Our Team

Gwen, an outdoor enthusiast and avid long-distance runner and mountain trekker, originally found yoga too slow for her liking. However, her perspective shifted dramatically when she began working in a physiotherapy clinic and later suffered a sports injury that sidelined her from her favorite activities. These experiences taught her the vital role of yoga in building muscle memory and enhancing daily functional movements, leading her to a deep and transformative engagement with yoga.

Retiring from a nearly two-decade career in the corporate world, Gwen embarked on her yoga journey, completing her first 200-hour yoga teacher training. This marked a point of no return as she delved deeper into the wisdom of yoga, eventually sharing her learnings through teaching. Gwen’s practice not only allowed her to return to running and trekking but also enhanced these activities with her newfound insights. She lives by the philosophy of “Apply therapy according to lifestyle,” aiming to tailor her yoga teachings to enhance her students’ daily lives.

Gwen is highly qualified, with a 500-hour RYT with Yoga Seeds, alongside specialized trainings including a 250-hour Diploma in Yoga Therapy, 100-hour Yin Yoga & Anatomy, 50-hour Basic and Meridian Yin Yoga, and various other certifications focused on making yoga accessible and therapeutic. Her training encompasses Adaptive & Accessible Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, specific Yoga Therapy courses, and targeted anatomy and therapeutics for shoulders, hips, and IT bands.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Basics: Sun Salutations
• Basics: Hatha
• Recalibrate: Yin Yoga / Myofascial Release
• Recalibrate Five Elements Yin Yoga
• Recalibrate: Yoga Therapy
• Flow: Yoga Ring

Jasmine discovered yoga in 2010 amid the demands of her career as a perioperative nurse. Facing stress and irregular hours, she turned to yoga for solace and strength, and it quickly became her anchor, empowering her to face life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

With over nine years of teaching experience, Jasmine is passionate about making yoga accessible to everyone, inspiring her students to reconnect with their inner selves and unlock their full potential. Jasmine’s classes provide a sanctuary for growth and self-discovery, embracing students of all levels with compassion and understanding.

In 2023, Jasmine embraced motherhood, which deepened her appreciation for yoga’s transformative power. This experience has inspired her to empower women at every stage of life to prioritize self-care, mindfulness, and confidence.

Jasmine is a highly skilled instructor with a broad range of certifications that enhance her teaching. She has completed a 200-hour Hatha Ashtanga training with Tirisula Yoga and a 50-hour Vinyasa training with Hee Boon, enriching her dynamic yoga styles. Additionally, she holds a 100-hour certification in Kids Yoga from Rainbow Kids Yoga and another 100-hour in Prenatal/Postnatal/Active Birth from Michelle Papa, addressing specific needs across different life stages. Jasmine has also acquired specialized skills through 10-hour courses in Restorative Yoga with Adeline Tian and Wheel Yoga with Sandy Lum, a Yin Yoga immersion with Chris Su, and a 10-day intensive Iyengar Yoga session with Diwan, preparing her to provide a comprehensive and holistic yoga experience.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Basics: Ashtanga
• Recalibrate: Restorative Yoga
• Flow: Core and Strength
• Flow: Alignment

Rachel, a passionate and dedicated instructor at YOPA Yoga, brings a holistic approach to her teaching. Since beginning her yoga journey in 2019, Rachel has found that yoga and meditation have profoundly impacted her life, fostering growth in strength, flexibility, and fearlessness both on and off the mat. Inspired to live each moment more mindfully, she completed her 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) with Yoga Seeds in June 2022.

Rachel holds a variety of certifications, including E-RYT200, RYT500, 100 hours Premed, MyRing CYT, and specialized training in Yin Yoga & Anatomy, Yin & 5 Elements, Dynamic Vinyasa Sequencing, Yoga Philosophy and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, as well as Adaptive and Accessible Yoga, and Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation. Her comprehensive training allows her to offer classes that not only refine the body but also nourish the soul and balance the mind.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Recalibrate: Gentle Stretch/Sound Healing
• Flow: Mindful
• Flow: Yin Yang

Melody invites you to explore the transformative power of yoga at YOPA Yoga, where she emphasizes laying a strong foundation and extending the practice beyond just the physical poses. With a rich background in yoga training and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Melody offers a unique perspective by integrating holistic wellness and balance into her sessions.

Certified with a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT), along with specialized courses including 100-hour Yin Yoga, 50-hour Yoga Therapy, 30-hour TCM Online YTT, 10-hour Adaptive Chair Yoga, and 2-hour Myofascial Release Training, Melody’s expertise is profound and diverse. Her specialty lies in weaving the Five Elements of TCM throughout her classes, providing a deeply enriching experience that nurtures both body and spirit.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Recalibrate: Yin Yoga
• Flow: Mindful

Mahendra brings an invigorating energy to every class at YOPA Yoga. As a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher (Level 1) with over a decade of teaching experience, he is celebrated for his dynamic sequences and a deep, meditative approach that enriches the mind and body alike. Based in Singapore, Mahendra’s yogic path began in his teens, paralleling his academic pursuits. He completed his initial teacher training in 2006 and a yearlong diploma in Yoga during 2011-12.

His teaching philosophy is influenced profoundly by continuous learning in Iyengar Yoga and his extensive readings on yoga and consciousness. Mahendra believes that the physical practice of yoga should resonate deeply, enhancing one’s inner core, with health benefits being a natural byproduct. His classes focus significantly on improving the inner mindscape through precise postures and mindful breathing.

