Faculty 2011   

Padma

Padma is an enlightened educator and one of Canada’s most respected teachers of meditation, yoga and joyful self-realization. Padma masterfully translates timeless wisdom into modern language, making complex, esoteric knowledge available and relevant to our modern life. For 30 years, Padma has been a full-time yogi, including completing a one-decade advanced meditation retreat in the Himalayas of India, and is certified to teach Meditation and Sanskrit Studies by the International Meditation Institute of India. She mastered original Sanskrit texts of yogic philosophy, specializing in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. On television, Padma hosts a nationally-aired series, Padma Yoga TV. Since 1999, she has offered international workshops, taught Hollywood stars, and developed a unique Meditation Teacher Training Program. Padma holds a Biology degree from McGill University.

Teresa Campbell Chris Brandt

Chris & Teresa unite divergent backgrounds into a common thread that is Contact Yoga. Chris has trained in India and Thailand, and is a certified in the Wat Po lineage of Thai Massage. Teresa has studied with amazing teachers from Gurmukh to Sarah Powers, and brings her experience leading prenatal yoga teacher-training programs as well as doula work to Contact. They believe wholeheartedly that “the great art of life is sensation” (Byron).

Shannon Cluff

Shannon Cluff-Henry has been teaching yoga and meditation for 8 years and is known as a teacher's mentor. She is the owner and director of Sanga Yoga Studio in Vancouver and a teacher for Yyoga. She has mentored over 40 teachers, most of whom have gone on to teach yoga as a career and continues to teach teachers and students in the art of practicing Power yoga in a peaceful way.

Seane Corn

Seane Corn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher known for her impassioned activism and inspirational style of teaching. A strong and articulate voice for social change, she started her activism work by creating the yoga program for LA shelter Children of the Night. Since 2006, her work has been focused on training leaders of activism through her co-founded organization Off the Mat, Into the World and bringing awareness to the HIV AIDS crisis. Over the last 20 years of her career, Seane has been featured in magazines, Oprah.com, The Huffington Post, numerous radio programs such as NPR, and four self-authored DVD programs. In 2005 Seane was named the National Yoga Ambassador for YouthAIDS. She sits on the board of both the Cambodian Children's Fund and the Engage Network

Jason Crandell

Jason Crandell was recently named one of the U.S.’ “next generation of yoga teachers” (Yoga Journal), for his skillful, unique approach to vinyasa yoga. Jason is the creator of Yoga Journal’s newest dvds: Yoga for Wellbeing; Yoga for Morning, Noon, and Night; and, The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Yoga. He is a contributing editor for Yoga Journal and has authored over 13 articles for the magazine and website. His primary teacher is Rodney Yee.

Mike Dennison

Vancouver-based yoga teacher and runner Mike Dennison is the creator and founder of Yoga Made For Runners. In a running career that has lasted over 25 years, including participation in 10 marathons and countless other races, Mike realized the enormous benefits that yoga could offer runners looking for injury-free running. He has an extensive knowledge of running anatomy and injury and is an accredited teacher with the Yoga Alliance at the 500 Hour level.

Nischala Devi

NISCHALA JOY DEVI is a masterful teacher, internationally renowned since 1974. She studied Yoga with masters in US, India, and lived as a monk with Swami Satchidanandaji for 18 years. Her landmark research in adapting Yoga for heart disease and cancer culminated in Yoga of the Heart certification course for teachers and health professionals. Author of The Healing Path of Yoga and The Secret Power of Yoga,A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras. Nischala's teachings reflect the compassionate heart perspective in spirituality and scripture.

Sat Dharam Kaur

Author and naturopathic doctor. She has developed a 17 week yoga-based addiction recovery program, as well as breast health yoga training. Her-best selling books include: A Call to Women: the Healthy Breast Program and Workbook, The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer, and the Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women's Health.

Christine Felstead

Christine Felstead has successfully married her twin passions for yoga and running to develop something unique; a yoga program designed specifically for runners. Christine pioneered the development of Yoga for Runners and today is the leading authority on the practice. She has spoken at several international conferences and written about the program in numerous publications. Her DVD's The Essentials: Beginner Program and newly released Intermediate Program are best-sellers and has helped spread her work globally.

Maria Garre

Maria Garre, M.Ed, e-ryt 500 Maria currently teaches for both Shiva Rea's Samudra School for Living Yoga and the Dr. Vasant Lad's Ayurvedic Institute. Maria has been devoted to the path of learning and teaching since 1993. She has dedicated more than twelve years in the study of Prana Flow Yoga, as created by Shiva Rea, Ayurveda alongside academic graduates study in In addition to graduates studies in Biomedical Science, Education and Philosophy. Maria’s teachings offer a grounded, clear yet dynamic and transformative approach to living, being, and embodying Yoga. Maria has completed programs at both the Kripalu School of Ayurveda and the world-renowned Ayurvedic Institute with Dr. Vasant Lad. She spends much of the year leading adventurous and cultural retreats India. In addition, she has written several articles for local and international publications, including Yoga Journal, and has been a featured presenter at Vancouver and Toronto Yoga Conferences.

Ted Grand

Ted Grand designed the Moksha Yoga series of poses and is co-founder of the Moksha Yoga community of 50+ hot yoga studios. He is also co-founder of Yaletown Yoga, and several Bikram and Moksha Yoga studios. His mission in teaching workshops is to use humour, his education in yoga therapy and social/environmental awareness in order to bring more peace and vitality to those who practice yoga. To learn more about Ted and Moksha Yoga, check out the web site.

