Meet our Health & Wellbeing Instructors

Meet our wonderful Health & Wellbeing instructors

Naki

Naki is our enthusiastic instructor for Zumba and Love to Live!

Naki is our Zumba Gold and Love to Live instructor. She believes that these sessions are as much about fun as they are about physical movement, so there's always plenty of singing and even the odd air guitar! Physical movements are targeted to suit each class, so they are appropriate and deliver the maximum benefit to participants. Naki has been in the fitness industry since 2011, and has been teaching Zumba Gold since 2013 and Love to Live since 2021, so she has a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist anyone thinking of joining one of our classes.

Rita

Rita is our skilled instructor for all Yoga classes and Qigong!

Rita was born and lived in Hong Kong and moved to Melbourne in 2010. She started exploring yoga after her mum suggested it following her divorce in 1999. She told Rita 'your divorce is a 'blessing' in your life." Since then she has practised yoga every day. She has learnt how to be a stronger person, never give up, and never get frustrated, nothing to her is a big deal now as she said, "we all own nothing in our lives."

She began teaching yoga in Melbourne in 2011, turning her passion and hobby into a rewarding endeavor. By day, she is a qualified CPA and CA, combining her expertise in finance with her love for teaching yoga to create a balanced and fulfilling career.

Her Motto: "My daytime job feeds my mouth, but only yoga feeds my soul."

Her qualifications:
** Certified Universal Yoga Teacher / student of Master Andrey Lappa
** Certified Gokul Yoga Teacher / student of Master Jani Jaatiinen
** Registered Senior (Level III) Yoga Teacher @Yoga Australia
** Registered E-RYT500 Yoga Teacher @Yoga Alliance USA
** Continuing Education Provider @Yoga Alliance USA
** Yoga Teachers' Trainer RYS200 @Yoga Alliance USA

Jacqui

Jacqui is our creative instructor for Mosaic for All!

I had my first taste of mosaics when my children were young, and I attended night classes with a group of girlfriends. It was a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the company of friends, but it also sparked a sense of creativity and fun. I have always dabbled in creative avenues over the years enjoying classes in watercolour, sewing, clay, sandstone, and cooking.
I returned to mosaics in 2017 and became absorbed in creating my own pieces working with glass and tiles and fell in love with Smalti - a traditional handmade mosaic glass. This sparked a desire to travel to Italy in 2018 to study in Ravena with Luciana Notturni where I worked with Smalti and marble and became absorbed with the Byzantine mosaics which Ravenna is renowned for.
Mosaic Bliss was born in Jan 2020 as an avenue to continue classes in my local area and to offer a fun and welcoming space for mosaic enthusiasts and beginners to come together, share ideas, knowledge, and experience.
I began making commissioned work, selling my own pieces, and working within the community. I have also restored large mosaic works. I very quickly began to outgrow working from home and I moved into my own studio at the beginning of 2021, and I’m now based at Mulbury at 26 Advantage Road, Highett as one of 7 resident artists.
I am a proud member of MAANZ (Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand) and with a strong love of learning continue to study to enhance and build my skill base with mosaic teachers from all around the world.
I have been running mosaic classes since 2020 and currently run four classes a week in Hampton, Highett, Cheltenham, and Glen Waverley.

Larisa

Larisa is our energetic instructor for Pilates!

My name is Larisa, and I was born in Kazakhstan. I've loved life from a very young age and always maintain a positive outlook. I'm passionate about exploring new things, traveling, and being creative. I love what I do and strive to inspire others to be open to new experiences.
I enjoy teaching yoga, mat Pilates, barre, meditation, and creative movement. Through my teaching, I've discovered the importance of physical activity in our lives, especially in stretching and alignment. It’s truly a lifesaver. The strength of my teaching has opened my mind to new opportunities because when you stretch, your mind becomes calm, and you start to feel more connected to your body—that's when the magic begins.
I look forward to seeing you soon in our mat Pilates class, my wonderful people!