Owen Ash
My Yoga
My yoga is a slow flowing prana awareness practice using the Kripalu approach influenced by Anusara. I have applied this approach to different styles of yoga offering gentle, moderate and vigorous classes to widely ranging ages and body types.

My Journey
I’ve always been aware that there is more. As a young boy playing in the open fields of Manitoba, or on the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield in Ontario, I was aware of the almost overwhelming presence of the infinite. This experience led me to study Geology, drawn by reverence for creation. Having discovered the mystical tradition I pursued studies in Spirituality and became an Anglican Priest. A health crisis brought me to Yoga where I discovered what scripture had been saying all along --- that the body is a temple of the Spirit. Following the call of my heart I attended the Yoga Teacher Training at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. I am currently the Parish Priest of St.John’s Anglican Church in Rockwood, Ontario, teach Yoga, offer Spiritual Direction and Counseling, and run retreats aimed at discovering the Sacredness within.

Tina Baker
An avid runner 15 years ago, Tina began practicing yoga to minimize injury and balance training.

Initially inspired by the rhythmic flow of Ashtanga Yoga;  Tina later added Hatha Yoga to her practice.  “I was amazed at how beneficial Yoga was in terms of gaining physical fitness and emotional clarity.” Tina believes that breath awareness and alignment are key and honouring our “individual body type” is vital.

“Over the years, Yoga has convinced me that ‘less really is more’. Yoga is so powerful!  We can build grace & strength through a gentle, enjoyable daily practice; creating ‘meditation-in-motion’. 

“Finding “Sukha” (sweetness, ease) in every pose is essential and it’s what keeps me coming back for more”.  “Yoga has made such a positive impact on my life, I would like to share my passion with others”.

In 2011 Tina made a choice to dedicate herself further and completed her Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Sanctuary in Toronto.   Tina draws inspiration from Caroline Klebl, David Swenson, Joe Banwait,  Janice Clarfield.

Tina offers  Hatha,  Ashtanga, Yin, Pre-Natal and Conscious Birthing(Certified with Janice Clarfield) and Restorative Yoga and is a registered Yoga Alliance teacher.  In addition, Tina is a Seniors’ Fitness Instructor (SFI –CCAA), having completed her training with the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging.  

“My Yoga journey is on-going; I continue to look within to bring out the best that I can give”.

Sharon Bateman
Sharon has an MA in Counselling Psychology (Adler, Chicago), an Honours BA in Religion from McMaster University, an Associate Degree in Applied Science (RN) (St.Mary's College, Minneapolis), a Certified Yoga Teacher (Sheridan College) and an ERYT 500 Yoga Alliance.

Sharon has been the theory instructor at Sheridan College in the Yoga Instructor Program since 1993. She became the Coordinator of that program in 1998 and is still in that position at Sheridan College.

Sharon has taught Hatha Yoga classes since 1990 at YMCA, Burlington Senior's Centre, Oakville Parks and Recreation, yoga studios and is also a counsellor in a private practice in Burlington.

Kimberly Beaudry
Kimberley's yoga journey began eight years ago after having a conversation with a friend who recommended that she try hot yoga to alleviate job related stress. After her first hot yoga class, she knew that she had found something that was going to be life changing. Practising predominately Bikram and Moksha yoga, Kimberley recently found a new appreciation for Anusara's Universal Principles of Alignment and the strength and discipline of Ashtanga.

She draws her inspiration from Phil Doucette who motivated her to become a yoga teacher, Colin Matthews for encouraging her to explore her soul without fear and Grant Hutchinson for his radiance. Kimberley's teaching style places emphasis on alignment before depth and encourages students to be appropriate and listen to their bodies to become more kinaesthetically aware. Beyond the physical, she hopes to touch students to have a more expansive view of themselves and approach the world around them with an open heart. When not on the mat, you will find her cherishing her time with her husband, two children and crazy dog Cooper.

Diana Drmanac
Diana has been practicing Yoga since 2007 and Pilates since 2009.  As a means of improving her own Pilates practice and being able to share the numerous benefits of Pilates with others, she recently obtained her Pilates Mat Work Certificate through Body Harmonics.

