We, the founders of The Araucaria Project are two women who have committed to sharing our knowledge with people who hold space for others and for those who are beginning to hold space for themselves.

Modern society, much like the monkey-puzzle tree ‘Araucaria araucana’, is difficult to climb up in and it’s all too easy to get stuck in one place.The Araucaria Project seeks to reach down a hand to those who are stuck on one or more of society's complex branches.

Co-founder Shaura experienced a painful 10-year cycle of addiction in her early years, losing much that was dear to her as a result. She is not alone. She spent the next 12 years learning diverse forms of spiritual, mind, and body practices, including yoga therapy. Shaura went on to create training that educates yoga teachers and recovery workers on how to effectively work with those who suffer from addiction.The Minded Addiction Recovery Kit (MARK) training has been running for 4 years with The Minded Institute.

Gail brings 20 years experience of working in the private, public, and third sectors, and has first-hand knowledge of the damaging impact of anxiety and burnout that can result from highly stressful environments.

Shaura curated the Pilamaya Yoga Teacher Training programme and Gail is a graduate who shares her unique skills on the course.The 220-hr yoga teacher-training course cultivates self-responsibility, leadership, and heart-based yoga teachers.

The Araucaria Project was created to support people journey from addiction into leadership. We wish to take those who are in recovery, have been practicing yoga for 2 years and who are sponsored by a MARK graduate through the Pilamaya Training Programme. Potential delegates must have been practicing yoga for 2 years, intend to teach yoga to others and are prepared to give at least 108 hours back to their sponsor or to a service in return for their training. We wish to subsidise 2 places on each of the 2 cohorts per year.