Teacher Bios

Jodi is a certified yoga teacher, a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, a Doula and has a BA in Literature. After practicing yoga for 5 years and in three different continents, she decided to become a yoga teacher and trained for over a year and a half in India, studying in some of the oldest and most respected ashrams – The Yoga Institute in Mumbai and SVYASA in Bangalore. Since returning, she has taken special training in Pre and Postnatal yoga, become a Doula and a mother herself. Her classes offer a safe, joyous, and judgment free environment for students to explore their bodies and their lives.

Jodi is the director of the Yoga & Meditation Centre.

Classes taught by Jodi

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Barbara is a certified Iyengar instructor with more than 30 years experience. She has studied at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India, with B.K.S. Iyengar and his daughter Geeta Iyengar. In North America she has studied extensively with many of the senior Iyengar Teachers. She lived for many years at the Yasodhara Ashram in Kootenay Bay, B.C. under the guidance of Swami Radha.

Barbara has been practicing Vipassana Meditation for 25 years. Her meditation preceptor is Bhante Gunaratana, the abbot of Bhavana Monastery in West Virginia. She has received her teacher training under his guidance. Other guiding teachers are Joseph Goldstein and Guy Armstrong.

Classes taught by Barbara

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Jo-Anne has been involved in the yoga community since 1988. Over the years she has taken classes and workshops from many well-known local, national and international teachers and participated in the Teacher Training Program at the Yoga Centre of Calgary in 1990-91.

Jo-Anne has had a body centered focus all her life. She excelled at sports during her early years, studied many different dance forms over the years and trained as a physiotherapist.

The Chakras have been a curiosity to her for many years. As well as her own study and exploration she completed the year-long Innerscape Program with Lynne Walker in 2002-03.

Jo-Anne’s passion is the expression of one's essence through movement and dance and she feels it is very much a way of honouring the body as the "Temple of the Soul". Her body loves to move and she likes to inspire and encourage others to experience the joy of this for themselves.

Jo-Anne joined the administrative staff at the Yoga Centre of Calgary in 1998 and has continued in this capacity with the Yoga & Meditation Centre.

Classes taught by Jo-Anne

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Suzette has been studying and teaching people about the body and movement since 1989. In 1997 she discovered yoga as an alternative treatment from extensive dental work for a clenching jaw. She quickly discovered the ease and peace that yoga can offer the body, mind and breath and knew she wanted to learn how to integrate this into her life and teachings.

Suzette received her yoga training and certification through the Yoga Centre of Calgary and has extended her yoga therapy training with many great instructors such as Gert vanLeeuwen, Makunda Stiles, and Richard Miller. Suzette is the author of the well received book Yoga for the Core: Finding Stability in an Unstable Environment, Savasana – a guided relaxation CD and is a sought after international presenter.

Suzette’s credentials include B.Sc. Kinesiology, AFLCA Trainer of Fitness Leaders, Yoga Association of Alberta Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (500 level), Keiser Master Trainer, STOTT PILATES certified mat & reformer instructor

Classes taught by Suzette

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Asking the right questions can change your world, and since I've always had a streak of curiosity, I found myself in a Yoga class in my early twenties. At first, I went to find a way to cope with stress. But over time, and through life changes and challenges, I found that a committed practice made me feel calmer, stronger, steadier and more capable. Through practice, I have more to give to my family, friends and community.

The challenge of coming back to the breath has most definitely helped me wake up in my own life. Life is certainly precious, and each of us is here to do important work with our time! We're also here to play and dig and loosen our grip on our perceptions. Once we can begin to cultivate compassion for ourselves, we extend it more easily to others.

Inspired by my mentors, I became a teacher in 2010 and I love it. I have both my 200 Hour Teacher Training and 100 Hour Adjusting Training certification, and intend to keep continuing to grow. There is no ceiling to the learning and dialogue surrounding Yoga practice. The people in our Yoga community are brave souls and they re-inspire me every day to get back on my mat and back into my body.

It is a privilege to be a voice for Yoga, for mindfulness and for true living!

Classes taught by Anita

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Anne began her journey of yoga in 1997 as a way to manage back pain and chronic headaches. Starting with restorative yoga classes, she found that the simplest poses could be the most profound. Her philosophy comes from a place of “beginners mind", where one can explore for themselves a way to heal in body, mind and spirit. Certified as Yoga teacher in 2004 with the Southern Okanagan Yoga Association and RYT 500 hour with Yoga Alliance. Her specialty has become Yoga Therapy that she uses in classes such a Pre-Natal, Senior & Restorative, as well as classes for the average person who just finds they would like to reconnect with themselves again. Further training with specialized instructors such as Susi Hately-Aldous, Gert vanLeeuwen, & Richard Miller, has inspired her to help her students help themselves. Using physical postures, breath, sound and mediation, one can uncover not only a healthy body, but find a place of peace within. Buy assisting her students to build strength from the inside out and release tension from the outside in, they leave with new tools to take yoga into their daily lives.

