INSTRUCTORS

Aaron Banfield
Instructor Base Lounge

Aaron Banfield is a practitioner of Daoist Chinese Medicine and a Qi Gong instructor. He grew up in Nelson, B.C. and had a previous career in the Environmental movement. In his spare time Aaron enjoys dancing, pondering solutions to global problems, meditating, and wandering in the forest.

Mia Blackwell
Yoga Instructor, Thai yoga Massage Practitioner Thai Yoga Massage, Yoga Shala

I am a teacher and practitioner of Thai Yoga Massage as well as a Yin/Vinyasa Yoga Instructor. I received my Thai Massage training in Chang Mai, Chicago, Montreal and Ojai. It has been my passion for 20 years. I received my Yoga certification in Asheville North Carolina, I find my Thai Massage helpful in my Yoga Class, I am able to do Thai adjustments to my students. I have on going classes of Thai Massage and teach Yoga at the Shala on Broad Street three times a week.

Vanessa Braun
Certified Yoga Instructor Storyoga™ Instructor

Vanessa Braun is a Certified Yoga Instructor and is the Founder and Instructor of Storyoga™ which is a self-designed program that fuses together children’s literature  with the joyous movement of yoga. Together they unite as one where picture books are used as inspiration to frame early yoga poses and beginning breath work. In this way, animals and characters are taken from story and brought to life through body, shape, sound, and movement! In addition to sharing Storyoga™ with children, Vanessa also finds great joy in teaching adults. Her adult classes are strongly influenced by the Anusara Yoga Tradition moving first and foremost from a place of heart.

Anthea Browne
Yoga Instructor Peace in Presence

With extensive teaching experience, Anthea took her teacher training in Ashtanga Yoga. For 5 years, she ran Karuna Centre in Courtenay, a vibrant centre for dance and yoga. In 2003, Anthea discovered the Vijnana practice, studying with Cathy Valentine. She recently returned from Montreal, where she trained in Acroyoga. She enjoys teaching private clients, as well as practicing Clearheart Bodywork and Thai Massage. Anthea integrates her experience as a dancer, especially of contact improv, her experiential understanding of the mind/body connection, and our inherent human capacity for joy. "Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." ~ Marianne Williams

Eila Buziak
Certified Yoga Teacher, Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner and Birth Doula Co-owner of Yoga Together Victoria offering Akhanda Yoga and Prenatal Yoga, also teaches Shakti Yoga at Base Lounge.

World travel, breathing deeply, sitting still and laughing from the belly are all wonderful teachers. From these inspirations, Eila became a committed Yoga teacher, and draws on 3 major trainings, Hatha Yoga Therapy, Svarupa Yoga and currently teaches full-time Akhanda Yoga. Eila is dedicated to the health and well-being for everyone, and teaches intelligent and intuitive body movements, breathing techniques, sound and meditation. Eila combines a nurturing, energetic style that inspires students towards openness, flexibility and breath awareness. For over 15 years, studies and practice have taken her deeper into women's health, she is a birth doula and Thai Yoga Massge Practitioner.

Siri Amir Alanda Carver
Level 2 Kundalini yoga teacher

I am a Reiki master, homeopathic educator and Level 2 Kundalini yoga teacher and practitioner who teaches in Sooke and Victoria.Kundalini Yoga is one of the most powerful and effective forms of yoga taught today. Known as the Yoga of Awareness, Kundalini yoga strengthens the nervous system and balances the endocrine system. It promotes optimal health and a radiant sense of well-being. It is deeply transformative - yielding results in the shortest possible time. Using simple movement, breath work and meditation, research has shown that Kundalini yoga helps you to function at a consistently higher level without exhausting your mind and body. When the body and mind are in balance, inspiration flows. Kundalini Yoga teacher training will be offered on Vancouver Island for the first time starting this fall.

Linda Cirella
Yoga Instructor

Shannon Devenney
Yoga Instructor

Offering a very holistic approach to yoga, Shannon has studied the ancient Indian system of yoga in depth- while travelling to India and all over South-East Asia. Shannon graduated her first teacher training in Rishikesh, India in 2007 and is currently working towards a 1270- hour diploma in yoga therapy. Shannon teaches multi-level -Hatha, Power flow and Akhanda style classes. While there is a strong emphasis on structure and alignment to avoid injuries, Shannon tailors each class to honor the individual needs of each student. Shannon is grateful for the teachers she has had a long the way and is excited to share and pass on knowledge to help students on the path to healthy bodies and healthy minds;)

Gillian Edmondson
Yoga Instructor Owner of No Sweat Yoga

After completing my yoga and pilates teacher training at Feel Good Yoga, I founded No Sweat Yoga to address the growing need for health options to counter the increasingly negative effects on the long-term health of modern-day office workers. I am currently teaching both private and corporate clients in Victoria and the surrounding area in both the work place and people's homes. In addition, I teach Gentle Therapeutic and Kids Yoga at Feel Good Yoga.

