Illuminate your life.
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
I am Bridget Schaeffers…
Mama, wife, daughter, sister and aunty. My family and friends are at the centre of my universe. I’ve discovered that when we can orient from a family-first value set, and from this heart-centered place flow outwards, life is becomes beautiful and our homes harmonious.
My two wisdom children Madison and Margot are my greatest teachers. They inspire me to live life with presence, joy and curiosity. My soulmate Tim is my rock — he has met all of my endings and new beginnings. His grounding presence has supported me in rediscovering the authentic me, and falling in love with life again.
My love affair with yoga began in the foothills of the Himalayas.
In January 2013 I felt a deep calling to travel to India. I was 26 years old and had just moved through what my family refer to as the dark years. I leaned into this intuitive guidance and booked a 3-month journey, with no plan. A decision that would change the course of my life forever.
I remember arriving in Dharamshala and feeling a profound sense of belonging — as if I had finally come home. I experienced my first yoga practice with teacher and guru Mahinda Parasad and realised that yoga was the missing piece I had been searching for all my life.
In 2015, I journeyed back to Dharamshala to complete my 200-hour yoga teacher training. An experience that affirmed my belief in yoga’s capacity to heal and transform. One day towards the end of our training, Mahi and I spoke about our shared intention to spread the light of yoga. It was here, in the foothills of the Himalayas, that the seed for The Yoga Travel Co. was born.
Three years later, I founded my dream retreat business and spent the next 7 years on a journey of shared discovery with many beautiful souls. I will forever be grateful for the life-changing group experiences, forever friendships and personal growth this community provided.
Since then, I’ve been blessed with a circle of mentors and teachers who have lovingly shared their wisdom with me. These transmissions have been received through teacher trainings, retreats, workshops and 1:1 mentorship.
I’ve intentionally moved slowly through training opportunities, allowing wisdom to integrate within the teachings of life. In recent years, however, I’ve felt inspired to journey deeper. In 2025, I completed a year-long restorative yoga journey with Kirstie Cleary and have completed two transformational modules with the NZ Yoga Collective as part of their advanced 300-hour yoga teacher training
The Yoga Travel Co. Journey
The retreat that changed my perspective on community care.
In February 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle spiralled through Hawke’s Bay devastating all in her path. It was during this time that I witnessed a profound outpouring of love within the community. I felt deeply inspired to contribute. This vision manifested as a fundraising retreat, hosted at the generously donated Black Barn and facilitated by a group of local teachers and healers. We called it a co-creation of hearts. We raised $10,000 for the Hawke’s Bay Foundation and it was one of my proudest moments.
I’m now devoted to co-creating more opportunities for shared learning, connection and healing. I believe that wisdom flows in all directions, and each person’s presence enriches the whole. It is through these shared experiences that we can enhance wellbeing - not just for the individual, but for the collective.