Santoshayoga - Our Teachers

Our Teachers
	Anne Pitman Anne Pitman is well known for her innovative, mindful approach to holistic fitness as evidenced in such programs as Empower Dance, Moondance for Girls, DeStress, Runfit, Cycle Yoga, Shanti Yoga and Intuitive Dance and Yoga. Curious by nature, she has studied alternative health and movement modalities such as Homeopathy, Feldenkrais, Trager, Ayureveda, New Medicine, and Body Mind Centering. After practicing various forms of yoga for 15 years, she was drawn to study the unique work of Vanda Scaravelli. "Infinite time and no ambition" guides this gentle form of yoga. Release and relaxation precede the asana practice, as we fully inhabit the inherent wisdom of the body / mind and allow the yoga practice to come from within. Anne holds a masters in Sports Psychology / Human Kinetics and is a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance
	Angela Jackson Angela Jackson has been teaching Pilates for the last nine years. As a graduate in Contemporary Dance from Les ateliers de danse moderne de Montreal and Concordia University, Pilates and yoga have always been a part of her dance training. She was certified in Classic Style Pilates in 1999 at the Pilates Centre of Ottawa (Boulder, Colorado). She has furthered her Pilates education by training with amongst others, Master Teacher Ron Fletcher (Tuscon), Dianne Miller (Vancouver), Body Harmonics (Toronto) and the Studio Pilates (Toronto). She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Angela teaches ballet to children and adults, modern dance to adults and offers Pilates private, semi-private and rehabilitation training on specialized Pilates apparatus. She teaches group mat classes throughout the city. As a yoga enthusiaist, Angela hopes to assist students of yoga to incorporate aspects of Pilates into their practice as well as into her own.
	Basia Going As a little girl I was entranced by my father's books on yoga. I first embraced it in 1992. In the Sivananda tradition, which first opened my heart to practice and exploration, I completed Teacher Training in 1997. A few years later I discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa and began my studies with Richard Freeman. Over the years, training courses and workshops with David Swenson, Anna Forest, Hart Lazer, Sienna Sherman, Beryl Bender Birch and others have enhanced my life and my practice. One teacher who has revolutionized my perspective on yoga has been Sanskrit scholar and philosopher Vyaas Houston. A background in the healing arts of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture has also informed my personal practice and teaching. In yoga and other disciplines, my greatest joy is to play with both great strength and profound softness. Whether constructing my country home, painting, or creating stained glass art, I try to dwell in the unity at the ore of all action. Presently, I co-direct Santosha Yoga Studios in Ottawa, teach classes and workshops, and lead retreats and teacher trainings.
Photo coming soon...	B.J.Porter B.J.Porter studied Iyengar yoga for twelve years, under senior teachers in both Canada and Australia, before beginning her study of Ashtanga at Santosha in 1998. She has taken numerous teacher training and intensive workshops over the years, including with B.K.S. Iyengar and Richard Freeman. She has also experienced the Sivananda and Bikram traditions. A student of Namgyal Rinpoche for ten years, B.J. has studied meditation extensively in the Tibetan Buddhist and vipassana traditions and undertaken a number of retreats. Her aspiration is to cultivate in students a keen awareness of the inner and transcendent aspects of yoga as well as its physical benefits.
	David Jewitt As one of the co-owners of Santosha David wishes to express his gratitude to Marcia and Barry, the founders of Santosha Yoga Centre, for all of their teachings given in their classes and by example in their lives before they moved to Boulder. David comes to the Ashtanga Vinyasa system of Sri K. Pattahbi Jois as taught by Richard Freeman after years of meditation practice and classical hatha and pranayma instruction. David has completed Richard Freeman's Basic and Advanced Teacher Trainings and attends Workshops and Trainings with Richard whenever and wherever they are available. David has also studied Anusara yoga with John Friend and completed numerous workshops and trainings in the Anusara style of Yoga with senior Anusara teachers. Believing that yoga and meditation are meant to be practiced together, David has also studied the Quiet Hatha practice known as Yin Yoga completing his teacher training in this style of yoga with Sarah Powers. Both Anusara and Yin styles are incorporated into David's hatha classes. You may also find that a brief period of meditation will occasionally be placed in the class just to keep you mindful that the practice opens heart, body, mind and spirit.

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	David Schubert After a few years of working as an engineer and trying to stay healthy, David suddenly realized that the chronic back pain, stress and constant grumpiness couldn't possibly be an acceptable state for a 26 year old. Lucky for him, his wife had been practicing yoga for some time and he decided to give it a try. The rest is history! He was hooked from the very first OM. His 6 years of consistent yoga practice has helped him uncover a new understanding of Balance: strength/flexibility, effort/relaxation, mind/spirit, science/art, intellect/intuition, work/play, inhale/exhale... the list is endless. Whats more, this consciousness extends off the mat. It can transform your life. David has explored various forms of Hatha Yoga included Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Jiva Mukti, Kripalu, Sivananda as well as Kundalini yoga. He brings this varied background to his teaching. David tailors the class to the group at hand but you will always find a thread of vigour and flow in the class.
