On Celebrating Yoga with Merridy Woodroffe
I like to think I’m a feminist, but my guest on today’s podcast episode really called me out on something important!
Today’s episode is to celebrate our sponsor, Yoga Australia’s 25th year anniversary. And joining us is their Vice President, Merridy Woodroffe.
Merridy is a wife, a dog mum, a lawyer, an ashtanga yoga practitioner and a yoga therapist, as well as being the vice president of Yoga Australia.
Right at the beginning of the episode, Merridy calls me Dr Lauren, and when I tell her she can just call me Lauren, she very gently calls me out on it and points out how important it is to honour our titles and the hard work that comes behind them, especially for women who often underplay their achievements! So it made me rethink how I might be undermining myself by asking people to drop the doctor title!
I would describe Merridy as a multi-passionate individual, and in the interview, we explore how she brings the many facets of herself and her varied interests into her life and work, including yoga teaching, lawyering and being a tailor.
We also explore what yogic wisdom and practices she draws on to help her to manage the stress of being a lawyer, the ‘meditation flight’ she was part of organising for Virgin Australia, how the landscape of yoga in Australia has changed over the past 25 years and what to look out for if you’re thinking of taking a yoga teacher training course.
We had such a fun time in this episode!
Find out more about Yoga Australia, and all the wonderful work Merridy and the team are doing
Pre-order a copy of my new book Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers
Join the 2024 Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training
Join the waitlist for the next online Mental Health Aware Yoga training, starting in October 2024
Join the waitlist for the next hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga Training in Byron Bay in March 2025
LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY + EVERY WHERE YOU FIND GREAT PODCASTS
Dr Lauren Tober (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute, host of the A Grateful Life podcast and author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers.
Lauren developed the Mental Health Aware Yoga training to help yoga teachers make their classes safe, nourishing and transformative for all.
FOR THE SEEKERS
COMMUNITY
FREE EBOOK
The information provided on this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs for professional training.
Any statements, claims or endorsements expressed by our guest authors, speakers and podcast sponsors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Mental Health Aware Yoga and the Yoga Psychology Institute.
JOIN US IN-PERSON
Registration for the hybrid Mullumbimby Mental Health Aware Yoga training is now open!
Refine your skills in the growing field of yoga and mental health, and empower real transformation as you deeply support your yoga students experiencing depression, anxiety, stress and trauma.
Online component starts today, in-person component 12-13th April 2025.
MORE BLOG POSTS
On the Trauma of Caste with Roshni Lakhani and Bess Prescott
What if yoga was built on a system of caste apartheid? If the very philosophies and practices we engaged in for our...
On Contemplating Death and 50 Years of Yoga with Libbie Nelson
My friend Libbie Nelson (she/her) is over 80 years old and has been contemplating death. In our conversation on the...
On the Neurodivergent Woman with Monique Mitchelson
Have you been diagnosed with Autism or ADHD recently? Or love or work with someone who has? You’re going to love...
BLOG CATEGORIES
Western Psychology
Yoga Psychology
Safe Container
Therapeutic Skills
Yoga Practices
Mental Health Crisis
JOIN OUR ONLINE SANGA
Are you on Facebook?
Awesome, so are we!
Come and join our brilliant community of like-mind Yoga Teachers and tune into (mostly) weekly video episodes with our founder Dr Lauren Tober.
It's all happening over in our FREE Facebook group.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Hi, I'm Dr Lauren Tober!
As a Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher of nearly two decades and the author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers, I'm passionate about integrating yoga and psychology on the mat, in the counselling room and in the world.
With the growing interest in mental health and yoga, yoga students are attending yoga classes for the mental health benefits in unprecedented numbers.
In fact, 79.4% of yoga students report practicing yoga for the mental health benefits.
It's important that Yoga Teachers know how to support them.
I'm glad you're here.
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
Be the first to hear about online and world wide in-person trainings BEFORE registration opens
Receive your invitation to join our closed Mental Health Aware Yoga Facebook group for teachers
Download the Patañjali's Eight Limbs of Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook by Dr Lauren Tober