Anne
A path of Karma yoga was found early on in life. Anne’s yoga practice expanded when she was introduced to Hatha yoga. It was a melding of paths that began the journey.  The yogic journey is one that brings balance, simple abundance, passion, compassion, flexibility, focus, creativity and spirituality. Coming to the mat was like coming home to a place and a space that Anne has always known. Upon completing an intensive yoga teacher training program under the tutelage of experienced gurus of the Sivananda School of Yoga Anne knew that she had found her calling. Experiences of studying psychology, teaching ESL, childcare, pregnancy and parenthood made for a natural passage into teaching prenatal yoga.  Inspired by teaching prenatal, and the acquisition of greater insights Anne’s teaching practice evolved to further serve. Her teaching practice grew to include Hatha, Dynamic Hot (power), Gentle hatha, Yin yoga as well as children’s yoga. When not teaching at a yoga centre Anne could be found leading community classes, corporate classes, and classes in various schools within the Ottawa region. Anne is truly grateful for the many wonderful opportunities to share the joyful, soulful, experience of the traditions. Anne believes that yoga is accessible to all regardless of age, build, physical abilities, or religious backgrounds. Through the practice we not only evolve and grow in our strength, flexibility and the opening of our bodies but also our minds, our hearts and our lives. Coming to the mat we let joy trickle through. We find a quieter world that allows us to live within chaos with strength, balance and grace. We come to the practice, and be the practice to rest back in the flow of life’s offerings. Finding the calm of acceptance, living in the awareness of the moment and the fullness that it offers wanting nothing more nor nothing less. Anne very much looks forward to sharing the gifts of the practice with you.

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Chantale
Chantale first discovered yoga in 1996 while attending professional theatre school in Vancouver. After her first sun salutation she was hooked and has been a dedicated practitioner ever since. She primarily used yoga as a tool to help strengthen, to help her lower back pain (that she had had since she was very young) as well as a means to warm up the body prior to performing on stage.  It was a great way to get connected to the breath and to keep grounded and relaxed while acting.    She soon realized that the effects ran much deeper than the physical.  After many years of wanting to take the teacher training, she completed her studies with Roxanne of Kalyana Yoga Shala.  Chantale is currently studying to obtain her 300YTT. Yoga is a rich tradition that has been there at those precarious times in life and has kept her balanced and centred.  Chantale’s goal is to bring balance and joy to those that she meets through these holistic hatha practices.

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Ellie
Ellie came to Hatha yoga over 10 years ago, and was instantly aware that this was to be a life long journey. Having discovered the amazing inner peace and joy that being on her mat brought to her she knew that she would have to delve deeper into what “yoga” was all about. Through the years of practice came a thirst to study more, to learn more to grow more.  To quench this thirst Ellie successfully completed her Yoga Teacher Training.  It was an experience that leads her on a quest of greater exploration. She is now planning to complete advanced teacher training in the spring of 2013. Motivated by her compassion, her nature to nurture, her interest in healing and her willingness to give Ellie has married her yoga teaching with her career and life long passion of being a nurse. Ellie believes the gifts of yoga flow deeply bringing a gentle quiet, an inner peace that stills the mind and opens us to pure love. In each class Ellie invites her students to feel this deep connection to community and compassion through mind, body, and spirit. 

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Jo-Ann
Jo-Ann’s sensitive approach is rooted in deep respect for the intelligence of the body-mind connection and the human capacity for inner guidance. Jo-Ann brings to all of her work an energetic and uplifting style, personal conviction, passion, and easy way of communicating with students and clients.  As Yoga Educator/Therapist and Yoga Coach, Jo-Ann D’Alfonso has been a leader in the wellness and lifestyle sectors for over 25 years. Jo-Ann is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, a Nosara Yoga Institute Educator and a Registered Yoga Therapist E-RYT 1000 registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).  She has helped to organize international yoga conferences while serving as Director of the annual Atlantic Yoga Conference and Co-Director of the Atlantic Yoga Teacher Training School (AYTT) in Nova Scotia. She also operated a retreat centre, yoga studio, and yoga therapy clinic on Nova Scotia’s south shore before moving to Ottawa in 2011. She continues her practice in Ottawa region and  she looks forward to sharing it with you.

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Kate
Kate has been a devoted yoga practitioner since the moment she took her first tentative steps into a power class. Like many people, Kate’s practice was initially focused purely on the physical, but over time and with the insight of inspirational teachers Kate was stirred to discover her true Self living with an enlivened zest for life. Kate’s intrigue and dedication to the studies of yoga asana, yoga philosophy and ayurveda invite the weavings of these complements into her her classes. Kate is an enthusiastic proponent of being present in each moment of the journey and living fully in yoga as a way of life. Kate is excited to join the beautiful community at Kalyana and share with students the joy, lightness and strength that can be found through yoga.

