OUR TEACHERS

SO FANTASTIC THAT YOU WERE CURIOUS ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT WE DO TO SCROLL BY.

JIM CHISHOLM- PROGRAM DIRECTOR

My yoga journey started in 2009 when I attended a Yoga4StiffGuys class. I was the quintessential stiff guy who was haunted by old sports injuries that limited my mobility. I had no idea what to expect that first night. Looking back, I remember the words of an experienced student who told me to stick with it and it would change my life. I am still amazed at how right he was.

While I enjoy the physical benefits yoga offers, my practice is centred on cultivating body awareness and mindfulness that serves all aspects of my life. A yoga practice is a highly individual journey; I’m passionate about helping people set a foundation upon which they can explore their yoga practice safely while undertaking their own journey of self discovery.

I completed my 200 hour teacher training with Rachel Scott, Jasmina Egeler and Mari Dickey. My classes are focused on establishing strong physical alignment while connecting to breath and encouraging students to draw their attention inward to find balance in their practice.

EMMA FRIEDENSTAB

Yoga for me means time for myself and the permission to play, breathe, and strengthen my body. From my classes you can expect a fun warm up, and time to find your groove. I will encourage you to find what feels good, and to focus on your own body. My teaching is guided with the awareness that yoga has something different to offer for everyone, since all of us live in a unique body with a unique story.

Throughout my classes, I give lots of inspiration to make this valuable time that you carved out for yourself to explore your own body, on that day, in that specific moment. You can expect lots of suggestions to breath, to come back to the sensations in your body, and most importantly to enjoy and have fun!

ANGORA NGAI

My yoga journey started in 2010, with asana as the point of departure.  Over the years, I completed teacher trainings in my native Hong Kong and in Quebec, Canada, as well as thematic trainings on Prenatal Yoga, Yin, Tibetan singing bowl, Vedic philosophy and Sanskrit.

These experiences invited me to lean more on the rich spirituality of this ancient system. I believe yoga is not how a posture looks from the outside, but an experience, if embodied, transformative and transcending for higher purposes.

My classes are inclusive for participants of all ages, levels and body conditions, and adopt a trauma-informed approach so that all can safely experience the healing & calming effects on physical, mental and emotional levels. You will leave not only relaxed and rejoiced, but with a deeper connection with yourself.

DREW CLIMIE

My career started in the corporate world where I became all too familiar with the negative effects stress, long hours, and sitting at a desk for way too long can have on our bodies. Practicing yoga quickly became a necessity to keep showing up for my job.

After leaving the corporate life behind I followed a number of paths ending with training to became a yoga teacher and life coach. My Yoga training and teaching focus on a trauma informed practice that focuses on improving and maintaining mobility, flexibility, and strength, while focusing on breathwork

Melissa Cook

I began seeking the benefits of physical postures in my 200 hr training in 2019 with Semperviva Yoga College, but throughout the training, I learned about the importance of pranayama (breathwork), meditation and the spiritual/energetic aspects of yoga.

In 2023, I took yoga therapy training and received a diploma from Vancouver School of Healing Arts with over 800 hrs of training. Passionate about working with individuals one-on-one and getting to the root issue, I fell in loved with focusing on a somatic and nervous system regulation approach through breath and movement.

I also enjoy teaching hatha yoga, approaching movement with curiosity while also challenging my students. My approach is intuitive while creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Outside of yoga I enjoy spending time in nature, reading the Enneagram, spending time with friends and family and always learning something new.