In addition to his technical expertise, Mahendra is a skilled storyteller who uses mythological tales and parables from Indian tradition to deepen students’ understanding of yogic practices. These stories often become an integral part of his meditation sessions, making them uniquely reflective and enlightening.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Basics: Iyengar
• Recalibrate: Restorative Yoga

Azmi, a dynamic and insightful yoga instructor, approaches teaching with a philosophy that emphasizes flexibility in thought and technique. He believes that progress in yoga comes from teaching with attentiveness, understanding, and compassion rather than imposition. His method encourages students to explore their practice deeply and organically, fostering personal growth and self-discovery.

Azmi holds certifications in a variety of disciplines, bringing a rich and diverse expertise to his classes. His training includes Sound Healing Therapy, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Hatha Alignment, Vinyasa, and the Ashtanga Primary Series. This broad foundation allows him to blend traditional and contemporary yoga practices, tailoring his sessions to meet the unique needs of his students.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Basics: Ashtanga
• Recalibrate: Gentle Stretch/Sound Healing

Kim’s yoga journey began in 2008 as a form of rehabilitation for both body and mind. Over the years, her practice has evolved into a source of strength, mindfulness, and self-compassion. She completed her 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Seeds and is deeply committed to her ongoing education, currently pursuing a 300-hour Yoga Therapy certification. Kim is also a certified Sports Massage Therapist and a Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) Mobility Specialist, and she skillfully integrates these disciplines into her yoga sequences.

Kim’s philosophy centers on the belief that yoga transcends the pursuit of complex poses or rigid forms. For her, yoga is about connecting with the breath, moving in harmony with each inhale and exhale, and embracing what feels good in the moment. She encourages her students to listen to their bodies, minds, and souls, allowing these to guide the intensity of their practice.

Kim holds multiple certifications, including E-RYT200/RYT500; 200-hour Hatha Yoga and an additional 300-hour advanced training covering Yin & Anatomy, Yin & the Five Elements, Dynamic Vinyasa Sequencing, Adaptive & Accessible Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation, and Philosophy & Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, all with Yoga Seeds. She has also completed a 100-hour Pre/Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training with Dewi Chen of Terra Luna Yoga, a 20-hour Hot 26 CET with Marilyn Ang at Sweatbox, and a 20-hour foundational course in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga with Kristen Pringle, TCTSY, along with a Restorative Yoga immersion with Adeline Tien.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Recalibrate: Gentle Stretch
• Flow: Yin Yang

Dawn’s journey into the world of yoga began in 2010 after a back injury led her to discover Bikram Yoga. To her surprise, yoga not only managed her injury but also enhanced her performance in other sports. Since then, her practice has been a regular and evolving part of her life. Originally a hot vinyasa enthusiast, Dawn has grown to appreciate softer styles, meditation, and sound healing over the years, embracing the diverse facets of yoga.

Dawn is certified in a variety of disciplines that reflect her dynamic approach to fitness and well-being. Her qualifications include a 200-hour Fitness First Flow Yoga certification covering Gentle, Dynamic, Core, and Hot Flow; a Fitness First Weekend Immersion in H2O Flow & HIIT Flow, which combines yoga and high-intensity interval training on a float/SUP board; and a 200-hour Pure Yoga Hatha & Vinyasa Yoga certification with Hee Boon. She also holds a 50-hour Pure Yoga Yin CET, Levels 1 and 2 in Sound Healing from The Singing Bowl Gallery, Levels 1 and 2 Kettlebell Strength from Metamorphosis, and a Level 1 Precision Nutrition Coaching Certification.

Dawn believes that yoga is for everyone—regardless of age, size, or ability. She enjoys creating creative and fun sequences, focusing on the joy of being alive and connected with one’s breath and body during practice, rather than striving for perfection in poses.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Flow: Vinyasa
• Flow: Yin Yang

Heng Yi is a compassionate and insightful yoga instructor, who believes that the essence of yoga extends beyond the physical challenges to include mindfulness, self-introspection, and self-awareness. She views yoga as a unique and nurturing journey for each individual, aimed at growth and self-fulfillment.

With certifications in a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC) and a 20-hour Yoga & Sound Bath Continuing Education Training (CET), Heng Yi combines traditional yoga practices with therapeutic sound baths to enhance the yoga experience. Her approach is focused on making yoga accessible and safe for everyone, while still introducing challenges that encourage students to reach their full potential.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Flow: Vinyasa
• Recalibrate: Gentle Stretch/Sound Healing

Nathiya is a nurturing and attentive instructor at YOPA Yoga, dedicated to treating the body with love and kindness. She believes in the principle of Ahimsa—non-violence—not only towards others but towards oneself, fostering a practice that is gentle and nurturing. Nathiya’s aim is to create a welcoming environment where beginners can build a strong foundation and confidence, while intermediate and advanced students can challenge and explore their limits on the mat.

Nathiya is certified through a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) with Yoga Seeds, which equips her with a deep understanding of yoga’s fundamental principles. Her teaching style is centered around creating safe and accessible classes that encourage personal growth and self-discovery.

Classes Taught at YOPA Yoga:

• Basics: Hatha
• Recalibrate: Gentle Stretch
• Flow: Vinyasa