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Lisa Hopkins style of yoga embraces a gentle, intuitive approach with an emphasis on safety and ease for the student. She began her journey into yoga in 1994 taking three classes per week in order to attain her goal of becoming a yoga instructor, and started teaching in 1998. Courses she has taken at Forect Academy, School of Mind Body Medicine: Yoga Teacher Training (2005), Path of Spoken Word (2007) and Yoga Teacher Prana Practitioner Training (2008). Lisa teaches Chair Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Recover Yoga and be hired for private intuitive classes. She would like to teach Yoga for Teen Girls and Yoga with Sound. Her interests are drumming, chanting, vastu and preaching.
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Ajith is an advanced certified SIVANANDA YOGA teacher. He was first introduced to yoga at the age of 12 and has spent numerious years at various ashrams in India. To the Downtown London Holistic Centre and the London community at large, Ajith is bringing the essence of the ancient and authentic discipline of Yoga. He enjoys every hour of teaching and looks for opportunities to share the abundance of information he holds. He has received Teachers Training from the International Sivananda Ashram, Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana(Bangalore, India), Yoga Therapy Training from Yoga University-Yoga Vidya Gurukul (Nasik, India), Vedanta and Philosophy through the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (Rishikesh,Himalayas). Ajith is also a qualified Traditional Thai Yoga Massage and Ayurvedic Massage Therapist.
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Bizz Varty has a passion for the art of movement and the science of human motion. She has studied dance for more than 20 years, and began teaching when she was 17 years old. Her interest in fitness began at a young age and she has been practicing Yoga and Pilates for 15 years. Her teaching style combines the precision and efficiency of pilates and the philosophy and flow of yoga with the creative expressivity of her dance background. Bizz’s attention to anatomical detail and her fun, engaging instruction have earned the respect of students of all ages and backgrounds. Bizz has completed her Pilates Teacher Certification through Body Harmonics Studio, and is currently completing her Yoga Teacher Training certificate. For more info visit www.basicfitness.wordpress.com.
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Nitya Kandath (Swami Nityamuktananda) has been teaching and practicing yoga for over 27 years. He joined the Ashram at the age of 21 and lived from north to south of India for many years.
He started his own Sakthi School of Yoga in Mamallapuram near Madras south of India where he taught Yoga and Vedanta. He came to Canada 1994 and started teaching in Toronto at Swami Vishnu Yoga Centre. He gave training to many people to teach yoga in Toronto,Kingston and London.
Nitya studied yoga mainly under the guidance of Swami Vishnudevananda and studied Vedanta from Swami Brahmananda in Rishikesh, Divine Life Society. Both teachers are disciples of Master Swami Sivananda.
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Jitender is an advanced certified Yoga Trainer from India. He was first introduced to yoga at the age of 5 by his father, an avid follower of yoga himself, and has spent numerous years learning yoga, pranayama, meditation, hatha-yoga kriyas, ayurvedic massage, shatkarma, kerala massage at various schools and ashrams in India. Being a qualified physician, he has been practicing medicine for more than 23 years as well as Yoga and Pranayama. He looks at these two as complementary sciences. He has an experience of combining modern medicine with yoga and pranayama techniques, homeopathy, acupressure at CAT (Combined Approach Treatment) Clinic, to the benefit of his patients for especially chronic diseases like hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, various skin diseases, depression, anxiety neurosis and other mental illnesses, heart diseases, hyperuricemia, joint diseases and has an invaluable and abundant experience in this field. He considers yogic way of life essential to the achievement and maintenance of complete health. He enjoys putting his vast knowledge to the benefit of his fellow human beings who are less-than-healthy in any way or who want to achieve or maintain immaculate health in a simple, easy-going and painless way. He attended the first training camp for formal training of Yoga at the age of 10, in 1974. Later, he received yoga, pranayama, hathayoga, shatkarma(neti, dhauti, nyoli, basti, kapaal bhaati and tratak) and ayurvedic massage training under Swami Devvrata Acharya, Swami Ram Nath ji, Swami Ram Piara ji, Swami Indravesh ji, Pr K K Sahdev over the years and has done a 500 hour Yoga Trainer course from The Yoga and Pranayama Research and Developmant Department of K K S Public School, Amritsar, along with teaching yoga and pranayama from his clinic and K K S Public School as well, for the last two decades . He has a vast experience of teaching in class setting and in private sessions for positive health, and one-to-one treatment sessions for various diseases as well.
