Sunday 30 March, 10am – 4.30pm
St Josephs Convent by the Sea
Cost: $180, $160 concession
I invite all women at any stage of life and individual circumstance to gather with me for Sunday Sangha - a gently paced afternoon of Movement, Mantra and Meditation.
This is an opportunity to connect and experience the time honoured power and vibration of Sanskrit in movement (asana), conscious breathing (prānāyāma), meditation (dhyāna) and group chanting. Together, we will invoke the sun and moon, reflect on aspects of the pranava Om and honour the divine feminine, Mother Earth.
📅 Sunday 9 February 2025
⏰ Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
📍 The Healing Garden | 1/139 Nelson Place (upstairs), Williamstown
🎟️ $60 ($40 available to those who need)
All voices and levels of experience are welcome! Yoga is open to all belief systems, cultural practices and traditions.
What You’ll Gain from the Day:
✨ Experience the mindfulness of Vedic chanting
✨ Create harmony between mind and heart
✨ Strengthen memory and attention
✨ Improve listening skills
✨ Cultivate stability and resilience
✨ Find a refuge, a source of healing, and joy
Dana Paramita is the the Buddhist practice of cultivating the perfection of generosity. Join me for a day of restorative yoga, meditation, chant, discussion and good company as we bring awareness to these simple non-transactional inner gifts we can offer freely from our hearts, without expectation of others.
Saturday 21 September, 10:00am - 4:30pm
St Joseph’s By The Sea, 16 The Esplanade Williamstown
Cost: $180
The coming of true Spring marks a time of renewal and regeneration. If you’re seeking a safe and dedicated space to rejuvenate your body and mind, this is the perfect retreat for you.
What you’ll get out of the day:
Peaceful surroundings of St Joseph’s by the Sea
A spacious and safe exploration of body, breath, mind and voice
The gentle guidance/support of myself, Deb (an experienced yoga therapist and Vedic chant teacher)
Rekindle your inner fire after winter’s hibernation
The opportunity to weed your inner garden and sow positive seeds to water and nourish
The dedicated time to go within so you can reflect, replenish and integrate
Engage in deep rest so you can relax and feel refreshed.
Leave feeling lighter and happier after gentle movement, breathing, visualisation, chanting, meditation, deep rest and the the joy of good company
Agenda:
10:00 AM: Gentle yoga practice with Prānāyāma, reflection and rest to bring the body and mind together.
11:20 AM: Enjoy cuppa and conversation
11.45 AM: Moving the mind, exploring feelings. You’ll then discuss and explore with neural tapping sounds.
12:45 PM: Light lunch in the gardens (if the weather is kind).
2:00 PM: Vedic Chanting call and response
3:15 PM: Afternoon tea
3:30 PM: Integration, intention-setting and spacious guided rest.
Morning tea, light lunch and afternoon tea are all included. Please bring your yoga mat, bolsters, blankets and a journal.
By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to share your radiant energy and true presence with others!
10am - 4.45pm Sunday 10 December 2023
The day will begin in golden silence and will include mindful movement , Prānāyāma, mantra japa, walking meditation. Vedic Chanting and deep relaxation
Morning and afternoon teas and light lunch included.
Booking and deposit required.
Dates: Monday 9 October 2023
Time: 6.30 - 7.30pm
St Joseph’s by the Sea
Boonwurrung Country
16 The Esplanade, Williamstown
Please join me on country to send out the ancient sounds of the Vedas chanting for Mother Earth and her caretakers, our First People, the oldest living culture in the world.
All welcome; Chanters, bring your books
Donations to Yes campaign of your choice or Indigenous Literacy Foundation The Indigenous Literacy Foundationhttps://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.auThe Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Deadly Science
Dates: Sunday 14, 21 and 28 August, and 4 September 2022
Time: 1.30–3.00pm
Cost: $140 for 4 weeks
Classes will include a herbal cuppa and discussion, notes and a simple take-home practice each week.
Prāna is said to be all pervading, invisible, immutable; it is the life force and the life duration of all living beings – without prāna there is no life.
We can influence the flow of prāna through the flow of our breath, and this in turn influences our whole system, cleansing and preparing it for meditation.
