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Instructors
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Instructors
Henri Ferguson
Yoga has been a major influence in Henri Ferguson's life for 23 years. Henri took his initial teacher training with Sandra Sammartino from Kairos Yoga Centre in White Rock, BC as well as Sapta Yoga teacher training with Sushil Bhattacharya in Pokhara, Nepal. Henri has studied extensively with Father Joe Pereira and has attended numerous retreats and workshops with the likes of Rodney Yee, John Schumacher, Richard Freeman, Esther Myers, John Friend, Eric Schiffman and many others.
Henri personifies his values and beliefs; taking his life experience and understanding of yogic philosophy into each class to facilitate student's efforts toward self realization and empowerment. He brings an eclectic and holistic style of yoga to the mat; energetic and healing, with emphasis on core strength and flexibility.
Henri is also a Licensed Massage Therapist trained at Crestone Healing Arts Centre in Colorado, USA. He uses a harmonious medley of bodywork and yoga to help students work through physical obstacles within their own bodies as well as gaining clarity in understanding their self actualization process.
Jai Kairupan
As an experienced guide and instructor, Jai integrates the modalities of yoga and fitness to help people reach their goals towards holistic health and wellness. Blending humour and compassion in his teaching methods, Jai offers the beginner to advanced yoga practitioner a challenging yet comfortable area to develop a healthy practice. His yoga teachings integrate breath, posture alignment, strength, flexibility, balance, body awareness, and mind concentration for both an energizing and relaxing experience. He has trained extensively with world-renowned yoga masters in India, Hawaii and North America.
Jai is currently registered as a teacher with the Yoga Alliance, certified with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Fitness Professional International (FPI) and a member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
He has authored the book "SURYA YOGA" - A practical yoga training guide for mind & body health, and has released a "SURYA YOGA" audio CD. Jai is the co- founder of Live & Grow Retreats and he enjoys leading yoga and adventure retreats both locally and internationally.
Laeonie Ferguson
I have been an avid Yoga practitioner for many years and am a certified Yoga Instructor. I'm a mother of two, a sister of two, a wife, a daughter, a friend and a student of life. I have traveled all over the planet and watched the sun rise and set over many different oceans. I've had lots, and I've had nothing, and I still can't tell you which is better. I love to cook and I love to laugh. I still make mistakes but I am learning...
I believe that goodness is innate and I strive to recognize it in myself and others everyday. I still wish on the first star every night.
I began my training as a certified Dula through the Optimum Birth Care Centre in Brisbane, Australia and learned a lot. I gave birth to both my children at home and learned more about the birthing experience than any text book could ever reveal. I believe yoga is the great metaphor for life. .. holding- releasing, holding- releasing ...searching for balance, reaching for stillness, finding connection, merging and becoming whole...
This is the road we are all traveling on. This is Life. This is Yoga.
My journey as a yoga teacher is a beloved undertaking that has enriched my life experience in a profound and lasting way. After many years of practice, I ventured to India to further my studies in an ashram environment. This experience was deeply life altering, and both challenging and blissful. I completed my teacher training certification in Nasik, India under the tutelage of Sir Vishwar Mandlik at the Yoga Vidya Dham College of India; however it is with great humility that I recognize that becoming a teacher is a life long endeavor. I am committed to continue learning and gathering information on the many ways Yoga can promote health, wellness and vitality.
Laeonie teaches pre-natal, post-natal, restorative and Hatha. Her teaching style and abilities will appeal to a broad range of ages and abilities, including children, seniors, disabled individuals and committed yogis.
Do Yoga. Do life.
Namaste
Laeonie
Jessica Ferguson (Yoga Jayanti)
My guru Paramahamsa Niranjanananda Saraswati gave me this name when I was initiated into Karma Sannyas, on the Blue Moon night of July 2007. ‘Jayanti’ means the joy of inner expression
I studied Massage Therapy in 1999 in Crestone Colarado at the Crestone Healing Arts Center where I began to understand the body both on a physical and pranic level.
In 2004 I studied Hatha Yoga with Diane Donovan at Body Works in the Cayman Islands where I lived from 1997-2004 working as a massage therapist at the Westin Cassaurina Spa.
I later traveled to Los Angeles California where I completed my teacher training, with Bikram Choudhury . And consequently taught for one year at Bikram Yoga Edmonton.
Over the years I have also studied with Sandra Sammartino of Kairos Yoga Center, in Whiterock B.C who has been instrumental in my evolution as a teacher and as a student.
In 2005 I spent a year working as an Educational Assistant at Glen Allan Elementary School, where I began my exploration of Yoga for Kids.
