Our Teachers

 My yogic journey began over 12 years ago and has been the impetus for incredible growth, expansion and deep learning ever since. I have experimented with practicing a wide variety of styles and found the most beautiful and inspiring elements of each that have brought me to the place I am today.

Through yoga I have discovered a sense of peace, calm and serenity; every breath, every posture, every class takes me deeper into this place of moving meditation. Yoga has truly brought me to a place of balance; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and I renew this each and every time I step on my mat.
I feel incredibly blessed and honored to be able to share this journey that is yoga with all of you like-minded souls!

Namasté

"When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is music" - Rumi

 "By your stumbling, the world is perfected."

-Sri Aurobindo

I truly stumbled unto the path that is yoga. I was invited to a class by a close friend of mine and fell in love with the practice shortly after. It was my first time in a yoga studio and being your somewhat stereotypical young man with a healthy competitive appetite. I pushed myself to keep up with the class. I left that class feeling exhausted yet relaxed, glowing with energy and craving more but with the utmost respect and admiration for the practice of yoga. I had never experienced something so physically and mentally demanding yet so peaceful and relaxing.

As I continued to grow on the path that is yoga, I was inspired by several of the yogic texts that gave me a perspective on life I had never seen before. I continue to grow letting yoga seep into every aspect of my life as I explore new ideas and meet new and amazing people along the way. Let us grow and learn together as we continue our journey down life's many paths. And most of all, love your practice! 

Namaste!

I started my yogic journey oner 10 years ago, and was addicted from my first sun salutation. I often say "Yoga is where the lost souls go to be found", and that's exactly what happened...I found myself in this beautiful practice. The freedom of expression and the depth I found in my body was something I never experienced before. The practice has opened my heart, mind and body in ways I never knew existed within me, and every class, workshop and teacher training have been an essential building block in my life. I live, eat, and breathe yoga, and I am so honoured to be able to share this passion with others. So come take a journey with me, find some stillness and peace within, and open your body in ways you never knew possible!

Crystal May has been teaching yoga since 2009 and received her 200 and 500 hour teacher training certifications from World Conscious Yoga Family in Rishikesh, India. She expanded her yoga education further by completing 150 hours in an Adjusters Training at Bodhi Tree in Calgary, AB. Crystal has also developed an extended education in Yin Yoga, studying with Bernie Clark, Stephanie Nosco, Lisa Whitford, Diane Batts and Alan Mileham. Yin Yoga has quickly become Crystal’s passion in Yoga and is what inspired her Hips and Hamstring class. 

When I think about what it means to practice Yoga, I feel like anything could be yoga and what looks like yoga, might not be yoga at all. It all comes down to the mindset when you are practicing or doing anything. So, I would say my yoga journey unknowingly started when I picked up Muay Thai. The high physical demands were a great way to ground myself, the external stimulation of an opponent exposed my weaknesses and made me grow.

I would spend the next 9 years competing, traveling to Thailand to learn and compete internationally, doing things I never dreamed were possible for me. Then, the injuries started to show up. Then it seemed like the healing stopped all together. Adrenal fatigue had hit me. Apparently you can’t just go hard all the time. I had to learn how to slow down.

I switched my Muay Thai training for a yoga practice. I’m not afraid to admit within the first week, I cried for the first time in more then a decade, realizing I hadn’t shown myself much love or compassion in a long time. The high physical demands of yoga grounded me. The practice exposed my physical and mental weaknesses and made me grow. I traveled to India to learn more, where the healing started to go deeper and I felt physically and mentally stronger than ever. I was again, doing things I thought were no longer possible for me.

As curious as I was to see how things would go if I got back in the ring with my new found power, the desire to compete was replaced with love of teaching. I continue to practice Muay Thai and yoga together, sharing my passion for both with as many people as possible.

In the summer of 2011, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, severe osteoarthritis in my lower lumbar, and a bulging disc. I was no longer able to have a desk job. Doctors prescribed me with narcotic pain killers that made me ill. I tried various therapies such as massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, prolotherapy, acupuncture, and others. My pain persisted after these treatments and I decided to try Yoga as a supplemental therapy. After 9 months of practice, Yoga is my only therapy and my pain is gone. My whole body felt stronger and more flexible. I then realized that I was interested in pursing Yoga as a career. I am a believer in the body and mind therapeutic value that Yoga provides. Yoga is my medication. I am looking forward to spending time with you in the yoga room. 

