Schedules

Instructor: Marianne
I was introduced to Yoga by my mother at age 12 and continued to use Yoga during a 15 year study of Ballet. After a career change led to Swim Coaching , Yoga played a role in the overall fitness of athletes that I coached. After certification in other fitness training areas I decided that my long time personal practice in Yoga was leading me in a more meaningful direction. I finished the Yoga Certification in 2010 and thoroughly enjoy every class I teach. I still keep up my own practice which I find adds balance to my interest in biking, climbing and running.

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Instructor: Sandy

Yoga found me. While attending a retreat inwhich Yoga was included, I was too far from the door to make a discreet exit. A few minutes in a heart opening restorative pose and my life was changed.

I bring my love of stretching, learning, expressing, strength building and mood shifting to the practice I offer. As a Life Coach in my other profession, yoga is one way for me to ensure that I am in my body and inviting it to lead my life.

With my 200 Yoga Alliance training and my certification in Yin Yoga, I am plan on growing older as I stretch into and expand from Yoga.

I look forward to holding the space safe and sacred as you begin or continue your own exploration.

Merisol and Scott
completed their 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2011 at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts.

Together they have been practicing yoga for several years and it has led to personal discoveries on and off the yoga mat.

Already active in outdoor physical activities, yoga taught them breath awareness and an appreciation for the body and mind's capacity to accept new challenges. It taught them to be present in the moment, and to open themselves to new ideas and experiences.

Scott's practice deepened when he experienced the healing benefits of yoga after a serious motor vehicle collision two years ago.

They believe that yoga offers something for everybody, regardless of experience and physical ability.

Merisol and Scott continue to practice with various teachers and they look forward to teaching, and learning from, their students at Essencia.

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Instructor: Tina Lyons
Tina fell in love with yoga back in her home country of Germany 15 years ago. Having been born and raised in the 'spa town' of Baden-Baden, she veered into the direction of body work very quickly and became an esthetician after completing her university degree. After moving to Canada in 2002 and working in several spas, Tina opened up her own little spa in Constance Bay in 2006. She has her reiki master, Therapeutic Touch and in 2009 completed her year-long 500 hour Hatha yoga certification at Stillpoint yoga retreat in Picton, Ontario and her Yin certification at Rama Lotus in 2010. Her passion lies in teaching and making others feel good. Oh and of course – Animals. She is a true lover of the outdoors, sunshine, long hikes and water. Her dream is that everyone finds their own true passion in life; yoga has helped her find hers.

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Instructor: Rebecca
When I first started to practice yoga, I was interested in the activity of it—it felt like a new and interesting form of exercise. Over time, I came to value and love the contrast between the slow pace of my body on small mat, and a racing heart with lots of sweat. I had been used to activity that usually involved distracting myself with music or conversation while my body exercised. The value of being present with my body felt not only more safe, but like an exercise for more than my physical self. The more time I spent at the studio, the more I learned and felt that this physical practice of yoga is only one piece, and that mind and spirit are just as involved as the body in the practice of yoga. This integration of body, mind and spirit is what makes yoga a powerful tool for change both within and outside of ourselves.

A recent transplant to Arnprior, I am a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and received my certification from Hilltop Yoga in Lansing, Michigan. I was lucky to practice and learn with an incredible community there, and look forward to doing the same at Essencia.

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Instructor: Megan Justus
My yoga practice began with a weekly class. I had heard yoga could help to “quiet the mind”. What came to be true as my practice developed is that stepping on the mat feels like coming home: home to the body, home to the mind, home to the breath. I completed yoga teacher training in June 2011 and enjoy sharing what has become a passion. 

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Instructor: Glenda O’Rourke
I wanted to learn how to run. Programs were available through my workplace, but the more I tried to start running, the more aches and strains I would feel. I thought if I just did one yoga class a week, that would help me with my running. Fast forward a few years and I am a runner, participating in many local runs, but I also developed a yoga practise, and from that practise of two times per week at work, I decided to take hatha yoga teacher training. I completed my training at Rama Lotus Yoga Center in Ottawa. That same year I did a month long teacher training intensive at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Val Morin, Quebec. I have been teaching for the City of Ottawa and for some local studios since 2005. This year, I participated as a teachers assistant for Power Yoga teacher training . I enjoy the diversity of yoga styles and look forward to teaching for Essencia.

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Instructor: Aly
I've always been a teacher at heart. My first job was at Mount Pakenham leading 3 and 4 year-olds through the basics of skiing. After that I got a job at the Nick Smith Center as a swim instructor/ lifeguard, and I still love it there. So I guess it was only natural that enjoying yoga so much would eventually lead to teaching it! But I didn't realize it would become the passion it is now, the way the poses and breath fit together is mesmerizing, and teaching the sequences is pure poetry. Yoga has taught me so much about myself, especially in these past few months being enrolled in a Teacher Training course. My teaching style is a beautiful blend of all my past and present mentors, including Elizabeth Hagan at the Heartsong studio in Renfrew and Tina here at Essencia. But I am still learning, so bear with me in these first few months. After I graduate, I plan to teach here for awhile until the next stage of my path presents itself. For now, I hope to teach and inspire my students and grow with the Essencia yoga community, and never stop learning.

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