We are thrilled to welcome yoga instructor, health coach and spiritual counsellor, Atma O’Meara to the Kwendalo team in Plettenberg Bay. Atma will be offering a series of yoga classes at the Kwendalo Studio.

Atma’s introduction to and long journey with yoga began 57 years ago, with many teachers and yoga styles guiding her along the way. She was the first person to teach the powerful Kundalini yoga style in Cape Town, South Africa.

“After arriving in South Africa in 1967 from my birthplace Kenya,” explains Atma, “I was introduced to the gentle Sivananda style and later progressed to the teachings of BKS Iyengar, giving me a solid foundation to commence teaching classical Hatha yoga. I taught at various health clubs in Cape Town as well as my small studio at home.”
In 1998, she met a visiting Kundalini yoga teacher from USA. This powerful, transformative yoga and meditation led to certification and she became the first teacher in Cape Town in 1999.

In 2007, Atma opened the doors of Little Samadhi Karoo Retreat in Barrydale, Little Karoo, Western Cape. “During the next 12 years, I gave many retreats to visitors from all over the world.” she says, “I assisted with Kundalini yoga teacher training and honed these skills with two lengthy stays at the mother ashram in New Mexico.” She also added a deep study of Yin yoga and undertook a year’s training as a health coach with the Institute for Integrated Nutrition (INN) in the USA to further her knowledge and tools.
This creative time enabled her to add five levels of Kahuna massage (Hawaiian body work) to her mind/body “tools”.
Atma expands on movement: “Dancing – ballet, contemporary and jazz – has been part of my life since I was six years old.” and she has studied free movement (Amerta movement) with the master Suprapto Suryodarmo in Java, Indonesia. She has taught at yoga festivals and training sessions in South Africa, the USA and France. Summing up, she adds: “The great gift of wellness through lifestyle practices has given me balance, calmness, compassion and understanding, and nothing pleases my Soul more than sharing these with others. Also, I’m also a wannabe artist in my spare time!”

Currently, Atma has the following classes available at The Studio:

• Monday 9am – Yin Yoga
• Saturday 9am – Kundalini Yoga

Classes are R180 each | 4 classes for R600 | 10 classes for R1500

Book a class with Atma via hello@kwendalo.co.za, +27 44 004 0366 or +27 63 669 8006.