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Andrew Jackson is a student and teacher of Tai Chi Chuan Yong style for over 25 years. Certified as senior instructor by the Canadian Taijiquan Federation, he has conducted many classes around London.
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Linda earned a diploma in Spiritual Psychotherapy at the Transformational Arts College and is a KRI-certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher. She is recognized as a professional Registered in Human Relations (R.I.H.R.) by the Canadian Examining Board of Health Care Practitioners. Before beginning her practice, she worked in the corporate environment for 26 years, developing a broad knowledge in group synergy and teaching, as well as accounting and computers.
She was introduced to two teachers in 1994 which changed the path of her life. Hari Nam Singh Khalsa, teacher of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan and Bart Smit, a Deep Trance Channeler and Meditation Teacher.
Her life since meeting these two teachers has taken her on a journey of connecting with the heart, self and god/creator/source and uncovering the sub-conscious mind and how it plays a role in sabotaging happiness. She has travelled around the world to study with teachers such as SSS Yogi Bhajan, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyre, Debbie Ford, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsh, Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, Ph.D, Carolyn Myss, Joan Borysenko, PhD and Shakti Gawain.
Akasha continues to expand her knowledge and understanding of human nature and spirituality. She has successfully completed three Level 2 Kundalini Yoga courses out of five and is also trained in Kundalini Yoga for Addiction Recovery.
She has taught yoga in Toronto, Mexico and India.
“My passion is well being on all levels; Body, Mind and Spirit. Kundalini yoga, psychotherapy, education, meditation, healthy lifestyle and community are proponents of this passion.” Linda/Akasha
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Catalina considers herself to be an explorer. She loves traveling and delving into the world of introspection to learn more about her Self. She has been practicing yoga for a decade and is amazed at how she continuously learns to access new parts of her body and connect with her inner world. Catalina received her Yoga Teacher Certificate from the Sivananda Ashram in Neyyar Dam, India. She believes to have an expertise in certain aspects of yoga, but she sees each practitioner as the expert of their own bodies and lives. As such, her emphasis is on encouraging people to grow and to connect with their inner wisdom in their own way. She offers suggestions and support; creating a safe space for the personal development of her students.
Catalina's professional background is in clinical psychology. She believes that many of the struggles and challenges that individuals encounter in their asana practice have emotional underpinnings. Attending to the physical body can highlight areas that need attention and healing beyond the physical.
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Rob has been practicing meditation for almost 20 years. His first retreat was at Birken Forest Monastery in B.C. 8 years ago, when he became an official disciple of the Buddha. In November 2008 he sold and/or gave away most of his worldly belongings to venture on the spiritual path once again in a more devoted manner. Returning to B.C. and Birken he embarked on a 5 ½ month retreat using his skills as a Chef to cook for the many monks and lay retreatants that passed through during that time. Rob has aspirations to become a monk in the future and often lives on 8 precepts. Rob’s primary belief is that all spiritual traditions point to the same essential teachings, the only difference to their depth is they use different words to communicate the same Ideal. The deep “scholastic” methodical and scientific method the Buddha used to teach the Dhamma is the main draw for Western analytical minds. Paradoxically, the Buddha’s concise teaching of “knowing the mind as mind,” lessens the strong-hold Westerners have with thinking too much, and over-analyzing life and day-to-day situations. Rob hopes to bring a sense of ease, peace, and laxity to people’s lives, so that life can be enjoyed from within, again...