Susi Hately

Susi Hately has been successfully helping her students reduce and eliminate pain since 1995; and since 2001 has been successfully training teachers to do the same. Susi combines her BSc. Kinesiology and yoga certification to provide accurate information in a down to earth and fun way which can be easily and immediately applied to your yoga practice.

Leslie Kaminoff

Leslie Kaminoff is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of TKV Desikachar. He is an Internationally recognized specialist with thirty years experience in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. He has led workshops for many of the leading yoga associations, schools and training programs in America. Leslie currently practices in New York City and Great Barrington Massachusetts. He is the founder of the yoga blog, e Sutra and The Breathing Project, a New York City yoga studio dedicated to the teaching of individualized, breath-centered yoga. Leslie teaches The Breathing Projects unique year long course in yoga anatomy, and is the co-author, with Amy Matthews, of the bestselling book, Yoga Anatomy published by Human Kinetics.

Devinder Kaur

Devinder Kaur's journey into sound and music began at age 5 with classical piano lessons with the Royal Conservatory of Music. After graduation from University, Devinder started a business career. Her approach to teaching is to use her knowledge, experience, and positive attitude in a safe and fun style to help people reach their individual goals and to empower themselves through Yoga. Devinder's daily Yoga and Meditation practice is in the Kundalini Yoga tradition. She also appears as a regular guest leading Yoga classes on television programs and at Women's Conferences

Martin Kirk

Martin Kirk MSBME RYT is a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor who travels abroad offering excellent and inspiring workshops, Immersions, Anatomy, Therapy and Teacher Trainings. With a Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering Martin has a special gift for anatomy and therapeutics. He is an author of the highly successful book Hatha Yoga Illustrated and co-author of the upcoming Yoga Anatomy: The Biomechanics of Anusara Yoga. Martin lives in Scottsdale Arizona with his wife Jordan and his son Jonathan.

Mark Laham

Mark Laham, innovative yoga instructor and seminar leader, teaches the ancient wisdoms of the East combined with modern principles of the West to individuals from all arenas of life. Mark has the ability to deliver complex subjects in a manner that everyone can comprehend and incorporate into their day to day lives. His ability to share wisdom, practices, experiences and life lessons while at the same time, inspiring and entertaining his audience make him a truly unique speaker and teacher.

Blake Martin

Blake Martin is currently completing his PhD in Kinesiology and holds a Graduate Neuroscience Diploma from York University, where he is investigating the role of attention in limb position sense. He teaches Thai Massage and anatomy for body workers internationally, and holds degrees in Dance and Education, and speaks on a variety of topics related to health, education and the brain. He is also a long time martial artist, yoga practitioner and runner

Djuna Mascall

Djuna Mascall, R.Y.T., has been a dedicated student and teacher of yoga since 2001. Her primary inspiration comes from her work with Tias and Surya Little of Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is a graduate of the Prajna 500 Hour Training Program as well as a Prajna senior teacher. As co-owner of Orcas Mandala Yoga Studio, she makes her home on Orcas Island in Washington State. Her additional influences have been trainings with David Swenson, Beryl Bender Birch, Dean Lerner, and Julie Gumestad. She has also studied Iyengar Yoga in depth with Felicity Green.

Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Kelly McGonigal is a mind-body psychologist and yoga/meditation teacher at Stanford University. She is the Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal of research on yoga and meditation, and the author of The Willpower Instinct (Penguin); The Neuroscience of Change (Sounds True); and Yoga for Pain Relief (New Harbinger). She is a founding member of the Yoga Service Council and a senior teacher/program developer for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. kellymcgonigal.com

Theresa Murphy

Theresa has spent thousands of hours studying with teachers including Rolf Gates, Erich Schiffman, Adhil Palkhivala, Desire Rumbaugh, Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Bikram Choudhury, Richard Freeman, David Life, Sharon Gannon, and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. In 2001, she began studying with Tias Little, who remains her primary teacher. Theresa is a Prajna Yoga Senior teacher and travels with both Tias and Rolf Gates, assisting them in the USA and abroad. Theresa co-owns the One Tree Yoga studios in Omaha, which encompass her own philosophy of "All Encompassing Practice" -- that no one, single method of practice is the only way for anyone.

Michael Stone

Michael Stone is an internationally respected Yoga & Buddhist teacher who draws on his background as a psychotherapist, author and activist to bring the practice of yoga and mindfulness into conversation with contemporary culture. Michael has the distinction of being the youngest Buddhist teacher in Canada and maintains a busy travel schedule, teaching workshops and retreats throughout North America and Europe. He is the founder of Centre of Gravity: a thriving community of yoga and Buddhist practitioners exploring the convergence of traditional contemplative practices and modern urban life. He has written five books, his most recent is �Awake in the World: Teachings from Yoga and Buddhism for Living an Engaged Life.� Visit: www.centreofgravity.org

Brad Waites

Brad Waites is one of fewer than 40 teachers worldwide to be certified at the 2,000-hour level by the College of Purna Yoga, and is currently a member of the college faculty. After a career as a partner in a civil-litigation law firm, he began pursuing yoga as a means of self-empowerment and self-fulfillment. Years of study led him to Purna Yoga, which seeks to evolve the consciousness of all humanity. He also holds a professional level teacher's certificate from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, where he lived and taught for several years. Brad leads workshops and classes throughout North America. He has a special interest in introducing students to the beauty of yoga philosophy.