Teachers

Kim Mazabow

Kim’s classes reflect her commitment to Yoga as more than just a physical practice. A sincere proponent of the belief that Yoga should be ‘practiced and not performed’, her classes are textured with the philosophy and wisdom of her various teachers. She teachers several styles and each class is unique in its offering, paying homage to Yoga as the answer to all problems. To live the yoga off the mat, is her daily challenge and spiritual practice. Kim founded Gurucat on 1 November 2014.

Claudia Strydom

Claudia brings a new voice and fresh approach to our vibrant team. 
She, like the rest of our teachers, not only teaches, but practices and lives her yoga. An authentic and authoritative voice for the Bikram sequence.

Charlie Symeonides

Charlies’ first ever yoga experience was a 90 minute Bikram session, at a studio in Sandton, many moons past . Yoga has since been her soul soother. Her classes are a blend of movement and breath, and a space to share her love of yoga. Her training was completed with Cheryl Lancellas at Devahiti Yoga. She hopes that on your mat, you will find YOU.

Michelle Wells

Michelles first ever yoga class was at a gym in London about 20 years ago and as a beginner, she found it difficult to follow the teacher instructions and gave up. She again dabbled in a few yoga classes in my early thirties, but she says that her real yoga journey began 4.5 years ago at a Sunday Hot Flow to yin 90 minute class at Gurucat. She was tired of fighting with herself and putting her body through relentless endurance events to try and prove something. She loved the peace and gentle calmness that this class brought to her. Since then Yoga has been her safe place, her place to get to know herself, and more than anything she believes that it has given her the tools to TRUST herself and the universe. She feels that Yoga, not only in its physical asana form, but also in the practice of meditation, has gently and consistently opened her heart, allowing her to love and heal herself and spread this love to others. She love to take care of others and make people feel truly seen and heard as I am sure you have all felt in your interactions with her at Gurucat already. She hopes that this intention will manifest itself in her yoga teaching

Shaun Booysen

Shaun is a product of Gurucat’s own teacher training program. After being introduced to Yoga in 2020, it was not long before the practice inspired Shaun to re-evaluate his life, along with the desire to continue the tradition of passing on the benefits of Yoga to others.

Nompumelelo Mkhize

In 2019 I searched social media for a yoga studio as I was struggling with lower back pain. I found and messaged Gurucat on Facebook messenger. I started the following day. After a month of doing hot yoga, my backpain resolved. I never looked back. Since there is a history of mental illness in my family, I need to maintain my mental health, and yoga provided a good balance for me. The Gurucat Shala became my safe space. A place of no judgment, only love and acceptance. I finally felt like I was home. Yoga helped me strengthen my faith in God, which had wavered during Covid. Through this sacred spiritual practice, I found myself again and fell in love with life once more. Earlier this year an opportunity of a lifetime presented itself and I started my journey to becoming a yoga teacher. Words fail me. I cannot describe the transformation I have experienced. Through yoga I found my spiritual family, my home, and a place to belong. As my teacher always says, “Yoga is the answer, the question is irrelevant”.

Ryan Shepperson

Ryan first experienced yoga at age 9. At this early stage it was only a means to stay strong and flexible into adolescence. The true value of yoga was realised as he advanced into adulthood. Yoga has now become a journey to discover the best version of himself: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Ryan was inspired to take up teaching soon after joining GuruCat. He is a product of our very own 2023 YTT programme.

Shantel Booysen

Yoga has changed my life in so many ways, allowing me to become happier, healthier, stronger and more connected.

I found yoga, or more accurately yoga found me, five years ago.

Gurucat’s Yoga teacher training provided me with the ability to share Yoga’s teachings with others.

It’s a great privilege to be teaching at Gurucat Hot Yoga Studio 🪷