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Margaret
Margaret has spent her adult life helping individuals overcome physical challenges and achieve their highest level of physical function.  She is a graduate of McGill University – School of Physical Therapy, class of 1984.  In her spare time she became involved in the YMCA as a fitness trainer and aerobics instructor. In 2000 she obtained her certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).  She has practiced TaiChi for the past 8 years and has been teaching it for the past 4 years.  She is a certified Urban Poling/Nordic Walking Master Trainer and a certified Yoga Instructor. Margaret is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA). Margaret is the recipient of the 2011 Award of Distinction from the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario for her achievements  and her significant contributions promoting Osteoporosis education and awareness with her fellow Physiotherapists and the broader community. She is the author of the Exercise for Better Bones, Yoga for Better Bones and Strengthen Your Core.  Margaret is excited to be a member of the Kalyana Team.

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Mariya
After suffering severe back pain for over 10 years and being diagnosed with sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints at an early age, Mariya turned to yoga in 2008 in search of a remedy and pain relief.  She has been practicing yoga consistently since then, disproving doctors’ predictions that she would need surgery to be able to comfortably move and walk. Mariya was drawn deeply towards the yogic teachings, traditions, and philosophy. These rich teachings inspired her to enroll in a life-transformational yoga teacher training with Roxanne of Kalyana Yoga Shala. Mariya is particularly interested in the energetics, mythological dimensions and history of asanas, which she incorporates into her classes. Sharing with her students not only the proper alignment and shape of poses, but also the spiritual meaning and ancient wisdom. This brings Mariya joy and motivates her daily. Mariya loves to inspire others to follow their dreams and to be kind and compassionate first and foremost to themselves, by accepting their limitations, but at the same time striving constantly towards self-development and spiritual growth.

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Martine
Martine Spence has been practicing yoga for 20 years. As a former gymnast and fitness instructor, she found solace in the discipline of yoga while managing a young family and a demanding academic career. Always drawn to various types of dance, Martine still enjoys ballroom dancing with her life partner. Yoga helps her with posture, balance and flow. Over the years, yoga has been instrumental in bringing ease to arthritic pains and supportive in getting through life’s challenges. Fully fluent in both French and English Martine’s classes can be delivered in a way to support all (tous). Martine focuses on slow flow guided by mindful breathing and an energetic flow.

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Michelle 
After a move to Omaha NE and time her my hands Michelle walked into her first yoga class and was immediately captivated by the breath body connection —  meditation in motion. She decided to take a leap of faith and completed an intensive yoga teacher training. This experience brought her so much growth and awakened awareness. It was life altering. Michelle is a highly motivated and diverse instructor looking to increase the health and wellness of her students by implementing areas of yoga and fitness that best fit their individual needs. It is her heartfelt belief that yoga, through breath, asana and meditation, can provide nourishment for the body, mind, and soul. Michelle’s classes are accessible to beginners while also challenging the intermediate student. As a vinyasa trained instructor, she places great importance on linking breath to movement. Her intention is that you will always leave class feeling better than when you arrived. Michelle is excited to meet you at the mat!

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Roxanne
Roxanne was drawn to the transformational effects inspired by yoga; deep relaxation, patience, over all well being and the connection to one’s true self.  She has been sharing the yogic teachings in the community for over 15 years and was founder and director of a very successful yoga centre for over 11 years. Witnessing the beneficial effects of yoga in the lives of her students inspires her daily. Her goal in class is encourage students to bring the steadiness found on the mat out into the real world, helping and encouraging them to find joy and peace in all aspects of life. Being a mom to two young children,  she has more then ever been awakened to the many, many benefits of yoga. Roxanne is a student of Yogarupa – Rod Stryker (Parayoga) and her style is very much influenced by these teachings. She also shares her passion for Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) and yoga philosophy in her classes and trainings.  Roxanne is 500hrE-RYT registered, teaches several classes a week and leads 200hr & 300hr Teacher Training and Personal Enrichment Programs. 

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Zoe
Anyone who knows Zoe would describe her as attentive, loving, and ready to laugh. For many years, yoga was primarily a healing system for her. It was a major tool in negotiating several health complications. Now, having taught yoga full-time for over 10 years, Zoe has a huge crush on yoga. It’s such an extensive and intelligent system of balancing one’s strength, health, mood, breath, and mindset. Zoe is constantly amazed by how both the asanas (the physical practise of yoga) and the philosophy (the wise yoga psychology and lifestyle) make people feel better. Zoe derives great joy from teaching yoga in a way that is accessible to any kind of body; she provides modifications to ensure that students are comfortable and safe.

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