Come and familiarise yourself with the four parts of your breath (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) and the different places and ways in which you can be aware of your breath in your body.
Be guided through gentle breath-led movement to establish your comfortable sitting position
Learn a simple counting method to keep track of your breaths
Discover the five vayu-s, the forms of prāna and the importance of prāna and apāna to our overall health
Experience different breathing techniques and ratios of breath
Feel the resonance of simple sounds and mantra-s and the peaceful, optimistic outlook that comes with bhavana (positive attitudes) in breathing practices
Relax and receive a healing chant in savasana and enjoy some quiet moments before we transition back into the everyday
Deb is a qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Advanced Vedic Chant teacher, who has been teaching for more than 20 years. Through her extensive studies, both here and in Chennai, India, she has developed a special interest in helping people to improve their movement, respiratory function and overall wellbeing. As a life-long asthmatic she has benefitted from the healing practices of Prānāyāma, Therapeutic Yoga and Vedic Chanting in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, and loves to share her knowledge and empower others by adapting practices to suit their individual needs.
Dates: Sunday 14, 21 and 28 August, and 4 September 2022
Time: 1.30–3.00pm
Cost: $140 for 4 weeks
Classes will include a herbal cuppa and discussion, notes and a simple take-home practice each week.
Prāna is said to be all pervading, invisible, immutable; it is the life force and the life duration of all living beings – without prāna there is no life.
We can influence the flow of prāna through the flow of our breath, and this in turn influences our whole system, cleansing and preparing it for meditation.
Come and familiarise yourself with the four parts of your breath (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) and the different places and ways in which you can be aware of your breath in your body.
Be guided through gentle breath-led movement to establish your comfortable sitting position
Learn a simple counting method to keep track of your breaths
Discover the five vayu-s, the forms of prāna and the importance of prāna and apāna to our overall health
Experience different breathing techniques and ratios of breath
Feel the resonance of simple sounds and mantra-s and the peaceful, optimistic outlook that comes with bhavana (positive attitudes) in breathing practices
Relax and receive a healing chant in savasana and enjoy some quiet moments before we transition back into the everyday
Deb is a qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Advanced Vedic Chant teacher, who has been teaching for more than 20 years. Through her extensive studies, both here and in Chennai, India, she has developed a special interest in helping people to improve their movement, respiratory function and overall wellbeing. As a life-long asthmatic she has benefitted from the healing practices of Prānāyāma, Therapeutic Yoga and Vedic Chanting in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, and loves to share her knowledge and empower others by adapting practices to suit their individual needs.
Dates: Sunday 14, 21 and 28 August, and 4 September 2022
Time: 1.30–3.00pm
Cost: $140 for 4 weeks
Classes will include a herbal cuppa and discussion, notes and a simple take-home practice each week.
Prāna is said to be all pervading, invisible, immutable; it is the life force and the life duration of all living beings – without prāna there is no life.
We can influence the flow of prāna through the flow of our breath, and this in turn influences our whole system, cleansing and preparing it for meditation.
Come and familiarise yourself with the four parts of your breath (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) and the different places and ways in which you can be aware of your breath in your body.
Be guided through gentle breath-led movement to establish your comfortable sitting position
Learn a simple counting method to keep track of your breaths
Discover the five vayu-s, the forms of prāna and the importance of prāna and apāna to our overall health
Experience different breathing techniques and ratios of breath
Feel the resonance of simple sounds and mantra-s and the peaceful, optimistic outlook that comes with bhavana (positive attitudes) in breathing practices
Relax and receive a healing chant in savasana and enjoy some quiet moments before we transition back into the everyday
Deb is a qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Advanced Vedic Chant teacher, who has been teaching for more than 20 years. Through her extensive studies, both here and in Chennai, India, she has developed a special interest in helping people to improve their movement, respiratory function and overall wellbeing. As a life-long asthmatic she has benefitted from the healing practices of Prānāyāma, Therapeutic Yoga and Vedic Chanting in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, and loves to share her knowledge and empower others by adapting practices to suit their individual needs.