My heart then lead me to Bihar India where I spent a year studying and living at the Bihar Yoga Bharati, home of the worlds first Yoga University. I completed the four-month course in Yogic Studies and then stayed on as a resident where my learning continued in the ancient Gurukul tradition. (www.yogavision.net)
My goal as a Yoga teacher and my ongoing commitment to learning as a student of Yoga is to provide tools of self-empowerment to others. To follow the example of my gurus mission and to follow the precepts of seva (service), karuna (compassion), prem (love). I enjoy incorporating my tools of massage and body work, yogic practices, knowledge of Ayurveda (Science of Healing) and spirituality into my teaching style.
I currently teach Yoga Nidra at Lotus Soul Gym as well as various workshops such as Yoga & Art for Kids
Alex Bykowski
Alex has been a committed yoga practitioner for over 3 years. Having recently completed studying yoga with Myra Lewin in Maui, she is excited to bring her passion for the path to life in Edmonton.
She has studied Raja Yoga and Ayurveda, following the Yoga Alliance 200 hour guideline with an additional 70 hours emphasizing on self development and Sadhna. A thorough understanding of principles of asana, basic understanding of pranayama, beginning understanding of mantras, developed meditation practice with various techniques were included in her training. Alex is acquainted with chakras and energy management techniques.
Shanti OM
Annika Nordhagen
Annika has been practicing yoga for five years and has experience in hatha, bikram and ashtanga yoga. She took her hatha teacher training at the Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja Mexico and is certified through Yoga Alliance.
Annika is also a licensed Occupational Therapist. This background has given her insight into various illnesses and individual abilities. Annika believes that each person is unique and will benefit the most from making each posture his/her own, coming into it from a slightly different angle or mind set. Her intent is to use her knowledge of the body to guide others toward greater self awareness.
Marianne Decore
Perhaps my teacher training classmates sized me up accurately. They said, “Marianne is a monkey”. It has been my blessing and my challenge to find ways to harness my abundant energy and enthusiasm. I climbed street lamp posts and trees, paved a path of handsprings down many a grassy patch, and often explored an upside down view of life. Yoga found me about ten years ago in search of a new harness, but it kept me with its grace and grounding.
After many years of practicing Ashtanga yoga and dabbling in teaching friends and family, I embarked upon a formal path of study. Little did I know the sea of yoga is vast and deep and the path is lifelong. I find much joy and healing in yoga, and seek to share my appreciation with whoever might be ready to try something new, or find something new in something old.
Michele Theoret
I been practicing yoga for over 10 years and instructing for 8 years. I consider myself to be a perpetual student learning from many great teachers and students. I am always continuing to evolve my practice as my life evolves. I have had the opportunity to witness transformation in my own body as well as hundreds of clients and students. I have specialized in elite athlete conditioning working with NHL, WHL and junior hockey athletes, I have explored bodybuilding, martial arts and gymnastics. I am a certified personal trainer and have a degree in exercise physiology. I have experienced many extremes in my body and have studied several fitness practices in depth. I have discovered I am not perfect and I never will be. In life things happen, sometimes they are expected and sometimes they are not. Discomfort is un avoidable no matter how strong, rich or powerful we become. However our resistance to this discomfort is avoidable. In the small space of time between a stimulus (an event) and our response we have an opportunity to make a choice. When we choose to accept circumstances for what they are we become enlightened and grow. When we choose to not to accept them we create resistance. Resistance manifests itself in the body in may ways; Anxiety, fear, stiffness, obesity, upset stomach, constipation arthritis, fatigue and the list goes on.
My yoga practice allows me to let go of my resistance, to give up, to surrender. My practice is not always easy but it is always the truth, a mirror into my life, a direct reflection of where I am at in the present moment. The practice of yoga has woken me up from moments of unconciousness when we loose control. In a difficult pose when I am struggling with every bone of my being to hold on, I go inside with my breath and become aware of my resistance. I begin to feel my thoughts become harsh and angry. I feel myself at war just trying to survive and win at all costs, and then with an exhale I let it go. No judgment. Being a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend is no different, there are moments when we begin to lose control however my practice has given me that option of just simply breathing and being fully present to my thoughts and actions. I believe that physical fitness is about feeling great, not just looking that way. Sculpting, toning and challenging all of your muscles and your mind. As you begin to lose weight you will gain vitality. As you shed unwanted baggage and toxins you will gain confidence in all aspects of your life as you sculpt your ideal body, unleash your true potential and transform your life forever.
