Iyari Oakes

DOB

June 17, 2025

Biography

Tell us about you?

I am a yoga and meditation teacher. I am currently teaching a few classes a week at a studio in Mullumbimby as well as privates. I run retreats in India, sharing the yogic teachings with women from Australia. I am currently in my final year studying Body Psychotherapy, later this year I can begin as a student therapist. I am passionate about mental health and wellbeing and have dedicated the last 10 years studying with many teachers around the world. I am inspired to weave and integrate the teachings of yoga with therapy for healing. I currently work at a psychology clinic in Brisbane called Modern Minds seeing clients privately where I teach self regulating skills and techniques (breath, meditation) & knowledge on the nervous system and mental health through the yogic perspective. I am a support worker and have been with Byron Respite- for about 2 years. I currently have a private age care client I also support on a weekly basis. I am Australian, 28 years old and originally from Sydneys Northern Beaches. I love spending time in nature, bush walking, surfing, practicing yoga, sitting tea ceremony, singing & playing music and gardening.

What makes you a great fit for Empower Kollective and our clients?

I am very passionate about mental health and wellbeing. My journey into healing began as a teenager with a chronic illness, struggling with my own mental health and deep in grief after a family member took her own life. This is the moment I found yoga and began my own journey of healing, inspiring my passion to learn about holistic health and wellbeing. I consider myself to be a grounded and calm person and aspire to create a safe container for clients to feel they can rest and be comfortable in my presence. I feel I am a sensitive and compassionate person that is in touch with their intuition, qualities I feel important when working within mental health. My time working for Byron respite has given me a lot of fulfilment and purpose. I find this work very rewarding and I would love to continue. It has taught me a lot and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and gain more experience working with a variety of clients with different conditions. I am applying for a support worker role, however also open and interested in potentially an admin role! I havemany years also in customer service and would enjoy expanding into a different work opportunity within the framework of the business. thankyou 🙂

Experience & Qualifications

Relevant experience, qualifications, or lived experiences I'd like to share?

Support Work Experience

I have been working with the NDIS through Byron Respite for the past 2 years. I currently have an aged care client who is terminally ill. I currently work at a psychology clinic seeing private clients where i teach yoga and meditation to empower individuals in their healing and offer an alternative, holistic approach alongside and also independently to talk therapy. I am in my final year studying psychotherapy. I have been learning about the mind, body, energy and spirit through my yogic studies for the past 10 years. I have journeyed through my own personal experience of chronic illness and mental health which i feel gives me compassion, an sensitivity to offer to others navigating challenge.

Additional Professional Qualifications?

I have been a support worker for the past 2 years so have the necessary experience. I have also worked in the customer service industry providing admin and first contact with guests/clients.

Professional Qualifications

  • Work directly with NDIS Participants
  • Support Work Experience
  • Domestic or In-home Support
  • Personal lived experience in Mental Health or Disability (could be within your own life or with family/friend etc)
  • Administrative skills

 
Specific diagnoses that I have experience working with?

  1. Autism
  2. PTSD
  3. Depression
  4. Anxiety
  5. Chronic fatigue/illness
  6. Bipolar

Life Skills & Interests

Movement / Yoga / Fitness / Dance

yoga, meditation, movement, chi gong, breathwork, sharing wisdom on mental health through the yogic perspective

Nature Walks & Nature Connection

bush walks, grounding in nature

Self Regulation Practices (Meditation / Breathwork / Other)

yes- nervous system support, educating about the nervous system, breathwork, meditation, yoga

Other Wellbeing Practices

tea ceremony, health eating/nutrition, healthy cooking

Photography

Writing

Art & Creativity

Crafting

knitting

Cooking

yes- love cooking healthy food, educating about this

Cultural Practices

Other Skills & Interests

mantra/chanting

Life Skills & Interests

knitting

yes- love cooking healthy food, educating about this

mantra/chanting

Personal & Professional Qualities

We value the following qualities in our workers:

  • Positive mindset & aligned values
  • A purpose-driven work ethic and a genuine commitment to supporting people to grow, make meaningful change, and live in alignment with their own goals and potential.
  • Ability to listen and respond with sensitivity
  • Clear boundaries and strong communication
  • Proactive and dependable attitude
  • Flexibility and willingness to support both practical and emotional needs
  • Organisational and time-management skills
  • Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
How I feel about Empower Kollective's support worker values?

I feel these are all important qualities to have as a support worker. Sensitivity, compassion and healthy boundaries I feel are particularly important. I have been working with respite for 2 years and feel i have also strengthened in these attributes through my direct experience.

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Which location are you interested in?