Dates: Sunday 14, 21 and 28 August, and 4 September 2022
Time: 1.30–3.00pm
Cost: $140 for 4 weeks
Classes will include a herbal cuppa and discussion, notes and a simple take-home practice each week.
Prāna is said to be all pervading, invisible, immutable; it is the life force and the life duration of all living beings – without prāna there is no life.
We can influence the flow of prāna through the flow of our breath, and this in turn influences our whole system, cleansing and preparing it for meditation.
Come and familiarise yourself with the four parts of your breath (inhale, hold, exhale, hold) and the different places and ways in which you can be aware of your breath in your body.
Be guided through gentle breath-led movement to establish your comfortable sitting position
Learn a simple counting method to keep track of your breaths
Discover the five vayu-s, the forms of prāna and the importance of prāna and apāna to our overall health
Experience different breathing techniques and ratios of breath
Feel the resonance of simple sounds and mantra-s and the peaceful, optimistic outlook that comes with bhavana (positive attitudes) in breathing practices
Relax and receive a healing chant in savasana and enjoy some quiet moments before we transition back into the everyday
Deb is a qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Advanced Vedic Chant teacher, who has been teaching for more than 20 years. Through her extensive studies, both here and in Chennai, India, she has developed a special interest in helping people to improve their movement, respiratory function and overall wellbeing. As a life-long asthmatic she has benefitted from the healing practices of Prānāyāma, Therapeutic Yoga and Vedic Chanting in the tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, and loves to share her knowledge and empower others by adapting practices to suit their individual needs.
9.30 – 4.30 Sunday 27 March 2022
St Josephs Convent by the Sea
Cnr Cole St and The Esplanade, Williamstown
Cost: $160.00
We don’t have much opportunity for reflective silence these days; we are so often distracted by our phones, our responsibilities, our worries and anxieties as well as the pleasures of life’s calls on our time.
Please join me in the tranquil surrounds of St Josephs Convent by the Sea for a day of yoga, breathing practices, Vedic Chant, silent walking meditation, rest and relaxation.
The practices will be suitable for all; Ill be encouraging you to work within your capacities on the day, in a way that supports your Sthiram and Sukham, your stability and ease.
These days fill fast, so please be in touch to secure your spot.
9.30 – 9.45am Welcome, housekeeping
9.45 – 11am Asana practice, breath lead movement
Morning Tea provided
11.15 – 12.15 Prānāyāma rest, release and receive Narayana Upanishad
!2.15 – 12.30 Silent Walking Meditation, for as long as you wish
Light lunch provided or bring your own to enjoy inside or out.
2 – 3pm Vedic Chanting call and response, no experience necessary
Afternoon Tea provided
3.20 – 4.20pm Closing practice
Covid protocol and vaccines status applies in accordance with St Joseph’s requirements
Bookend your day and honour the Autumn Equinox on Monday 21 March 2022
Cost: $25 or $40 for both classes
Email debyoga.au@gmail.com to book and ill send Zoom links
Bookend your day and honour the Autumn Equinox on Monday 21 March 2022
Cost: $25 or $40 for both classes
Email debyoga.au@gmail.com to book and ill send Zoom links
9.30am – 4.15 pm Saturday 11 December
St Joseph’s Convent, 14 The Esplanade, Williamstown
Cost: $160
I have been closing the year with this practice for over a decade now, inspired by YS 1:33 and Dana Paramita, the practice of giving, of generosity. We remember the many gifts we can give freely, gifts from our hearts that cannot be bought.
Stop, rest and give thanks for the year that has been, with all its ups and downs and divisions. Take time to empty out this year of pause, replenish yourself and prepare to connect from the heart with family and friends.
Open your heart to the joy of true giving and resolve to be a beacon for peace, kindness and love this Christmas and beyond…
The first and last sessions will be two hours; the first to allow meet and greet and an overview of the four chapters, our last session will be question time and recap of Chapter 1.
Each live, online session will begin with an Invocation to Patañjali, and conclude with a ten-minute practice so you can assimilate your learning and experience.
Commitment: $290 for 6 weeks. The first 10 enrolments receive a free copy of the Yogasūtras. (value $20).