	Dianne Wennerwald Dianne began practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in 1999 in Copenhagen Denmark with her friend and teacher Ann-Charlotte Hansen. After moving back to Canada in February 2002 Dianne found Santosha and became a dedicated student of Marcia and Barry. She has completed intensive Teacher trainings with three of the leading Ashtanga teachers practicing today : Richard Freeman - 2004 > month long teacher training; Tim Miller 2002 > primary series, David Swenson 2003 > primary series. Dianne continues to deepen her practice by regularly attending workshops including workshops led by: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Hart Lazer and Darby, and Richard Freeman and most recently Ana Forrest. "As I deepen my practice I humbly bow to all my teachers and students and I keep coming back to the realization that it's not about the asanas themselves, it's the spiritual awakening that occurs when every breath brings you closer and closer to your own heart - namaste"
	Donna Hughes Donna first began practicing yoga in 1996 under the guidance of Barry Gillespie and Marcia Soloman, first at their home on Roseberry Ave and later at Santosha Yoga Centre. For the first five years, Donna practiced Hatha yoga through which she developed a deep understanding of the importance of alignment and stillness in one's practice. In 2001 she began studying the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga of Sri. K. Pattahbi Jois, with Marcia Soloman. Over the past several years, Donna has attended a number of workshops with practitioners such as Richard Freeman, Danny Paradise, David Swenson and David Williams. She completed her teacher training with David Swenson in 2004 and attended a 5 Week Yoga Intensive at Santosha Yoga Centre practicing under Adnan Tahirovic and Basia Going. Donna incorporates dedication, mindfulness and fun into her own practice and works to encourage these traits in the practice of others.
	Eileen Scully Eileen has been living and practicing yoga as a path of healing and transformation for over 20 years. Since receiving her Yoga Teachers Certification at Kripalu Institute for Yoga and Health in 1991, Eileen has been teaching group and one-on-one yoga classes as well as creating and facilitating wellness and yoga-related "playshops". She has taught at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health and was the core faculty yoga teacher at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for 3 years. In addition, Eileen attended Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training for Health Professionals. Recently, Eileen has studied Thai Yoga Massage at the Lotus Palm School. She brings a 19 year diversified background in nursing, including 8 years as a hospice nurse, into her experience. Eileen's heart-centred teaching style creates a flowing experience of conscious movement, breath and mindful awareness. Through this practice, she encourages her students to cultivate loving-kindness towards themselves.
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	Ichih Wang I began studying Bikram, Power Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga in Sydney Australia for fitness and overall wellness in 2001. My love and interest in movement, health and overall wellness led to my desire to teach yoga and share it's amazing benefits with others. I constantly challenge the students to reach their edge and open up their hearts. I really enjoy watching people's bodies and life transformation change with regular practice. My teachings are rooted in Hatha, in styles of Ashtanga, Power Vinyasa and Children's yoga. My teacher training programs were with David Swenson, Baron Baptiste and Shakta Kaur Khalsa. I keep up with workshop studies with Rodney Yee, Dharma Mitra, Beryl Bender Birch, Stephen Cope and Richard Freeman. My classes are powerful, energetic and full of authentic healing.
	Janice Tokaryk Janice Tokaryk has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga for approximately 10 years now. She continues to explore yoga through daily practice and meditation. Her certifications include David Swenson teacher training and most recently Richard Freeman's which she has participated in many of Richard's workshops as well. She was also able to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois when he was in Canada. Janice has a strong dance and fitness background. This has brought her yoga teachings to professional companies such as Le Groupe Dance Lab and the professional division of the School of Dance. She continues to study, practice and teach, always learning, growing and loving what she does.
Photo coming soon...	Julie Salter Julie has pursued her keen interest in Yoga since the mid- seventies. Her formal yoga practise (including the study of yoga philosophy, sanscrit chanting and meditation) began in earnest under the tutelage of Swami Vishnu-devananda, founder of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta centers and with whom she directly worked and studied for more than 16 years. Julie continues to learn from a variety of teachers, maintaining a steady personal practise. She has taught in several countries, and currently resides in Ottawa where she teaches at Santosha Yoga center and privately.
	Lucy Castell Lucy completed her first intensive teacher training, in Hatha yoga, in Ottawa (2001-2002). Recently, she completed a second intensive teacher training program in Colorado (Spring 2006), studying Ashtanga yoga, with Richard Freeman. She discovered yoga several years ago and was drawn to it's discipline, multitude of health benefits, and the simple enjoyment she felt in and around her practice. Her love of yoga is shared in her daily teaching and flows into her way of living.
