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.

GALINA ERSHOVA

Yoga allows me to practice well-being, youthfulness and freedom in my body and mind. I believe that yoga has a lot to offer for everyone.

My philosophy for leading the class is to create an environment where everyone feels a light-hearted atmosphere. All participants will experience accessibility, a great stretch, cues on alignment and breath. I also focus on the feeling of freedom and expansion within your body and mind. I am passionate about supporting and encouraging people to find ease and lightness through the movements, breath, and mindfulness.

My personal yoga journey started eleven years ago, and I immediately fell in love with it. Feeling good in every aspect of my life as I practiced yoga compelled me to share my passion for yoga through being involved in instruction. I have successfully completed my 240 hours for teacher training with Vancouver School of Healing Arts. Since then, I have been involved in enthusiastically teaching my coworkers, neighbours, yoga outreach communities, and friends. Please join me to experience the benefits of movements!

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

AUDREY TUPIN

My yoga journey began when my job in the film industry was putting a lot of strain on my body and led to a back injury. During that time, I experienced how supportive yoga can be for both the body and the nervous system.

Overtime, my interest in yoga expanded beyond the physical aspects towards a personal journey of reconnection with the Self that is supported by a healthier body. This led me complete my 200h Yoga Teacher Training at the Vancouver School of Healing Arts where I learned a Hatha Vinyasa style of practice based on alignment principles adapted to different demographics.

In my classes, my goal is to offer a caring and supportive environment for the students to reconnect with their bodies, with their breath, and to safely challenge themselves while respecting their limits.