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“When I took my first Bellydance class in the summer of 2006, I fell in love with it because I found in Bellydance moves that express myself the best” Dilshad
Dilshad is an outstanding performer and warm teacher, who had studied bellydancing since 2006, taking classes with well known teachers from Colombia (Zahira, Aysel, Sonia Hurtado, Maria Isabel Angel) and Canada ( Arabesque Academy’s teachers, Tamara, Amira) and attending workshops with famous dancers (Tamalyn Dallal, Amandita Bacu, Yamil Annun, Mahamed Kazafy and International Bellydance Conference of Canada) from around the world.
You don’t need to know how to dance; you only need to know how to have fun. Bellydance Fitness is easy to learn, just follow, relax and have lots of fun while toning your body and deepening your soul.
“Bellydance Fitness is a great toning-workout and a terrific stress reliever.”
“...It's energizing, it's fun, and it's just a wonderful way to celebrate being a woman.”
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I have always been keenly interested in wellness and in learning methods to help others increase their wellness level. I have an extensive background in traditional Western medicine having received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology /Anatomy at U.W.O., and I worked for 25 years as Pathologists’ Assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario.
However, for many years I have also studied a variety of complimentary techniques to improve health and wellness. I am a now a Reiki Master / Teacher and have my own Reiki practice. For the last nine years I have volunteered at Wellspring, a Cancer Support centre, as a Reiki practitioner.
I also attained three levels of Therapeutic Touch, have practiced a variety of meditation methods, and studied yoga and acupressure. For several years I attended weekly Buddhist teachings. Because of my interests in energy modalities, I began studying and taking classes in Qigong (Chi Kung), about 15 years ago. It has helped to develop and balance my own energy. It is a strong complement to my Reiki work.
About 7 years ago, I began learning Tai Chi, also at the Phoenix Tai Chi Centre. It was another new way for me to do “energy work” through movement, and the more I learned the more I observed the benefits it provided. It became evident that it was a powerful exercise which people could use to “maintain” good health as well as help with existing health problems. I therefore trained as a teacher several years ago, and began teaching Tai Chi and Qigong at the Centre and in the Community.
Music has always been a strong component in my life, and I am a musician / singer. I sing in the Canadian Celtic Choir. At present my studies involve a course in Healing Sounds.
I always love to teach, and my method is light and informal, always with a dash of humour, making learning more enjoyable!
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Heather started practicing yoga after a near fatal car accident in 2001. Over the years her recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. Her injuries included a shattered pelvis, broken jaw, torn muscles, whiplash, severe nerve damage in her arms, PTSD and agoraphobia. Heather attributes her current state of health to a healthy lifestyle, a balanced practice, a brilliant therapist and a exuberance for life and living. Heather advocates a practice that takes the time to tune into your inner voice, while honouring the things it is asking of you; allowing yourself to settle into and engage the moments when feelings of exuberance, joy and wonder arise. She believes that grounding into these moments while allowing the more subtle, calm and even upsetting emotions to intertwine, ground or release can create a powerful and positive influence on your physical, spiritual and mental health. In 2004 Heather studied Ayurveda at Forest Academy and began her Yogic studies with them in 2006. She graduated as a Certified Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Educator in 2007. Later that year she spent three months in India studying Sivinanda Yoga with Swami Govindananda and Swami Nityamuktananda. Currently Heather is studying to become a psychologist with an emphasis on play and movement as a form of therapy, is practicing as a Certified Reflexologist and holds a BAH in Philosophy from the University of Windsor.
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Rev. Valrita Fournier has been the featured psychic guest of CBC radio,
WDTR Public Radio and Psychic World Television (USA). She is a certified Spiritualist medium and healer and has
taught numerous classes and workshops in Canada and the United States, including the world famous Maplegrove
Institute in Indiana.
Valrita is available for private readings and personal coaching
at the Downtown Yoga Ctr, Thursday afternoons. She is also
available at other times for speaking engagements, and as a wedding and ceremonial officiant.