Airlie Ellsworth
Yoga Instructor Hemma, Moksana and West Side

Originally from PEI, Airlie has been teaching yoga in Victoria since early 2010. Her practice has taken her from one Canadian coast to the other, as far away as China, and most recently to Massachusetts where she completed the intensive portion of her certification as a Professional Yoga Therapist. Focused on developing breath and body awareness through mindful movement, her classes pair philosophical or anatomical themes with yoga techniques in an quest to guide students through challenging, creative and fun sequences that cultivate a sense of strength, ease, balance, and playfulness. For her schedule or to contact her directly, visit her website.

Tersia Fagan
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor Moksana Yoga Centre

Tersia is a certified Hatha yoga instructor, who was trained right here in Victoria, and has taught yoga for six years in many different communities on the BC coast. Tersia’s instructional style is infused with the yogic traditions of Hatha and Kundalini, and is combined with her passion for health and fitness. Yoga with Tersia is an experience that warms, opens, and energizes the body, stills the mind, and settles the heart.  If you wish to practice with Tersia, see her class offerings at Moksana Yoga Centre.

Guy Friswell
Registered Yoga Teacher Hemma, Moksha, Studio 4 and Camosun College

I view teaching yoga as a joyful extension of my personal yoga practice. I’m passionate about all things yoga, and am always eager to share this passion, both one-on-one and in a class setting. I have had a regular and focused practice for nearly 8 years, both on and off of the mat. My practice is a fusion of influences, including the alignment and inward focus of the Vijnana tradition and Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga™, the yoga philosophies of Erich Schiffmann and Michael Stone, and the mental discipline of Bikram Choudhury. I am strongly committed to fostering yoga community and have a voracious yoga reading habit. My teaching is a reflection of my personal practice – a fusion of styles and a continuing journey. I characterize my current teaching style as “Hatha-Flow” – “Hatha” meaning moving to the comfortable edge of a posture, holding it while breathing normally, and then pausing afterwards to observe the effect on mind and body; “Flow” meaning connecting all postures and transitions with appropriate breathing patterns.

Cathy Hanan
Yoga Instructor Breathing Space Mind & Body, Deep Cove Yoga

Cathy began exploring yoga in 2000 while living in Australia. With a background in competitive sports, the initial surrendering of the ego was a huge challenge, but the reward continues to be worth it. After returning home and completing her teacher training at MokSana Yoga Centre in Victoria, Cathy began sharing yoga with local athletes and their coaches. Her classes integrate concepts of pilates and core strengthening as well as flexibility, breath, relaxation and a bit of laughter.

Lin Hounslow
Yoga Instructor

Lindsay is a lover of good food, nature, and Yoga. She is an E-RYT (Experienced – Registered Yoga Teacher), a professional, registered herbalist, an experienced naturalist guide, and a faculty member at Pacific Rim College in Victoria BC. She offers Yoga classes, private therapeutic Yoga, herbal medicine, and nature based retreats.

Nicky Jones
Yoga Instructor and Co-Owner of Barefoot at Heart Yoga and Wellness Barefoot at Heart Yoga and Wellness

Nicky originally discovered yoga 12 years ago as a cure for 'dis-ease' . During difficult times, yoga became a necessary therapy to bring balance back into her life. Today, yoga is a lifestyle for Nicky. Yoga combines two of her lifelong passions of teaching and holistic wellness. She believes that teaching yoga is one of her true callings as she loves helping others to reach and maintain their own optimum wellness. Nicky’s teaching style reflects her many years of training as a dancer and figure skater. She loves to focus on the breath to guide the movement and to keep one’s attention in the present moment. Her classes find the connection between stretching, strengthening, balancing, relaxation, and just being. Because of this, the benefits reach far further than the mat, and into one’s daily life.

