Meet our Teachers

Laura Wynne

Director of Aruna Yoga Academy and Studio

Embodied Hatha Yoga, Yoga for Beginners, One-to-One Classes, Restorative & Yin Yoga, Meditation, iRest & Yoga Nidra, Chair Yoga & Yoga Therapy

I am passionate about making yoga available to everyone, and I believe that whether you are a serious athlete or a “groovy granny”, whether you have limited mobility or superhuman strength - the beauty of yoga is that it is a personal journey. So, what you can't do… is irrelevant. Everyone can become stronger, more flexible, and enjoy more balance in their lives.

Born a stress bunny, I was introduced to meditation while still in school, (Thank you, Mr. Levey). I discovered yoga in college in 1988 and have been practising it ever since. In 1996 I trained in the practice of Transdential Meditation. I later studied with Yoga Therapy Ireland, initially as a yoga teacher and later as a yoga therapist. To my husband’s dismay, I am continuing my lifelong journey of further learning. I was one of the first teachers in Ireland to train in Yin yoga and in 2018 qualified from the first iRest® teacher training in Ireland. I am currently completing a 500hr Advanced Teacher Training in Functional, Somatic, Embodied Movement, which traces how human movement is evolving and the inner blueprints to allow us to move with ease, grace, poise, strength, and balance.

Come and visit us at the studio, and take time out for yourself to relax and regenerate your mind and body.

• Yoga Therapy Ireland 500hr Certified Teacher

• Living Yoga Advanced Teacher Training 500hr

• Yoga Alliance Professional Senior Teacher

• Yoga Alliance E-RTY 500

• Yoga Alliance YACEP Continuing Education Provider

• Yoga Therapy Ireland Certified Yoga Therapist

• YTI & Yoga Alliance Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training

• iRest® Certified Teacher

• Yoga Alliance Yin Yoga Teacher Training

• Yoga Therapy Ireland Chair Yoga Teacher Training

• BA (Hons) Psychology, MSc, BSc.

• London Business School, Mastering Digita Marketing

Kate Ryan

Embodied Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Chair Yoga, One-to-ones

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Chair Yoga Teacher Training 8HR

• Currently undertaking Restorative Yoga Teacher Specialist 40HR

• Currently undertaking Embodied Yoga Teacher Apprenticeship 120HR

• Currently undertaking the Advanced Embodied Yoga Teacher Training YTT300

Valerie Curran

Yoga for Men, Yoga for Strength and Wellness, Restorative Yoga, Yoga for Sports, Embodied Hatha Yoga

Valerie qualified from Aruna Yoga Academy as a teacher in 2022 and has been teaching at the studio since. She delivers the Yoga for Men class and the Yoga for Strength and Wellness class along with workshops in restorative Yoga and Yoga for Runners.

Valerie’s students love her crytsal clear style of teaching, her gentle encouragement leads the classes to further their Yoga Practises week after week and month after month.

She is keenly interested in strength and fitness as a whole and has a dedicated self practise outside of Yoga.

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Restorative Yoga Teacher Specialist 40HR CPD

• Embodied Yoga Teacher Apprenticeship 120HR

• Currently undertaking the Advanced Embodied Yoga Teacher Training YTT300

Julie Huxham

Yoga for Beginners, Embodied Hatha Flow

My Yoga Journey

I first came to yoga over 20years ago, turning up to a class I knew nothing about with a few friends, not realising I would find something which would help me truly find myself physically and ultimately find a connection to the ‘real me’. Over the years, and especially on my Aruna teacher training course, I have come to realise the daily and life-long health benefits of yoga and meditation. 

I’m passionate about how yoga lets you have perspective and a deeper understanding of your body not just physically but mentally and emotionally too. I love how yoga provides you with ways to bring strength, stability and mobility to all aspects of your daily life and help you handle the ups and downs life throws at you. 

I look forward to sharing my passion and love of yoga with you.

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Restorative Yoga Teacher Specialist 40HR CPD

• Embodied Yoga Teacher Apprenticeship 120HR

• Currently undertaking the Advanced Embodied Yoga Teacher Training YTT300

Gwen Travers

Embodied Hatha Yoga, Yoga for Beginners

Hi, I am Gwen, I am someone who likes to be busy, yoga brings balance into my world. I find the human body fascinating and enjoy learning.

I have been attending yoga for over 10 years. Instantly I was hooked with the calmness it brings to my mind and body. I had only experienced living life from a place of pushing my body/mind to its max. Yoga has given me an opportunity to live life from a different perspective, to be able to switch into relaxation and allow my body/ mind the freedom of calmness. I am a better version of myself when I bring balance into my life. I feel yoga is not all about the poses its more about connection, acceptance, and awareness with oneself. I find myself exploring yoga at a deeper level wanting to know more about the poses and the philosophy. I have a greater respect and understanding of the body. Aruna yoga studio is a special place, the venue speaks for itself with its beautiful gardens. The connection with nature brings calmness into your soul.

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Currently undertaking Embodied Yoga Teacher Apprenticeship 120HR

• Currently undertaking Tean Yoga Teacher Training

Emma-Jane Leeson

Chair Yoga, Embodied Hatha Yoga

Emma-Jane is a yoga and meditation teacher and established children's book author from county Kildare.

Happiest amongst nature and animals, Emma-Jane is passionate about creating a space for people to ReWild themselves and let their imaginations run free.

Emma-Jane teaches an embodied Hatha chair yoga and meditation class.

The class involves gentle movement designed to build strength, mobility and resilience, in both mind and body.

It is suitable for beginners, those who may have practiced before and are returning, and also those who practice regularly and want to be guided through an enjoyable flow.

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 20HR CPD

• Chair Yoga Teacher Training 8HR CPD

• Currently undertaking Tean Yoga Teacher Training

Sarah Duffy

Yoga for Strength & Wellness, Morning Flow

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Currently undertaking Embodied Yoga Teacher Apprenticeship 120HR

• Currently undertaking the Advanced Embodied Yoga Teacher Training YTT300

• Currently undertaking Tean Yoga Teacher Training

Denise Brady

Our Menopause Specialist

I am Denise, a high-energy, fun, glass-half-full yoga teacher who is always on the go and has to remind myself to stop and breathe! I love learning new things and empowering and educating women especially when its hormone hormone-related!

My yoga journey started in my early 20’s and has continued from that point but I have learned over the past year that consistency is key! Yoga and meditation has supported me with the passing of my beloved mum, COVID, and hormonal changes and has now become my “go to” through my own regular practice, teaching and arriving on my mat every morning.

Never one to sit still (unless its on my mat), I am completing a Certificate in Teaching Yoga for “Stages of Menopause” during the Summer months, one of only 2 such courses certified by YAP, and one of the first 2 created worldwide.

My real love is working with women to help support and educate them with their own personal journey and empower them to be the best version of themselves. Community is key for me and practicing with like minded individuals ensures all classes have an element of challenge and a feeling of positive energy.  Stress, fatigue, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression can be a struggle during your perimenopause and beyond and this yoga class will specialise in Yoga for the various stages of Menopause.

This class is based on self-love, self-care, self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Embodied Yoga & Meditation Teacher YTT200

• Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 20HR CPD

• Menopause Yoga Teacher Training