Sheridan Hammond (Director) - Yoga Instructor

Sheridan is West Australian born with a strong affinity to the Ocean.  In 1996, leg and back injuries forced him to search for a path to restore balance and equilibrium. While searching for an alternative to surgery, he found teachings about the inherent power of the breath and how to cultivate internal strength. The chance to attend a class of Astanga Yoga provided the mental, physical and emotional gains that he required.  Evolving his practice with his teacher Robert Lucas he also has traveled over the last decade around the world studying with various advanced yoga teachers, returning regularly to Mysore, India to practice with Guruji and Sharat.   His subsequent return to the South West of OZ in 2004 has inspired and fuelled his passion for the Samudra way of life. Sheridan's warmth, devotion to the practice, and his love of teaching that practice combine to make the classroom a stimulating and inspirational shelter.

Philosophy - "Astanga yoga restored balance in my life and helped me achieve freedom from pain. It gave me a sense of truth, wellbeing and emotional harmony. A candle was lit and it has never been extinguished. Quality time is on the mat and on the surfboard, and a powerful force in realising "my balance". It is my ambition now to impart this harmonic way of life to others. Samudra is my way of sharing these physical and spiritual experiences."

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Giles - Head Chef

My introduction to various facets of vegetarian cooking and its seemingly endless benefits led me to endeavor to cater for everyone's needs. There's nothing more attractive than attaining knowledge of new techniques and ingredients from our rich myriad of cultures. I do not consider myself and authority of health food but see the opportunity to discover cleaner flavors and more connection, cooking for a captive audience of discerning diners.

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Lucy - Graphic Design

Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Lucy has never lived far from the ocean and doesn't like being away from it. She studied for a degree in Graphic Design in Bristol, England and worked in a number of post production houses there before heading off to travel South America, taking photographs and gaining art & design inspiration along the way. She loves all things beach, scuba diving and attempting to surf and these things all drew her to the South West and Samudra.

Philosophy - "Never let your fears stand in the way of your dreams"

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Paul Fletcher (Fletch) - Surf Instructor

Fletch is a "Byron Bay Import" having left Sydney 13 years ago on a planetary search for waves, dolphins and interaction with life. He kept finding his way back to the bay, the simple North Coast lifestyle and the of course the lighthouse. He is a committed surf instructor having taught his first lesson more than 10 years ago and has over the past 7 years dedicated his professional life to sharing his love for surfing and the ocean. His affinity with water and broad range of experiences in the ocean has led him to many lessons in life and given him a deep respect for a naturally harmonious way of being. Through Samudra, he has been introduced to practicing yoga and is continuing to change and develop a more thorough understanding of his process. He has big love for people and is inspired by the many who choose to put high energy into connection.

Philosophy - "I am deeply grateful for this life and to be able to do what it is that I am passionate about. Here and now my philosophy is to be myself and have a go... Yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Heaven on Earth, Why not"

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Mark Robberds  - Yoga Instructor

Mark first began practicing yoga 12 years ago because he was looking for a healthier and more satisfying way of living, and found yoga, as well surfing and the guitar to be the perfect balance. After traveling the world for 15 months, trying his hand as a dive master on the Great Barrier Reef, contemplating being a snowboarding instructor, the strong calling for yoga lead him to India where he studied with yoga Guru Sri K Pattahbi Jois. He then returned to Australia and began a 5 year apprenticeship with Sydney yoga teacher Eileen Hall. Currently he is living his dream - traveling the world teaching yoga, surfing and playing music.

Philosophy - "In order to help others and help the world, we must first go on an inner journey of discovery, and find out what it is that we have to offer."

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Lisa Archer - All things Samudra

An ocean creature by nature, Lisa loves being creative and sharing her passions for surfing and yoga. Her background in gymnastics preceded her obsession with surfing and formal studies in landscape architecture. Now with 2 years of Astanga Yoga under her belt and 13 years of surfing, her new role as mum-to-be will no doubt ensure she remains the 'all-rounder' for Samudra. Creative, energetic and motivating, Lisa will have you on the mat or in the water riding waves with her in no time. As a qualified surf coach and the 2006 state women's champ, she sees an amazing congruence between yoga and surfing. She continues to practice yoga daily, inspired by teacher Robert Lucas who helped her overcome a string of injuries. Now yoga is very much part of her life - and life just got brighter!

Philosophy - I hope to inspire and surround myself with people living a positive, balanced, healthy life centered around the ocean.

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Paula McGeown - Food and Lifestyle Expert

Paula has always been passionate about food and its potential to heal and connect people. She took over the family kitchen at a young age then later trained as a chef, going on to cook around the world, learning from and cooking with a broad spectrum of food lovers: from amazing chefs devoted to the art of colour, texture and taste; to organic wholefood activists making the connections between the earth and what we eat (and ultimately become); and Indian grandmothers who pour love, spirit and generations of knowledge into every meal.

She studied Ayurveda in the U.S., UK and India over many years and offers Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultations to those interested in improving their health.

