It Takes a Village
How often do we meet people who leave a lasting impression? How many of those people were educators who spent time helping to sculpt us into the people we are today?
Educator vs Teacher When compared with educator, teacher merely refers to a job title; teacher is a person who teaches in a school. But, an educator is a person who educates students. A good teacher can be called an educator. This is the main difference between educator and teacher.
“I am hugely passionate about the transformational benefits of yoga and meditation and the power they have to help us see what we truly are; works in progress. I teach yoga from the heart, with the sole aim of encouraging others to love themselves and the world a little bit more each day. My classes are for everyone, designed to build strength and encourage stillness of mind and an open heart through mindful breath led movement. Sequences are nourishing, strong, dynamic and fun and intended to energize and inspire individuals to embrace their vast potential on and off the mat. I'm a great lover of restorative, yin + yoga nidra meditation and like to incorporate this into most classes. In a culture obsessed with 'doing', these supported postures serve as the perfect antidote and offer untold benefits to the entire being.”
With a background in dance (specifically ballet, lyrical and jazz), Jaime ventured to the pacific coast of Costa Rica to complete her initial 200-hr YA Yoga Teacher Certification at Nosara Yoga Insitute under Don and Amba Stapleton. Upon returning, she taught at local venues and for other Kingston Yoga Studios and within a few years (and more studying & practicing) opened Samatva Yoga West End.
Jaime draws on her experience to teach light, uplifting classes that reflect the challenge of everyday life without losing sight of yoga’s ancient + rich tradition. True to her roots, she teaches dynamic Vinyasa using an ever-changing sequence of Asana (aligning breath and movement) and the interdisciplinary approach, which allows her to respond to the energy in the room. She has trained with many great teachers, each of whom has contributed to her unique teaching style. Being a mom, step mom, partner + owner of Samatva Yoga Kingston (for the past 11 years) she loves to share the practical application of yoga’s benefits to everyday living - and her classes are designed for all levels. Her love of yoga is evident in her teaching style and her classes will leave you feeling inspired and open to possibility.
Certifications Continuing education includes (but not limited to) being inspired in workshops and certifications with Baron Baptiste, Todd Norian and Ann Greene, Paul Grilley, Seane Corn, David Life, Sharron Gannon, Michael Stone, Yogi Vishvketu, Nischala Joy Devi, Susi Hately Aldous, Maria Garre, Natasha Rizopoulos, Michael Lee, Sri Dharma Mittra, and Don and Amba Stapleton.
Why Yoga Yoga came naturally and instinctively early on in my teenage years because of its grounding nature and allowance for reflection.
How I Have Fun Off the Mat I love playing and snuggling with my son. I love having deep conversations with friends, dancing and singing and laughing.
Certifications 250-hr Teacher Training at the Yoga & Relaxation Centre w. Jane Forrington-Burke, Joan Fast & Dawn Wallace. 50-hr Pre-natal Training with Monica Voss at Esther Myers Studio in Toronto.
Why Yoga Yoga allows me to feel vulnerable in a spiritual and a physical sense. I started a regular practice at a time when my physical activities were creating more stress than relief. I was seeking something beautiful, physical and grounding. I love that yoga is a creative process with infinite depth. It allows me to observe myself and move toward acceptance.
How I Live my Practice Living my practice means arriving with presence just at the moment in front of me. Living yoga is listening and responding with gratitude, softness and clarity, no matter the context on or off mat. I am graced with a few lovely people in my life who allow me to play with this, knowing that I make mistakes along the way.
Certifications Yandara Yoga 200-hour training, B.Sc. Nutrition, YMCA / SPRA fitness instructor, pursuing 500-hour yoga certification with Yandara Yoga Institute November 2015. Currently work as a Registered Dietitian in the Kingston Regional Bariatric Assessment & Treatment Centre.
Why Yoga Yoga makes me feel better. On many levels. It is that simple.
How I Live My Practice I respect and honour the experiences and paths others are on. Currently this is manifesting in my 3 beautiful children.
Certifications I have been lucky enough to learn from many teachers including, Mona Warner, Baron Baptiste, David Robson, Susi Hatley, Michael Stone, Alison Ulan, Carolyn at Path, Dharma Mitra, Todd Norian and Anne Greene, Rodney Yee, David Swenson and Sean Corne.
Why Yoga I am always humbled by what I learn about myself through yoga. The practice enables me to examine my physical and emotional limits on and off the mat. I practice to stay balanced and grounded, and also because it's fun and creative.
How I Have Fun Off the Mat I spend my time playing with my two beautiful little girls, hanging out with my husband and enjoying time with good friends. I enjoy good food, the first cup of tea in the morning, long walks, swims in the lake, biking and being in nature.
Certifications Certified 200 hour yoga teacher training with Mona Warner.
Why Yoga Connection to ourselves and each other and guide us to remember who we are. How to take care of each other. How to tune our instrument to our highest capacities. The practice teaches me how to serve from my heart.
Certifications Kristie has had the privilege of studying yoga for 13 years and teaching for 12. She currently offers Katonah inspired Hatha classes that draws from her trainings, nature, art and a regular personal practice. Some of her studies include, Art of Attention Training with Elena Brower, Pre-natal yoga with Janice Clairfield, Vinyasa training with Seane Corn and Ayurveda.
Why Yoga . I fell in love with Yoga the very first time I stepped my bare feet on the mat, it was an experience I’ll never forget. The over whelming feeling of peaceful energy was something I had never felt before and I yearned to know more and went seeking for further understanding. The more and more I practiced the more and more I was learning and truly grasping the great importance of balancing the mind, body and soul.
