I started my yoga practice in 1999, at Rama Lotus Yoga Studio in Ottawa. I was working in the medical sales field at a fairly high stress level. I had heard that yoga was supposed to be relaxing so I decided to give it at try. I tried several styles before I was introduced to Bikram (hot) yoga. I was hooked from the first class. The heat and vigorous flow of class was just what I needed. After moving to Toronto in 2000, I began practicing Ashtanga and Moksha yoga. I was not only thriving on the physical benefits, but I was beginning to learn and appreciate the other paths that yoga was taking me. I started to experience balance and strength in other aspects of my life. After moving back to Lindsay (I grew up in Bobcaygeon) and after the birth of my daughter in 2004, I began a Hatha practice and to deepen this practice, I quit my sales career, stayed at home with my daughter, and was accepted into a Yoga Alliance teacher training program with Marina McLean in Peterborough. I graduated in 2007 at the 200hr level, lived my dream and opened my first small studio, Yoga on York in Jan 2008.

Over the past 5 years I have also had the joy and privilege to attend intensive training and workshops with some of the world's most knowledgeable teachers including, Baron Baptiste, Sean Corne, and Rodney Yee. Along with my work as a Rehabilitation Assistant with Therapacc Physiotherapy, I am grateful to be able to bring yoga and it's limitless opportunities to others in a beautiful, safe and most of all fun environment. I am honored to be living and teaching in my hometown, with my husband Dorian and "teenie yogini" daughter Sinclair. \

Heather Lavallee RYT

Thank you to my husband, friends, family and business partner for giving me the opportunity to share my passion for yoga with others. My spiritual journey began in 2001 after a life changing encounter. It was at this time that an interest in spirituality that was cultivated through literature and completing Reiki 1 & 2. Having previously attended few yoga classes, my love for the practice deepened in February 2005. I felt alive and awake for the first time in years. It was as if the internal flame that had been smothered was ignited once again. Yoga allowed my physical and mental body to experience a new way of carrying itself.

Inspired by such a profound transformative experience, thirsting for a deeper understanding of this ancient practice and desiring to share my love of yoga with the community; I decided to pursue an intensive Hatha yoga certification over a 6 month period at the Rama Lotus Yoga Center in Ottawa and completed this in April of 2006. As I embraced yoga the greater my passion and desire to live by its philosophy and lifestyle was felt. This has taught me to adopt the culture, the path of self-realization and selfless service of yoga as part of my lifestyle.

My aspirations to help pregnant women prepare for childbirth was what lead me to The Joy of Yoga Studio in Montreal to study with Janice Clarfield to complete a prenatal yoga certification in April 2006. I have been teaching many different styles regularly since the completion of my yoga certifications and strive to teach classes that are informative, challenging and nurturing. I am grateful and delighted to witness students experience the calmness of the mind, increased body awareness and healings that yoga brings them.

In addition to teaching yoga, I have studied Ayurveda in Ottawa, completed courses in both Ayurvedic (abhyanga) massage, Thai Yoga massage and a one year energy healing course with Adele Stratton. I have attended many courses/workshops over the past few years and continue to feed my passion for yoga through courses, self-study and daily practice. I am truly grateful for all the supportive teachers/students that have guided me on this continuing spiritual journey.

Namaste, Kristie Gambrel RYT