Classes taught by Anne

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Anne has been a student of Theravadan Buddhism since 1986. She has had the honour to study under both lay and monastic meditation teachers and Buddhist scholars including: Shirley June Johannesen, Ayya Khema, Sayadaw U Pandita and Bhante Henepole Gunaratana.

She began teaching meditation in the early 1990’s under the direction of Shirley June Johanessen. Currently Anne is the principle teacher of the Calgary Theravadan Meditation Society and a founding member of Bringing Awareness to Life.

Anne is dedicated to helping people live life with awareness, harmony, joy and compassion.

Classes taught by Anne

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The amazing power of mindfulness to bring sanity, peace, and wonder to each day keeps Carmen committed to the practise and eager to share it with anyone who wants to listen.

Carmen has been studying mindfulness meditation since 1999, entering the Vipassana tradition several years later, guided by teachers Judy Pequegnat and Barbara Ross.

The profound and practical teachings of the dhamma and Vipassana gained through annual residential retreats, Buddhist study classes, and a recent pilgrimage to India are core to Carmen's joyful and gentle approach to life and teaching.

Classes taught by Carmen

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Carolyn discovered Yoga twenty years ago looking for relief from chronic low back pain. She discovered that Yoga was a way to manage chronic pain but also brought balance into other aspects of her being, she felt a real connection with spirit and inner peace.

In 2004 she began taking the Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Studio Calgary where she obtained her certification in 2005. She has completed specialized training in the areas of pre and post natal Yoga, Yoga for kids, Restorative, Better Back and Laughter Yoga.

She has also studied various forms of meditation, practices Reiki (level 1) and is pursuing her Master Reiki certification. Carolyn’s classes include an element of laughter, lightness and good hearty fun!

Classes taught by Carolyn

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Kundalini yoga builds inner strength and self-awareness so we can realize and fulfill our highest potential. Cindy's personal experience of self-transformation and continued love for the practice fuel her passion to share the teachings, encouraging students to achieve a lasting, self-sustained personal yoga practice. Cindy has taught for over nine years both private and public classes and has taught at women's health retreats. She is known for her nurturing, genuine, and inspirational style of yoga teaching, which includes a deep respect for both the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice.

Classes taught by Cindy

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Claudia teaches gentle Hatha yoga for adults of all ages with bodies of varying abilities. Passionate about yoga for over 20 years, she fosters a gentle, meditative approach, and pays special attention to individual needs. Through focus on internal awareness of movement and breath, her students experience a calm mind, an open body and a deeper sense of well being.

Claudia took her yoga teacher training through the Yoga Centre of Calgary and maintains her certification through the Yoga Association of Alberta. Claudia has studied yoga with local, national and international teachers in Desikachar, Vini-yoga, Iyengar and Svaroopa styles as well as restorative and therapeutic yoga. Claudia is ever grateful for all her teachers, past and present.

Claudia also teaches iRest Yoga Nidra meditation to groups and individuals, having completed the certification program at the Integrative Restoration Institute.

Claudia loves to share the ease, openness, joy, and peace that yoga can bring to daily life, and will encourage you to make the practice of Yoga your own.

Classes taught by Claudia

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Faith has studied and been immersed in Swami Sivananda Radha’s teachings for 21 years. She has been teaching for 10 of those years with annual returns to Yasodhara Ashram to renew her teacher training certificates.

Classes taught by Faith

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Gayle brings a rich and varied background to her yoga classes, which is evident in the gentle and energizing practice she teaches. Using expertise gained in her early nursing career, Gayle can recognize individual needs and guide people how best to care for themselves. Her quiet, calm demeanor helps create a peaceful space in her yoga classes.

Since beginning a personal practice of yoga in 1988, Gayle has come to know the subtleties of working with one's body, mind and spirit. She completed her two-year Teacher's Training Program with the Yoga Center of Calgary, where she acquired a deep understanding of yoga philosophy and the timeless yoga wisdom of the body.

Gayle has enriched her training through studies with David McAmmond, Violet Walton, the late Erin Murphy and many others.  Gayle received her Relax & Renew training certificate in 2004 from Judith Hanson Lasater.  She has studied the spiritual side of yoga with Richard Miller since 2003 and completed the iRest Yoga Nidra Training Level I in 2007.  Gayle continues to study under his guidance at annual retreats. 

Classes taught by Gayle

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Helen has been teaching in the fitness industry for over 28 years. She is an AFLCA-certified Group Exercise, Aquatic Exercise, Older Adult Specialty Leader, YMCA -certified Muscle and Strength Conditioning Instructor and Personal Trainer, Waterworks instructor specializing in arthritis, Keiser Powerpacing Instructor and Reebok Core Training Instructor. She received her Diploma with Honours in Food Nutrition Management and as a nutritionist, she educates, advises, guides and counsels clients in nutrition. Helen is sincere, empathic and has a genuine concern for her clients' self-worth, self-value and self-respect.