Certifications 200HR YTT, Restorative Yoga Training, Yin Yoga Training, Qi Gong and Tai Chi Training, REIKI Level II Practitioner. Multiple workshops including Fascia Release, Mindfulness, Space Gravity and You etc
Why Yoga Yoga helps me to feel at home within myself. It allows me to feel open and calm and free from mental and physical constraints.
Certifications Mandy is a graduate of KLC college and works as a physiotherapy assistant. Mandy received her yoga certification in Hatha and Vinyasa in 2008 in Toronto under the guidance of teachers Kathryn Beet and Patricia White. She has taken advanced teacher trainings in therapeutic yoga with Kathryn Beet and Flow yoga with Bibi Hahn.
Why Yoga I love challenging my body and finding peace along the way: what a beautiful juxtaposition between intensity and calm this can be! Checking in with my mind and body is important to me so that I can fully enjoy other pursuits in my life including long distance running, ultimate frisbee, and general fun-having! As far as teaching yoga, to open the door of yoga for others is a blessing: I love facilitating the learning about oneself that yoga brings about.
Certifications / Education I completed my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training through Mona Warner at Janati Yoga School and continue to learn and hone my teaching and personal practice with workshops and clinics. Along the way I have also learned from Deepa Kannan and Shyam Nair at Yogasopanam in Bangalore, India who guided me in various yogic practices for three years while I was a teacher at Stonehill International School. My journey began in 2004, however, in my hometown of North Bay, Ontario at Vinyasa Yoga Studio.
Why Yoga Yoga offers me a state of self-awareness and presence. Through that self-awareness, yoga has, and continues to, help me cultivate self-love. Yoga has helped me develop a practice of self-care that helps me be the best version of myself so that I may be that way for others.
The Books by my Bedside I have so many! This is why I have a Kindle to store all my literary goodness...Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte seems to make a recurring appearance.
Certifications 200RYT with Mona Warner at Janati Yoga School
Why Yoga Yoga helps decrease pain in the body and maintain optimal health.
What I am Committed to Continuing my yoga education both on and off the mat
Certifications Graduated Teacher Training at Ghosh’s Yoga College in Calcutta Nov. 2016, Ghosh Continuing Education for Teachers in Tucson, AZ Feb 5-10, 2018
Why Yoga I discovered yoga as a university student over 15 years ago, and truly fell in love with it when I started practicing at Samatva in 2007. It started out as mostly a way to exercise and keep active but I quickly realized my practice also helps me to manage my anxiety, develop positive habits and embrace a spirituality that is in line with my belief system. In 2019 I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training, a long-time dream, studying with Mona Warner at Janati Yoga School.
Certifications / Education Master’s in English Literature, University of Toronto
Why Yoga? Flexibility. Strength. Stamina.
Of course, physically, but also mentally. Yoga has allowed me to be more flexible in my everyday life in the sense of being less controlling of the outcome and more trusting to allow what ever happens to happen, knowing I can handle what ever comes my way. Yoga has challenged and strengthened me each and every day, when faced with the inevitable obstacles of life. And last, stamina. Yoga has taught me to keep going when the going gets tough. It is all about how we react to situations, not the situations itself. And when it seems like all odds are against you, being determined to bring yourself back to balance, rather than “why me?”
Certifications 200YTT with Mona Warner at Janati Yoga + Bachelor of Business Administration (Laurentian University/St. Lawrence College)<
Why Yoga Yoga has given me a positive way to be mindful everyday. As life throws me challenges I remember that it will pass and the outcome is how I react.
How I Live My Practice Yoga has given me the ability to live day to day enjoying life as it happens not worrying about the past or future.
Certifications 200hr YTT at Janati with Mona Warner, and Medical Administration certification at KLC college
Why Yoga Yoga helps me to breathe, be still, and be present – so that I can hear the little voice of wisdom inside me. I discovered yoga when I realized I was disconnected from my innate self, feeling societal pressures to be someone I wasn’t and making decisions that weren’t authentic to my true self. Yoga has helped me to be more confident in my wisdom and abilities which in turn have pushed me outside of my comfort zone to take (amazing!) risks that I never would have taken before discovering yoga. It has helped me transform mentally, physically and spiritually – into my best self.
Certifications / Education Registered 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Mona Warner at Janati Yoga School. Trained in Executive Coaching. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Sociology.
Why Yoga Yoga keeps me grounded and reminds me that everything is temporary and constantly changing. The practice of yoga has helped me navigate the challenges in my life with more resilience, grace and humour!
How I Live My Practice ...by integrating my practice into busy days five minutes at a time. By finding the spaces between activities where I can breathe and reset.
Certifications / Education 200 hour YTT with Mona Warner in 2018 + my day job as a Nurse Practitioner I work with many type 2 diabetics and I am inspired by the notion that the practice of yoga can complement the approaches of traditional medicine and help people live their best lives.
Why Yoga Why not!! It's the most challenging, enriching, enlivening and fulfilling way to spend my time. After class the cells in my body literally feel fuller, my joints move with grace and my brain feels clearer.
What I Share in my Teaching My love of alignment for optimal energy flow, my love of inquiry, and my love of community moving and breathing together as one.
Certifications from Queen's, BAH in Intellectual History, BEd History and English, Vipassana (Insight Meditation) Teacher, Enlightenment Intensive Master, Yoga Teacher Trainings in Shivananda, Yin, Moksha, Moksha Flow. Master Class weekends with Eric Shiffman, Jivamukti, Anna Forrest, Byron Katie. Almost daily student of Bikram for 12 years. Background of dance from a young age. In addition, she also completed the Ghosh training in Calcutta in 2018