in maintaining balance amidst a busy lifestyle.
She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Spirit and is now specializing in Sensory and Mindfulness Yoga for Learning Environments, aiming to create inclusive spaces for all ages.
Francesca’s teaching philosophy emphasizes collective growth, inclusivity, and the transformative benefits of yoga.
FRAN
EVA
Eva began her yoga journey at the age of 15, seeking discipline and healing for her body. Over the past 18 years, she has honed her practice under the guidance of various teachers, leading her to choose the path of yoga instruction.
Eva's teaching is marked by its precision, intuition, and care. She focuses on creating a sense of lightness, stability, and balance in body, mind, and spirit, offering her students progressive, technical, and therapeutic value.
René
René is the founder and owner of Soulspace Studio, where you can find her teaching Vinyasa, Hatha & Advanced Aged Yoga.
Creating a beautiful and communal space to practice yoga has been a dream in the making for René for a long time, and seeing this dream come to fruition has been the most wonderfully rewarding experience!
Finding yoga 20 years ago was pivotal in sparking big changes in René’s life, and sent her to many places where she deepened her knowledge of the practice and completed a Sivananda TTC, Vinyasa TTC as well as prenatal course.
The combination of all these experiences has led her to teach a fluid flow all while being mindful of a strong foundation and alignment — all classes are finished off with deep relaxation.
When René is not teaching yoga she will most likely be found outdoors, near or in the ocean with her beloved family.
Gila
Gila shares her passion for Yin & Restorative Yoga with us at Soul Space. One of the aspects of teaching yoga that she really loves is being able to create and hold sacred spaces for people to find a deeper connection to themselves – physically, emotionally & spiritually. She discovered Yin Yoga "by chance" and was amazed at the transformative power of this particular practice for both herself and her clients; she believes the stillness that it brings really allows for a depth of experience that is a different and beautiful complement to more active Vinyasa practices.
Her journey with yoga has been intertwined with personal expansion in other areas, including becoming a Himalayan Sound Therapist (her other passion), and these sounds and vibrations are often part of helping deepen savasana at the end of her Yin classes.
Immersing herself in the natural world – climbing mountains, trying to ride waves or snorkelling through kelp forests – is a big part of where Gila finds balance and calm when she isn't on her mat.
Sam
“Country boy comes to the city, parties like a rockstar, burns out, and finally finds yoga. That’s me in a nutshell.
"In 2013 after two years of drug addiction, my parents allowed me to come back home and that is where I found yoga in my hometown, Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Looking back, I can now see what a big part yoga has meant for my sobriety. In my heart, I know yoga, in combination with my newfound spiritual practice, was a shining beacon for me as I made my way out of a dark, stormy time.
"Three years after falling in love with the practice, I completed my 200hr YTT Diploma at The Wellness Connection in Hout Bay, South Africa.
"I was very fortunate to walk straight into a teaching job at Virgin Active where I taught for two years. Thereafter I joined the team at HotPod Yoga Cape Town. Furthermore, I took over the Cape Men’s Yoga group in 2018 (a nude men’s yoga group in Cape Town) and started another men’s group called Adam Yoga. Both these have since evolved and meshed with Yogi Soul from where I teach all my personal classes. I’ve presented workshops for dancers (which is what I originally studied), nude retreats for men, acro yoga, yin yoga, vinyasa yoga, online yoga, cold exposure, cacao ceremonies, and other shamanic practices.
"I am so grateful to be connecting with the people of Soul Space and cannot wait to practice with all of you.”
Leanne
Leanne completed her YTT200 in 2018 in Sri Lanka but has only recently started teaching full time.
Leanne is a compassionate teacher and teaches with the intention to guide, inspire and create space for her students. She uses balance, alignment and playfulness in her classes to create a well-rounded practice that leaves students feeling grounded, calm and filled with a sense of purpose.
She loves learning about the practice from multiple sources, including those she teaches and is excited to share the beautiful practice that is yoga with everyone at Soul Space.
In her free time, Leanne enjoys exploring markets, eating out with her hubby and hiking.
Sarah Jane
Sarah is a Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Forever Student & Artist.
Her mission is to simply share with you what has set her on the path of truly & authentically thriving.
Sarah's yoga journey began in 2016 when she visited India.
She was a young woman consumed by fear, insecurities, and debilitating anxiety. Her body stored all of this and yoga was extremely painful and uncomfortable in the beginning. However something pulled her and she dove right in and started cultivating a deep, healing connection between mind and body- understanding in time that this would be a lifelong journey.
Along the way, Sarah visited sacred India twice and did her TTC training in Varkala, India. It was after these 2 months in India that her soul resonated with teaching and she knew within this was her purpose.
Sara's approach to teaching is student-centered, non-judgmental, and affirming. "I would describe my classes as an alchemy of Yin & Yang energy. Containing aspects of Yin Yoga as well as Vinyasa Flow, in each class, I read the space and create an intuitive practice that encourages students to honor where they are in that moment, to embrace and appreciate their bodies and individuality, and most importantly come back to BREATHE."
