Namaste, I'm Chelsi-lee
''Those that become healers, are often those that have had to heal themselves first'.'
I have personally experienced how injuries and pain can affect our lives. I suffered first hand, with a spinal injury for 2 years and social anxiety for 4.
This is what initially inspired me to pursue a career as a yoga therapist.
I was my own first patient and today, I stand as living proof of yoga therapy's effectiveness.
I hope that my story can be a source of inspiration for you!
(You can find more information about what yoga therapy is and my role as a yoga therapist from the dropdown above, however here is where you'll find the journey that led me to my current career as a yoga therapist.)
Thank you for considering me as a potential partner on your path to well-being.
I'm looking forward to the opportunity of connecting with you!
Warm wishes, Chelsi-lee
I've been practicing yoga for a decade, immersing myself in its teachings from various instructors across the globe as I've travelled the world. Whether it was on a remote island in the Maldives or in the birthplace of Yoga, India, I've always eagerly sought out instructors to deepen and enrich my personal practice.
I’m originally from the UK, but I haven’t lived there since 2009 and until recently, my life was one of constant movement, drifting from one country to another, home was wherever I chose to make it.
It was this nomadic lifestyle and my ever-deepening love for yoga that eventually brought me to India, where I felt inspired to pursue my teacher training certifications in the very birthplace of yoga, Rishikesh, India, in 2018.
During this time, I dedicated three months to fully immersing myself in the yogic (sattvic) lifestyle within ashrams. I completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training in Ashtanga Vinyasa and 100 hours in Yin Yoga.
I travelled through India to Nepal, to hike Mount Everest Basecamp, before making my way back to Europe.
It was there, in France, where my yoga teaching journey began. I had the privilege of teaching apres-ski yoga, (after-ski yoga) in charming chalets nestled in the French Alps and it was there, that i fell pregnant with my daughter Lüna.
Unfortunately, during an otherwise beautiful pregnancy, I sustained a back injury where my back essentially “pulled out.” I initially brushed it off as the usual strain from carrying extra weight, hoping it would ease with time.
For two long years, the pain only worsened. Everyday tasks—like placing my heel on the ground while walking or picking up my baby—became agonising. Eventually, I underwent an MRI, which revealed the source of my suffering: a slipped disc—herniated at L5-S1—impinging on my sciatic nerve.
The doctors told me I had left it too long. That it would never fully heal. That surgery was my only option. I was prescribed painkillers and warned never to bend forward again. This experience intensified my anxiety, adding another layer of challenge to my recovery.
To say I was gutted is an understatement. I thought my career as a yoga teacher was over before it had even begun. It was devastating to imagine a future where I could no longer move freely—where chronic pain and daily medication would be my new normal. I knew I had to find another way.
That determination led me to discover the transformative power of Yoga Therapy.
I embarked on a journey of hope and returned to India, where I spent an additional six weeks living in an ashram, albeit away from my baby, to delve into the first 300 hours of an 850-hour, two-year yoga therapy course.
The profound transformation I experienced—both physically and mentally—made it clear that these healing tools were meant to be shared. What began as a personal journey quickly grew into a greater purpose. Yoga Therapy helped me reclaim my life, and now I’m dedicated to guiding others on their own paths to healing.
Inspired by the power of this practice, I have completed 850 hours of training and am currently in the final stages of becoming a fully qualified, internationally accredited yoga therapist (IAYT).
Today, I am free from pain, able to manage my mental health, and equipped with the tools to overcome anxiety. Most importantly, I’ve reclaimed my role as a yoga teacher—this time with even more purpose, compassion, and clarity.
Now, I teach yoga in Nelson at various locations, where I’ve finally found the space to be the authentic teacher I’ve always aspired to be.
I am deeply passionate about sharing the true essence of yoga—the philosophy and how it is so much more than just physical postures, as many often assume.
My classes always draw on traditional practices that i learnt in India, sharing the yogic philosophy, using mantra, meditation, and different pranayama techniques, with the (popular) added touch of a sound bath during Savasana.
Throughout the year, I offer multiple group Yoga Therapy programmes for various health conditions, aswell as host regular events such as meditations and sound baths, all of which have been very well-received by the open-minded community here, which continues to motivate me on my journey.
( To learn more about where, when and how you can join, please explore the Yoga Therapy, Yoga Classes, and Events pages at the top of this one. )
Along my journey, in addition to over 1,000 hours of yoga training, I have gathered certifications in Reiki (Levels 1 and 2), Sound Healing, MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), Pranayama, Meditation, Chair Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Bliss Yoga, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and TNT (Thought Field Therapy) Tapping. I thoughtfully weave aspects of each into my sessions to create a holistic and personalized healing experience.
I feel that everything that i have done over the years has led me to this present moment. I have recently given birth to my long awaited son Lëo and I’m now ready to follow my dharma—my life-long calling of becoming a healer—here in New Zealand, a place I finally want to call home. This land of opportunity is where I can bring all of my healing modalities together to help others feel the best version of themselves.
I hope that sharing my personal journey with you will make you feel comfortable with me as your companion to recovery.
While I wish I could wave a magic wand and take away all your pain and concerns, I can’t promise a cure. What I can offer are tools, techniques, and guidance to help you navigate it—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually- tools you can carry with you in your life toolbox and return to whenever you need.
My goal is to support you in improving your overall quality of life, offering a helping hand to walk with you every step of the way.
I’m confident that positive change is possible, considering my wholehearted intention to help you and the wide range of methods we have to explore together!
Feel free to contact me if you find my services align with your needs. I'll be more than happy to accompany you on your path to well-being.
Love and light,
Chelsi-lee
