Shanti Yoga

STUDYING
At Health Institute Australasia

For a long time now, Health Institute Australasia and Shanti Yoga have been a true home for a very special kind of person: someone who strives to balance clear thinking with deep living. Everything we have lovingly created over the last 50+ years exists for one wonderful reason: our students choose to sustain it. We are so incredibly grateful that our work is supported by people like you who truly believe it should exist in the world, rather than by advertisers or attention-chasing algorithms. We are endlessly inspired by those who have built true character and gracefully overcome life's obstacles.

Our work has never been about reaching a massive audience; instead, we cherish being a small, trust-based, and high-touch college. We have never wanted to be the loudest voice in the room. We would much rather be one of the most useful—a welcoming space where the world's wisdom is brought together, where your true authenticity is invited, and where depth is something we warmly practice together.

This is how our beautiful story continues. It is less of a transaction and more of a heartfelt commitment: yours to the vision, and ours to continue building this community and learning, student by student, week after week, year after year.

Shanti Gowans

Health Institute Australasia | RTO 45524
Shanti Yoga - Gold Coast, AU
Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat | Beechmont QLD

GURU PURNIMA Shantiji 2026

Yoga is an organised discipline encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India through an oral tradition predating the Vedas, India’s oldest known scriptures.  Developed, codified, nurtured, and passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years, it is with the greatest respect for this lineage of teachers and students that we can share this practice together today. The famous Vedic chant about the teacher and student is the Shanti Mantra (peace prayer) starting with “Om Saha Navavatu”, found in the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Om Saha Navavatu.
Saha Nau Bhunaktu.
Sahavīryam Karavāvahai.
Tejasvi Nāvadhitamastu.
Mā Vidvshāvahai.
Om Shānti Shānti, Shānti.

May the divine protect us both together.
May divine knowledge nourish both of us together.
May we both work together with great energy and capacity.
May our learning be brilliant and full of light.
May there be no hostility or misunderstanding between us.
Peace, Peace, Peace

Throughout history, diverse communities (Hindu, Jain, Buddhist) have defined yoga according to different beliefs and goals, but at its heart, it has always sprung up from an Indian culture with a deep respect for nature and spiritual exploration.  Practitioners in forests, caves, beside rivers, on the outskirts of villages and cities, devoted their lives to exploring how to relieve suffering and find liberation through daily moments in deep practice. As yoga expands into a wonderful global phenomenon, it describes both an optimal, unitive state of consciousness and the lifestyles and practices that lead to it. While various lineages, styles, and schools vary in their approach and purpose, we must remain mindful that yoga can be misused for fundamentalist, nationalistic, or abusive purposes, and must always use these teachings for positive, uplifting, and safe purposes.
Definitions of yoga vary widely. Some teachers situate yoga within a spiritual context, while others view it as a secular practice to uncover inner divinity. These differences mirror yoga’s syncretic roots. However, most definitions beautifully share a common teaching on union.
Shanti Yoga - Gold Coast, AU

GURU PURNIMA message from Shantiji

Yoga is an organised discipline encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India through an oral tradition predating the Vedas, India’s oldest known scriptures.  Developed, codified, nurtured, and passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years, it is with the greatest respect for this lineage of teachers and students that we can share this practice together today. The famous Vedic chant about the teacher and student is the Shanti Mantra (peace prayer) starting with “Om Saha Navavatu”, found in the Taittiriya Upanishad.

Om Saha Navavatu.
Saha Nau Bhunaktu.
Sahavīryam Karavāvahai.
Tejasvi Nāvadhitamastu.
Mā Vidvshāvahai.
Om Shānti Shānti, Shānti.

May the divine protect us both together.
May divine knowledge nourish both of us together.
May we both work together with great energy and capacity.
May our learning be brilliant and full of light.
May there be no hostility or misunderstanding between us.
Peace, Peace, Peace

Throughout history, diverse communities (Hindu, Jain, Buddhist) have defined yoga according to different beliefs and goals, but at its heart, it has always sprung up from an Indian culture with a deep respect for nature and spiritual exploration.  Practitioners in forests, caves, beside rivers, on the outskirts of villages and cities, devoted their lives to exploring how to relieve suffering and find liberation through daily moments in deep practice. As yoga expands into a wonderful global phenomenon, it describes both an optimal, unitive state of consciousness and the lifestyles and practices that lead to it. While various lineages, styles, and schools vary in their approach and purpose, we must remain mindful that yoga can be misused for fundamentalist, nationalistic, or abusive purposes, and must always use these teachings for positive, uplifting, and safe purposes.

Definitions of yoga vary widely. Some teachers situate yoga within a spiritual context, while others view it as a secular practice to uncover inner divinity. These differences mirror yoga’s syncretic roots.
Shanti Yoga - Gold Coast, AU
Health Insitiute Australasia

Guru Purnima 2026

To our dearest Shantiji, our gratitude for all your teachings, kindness and never ending patience.

Shanti Yoga - Gold Coast, AU
Health Institute Australasia | RTO 45524
Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat | Beechmont QLD

Students at HIA enjoying the sun on the balcony

We hold many different courses at the Health Institute Australasia
They include Yoga Studies, Ayurvedic Studies, Ayurvedic Massage and more.

Details are on the website below:

Www.healthinstitute.edu.au

Our courses are of a high quality and have incredible teachers led by Shantiji.

Cooking Classes at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat.
Held by Sonja

We regularly hold amazing Ayurvedic cooking Retreats. Enabling you to learn how to cook delicious Ayurvedic food. The website has dates and times

Nirvanawellbeingretreat.com.au

A wonderful meal cooked by our talented Ayurvedic Chef Sonja.
Sonja cooks at the retreats and sells meals at the centre. As well as teaching and doing many other tasks at the centre in Southport.

Come to Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat to experience a Spiritual Retreat, with Shantiji.

Thank you Sonja , for the stunning photo.

And this is Darren with Maya.

Darren is an integral part of our Sangha.
He is always ready to lend a hand and help out.
Thank you Darren.

Meet Maya, Shantiji's new dog.

With Maya is Linda, one of our senior teachers.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.