About the Sanctuary of Ananda

“The practice of true Tantra is a pathway to universal knowledge and the science of cosmic reality.   A system from DUALITY to UNITY, of liberation from the human kingdom and passage way into the Divine”

Catherine Wood 

About Catherine 

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to visit the Sanctuary.

Since you are here, I would love to share with you a little bit about me, what I have studied and where my core values lay so please keep reading on :-)

It was in the joyous year of 2004 that I proudly foundered the Sanctuary of Tantra and then in 2013, I changed the name to the Sanctuary of Ananda (Ananda is a Sanskrit word for ‘bliss or love’) which focuses on Tantric and Esoteric Philosophies. In early 2020 I launched The Australian Institute of Tantra Training which offers both online and in person Accredited Tantra and Esoteric Training.

My passions lay in teaching humanity the core principles of Sacred Love which branches out into the fields of Tantric Sexuality, Kama Sutra and Relationship Counselling.  The Sanctuary is an Approved Training Provider (Seal of Excellence) with IICT (The International Institute for Complementary Therapists) as well as a Silver Ambassador.

In 2018 I published my first book “The Way of the Heart” Tantra Empowerment for Women with Creatavision Publishing Pty Ltd and was featured on Channel 9 'Do you know what women want' and ‘Awakening the Goddess within’ as well as the Couch TV.  My story of Tantra was recently featured in Extra.Ordinary Business Women Australia 2017, composed by Carmen Jenner and Clare McAlaney with a foreword by Janine Allis – Founder of Boost Juice and Investor of Shark Tank (Channel 10).

In 2020 I became an Amazon Best Selling Author with other co-authors in our book YNot.  Then in 2019 I was featured in Y Mag, Australia’s number one empowerment magazine for women as a ‘Woman of Influence’.

I have studied and worked extensively in the holistic field for many years completing a Reiki Master’s Degree in 2000 with The International House of Reiki in Sydney as well as teaching Reiki for many years in my own private practice. I also worked as a voluntary Reiki Practitioner with 'Balya' Cancer Self Help and Wellness Centre and was the President of the Australian Reiki Connection for a few years. I then went on to complete a Diploma in Reflexology, Certification in Counselling, Aromatherapy and Pranic Healing and have studied many alternative healing therapies including Raja Yoga Meditation with the Brahma Kumaris. 

Currently, I am a student of the Esoteric Philosophy. 

Before I foundered the Sanctuary, I taught Piano Tuition and had the pleasure of teaching children including working with the year 1 student’s at my own children's primary school.  To be able to express creativity through sound and vibration is such a wonderful gift.  In Tantra we call sound vibration 'Tantra Mantra'.  I have also worked as a Beauty Therapist as well as a Secretary and Home Loans Officer. 

My other interests and passions are supporting the White Lions of Timbavati in South Africa.  These beautiful animals are nearly all in 'farms' used for 'canned trophy hunting'.  There is only one pride left in the world in its natural habitat and this piece of heaven is looked after by the incredible White Lion Global Protection Trust. 

I am also the proud mum of two gorgeous boys who are now 23 and 26, they both recently attained Bachelors in Education and Sport Science and Accounting and Finance and last but not least my beloved dogs Zeus and Penny both of whom are a constant reminder of joy and unconditional love. 

I was first introduced to the concept of Tantra in 1988 by my doctor at the time, Dr Chowdhury who later became a spiritual mentor. His knowledge of Sacred Tantric teachings and wisdom opened an incredible journey for me to seek further understanding of this divine essence and sacred ancient art. 

My Tantra training began shortly after meeting Dr Chowdhury and I embarked on a fascinating journey into the heart of India in 1989 where I spent 9 months studying the practices and philosophy of Sadhana. In 2006 I completed the Tantra Goddess Training Program with The Australian School of Tantra and 'Om Kara Kriya Tantra' www.jonnmumfordconsult.com with Dr Jonn Mumford and Author of Ecstasy through Tantra and A Chakra and Kundalini Workbook.  Dr Mumford is an amazing teacher with a wonderful sense of humour and I highly recommend all of his books and online courses.  They are so full of authentic Tantric wisdom.  I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge another wonderful teacher of Qi Gong and the Tao, Master Alex Lim www.qigongtao.com.au.  Master Lim's teachings have opened me to a whole new awareness, wisdom and dedication to practicing the art 'live by what you preach'.  

