Instructors
Clare
Certified Yoga Instructor
In 1999, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident that left me with a debilitating back injury. After many other holistic attempts at relief, my physiotherapist recommended yoga. I lost all flexibility and strength due to the accident and was terrified at the idea of starting yoga. Once I stepped onto my mat, I was astonished at the natural way my body embraced the postures, even backbends. After several years of being a practitioner and focusing on regaining the strength in my back, I enrolled in a teacher-training program to teach others that you can live without back pain. I'm a strong advocate of yoga as a therapy for physical ailments and focus strongly on proper alignment in all of my classes. Yoga has brought me the most powerful of gifts; body awareness, calmness, rhythmic energy, inner peace, grace and freedom. Enjoy all that yoga has to offer and accept all of what yoga is...stillness.
Clare has been a practitioner of yoga for over 13 years with experience in Hatha, Bikram, Anusara, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Kid's yoga and Pre and Post Natal yoga. She studied Iyengar yoga intensively for over 4 years, attending the teacher training program at the Yoga Studio College of Alberta in 2005 (Certified). Clare holds certification through the Yoga Association of Alberta (YAA), Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT), 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (200 RYT) and a Pre-Natal Registered Yoga Teacher (PRYT) with the Yoga Alliance. She created Mamata Yoga; a Yoga Alliance Prenatal yoga teacher training program in 2011 and travels all over Canada guiding other teachers the beauty of yoga during pregnancy and postpartum.
Dawn
ERYT Certified, BA., MA., Acro Yoga Certified, Montreal Style. PhD Candidate, Expressive Arts
Why do I teach yoga? Why do I run a studio?
I once had a student ask how it happened that I have a Masters degree and am running a studio. "Why," she asked, "Are you not under-utilizing your skills?"
Here is my "Why?": I believe in yoga as a powerful tool for evolution – of the individual and of the world.
I am willing to dedicate time, effort, attention and intention to clarify that belief for myself and for anyone interested in following this path.
I believe there are many things that are distractions from getting real...with ourselves and with each other.
I believe in fun, laughter and community and the irony and adventure of living fully.
Yoga is not the only path...but it is a part of mine.
Elizabeth
Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher
My journey into the world of yoga started as a spiritual journey. After training for many years as a martial artist. I began to receive spiritual messages about the benefits of yoga. “Practice Yoga” became a loud voice in my head. I finally agreed that I would attend yoga classes as soon as I achieved my black belt in Taekwondo. One week after receiving my Black belt, I received a notice in my mail-box about a new centre opening up. I knew this was my sign. I went to the new studio Lion’s Breath, and immediately signed up for a three-month pass without even taking one class first. I loved it from the first class. I became hooked on yoga. Yoga brought me peace of mind and a fresh perspective on my life.
The practice of yoga complements my entire life. As a spiritual teacher, I found that yoga enhanced all my other workshops and worked well with my Chakra Clearing CD giving me additional energy and vibrant health. I decided to pursue my learning to become a certified teacher and pass on the benefits to as many people as possible. The practice of yoga has brought me great peace and radiant health. I know it will enhance your life too!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Eugene & Jessie
Founders of Montreal Style Acro Yoga
Jessica Goldberg and Eugene Poku Founders of AcroYoga Montreal.
Jessie and Eugene have been collaborating since 1982. First as a dance/performance variety duo called Special Blend, fusing their contrasting styles to create a unique and accessible edutainment experience for all ages. In 1998 they were introduced to Ashtanga Yoga. It was a revelation, the awareness of the breath and vinyasa profoundly changed their dancing. The ease and simplicity that came with Yoga transformed their performances and the seed for what was to become AcroYoga in 2001 was planted. Their style of AcroYoga has morphed organically out of their dance and yoga. Visit their site.
Geneva
Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher
Yoga in its many forms has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. After studying/practicing various branches of asana, pranayama, sound, and more in many countries for 10 years, I found myself being in a position to share my journey with others.
In my classes, I strive to create a space where students can explore themselves, look deeper within and learn to be in union. We are all at different and unique points on the mountain but we are going towards the same place on our yogic path.
