Yoga West is West Auckland's newest yoga studio, situated in the beautiful leafy village of Titirangi. This calming urban retreat will encourage you to stay connected to your centre and your natural presence, while in the midst of daily life.
At Yoga West, we offer a variety of yoga styles and classes and warmly welcome all students - from those seeking to try yoga for the first time, to seasoned yogis wanting to inspire a regular practice. All our teachers have undertaken the highest quality training and are passionate about sharing the healthful benefits of yoga.
We believe there is a yoga practice for everyone, and it is our hope that you can find one that changes your life into a happier, healthier and more heart-centered one!
Haidee Stairmand - Studio Manager
Slow Flow + Yoga Basics Course
(Available for private sessions)
Haidee has been practicing Yoga for over 20 years and teaching since 2013.
She is passionate about Moving with ease, a self proclaimed Anatomy and physiology geek and brings elements of this to her teaching style. Initially trained in contemporary yoga she has gone on to study, Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga therapy, Yin yoga, Hanna Somatics, Neuro Kinetic therapy, Bio Dynamic Cranial Sacral therapy and iRest Yoga Nidra.
Haidee believes in the power of slow and the bodies intelligence to restore and bring balance through awareness. Her classes combine somatics, breathing and easeful but powerful movements. Haidees classes are great for those with injuries or limitations.
Haidee is also part of the teaching faculty of The Contemporary Yoga school of NZ. Haidee also runs a private practice clinic out of the Studio specialising in chronic health conditions, rehab and muscular skeletal issues.
Steph Leighton - Vinyasa + Yin
Steph sees yoga as a system of practices to build self awareness. Practicing yoga has provided her with a greater sense of what she is experiencing on both a physical and an emotional level.
Her classes and practise are inspired by embodied flow which brings a meditative experience of the body systems. Steph will guide you to tune into your inner landscape and to move in an integrated way.
When she’s not in the studio you will find Steph playing with her dog and exploring the wild landscapes of New Zealand.
Justyna Schroeder - Yin
Justyna discovered yoga over 18 years ago, in a very loud and chaotic centre in London. From there, yoga has been a constant throughout the many changes in her life.
Having explored many styles of yoga, it was after Justyna did a Yin yoga class several years ago that she fell in love with the deep, calming effect of Yin. Inspired to take her love of the practice further, she embarked on her 200 hour Teacher Training in Yin Therapy with a strong focus on anatomy, energy work and meditation.
Further training in Reiki as a healing modality has complimented Justyna’s approach to holistic wellness through movement, energy and stillness of the mind.
Justyna is passionate about the potential for Yin to provide a perfect counterbalance to our lives that are often busy with striving and ‘doing.’ The idea of observing oneself with compassion and non-judgement is central to her approach, where she aims to create a safe and nurturing environment for students to let go, both emotionally and physically through Yin Yoga and to support them on their own Journey.
Sophia de Fossard - Vinyasa + Mindful Meditation
Come and join Sophia for a fiery vinyasa practice! Using the yogic concept of Agni, get your inner fires burning with a strong flowing sequence using the rhythm of the breath, balanced with floor work and a final release in a long guided relaxation at the end of every class. Each class has something different and all levels are welcome.
Sophia has been practicing yoga and meditation for nearly thirty years and teaching for ten. She trained in the UK in Vinyasa flow, pregnancy yoga and traditional Yoga Nidra. Her practice is firmly grounded in the philosophy and theoretical yoga traditions, and she has trained with renowned teachers all over the world.
Sophia’s classes are challenging and fun, and she looks forward to welcoming you onto the mat.
Jo Schwenke – Ashtanga Yoga
Jo discovered yoga in 1993 and her passion and love for her practice is clearly evident in her regular Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga practice.
Jo believes Ashtanga can be used as a tool for transformative change in a range of one's life. She utilises the six limbs of yoga and interest in sports performance to cultivate a holistic approach to health and happiness. She uses daily yoga asana, yogic breathing, relaxation, nutrition and meditation to bring focus, calm and mindfulness to her teaching practice and other daily activities.
She completed her YA800 hour Ashtanga Teacher training at the Auckland Yoga Academy, and remains a practitioner at this shala today. She continues to study the philosophical and psychological insights defining yoga by studying Patanjali's Sutras to enhance her skills as a Yoga teacher and honour the essence of this 5000-year-old teaching. Jo guides her Students with the love, grace and the compassion of a dedicated yogini.
Hazel Mcculloch
Hazel is an experienced yoga teacher with a deep love for creative, dynamic flows that cultivate strength, connection, and presence. Her yoga journey began in Mae Sai, a small town in Northern Thailand, where she first experienced the grounding and transformative power of the practice. Since then, yoga has been a steady anchor in her life, supporting her through times of uncertainty and nurturing a strong, personal practice.
Originally trained in Hatha yoga, Hazel's classes are rooted in breath-led movement and a mindful approach to alignment. Her teaching style blends the structure of Hatha with the energy of Vinyasa, offering strong, music-based flows that include moments of challenge alongside space to rest, adapt, and make the practice your own.
With a 200-hour Hatha yoga certification and several years of teaching experience, Hazel brings clarity, creativity, and a grounded presence to her classes. Drawing on her background as a primary school teacher, she excels at building connection, offering clear guidance, and crafting sequences that are both thoughtful and playful. Her classes aim to meet each student where they are, while gently encouraging growth—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hazel is excited to continue sharing the benefits of yoga with the Yoga West community.
