Biyome Biomedical Institute of Yoga and Meditation

Let’s do this! Compassion-Focused Therapy Conference Brisbane 2026 🙌🙌🙌

Join us on 5 September at UQ to explore the latest research and developments in Compassion-Focused Therapy.

Discover with me how yoga therapy, compassion and evidence-based approaches can come together to support mental health and wellbeing.
And so much more from the researchers!

More information
UQ event information
Day conference 5th Sept UQ Brisbane $120 includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

Bookings https://payments.uq.edu.au/UQPCET103/booking?UDS_ACTION=S1I&UDS_ACTION_DATA=bCsmAUhALQtOX1MHNEJDAVpTQgxOKUwbXTEwWAVOIUcPRS5Q

Pictured here with Professor Paul Gilbert and Dr James Kirby

MONASTIC MEDICINE
This image was taken at a monastic pharmacy in Florence.

As a young woman, I felt drawn to study medicine after having completed my biomedical science degree. I read a book about studying medicine in the USA, the enormous costs (the debt) and the cost to our health. In fact, the health of studying students declined by 70 per cent, and it didn’t get much better after they got out of medical school. The stress started and never stopped. Perhaps the nervous system had learned how to suffer or navigate the way through.

When I found complementary health, Yoga, Ayurveda, Somatic medicine, I knew this was going to teach me how to look after myself and, from that true place of embodied medicine, it included contemplative spiritual understanding of health too, which is proven to be crucial for many: faith, trust, spirituality. From this place of true self care and inner work, I could offer this on.

We often treat people in medicine who aren’t willing to heal, and without them wanting to take control of their healing journey, the patient will likely not heal.

We also must be very careful not to take someone’s karma away, for their suffering can be their grace. As Ram Dass says, we have no moral right to take someone’s suffering away.

These teachings encourage us to be the witness, consciousness, “Saksha Bhavi”, not the doer, nor the healer, but the witness.

In , we treat the underlying causes. We build up the system so it can cope with any intervention we give it. WE NEVER just treat the symptom.

I feel we have reached a time in medicine where we are waking up to something new.

It’s happening in , , and general practice. The needs to do the inner work, the patient too.

It’s a union of sorts, a true Yoga.

Embodied Medicine Training - Yoga, Meditation, Somatic Therapy https://biyome.com.au/course-pages/

A beautiful legacy lives on at the studio.

When you arrive for your next treatment or overnight stay, you will notice this special artwork. It was gifted to by the late, legendary Brisbane yoga teacher Ailsa Gartenstein, who passed away in her 90s. Ailsa actually taught my own mother yoga back in the day, making this connection feel deeply full-circle.

🪷 The artwork beautifully maps out the four states of consciousness from the Mandukya Upanishad.

As you gaze upon it (or chant the AUM mantra) - may it become your life’s blessing:

🕉️ A (Vaishvanara): In your waking state of outer awareness, may you find grounding and absolute calm.

🕉️ U (Taijasa): In your dreaming state of inner, subtle experiences, may your mind be filled with clear light dreams.

🕉️ M (Prajna): In your quiet state of dreamless deep sleep, may you experience profound, restorative rest from the mental fluctuations.

🕉️ The Silence (Turiya): In the silence or the absolute stillness before creation, may you awaken to the divine, unchanging consciousness of your true Self (Atman) - completely into the absolute.

Thank you to Josh PryYoga Australia 🧘🏽‍♀️he custodian the artwork for

🙏

Your First Trip to India?

“India is not simply a destination to visit; it is an experience to prepare for. Arrive with intention, slowly, remain humble, and allow the country to reveal itself in its own time.”

— Dr Robert Svoboda (Ayurvedic physician, former resident of India, and Aghori initiate)

Go with a clear purpose

Don’t visit India out of idle curiosity. Go because you feel a genuine inner calling or have been invited. Reflect carefully on why you are making the journey before you leave.

Plan carefully and allow enough time

Stay for at least three weeks. The first few weeks are often spent adapting to India’s culture, environment, and pace of life. India is unlike anywhere else, and culture shock is normal.

Travel slowly and avoid overstimulation

Don’t try to see everything. Visit fewer places, avoid rushing, and resist the urge to meet everyone, eat everything, or buy everything. Overstimulation and excessive travel increase fatigue and the likelihood of illness.

Our pilgrimage has been intentionally designed to move slowly. We will visit just three main places: two ashrams (basic accommodation), followed by a high end stay in , a vibrant city full of life and spiritual energy.

Rest and acclimatise first

Spend your first three to four days settling in rather than sightseeing. Recover from jet lag, observe your surroundings, and gradually adjust to India’s intensity.

We begin our journey at Sri Ramanasramam in the south, offering a gentle and peaceful introduction before travelling further into India.

Seek guidance and remain flexible

Speak with people who have travelled to India before, travel with a sensible companions where possible, and expect your plans to change. Have a clear itinerary but remain adaptable. Approach India with humility, respect, and sincere intention, and ask for divine guidance and protection throughout your journey.

Tumul Dubey, an native, and I cordially invite you on an incredible journey with our much awarded tour guide.
training https://biyome.com.au/course-pages/350yatt/

Tourhttps://biyome.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/350YATT-India-Tour-Itinerary-BIYOME.pdf

Could ancient wisdom help us better understand modern mental health?

What if your environment, daily routine, breathing, thoughts and meditation practice all played a profound role in emotional wellbeing?

Join us for CPD25 – Vedic Meditation, Ayurvedic Psychology & Eastern Psychiatry, an immersive professional development training that bridges thousands of years of Vedic knowledge with modern neuroscience, psychology and lifestyle medicine. Designed for health professionals, psychologists, counsellors, yoga and meditation teachers, this unique training explores practical, evidence-informed approaches to nervous system regulation, self-awareness and therapeutic presence.

Whether you're supporting others or seeking deeper personal insight, this training will transform the way you understand the mind.

Here is a great teaching on Ayurveda for https://youtu.be/IsxW5OnPp50?si=QEHXSB-nKLR9WU-Y

7–10 August | Upper Brookfield, Brisbane

Learn more:
https://biyome.com.au/cpd-pages/cpd25/

CPD25 Vedic Meditation, Ayurvedic Psychology and Eastern Psychiatry – The BioMedical Institute of Yoga & Meditation This professional development course integrates Vedic Meditation, Ayurvedic Psychology and principles of Eastern Psychiatry within an evidence-informed biopsychosocial model. Set in the peaceful foothills of Brisbane and delivered under the guidance of BIYOME Founder and Director Celia Roberts BSc,....