Our Team
Lianne founded SomaChi Yoga in 2000. She was soon asked by students to develop a teacher training and in 2004 the first SomaChi Yoga Teacher Training was underway. By 2007 her school was accredited with the international body of Yoga Alliance.
Her unique style encompasses the influences of physical theatre, where she received sponsorship to study Grotowski and experiential theatre in Europe, and the influences derived from her travels in the east, including Nepal, to study Buddhism. Her classes are described by her students as refreshing and experiential, and the Melbourne Age characterised her style as “fun classes that swoop into trikonasana (triangle pose) in dance like rolls from the waist, and cycles of sun salutations”.
Lianne’s vinyasa has been influenced by taoism and tai chi and the yoga world of Cyndy Lee, Shiva Rae and Wade Imre Morrisette. She has an advanced diploma in Zapchen Somatics (Buddhist and Western body psychotherapy), where her principle teachers are Tony Richardson and Julie Henderson. For the past 13 years she has been studying Buddhism with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Lianne also enjoys and studies within the Shambhala tradition of contemplative meditative practices.
Lianne has been in great demand as a teacher. She has taught yoga, Improvisational and Somatic Movement, Pilates and SomaChi. She has given instruction at Chunky Moves, Melba Conservatorium of Music, and was a teacher trainer for Somatic Pilates at The Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. She has also been flown to outback Australia to run Yoga and Pilates Workshops. In 2011 she taught sensory applications of functional anatomy to medical students of Melbourne University. Her past students are teaching today around Melbourne in SomaChi and Vinyasa, and some are venturing into their own studios.
Her passion and motivation for yoga stems from traditional Eastern and Western contemporary influences. Paying utmost respect to her own teachers, Lianne continues to go beneath the structure of asana, asking the question of how you find spontaneity and energy to express these ancient postures, as it is here we can experience great joy.
Peter is the Co-director of SomaChi, meditation instructor, and philosophy teacher for the teacher training. He is also a certified SomaChi yoga instructor.
Peter has enjoyed and continues to enjoy many hours of meditation. He has done 9 vipashyana's 4 of which were done in India. He has also done Shambhala contemplative meditave studies and In recent years he has been greatly inspired by the 4 seals, and in particular these Buddhist teachings from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. It is here where his love for the teachings from the Buddha grows.
Pete believes we must be gently provoked, so we can melt barriers that keep us separate, and that our ultimate aim is to be of benefit to others. His teachings are sincere, and heartfelt.
As a Senior Teacher, Nicky teaches a range of SomaChi Yoga and Pilates classes. She also offers private SomaChi Yoga and Pilates studio sessions to individuals and small groups. As well as teaching in the SomaChi Studio, Nicky teaches at a variety of gyms, health centres, the corporate sector and schools throughout Melbourne. Nicky’s depth of experience enables her to teach people of all abilities and ages.
In addition to her advanced SomaChi Yoga qualifications, Nicky is also a Certified Pilates Instructor (mat, reformer bed, wunder chair and props) and qualified Tai Chi Instructor. She has studied Tibetan Buddhism, meditation and mantra for nine years with Lama David Christensen of the Odiyana Buddhist Centre in Melbourne.
Nicky’s wealth of knowledge and experience flows through in all her classes as she encourages class participants to explore the somatic elements of yoga and Pilates: feeling, sensing and embodiment. She wishes that through her classes, participants develop greater wellbeing and happiness, and establish a yoga or Pilates practice that supports an energetic, strong and healthy body.
Nicky’s warm, caring and friendly nature will make you smile, even in the most challenging postures, and she will help you discover that yoga is an incredible way to open your mind and heart for the benefit of yourself and others.
Abbie has a long history of exercise, being a former professional contemporary dancer, a Personal trainer and teaching dance for more than 10 years!
Abbie trained at the Victorian College of the Arts secondary school where she gained 2 Premiere’s awards for her VCE Dance and Dance Styles, and then went on to receiving her Bachelor of Dance with high distinction.
As a dancer Abbie worked with the Australian Opera, various contemporary choreographers; Lucy Geurin, Neil Adams, Phillip Adams to name a few, Melbourne fashion week, appeared on Rove, a Myer Spring Fashion commercial, The Cat Empire film clip, The Fringe Festival with Cyborpyg which also showed at the State theatre in the Victorian Arts centre, Bendigo Arts festival for the Commonwealth games, and other independent projects.
Abbie worked with AKA Dance which was a small dance company that travelled rural Victoria to perform and teach dance workshops to children from 5yrs to 18 yrs.
Abbie is very excited to be part of SomaChi teaching Yoga and Pilates
I was first introduced to yoga in 1997 by a close friend and since then I have studied many styles from Sakshin Ghatastha, Ashtanga & Vinyasa Power flow.
It wasn’t until I found Somachi that my passion was ignited to go deeper into the practice and become a teacher.
For as long as I can recall, I’ve been a passionate student of health & fitness, music & the arts.
In my free time I get a sense of aliveness, self expression and freedom through playing my guitar and regular 5Rhthyms classes & intensives. I feel both of these lend themselves to compliment my yoga practice and influence the yoga classes I conduct.
My aim is for my students to find their own freedom and flow through the class, to become energized by their breath and inspired by the music. I want to share my knowledge and love for yoga with mindfulness, recognizing each student as an individual.
Hugh began his Yoga teaching career in 2008, assisting and co-teaching with Yoga teacher Andrew Mournehis on Yoga retreats in Bali Ubud Indonesia, India, Healsville Victoria, Daintree Rainforest. This led Hugh to put all his heart and energy into teaching Power Vinyasa Flow and Vinyasa Flow Yoga full-time in Melbourne.
Hugh has been a dedicated student of Yoga since 2001. He is influenced by Baron Baptiste & Duncan Peak Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Shiva Rea Vinyasa Flow Yoga, both Yogic and Buddhist Meditation styles. Hugh brings warmth, compassion and light-heartedness to his teaching style. He encourages students to focus on staying in the present moment, to be self aware, and to recognize their innate inner & outer strength. Hugh always encourages students to practice with an inner and outer smile!
"I came to Yoga through personal crisis and have complete trust and faith in the transformational, healing and uplifting power and beauty of Yoga."
Dmitry is a passionate and dedicated practitioner of the movement arts. His extensive study and experiece of dance includes training at MGUKI (Moscow State University of Culture and Arts), and The Russian Academy of Theatre Arts.
Dmitry's journey and career includes lead parts in Miss Saigon (Broadway) and Dancing In The Dark (Hollywood). Dmitry has also performed many shows on cruise ships which helped him land here in Australia and fortunately to SomaChi.
It is here where Dmitry teaches Pilates, he is a certified fitness instructor, certified Pilates studio instructor and is a member of The Australian Pilates Method Association.
Lisa teaches SomaChi Yoga and prenatal classes.
Through her business ‘Yoga Lily’, Lisa teaches yoga for children and recently presented a workshop for the Australian Education Union on bringing yoga into the classroom. Using her knowledge of sign language, Lisa also teaches ‘Deaf Yoga’ to Deaf and hard of hearing primary and secondary students with Karli Dettman.
Lisa’s SomaChi classes are a combination of restorative and dynamic postures, and she draws inspiration from the Tai Chi and Zapchen Somatic practices. Her calm disposition will help you feel comfortable in the studio, regardless of your previous yoga experience.
Lisa teaches at the SomaChi Studio, gyms and schools throughout Melbourne.