Lori Kalef
Yoga Instructor Deep Cove Yoga, Moksha, V.I.Fitness, The Jewish Community Centre

Lori began practicing yoga eight years ago. She started with a dedicated home practice, often gathering groups of friends together or practicing in the early cold mornings in Montreal, where she is from. It wasn’t until her move out west that Lori began exploring more of the essence of looking from the inside out, a philosophy that brought a new vibrancy to her practice. She wanted yoga to be more then a physical activity, instead to became a life long learning pursuit (mental, spiritual and muscular) to find her reflection on the mat. As a teacher, she shares her knowledge and learns from those around her. She flows through asanas by weaving relevant themes and encouraging deeper awareness. She teaches students to achieve this through making the connections between their mind and body, honoring where they are in their life and in their physical practice. Lori recently graduated from Ajna Yoga Training in Victoria, B.C.

Sheri Killam
Yoga Instructor

Sheri’s yoga journey began while traveling in Israel in the early nineties with a sudden awakening or a spontaneous experience of the non-dual nature of existence. Several years later, while living in Asia, cycling and practicing regularly, she finally began to feel in her body and the mind-body-breath connection. The desire to teach led her to India to experience ashram life and deepen her understanding of yoga asana and philosophy. She became a Sivananda certified teacher in 2008. Upon returning to Canada in 2010 after eight years abroad, she obtained a second certification through Ajna Yoga here in Victoria. Her combined understanding of non duality and yoga, love of literature and people and entirely non striving approach, create a perfect environment for the self to be realized. She is happy to offer her ability to transmit non-dual awareness, as well as Hatha and Yin yoga instruction at various locations in town. For more information on non-dual awareness or yoga instruction please email sherikillam@me.com.

Lindsay Knazan
Yoga Instructor Owner of Fierce Studio

Lindsay’s bright smile and contagious energy combine to create vibrant, challenging and fun yoga classes. Lindsay’s yoga path began in 2000, when she found herself on a quest for a means to rehabilitate a severe back injury. After a consistent practice in Power and Ashtanga Yoga, as well as Yoga Fusion, Lindsay began harvesting the connection of mind/body union through a new found internal awareness. Through daily physical work on her yoga mat, Lindsay began to notice the foundations of this mindful, holistic practice seeping into many areas of her life, and self development and reflection became a daily focus. Lindsay quickly became inspired and compelled to teach, and began studying under Jennifer Pritchard, completing her teacher training through the Ashtanga Yoga Shala Victoria in 2006. Since then, Lindsay has studied with various instructors, including: Shiva Rae, Sadie Nardini, Helen Vanderburg, Jeff and Harmony Lichty, and most recently, Jill Miller. She completed her Fusion Fitness teaching certification in 2008, Sadie Nardini’s Core Vinyasa Yoga Intensive Training in 2009 and is also BCRPA certified; she is constantly building her practice and growing her foundations as both a teacher and a student. Lindsay loves to teach combination classes that blend strength, inspiration, endurance and flexibility of both the mind and body. Her classes incorporate mantra and music, and are mindful, creative and always different!

Angela Lachmuth
Yoga Instructor, Thai yoga Massage Practitioner The Lodge at Weir’s Beach, Club Phoenix

My intention is to live a healthy lifestyle and provide you with positive energy to help you heal and connect with your true bliss. I have been practicing yoga since 1996 and teaching yoga since 2005. A few years ago, two inspiring teachers came into my life, and I began studying Thai yoga massage. I enjoy working as a massage therapist and yoga instructor because it creates harmony and encourages myself and the recipient to nurture others and nature. I offer massage therapy out of Sapphire Day Spa (www.sapphiredayspa.com). I teach yoga at Club Phoenix on Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm (www.club-phoenix.com). I also teach at retreats hosted at The Lodge at Weir's Beach (www.thelodgeatweirsbeach.com).

Carly Lauder
Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga therapist, Thai Massage & Ayurvedic practitioner Heart & Hands Health Centre

The ancient practice of Thai Massage, Ayurveda, and Yoga are potent healing pathways that Carly offers to inspire an unveiling of your innate ability to utilize the medicines within. Her approach is holistic in nature drawing on the union of the physical, psychological, and spiritual to provide therapy that is thorough, natural, and safe. It is her deepest intention to assist those at any stage along their path; to offer her service from the heart to communities near and far and to the greater healing of humanity and our planet.

Ananda Lazare
Yoga Instructor Yoga Shala, Base Lounge and other various locations

Yoga has always been a part of Ananda’s life, beginning with the influence of her parents and then with her personal and dedicated practice of the past 13 years. Ananda is a certified yoga teacher and is trained in several types of yoga: Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Yin yoga. Ananda creates a safe and joyful environment in her classes and is passionate about sharing the many benefits that yoga has to offer.

