Joanne Oliver – Yogic Psychology/Philosophy Lecturer

Born in Nauru, my primary education was on Christmas Island, secondary at MLC in Perth and five years full time residential tertiary study at Vedanta Academy, India.  These studies culminated with a Diploma in Philosophy of Advaita Vedanta (yoga) with Swami A Partasarathy.

Since returning to Melbourne I have combined further studies in yoga and psychoanalytic perspectives, which together with work in various service industries, has provided an in depth experience of the complexities involved in assimilating these disparate cultural influences.

Over the years I have found that my different educations across four countries and cultures, along with the practise of yoga and reflection on the eternal principles, has developed in me a desire to further understand and integrate these differences.

I am now in a position where I would love to inspire in others who are pressured by modern Western life, to find in the practise of yoga, the understanding and quietness of mind that has enriched my life.

With a view to developing these experiences into a more formal teaching practise, I have been studying Certificate IV in Training & Education, teaching yogasana to private students, lecturing in Eastern Philosophy and attending the School of Philosophy in Hawthorn for a comparative study of Western and Eastern thought.

The enjoyment that I have found in my various studies has given me an enthusiasm to encourage students to experience the richness of integrating the best of  Eastern and Western Philosophy and practices.


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Inspiration

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
-Martha Graham