Our Local Teachers

Santi Maha Sangha Local Teacher

Arnaud Coquillard

Based in Gympie, Sunshine Coast, Australia, Arnaud Coquillard has been a dedicated student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since 2008. In 2015, he was authorized to teach the Base Level of Santi Maha Sangha and has since led regular sessions and retreats on the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Arnaud is also certified by Fabio Andrico to teach Breathe, further enriching his approach to practice and instruction. He welcomes invitations to teach and share his knowledge wherever needed.
Our Local Teachers

Yantra Yoga Local Teachers

Emily Coleing

2nd Level Yantra Yoga Instructor

A student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu since 1995, Emily Coleing was authorized to teach Yantra Yoga in 2003 and received her 2nd Level Diploma in 2010. She is also a certified Kumar Kumari Yantra Yoga instructor and Hatha Yoga teacher in the traditions of Desikachar and Purna Yoga. Emily teaches Buddhist scripture at Byron Bay Public School and is based in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. She is available to travel for Yantra Yoga teachings upon request.

Mathew Long

1st Level Yantra Yoga Instructor

Mathew Long began practicing Yantra Yoga in 1993 after training with Fabio Andrico and soon became a student of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Yantra Yoga became his core practice, and he earned his First Level Instructor Diploma in 2003. With a background in sports, martial arts—particularly Judo—and Anthropology (ANU), Mathew further deepened his studies by completing a three-year course in traditional Tibetan Medicine at the Shang Shung Institute (USA). He values Yantra Yoga’s effectiveness and is honored to teach it. In July 2019, he received his Breathe teaching certification from Fabio Andrico. Mathew divides his time between Canberra and southern Tasmania.

Oni McKinstry

3rd Level Yantra Yoga Instructor

She now lives in Tasmania. Since meeting her Master, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and learning Yantra Yoga from him and his senior instructors Fabio and Laura, Oni devotes a lot of her time to this practice. Authorised to teach Yantra Yoga in 2005, Oni has also been teaching Hatha Yoga since 1993. Oni has extensive experience in adapting yoga appropriately to the individual. She is also authorised by Fabio Andrico to teach Respira.

Thuy Nguyen

1st Level Yantra Yoga Instructor/ 1st Level Vajra Dance Instructor/ Khaita Joyful Dances Instructor

Thuy Nguyen encountered the teachings of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in early 2007, soon immersing herself in Yantra Yoga and Vajra Dance. She deepened her practice through extensive study with both local and international instructors, attending courses worldwide. In April 2015, Thuy obtained her Vajra Dance Instructor Diploma from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu at Dzamling Gar, Tenerife. She completed the Khaita Instructor Supervision in April 2016, followed by her Yantra Yoga and Kumar Kumari Instructor Diplomas in November 2016.
In July 2019, she trained in The Breathe method at Merigar, Italy, earning her teaching certification with Fabio Andrico.

Lindy Pulsford

Yantra Yoga Instructor
Authorized by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Lindy Pulsford has been practicing Yantra Yoga for 24 years and is passionate about sharing its benefits. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, she is available to teach Yantra Yoga anywhere upon request. A certified Hatha Yoga teacher, Lindy is also the director of Yoga Kids S.A., where she develops and teaches yoga and mindfulness programs for children, families, and adults. With extensive experience adapting yoga for all ages and body types, she ensures accessibility for everyone—from kids to seniors
Our Local Teachers

Vajra Dance Local Teachers

Rosemary Friend

1st Level Vajra Dance Instructor

Authorized as a 1st Level Vajra Dance Instructor by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 2015 in Tenerife, Rosemary Friend balances her work as a locum medical doctor in rural Queensland with teaching Vajra Dance. She offers open courses in the Dance of the Vajra that Benefits Beings and provides training in the Dance of the Three Vajras for those with prior experience or a Buddhist background. Based in Toorbul on the Sunshine Coast, Rosemary is available to travel for teachings upon request.

Cosimo DiMaggio

2nd Level Vajra Dance Instructor

Cosimo DiMaggio is a dedicated instructor of the Vajra Dance of the Song of the Vajra, organizing courses and retreats to support practitioners in deepening their experience. He began teaching in Italy in 2008 and has spent the past six years sharing his knowledge in Australia. Passionate about guiding students to develop their capacity and harmony through dance, Cosimo welcomes invitations to teach courses and retreats.

Rosa Altamirano

2nd Level Vajra Dance Instructor

She lives in New Zealand.

Nicki Coquillard

1st Level Vajra Dance Instructor

She lives on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.

Our Local Teachers

Tibetan Khaita Joyful Dance Local Teachers

Tsering Dolker’s love for Tibetan music began in childhood, learning traditional songs from her grandmother, a renowned singer in Tibet. Topgyal Gontse received both Tibetan and Western education at the Tibetan Children's Village School in Dharamsala before earning a commerce degree and teaching at a Tibetan Higher Secondary School in Kathmandu. After marrying, Tsering and Topgyal deepened their training in Tibetan singing and dance under Mr. Dawa Tashi in India. In 2011, under the guidance of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, they began choreographing Khaita Joyful Dances and traveling internationally to teach and perform both traditional and contemporary Tibetan dances. They later served as instructors for the Shang Shung Foundation in Italy and earned Khaita Instructor Diplomas from both Shang Shung and CID (International Dance Council, UNESCO). Appointed by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, they now lead the Tibetan Performing Arts department at Shang Shung Institute Australia as Oceania’s main Khaita instructors.

Contact Topgyal Gontse: