Page 48 - Port Douglas Magazine 27

MICHAEL JOSEPH

WELLNESS & YOGA MASTER
THE DEEP RETREAT

THE YOGI
ichael Joseph is a man on a wellness mission, one to train with Deepak Chopra in the United States. To meet
yogic asana at a time. Director of Deep Yoga studio, the person who changed my life was an extraordinary and very
MDeep Retreat spa and massage clinic and Deep humbling experience,” Michael said.
Wholefoods, Michael’s multi-modality space is dedicated to
“After returning to Port Douglas, I was practicing for a while
health and wellness with a good dose of humour.
when my family offered me support in the investment of the
“No incense here, no chanting, and I’m pretty irreverent”, current building we’re in. I’ve always had the belief of just saying
Michael says. “I think it’s something that appeals to people. Of yes then figure out the details later. So here we are 4 years later,
course, there’s nothing wrong with the chanting, but I prefer to and I’m still figuring out the details! My initial challenges were
get people out their heads and into their bodies.” ‘how will I ever do this’ to now ‘how do I maintain this’? Of
course, there are speedbumps, but sticking to my core message
Hailing from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, healthy living
of community kindness and spiritual growth is the focus.”
was nothing new to Michael growing up. It was his teen years,
however, that solidified a future wellness career. “I was 16 years The next ‘yes’ stream is an online live yoga channel. “There’s
old and had a lot of anxiety and nervous system issues due to plenty of free content already, however we have many guests
bullying. I read Deepak Choprah’s book ‘Perfect Health’ – it from interstate who want to continue yoga practice with me. I
was a complete life changer; I still have that coffee stained, dog want to help people develop a home practice. One stretch can
eared book to remind me how far I’ve travelled,” he said. be totally liberating. If you can’t do 10 minutes, do 5. If you
can’t do 5, do 2. Every minute, every pose changes the way your
“The book is based on Ayurvedic medicine, which is the
world’s oldest holistic healing system. It was developed more body and nervous system interacts,” he said.
than 5,000 years ago in India, and is mostly common sense. “I’m not puritanical. I’m a human being trying to figure life
As the years went by, I moved around the country training – out, just like everyone else. I’m very self effacing and I make the
massage, stretch, yoga. Many practitioners do this – they start same mistakes everyone else does, except I’ve found something
in one modality, then spread to others. that works in handling the challenges. I’m not necessarily
happier, however I’ve found a lot more meaning in my life.
“Eventually I came to Port Douglas on the recommendation of
a client. I came with no money, but a job lined up. I managed a Meaning is constant, where as happiness comes and goes. I
want to help people find meaning.”
few spas, constantly training. Eventually, I had the opportunity

“I’m not

puritanical. I’m a

human being trying
to figure life out,

just like everyone
else. I’m very self

effacing and I make
the same mistakes

everyone else does,
except I’ve found

something that
works in handling

the challenges.

48 tourismportdouglas.com.au