	Marla Ericksen Marla is a versatile, motivating and passionate teacher who thrives on entertaining and educating through the imaginative fusion of fitness and Yoga. Marla combines knowledge, a practical attitude, innovative flair and enthusiasm to command the respect she has earned as an international presenter. In the fitness realm, Marla is pioneering the mind-body movement with focused respect towards the ancient practices of yoga and meditation. As a Yoga instructor, a strong health science background serves to enhance her teachings, as does the creative and empowering spirit with which she delivers her message. Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley have had significant influence on Marla's personal practice as well the styles of Yoga she teaches - Yin Yoga, Taoist Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. Marla is on the advisory committee for Can Fit Pro, a professional member of IDEA, a member of the Canadian NIKE Elite Fitness Training team, and she was recognized as Canadian Fitness Presenter of the Year in 2002 by the Canadian Association of Fitness Professionals. She stars in the DVD Yoga Inspired Functional Fitness which is available at Santosha Westboro as well as through her website. As part of an integrated health team, Marla maintains a clinical practice for exercise therapy, personal training and private yoga instruction. She also hosts yoga and meditation retreats on a regular basis. Marla manages her career through Empower M.E. Lifestyles, a consulting business based in Ottawa, CANADA.
	Michele Schubert Building strength, self esteem and determination are key components to Michele's prenatal class. She opens your eyes to your deepest source of power through challenging meditations and postures. Michele believes that every birth experience is a gentle reminder of our uniqueness as women. The total acceptance of this uniqueness is the foundation of her work as a yoga teacher and a doula.
Photo coming soon...	Michael Mah Mike has been a practitioner and enthusiast of yoga since 1999. His passion for yoga developed through the teachings from Marcia Solomon and Barry Gillespie. Through their guidance, they provided the spiritual path in awakening and deepening his practise. Mike a graduate of Kine Concept Massage and Research Institute is a certified massage practitioner, specializing in Active Release Techniques TM (ART). He finds both careers complement each other via healing the body through conscious alignment, meditative flow of breath, unrestricting movements, and easing the physical pain of injuries.
	Leona Alexander I have always been active, and felt a joy and freedom with moving my body Ballet and gymnastics were my first inspiration. I connected with movement as an expression of my emotions, and of my truest self. When I teach, I encourage people to be with their unique selves. I help people turn their attention inward to what they feel, and open to what might happen as a result of a yoga posture or a collection of postures. Students are provided with an enjoyable physical experience that can stand alone, as well as supporting transformative connections between thought, feeling, spirit and body.e. A yoga class and a yoga practice are like life itself. There are moments of joy and connectedness, challenges when we meet our limits, and eventually a letting go and acceptance of what is. This often brings serenity.
	Nancy Maddams Nancy began her investigation of yoga and meditation in 1973. A slow but steady learner! She started teaching yoga after 30 years of study. This study included Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Zen Buddhism, Vipassana mediation and Ayurveda. As well as teaching Hatha, Pre and Post natal, and children's yoga, she has led yoga and meditation retreats and laughter yoga workshops. She loves to incorporate a little laughter into each yoga class and says "Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves, for we will always be amused!" Nancy enjoys continued learning from her class participants, the other wonderful Santosha teachers as well as teachers like Yogi Vishvketu, John Friend, Richard Freeman and Donna Farhi. For her, "Yoga is a lifelong journey of self inquiry. Striving to be present and mindful while uniting the breath with asana is a practice that offers us the freedom to discover our true delightful and peaceful nature."
	Danielle Piche Initially fitness instructor certified in 1978 with the YMCA & CANFITPRO, Danielle practiced all kind of sports from sky diving to horse ridding (competition), sailing, scuba diving etc... to finally fall in love with the Ashtanga Yoga. She started practicing in 2000 with Marcia Solomon. She avidly continues her studies on regular basis. Some of her main teacher’s have been: David Swenson (Teacher Training), Hart Lazer, John Friend, Mark Darby and Richard Freeman (Intense Teacher Training). She has been studying Buddhism since 2003. Danielle teaches a dynamic and meditative flow with focus on the alignment. Danielle is an airline pilot and she is presently working with the government.
Photo coming soon...	Sharon Wong Sharon is an avid student of yoga, including the physical and philosophical aspects of the practice. She has studied on several occasions with Richard Freeman. She is a bicycle commuter and silent sports enthusiast. "Teaching is an extension of one's practice, where we explore and share what we have learned and learn again each time we roll out the mat. Perhaps the most important aspect of our yoga practice is the yoga of everyday life that we are engaged in off the mat." Sharon's day job is as a public servant working in the field of learning and development.
	Shelley Harrison After dabbling in various forms of yoga over the years, Shelley decided she wanted a more committed daily practice. A prayer to the 'powers-that-be' to find her practice delivered her to an Ashtanga yoga teacher training with David Swenson in Florida. She fell in love with the practice and keeps returning to it as her primary discipline. Students all over Ottawa and Chelsea know Shelley from her years of teaching at other studios, corporate classes, in community centres, at schools, and even in her home! As an energy healer in private practice, graduated from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in 1999, she brings a special awareness of creating and holding sacred space in her classes. She is also the first Plant Spirit Medicine practitioner trained under Eliot Cowan in Eastern Ontario. "It's important to me that each student in my class feel comfortable and welcomed. I dance between tuning in and giving direction, and getting out of the way, allowing space for the students to experience themselves."

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CENTRETOWN - 205 Catherine Street :: Ottawa :: 613.235.5378
WESTBORO – 346 Richmond Road, Suite 205 :: Ottawa :: 613.235.5378