Meet HarJiwan

HarJiwan (also known as Jacinta) is one of Australia’s most experienced and dynamic Kundalini yoga teachers. Teaching and presenting nationally and internationally for 17 years, HarJiwan’s passion is to inspire, uplift and help women re-connect to the power within themselves.  She has studied with renowned Yoga and Pilates teachers globally and is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher (KRI, IKYTA), Pregnancy Yoga teacher, Child Yoga teacher, Pilates Master teacher, Mother to an energetic 3 yr old and founder of ‘HarJiwanYoga’. After running a successful Pilates studio in Melbourne, in 2002 HarJiwan opened Australia’s first Kundalini Yoga studio ‘Kundalini Yoga Australia’ where she taught daily classes, workshops and intensives. She is now based in Byron Bay where she lives with her partner Peter and son Bodhi, teaching regular women classes, general classes, workshops and special events.

From a very young age, Jacinta (HarJiwan) has always been drawn to spirituality and human potential. At the age of 14 she was drawn to metaphysical sciences, angels and channeling, shamanism and crystal healing.

During this time Jacinta was pursuing her other love – ballet, she took up a scholarship at the Hungarian National Ballet….. and started a global journey. After several years in Europe fatigue and an ongoing back injury brought her back to Australia. During this time Jacinta discovered Pilates and immediately recognized its potential. She loved the discipline and effect on the mind and body, feeling the focused core work empowering. She developed a newfound ’strength’, left the Ballet and undertook training and certification. She quickly developed a deep understanding and appreciation for Pilates and was busy working in rehabilitation and body conditioning with many top Physiotherapists and Practioners in Melbourne (Australia)

After a few years, Jacinta was offered an International Position in San Francisco to assist in the setting up and opening of a Pilates studio whilst continuing studies and teaching. She then moved on to work with Moira Stott (Stott Pilates) in Toronto, Canada.

At the age 23, Ashtanga Yoga found Jacinta; she immersed herself in Yoga whilst continuing to grow as a Pilates Practioner. Wanting to expand her Yoga training the journey moved from Toronto to London and study with renowned Ashtanga Yogi John Scott and Shandor Remete. This was a time of great growth and joy, teaching Pilates at leading Pilates Studios in London, presenting Pilates workshop’s throughout Europe, traveling back to Toronto to guest teach whilst expanding and deepening her Yoga practice in London. During this time a sponsorship opportunity from Stott Pilates for a Senior Teacher position was presented to her and accepted and it seemed Jacinta’s path would lead back to Toronto, Canada.

However an injury in London resulted in a journey and detour back to Australia to spend time with family, rehab and healing. Whilst back in Australia a chance meeting led to a series of openings and an offer to take up the position of Pilates and Yoga teacher to the Australian Ballet in Melbourne. Jacinta took up the opportunity and during this time developed a fresh and innovative program in conditioning and rehab uniting her two loves Yoga and Pilates. The dancers of the Australian Ballet Company began to come to Jacinta for more then body conditioning; her studio became a space of healing for body, mind and spirit. Whilst Jacinta helped the dancers with conditioning and rehab she also founded ‘Affluent Movement Pilates Studio’ – working with private clients from all walks of life. Her reputation grew and was soon working with elite athletes, performers, celebrities, business people and people with chronic conditions. During this very busy and demanding time of helping others, Jacinta truly realized the importance and value of her strong daily Yogic practice in nourishing herself and thus being able to give fully to others.

Around this time (2000) Jacinta’s partner, Peter, who had just returned from Los Angeles brought her a gift -a book ‘The Eight Human Talents’ by Gurmukh (a world renowned Kundalini Yoga teacher) in which Gurmukh had written a personal message to Jacinta that would change the course of Jacinta’s journey. Words truly do have power and before long she set off to Los Angeles to study intensively with Gurmukh (as Kundalini Yoga was virtually unknown in Australia). This first time in LA with Gurmukh was the unlocking of her heart and stepping into her destiny and Kundalini Yoga, was like coming ‘home’ she had found her calling.

Upon returning to Australia and her studio Jacinta began to include some Kundalini Yoga meditations at the completion of her Pilates sessions. Clients loved it and wanted more. Jacinta continued a Kundalini Yoga home practice alongside her Hatha practice and registered for intensive Kundalini Yoga training and teacher certification in New Mexico with the Master of Kundalini Yoga – Yogi Bhajan. This was an intense and rewarding process. Prior to Kundalini Yoga training Jacinta attended Women’s camp, a weeklong study of Women’s wisdom and ancient teachings on living as a Yogini in which Yogi Bhajan lectured daily. The time in New Mexico was an incredibly deep and transforming experience. Being at the feet of the Master of Kundalini Yoga, Yoga Bhajan was extremely powerful, profoundly life changing and deeply heartfelt.

Upon returning to Australia, Jacinta resumed teaching Pilates and Yoga. However the inner shifts that had taken place within her in New Mexico unearthed a new chapter in her life.

One particular event brought about a quickening of this re-direction – being confronted in her studio by a burglar yielding a crow bar. Whilst terrifying, the burglar muttered a line that would not leave Jacinta – “Is this your place?” For weeks this question would not leave her mind, and the answer came. Jacinta resigned from the Australian Ballet as resident Pilates/Yoga teacher, left her successful Pilates studio to begin her path as a Kundalini Yoga teacher – now with the Yogic name given to her by Yogi Bhajan – HarJiwan.

The yearning to go deeper and continue to heal, inspire and help others had manifested. Within 12 months HarJiwan had opened Australia’s first Kundalini Yoga studio and founded ‘Kundalini Yoga Australia’ (KYA) in Melbourne and ignited a wave of Kundalini Yoga in Australia. Many of her Pilates clients and ballet members became regular students and embraced this ‘new’ technology. This was an amazing time of running daily classes, workshops, special events, full moon classes and private consultations. HarJiwan continued to travel to New Mexico as well as to Golden Bridge in LA to learn from Gurmukh. Their friendship developed  and continues to this day, some ten years later (see testimonials).

Several years after first opening her Kundalini Yoga studio, the building that had been home to KYA was about to be sold. With no long-term lease agreement in place it was time to relocate. It had always been a dream to be near the ocean and live a Yogini ‘beach’ life. After much deliberation HarJiwan and Peter came to a heartbreaking decision to relocate North. This was not an easy decision, HarJiwan had established a community of Kundalini Yogi’s, had a reputation around Melbourne as a very well respected Yoga and Pilates teacher. To leave Melbourne meant leaving also family, friends and dearly loved students, however the pull to follow her heart was strong and she trusted in that. So HarJiwan and her partner packed up and moved North to Byron Bay, a renowned healing and Yogic hub of Australia. Soon after another dream was realized – pregnancy and HarJiwan gave birth at home to a beautiful boy, Bodhi. Byron Bay was the environment HarJiwan had always wanted to give birth in and it proved to be the perfect place for bringing up Bodhi. The next 2.5 years were devoted to being a mother and yogini committed to bring her child up naturally and consciously. Raising a child was an incredible spiritual practice in itself and one that strengthened her earlier passion, to help women reach their highest potential.

HarJiwan is currently teaching regular classes, workshops and events in Byron Bay, specializing in women’s yoga and women’s issues. She is excited to launch onto the World Stage to help and support women and children. Always innovating, stand by for exciting projects via the Internet and live events reaching out to women globally. Join our mailing list and be part of the growing community of women.

Sat Nam and May the Long time Sun Shine Upon You………..