MEET THE TEAM
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
TROY
MCPEAK
Troy has taught yoga full time all over the world for over 12 years and has over 8,000 hours of teaching experience in studio classes and directing of Yoga Teacher Trainings. Troy is a 500 Hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (500 E-RYT) through the Yoga Alliance and has taken many trainings throughout his yoga journey to attain certification in many different styles of yoga, massage and movement disciplines.
He spends his time between Bali and Los Angeles, California, but has travelled and taught yoga to adults and children in many locations around the world including the United States, Costa Rica, Bali, Brazil, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Yogi Troy is also trained in Tai Chi Chuan, Reiki, and Craniosacral Energy Work.
Yoga found Troy when he was at a crossroads in his life and career working as a project manager and engineer on bridge and highway projects throughout the U.S. Seeing the effects his yoga practice was having on him physically, mentally and emotionally, he decided to take a break from his career to travel, learn more about yoga and deepen his yoga practice.
He has not turned back since..
KIARA MCBAIN
With more than 3,000 teaching hours and 500 E-RYT, Kiara has taught classes in the yoga studio and gyms, at resorts, in corporate offices, juvenile centres and country clubs. She has taught to at-risk youth, celebrities, varying kinds of athletes, individual’s suffering with physical and psychological illness and to advanced and beginning yogis.
She has spent years teaching students one-on-one and leading groups in classes, workshops and immersive retreats. Kiara started leading 200hr yoga teacher trainings in 2016. Recognized by Lululemon Athletica as an exceptional yoga instructor, she has been a Lulu ambassador since March of 2016.
Kiara’s personal practice spans twenty years and in that time she has learned from innumerable teachers. However, it was in her years working for Yoga Journal magazine that she holds most dear; her time on the Yoga Journal Events team afforded her the ability to practice and learn from all the world-renowned yoga instructors. Having multiple influencers, Kiara teaches a unique style of yoga she now dubs Ki Yoga.
ATHENA
BKR
Athena is an E-RYT 500hr certified teacher who studied at Rishikesh Yog Peeth in India. Her classes are designed to bring awareness to the breath, body and movement while respecting the abilities and safety of one's own physical form, alignment and structure. She has a special focus on teaching trauma sensitive classes, a topic she is deeply passionate about and will dedicate the rest of her teaching journey to.
Her core principles for yoga are respecting the body. To do the work not only on the surface but allowing for space to listen to and embrace the spirit within. There is also a great emphasis on honouring the yoga practice and the differences between each individual path.
Athena's journey started when she was 14 years old, when an elderly monk appeared at her doorstep selling a book called The Science of Self-Realization by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. She persuaded her mother to purchase the book and after reading it, began a lifelong process of self-inquiry, as she felt unsettled with life as it was. In her early twenties, Athena vowed to search for answers while travelling the world.
Her restlessness led her to the practice of yoga and asana and in 2015, she travelled to India to train in Rishikesh. Those 3 months of intense ashram life opened the gateways to self-discovery and healing, and she now hopes to inspire her students to partake in their own journey of self-study.
Her core principles for yoga are respecting the body. To do the work not only on the surface but allowing for space to listen to and embrace the spirit within. There is also a great emphasis on honouring the yoga practice and the differences between each individual path.
Athena's journey started when she was 14 years old, when an elderly monk appeared at her doorstep selling a book called The Science of Self-Realization by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. She persuaded her mother to purchase the book and after reading it, began a lifelong process of self-inquiry, as she felt unsettled with life as it was. In her early twenties, Athena vowed to search for answers while travelling the world.
Her restlessness led her to the practice of yoga and asana and in 2015, she travelled to India to train in Rishikesh. Those 3 months of intense ashram life opened the gateways to self-discovery and healing, and she now hopes to inspire her students to partake in their own journey of self-study.
RICHARD-HUBERT
CLARKE
Richard-Hubert is a keen martial artist. Considered an adult prodigy by some, He possesses a black sash in Southern Mantis Kung Fu, is vastly skilled in weaponry, and has knowledge in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu.
During his Yoga career thus far, Richard-Hubert has taught over 2,500 (commercial and private) classes, to a diverse array of clientele, and led several advanced Yoga workshops for top yogis. He has spent 100’s of hours devouring books on philosophy to accompany his strong personal practice.
Richard-Hubert resides in Birmingham UK, where he was raised. He has a degree in Film Making, and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Digital Media from Worcester University, and has worked as a freelance writer, media technician, film director and actor.
His true Yoga journey began after the vigorous Kung Fu training regime caused him to succumb to serious illness. He has long travelled a spiritual path. The ideal form has been found for mind, and soul through the wonderful expression of yoga.
LAUREN
BROWN
Lauren Brown, is a E-RYT 500hr certified teacher
based out of Hawaii, and has been practicing yoga for more than fifteen years. She began her academic study of Yoga and Tantra while completing her undergraduate degree at DePaul University in 2010.
Lauren, has taught all over the world and loves to inspire students to discover the deeper, more meaningful aspects of yoga, leading them towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. She is passionate about yoga nidra, meditation, and other stillness practices, as she believes this is where true nature is discovered.
In 2018, she spent time as a nun in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This became one of the most spiritually meaningful moments in her life to date. It has played a vital role in her teaching, practice and way of life.
In her free time, she enjoys studying the Indian epics as well as yogic and Tantric source texts. When not in meditation or teaching classes, she usually plays with her dog or attends to her gardening, amidst the lush Hawaiian Jungle.
Lauren, has taught all over the world and loves to inspire students to discover the deeper, more meaningful aspects of yoga, leading them towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. She is passionate about yoga nidra, meditation, and other stillness practices, as she believes this is where true nature is discovered.
In 2018, she spent time as a nun in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This became one of the most spiritually meaningful moments in her life to date. It has played a vital role in her teaching, practice and way of life.
In her free time, she enjoys studying the Indian epics as well as yogic and Tantric source texts. When not in meditation or teaching classes, she usually plays with her dog or attends to her gardening, amidst the lush Hawaiian Jungle.
'Our skilled teachers are extremely knowledgeable, yet always willing to learn, confident, without being arrogant, firm, but filled with love. Their very purpose is of that which is spiritual. They are truth-seekers that are reluctant to the notion of being held on a pedestal, or viewed as gurus.'
CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED COURSE DATE
We at Samasthala recognise that not everyone has the opportunity to carve out the time of almost three weeks.
We also offer a hybrid 200-Hour YTT course that consists of 14 days in person and 40 hours online.
This will run parallel with our 19 day intensive programme.
Contact us for further details.
200-Hour Yoga Certification Training One
Dynamic Vinyasa / Yin
August 11 - August 30 2024
The Mountain Shala - Bali Mountain Retreat
Selemadeg, Bali ‘Island of Indonesia’
ALL-INCLUSIVE From
£1,700
(Super Early Bird Discount)
Regular Price From £1,950
Rooms are shared (apart from 'The Rice House') or pay an additional £550 for private space (email with request)
or
200-Hour Yoga Certification Training Two
Dynamic Vinyasa / Yin
April 06 - April 25 2025
The Mountain Shala - Bali Mountain Retreat
Selemadeg, Bali ‘Island of Indonesia’
ALL-INCLUSIVE From
£1,700
(Super Early Bird Discount)
Regular Price From £1,950
Rooms are shared (apart from 'The Rice House') or pay an additional £550 for private space (email with request)
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