Today Paula cooks food for people using Ayurveda as a foundation, incorporating Macrobiotics and Raw Living Foods where beneficial. She uses local, organic (and bio-dynamic) produce and carefully preserves the vitality, the inherent life force in food.

Philosophy - "I believe food is an integral part of our human experience, equally capable of promoting perfect health or destroying it. In order to absorb the healing potential of food we need to look at the easy assimilation of good, vital produce. This occurs when mind, body and spirit are aligned; when food is made with love and joy; and when meals are prepared and eaten in a harmonious environment. Great food, joyfully made, according to great principles can truly nourish the soul!"

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Kristy Hall - Marketing

Kristy has been involved with the marketing and media industries for the last 10 years organising events and publicity for Channel Ten, Channel 7 and News Ltd. Always up for a challenge and looking for something different in life, Kristy knew there was more than the standard office path but just didn't know how to achieve it. The thought to travel was born and after exploring for a number of years and returning to her coastal home, Fremantle WA, she soon found her self in the same position as before she left. Itching for something else, she started practicing Astanga Yoga with Robert Lucas in early 2005. Since then a whole new world and way of approaching and living life has opened up for her. When the opportunity came to combine this passion with her past career skills for Samudra she jumped at the chance, grabbed life with open hands and heart and hasn't looked back. Kristy is also learning to surf and finds it hard to wipe the smile from her face. Her life has taken on a whole new meaning and the opportunity of being able to offer this same experience to others is a blessing and absolute joy.

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Solomon O'Thollo - Chef

Solomon O'Thollo was born on a Gypsy wagon in far north New Zealand in 1969.

At the age of 9 he traveled alone to India where he lived in Vrndavana & Mayapur Gurukulas studying in the kitchen under the guidance of great Matajis (mothers) of India in various Vaisnava temples.  After learning the art of vegetable preparation and spice combinations for the masalas, Solomon now brings a wealth of culture and flavour to the table for us to enjoy at every meal.

Solomon has the ability to prepare well balanced meals that nourish and satisfy.

I know the importance of good food. Foods are transformed into energy that helps to maintain our bodies and keep our mind under some control. The Samudra retreats are a great place to experience this philosophy on foods, as it's a way of life.

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Tom Mullins - Yoga Instuctor

"I was born in Byron Bay. The ocean and surfing have been a part of my life from a young age. When I was living in the city I took up Astanga yoga and immediately loved it. I have been practicing daily now for six years. I returned home to Byron and for the past five years I have been studying under Dena Kingsberg and teaching out of her yoga shala in Byron Bay.... Teaching with Samudra feels quite natural for me."

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Sarah Munro - Photographer

Following her intuition Sarah left Canada and arrived on the majestic shores of Byron Bay. With a love for photography and a determination to surf, she was drawn to Samudra and an environment that could support her developing passions. She has since become a qualified surf coach and continues to inspire as a surf photographer. Yoga has also played an important role in her growth as an individual. She enjoys learning, developing her skills and sharing with the community.

Philosophy - Follow your heart, listen, feel, have fun, learn, and share. community.

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Sue Gazey - Yoga Instructor

Sue has studied and practised various forms of yoga since 1996 overseas and in Australia, completing a 3 year Ashtanga teacher training course with Monica Gauci and Gregor Maehle of 8 Limbs Astanga Yoga in Perth in 2003. Sue has been teaching since 2001 and enjoys being able to give others the opportunity to experience the benefits of yoga.

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Gabriela - Yoga Instructor

Gabriela discovered yoga in India and its magic in 1983. She began yoga from a book of Andrea van Leisbeth whilst pregnant with her first son in Kathmandu. From there she traveled back to India and met Rolf Naujuket (an advanced Astanga practitioner) in Goa 18yrs ago. She practised and learnt Iyengar yoga with Rolf for 4yrs. After the birth of her 2nd son she practiced Sivananda yoga for a year and then in 1992 she discovered Astanga Vinyasa again with Rolf. In 1996 she moved to Mysore and spent the next 5 yrs studying with Guruji and Sharat. Here she met Graeme Northfield (an Advanced Astanga practitioner) and she began to travel for short periods to study with Graeme in Greece. Over the last 3yrs she has been the resident /senior teacher for the Purple Valley Yoga centre in Goa and now she has her own shala here in Goa, on Vagator Beach.

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Emma Hill (Pups ) - Surf Instructor

As a natural born mother ocean lover, I moved by her side and began surfing as soon as I finished school and my study of horticulture in Western Australia. Whenever I am not traveling I live in the splendour of Margaret River.

I spent the last year teaching surfing and spreading the ocean addiction in cold Canada and tropical Mexico to an age group ranging from 7 to 60 year olds.

Through mixing the perfect fundamentals of healthy living, yoga and surf, how can we not live an exciting and balanced life!

Philosophy - "Treat the earth as a friend, and she will reward you with energy and love. Take the dance of life into full perspective and flow with movement and feeling!"

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