Kimberly Loeb
Yoga Instructor Feel Good Yoga & Pilates in Langford, Breathing Space in Brentwood Bay, The Sanctuary in the Highlands

Kimberly Loeb is a certified Yoga instructor, Yoga therapist and Ayurveda practitioner who has been practicing and teaching Ayurveda and Yoga since 2001. She holds a minor in the philosophy and practice of Ayurveda and Yoga and is the founder of Inner Circle Healing Arts, where she weaves Ayurveda, Yogatherapy and Mehendi Henna Art together to create a deep experience of inner peace and healing on all levels. Kimberly offers Ayurveda and Yoga classes, workshops and retreats throughout Vancouver Island, as well as private Ayurvedic consultations, Marmatherapy massage, Mehendi, and Yogatherapy sessions.

Nikki Manzie
Director of the Diploma of Eastern Therapies & Bodywork and Diploma of Yogatherapy at Pacific Rim College - Certified Yoga Instructor (ERYT500) at Pacific Rim College and The Sanctuary - A member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)

Nikki began a meditation practice at 17 years old, and studying yoga and other healing arts in her early twenties. She has been teaching classes, workshops and retreats and facilitating individual healing sessions since 1994. In 1998, she founded Yanumoja Yoga, a practice of self-exploration through movement, breath, meditation and community. She is a founder of Three Winds Academy, also a co-owner of The Sanctuary. She is currently deepening her practice through on-going studies, and teaching Yogatherapy, Thai Massage and Ayurvedic Marmatharapy at Pacific Rim College. Nikki joyfully offers her heart and skills through teaching and facilitating personal journeys of healing and growth…

Fiji McAlpine
Yoga Instructor Hemma

It is my ultimate intention to guide my students into the flow, to open their hearts and bodies by moving with rather than against the flow, using it’s momentum to take us where we need to go in our practice and ultimately our lives. My personal practice, as well as my classes focus on vinyasa flow infused with power, strength and precision. Through a strong practice that allows us to face challenges with support and guidance, we can begin to move forward fearlessly and more consciously. I always consider my self a student both in life and in yoga, everyday there is something new to learn, an idea that keeps me passionate about living. I have been practicing yoga for ten years and began teaching yoga over seven years ago while living in California. Originally born in Victoria then raised in California, I have returned to my roots bringing with me a broad and truly global yoga background having trained extensively in California and Costa Rica and Canada.

Melissa McLeod
Certified Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer Oak Bay, MokSana Yoga Center, Bloom Yoga

Melissa McLeod is a friendly, down-to-earth yoga instructor and personal trainer in Victoria, BC. She has worked in the health and wellness industry for over a decade: earning her certification as a personal trainer in 2000 and as a yoga instructor in 2005. Melissa teaches Yoga4Strength, flow yoga and bedtime yoga classes. She encourages her students to listen and respect their bodies during their practice and gently reminds them to “do what feels right,” and that “it’s your practice.” Outside of the studio Melissa has produced a Yoga4Strength DVD, has a weekly television segment on CHEK TV’s ‘Island 30’ show, teaches for Ajna Yoga’s teacher training certification course and teaches workshops about pelvic floor and bladder health.

Sandy Mouret
Yoga Instructor Deep Cove Yoga, Breathing Space Mind & Body Studio.

Sandy has been practicing yoga for 8 years and teaching for 5. Her classes are energetic flow practices that challenge the body, mind and spirit. The poses flow with the breath for optimal expansion and alignment. Her study of yoga and teaching style continually evolve as she learns from observing all those who come to share in the classes. Sandy¹s practice is strongly influenced by her teacher Caru Candra (asana, pranayama, meditation, kriyas and philosophy), the teachings of Shiva Rea (vinyasa flow), and the principles and philosophy of Anusara Yoga. She is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance (US), Yoga Association of BC, Canadian Yoga Alliance, and is currently undergoing a teacher¹s training in the Anusara Yoga Tradition with Chris Chavez.

Amy Nold
Yoga Instructor Panorama, Cedar Hill Rec, Gordon Head Rec, and Saanich Commonwealth Centre.

Practicing since teens. Trained as certified Yoga Instructor at Kriplau Center for Yoga and Health in 1996. Advanced Yoga studies training with Danna Farhi in 2000. Teaching extensively through CRD Community Recreation, provincial government fitness, and private classes since 2000. Classes offered in Kripalu, Hatha Flow, 50+, Yogalates, Restorative Yoga Nidra, Parent and Child, Therapeutic. Currently teaching for Panorama, Cedar Hill Rec, Gordon Head Rec, and Saanich Commonwealth Centre. Also offering workshops and private lessons.