BYRON BAY

SYDNEYSIDER

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LOCATION DETAILS

Beachside apartment in idyllic Lennox Heads, Northern Rivers NSW

BEDROOM

HOME

LOCAL AREA

BOOK NOW
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WHAT IS THE POWER OF THESE PRACTICES?

MOVEMENT

When we move we engage with the sensations and wisdom of the body, giving us access to move through our stuckness and liberate our emotional and mental systems so we can ground and experience more freedom, joy & peace.

With profound benefits of improved physical health, including cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility, together with the mental health benefits, movement is a key active ingredient in taking charge of your life.

A movement practice increases confidence in public spaces, encourages an active lifestyle and reduces isolation.

 

SELF REGULATION

Self-regulation practices give us a greater ability to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. Learning simple practices can assist us to regulate anxiety, stress, frustration etc, encourage a more balanced response to challenges, improve energy levels, reduce overwhelm, assist with procrastination and support us to experience deeper connections.

Simple practices can open up a whole new way of coping + doing life and enjoying your vitality.

Self Regulation improves emotional resilience + enhances participation in group settings.

 

CREATIVE SELF EXPRESSION

Creative Self Expression invites us to rekindle a sense of play, curiosity and spontaneity, to explore personal identity, build confidence in our own voice & perspective, ignite passion, enhance relaxation & mental clarity, and build community through shared creative experiences.

Creativity + Self Expression can be explored through many outlets and styles. A welcome tool for emotional release, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Creative Expression builds self-expression skills and fosters friendships through shared activities.

 

COMMUNITY

Community connection is a fundamental pillar to accessing emotional support, shared experiences and a sense of belonging. It is through our participation that we ignite the community spirit within and build a structure around us that becomes a bedrock of support + strength.

Feeling isolated from connection is detrimental to our mental health as it leads to increased depression, anxiety & stress, emotional withdrawal, physical health problems, negative behaviours, cognitive decline and loss of meaning + purpose.

Meaningful human connection, where we feel Seen, Valued & Understood is our centre of gravity for which we build our vision in life and come to know we are safe to thrive.

Community Connection & Participation increases social networks and encourages independence in navigating the community.

 

RELAXATION

LETS BE REAL… Relaxation is not a luxury—it’s a vital practice for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In a world that glorifies productivity and constant action, learning to deeply relax can be one of the most powerful tools for healing, balance, and overall health.

Relaxation activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode) Lowers cortisol (stress hormone) levels, preventing chronic stress build up and helps shift the brain from fight-or-flight to a state of calm and clarity.

Through relaxation experiences we help reduce overwhelm & burnout, are able to strengthen our ability to respond vs. react, experience more self-awareness and boost our emotional resilience and state of inner peace, enhancing our overall contentment.

It is a necessity and something to prioritise and allow ourselves to wholeheartedly receive.

Relaxation helps manage social fatigue and builds sustainable participation habits.

 

Integration

Turn insight into lasting change.

Integration is the process of absorbing, embodying, and applying experiences, insights, and healing into daily life. True transformation doesn’t come from a single experience—it happens when we take what we’ve learned and weave it into our thoughts, actions, and ways of being.

We are able to foster integration in our lives through:

  • Self reflection practices to help us to process insights & lessons
  • Embodiment practices to anchor our experiences
  • Intentional rest & stillness that allows the nervous system to absorb changes
  • Community groups & discussions for experiences that encourage deeper meaning conversations
  • Nature & grounding practices that stabilise transformation
  • Establishing sustainable goals & maintaining consistent daily practices that weave new insights into everyday life

Integration strengthens decision-making skills and improves goal-setting + personal growth.

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Skill Building

Below is a list of Community Participation options that are available within your program.

Community Classes are run by members of the community outside of our organisation. If you choose to attend Community Classes there is usually a small out of pocket cost for that class. Cost can range between $10 - $25 on average.

  • Yoga Practice / Yin Based / Flow/Vinyassa
  • Dance (Various styles)
  • Martial Arts / Qi Gong / Tai Chi
  • Fitness / Strength Training
  • Pilates
  • Aquatic Fitness ​
  • Meditation / Breathwork / Somatic Movement / Sound
  • Tea Ceremony
  • Drawing Class
  • Ceramic Art / Pottery
  • Vocal Expression / Choir / Music Circle
  • Theatre / Performance / Improvisation / Acting Skills for Creativity Exploration
  • Evening social events / Trivia Nights / Open Mic Nights / Jam Sessions / Bingo (no cost)
  • Entertainment / Fun Night Out / Music / Bands (no cost)
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PRICE GUIDE TABLE

NDIS Price Guide Hourly Rates 2024/25
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Heart coherence is a powerful technique for shifting into a state of joy, abundance, and resilience. It can bring the heart and mind energies into sync, elevate your mood, and help you manifest what you desire.