I found my way on to my mat about 12 years ago looking for a workout and found much, much more. I fell in love with the safe space I found there and the self-acceptance my practice gave me, and realized fairly quickly I would want to share my love of all things yoga to whomever I possibly could. Nothing makes me happier than guiding others through a challenging and creative sequence and watching my students begin to let go and find peace. I believe yoga gives people the power to become their own healer, to find their own inner voice and to find their own freedom.

'Ring the bells that still can ring forget your perfect offering. There's a crack in everything that's how the light gets in.' - Leonard Cohen

Kelly believes that yoga like life is a work in progress. It involves falling, getting back up, learning, relearning, and growing always.

With over 500 hrs of certified yoga training and 14 years of experience teaching a wide range of amazing individuals - ranging from professional athletes, to kiddos, seniors, and beginners - there is one constant - and that is she loves meeting new people and making their day better somehow.

She currently specializes in working with yoga for cancer survivors and urges them to make each day count. She believes that humour, community, movement and nature are the key ingredients for life on and off the mat.

Above all, she believes that life is meant to be shared together with passion, purpose and unity - not alone. She invokes hope, empowerment and encourages everyone to speak out, and live out their deepest dreams. Life can be short, so we should surely make it sweet!

Come to her class, it could very well be the highlight of your day.

 Kirsten first started practicing yoga over ten years ago to help rehab injuries from competitive sports. Little did she know, her yoga journey took her to far greater depths beyond the physical benefits of Yoga. She soon discovered yoga was a way for her to truly become the best version of herself mentally, and spiritually. 

After graduating from university with a degree in Health and Physical education, Kirsten's journey took her to Nexus Yoga Institute in Nosara Costa Rica where she completed her 200hr YTT. She later gained another 30 teaching hours in the Adjuster's Method at Breathe, led by Angelique Panther, and continues to have a keen desire to keep learning. With her athletic and educational background, 

Kirsten has a passion for bridging the gap between yoga and sport, and furthermore intends to share her love of movement and mindfulness for optimal wellbeing and performance with all walks of Yogi's. 

I started doing yoga in the fall of 2010 after a life changing event. I actually lied to everyone around me, telling them that I had been doing yoga for years…I thought this would make me appear like I knew what I was doing! After a few classes I realized I knew only a little and I had to humble myself and work to be better. I am not sure if it was the excessive sweat or the mental push that hooked me instantly but I was unable to stop hot yoga! 

Yoga was a time filler at first, then an exercise method, and right now it is the fastest way to meditation…but the coolest thing about yoga is that my practice is always evolving…and I love that! I love that in the studio I don’t have to be anyone, I don’t have to worry about anything except for the puddles of sweat pooling under my hands, and I can dump my entire day onto my mat and leave it there. 

Teaching is a new kind of love and adoration, for both the practice and my students. Teacher training pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to flourish as a person and become a teacher that will always be teachable. Yoga has taught me that shift happens, love is ALWAYS the answer, and that I am WAY stronger than I ever knew. Lay aside fear and prejudice and join me in the studio.

“The happiness which comes from long practice, which leads to the end of suffering, which at first is like poison, but at last like nectar - this kind of happiness arises from the serenity of one's own mind.” – Gita.

Namaste

 A student first and forever learner.
I love to teach from that which is found within my personal practice; creating and moving with fluidity and breath, working and building into strength through mindful transition, and connecting to Self, to body, to mind. My practice allows me to play, explore, create, and surrender. And teaching allows me to share that.

My mat has always felt like home: a space to soften, to find vulnerability, to gain self-love, and to work through whatever it is I need to work through. A practice to which I was originally drawn to for the physical benefits, has developed into one that brings much more—teaching me self-compassion, humility, surrender, and patience.

I love to share this practice and am still excited to teach before every class. 

I came to realize that it helps keep my life, health, and relationships balanced. After practicing as a devoted student, I decided to complete my teacher training and share my knowledge with others. As my yoga journey began unfolding, I had the opportunity to train with a number of wonderful and inspiring teachers, including the team at Yoga Passage, David Swenson, Travis Elliott, and Baron Baptiste. I aim to share with my students what yoga has brought to me… balance, strength, serenity, and sense of self.  

