Our People

Paul is a senior teacher of Pranayama, Asana and the meditative art and science of Yoga. He has been a dedicated student since the late 1990s of both Sri O.P.Tiwari, one of the few remaining classical yogis and masters of Pranayama, and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in ashtanga vinyasa. Both of these great teachers have personally certified Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor. Paul continues with Mantra practice from the yoga lineage and meditative approaches, influenced by the Thai Forest tradition. This combination of practice and study through dedication and devotion has helped him gain some understanding of practice and to apply this appropriately in Asana, Pranayama, Mantra recitation and Meditation for the different level of students he has the privilege to share the teaching with. He continues his studies in health, philosophy, anatomy and physiology. Paul is also conducting PhD research on the yoga practices at Emory University in Atlanta, USA. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.

Paul is the happy father of two lovely boys. Together with his wife, he founded Samahita Retreat. For more please see his full bio.

Elonne has been a committed yoga practitioner and devotee since the early age of 14. She has lived and taught in the Bahamas, Canada, India, the United States, and Taiwan where she has taught asana, pranayama, and meditation at yoga studios, ashrams, resorts, schools, orphanages, hospitals, and clinics. In 2006, Elonne moved to Asia, where she met her teachers, Paul Dallaghan, O.P. Tiwari, and Richard Freeman.

As Elonne's understanding of the practice grows, she feels more and more like a beginner, and she is excited to continue this journey. She feels blessed by the opportunity to teach at Samahita Retreat, and she is extremely grateful for the chance to help others while she continues her own studies. She has completed the Training at Centered Yoga along with trainings from Richard Freeman and Sivananda. For more please see her full bio.

Amy completed her Centered Yoga teacher training in July 2010. As a resident of Koh Samui, Amy continued her studies under the tutelage of Paul Dallaghan and Elonne Stockton, growing as both a teacher and a student. She joined the teaching team in February 2011, which she combines with her role as SYT Marketing Manager.

Amy studied acting and theatre in London and has been living in Thailand for seven years, working as a freelance writer for magazines, focused on wellness and travel. She has two young daughters, and lives her life immersed in raising children, writing and the biggest practice of all; learning how to live yoga, finding balance and joy through all of life's many adventures.

Rachel has practiced and had interests in various styles of yoga since 1999, and felt that all of it led to a greater understanding of her current practice. She completed her Centered Yoga teachers training with Paul in 2005 and has returned regularly to SYT over the last 5 years.

Her main focus in teaching is to create an appropriate intelligent bridge to the dynamic form of Ashtanga, breaking it down so that each person is practicing to their own level and reaching their potential.

She has taught in London, and more recently in Sydney focussing on courses, workshops and Mysore classes. She uses her experience from her daily yoga practice, workshop intensives in yoga therapy, back bending and inversions combined with Thai massage experience for a holistic approach to teaching and when giving adjustments to share the joy of yoga. bio.

Ivana is yoga teacher and Wellness Director at Samahita Retreat. She trained ballet and modern dance for many years, taught elementary ballet classes and barre á terre and it was at that time she was also introduced to the world of hatha yoga as an assisting tool for dancers to go deeper within.

Realizing that there was so much to explore about the connection between the mind, body and breath (and how to relate this connection with one's life) she started to seek more insight by practicing different styles of hatha yoga, going to meditation classes and various spiritual lectures before finally settling into an ashtanga based self-practice.

In addition to receiving her yoga teacher training certificate in Croatia in 2008, Ivana feels very blessed to have had the chance to deepen her knowledge by completing the Teacher Training with Centered Yoga in 2011 under the guidance of Paul Dallaghan, Elonne Stockton and other wonderful teachers. She is grateful for having the chance to be a part of the Samahita team and thus contribute to the wellbeing of our guests as well as continue to grow as a yoga student and teacher. (see full bio )

Sara completed her Centered Yoga Training in June 2005. She is a dedicated and focused student of yoga, which is evident in her teaching and sharing of the practices. Sara has studied both Pranayama and Asana intensively and is a senior graduate of Centered Yoga Institute. She teaches yoga regularly in Stockholm, Sweden, and is developing her own center on Gotland, Sweden. In addition, Sara is a student of and practitioner of ayurveda and nutrition. Sara spends about four months a year teaching at Samahita Retreat. For more please see her full bio.

Stephen completed his Centered Yoga Training in 2003 and has been a regular dedicated student and friend since. He has been teaching retreats, workshops and trainings throughout Asia in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka. We are happy to have him be part of our regular teaching staff in 2010 onward. For more please see his full bio.

Jessica has been involved with Samahita Retreat since the foundation in 2003. She came as a dedicated student to then move on from her corporate professional career to commit full time to Yoga and Ayurveda. She lived and taught on site for many years. She now runs her own studio in New Orleans and returns to Samahita Retreat for specific programs. For more please see her full bio.

Adarsh teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister sciences of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti. Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage and has received teaching Authorization by his late Guruji Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Adarsh directs the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.

Through in depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.

Sean completed his Centered Yoga Training in November 2004. Since 2003 he has spent most of his time in Asia for both yoga and chiropractic, until recently relocating back to Australia with his family where he now teaches and is in the process of opening a shala. Sean's passion for holistic health not only resulted in him becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic but also led him to the path of yoga. His chiropractic studies gave him a deep understanding of anatomy which he is able to apply when teaching yoga and also when treating yogis as a chiropractor. This has proven to be of great benefit in helping people advance their practices and recovery from injury. For more please see his full bio.

Dorien started practicing Ashtanga yoga with Paul at the young age of 60. She spends most of the year on Koh Samui and spends her time as a retreat advisor to our guests. Most people have never been on a "retreat" so having Dorien to give personal guidance is a great support. She also teaches other non-yoga related classes such as Qi Gong.

She is the author of three books; UnBound, Tao Passages and The Way to the One I AM. She is a Reiki Master, Yoga teacher and Qi Gong practitioner.

In 1984 after a "near death" experience resulting from a severe automobile accident Dorien discovered she was given the ability to access ascended information (channelling or direct revelation).

In 1997 Dorien came to Koh Samui on a one week vacation and never left. During that week she had a "transcendent experience" (satori). Now at the age of 65 she is a remarkable reflection of what is possible in body, mind and Being when one aligns their life with their highest values and real identity.

More information on Dorien and her services
http://www.samahitaretreat.com/psychology-therapy.html.