ABOUT JACINTA
Utilising my clinical background in exercise physiology, I prescribe a blend of yoga-based practices and strength & conditioning exercises informed by pain science, neuroscience and biomechanical principles so that meaningful changes in mood, mental health, quality of life and functional capacity are obtained.
After graduating from university with a degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2016. I quickly became immersed in the world of movement from a clinical and research perspective. I completed an Honours degree in biomechanics in 2017, while I was simultaneously falling in love with yoga. In 2018 I completed a 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, which changed everything.
Having always been fascinated with how the body can be used as a tool to achieve all kinds of wellness (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual), I naturally fell in love with yoga as a movement modality and a way to provide holistic health care. I am now in the final year of my PhD exploring the effects that different kinds of yoga have on mood and mental health. Essentially, does exercise intensity or the emphasis on mindfulness make a difference in improving mood for someone with depression or anxiety?
QUALIFICATIONS
PhD Candidate: Yoga & Mental Health
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours, First Class)
Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
University of South Australia
Experienced, registered yoga teacher (ERYT-500)
Trauma Informed Yoga Training
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Australia
Mental Health First Aid Training
CPR + First Aid Training
EMPLOYMENT
Clinical Exercise Physiologist/Yoga Instructor
iNform Health & Fitness Solutions - 2017 - Current
The Adelaide Clinic - 2019 - Current
NJF Wellness - 2019-20
Mind Australia - 2019
Guest Lecturer/Tutor - University of South Australia
Research Assistant - The Biomechanics Lab
VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
Chairperson - Exercise & Sports Science Australia, SA Chapter
ACADEMIC STUFF
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Brinsley, J et al. Is yoga considered exercise within systematic reviews of exercise interventions for health related outcomes? A scoping review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2020
Brinsley, J et al. The effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in people with mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2020
Tsiros, M, Brinsley, J, Mackintosh, S & Thewlis, D. Relationships between adiposity and postural control in girls during balance tasks of varying difficulty. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice 2019
International Conference Presentations
Oral presentation: The effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in people with mental illness. Society for Mental Health Research 2018
MEDIA
Regular yoga can help ease depressive symptoms - The Telegraph
Yoga may ease symptoms of depression - CNN
Yoga can help people with mental disorders reduce their depressive symptoms - Daily Mail
Yoga could help coronavirus-induced depression - Fox News
The stress busting exercise everybody can do from home - Sydney Morning Herald
How to know when you're well enough to be back at work? - The Sydney Morning Herald
Exercise for Mental Health - Medibank
Exercise Prescription for Mental Illness - Australian Doctor, Therapy Update