Dr Richard James Allen is one of Australia’s most advanced and sophisticated Yoga practitioners, with a deep and wide appreciation of many styles of Yoga and the philosophy that underlies them. A much in demand Yoga teacher, he is appreciated by his many students for his creativity, his sense of humor, his caring personal approach, his extraordinarily graceful practice, and his thoughtful elucidation of the philosophy that underlies the physical practices of Yoga.  Drawing on his years of training and experience in different styles of yoga, dance and the performing arts, Richard's teachings are always tuned to the particulars of the students in the room on the day.  Classes are athletic but graceful, and emphasise the need for each student to work carefully at their own level of development.  Breathing and alignment combine in a Vinyasa style that foregrounds a safe and long term practice to stretch and strengthen the body, while stilling the mind and opening the practitioner up to the spirit. 

Richard James Allen is a Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher.  He has studied with the founders of the Jivamukti style in New York City, Sharon Gannon and David Life, since 1990, drawing inspiration from their teachings for his own Yoga practice, for his classes and for his creativity in his professional work as a choreographer, filmmaker and writer. Richard was a recent mentor for their international teacher training program and is also a regular teacher at the Life Source Teacher Training.  Numerous graduates of a range of teacher training programs come to him for continuing learning and mentorship after their graduations.

In addition to his Jivamukti certification, Richard holds an Iyengar-based Sydney Yoga Centre Hatha Yoga Teaching Certificate (Eve Grzybowksi, Colin Rivers, Mardi Kendall). An advanced Ashtanga practitioner, for many years he pursued a traditional pathway of learning the first four series of Ashtanga Yoga through workshops with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharat, and classes with many of their leading pupils such as Graeme and Leonie Northfield, Matthew Sweeney, Peter Sanson, Eileen Hall and others.  He has also had the privilege of studying for many years with the profound Hatha teacher Rick Birrell. 

Richard has been teaching Yoga for over ten years and dance for over twenty years.  He has taught at numerous Yoga centres including City Apothecary Health and Yoga, Life Source Yoga and Health, Life and Balance Centre, Samadhi Yoga, Yoga Moves, for a growing body of private and corporate clients, and for professional dance companies and university dance courses. 

Richard was awarded the Chancellor’s Award at the University of Technology, Sydney, for a doctoral thesis that explores spiritual philosophy and shapeshifting creativity through the frame of the Jivamukti Yoga teachings.  His multi-award-winning films, books and live performance works have been screened, broadcast, published and performed in over 30 countries around the world.  His natural flexibility in asana practice is featured in Christina Brown’s bestselling book, The Yoga Bible, now translated into over 10 languages, and in the short films Breathe by Nina Williams and Rubberman Accepts The Nobel Prize by Karen Pearlman. To visit his creative arts website please click here: www.physicaltv.com.au