Meet Monique
Hello there, thank you for visiting me here at Synergy Yoga and Pilates. My name is Monique and I am from Australia. I first discovered the wonders of
movement when I was a small child of 4. I loved to dance and move my body through gymnastics and callesthenics. High impact exercise never felt good in my body. After many years of attending the gym, I realised that I needed to get back to moving functionally. So I decided to join a yoga class and then pilates class at the gym. I was instantly impressed by not only how the movement made me feel physically but also noticed how it provided me with a sense of calm and ease after class. I felt good!
A couple of years later after regular attendance 3-4 times per week I decided that this form of movement was something I wanted to learn more about and share with others. So my journey began back in 2010, studying both yoga and pilates. I have never looked back and to this day and so appreciative of my teachers, being part of this wonderful community and of the people that I have met as a result of this life changing career and lifestyle.
In 2012, I opened the doors to my own yoga and pilates studio. Wow this was such as challenge as I had never owned my own business, nor had I any idea if anyone would come to classes. Yet they did! And they continued to grow and develop. After 3 years I had 7 teachers plus myself working at the studio and 18 classes per week. What a joy and pleasure. As the business grew, so did my passion for education and learning. I decided to reach out to international and national teachers and invited them to Adelaide to share their knowledge and wisdom with our yoga and wellness community. And so 8 years on, I have very much enjoyed hosting inspirational teachers from around the globe. Grateful to them to travel to Adelaide to educate our teachers so that they may pass on their knowledge to our community.
My dream and vision has been to continue to educate, learn and grow with the community, focusing on and ensuring safety and attention to people’s individual health and wellness needs. Synergy Yoga & Pilates places importance on INDIVIDUAL HEALTH NEEDS and well being for all bodies and all ages.
Monique from Synergy Yoga and Pilates is a humbled to offer wellness and health support to many global community members. Teaching a range of classes, courses and retreats in Mindfulness (MBSR), Meditation, Yoga and Pilates. Monique also offers trauma aware classes which means that sessions are accessible and inclusive for everyBODY. Monique’s passion for optimum health and wellbeing begun 30 years ago when she first completed a degree in Behavioural Sciences, Health promotion and Addictions. Monique has continued to study and learn over the years so that she can provide students and participants a range of modalities to support optimum health. Synergy Yoga and Pilates was initially launched in 2012 in Adelaide, Australia hosting a range of national and international events/retreats and training each year. Monique now has expanded her network to include international sessions and trainings as she is now based in Portugal.
SYNERGY YOGA & PILATES is a way of life connecting MIND BODY HEALTH, Education, Retreats, Workshops and Wellness. Specialising in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) Ayurveda, One on One personal training, Corporate Yoga/Pilates and Wellbeing programs and have offered Yoga, Pilates, Meditation and coaching since 2012.
Monique Leverington – Founder & D
irector of Synergy Yoga & Pilates, International and National Teacher Training host
Training and Education
Founder and Director Monique Leverington is qualified and certified by Yoga Alliance International (Australia) 500 ERYT and Yoga Australia Level 2 in Yoga and Pilates. Monique has to date completed 1460 hours of teacher training since 2011. Completed teacher training courses in 400 Hour Yoga & Pilates Teacher Training, 200 hr MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction), 285 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, Vinyasa Flow Immersion Training, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy and Consultation with Yoga Trinity, Rainbow Kids Yoga and Family yoga teacher training, Pre/Post natal yoga training with Bliss Babies.
Monique has also trained with and dedicates her joy of yoga to her incredible teachers: Leslie Kaminoff (NYC) (author of Yoga Anatomy), Mel McLaughlin (The Yin Space) Maty Ezraty formally from Yoga Works (NYC), Jo Phee from Yinspiration, Sarah Powers from Insight Yoga (NYC), Heather Agnew from Yoga Trinity (AUS), Malcom Huxter (Clinical psychologist and Buddhist Meditation teacher), Bodhin (Phillip) Woodward from Mindfulness Academy Spain.
MBSR Teacher and Trainer
Monique is qualified as a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher from the Mindful Academy of Spain (Solterreno) in TT1 TT2 and TT3 completing 260hours in training. http://mbsr.website/qualification. The 8 week MBSR training that is now facilitated worldwide and is keeping in line with Gold Standards of University of Massachusetts and Medicine (UMASS), Bangor University (UK). This course is offered in many settings worldwide, including medical, psychological, schools, universities, corporate settings, prisons and other healthcare settings.
Background
Monique’s background and other qualifications include Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences and CBT counselling, Post Graduate Degree in Adult Education and teaching at TAFE SA, Diploma’s in Youth Work, Addictions, Mental Health, Community Services and Welfare and Workplace Teacher Training and Assessment.
Monique has worked in the Community Services Industry for many years in Adelaide and was also employed as a Lecturer at TAFE SA in Community Health and Welfare Services. Having practiced Yoga/Pilates for a number of years Monique became inspired to learn and become an instructor as she saw the amazing benefits she gained herself from Yoga/Pilates. Monique facilitates Introductory courses in Mindfulness as well as the MBSR 8 week program. Mindfulness has been researched and proven to be an effective tool for dealing with trauma, stress, anxiety and depression.