Heather
Kshatriya Teacher Certified
Once a dedicated hard core runner, I walked into Lion’s Breath looking for relief from a sprained ankle and instantly fell in love with the power, beauty and FUN of yoga. Who knew that I'd become a dedicated yoga practitioner and certified yoga teacher?! I’ve never felt stronger or more grounded, but that’s not the only benefit. I feel the passion, energy and joy that come from doing something you truly love. Come and experience the joy of yoga!
Jason
Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor
"Yoga is about the journey, not the destination"
This philosophy rings so true for me. I have always had an intense, personal connection to movement and to the energy we share on this earth bound path we all travel together.
I started my journey and career as a professional dancer, performing all around the world, ever striving to perfect the way my body moved. Unfortunately my body began to fail on me and my knees gave up. I thought my world was crumbling around me, I couldn't do what I once could and decided it was time to retire, at 30 years old!!!
It was then that my sister in-law introduced me to yoga. My first class was the first day of a 30 day challenge. I thought "What did I get myself into?" But within months my knees were healing, I was getting my flexibility back, I was losing weight and gaining awareness and compassion. For years I practiced casually, but as time went on, my mind would always come back to the mat and all it was giving me. I was more content, more aware, more engaged in everyday life and more concerned with the things that didn't have to do with "Me" or my "Ego".
I was so overwhelmed with this new path I was on I decided to take a massive leap of faith and go off to Thailand and learn how to teach yoga for myself. I wanted to share with anyone who would listen what yoga could do for the body and the mind! I find it so rewarding seeing someones eyes widen when they have a break through and exclaim "I get it now!"
I feel my part in this tale is to be there for you on your own journey. Guide you when you're blocked, applaud you when you triumph, and to consistently remind you "it's not about you, it's about the yoga". Lets have fun on this journey together shall we?
Jen
Kshatriya Teacher Training Certified
Jill and Heidi
Acro Yoga Montreal Instructors
As an architect with a circus arts background, Heidi Blais came to love AcroYoga for the creative collaborative process, where principles of balance, breath and awareness come together in surprising and exhilarating ways. In 2010, Heidi began training at Ashtanga Yoga Montreal and developed her AcroYoga repertoire under the mentorship of Eugene Poku and Jessica Goldberg. This same studio was host to Heidi's Hatha Yoga teacher training, as well as to her meeting Jill Campbell, with whom she has been partnering and teaching AcroYoga at various studios in Montreal and Mexico since 2011. Heidi enjoys imparting everything AcroYoga from the fundamentals to the esoteric! She will also challenge practitioners to unfurl their own, innovative AcroYoga vocabularies.
Jill considers acroyoga a tool that helps improve and develop precise and sensitive communication, trust, alignment, and creativity. Her practice with Jessie Goldberg, Eugene Poku, Costa Koutrokois and Heidi Blais has been a strong, positive transformational force in her life. She is fascinated with the ways which acroyoga reflects and amplifies one's character and sees it as a strong tool for self-observation. It is a joy to share her passion and see others feel the benefits of acroyoga. bless up!
Kat
Meditation Practitioner
In general, we don't like speaking about death or dying but for me, one door closed, another opened. It was through my father's passing that I stepped on the spiritual path. The adventure began through travelling, then teachings, then retreats and it still carries on. I have been blessed to have had teachings from many different styles of Buddhism, sat in silence for weeks and months, and through these walked the maze of my mind. We translate Yoga as "union" - and thus it is the union of the mind/heart that bring forth great awakenings. Meditation is this union of mind/heart, it is a place to let go, to forgive, to observe, to sit with, and to discover the vastness within.
May you find a good seat.
Kelsey
Kshatriya Teacher Trained, BCom, CSEP-CPT, AFLCA.Montreal Style Acro Yoga .
I started my yoga experience in University, ever since then I could not get enough yoga! I loved the way I felt after every class, so balanced, refreshed, and centered. Yoga has helped me learn to breathe and I have found that it is a great complement to my outdoor lifestyle. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I am looking forward to many new chapters to follow, both as a student and teacher.