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Ross has been teaching and performing for over 12 years. His experience has led him to work and perform in many
different environments and many different countries. As a dancer his credentials include working in various studios throughtout the world. He has worked on cruise ships in Europe and in the Caribean. In 2003 Ross opened his own dance studio in London Ontario. He ran Studio Tango for
4 years, between 2002 and 2006. During that time in 2005 Ross was cast as one of the dancers in the movie, 'Take the Lead' starring Antonio Banderas.
In 2006 Ross closed up his studio and began performing and teaching around the world. Ross brings a fresh unique style to the world of Argentine Tango. Being both a high level Salsero and Tanguero at heart, he's able using fancy turn patterns while performing advanced and complex Sacadas, colgadas and Volcadas.
Ross recently moved back to London after being away working in the States for the last 4 years. He was in San Diego California coaching and choreographing routines for the Positive Energy salsa dance team. After 2 years in San Diego he moved to Las Vegas and began the first year teaching in a Studio while at the same
time performing with his dance partner at various venues throughout the city of Las Vegas. He was asked to dance in a performance produced by the Creative Director of Cirque du Soleil along with other performers working for Cirque du Soleil.
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Jocelyn's life has been a journey. Introduced to yoga in her teens, Jocelyn pursued the practice for personal healing following the loss of her father. Inspired by the benefits on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, Jocelyn began teaching Hatha yoga 10 years ago. 3 years ago, through a series of incredible circumstances, Jocelyn was introduced to Qigong and Kundalini Yoga. Since that time she has become certified to teach both disciplines. Her studies and teachings have taken her on amazing and magical adventures from London to New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and soon to Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Highlights of her incredible journey include sharing Qi Revolution events (www.qigong.com) with her two sons Sawyer and Chase, receiving her Kundalini Yoga teacher training under the foremost teacher of Kundalini Yoga here in North America, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, having breakfast with Deepak Chopra prior to sharing down the hall from him at the World Wellness Weekend, collaborating with incredible and highly conscious people from all across North America (I was present for a 3 way telephone conversation, discussing World Peace, that took place between a friend of mine and Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey! He then went for lunch with peace activist Jane Goodall, after I helped him fix his cuff links :). Jocelyn is grateful to be able to share, here in London, all that she has learned on her adventures.
"May the longtime sun shine upon you, All love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide your way on" Sat Nam
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Racel “bgirl RAWcel”, is a CSEP Certified Personal Trainer and Dancer/Choreographer and known as one of the best hip hop dancers to come out of her city. Originally from London Ontario she’s been working in the scene since 2003 as a Personal Trainer, Dance Instructor, Gymnastics Coach, and Group Fitness Instructor of a wide variety of classes including Cirque de Soleil and Reebok’s “JUKARI”.
Racel discovered Hip Hop during difficult times growing up and credits the art for improving her life on a holistic level. Racel’s passion for Hip Hop and Holism was combined while in school at Fanshawe College where she graduated from the Fitness & Health Promotion program with multiple awards. Since then she’s travelled across Canada training and instructing, helping countless people reach their goals. Racel is a strong supporter of holistic living and believes everyone has the ability to be truly happy. She specializes in keeping the body healthy and active through exercise and nutrition. Her Dance Drillz are designed to work every muscle in the body allowing you to move and feel young and alive. Physical fitness is but one dimension of health among many and Racel encourages everyone to look at their life as a whole in order to find balance. Racel has designed a easy to follow guidebook to help people set and reach their own holistic life goals.
“If there is one obligation in life, it is to be healthy & happy, not just for you but for everyone who loves you”
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Bellydance originated in the Middle East and is one of the oldest forms of dance in the world. It is very feminine and sensual, with smooth flowing movements as well as dynamic hip shimmies and isolations. It is firm and earthy, danced traditionally with bare feet connected to the ground.
Sol & Luna have been Bellydancing for the past ten years, and started performing as a duet five years ago. They perform a wide variety of styles including traditional and ethnic fusions. They design and make their costumes according to each choreography. They teach beginner and intermediate level classes in London, with the purpose of sharing this beautiful art with women of all ages, shapes and sizes.
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