In 2010 I received the TAO in a beautiful honouring ceremony performed by Master Kao. 

I feel very blessed and honoured to have studied with teachers that have shared their knowledge, wisdom and love and especially for encouraging me to share these teachings with humanity. 

What are my beliefs around Tantra and Couples Connection?

I believe that the word "Tantra" has been used so "loosely" and with much misinformation in society that many have been fooled by the glamour and the perception that Tantra is just about good sex and the pleasure of an orgasmic rush. The true path of Tantra is Sadhana, an inner soul searching journey that goes way and beyond the confines of the form (the body), it is an unlocking and decoding of life’s many mysteries and the mystery of discovering Self as a soul and Self as a personality.

Tantra is in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the beauty we appreciate, the love we share, the ecstasy of touch, the awakening of the senses, the pleasure of orgasmic rush, the sharing (conveying) of energy and the joy of being totally present in all that is in the NOW. Tantra is all of LIFE and shows the path to UNITY and a oneness with all things. 

At one time in my career I spent time working in cancer retreats where I discovered a deep realization and appreciation of how precious and sacred life is and how our relationships with ourselves, our partner, friends and family can play such a major role in our lives and wellbeing on the physical plane. The journey of Tantra is ultimately to “know thyself”; it is only by truly knowing self that we can be open to really know another. 

The importance of having a secure loving and supportive partner, family and friends, has such a huge impact on our lives, more so than we realise. To know that we are supported through hard times and illness can play such a major role in our healing and general wellbeing. Practising Tantra brings a deeper understanding, respect and love for all our relationships and brings balance and equilibrium back into our lives. 

In regards to sexuality, I like many of us grew up in a society where sex was taboo. You knew it was there but it was not the ‘in thing’ to talk to anyone about. Finding someone to talk to about sexuality on a deep level especially when I was young was like finding a needle in a haystack; hence I grew up with limited sexual knowledge and gained what I could mainly through ‘Where did I come from books in the school library. I definitely did not really know who I was as a person, as a woman and as a lover because society does not “define” these roles and we learn from such a young age the patterns and imprints of our parents and their parents, taking with us certain traits that we have been exposed to.  Discovering Tantra changed all that. It reaches deep inside your whole being to let go of the illusion of what and who you think you are to a deeper understanding of soul connection and that it is your birthright to experience a beautiful, healthy and loving relationship with self and with a beloved on a journey of Sacred Beauty and Divine Intimacy. 

I am dedicated and so incredibly passionate about what I teach and share and I like many people are still on the journey of further growth and self-realization. I strongly believe that to be a good teacher you have to embody what you live, you have to teach from experience; you have to ‘walk the talk’. 

Tantra has transformed my life in such a dynamic and profound way. To feel connected to the Goddess Shakti energy, my own sexuality, the light within my heart and my own soul, resilience and steadfast and my ability to love more deeply has enriched my life in so many wonderful ways.  

I have been teaching and practicing Tantra for many years now and all I can say is get ready for one of the most profound and amazing life changing journeys you will ever embark on.  Tantra is the ultimate complete path to finding love and wisdom and it is my absolute joy to invite you to experience and learn the gift of Tantra.

With love and blessings,

Catherine (Cathy)   

Founder of the Sanctuary of Ananda and The Australian Institute of Tantra Training (AITT)

• Relationship and Sexuality Educator 
• Certified Tantra Teacher/Trainer
• Amazon Best Selling Author
• Holistic Counsellor
• Reiki Teacher
• 2019 Woman of Influence in YMag
• Silver Ambassador with IICT (International Institute for Complementary Therapists)
• 2022 Relationship Counsellor of the Year Australia