About Soul Tree
Founded by Sirpa Gunn
Yoga & Reiki Teacher
I was introduced to yoga as a child, I clearly remember going to my first yoga class with my Grandmother in Mauritius. I was the only student in the class who could get into Chakrasana and Shirshasana! The instructor probably should'nt have been offering wheel pose and head stands to a group of middle aged ladies at a resort but they were easy for a 6 year old girl! That was the start of my journey, all through my life I have known that we are so much more than our physical bodies and been seeking to discover answers to all my questions.
In 2015 while working as a General Manager in the business world and raising two boys I completed my 200hr yoga teacher training with Ashram Yoga. I learned more over that year of part time studies than the combination of everything I had studied before. "Learn" is maybe the wrong word - it was more like rediscovering myself and taking the blinkers off... seeing what was always there but I was too busy and distracted to notice. I went on to complete my level 2 and 3 yoga teacher training (500hr) with Ashram Yoga as well as Pregnancy and Postnatal and Yin Yoga teacher training. Simultaneously I studied and practiced Reiki to Master Teacher level. I apply the knowledge and direct experience of the workings of the energetic body learned though yoga to the reiki courses I teach. This brings a level of depth and understanding that I found lacking when I first learned reiki.
I opened Soul Tree in 2018 and I am lucky enough to share yoga and reiki in my community everyday - what a privilege! It is my aim to provide a space where others can follow their own journey of discovery.
Qualifications / Accreditations:
- Yoga Alliance - 500hr Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher
- Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)
- Prenatal and Post Natal Yoga Teacher Training 65hr
- Yin Yoga Teacher Training 25hr
- Reiki NZ Member - Reiki Master Teacher
- Master of Management, Massey University
- Graduate Diploma Tourism, University of Otago
- Swiss Diploma in Hospitality Management, Hotel Institute Montreux
Returning to the Roots of Reiki
In 2023 I had the opportunity to resit all the Reiki levels with Hyakuten Inamoto. It was such a privilege to learn the Komyo ReikiDo traditional Japanese practices. Removing the unnecessary trappings to connect with the essence of Reiki. Read about my main takeaways here.
In 2026 I travelled to
Japan on a Reiki Pilgrimage led by well known Reiki Researcher
Justin B Stein. We visited all the main sites connected with Reiki including Usuis birthplace in Taniai and Mt Kurama as well as joining Japanese Reiki share groups and ceremonies visiting temples and even staying in. a monastery on Mt Koya.
See my Blog for glimpses into this incredible experience.
Sirpa Gunn's Reiki Lineage:
Sirpa held her first Reiki class in April 2021 and her reiki school has quickly grown to be one of NZ's leading reiki training providers. Students travel from around the country to attend Soul Tree reiki courses which are held regularly in Auckland and Christchurch.