I come from an athletic background in which I was a competitive figure skater, swimmer, sprinter, and softball player. My athletic past brings elements of strength and endurance to my yoga practice and teaching style, but I always encourage a sense of fun! In addition to athletics, I studied psychology and business in university.

When I’m not on my mat you can usually find me preparing food and studying nutrition, traveling whenever (and wherever) possible, and spending time with my wonderful friends and family who’ve encouraged and supported me throughout this journey.  

"Every forest branch moves differently in the breeze, but as they sway, they connect at the roots." - Rumi

Liana always had a passion to teach. After graduating from the University of Alberta with her education degree she became a teacher at both the junior and senior high levels.

Her love and passion for yoga only grew stronger as she discovered various styles and the effects it was having not only on her body but also her mind. After practicing yoga for five years it was time to blend her two passions together and become a yoga teacher. Her first training was with Bikram Yoga in 2010 followed by Baptiste training in 2011. She wanted to share her passion with her home town of Lethbridge so in April 2013 she opened Hot Yoga Lethbridge. Her trainings then progressed with prenatal, synergy acro, rocket and yin yoga.

After years of teaching there seemed to be a missing element which was meditation. Upon researching the various meditation methods and schools she decided to take her 200 hour meditation training with the McLean Meditation Institute where the founder was mentored by Deepak Chopra.

Although Yoga has truly always been her passion, finding meditation has allowed Liana to see a side to life that was missing before. Liana’s classes are strong, energetic, and all levels while allowing the students time to take in the present moment and become more mindful in their practice.

I have been an active member in the fitness industry for a number of years, after losing forty five pounds I discovered that if you do not work on the mind you will never be satisfied with the results. It took many years to realize that being skinny is not the end game, and it wasn't until I became a mother that this truly came into fruition - we need to be conscious of who is watching us and the example we are demonstrating.

I started this journey with a divine pull towards bettering my mental health, going after what fueled my soul in order to make me a better wife, friend and mother. Becoming a yoga and fitness instructor has been an emotionally charged journey. Slowly transforming into a new person, learning to trust yourself and believing in yourself which can be tough, but having met so many amazing people on the way it has been an unforgettable experience, one I hope many people get to have. I adore my teachers Lacey Smith and Chris Rurka and have discovered that I have much to learn as a life long student. Coming out of my training I see the world with different colours, it is my hope to help others fall in love with life, experience a deeper practice and connect the body with the mind.

I started practicing yoga about 15 years ago when I was doing a lot of running and triathlon training. I loved the flexibility I gained through my yoga practice. When a new, hot yoga studio opened, I couldn’t wait to try it out! I was hooked from my very first class!

It was hard. It was hot. But the way I felt after just a few classes was amazing! I practiced as often as possible.
Before long, I was working at the front desk of the studio. After every class students would come out and tell me the benefits they felt from class. They’d share how they were getting stronger, more flexible and how their quality of life improved through their yoga practice. When an opportunity to take a teacher training came up, I had to take it!

I’ve been teaching since 2016, and have taken 2 more teaching trainings since my original 200 hour training.

It really is an honour to guide students through their practice and I’m so inspired by my students in every class I teach.

My journey to my mat definitely wasn’t typical and took some time. I have always been passionate about fitness; I had attended a few registered yoga programs over the years but never fell in love with it. As a fitness coach I was always on the go, I felt yoga was too slow and I always felt the constant need to do more. One day, however the universe decided I needed to slow down. After two car accidents within a year of each other left me unable to continue with my normal fitness routine I decided to try yoga one more time.

I can still remember my first hot yoga class at Breathe; it was almost as though I had been carried away to another place for an hour. For the first time ever I completely let go of my guard, my normal internal chatter quieted and I finally was able to slow down for those 60 min. It was surreal to feel so completely ok with not being able to do anything or be anywhere else. I truly allowed myself to be fully present without distraction and it was amazing. I left feeling a deeper connection with my inner self and could not wait to explore more into yoga asana and philosophy.

From that day forward I started a regular daily practice and reading anything I could find about the yogic philosophy. Knowing how amazing I felt when I was on my mat, I wanted to incorporate these practices into my life off my mat. After a few years of my daily practice and a suggestion from a friend I started looking into becoming certified and completed my 200 HR teacher training in 2015 in Calgary with the Amazing Danielle Pechie.

