Meet Craig Mackie. Craig recently joined the Ethics & Certification Committee as a legal counsel. He is a barrister specialising in commercial litigation and also a certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, based in Hobart.

How long have you been practising Iyengar Yoga?

I started practising yoga around 2004 and first attended classes to help with workplace stress and a long term shoulder injury which I have from playing cricket.

When did you start teaching yoga?

In 2016 I received an introductory level teaching certificate and now teach at the Hobart School of Iyengar Yoga.

What do you do outside yoga?

I am a barrister. Next year I will have been admitted to practice as a lawyer for 30 years, specialising in commercial litigation. I have a large Anti-Discrimination law practice and also work with people like doctors, nurses, architects, vets and real estate agents who are being investigated by their regulatory bodies. I am also a member of Tasmania’s Disciplinary Tribunal, which presides over allegations of misconduct against lawyers. Besides yoga and law, I keep bees; I’m an accredited cricket coach, and, like all good Tasmanians, I enjoy bushwalking.

What do you hope to bring to the Ethics and Certification Mark Committee?

For some time now, I have been helping the Ethics & Certification Committee review and redraft IYA’s Ethical Guidelines. Like most policy documents, which have been written some time ago, I realised they needed updating to consider an approach that was thorough, transparent and reflected current community standards.

These documents are on the IYA website, and I encourage everyone to take time to look at them. The review and implementation of these guidelines is an ongoing process.

By coming onto the ECMC, I join the other committee members in attempting to ensure the practice of Iyengar Yoga is safe and rewarding for all.