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Tania Elder

Tania has been experiencing the profound effects of Zen Shiatsu, Ryoho Yoga and corrective yoga counselling for over 40 years. She was led to Andrzej Gospodarczyk (founder of Ryoho Yoga) when only 19 years old and has been experiencing first hand his amazing knowledge and therapy ever since. Tania owned and ran several businesses before finding herself in a position to start to study Zen Shiatsu Therapy with Andrzej in 1992, while continuing to do yoga classes. She then had two children and wanted to get back to do her Ryoho Yoga Training course. Tania completed her training in 1998 and continued to assist Andrzej in corrective yoga counselling for another 12 months whilst teaching at the Manly Ryoho Centre. Tania then had one more baby girl and kept an increasing following of yoga students on the Northern Beaches. She then founded the Newport Yoga Centre in 2000 with a great response.

Newport Primary School approached Tania to introduce a yoga programme, which has now become part of their curriculum. This wonderful programme has been running with incredible response from both parents and teachers for over ten years. Tania also trains and mentors the top athletes at the Newport Surf Life Saving Club, and works with children and adults with special needs. Tania completed a Radiant Child Yoga Programme with Shaktur Khaur Khalso and continues to further educate herself in her passion of Ryoho Yoga Therapy, nutritional counselling and food for medicine. Tania holds Day Yoga and wholefood cooking retreats from her beautiful home on Bungan Beach, sharing her expertise in wholefood cooking with the community. Now the mother of three wonderful children, Tania loves her life and the opportunity to share all this with all of you.

Fiona Jarvis

Fiona was an elite gymnast as a child, her yoga journey began at 19 years (with a toddler beside her) in Duffy’s Forest where she was inspired by the no-nonsense, intensive style of Ryoho Yoga taught by Lisa Foster. At 28 Fiona was fortunate to complete her 1 year intensive & life changing yoga training under Andzej Gospodarczyk, founder of Ryoho Japanese Yoga Therapy. She taught at the Manly Ryoho Center for the next 2 years (while having 2 more children), focusing on private clients with severe back & head injuries, women’s health & pre-wedding body sculpting, whilst also running regular outdoors Yoga classes in Terry Hills. When she moved to Newport she re-joined Tania at Newport Yoga Center, which felt like returning home.

“Teaching Ryoho Yoga Therapy is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. It brings me so much happiness knowing that we help people expand their lives by teaching a pathway to improved health and wellbeing.”

Alex Fortina

In 2013, Alex’s unexpected journey into the world of yoga began when a close friend introduced him to the practice. At first, Alex was skeptical, thinking it was something for “softies” or older individuals. However, watching his friend practice yoga on the rooftop of their student accommodation piqued his interest, and he decided to give it a try.

To his surprise, yoga turned out to be physically intense, demanding unwavering concentration, stamina, and a willingness to endure discomfort in still positions. What struck Alex the most was the incredible sensation he experienced afterward—a sense of lightness, mental calmness, and boundless energy.

He was hooked and started a self-practice journey at home, exploring various yoga styles online. A few years later, another friend introduced him to a unique style of yoga that marked the beginning of Alex’s yoga therapy journey with his teacher, Andzej. This transformative style, rooted in Japan, empowered him to achieve emotional and physical balance.

After dedicating three years to studying yoga therapy and shiatsu therapy, Alex traveled to NYC and Milan to learn from the remarkable teacher Rose Erin of “Bodyaware,” blending classical yoga with Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Upon returning to Sydney, Alex began teaching yoga to a diverse range of individuals, including elite athletes, people with disabilities, the elderly, and more. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and healing practices, believing that every client has something valuable to teach. Alex’s journey is a continuous learning process, and he looks forward to connecting with others to explore the incredible potential of mind, body, and spirit.