As yoga has become increasingly popular and mainstream, one could ask if its original purpose has been lost.
The Sūtras represent the philosophical foundations of yoga and offer time-tested techniques to help people reduce their suffering, to take responsibility for themselves, to reflect, develop and transform. The traditional teacher/student relationship asks for the sincere commitment of both the teacher and the student, over a long time. This seems quite an ask in these days of immediate gratification, quick fixes, and moving right along to the next ‘new’ thing if we don’t see quick results.
The Yogasūtra-s lay great emphasis on cultivating positive attitudes,
explain different states and qualities of mind, outline the various causes of our suffering and recommend a path towards personal wisdom, gained through knowledge, experience and self-reflection. They outline the disciplines of body and mind that a yogi brings into all aspects of daily life.
The concept of mindfulness, of awareness is a central theme in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali
‘I’m so excited to have the opportunity to dive deeper into the study (and understanding) of the Yoga Sutras with such a knowledgeable and experienced teacher. I truly believe that the sutras not only give a broader perspective to yoga (not just asana) as the intricate system of human vitality that it is, but helps us to embody its sacredness and bring yoga to all aspects of our life. And Deb teaches from that sacred place.’
Lisa Worley, yoga teacher, principle of Sun Yoga
This programme is for yoga teachers, serious students of yoga and those who seek a deeper understanding of yoga and their own minds, for those wishing to experience these ancient tools that help reduce their suffering;
for anyone who often thought there’s more to yoga than asanas/postures; for seekers.
Who is this course for?
You are curious!
You yearn to understand yourself and the barriers to your happiness more deeply
You wish to explore the philosophical foundation of yoga
You would like to feel more ‘authentic’ as a yoga teacher and/or a yoga practitioner
You’re tired of the same old path your mind takes and the same old reactions and would like tools for positive self-intervention
You need to generate some fresh inspiration to take responsibility for your wellbeing, emotionally and physically
You would like a better understanding of the relevance of these teachings in your life and in Yoga today
Learn how yoga philosophy can positively influence your life, wellbeing, attitudes and relationships
You would like to connect with the lineage of yoga, or better understand what this means
Feel its time to start living your yoga!
Wish to reduce your identification with ‘I’ , with the material world, and connect with your inner consciousness
You’d like to be part of a Sangha, a group of like-minded people
Who is it not for?
You are not interested!
You are happy with your yoga practice simply as exercise
You prefer modern interpretations of yoga
Rely on your social media following for your ‘authenticity’
Have no appetite for positive personal change
Prefer to blame things outside yourself for how you feel
Consider the Sūtras as irrelevant to modern yoga and modern life
If you’ve ‘done’ the Sūtra before and think you know enough
You believe the concept of lineage has no place in the world of contemporary yoga
If you view self-reflection as ‘navel gazing’
If you are inclined to begin things enthusiastically then drop away because you cannot sustain the commitment
You don’t need to ‘belong’ to any more groups
The text is written in Sanskrit comprising 195 Sūtras in four chapters. Though there is debate dating the text, it is agreed to be over 2000 years old, In the rigorous tradition of Indian scholarship and philosophical debate, many different commentaries have been written on the Yogasūtra-s, the greatest being by Sage Vyāsa.
This tradition of commentary continues to this day,
Sūtra-s are short, concise, deep and multifaceted aphorisms. The Sūtra may be brief but each one contains enormous depth and meaning.
My journey with the Yogasūtra-s began in 2001 at a Seminar with TKV and Menaka Desikachar called The Inner Quest; an Introduction to Antaranga Yoga, the internal spiritual disciplines of yoga. I felt like I’d dived in at the deep end, but my commitment to study and practice has strengthened with each passing year. I am a qualified Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Vedic Chant Teacher with the Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation in Chennai and continue my studies with Menaka Desikachar and Dr Kausthub Desikachar
The first Sūtra is a call to attention, atha; the teacher has the personal experience that gives him or her the authority to teach. Moreover, the teacher is convinced the student is sincere. And from the student’s point of view there is clarity, traditionally at least “I will study yoga. I will stay with this teacher until they teach me what I can hold.’
