Teachers
	Svetlana Balysheva, RYT Svetlana, the owner of the studio, is a certified teacher in Canada and India. She continues her study and practice with Vancouver's well known Senior Teachers such as Kelly Colleen, Jason Hagemeister, Christine Price-Clark, Sjanie McInnis, Janet Wallden, Jesse Enright… She is passionate to share her experience of transformation through yoga. Her love to this ancient gift from India helped her to overcome some serious diseases and with the quiet power of yoga she manages to run her business, teach, and have a family of 5 beautiful girls. Svetlana focuses on helping her students to believe in themselves, that everybody have strength and confidence within. She knows that faith opens the door to the endless possibilities in physical and spiritual growth.
	Alena Minova, RYT Alena studied artistic gymnastics with the first World champion Ludmila Savinkova when she was a kid. These days Yoga brings her the same feeling of "everything is possible" which she experienced then, and a sense of playfulness known only in childhood that is the source of all creativity. "We don't stop playing because we are getting older; we are getting older because we stop playing." She has been a yoga devotee for the last 7 years. Olena is continuously extending her practice through various workshops and trainings. In 2009 she designed and helped to organize local community yoga programs for seniors at MOSAIC that are still successfully running. Moreover, Alena is a talented writer, check her articles on yoga at www.nowyoga.vpweb.ca.
	Chelsea McCooey, RYT Chelsea McCooey has been practicing yoga for nine years. She traveled to India and studied under Yogi Sivadas, the owner and operator of Kailash School of Yoga and Holistic Healing in McLeod-Ganj, Himal Pradesh, India. Under his tutelage Chelsea received her 200 hour teacher training from the Yoga Alliance. Chelsea keeps every class fresh and inspiring. Her goal is to encourage yogi and yoginis to practice patiently and to always have a sense of curiousity and humility in his or her practice. Thank you for sharing your practice with me!
	Christof Milano, RYT Christof entered into the world of Yoga mainly for physical benefits. He also hoped to reduce the high level of stress in his life, and conquer a debilitating digestive disorder called Crohn's Disease. Along the way he quickly began to gain his health back, along with his stress vanishing. He has found inner peace and a confidence unknown to him throughout his life. Now Christof genuinely enjoys leading his students through their own personal growth and assisting them in overcoming whatever they may need, whether physical or mental. What can you expect in his classes? Great for all levels. Christof was trained through Prana Yoga College, in Classic Hatha Yoga, which focuses on safety, variations, breath, and meditation. Gentle, slow, meditative, but not too serious; smiling is a beautiful thing to practice in Yoga, whether it is internal or external!
	David Yao, RYT David came to yoga purely from a physical start-point. He was looking to get in a bit of better shape. As he continued practicing, he began to learn more about himself physically and mentally. He found peace in mind, clarity in thoughts, and strength in his action. He decided that yoga is his life, and he is eager to share that with others. He provides a style of yoga called Sadhana Yoga Chi. Its literal translation is "the practice/mastery of the union of energy." Students can expect a practice that focuses purely on self-reflection, body awareness, and balance in body and mind. He offers many styles of movement and alignment cues, as well as modification of poses along with verbal and hands-on assist. He says that the only requirement for his classes is to smile when going through the door. =)
	Jessica M. Chu, RYT Jessica is a Vancouver-based yoga teacher who warmly invites you into a supportive and inclusive environment to experience an overall sense of fun and wellness. Jessica’s classes are dynamic and energizing, and more importantly, they are fun and accessible for everyone. She will challenge you to find your edge and embark on a remarkable journey of compassion, self-reflection, and gratitude both on and off the mat.
	Lorena Tatomir, RYT Yoga came to me as a gift; re-awakening my spirit, coaxing a very stress infused mind and offered me a more light hearted and playful way to live. Through the dedicated practice of yoga, I have discovered limitless possibilities. The journey of inner exploration continues to teach me invaluable lessons; building peace of mind, discovering the healing qualities of the body, and unfolding a humbling respect for all beings. Having trained in both traditional Sivananda Hatha Yoga in Rishikesh, India and Foundation Hatha at Semperviva Yoga in Vancouver, B.C., my classes combine both practices with an emphasis on breath and proper alignment. My classes offer a dynamic flow of the physical postures (asanas) along with breath techniques (pranayama) to calm the nervous system. I invite you to breathe fully, move with integrity, expand, be mindful and find your center. See you on the mat!
	Matthew Gindin, RYT Matthew Gindin is a registered Acupuncturist (R. AC) and certified Yoga teacher (Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres) and Ayurvedic Counsellor (American Institute of Vedic Studies). Matthew began practicing Yoga while he was living as a Buddhist monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition, which he did for three years, studying under Thanissaro Bhikkhu, the world's leading english language scholar of classical Buddhism and a master of anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing). He also studied with Bhante Gunaratana, the author of Mindfulness in Plain English, as well as Zen teachers Norman Fischer and Peter Levitt, and Tibetan teachers H. E. Gangteng Tulku, Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Lopon Yeshe, and Dakshong Tulku. He has been practicing Yoga since 2001, and teaching Yoga and meditation since 2004. Matthew teaches a variety of styles including Hatha, Flow, Gentle Hatha, and Qi Gong Yoga. His emphasis in teaching is on cultivating presence, deep awareness of the breath and inner body, and gentle, holistic and invigorating sessions. Matthew loves Yoga and teaching and also leads Meditation at Bamboo Yoga as well as offering workshops on Yoga philosophy and the tales and legends of the Yoga tradition.
	Ramin, RYT Every heart longs to be in commune with infinity, to transcend individual limitations and to heal life's suffering. Meditation and Yoga arises out of these longings....they are transformative...It is natural way of understanding of whom we are and the world around us...and also organic pathway to living in it. The gift of Meditation and Yoga to him is as an exploration of insight journey through inquiry and observation.... Ramin graduated from Prana Yoga College and his classes interweave element of Hatha and Meditation styles with breathing and relaxation to bring about natural alignment and to increase awareness, peace and harmony... He also annually sits Vipassana retreat and gives service time to Vipassana organization.
	Setareh Riahi, CYT-RT-CRA, Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Readings Setareh is experienced teacher & practitioner of Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, YogaDance, Yoga for Children, Meditation, and Reiki for more than 10 years. She is a professional member of Canadian Reiki Association (CRA) and 500hr registered teacher with Yoga Association of BC. Setareh is passionate about sharing the gifts of yoga, dancing, and holistic healing with others. She loves to inspire people to reach their full potential and optimum well-being. (www.setarehyoga.com