Loren Honey - Yin
Loren has been practising yoga since 2013 when she was searching for something to calm her nervous system in the midst of her divorce. She quickly fell in love with meditation and yoga as a way to slow down and tune inwards and has explored many different types of yoga before settling into yin yoga. No that Loren has completed the Yin Culture 100 hour TT, she's stoked to be sharing this practice.
Her focus is the energetic, somatic and embodiment of these ancient teachings and this is weaved into her classes. Loren also holds women's circles, is a qualified breathwork facilitator, life coach and author of Sacred Seasons - a book delving into menstrual cycles.
Loren aims to help those sharing space with her to access their own inner GPS system - their intuition - and connect the mind with the body.
Megan Blennerhassett - Post Natal
Megan is a passionate yoga teacher and lifelong student of yoga. She lives, breathes and teaches from her own practice and experience.
She's also a kiwi blessed to live in Titirangi with her two boys where she finds the natural bush and beach environment beautiful and inspiring.
She has been teaching for around 18 years and holds a diploma in Yoga from Wellpark College along with certifications in Ayurvedic, nutrition and massage studies. She has a background in martial arts, energy healing arts and acro yoga and more recently contact improv dance. She believes in the power of yoga for healing and transformation and for discovering the joy of living a life aligned with highest Self. She loves cacao, photography and cats, playing in kids playgrounds and going on adventures especially in Nature.
You'll find her teaching Yin, YinYang, Power and Slow Flows, Restore, Post Natal, Kids and yoga Nidra across Auckland. She's one of those teachers that loves a good playlist, candles and a sprinkling of philosophy, poetry and quotes into her classes.
Sarah Robinson - Vinyasa
Sarah initially started in the Health and Wellness industry as a Group Fitness Instructor at Les Mills, where she's worked for over 5 years. Here she discovered a Yoga inspired program, which not only felt good for her body, but also helped her move through periods of depression.
As she developed her Yoga practice, she wanted to know more and get closer to the source.
She completed her 200hr Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Yogakoh in March 2022, which was a profound turning point in her Yoga journey.
Sarah aspires to help others through the practice of Yoga, knowing from her own experience that there is always something that someone can take away.
Dani Affleck
Dani has been teaching in NZ and Australia for nearly 8 years, and practising for double that. It was while she was travelling overseas, spending time in ashrams and conscious communities, that she got a real taste of the yoga lifestyle and the contentment and enjoyment it offered.
She began her teacher training in 2016 with Krishna Village School of Yogic Studies in Australia, and has gained a 500hr vinyasa qualification through them. She has since gone on to study in areas such as yin, mental health, trauma informed, and yoga therapy. Her keenness to learn means she is always refining her skills.
Dani's passion lies in helping people overcome disruptive mental chatter, let go of habitual thought patterns, and reprogramme the mind, body and nervous system so that they work for us, not against us. She offers practical techniques that you can take off the mat that help deal with stress and the overwhelm that life sometimes offers.
Through mindful movement, breath awareness and a keen sense of curiosity, she guides you to arrive at a place deep within that is kind, quiet, and calm.
Alex Rangecroft - Vinyasa & Yin
Alex is an experienced and dedicated Yoga teacher (500h E-RYT) and Reiki master.
Whilst growing up in a holistic minded household in the UK, Alex was regularly taken to meditation classes and was first taught Reiki (energy healing) at the age of 14. It was here that the seed of inspiration was planted for Alex to continue to live a holistic lifestyle and to be of service in the world around her.
After years representing GB in gymnastics and then going on to gain a degree in contemporary dance, Alex found yoga when she began to look for a more sustainable and nurturing way to move, live, connect and flourish.
Teaching her first ever yoga classes in 2014 in Portugal, Alex continued to travel around the world, teaching in Switzerland, Melbourne, Sydney, and is now based here in New Zealand.
Having completed a diverse array of trainings in: Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Tantrik Hatha, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Breathwork, Myofascial Roll and Release Technique, Dynamic Movement Therapy and PNF Stretching, Alex created her own wellness business called 'Live Align Flow' that brings a grounded and embodied sense of knowledge and wisdom to her 1:1 sessions, workshops, retreats and trainings in a relaxed, authentic and welcoming environment.
As a lead trainer on the 200h YTT (yoga teacher training) at Kawai PuraPura, Alex enjoys supporting students to walk the yogic path with a sense of openness, curiosity and compassion.
"I'm fascinated by the mind-body-soul-spirit link and how we can move more mindfully through our lives, cultivating a deeper sense of connection, purpose, love, empowerment, and joy. And yoga and Reiki are such great systems to help us to do this."
Sarah McFadden - Vinyasa
Sarah has had yoga in her life for 16 years. After completing her first 200 hr qualification in Vinyasa Flow yoga in London in 2014, she's continued her professional development, investing many hours each year geeking out on yoga stuff - reading, listening to podcasts, attending workshops and taking various courses to expand her knowledge of the body, the practice, and how yoga can transform - both ourselves and the world around us.
Over the years she's come to understand that yoga is not just about helping us get along in the world, but also to transform the way we see it, and the way we exist in it.
"Yoga has taken me on such an amazing journey and I'm loving being able to share the benefits of yoga with others through my teaching. My aim is that you'll leave each class feeling that the work done together is helpful and that it can have a positive impact on your life."
Sarah Ferguson
Sarah has a lifelong love of learning how things work. Whilst originally from Auckland, she spent many years in the USA, which has affected her kiwi accent somewhat.
She has over 5000 hours formally teaching yoga classes, and the healthy skepticism of someone who holds a PhD in Physics. Her classes are known for their light-heartedness and clear instruction.