She has completed her training with Stott Pilates in the Intensive and Advanced Mat-Plus Programs. She is a certified yoga instructor with South Okanagan Yoga Association (SOYA) and International Yoga Teachers' Association (IYTA). She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT 200) with Yoga Alliance. She teaches yoga to all ages of the lifespan from children to adults and has specialized in pre and postnatal yoga.

Classes taught by Helen

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Jeanine has educated people of all ages about the way their bodies move since 1983 when she graduated in Holland with a B. Ed. (Phys. Ed.) degree and taught at schools for people with special needs. After she moved to Canada she became involved in the fitness industry and has facilitated a wide variety of classes since 1989. Jeanine discovered yoga in 1998 and realized immediately that this was something she would like to learn more about and then share with her people. She completed Ashtanga yoga teacher training in 2000. In 2002 she was introduced to the wonderful world of Iyengar Yoga. To this day she continues to study with many great teachers of both the Ashtanga (principally Tim Miller) and Iyengar (Margot Kitchen, father Joe Pareira) yoga lineages and combinations thereof (Hart Lazer).

Jeanine’s credentials include B. Ed. (Phys. Ed.), Alberta Teaching Certificate, Certified Yoga Teacher (YA 200 level), Certified Pilates Mat and Reformer, and fitness certifications with AFLCA, CanFitPro, Gravity Training, Fusion-Fitness- Training, Bender Method of Training.

Classes taught by Jeanine

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Julie Mah has studied Iyengar yoga since 2003 in Winnipeg. Since then, she has studied with many senior teachers, including Margot Kitchen and Ingelise Nherlan. She was drawn to Iyengar yoga because with the use of different props and modifications, every body can feel the great benefits in the poses. Julie is now certified with the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada with the Introductory II level.

By day, Julie teaches second graders in an elementary school. She also taught ESL for many years to international students. She teaches yoga with clarity and caring, reminding students often to honour their own bodies.

Classes taught by Julie

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Kathleen loves to share the ease and joy of gentle yoga with others. She teaches iRest Yoga Nidra meditation as a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. iRest brings profound purification and healing of body, mind, and emotions. Kathleen's strength is to guide students to focus inwardly to discover what brings ease to all levels of being; and to ultimately realize the inherent inner joy and intuitive wisdom that is our birthright.

Kathleen discovered yoga in 1997 and was immediately taken by the powerful transformation possible through this art of movement, breath and inner awareness. Kathleen completed her two year Teacher Training Program with the Yoga Center of Calgary, where she learned to anchor and embody the ancient wisdom of yoga through asana, pranayama, yoga philosophy and meditation.

Kathleen has trained extensively in the art of iRest Yoga Nidra meditation with the Center of Timeless Being (CTB). As a CTB iRest Supervisor, she professionally mentors both yoga teachers and students in this profoundly transformative work. She also teaches classic yoga spirituality in the Yoga Therapy Certificate Program at Mt. Royal College. Kathleen’s training includes studies with Donna Farhi, Mukunda Stiles, Esther Myers and Barbara Boettcher.

Classes taught by Kathleen

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Sasha has been actively involved in the health and fitness industry for the past 10 years as a certified Personal Trainer, Yoga and Reiki Practitioner. She offers a highly integrated and hands-on approach in her teaching style with focus on asana alignment. She often tells her participants “Bliss and Pain are often only a few inches away from one another”. When your body falls into perfect alignment within an Asana there is a distinct difference in how you feel. But anyone who has been to one of Sasha’s classes knows that her favorite part of a practice is Savasana as she lovingly works with your body to bring about that final surrender for the mind, body and spirit to unite and restore.

Classes taught by Sasha

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Sonja is a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, at the Jr. Intermediate 1 level. With this internationally recognized certification, she is now one of the most highly qualified yoga teachers in Alberta. After graduating in 1999 from the two-year teacher training program at the Yoga Centre of Calgary, she continues to study intensively with many senior local, national and international Iyengar yoga teachers. Sonja is a member of the Iyengar Yoga Assoc. of Canada, and the Yoga Assoc. of Alberta.

Sonja's students are inspired by the knowledge, clarity and precision of her teaching, which she presents with much grace, compassion and enthusiasm. She has trained and inspired many of Calgary's teachers, who continue to come to her classes. She particularly enjoys teaching beginners, introducing them to the joy of yoga in a way that honours each person's uniqueness.

Classes taught by Sonja

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Tom King is a certified with the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada at the Introductory I level. He has studied Iyengar yoga since 1988; working intensively for 5 years with Marlene Mawhinney in Toronto, receiving Level 1 and Level 2 teacher certification, and he is continuing his study with Margot Kitchen in Calgary. He has attended workshops with BKS Iyengar, Geeta Iyengar, as well as many other senior Iyengar teachers including studying at the RIMYI Institute in Pune. He holds other teaching certificates from the Yoga Studio of Calgary, the International Yoga Teachers' Association and the South Okanagan Yoga Academy.

Students in Tom's classes enjoy the attention to alignment and detail as well as his light hearted approach to yogic practice. He hopes to bring the benefits of yoga directly to his students so that they experience health and wellness for themselves.

Classes taught by Tom

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