Yoga has forever transformed my life. Not only has it allowed me to heal my physical body, I have become more mindful in my everyday life and much more connected to true self. Finding the balance of effort and ease is what I love about yoga. Every day we arrive on our mat is different, and if we allow it we can grow and change from every practice. It is such an honour to now guide others through their practices; I truly hope that it will positively impact your life the way it has for me.

Namaste

Monique has had a passion for movement for most of her life. Her roots formed through dance as she studied both traditional ballet, tap and modern dance from early childhood and through her teens.

She was introduced to yoga over ten years ago by her sister and fell in love with it right away. She became a Yoga Instructor in 2015 in Toronto and began teaching immediately.

Monique’s classes are a combination of strengthening and stretching the body to create powerful flows, graceful (ballet like) transitions, strength, relaxation and peace. Each of her classes are dynamic and different in their own respect and so she is able to offer something for everyone.

When Monique is not in the studio she can be found out hiking with her 2 dogs, at the gym working on more focused strength training, or wandering the world searching for great places to surf and/ SUP.

Yoga is a relationship between the mind, body and breath. With an extensive background in both strength, fitness and dance, I found yoga to be the missing link in my life. Not only was I able to move my physical body in yoga, I was able to ground myself with breath and gain more self awareness both in class and in my personal life. I am passionate about teaching yoga patterns in fun, creative ways that combine little pieces of all my learning experiences. What will you expect out of my classes? Be prepared to challenge your mind and your body. Hard work helps us to push past out "I can't" and move us forward into the new possibilities of "I can"! 

Sara is a 200 hour Canadian Yoga Alliance recognized RYT, with over 150 additional hours of studies and trainings. She received her certification from Yoga Therapy and Bodyworks and continues to train and practice weekly with her teachers. She is trained primarily in Ashtanga, Critical Alignment Therapy (holding her Level 4 certification from Gert van Leeuwen), as well as Yoga Nidra, Meditation and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. 

She has always been drawn to the therapeutic aspects of yoga, both physical and mental, and continues to explore both through her own practice, teachings and studies. Sara excels in holding space for her students to be completely present within their body, while advancing their asana practice to new heights. Sara is a mother of two (ages 5 and 3) and when not on her mat, she enjoys camping, hiking, biking and the simple joys of everyday adventures with her family.

“I love yoga…I love what it does for my body, what it does for mind. I find balance and peace there.”

I first came across yoga 15 years ago after being encouraged by my father to try Bikram (Traditional 26). I loved the physical practice and sweating it all out. I occasionally attended classes but the practice didn’t stick. It wasn’t my time. Then, about 5 years ago, I was searching for a method to improve my lower back and hip pain. I was working out regularly but neglecting to stretch. My body became sore and stiff. I started investigating different methods of treatment, leading me to meditation as a pathway to create strength in my posture and back. At the same time meditation provided me with positive tools to clear my mind and find new ways to effectively deal with stress.

Yoga quickly presented itself again and after going to a few classes, I decided to jump right in and enrolled in my 200-hour Teacher Training at Breathe, where I studied under Lacey Smith and Chris Rurka. I experienced such positive changes in my own body and mind, that I decided I would like to help others find healing in their bodies and minds. Yoga continues to help me find focus, stillness and balance both in my physical activities and in my daily life. By teaching, I want to create a relaxed, safe environment for people of all ages to find space for themselves.

Quote - 'Go where you feel most alive'

My journey to yoga stared as a dare. My wife dared me to take on a 30 day hot yoga practice. After completing the challenge I felt better than I had ever felt before in my life and I needed more. Unfortunately schooling and sport got in the way and yoga began to take a back seat to everything else. After I received a double degree in Kinesiology and Education from the University of Calgary I was presented with yet another challenge, “can you run a yoga program at our high school?” Needless to say I said yes and have not looked back since. After completing my 200hr teacher training with Breathe I instantly needed more, signing up for an additional 35 hour teaching course. I now currently teach for the Calgary Board of Education and love going to work every day.

My yoga journey has led me to meet some of the most amazing generous people ever as well as allowed me to work with some great students. I hope I get the privilege to meet and see you soon on your mat.

Namaste.