INSTRUCTORS
	Valerie Bowker Valerie received her yoga certification from the Yoga Studio College of Canada in Calgary.  She has devoted her life to fitness and wellness for more than 30 years. Her love of body-mind awareness led to the study and practice of Yoga. In her classes core strength and breath awareness combine to help students of all levels develop greater strength, flexibility and inner awareness. Her love of yoga is shared and felt by her students.She has had the opportunity to study with local and internationally known teachers including Margot Kitchen, David McCammond, Felicity Green, Eddie Modestini, Nicki Doane,Tim Miller and Rameen Peyrow. Her classes focus on breath awareness, stretching and releasing stress through meditation and hatha yoga. Yoga Association of Alberta certified.
	Neil Haggard Neil has been a student of Hatha yoga for 10 years and teaching for 7 of those years. His background is in traditional hatha yoga with BKS Iyengar influencing his personal teaching style. He has studied with international teachers David MacAmmond, Sandra Sammartino and Judith Lasiter as well as with Akhil Bhattacharya in Nepal. He particularly enjoys a focus on supporting beginner and intermediate students helping them to learn and understand the fundamentals of a healthy yoga practice. Students will have some fun learning how to develop flexibility, endurance, deal with stress and practice postures that enhance physical condition for other activities and create well being. Neil was an active runner for 15 years and now continues a personal fitness focus on cycling, ice and rock climbing, telemark skiing and yoga. Yoga Association of Alberta certified.
	Jade Ponech I went to my first yoga class about nine years ago and became dedicated in 2008 after recognizing the positive effect Yoga had on me, not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and energetically as a holistic system of my personal wellbeing. With a background in dance, I've always been interested in the fluid movement and physical expression of the body, and yoga allows me to continue this exploration but now with many added layers and dimensions. Having discovered my passion for yoga first through Ashtanga, my ongoing study of SATTVA has brought a new energy and depth to my practice that continues to grow exponentially as it integrates into the rest of my life: teaching me how to nurture myself and live with my heart...the inner revolution indeed. Much love to the beautiful community of teachers and practitioners surrounding me who give so much and who are a constant source of knowledge, guidance and inspiration.
	Sandy Brown I have been an aspiring yogini since early 2001. I have found my life's passion in yoga and have been blessed with the rare opportunity of pursuing my dreams to teach and share its wonders with others. I am certified in Hatha, Vinyasa, Prenatal and Core Strength Vinyasa styles through various local and international teachers. Yoga is a lifelong learning experience and conveniently portable-one is never too young, old or busy to practice yoga- I am in it for the long haul and hope to inspire my students to be as well! Namaste to my fellow (new, old and soon-to be) yogi friends!
	Tarah Edgar I walked out of my first yoga class with a calm and balanced feeling in my body and a huge smile on my face. I was hooked. Since then yoga has helped me to find that peace each time I come to the mat, it has lead me to travel abroad and within myself to find a deeper experience of the truth.  As a teacher, I feel blessed to share this practice with others and to guide them in their own self-empowerment and knowledge.  I hope to help others cultivate and trust their inner teacher. I have had the great fortune of studying with many inspiring teachers including, Sharath Rangaswamy and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane, Tim Miller, and especially Rameen Peyrow
	Andrea Gilborn Yoga had me at hello. From my very first class I knew that this was for me. Just like love at first sight, unexplainable to so right. Not only has yoga helped my life externally but it has influenced my every day, reminding me of the value within. It helps to guide me back when I am lost and allows me to be where I am at exactly this moment. Practicing yoga as a singer allows me to appreciate how the breath and body operate seamlessly on and off the mat. The importance of music, movement, relaxation, breath and presence play a huge role in my life as an artist and music teacher. I am very grateful for everyone who brings yoga into my life and everything that is yoga.
	Lucille Lavender In 2002, I started practising yoga on recommendation from my chiropractor because of a persistent hip and back injury caused from running. Although I was aware of the benefits from yoga, I was reluctant to take a beginner class since I could not touch my toes! However, slowly and consistently progress was made.  I have developed a passion for the practice, love the feeling of freedom when my hips release and the tension leaves my lower back.  The practice of deep breathing has helped parenting 3 kids as well.   Yoga Alliance certified.
	Frank Paul My yoga journey began in 2003 when I reluctantly attended my first your class. I found yoga for beginners too mild and quickly moved to the advanced classed. Before long I became interested in Ashtanga yoga and developed a passion for it. With Ashtanga yoga I was able to loose the excess weight that I carried, controlled my type 2 diabetes and also reduce my high cholesterol. Three years later I enrolled into the teachers training program at Yoga for Today doing both Hatha and Ashtanga simultaneously. I have had the good fortune to learn from esteemed teachers, including Mark Darby, Doug Swenson, Tim Miller, Eddie Modestine, Nicki Doane, as well as Kate Potter and Michael Stone. I am a Laughter Yoga Leader certified by Dr. Kataria School Of Laughter Yoga as well certified to teach Prenatal Yoga through Janice Clarefield.
