Yoga for Mental Health Summit 2025

Yoga for Mental Health Summit is a Yoga Australia organised event, bringing together leading voices in Yoga Therapy and Mental Health. It's an opportunity to connect with experts to gain further knowledge about how yoga can support mental health. We have worked hard to secure some of the best in their field, so you will hear from both local (Australian-based) and also international speakers joining all the way from USA and UK. 

We invite all yoga teachers, trainers, therapists and students alike to attend this event which for both personal and professional development. The event will feature a series of presenters, each sharing their topic across 20-40 minute durations. 

YOUR SUMMIT HOSTS

Lead Facilitator: Fiona Donohoe-Bales

Co-host: Rebel Tucker

Community Engagement: Liz Bennett

(All proudly serving on Yoga Australia's Yoga Therapy Committee)

The summit begins at 10am and will conclude by 5pm (AEDT).

Non-members are also encouraged to attend! We have ticketing options to support live online attendance as well as accessing the full recording + bonus content that has been pre-recorded. 

Here is the incredible talent that we have arranged for the Summit:

Dr Gemma Perry | Mantra for Mental Health: The Art + Science of Chanting in Yoga 

Celia Roberts | Psychosomatic Posturing: Move Your Body into the Future

Kathryn Templeton | EMDR integration with Ayurvedic and Yoga Psychology

Denis Juelicher | Death, Loss, Grief - taking up the challenge with yogic tools

Gary Kraftsow | Duḥkha Paramparā & The Wheel of Action & Consequence 

Dr Lauren Tober | What depression, anxiety and trauma looks like in a yoga class

Tess Graham | Reduce Anxiety & Reclaim Your Breath - Why Less is More! 

Katie de Araujo | Meaning + metaphor: supporting mental health alongside the medical system

Sat Bir Singh Khalsa | The scientific and clinical rationale for yoga in prevention and treatment of mental health conditions 

BONUS CONTENT

Select the Recording + Bonus Ticket option to attend live and also receive the recording of all presenters from the Summit + bonus content including:

Liz Albanis | Surviving loss 

Senior Yoga Teacher, Mental Health Advocate Liz is a dedicated yoga teacher with a deep understanding of how yoga supports nervous system regulation, resilience, and emotional well-being. Currently training as a yoga therapist, Liz has spent years exploring how breathwork, movement, and mindfulness help navigate life’s most challenging transitions. After losing her home to a devastating fire, Liz turned to her practice as a lifeline, using yoga to process loss, rebuild inner stability, and find strength in uncertainty. Passionate about the intersection of yoga and mental health, she now helps others cultivate balance through accessible, practical yoga practices designed to support the nervous system in times of stress and change.

Deb Munson | Aboriginal practices for grief

Deb Munson is a proud Gomeroi woman and the founder of Baagi Milaygiin, an Aboriginal-owned brand dedicated to natural bush beauty and holistic wellbeing. Drawing on the wisdom of her ancestors, Deb integrates traditional healing practices with modern wellness, offering products and services that nurture both body and spirit. Passionate about cultural knowledge, connection to Country, and the power of community, she brings a deep understanding of how Aboriginal perspectives can guide us through grief, resilience, and healing.

Rebel Tucker | Yoga for pain and nervous system regulation

Rebel Tucker is a senior yoga teacher, yoga therapist and naturopath with over 35 years of experience in natural health. Having personally overcome Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), one of the most severe pain conditions, she understands firsthand the deep connection between chronic pain and mental health. Rebel specializes in using yoga therapy to regulate the nervous system, ease physical tension, and restore emotional balance. Her approach is grounded, evidence-informed, and deeply compassionate, empowering individuals to move from survival to thriving through breath, movement, and self-awareness. Drawing from her own experience, Rebel’s session will provide valuable insights and practical tools for navigating pain, stress, and emotional imbalance through yoga, empowering both students and teachers to discover their own way to healing in their practice and lives.

Heather Mason | The science of breath

Heather Mason will present on the Science of Breath. Heather is the founder of The Minded Institute, a leading yoga therapy training organisation known for its focus on mental health and empowering yoga and health professionals to integrate yoga therapy into healthcare.

Fiona Donohoe-Bales

Fiona Donohoe-Bales brings over 25 years of experience as an Integrative Psychotherapist and
Yoga Teacher masterfully bridging the Eastern wisdom traditions with contemporary psychology
and neuroscience. With a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Fiona's approach is deeply
somatic, drawing on multiple therapeutic modalities including Internal Family Systems,
Compassionate Inquiry, and Polyvagal Theory.
Known for her warm and engaging presence, Fiona specialises in supporting women through life's
major transitions, from the transformative journey of motherhood to the profound shifts of
menopause. Her unique work views chronic illness and physical symptoms as messengers from
the soul, offering a pathway to deeper healing, growth and understanding.
As co-facilitator and MC of this year's Yoga and Mental Health Summit, Fiona continues her
mission of making therapeutic wisdom accessible and practical. A sought-after podcast guest
and soon-to-be host of her own show, she remains passionate about helping people navigate
life's challenges with grace, embodied awareness, and authentic connection

This will be an insightful event, that encourages discussion and engagement as we dive deep into these topics. We hope you can join us!