Reference Texts:
he Yogasūtra of Patañjali $20
Truth Unclouded (2020) by TKV and Dr Kausthub Desikachar as references. $45.00
At present I have stock of both these books available on my Resources page but don’t dilly dally.
Vyāsa and other commentaries will be referred to when relevant and you are encouraged to share your interpretations.
3 session program/experience Thursday 23 September 2021
Movement, Mantra and Meditation; morning, noon and night on Zoom
Cleanse the stagnant dull energy of winter and lockdowns and create space for a new energy to flow through you.
Feel the profound effect of the ancient practice of Surya Dhyānam, honouring the sun as Gāyatrī. These rituals have been practiced for thousands of years 3 times a day: when night meets day, at noonday and when day meets night
6 -7.30am Greet the Day yoga practice
12 – 12.45pm Noonday Breathe, Move, Be
6 – 7.30pm Close the Day mediation and relaxation
Cost: all 3 sessions, $60
Single session 1.5hours $25; 45min Noonday session $18 , concessions available for Covid affected
The vibrations of simple mantras in asana, prānāyāma and meditation will refresh your system mentally, physically and emotionally - like a Spring Clean from the inside out but profound
Contact Deb for bookings
9.30am -1.30pm Sunday 27 June
St Joseph’s Convent
Cost: $86.00
Space is limited so bookings essential. Contact me if you’ve any questions and please note these events fill quickly.
9.30 - 11am Yoga practice with Sound
11.15 - 11.30 Morning tea provided
11.30 - 12.30 Diet and Lifestyle in Winter; Yoga Perspectives on Mind
1.05 - 1.30pm Meditative practice and Conclusion
Worksheets will be provided, you may wish to bring your notebooks
Please bring masks, your own mats, props, blankets, eyeballs. Ill have neck pillows and some bolsters and a few spare mats, blankets just in case!
You may like to bring your own lunch to enjoy outside if its sunny or enjoy a bite in Williamstown together afterwards
TKV Desikachar, or Sir, as he was affectionally called, is one of the most important modern masters of Yoga. Apart from being the pioneer in bringing Yoga Therapy to the modern era, he was also instrumental in building bridges between Eastern and Western traditions of philosophy. His healing work touched thousands of people, alleviating their suffering. His contributions toward a clearer understanding of the Yogasūtra-s of Patañjali, and his innovation of stick-figures for representing the postures, have made Yoga accessible to millions around the world. He is also solely responsible for bringing forth the holistic and multidimensional teachings of his teacher, Yogācārya T Krishnamacharya. Together they formed a formidable team and revived the precious teachings of the Viniyoga tradition for the modern era! He is also the author of numerous books, including The Heart of Yoga, which continues to be a best-seller around the globe, and which has been translated into many languages.
Despite his many achievements, he remained humble and led a simple life. His humility and kindness touched the hearts of many and it is a fitting tribute that the International Day of Yoga is being celebrated on his birthday!
To show our gratitude to him, we have organized this event, called Honoring Sir | A Celebration of Viniyoga. The conference will be led by ten extraordinary Viniyoga faculty from around the world, who have been touched deeply by his presence and/or his teachings.
We heartfully welcome you all to participate in this day-long event! Come and celebrate this great man’s birthday with us!
The event will be live on www.facebook.com/TKrishnamacharya on 20 June 2021 from 9.15 am India Time onwards. This conference is free and has no cost to participate in.
Join me on this Equinox Day to attend to your body, breath and mind in the tranquil surrounds of St Joseph’s Convent by the Sea.
At these seasonal transitions, it’s important to take care of all aspects of our health, especially as we move from Summer to Autumn and prepare for the colder, darker months to come.
We will have a day of practice, learning, chanting, discussion and reflection.
Morning sessions:
Yoga practice to move our bodies and clear our minds
Prana and the panchamayas, an introduction to the energetic layers of our multi-dimensional human system
Afternoon sessions:
Self-care at season’s change from an Ayurvedic and Western perspective
A meditative practice with sound and gestures to ‘embody’ your personal intentions
Practices will be suitable for all. Deb is an experienced yoga therapist and will suggest modifications for your comfort.