I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with all of you, assisting you in unleashing your true potential and achieving optimal health. The Truth is there is no magic pill or perfect exercise. Find something that feeds both your body and your soul. I sincerely believe that anybody can accomplish anything they dream, if the intention and willingness is there. It is my goal as an instructor and friend to take this intention and turn it into a reality.
Live an Extrordinay Life,
Namaste,
Michele Theoret
Michelle Desnoyers
I started my yogic journey in 2005 and began practicing yoga to quiet my mind and sharpen my mental focus. At the time I was pursuing my degree in sociology and I soon found that the stresses of being a student began to fade into the background. I now incorporate yoga into my daily life both through asana and philosophy. Yoga is not only about the postures but how you live your life off of the mat.In addition to my 200 yoga alliance certification, I have attended a number of workshops to deepen my knowledge of the physical practice as well as my knowledge of the yoga sutras. I have had the pleasure of attending workshops with instructors including Swami Lalitananda, Yogi Vishvketu, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Rodney Yee, Baron Baptiste and Robert Birnberg.
I strive to create a comfortable and welcoming environment in my classes. I look forward to continually increasing my knowledge of yoga and sharing it with those around me. Yoga has been such a blessing for me and has positively affected every aspect of my life.
Natalie Grant
Natalie started her love of body movement as a small child. Growing up with a passion for dancing brought her to dance professionally with Edmonton School of Ballet. As the years moved on, passions continued via different styles of dance and yoga. Then after a sampling of Method Pilates in 2003, her passion was reformed.
While living in Vancouver, Natalie become an avid pilates student which lead her to her training through Physical Mind in 2006. Natalie's commitment to continuously gain knowledge of the human body has also brought her to her training in Hatha Yoga at Serenity Yoga, as well as postnatal yoga and pilates.
She has a strong desire to continue this journey, learning other styles of movement such as Yamuna Body Rolling and Pilates for Golfers. With this desire, Natalie is committed to a deeper learning experience in each and every class.
Paul Broomfield
Since "finding" Yoga in 2002, Paul has completely devoted his days to the introspection (Swadhyaya) of his life and the purification (Saucha) of his Yogic path (Sadhana). Understanding that the practice of Yog is not simply a physical posture taking place on a mat, Paul has a commitment to the unity of the evolution, advancement and integration of the union of love, compassion and wisdom into everyday living.
Any exchange with life of the currency of time will buy one one's dreams. Paul will do his best to ensure that the student spends their time wisely.
Hari Om Tat Sat
Shabira Jaffer
Shabira Jaffer has been practicing T’ai Chi since 1988. She has studied traditional tai chi forms in Taoist, Yang and Wu styles as well as Qigong, sword and push hands.
She started formal training at the Taoist Tai Chi Society and began her discovery of this unique and profound art. In 1993 she joined Ji Hong Tai Chi College to study under the guidance of tai chi master Hong Yuan Luo. Under Master Luo's instruction, her skills have progressed enormously and continue to improve. She has since embraced tai chi not just as a martial art, but she also strives to incorporate its teachings as a way of life. In addition to health and wellness, tai chi has brought joy, fulfillment, wisdom, friendship, and balance to her life. Shabira hopes to share this with all her students and hence continues to find time to teach while balancing work and family. With dedication, patience, and effective teaching methods, Shabira guides her students during their journey of discovery in tai chi.
Aly Nind
Aly a.k.a Paws has been b-girling since 1999. As well as practicing yoga for 7 years. She started with gymnastics at a young age and since then has developed key fundamentals: Balance, charisma, strength and flexibility. These skills enable her to perform at a high physical level while enjoying the music and creating her own style. Aly has had the opportunity to travel across Canada and the USA with the "Vans Warped Tour 2004", she has produced, taught,battled, and performed in several hip hop shows. The blend between Yoga and dance is a fantastic way to encourage self expression and creativity. She has performed with the Pearl Crew as well as her most recent collaboration with Dee Cru II in Vancouver, BC.
As far as yoga background…Aly has just recently completed her Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training with Rameem Peyrow, Edmonton, AB. She received her Hatha 200 level through Serenity Yoga with Carolyn MacManus in Vancouver, BC in 2005. After that she completed the Teacher’s Integration Program with Shannon Cluff, which really jump started her career. She spent 6 months in Full Time acting program studying and teaching yoga…it was a wonderful way to break through the shell and diversify her teaching. Through all these years of sports and travelling comes injuries so with that yoga has blessed her in many ways and takes a compassionate approach to her teaching.
Please join Aly Paws in a fun and dynamic fusion of Yoga and Breakdance!