Kookie Punam Gill
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion EducatorRooted in compassion and inclusion, Kookie teaches from the heart, with a gift for making yoga accessible, welcoming, and adaptable to all. She guides people towards embodied movement, mindfulness, and a deeper sense of wholeness through practices that honour the body's wisdom to support immune and emotional wellbeing.
Inclusive, compassionate, heart-led, playful, warm energy
Approach
Students share that they feel included, seen, cared for, and empowered to reconnect with themselves which for them feels restorative, grounded, calming and nourishing.
“The body innately wants to heal”
Early years
Kookie is an Indian Yoga Teacher raised within the cultural and spiritual traditions of yoga. Her love of yoga began long before she stepped onto a mat. Shaped by her family's teachings and heritage from Kenya and Northern India - a living paramparā, yoga for her is a way of life.
Kookie centres ahiṃsā (non-harm), karuṇā (compassion), svādhyāya (self-study and reflection), and saṅgha (community) in her teachings. She’s inspired by nature, varied embodied practices, and the belief that wellbeing is not something we achieve, but something we continuously nurture.
Training & influences
Living with autoimmune disabilities was the catalyst that deepened her curiosity about the mind, body, belonging, and wellbeing. Since 2009, she has dedicated her studies to understanding how our experiences are held within the nervous system and manifest in the body.
Kookie's work sits at the intersections of identity, culture, equity, health, and psychological safety. She explores the impact that exclusion, discrimination and mental health have on both individual and collective wellbeing, and how these influence the way we see ourselves, connect with others and the world around us. At a time when inequalities continue to exist across society, and prevalent in yoga and wellness spaces - these conversations are an essential part of yoga teacher training.
Through this lens, she invites a return to the roots of yoga and our shared humanity, where compassionate inquiry offers pathways to unity. Her sessions are heart-led, engaging, and reflective - creating space for conversions that foster diverse perspectives, equitable change, and culture-shifting work.
Kookie is a faculty member on ‘The Shala School of Yoga 300-hour Level 2 programme’ teaching the ‘Yoga Culture in Action’ modules; and collaborates with yoga/somatic schools, organisations, and festivals on
teacher training, professional development, and inclusion initiatives. This work continues with accessible classes and workshops - weaving together yoga, somatic practice, qigong, movement, breath, sound, and meditation in studios, community, workplace and healthcare settings.
Kookie is an experiential learner and remains deeply curious about the body's innate capacity for healing and transformation. Committed to supporting equitable change and her own ongoing development, she finds joy in woodland walks, music, art, plant-based cooking, culture, and the restorative power of deep rest.
Teaching today
Kookie shares accessible and inclusive classes and workshops, weaving together yoga, somatics, qigong, yin, movement, breath, sound and meditation. Working across studio, community, workplace, and healthcare settings. She offers students sustainable wellbeing practices to support immune and emotional health.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, to thrive and live life to their full potential”
Specialisms
Yin Yoga, Daoist/Chi Flow (Qigong, Somatics and Vinyasa), Breath Work, Sound Experiences, Somatic Movement.
What Kookie Punam Gill's students say
"I am new to yoga and connected with the class and the teacher straight away. The whole body approach of connecting the mind, body and spirit really help to heal the traumas and stresses of everyday life. Kookie is a master at her craft.|
Myra"Always enjoy Kookie’s classes. She is always mindful of tailoring each movement for each person’s abilities while also allowing everyone to push themselves. Throughout her classes she also shares her knowledge about different aspects of the movements etc and things we can continue to practise at home."
Emmaleigh Davis"Kookie is an amazing teacher and her classes are so enjoyable. I often enter feeling exhausted, stressed and distracted and I always leave feeling energised, balanced with an empowering sense of inner calm. I can't recommend Kookies classes enough"
Sunaina"OMG I feel amazing and so much clearer and lighter after this afternoon session with Kookie. Kookie has such good energy and she guided each pose with such delight and made me feel so uplifted. Thanks so much Kookie. I would highly recommend her to anyone starting this beautiful journey"
Terrie"I really enjoy the Yoga & Qigong sessions with Kookie. They are an ideal break and get me focused on me, my body and energy flow. The sessions are different each time, from intense to relaxing, on the mat or a chair, often combined with a poem. Kookie has a very nice voice and inclusion of all people is important to her. Highly recommended!"
Larissa"Yin should be the perfect antedote to a stressful life, and this was certainly that. Nicely paced with a targeted plan, and a teacher whose essence both shines and calms. Looking forward to trying other classes and coming back for more Yin!"
Nathan Correlli"Friendly, calming, inclusive, a great first impression. I felt very grounded after my yin class with the wonderful Kookie- great class, great atmosphere.Thank you"
Orlessa altass"What a lovely way to start the week with Chi-Flow. I love the continuous flow of gentle, mindful movement which leaves me feeling energised & focused for the day ahead. It’s really helping to improve my balance, strength & posture too. Thank you Kookie 🙏🏻 "
Katie James"I love Kookie’s weekly workplace sessions. Her instructions are extremely clear and she provides options for the exercises that may not be easy for everyone. The sessions are a great step back from the day to day work chaos and provide an opportunity to be in the 'now'"
Helen"What an amazing class. Kookie has a beautiful voice and guided us through the movements with grace. I felt calm, uplifted and strong, a great way to start the weekend! Thank you Kookie."
Naya"Had my first yin yoga with Kookie and it was fantastic. She helped me a lot with my positions as I suffer from lower back pain."
Ana"The Monday morning Chi flow class is my favourite! I love how it wakes up my whole body, including my joints and organs, and how it teaches me to let my emotions move through me and calm my nervous system."
Charlotte Franssen"The Friday night yin class is the perfect way to end the week and start the weekend with a warm, softly lit studio and the focus on restorative stretching and breath work. All the props are provided to allow for both support and challenge."
Fiona MaynardInterested in training with Kookie Punam Gill?
Whether you're considering one of our trainings, a specialist CPD, or simply want to ask a question — we'd love to hear from you.