Your Guides on the Yoga Journey
Our Teachers
knowledgable, Dedicated, passionate
The Swara Yoga Academy Teachers are a soul family who have dedicated their lives to the ongoing practice, study, and transmission of these life-changing teachings.
Our teachers are of the highest calibre, each holding a very unique set of skills and passions which have their roots in different lineages. As a collective, we embrace our diverse approaches and viewpoints, which give our trainings colour and depth. We cover a broad spectrum of subjects which are allocated to each teacher according to their expertise and passion. As leaders on the courses, we are here for you, to help you learn and grow into your most radiant self!
Randall O'Leary
Founder and Director of Swara yoga
Randall has been a dedicated explorer of Yoga since 1991. Alongside his studies of classical Hatha Yoga, Randall has studied a variety of styles including Iyengar, Jivamukti and Viniyoga.
Randall began teaching in 1995, and began the Jungle Yoga Teacher Training School which delivered 200 Hour & 300 Hour Teacher Trainings for over 10 years, merging into the Swara Yoga Academy in 2018.
Randall’s teaching style is primarily focused on cultivating an asana practice that builds & sustains a high level of Prana – our life force energy. Inspired through his studies of Tai Qi and Viniyoga, Randall shares his unique approach to Pranayama, which he called Swara Yoga. This system gradually deepens into Advanced Pranayama sequences which allow his students access to a comprehensive, embodied understanding of the infinite power within the breath.
Randall’s classes are enriched with philosophy stemming from his studies of Hatha Yoga, Tantra, Ayurveda & Indian Mysticism, and are balanced by his unapologetically playful nature and love for Reggae music.
In 2006, after many years studying with his Guru in India, Randall was initiated into the ancient Indian spiritual order of Sadhus and is honoured to share many unique tools from his sacred tradition.
It is his aim to inspire every student to pursue a practice that is overflowing with energy and joy, that spills out into their world and transforms their relationship with life itself.
Below is an audio recording of Randall speaking about his Yoga Journey. Have a listen if you want to learn more!
Renata Byrne
Renata Byrne is the founder of Samadhi Yoga Folkestone in
the UK and author of Dream Queen, a consciousness
medicine podcast dedicated to all things higher mind.
Trained in Hatha Vinyasa, Yin, Swara, Yoga Nidra,
Hypnotherapy and Psychic Mediumship, Renata is an
eternal student of the healing arts, which continue to take
her on adventures across the globe as well as the deeper
layers of the inner cosmos.
Recognising both internal and external environments as forming the unique experience of every individual, she brings sensitivity and intuitive skills into her hands-on and -off approaches as a teacher, therapist and psychic.
Her work today is the culmination of insights gained through
decades of self-study and exploration into a variety of
sacred traditions, including buddhist mindfulness, wiccan
craft, reiki, biodynamics, TRE, shamanic healing and
indigenous plant medicines. No stranger to (and thriving
survivor of) trauma through injury, she navigates subtle
energetics, blending different modalities in accordance with
specific needs. Renata’s spectrum of ability has seen her
evolve into a sought after guide for trauma release and
major life transitional phases in particular.
Her intention for the individual is to step into their life’s true
calling from a space of radiant health and heart-centred
happiness. For the collective, her prayers call for the
evolution of human consciousness, which she believes is
the pathway to personal and planetary peace.
Marcella Mota
Marcela is originally from Brazil but spends most of her time in Thailand, Bali and Europe teaching Yoga Teacher Trainings, Immersions and Retreats. In her 10 years of practice, she has taught more than 15 Teacher Trainings and certified over 300 Yoga Teachers from all over the world.
Marcela is 500 hours RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) with Yoga Alliance, trained in 5 Elements Yoga Therapy, Ashtanga, Rocket Vinyasa and Yin Yoga and co-Founder of the 5 Elements Wisdom Academy.
With a Bachelor in International Affairs and a Masters in Business Economics and Management of Sustainability, she worked for the United Nations as well as in corporate and public sectors for many years. Through yoga and meditation, she found transformation. She was finally able to hear the calling of her soul and have the courage and self-confidence to go live it. For her, this is what yoga is all about. A pathway to become the most authentic version of ourselves.
With her passion of understanding the world thru the lenses of the 5 Elements of Nature and her admiration of the human complexity, combined with her caring and playful personality, Marcela creates the perfect environment for her students to go inwards and explore their true nature as well as learn the tools to assist others in their own unique journeys.
Hayley Lander
Hayley is an Internationally Certified Yoga Teacher specializing in Yin, Yoga Therapy, Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Flow.
She is also an Advanced Certified Mat-Based Pilates Instructor, as well as a classically trained ballet dancer, an intuitive energy healer and trained bodyworker. Hayley has over 9 years experience teaching globally.
Simone Mackay
A nomadic Canadian raised and educated in Switzerland, Simone worked as a counselor specializing in women’s issues before adopting the simple, free and romantic life of a traveling Yogini. Simone has studied and taught Yoga throughout Asia across the past two decades. She co-founded the School of Sacred Arts (SOSA) in Bali, running Yoga Teachers Trainings since 2008.
The roots of Simone’s practice and teachings are eclectic in nature, drawing upon a wealth of study, various cultural lenses and wisdom traditions. Through her connection to nature, it’s cycles, it’s spirit, and her knowledge of holistic healing, Simone serves as a conduit for the ‘Wise Woman’. She advocates the necessity of holding reverence for Mother Earth and her gifts and therefore all of Life and its inherent interconnection.
Simone passionately utilizes the ancient tools of Yoga and Yoga Nidra, North American inspired medicine wheel teachings in synergy with the Plant Teachers and shamanism of South America. In doing so she offers a multifaceted perspective that gently encourages you on your way back home to your own heart space. Since 2012, Simone has facilitated Yoga & Plant Medicine Journeys in Peru. She now also holds focussed Yoga Nidra Trainings worldwide.
Simone guides those who cross her path to learn to trust their own heart’s guidance, holding space with gentle grace and deep presence.
Tobias Tang
Tobias is the founder and creator of The 5 Elements Wisdom Academy. He is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, acupuncturist, Master Face Reader, body worker and therapist with 15 years of clinical practise in the field of ancient healing.
Originally from Denmark, now teaching and living with his wife Marcela and baby boy, between Asia and Europe. Tobias has dedicated his life to bringing The Wisdom of Nature and the Elements to the world and has to date assisted around 15.000 people in healing and health improvement, through the various healing modalities.
Tobias is passionate about free-diving as a meditative practice and the exploration of our aquatic Nature, while his biggest teacher has become his son, which adequately is named Ocean.:)
If we can decipher the meaning of the Elements within us we get the tools to live in
harmony with ourselves and the Nature that surrounds us. Discovering our True Nature is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves. May we all prosper and live happy, healthy lives:)