	Linda Turnbull I was first introduced to Yoga in 2001 while studying dance in Vancouver. Little did I know it would change my life forever! In 2004, I received my Pilates Mat certification through Tracy Friesen (Edmonton). Both practices have increased my strength, flexibility and body awareness as a professional dancer, but it is Yoga that has taught me balance in a way that I would never imagine anything could. After years of my own dance-related knee, shoulder and hip injuries, I have had to change my asana practice and I now focus on safety and alignment to help support a strong and sustainable practice. Yoga has helped me recognize that life is not a competition. We all move and learn at our own pace and sometimes the calmer and more steady we move, the better the flowers smell! Breath is the key. I feel blessed everyday to have a healthy mind and body. Yoga is the one element in my life that I have total control of. Through the use of breath and meditation, I have been able to manage my once highly anxious lifestyle to a more relaxed and loving state. I thank [all] my teachers everyday for welcoming me into this world of Yoga. Peace. Linda is certified to teach both Yoga and pilates
	Jeanette Ward Jeanette’s passion and enthusiasm for yoga teaching is a delight to be a part of. She began to experience the numerous positive benefits of practicing yoga in 1996 and decided to start teaching in 2002. With a background in Group Fitness (since 1988), Jeanette has discovered that bringing unity to the mind, body and spirit is just as important as keeping the physical body in shape. She now finds herself sharing the many gifts of yoga on a full-time basis and is thrilled with her new life direction. Jeanette feels most fortunate to have studied with: Yogi Vishvketu, Donna Farhi, TKV Desikachar, Mark Whitwell, Rodney Yee and Shiva Rea. Yoga Association of Alberta certified.
	Nicole Wood I first experienced the mystery and magic of yoga in January 2004. The peace and calm that I felt intrigued me and there was no question in my mind that my next step in my life was to explore the great depths of yoga. Through a dedicated daily practice, workshops and travel, yoga has been and continues to be an amazing gift in my life. It has led me to explore my inner being on all levels and to seek a greater depth within all. I am honoured to have the opportunity to share this fight with others through teaching asana yoga. I hope to inspire others as much as yoga inspires me everyday. I would like to thank my teacher, Rameen for everything that he is and that he shares with everyone so genuinely.
	Hailey O'Hara My journey with yoga began years ago. I started taking drop-in classes whenever I could, wherever I could. Coming from a background of running and biking (and very little stretching), it was a slow start. Even though, I was feeling frustrated with my body, there was something about it that just made me keep coming back. Over time, I came to accept where my body was at and simply appreciate that I could practice yoga at all. Eventually, I started to understand that there was more to this yoga than just twists and bends. I walked away from each practice feeling clearer and calmer. My practice on the mat began extending into the rest of my life and eventually every step I took started directing me on this path to yoga. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share what I love and help others begin their own unique yoga journeys. My approach to teaching is to help people accept where their bodies are at and to begin to open the body and mind with love and patience.
	Kenna Kaklin My journey with yoga all started with a dare: "betcha can't ever do the splits!" and wow, I am eternally grateful to the person that challenged me! Not because I can now do the splits, but because my relationship with yoga continues to transform my life. I feel grateful to have completed my Ashtanga Vinyasa Training with Larry and Marie Schultz, and my Sattva training with Rameen Peyrow. The journey of yoga is different for everyone- people pave their own road with their own unique bodies, spirits and experiences. I believe this path is more beautiful and rewarding when yoga is involved. Yoga means "union", I love the unity that yoga brings to my life- on physical, mental, spiritual and inter-personal levels. We are all unique, yet yoga brings us together! I am grateful to share with others the incredible joys of yoga and assist them on their paths while they help me to continue paving my own.
	Sherri Every day I am learning; through my teaching and my own practices. Striving to live simply in this busy world, yoga has opened my heart to a place of strength and peace inside of myself, bringing balance and harmony into my life each day. I am blessed to have the priviledge of sharing yoga alongside so many amazing teachers, who truly inspire me each time we meet. Sincere gratitude to my teacher, for the incredible support of my personal yoga journey. Namaste.
	Jess Soder-Duncan Yoga is such a wise teacher. The biggest lesson Yoga has taught me is how to be with myself. My practice began out of curiosity, but grew and developed from a place of dedication, inspired by my teacher Rameen Peyrow. For myself, Yoga is much more than the downward dogs. The past two years of self-practice in Japan has truly taught me how to bring Yoga off the mat, and into every part of my life.I am so happy to be back in Edmonton, teaching what I love. It is truly my honour to share the bliss I have found in Yoga. From the happiest and biggest part of my heart, I humbly bow to you: my fellow yoga teachers, friends, and all the wonderful students who join me on this beautiful path of practice. Let your heart guide you, and greet every day with a smile.
	Meaghan Mielnichuk I began my journey into yoga nine years ago and since my first class I have never looked back. Initially I did yoga to alleviate stress and it soon became a regular part of my daily life, I began to notice changes that were so amazingly positive I knew I was on the right track. I began teaching in January of 2009 and instantly loved it. The benefits of yoga are endless but I think in our society the biggest benefit is to learn to simply slow down and really be present in the moment. I have been very fortunate to train with many influential teachers , the most recent being Baron. My personal goal is to have students leaving stronger, lighter, and hopefully a little happier every class!