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Alan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period, he took novice monks vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. 

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Bruce van Dongen founded the Waterfall Retreat & Environmental Centre in 2003. He has always felt strongly that our indigenous natural heritage is our most precious asset and that it is critical for us to try our best to be in union with nature and that we have an obligation to be guardians for our planet.

He is an Engineer by profession and has spent a large part of his working career on many continents. He returned to his home of KwaZulu Natal in 2003 with the motivation to acquire a special piece of land worthy of conservation to create a sanctuary for people, animals and the environment. He has been deeply grateful for the teachings of yoga and meditation and the impact that they have had on his life.He uses his love of nature and on- going projects at Waterfall Retreat to balance the pressures of the corporate world.

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Buhle Mabanga is an accredited yoga and mindfulness teacher and founder of Nomvula Well-Being Movement. She began practising mindfulness, yoga and meditation four years ago with teachers Nandiva from Ishta Yoga and Mark Joseph from Mindful Revolution. In addition to her mindfulness and yoga work, Buhle is an artist, a children’s book author, a spoken word writer and a fashion designer.

  

Choden(Sean Mc Govern)Formally a monk within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Choden (aka Sean Mc Govern) completed a three year, three month retreat in 1997 and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1985. He is originally from South Africa where he trained as a lawyer and learned meditation under the guidance of Rob Nairn, an internationally renowned Buddhist teacher. He is now involved in developing secular mindfulness and compassion programmes drawing upon the wisdom and methods of the Buddhist tradition, as well as contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience. He is an honorary fellow of the University of Aberdeen and teaches on their Postgraduate Study Programme in Mindfulness (MSc) that is the first of its kind to include compassion in its curriculum. He co-wrote a book with Paul Gilbert in 2012, entitled 'Mindful Compassion' that explores the interface between Buddhist and Evolutionary approaches to compassion training. In 2016 he completed a one year retreat focused on the foundation practices of Tibetan Buddhism

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Chrissi Preuss A traveler of both the wide world and the inner world, Chrissi’s global travels and her cum laude honours psychology degree from Rhodes University (with specialisations in trauma and neuropsychology) help her in her career of coaching and guiding people to positions and occupations that suit their character and aspirations. After completing a Mindfulness Association 8 week course through The Waterfall Retreat & Environmental Centre she set her heart to teaching yoga. Chrissi is currently in the process of deepening her practice and knowledge through an intensive 2-year yoga teacher training program and aims to bring her philosophy of yoga being fully accessible and inclusive to her teaching.

Chrissi approaches every class she teaches, like she does life itself, with kindness and thoughtfulness. In so doing she creates space for all students of every stripe and ability to feel safe and at home with themselves – both on and off the mat.  

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Daena Lund is a passionate advocate for nature's healing power, Daena holds a master’s degree in microbiology and has researched alternative therapies using medicinal plants and endophytic fungi. Since discovering yoga in 2017, Daena has blended her love for yoga and hiking to create transformative experiences. Our walks feature Kundalini yoga, meditations, breathing exercises, journaling, and poetry readings, all designed to foster a calm and joyful mind and heart. Come and discover the beauty of healing in nature!

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Dr Sibu Lubelwana is a trusted gynaecologist and obstetrician in Hillcrest, dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care for women at every stage of life. She specialises in pregnancy care, reproductive health, and gynaecological wellness, ensuring personalised and supportive treatment.

Passionate about holistic, patient-centred care, Dr. Sibu empowers women with knowledge and guidance, helping them make informed health decisions. She stays at the forefront of medical advancements while fostering a warm and welcoming environment for her patients.

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Kerri is the custodian and manager of The Waterfall Retreat and Environmental Centre, where she has played a key role in its development and growth from the grassroots. She is a student of the late Choje Akong Tulku Rinpoche and has trained within the Karma Kagyu Lineage, participating in several meditation retreats over the past 20 years, including a six-month closed retreat at the Tara Rokpa Centre Retreat Valley in Groot Marico. In 2009, she was invited to join the Mindfulness Africa Organisation and now serves as the Mindfulness Africa Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal. She holds certifications in Hatha yoga and Qigong, with a special interest in how the combined practices of gentle movement, mindfulness, and compassion can help restore balance.​

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Lakhbir Singh is a dedicated Sikh priest based in Johannesburg, committed to serving the community through spiritual guidance, prayers, and teachings rooted in Sikhism. With deep knowledge of Gurbani, Sikh traditions, and community service, he provides support for religious ceremonies, kirtan, and life events, fostering a sense of faith and unity among those he serves.

Passionate about seva (selfless service) and spiritual growth, Lakhbir Singh encourages mindfulness, compassion, and the values of Sikhism in daily life. He is deeply involved in community outreach, offering guidance and support to individuals and families seeking spiritual and cultural connection.

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Mags van Staden is a 500hr trained yoga teacher, practicing yoga since 2010 and teaching since 2014. She completed her last training with Christine Withiel from Jivananda Centre for Wellbeing in 2020.  Mags is trained in styles of Vinyasa, Hatha, Satyananda (Bihar) and Yin yoga.
In a class with Mags you’ll experience a full-rounded, traditionally taught yoga practice that incorporates yogic philosophy and lifestyle practices along with pranayama, mantra, movement, meditation and Yoga Nidra.

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Liz Witherspoon is a Mindfulness teacher, Enneagram practitioner, and professional life coach. Passionate about helping others live in alignment with their values, she encourages deep engagement with life and connection to one’s true nature. She earned her postgraduate certification in Mindfulness-Based Interventions through IMISA and Stellenbosch University in 2017 and co-owns Simplicity Coaching, supporting individuals, teams, and communities in unlocking their potential. Drawn to nature, Liz finds renewal in forests, mountains, rivers, and oceans, believing that connecting with the body, breath, and natural world is a powerful path to self-discovery.

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Vanda Subakov is a multifaceted individual, bridging the worlds of engineering, yoga, and art. With a background in civil engineering, she has contributed to transformative projects while also advocating for gender equality and mentoring young female engineers.

As a certified 200-hour yoga teacher, Vanda integrates yoga and art as powerful forms of self-expression and well-being. Her abstract artwork reflects her deep connection to creativity and mindfulness, inspiring others to embrace both structure and fluidity in life.​Through her work, teachings, and mentorship, Vanda encourages a holistic approach to living—where engineering, art, and yoga intersect to foster empowerment, balance, and authentic self-expression.

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