Training & Qualifications

I am a certified teacher of mindfulness meditation through a two year training with internationally renowned authors and teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. I am trained as a yoga teacher with Contemporary Yoga Training and as a teacher of Mindful Self Compassion for Teenagers. I have completed training in and supported the facilitation of the Mindful Self Compassion programme for adults and undergone training with Mindful Schools and I am currently pursuing qualifications in professional supervision.

I see all of life as the classroom and am deeply committed to the continual development of my understanding and lived experience and to bringing teachings and practices to life in the messy and beautiful realm of human challenge, experience and connection.

Background

My background is in alternative education and positive youth development. I have spent almost a decade teaching and several years coordinating programmes for rangatahi which fostered the development of leadership, resilience and self-efficacy and drew on the wilderness and community as teachers. Here I also trained mentors who walked alongside rangatahi and ran workshops for youth, youth mentors and staff in the field of mindfulness and self compassion.

Nowadays

I develop and facilitate courses, workshops and retreats grounded in mindfulness and self compassion across multiple contexts, including for Healthy Hospo, an initiative focussed on supporting the wellbeing of people within the Hospitality Industry.

My sessions…

I have a passion for connecting teachings and practices to science and sharing and exploring them in ways that are relatable, authentic and accessible. I also enjoy bringing creative and experiential components to my sessions. I endeavour to create spaces of connection and exploration that are warm, friendly and supportive and which encourage openness, curiosity and courage.

I hope to equip participants with knowledge, insight and practical tools that they can utilise to support them in their daily lives.

What led me here?

My experience of mental illness and a crippling inner critic as a teenager as well as my experience of anxiety into adulthood, sparked a deep curiosity in me around the nature of mind and this human experience. After an initial taste of mindfulness and self compassion, I dove deeper and when I started to experience their immense goodness and their ability to support, strengthen and transform, I naturally began to feel inclined to share them with others.

 

Workshops & Courses

Kelly’s kind nature and ability to relate to the audiences she speaks to, has always drawn great response from audiences, and she leaves people with a sense that they have been genuinely cared for.

Lorietta Bahr

Sustainability Advisor NZ

Kelly is clearly passionate about what she does and her style is really unique. She connects with her audience in a way that I can only describe as soulful.

Aimee Stewart

Executive Assistant to Managing Director, Marketing Director & Finance Director Lion New Zealand

Kelly is passionate, knowledgeable, heartfelt and immensely kind in her offerings as a teacher and facilitator of meditation, mindfulness and self-compassion. In my work as teacher trainer she is my go to person for anything meditation. I highly highly recommend her work.

Neal Ghoshal

Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training

Kelly’s passion for young people, creativity and peace has added to the curriculum and structure of our programmes benefiting to our young people. Our schools were crying out for support with their stressed charges and Kelly soon had mindfulness sessions imbedded, not only in the school programmes she ran, but throughout Aotearoa. Kelly is calm and supportive, whether one on one or in groups and leaving rangatahi feeling valued as individuals.

Tony Yuretich

Senior Schools Manager Graeme Dingle Foundation

We couldn’t recommend Kelly more highly. She has presented multiple times to our team on the topic of mindfulness, visioning and wellbeing. We love that Kelly presents in a way that is really accessible and realistic – and not at all preachy! She gives really practical and achievable advice which clearly engages our team and leaves them feeling confident that they can go out and make small changes right away. Kelly’s sessions are a really important and tangible part of how we support our team and create a healthy work environment.

Damien McDowell

Business Leader Wynyard Pavillion

Kelly ran a course for a group of teacher’s over several weeks and the affect it had rippled throughout the Preschool community from teachers to children and parents. Kelly is a gentle yet passionate mindfulness coach.  Her energy is contagious and I instantly felt grounded in her class. Kelly’s approach is very reflective, she listens and makes everyone around her feel heard and valued.

Katrina Brewer

Head Teacher / Management Team Wānaka Preschool

Kelly’s expertise was essential in running mentoring and wellbeing sessions with a broad range of our organisation’s supporters. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with and seeking Kelly’s contribution to programme development, she is wise and intelligent helping designers and colleagues make sense of the raw data and create appropriate solutions.

Tony Yuretich

Senior Schools Manager Graeme Dingle Foundation