Korrina Silo, RMT
Full Time Massage Therapist
I was first introduced to the benefits of massage when I sought relief from an injury incurred during a cycling accident. The remarkable effectiveness of this therapy on both my body and mind, not only sold me on the benefits of massage, but was also the spark that ignited my desire to become a massage therapist.
Since completing the 2-year program at the Vicars School of Massage Therapy, I have taken further training in myofascial release, sports massage, and active/passive release movements. Having recently moved to Edmonton, I was seeking a place to practice where I could continue to treat those desiring a balanced and healthy lifestyle. I find the yogic philosophy perfectly complementary to that of massage therapy, and am very pleased to have found a place at Lion’s Breath.
I truly believe in the powerful healing capabilities of massage, and that the benefits go beyond the superficial, and are both physical and emotional. I feel that the physical and emotional are inextricably linked, and that the positive impacts of massage therapy extend into other facets of a person’s life. My main goal with each treatment is to provide specific care tailored to the needs of each individual. I feel it is very important to understand and address areas of chronic tension in the body in order to facilitate the healing process. My massage space is one of trust and openness and I encourage communication to ensure people get exactly what they need and want out of each massage experience.
Lance
Certified Yoga Instructor, Massage, Kettlebell
Lance has been involved in the field of body work for over sixteen years. He holds a combined physiotherapy and kinesiology degree with additional certification as a massage therapist. He is a uniquely accomplished and cross-trained athlete, martial artist, coach, and yoga enthusiast/instructor.
He has intensely studied yoga from many sources over the past four years, but intuitively feels he has been engaging his practice for a lifetime. Lance avoids the "Classical-Mess" of sectarian ideology, and incorporates ancient wisdom with modern athletic training science. Fusing together his varied backgrounds and penchant for practicality, Lance has fostered an intuitive approach to yoga appropriate for all levels of skill and athletic ability. There are no distinctions between beginner and advanced in his classes: the essence of flow has no barriers or grades in the perfect present moment.
Students are encouraged to intuitively explore each movement, position, transition and breath unencumbered by ego attachment to ability. Ultimately we are all beginners in the vastness of the yogic ocean. Perpetual refinement and ongoing learning coupled with a deep respect for the history, essence and spirit of all yogic interpretations remain the cornerstone of his approach.
Lyndsey
Kshatriya Certified Instructor
I was originally drawn to Yoga because of it's physical benefits and the way it complemented my dance experience. Yoga allowed me to make use of different muscles and movements than what my body was familiar with after many years as a ballet, jazz and modern dancer.Since then, I have deepened my practice to discover other great aspects of Yogic philosophy. Like anyone else, my life has been full of twists and turns, and ups and downs and Yoga has helped me to process, understand and accept what's going on around me as well as what is going on inside.Yoga provides a perspective where I am grounded and filled with love and light and I always appreciate my practice and look forward to sharing it with others.
Nand
Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher
The path of Yoga is a wonderful journey into the potential of a human being. I have maintained a keen interest in Yoga throughout my years as a Professional Manager and University Teacher in Alberta and the Caribbean. A personal practice is quite effective in stress management.
Coming from an Eastern philosophical background, I grew up with the Yoga Sutras, Indian music and classical yoga postures.To a large extent, it was an on and off relationship during university work and graduate school, but the seeds were germinating. My western training in Yoga offered a refreshing and dynamic approach to the yogic lifestyle. This has created a wonderful perspective of East and West traditions which I offer to students in each class.
In a fast and competitive world, Yoga gives us a vehicle to travel within and cultivate a peaceful, healthy and balanced perspective of Life. It is the best gift that you can give to yourself.
Shanti Om
Nand
Sam
Certified Yoga Teacher
I have been practicing yoga consistently for 3 years now. I graduated from the Kshatriya Teacher Training program in December 2010. One of my favorite quotes about yoga is from a book by Judith Lasater. "Yoga is too important to be serious." I love this because everything you do in a yoga class is important. Your relationship with your mind, body, and spirit is important. But that doesn't mean it has to be serious. Have fun out there!
Love and Namaste...
