sanjay lavoipierre

Sanjay Lavoipierre

Tenzin Nyingtop

sanjay lavoipierre

Early Steps on the Path

I’ve been working in the field of spiritual health care since 2003. But I’ve been teaching in one form or another since the age of 14 – beginning with music, before finding my way into healing arts and inner work.

At 15, I began exploring energy-based healing through Reiki, which felt like a natural expression of a deeper intuition. After completing a four-year Environmental Engineering degree, I undertook studies in the traditional Hatha yoga lineage, and began teaching full-time in 2003.

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Discovery and Deepening

My journey took me across Thailand, India, and Nepal, where I immersed myself in daily yoga, pranayama (breathwork), and meditative practice. In 2007, I visited Kopan Monastery in Nepal. It was there that a long-dormant connection to the Mahayana Buddhist path was reawakened – one that has since shaped both my personal and professional life.

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Teachers and Lineage

Under the guidance of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche, I’ve undertaken an extensive range of Lamrim preliminary practices and retreats within the Gelug tradition. I’m currently enrolled in the FPMT’s five-year Basic Program of Buddhist philosophy and study.

My secondary teachers include His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Khentrul Rinpoche, whose insights continue to guide my inner development.

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A Name With Heart

In 2011, I was given the Tibetan name Tenzin Nyingtop, meaning Holder of the Teachings of the Courageous Heart – a name that continues to inspire my practice and my work with others. It reminds me that spiritual care is both a personal path and a shared responsibility.

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Current Work

I currently serve as director of Phoenix Yoga Studios in Melbourne, which I founded in 2015. My one-to-one work combines yoga, spiritual mentoring, pranayama, Ayurvedic lifestyle support, Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and counselling.

I aim to meet each person where they are – holding space for healing, insight, and change. My approach draws on the strength of both ancient wisdom traditions and present-moment awareness, with a deep respect for the unique path each person walks.

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sanjay lavoipierre

sanjay lavoipierre

Courses

Sanjay currently runs 4 courses in meditation including:

• ‘Mindful Awareness’ course (which can be purchased as a self-guided download here)

• Buddhist Lam-Rim ‘Mindful Thinking‘ and ‘Mindful Existence‘ courses (available in person and online via Phoenix Yoga Studios)

• Introduction to Tantra meditations (read more here)

Publications

• ‘Wisdom Truth Meditation Cards’ – 25 cards with audio (read more here)

sanjay lavoipierre

sanjay lavoipierre

Qualifications

•  Master of Counselling (2022) (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)

•  FPMT Basic Program (2018 – ongoing) The Wheel of Sharp Weapons; Sublime Continuum; Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth; Mind & Cognition (Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal)

•  Ayurvedic Principles (2009) Dr. Anil Kumar (Mysore, India)

•  Teacher Training Foundation – Ashtanga Yoga (2005) Paul Dallaghan (Centred Yoga, Koh Samui, Thailand)

•  Diploma of Classical Yoga (2003) Swami Shantananda (Melbourne, Australia)

•  Reiki Master (2003) Joan Gardner (Gardenia Reiki, Melbourne, Australia)

•  Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (2002) Monash University (Melbourne, Australia)

sanjay lavoipierre

sanjay lavoipierre

Buddhist Training & Study

•  Nyung Na Fasting Retreat (March & May 2017, May & November 2018, March 2020, September 2024) Mahayana Tibetan Buddhist Tradition (Tara Institute, Melbourne, Australia and Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal)

• Samayavajra Retreat (June 2023) Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal)

•  Chenrezig Retreat (December 2022) Mahayana Tibetan Buddhist Tradition (Atisha Centre, Myers Flat, Australia)

•  Teachings on Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland (2019) Tushita Monastery and HH Dalai Lama Temple (Dharamsala, India)

•  Buddhist Study (2013 – 2017) Overcoming Anxiety, Art of Forgiveness, Self Esteem, Love Desire and Attachment, Death and Dying, Art of Acceptance (Kadampa Monastery, Melbourne, Australia)

•  Vajrasattva 3 Month Purification Retreat (2011) Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Ani Karin (Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal)

•  Lam-Rim Mahayana Tibetan Buddhist Tradition (2008) Ven. Dundrop (Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal)

sanjay lavoipierre