As a new teacher, Diana loves that Pilates is a body conditioning method that can be done by people of all ages and fitness levels and helps to increase strength and coordination and build flexibility.

Her recent certification has further sparked her interest in health and wellness.  She hopes to continue on with obtaining further certifications and participating in workshops, which will allow her to lead and build more challenging and dynamic classes.  After all, “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” ~William A. Ward

Mieka Forte
Mieka Forte was first introduced to Yoga while studying Kinesiology in University. Yoga has continued to be a massive part of her life. Her own personal practice as well as teaching, have played an extremely important role in helping her overcome so many obstacles, includung a personal experience with cancer. She has been inspired by some amazing teachers including Susie Dias, Seane Corn, Sadie Nardini and Michelle Cormack. Mieka's husband, her two boys, friends, family and anyone she has had the opportunity to practice with have also played a massive role in her journey as an instructor.

Mieka is also Stott Pilates certified. She loves teaching her participants how to connect with and strengthen their core.

Mieka's Yoga and Pilates classes encourage proper form, offer some challenges, are heavily dosed with fun and always taught with some love.

Ayrin Mackie
Ayrin has been a Kundalini yoga teacher for 5 years and has practised Kundalini, Ashtanga and Hatha for 10.  She began her committed practice of this specific yoga when she was having trouble with her digestion.  She was given a series of exercises called a “Kriya” to aid in her digestion and was thrilled when her problems disappeared and her energy heightened.  This was only the beginning.  Throughout the years she has travelled all over India, Cambodia and Thailand deepening her practice and understanding of this ancient science.  As a Professional Music Theatre performer (“lord of the rings”, “The Producers” -Mirvish productions) and dancer she has always studied the profound connection of body mind and spirit and the path of yoga was a natural addition to her life.

After returning from India, Ayrin was mesmerized by all of the Hindu goddess’ she had come across in her travels and created a yoga workshop for women called “The Goddess Experience”. These workshops introduced women to all the healing aspects of the goddess and how to apply their knowledge to everyday life. While creating this workshop, Ayrin also began recording a CD with mantra’s of the goddess and other soul songs, this CD is called “Lullaby”.

Ayrin is so grateful to have found Kundalini and has felt the shift of a good life into a blissful life thru its practice.  She feels called to share with anyone who is interested in heightening there experience of this life to come and join her in this sacred and profound yoga.

Kundalini yoga as taught by yogi Bhajan, targets the internal organs with specific exercise sequences and deep breathing techniques to release toxins and bring your body into balance and light.

Maria Phoenix
Maria has a passion for movement, and her career purpose is to pass her knowledge and drive for healthy movement to others. Her understanding of movement has matured with her practice of yoga and pilates as a method of self observation, a way of seeing how her body can strengthen and become more efficient. This has led to her studying bodies and each person’s individual movements.

Maria is fascinated by how a person walks, their personal alignments and helping release the potential that can be can be blocked by a misalignment or repetitive stress injuries caused by poor posture while typing or lack of proper breathing!
It has taken Maria years to discover and pursue this path, and she believes that it is truly her path in life.

Jasna Res  
Fifteen years ago Jasna discovered the mental, physical and spiritual benefice of yoga and realized that she had found her path in this life. Jasna is trained and certified as a Yoga Instructor, having graduated from Blue Door Yoga Room’s 200 hour teacher training program, a Yoga Alliance recognized program. Jasna found that the more she practised the more she understood herself and enhanced her personal growth. Jasna is also a natural healing practitioner. She is a certified Reiki Master of Usui Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese form of stress reduction and relaxation, that helps promotes healing. Jasna’s teaching style is accessible, thoughtful and knowledgeable. She is also an elementary school teacher.

Sonja Tessari  
Sonja came to yoga in 2004, she found that yoga was extremely beneficial and helped her cope with the pressures and stress of her job. To deepen her practice, she enrolled in Downward Dog Teaching Training in 2009 with Diane Bruni and Ron Reid. Sonja became directly influenced by the fluidity and flow of Ashtanga an the precise alignment of Iyengar. Sonja has earned her Prenatal Certification and loves to physically empower expectant mom’s in their practice of yoga. Sonja personally feels yoga has increased her energy and vitality, and has improved her overall mood - everything is lighter and brighter.