When Kersten first walked through the gates of Byron Yoga Centre in February 2020, she wasn’t seeking a new career path—she was simply seeking relief.
Burnt out, in chronic pain, and recovering from multiple surgeries, Kersten arrived for a retreat hoping to find a moment of calm amidst the chaos. What she discovered was so much more. “I immediately felt so at home and cared for,” she recalls. “It was just what I needed.”
That first retreat was quiet—she was the only guest for several days, allowing for one-on-one teaching and deep rest. “By day five I felt calmer, more at ease—and my pain was reducing. Then by the end of that day, my pain just went away.” It was the first time in years she had experienced true relief, and she left feeling like recovery might actually be possible.
But she didn’t just leave with relief—she left with hope.
Over the next few years, Kersten returned to Byron Yoga Centre time and time again. From 3, 5, 7-day yoga retreats to Meditation, Restorative, and Level 1 200hr yoga teacher training and Level 2 300hr yoga teacher training, each visit built on the last. A turning point came during the Trauma Aware Yoga Training, when she felt a deep inner shift. “By the end of that course, I realised helping others with complex experiences—just like mine—was the path I was meant to walk.”
From that moment, everything changed.
She enrolled in a Yoga Therapy course, began studying with new passion and purpose, and now integrates the healing power of yoga into her offerings. In July 2024, she officially graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Nutrition, expanding her ability to support others in a truly holistic way.
Today, Kersten teaches group classes in South Australia (at Holdfast Bay Community Centre in Hove and Fitness Factory Gym in Mount Barker), while also offering Yoga Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, 1:1 private sessions, short courses, corporate workshops, and now her own retreats.
Through it all, Byron Yoga Centre has remained a consistent touchstone. “Every time I’ve returned, I’ve experienced unwavering kindness and compassion. I consider it a second home. The teachings, the people, the land—it’s all been such a key part of my healing.”
Kersten will be back at Byron Yoga Centre again this year, this time to complete the Yoga for Seniors training—a natural next step for someone so devoted to accessible, supportive, and inclusive yoga.
We’re incredibly proud to have been part of Kersten’s transformation—from burnout and pain to purpose and empowerment. Her journey is a shining example of what can unfold when you find a space that welcomes every part of you.
You can learn more about Kersten’s offerings at kerstenstengel.com.au
Follow her on Instagram: @kerstenstengel
Facebook: Kersten.Stengel
