About

HI! I'M PACO

Yoga Journey & Education

My journey with yoga began during my first teacher training: a 200-hour Vinyasa program at The Shala Yoga School in Cape Town (2017). Working as Front Desk Staff there gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the practice and philosophy of yoga. Since then, I’ve continued learning through courses in Breath Work, Meditation, and Mindfulness with The Art of Living Foundation, as well as an ongoing Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Josh Summers (since 2021).

Experiences & Teaching

I’ve actively witnessed how yoga supports resilience and growth during life’s challenges. I’ve had the privilege of teaching children’s yoga in a township kindergarten (2017–2020), supporting inmates through the Prison Freedom Project (2018), and guiding a grief support group (2019). As a program manager at SINGA Switzerland (2020–2022), I integrated mindfulness through yoga to support migrant entrepreneurs.

Further Background

My studies in Human Geography (2005–2009) nurtured a deep appreciation for interconnectedness, something I’ve found reflected in yoga’s ability to support physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Music has been part of my life since childhood, offering a way to explore creativity and self-expression. From learning instruments to teaching and songwriting, it continues to inspire my yoga practice alongside conscious dance—a movement practice that fosters freedom and connection.

MY VISION

As a lifelong student of yoga, my hope is to share tools and practices that others can weave into their own lives—meeting them wherever they are on their journey. Life can often feel overwhelming and heavy, but yoga offers a way to navigate with more lightness, warmth, and groundedness.

I believe yoga is both playful and transformative, a path to unlearn old patterns, rediscover inner strength, and reconnect with yourself. My vision is to encourage others to find clarity, balance, and a renewed sense of wonder through practices inspired by yoga philosophy and shaped by my own experiences with yoga, music, and sound.

Guided by the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita—Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self—I create practices that nurture resilience, self-awareness, and a sense of lightness in the midst of life’s challenges.

CORE VALUES

I encourage others and myself to embrace these core values:

Authenticity & Vulnerability: Be true to yourself, embracing your uniqueness and allowing vulnerability to deepen connections.
Expression and Playfulness: Bring creativity and joy into your practice, exploring new ways to engage with your body and mind.
Resilience & Patience: Cultivate inner strength to face challenges with grace, remembering that growth takes time.
Growth & Learning: View yoga as a path of self-discovery, where new perspectives deepen your practice and evolve over time.
Practicality & Simplicity: Keep yoga simple and accessible, using practical techniques to manage stress and enhance well-being.
Self-Connection & Inner Belonging: Cultivate openness and honesty within yourself, creating a space for self-awareness and self-compassion. By connecting deeply with who we are, we lay the foundation for authentic relationships and a supportive community that nurtures us all.

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I want to express my deep gratitude to the mentors and teachers who have guided me along my journey. Their wisdom and support have profoundly influenced my practice and personal growth.

I am especially thankful to Tamsin Sheehy, Thomas Sheehy, and Adila Soeker from my first teacher training at The Shala Yoga School, which has always felt like home to me; Sara Bailey who encouraged me to connect to my higher self through her sessions and nurturing, motherly spirit; Lara Roux for her playful yoga sessions and magical retreats; Beatrice Petrini for her uplifting Yin and Restorative Yoga sessions and her Italian spirit; Laura Ndukwana for her trust and guidance during my time at the Umyezo Township Kindergarten in Cape Town; Brian Bergmann and Leela Codron for opening my heart and allowing me to be part of their transformative Prison Freedom Project; Mukesh from The Art of Living for his wisdom and guidance; Josh Summers for his mindblowing Yin Yoga Training; Nuno Azevedo for his humble nature and profound wealth of knowledge; Bo Styn for his playful yet professional spirit; Cristiane Machado for her vibrant classes in Costa Rica; and most importantly, my mother, Iris Casutt, for her wisdom, guidance, countless teachings, and unconditional love that transcends death.

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