Jacquie Peterson
Yoga Instructor Hemma, Fired Up! Ceramics Studio

Jacquie Peterson is a certified Yoga Instructor and Pilates Teacher and is currently studying to become a Thai Massage practitioner at the Pacific Rim College.  In May 2010, she graduated with 300 hours of Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at Feel Good Yoga & Pilates Studio.  Following the Yoga Training course in May, she completed the Pilates Teacher Training course at Feel Good Studio.  She has completed 200 hours of teaching since graduating with her 200 hour yoga certification.  She has been teaching a variety of classes such as Yin Yoga, Yin/ Yang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Yoga for Runners and Yoga for Athletes.  She has had the privilege of working one-on-one with clients in private lessons, assisting different athletes and artists.

Jacquie has always been passionate about holistic health and creative arts.  She is eager to combine these practices to manifest a creative healing journey for each individual that she works with.  Jacquie is extremely grateful to share these traditions with every beautiful, inspiring client that she meets. 

 Jacquie can be found teaching both Hatha and Yin Yoga at Hemma Studio and teaching Creative Flow Yoga at Fired Up! Ceramics Studio.  Private lessons are also available.  

David Procyshyn
Yoga Instructor

I'm a yoga teacher, massage practitioner, videographer and the founder of DoYogaWithMe.com. I love yoga and enjoy sharing what I have learned over my many years practicing.

Jennifer Rankin
Yoga Instructor See website below for teaching schedule and studios

Jennifer is a certified yoga teacher, acupuncturist and holistic health practitioner. She uses her diverse interests in Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, mindfulness and yoga to facilitate a deep healing experience for her students and clients. Jennifer has completed her Yin Yoga teacher training with Sarah Powers and is currently studying and practicing with the Insight Yoga Institute and Spirit Rock Meditation Centre where she is learning to integrate Meditation and Spiritual Psychology into her classes, personal practice and treatments. She would love to meet you and be a witness on your unique healing path.

Jenny Shaw
Certified Yoga Instructor MokSana Yoga Centre

Jenny Shaw is a yoga practitioner and certified instructor in beautiful Victoria, B.C. She has always found joy by expressing herself through movement. As a child she enjoyed gymnastics and ballet but it wasn’t until her first yoga class that she realized what it felt like to be at home in her own body. Jenny has been avidly practicing yoga since 2005 and is inspired by teachers from the Ashtanga and Anusara traditions. She certified as an instructor at MokSana Yoga Centre where she currently teaches the Ashtanga Primary Series and Vinyasa Flow classes. Her classes emphasize alignment, movement with breath, and playful fun.

Jeannie Stevens
Yoga Instructor The Yoga Studio, Sidney

Jeannie Stevens has been teaching Yoga for over 30 years in both Victoria, BC and Whitehorse, Yukon. Jeannie’s balanced style of Yoga focuses on the whole person and incorporates breath work, yoga asana, relaxation, meditation and self inquiry into her classes. She also works therapeutically with individuals recovering from illness, injury or loss and those wishing to deepen their personal relationship with Yoga. In gratitude Jeannie honors her teachers, Swami Sivananda Radha and Gangaji. She is registered with Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Jay Suttonbrown
Yoga Instructor Owner of Awesome Yoga

I have been practicing yoga since 1998 and became an instructor in 2007. I love the practice and the art of yoga. My goal is to bring health, balance and well-being to my students. I opened Awesome Yoga Studio in 2010. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Sarita Wade
Yoga Instructor and Yoga Therapist Fernwood Yoga Den

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Dianna Westwood
Certified Yoga Instructor Panorama Recreation Center

Dianna discovered yoga initially as a way to keep strong working a physically demanding job - she later discovered its many benefits beyond the physical and has not looked back. She teaches toddler and moms/babes yoga, when she is not at home with her family. She also teaches through Panorama Recreation Center. Peace begins with a smile - Mother Teresa

Meah Wojno
Yoga Instructor Monterey Centre in Oak Bay

Certified in Shivananda and Kripalu ashrams both in USA, Canada, Bahamas, and India.  I have a passion for yoga as medicine and fun. Presently teaching at Monterey Centre in Oak Bay as well as in my home blending yoga with Chi Qong and Pranayama.  I also offer Yoga for special health needs (Diabetes, Parkinson's and MS).