Michelle Cassidy is the founder and operator of popular Essence of Living Yoga & Pilates studio and the International Teacher Training Academy on the Gold Coast. After first discovering Yoga and Pilates at the young age of 16, Michelle knew, with every cell of her being, that she had found her calling, and wished to share both the spiritual and physical benefits of the practice with others. Michelle’s training is extensive and focused, ensuring that she can best serve her students, providing them with the best tools and techniques to maximize their results.

After completing an Advanced Diploma in Recreational Fitness and a Business Degree, she furthered her training with an International Advanced ‘Stott Pilates’ Mat course, specialising in Stability Ball, Fitness Circle, Flex Band and Foam Roller instruction, together with Reformer Apparatus Training. Later, Michelle expanded her knowledge, and completed the internationally recognised ‘Body Control Pilates’ Mat Course. Michelle, in a bid to deepen her understanding of Yoga, completed a ‘Yoga Arts’ 200hr intensive Teacher Training in Ubud, Bali, a ‘Brahmani Yoga’ 500hr intensive Ashtanga Teacher Training in Goa India, a ‘Jivamukti Yoga’ 300hr intensive Teacher Training, a 500hr apprenticeship in New York, and trained with Dena Kingsberg for 4 years, completing her one year committed practitioner Ashtanga intensive in Byron Bay. Michelle has also trained under Paul Grilley and completed 150hrs Yin Yoga Teacher Training in Mexico.

With the constant evolution of the industry, Michelle keeps her finger on the pulse with the latest trends, returning to New York and California for intensive training. She studied Barre from Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred Devito (Exhale), the original teachers of the Lotte Berk lineage. Barre is a fusion of Yoga, Pilates and Ballet. Michelle has always been passionate about the healing qualities of the body and the meaning of true health, and, in order to understand this more intimately, she complete a 3 month intensive ‘International Thai Massage’ Teacher Training in Chiang Mai Thailand. Michelle also completed a one-year Holistic Health Coaching course with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Michelle also studied Kinesiology with Ranee Zeller from Bayside Kinesiology.

With a passion for personal development, Michelle has continued to flourish, completing Tony Robbins Date with Destiny and Business Mastery training. She also completed Brendan Burchard Peak Performance training. With all of this knowledge and experience, Michelle is extremely passionate about sharing it with her students and her teacher trainers, truly believing in the power of the ripple effect. “I live and breathe my vocation, as it resonates with every cell of my body. I truly love what I do and do what I love. I want to share my passion with the world around me and hope to create a happier, healthier world with those willing to change and grow with me.”