Herbal teas, fruit and biscuits will be provided. You may choose to bring lunch and enjoy it in the peaceful surroundings of the Convent, or take advantage of the many cafes in Williamstown.
Cost $160, bookings essential at:
T: 0448 978 818
Join me to take a breath before Christmas at the Sound and Silence Day Retreat from 9.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 13 December at the peaceful haven of St Josephs Convent by the Sea,
A couple of last minute spots have appeared.
The Program
9.30am - 11am : Yoga practice with sound
11.15am - 12.30pm: Experience Vedic Chant, call and response
1.30 -3pm: Introduction to Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
3.15 - 4.30pm: Deep relaxation and meditative practice on the gifts that come from the heart
The Venue
St Josephs Convent by the Sea
114 Cole Street, Williamstown, down the water end.
Cost: $180 for full day,
Half day is possible , please call or email Deb
Retreat cancelled, please stay tuned for new dates
These classes are offered on Zoom. They are open to all levels of experience and to all faiths or personal belief systems - these ancient sounds do not discriminate
Practices will be guided, simple yet profound.
Cost: $20 per session or 4 sessions $68, please email or call to book your spot.
9 – 9.50 am
Offer peace and gratitude to Bhūmi Devi, the goddess as Mother Earth, sustaining and supporting all life on this beautiful planet we share. She symbolises stability, boundless fortitude and compassion. Receive BhūSūktam, her full chant.
10 – 10.50
Movement with Bhū Mantra,
11 – 11.55
Introduction to theory and concepts of Samantrika-Dhyanam, Vedic Meditation practice with Mantra Samantrika-Dhyanam practice, meditation with mantra-japa
12 – 12.50
Group Chanting – both chant groups will come together though only I will be heard. Students are welcome to join as they feel - or simply relax and receive the healing benefits
Opening Prayers offering thanks to or teachers who have preserved and passed down the teachings of the Veda-s through sound, through oral recitation
Gāyatrī-mantra, Sūryanamasskṛtya-mantraḥ, Candranamaskṛtya-mantraḥ, honouring the sun and the moon.
Āyur-mantraḥ, Mantrapuṣpam, Ārogya and Laghunyāsaḥ for healing.
Bhū for healing the earth and the forgiveness chant
‘Chanting uplifts and supports me, it buoys me. No matter what may be going on inside or outside myself
As soon as I begin chanting my internal distractions drop away and my mind concentres on making the right sounds, whether in my role as teacher, or student, or doing my practice. Even this drops away when I settle, its as though these ancient sounds move through me.
Deb is a qualified yoga teacher, Y Therapist and Vedic Chant teacher and continues her Vedic Chant studies with Menaka Desikachar on Zoom
Join me on Zoom this Saturday afternoon, as we invoke Ganesh – the benign elephant god of the Vedas, honoured for his ability to clear our paths and remove obstacles – to relax and receive an asana practice with mantra, and meditation with mantra japa. This is the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, where Ganesh is honoured with more Ganeshas big and tiny, than you’ve ever seen! During the practice, we will have a few minutes break and resume to learn Ganapathi-Prāthanā the traditional age-old way of call and response.
Have no fear, you will all be on mute!
To book your spot, email me back as soon as possible.
The price is just $40 for one individual.
LOCATION: Surf Coast Cabins, Airey’s Inlet
DATE: 5pm on Friday 24th to 3pm on Sunday 26th April 2020
WITH: Deb Robertson and Vyv Mishra
COST: Single Room $630 / Twin share $495pp (Early bird prices available)
ThinkFocusAct,
COST: $50; $44 health care card
LOCATION: Challis Street, Newport
Booking essential, maximum 11 students
Monday evenings: 7–8.15pm 20, 27 April and 4, 11, 18, 25 May
$16 per class
This class works holistically to reduce the accumulation of mental, physical and emotional stress and promote wellbeing. Slow your movement, connect to the thread of your breath, calm your mind – you will sleep well.
Wednesday mornings: 9.30–10.45am
22, 29 April and 6, 13, 20, 27 May
$16 per class
Breath leads our practice, and provides a stable foundation from which to build strength and flexibility at your own pace.