Yoga for Sarah is a practice of self-intimacy and creative expression. Learning to turn your gaze within, thinking less, and feeling more. This practice is a mindful way to move that expresses on the outside what we experience on the inside.
"I believe we never stop learning and growing, as I continue doing both my style of teaching evolves and reflects my understanding as both a student and as a person."
Sarah looks forward to our paths crossing on this magical journey of self-exploration and cultivation.
Shan
Shannon's dancing background and love of creative movement led her to discover yoga in 2014. She fell in love with the strong, physical practice, but over time has discovered that her yoga practice extends far beyond the mat into life's littlest moments.
Shannon completed her Yoga teacher training in 2017 and Pilates teacher training in 2020. She looks forward to learning and adding new forms of bodywork to her repertoire. Her classes focus on deep stretches, fluid transitions and correct alignment.
When she's not teaching or doing handstands on the beach, you will probably find Shannon experimenting with different flavors in the Kitchen. She is a SERIOUS foodie and can happily discuss anything food-related for hours on end.
Nadia
Nadia is former professional classical ballet dancer with the Royal Ballet, her love affair with yoga started about 15 years ago. It was Bikram Yoga that offered her the greatest opportunity for transformation, it quickly became her passion because of its physical intensity, as well as its ability to heal and strengthen. This dynamic series of postures brought health and balance to her life. Inspired to share this platform for healing and self-discovery with others, she graduated from Sally Flanagan-Gutjahrs Yoga Intense, Hot Yoga Teacher Training in 2018. The following year she finished off a 200hour Vinyasa teacher training and Mentorship with Marinus Muller all at Yoga Experience Josie. She brings passion, intuition, and authenticity to her yoga teaching through her experiences and dedication to ballet, creative dance, and yoga. She believes in order to be a responsible teacher, she must continue to be a humble student - always learning, growing, and sharing her knowledge of this practice from countless numbers of teachers who have come before her. Nadia is currently doing a 300 hour training to be certified to teach Trauma-Senstive Yoga through the Yoga Therapy Institute in Europe. Nadia is truly grateful for the gift of yoga and looks forward to sharing this great daily practice of self-discovery. Find Nadia on the schedule, Thursdays at 6 pm for Power Vinyasa Flow!
Kathy
Lies
For Lies, yoga is a life-changing discovery she wishes she had discovered a little earlier in life. She had touched upon the practice on and off between the rather turbulent decade between her twenties and thirties, but it was only after quitting a fast-paced career in PR & Communications in Belgium and committing herself to ‘stop, feel and be’, that yoga really became a way of life. During an interesting period of soul searching and, in the meantime, experiencing the nurturing effect of a life amidst nature in Kommetjie, Lies rediscovered yoga at Soul Space.
For Lies yoga is a way to connect to herself and to other people more closely. She views yoga as a very inspirational philosophy she aspires to live by every day and as a life-long learning possibility.
She completed a 200 hour teacher training at Yoga Spirit in Constantia, and hopes more moments for yoga immersion will follow.
Sian
As a teenager, Sian struggled with mental health and endured significant pain due to a spinal abnormality. Her days were consumed by doctor’s appointments, ice packs, and painkillers. Like many others, she found sanctuary in yoga. Not only did she discover a sense of presence on the mat, but her pain began to alleviate with each practice.
Inspired to share this healing experience, she completed her first intensive teacher training in 2019.
Today, she is an advanced 500-hour RYT with experience in various styles. She is particularly passionate about somatic healing, mind-body medicine, and nervous system regulation. Currently, she is pursuing an honors degree in psychology, with the dream of one day bridging the gap between Eastern and Western medicine.
Beatriz
Beatriz
Beatriz discovered yoga 10 years ago in an Ashtanga studio in Lisbon. This transformative practice shaped her body, mind, and spirit, eventually leading her to Bali for her teacher training.
In her vinyasa classes, Beatriz weaves together elements beyond the physical poses, drawing from her deep understanding of yoga's broader teachings. As a massage therapist, she places great emphasis on proper alignment, guiding students to tune into their bodies and stay present.
Beatriz believes in creating a space where students can drop the ego, embrace challenges, and explore their practice with curiosity and playfulness.
Eva
Eva began her yoga journey at the age of 15, seeking discipline and healing for her body. Over the past 18 years, she has honed her practice under the guidance of various teachers, leading her to choose the path of yoga instruction.
Eva's teaching is marked by its precision, intuition, and care. She focuses on creating a sense of lightness, stability, and balance in body, mind, and spirit, offering her students progressive, technical, and therapeutic value.
Fran
Yoga has been a grounding force for Francesca, especially since moving to South Africa from Germany in 2018.
Navigating motherhood and personal growth, her practice continues to guide her toward clarity and purpose. With a background in fashion retail and product development, Francesca found yoga essential in maintaining balance amidst a busy lifestyle.
She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Spirit and is now specializing in Sensory and Mindfulness Yoga for Learning Environments, aiming to create inclusive spaces for all ages.
Francesca’s teaching philosophy emphasizes collective growth, inclusivity, and the transformative benefits of yoga.