Serge Salvador
Style of Classes: Ashtanga, Yin, Krisnamacharya
Krishnamaharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) Institute of Yoga Studies
February 2007
Chennai, India 2007
Yoga Teacher Training Course (Yoga Shikshak) – 320H
(Instructor: Master Yoga, Guru M.S. Viswanath)
Foundation of Pathanjala Yoga Kendra, Bangalore, India 2003
Certificate of Yoga Teacher Training – 400H
Centre Yoga Plus and Yoga Alliance
Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2003
Astanga Yoga Course with David Swenson – 45H
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2002
FOCUS INWARD: Serge was called by yoga 15 years ago. Yoga opened the door to another world for him, an inside world. With this inward focus came all of his questions"and many answers. It was going through the yoga practice of stimulation & purification that his body slowly became more liberated. His body began to speak another language that had been previously foreign to him. A quiet voice of wisdom began to surface. He now shares and expresses this wisdom through his teachings and in his everyday life. He strongly believes in Gandhi's words, "We must be the change we most want to see."
BALANCE: A powerful influence in Serge's life is Mother Earth. He is greatly inspired by nature and the power and fragility of Mother Earth. We see evidence of this in his yoga practice. He shares that "Ones practice is not always smooth, not always easy, not always predictable. Knowing this helps students practice at their own level because it's all about balance. We practice forms of yin yoga and forms of yang yoga. We explore Spirit as it flows powerfully through our body in an Ashtanga practice and gently through our body in a mantra practice.
PRACTICE: It was Serge's teacher in India, Masterji, who helped him to widen the doorway to this vast inner & outer world of yoga. Although he studied and practiced with many gifted teachers, it was the ones who practiced from their heart that inspired and continue to inspire him in his practice. He believes yoga helps us tap into the infinite and ever-present Source of Love. Yes, he believes that the path to liberation is through practice, practice, practice, but he also believes in Oscar Wilde's words, "Life is too important to be taken seriously." Serge adds "We can take a million courses and endure 1000 hours of practice but unless we open ourselves to the deeper flows of Spirit it isn't true yoga. For this, you must live it"on and off the sticky mat. So enjoy your practice. Enjoy your life "just as it is. Full acceptance. And liberation will eventually come. Slowly. Slowly."
THE INVITATION: So, Serge invites you to journey with him in this unique exploration of yoga which honors and celebrates us finding our own unique balance in yoga and in life, and helps us to go inward to truly know wisdom of our hearts. His own heart-centred guidance he will help us to awaken to the deeper truths of this ancient yogic tradition which often lie dormant within ourselves"awaiting our return Home.
Rachel Dacquay
Style of Classes: Ashtanga
Certificate of yoga teacher training -200H with Yoga Alliance
Aromansse Yoga
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 2010
Rachel has worked in health care for many years. Five years ago she started a quiet journey at Aromansse Yoga learning the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Today, she is sharing this knowledge with students in Vinyassa Flow classes, where the goal is to breathe deeply, stretch and strengthen the body and quiet the mind. In our fast-paced world, it is essential to take time to re-connect with our self, both in body and spirit.
Mysore
Mysore can be a little overwhelming at first, but the more you do it, the more you enjoy your practice of yoga. In a mysore class, the student can take the time to try out the asanas (poses) and play with them. The teacher is present to help the student by adjusting the poses and allowing the student to feel how it is meant to be done. Mysore is a personal journey with your yoga practice under the watchful eye of a teacher who supports you and teaches you to go deeper into the poses in a safe way. As you progress, the teacher can help you learn new poses in the series and provides modifications as needed. It is an excellent way to make the practice your own, without comparing yourself to other students. Being in a mysore class allows the student to truly explore and live the experience to the extent that he or she wants to.
Michele Happy
Entrepreneur/Computer Programmer/Instructor
Inspired by a book she received as a gift from her husband in 2010, Michele began to feel spiritually awakened. One book led to another and the pages seemed to guide her in a new direction. She began to pursue a deeper meaning for her life and this goal led her to challenge herself with Ashtanga yoga. With her love for flower gardening and photography, she began to connect the beauty and power of nature in her practice. This has evolved into a slow flow yoga that she is sharing with others. Michele invites you to experience the blend of nature in yoga, along with the synchronicity of breath and movement.
Michele spends her spare time with her husband and two sons. Summer being their favourite season, they enjoy camping (in an actual tent), boating, skiing, water tubing (just the boys), kayaking, and exploring natural environments. They have two family pets, their dog, Jazz, the miniature Italian greyhound and their bird, Shreddie, the sun conure.
Often you'll find Michele curled up with her next book. "I never know where a book will take me. As an incredible friend once told me, "Words are powerful." Now I try to be more aware of not only what I say but what I'm thinking and how it effects my life and those around me."
Michele's favourite quote:
"Change is simple, but it's not easy." Author Unknown
Shell Carman RYT 200 Yoga Alliance
Shell was introduced to yoga over fifteen years ago and slowly started dabbling in all different types. She is a certified Infant Massage Instructor and a Prenatal and Postnatal Doula (Labour companion). Through her work as a Doula, Shell decided to research how yoga can help women through the whole birthing journey. She now has over 6 years of experience facilitating prenatal postures and working with pregnancy. Shell decided to expand her knowledge and completed her Yoga Teacher Training in October 2011 through the South Okanagan Yoga Academy in BC and is excited to share her love of yoga with people with all types of abilities. Shell's belief is to "never stop learning", so she continues to learn not only from her many cherished yoga teachers and continued studies, but also through the wisdom and experiences of her students.
Jacqueline Cuthbert
Jacqueline has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. Initially she used it as a tool to alleviate stress and massage her muscles and joints. Upon studying with Serge Salvador the past four years, she has learned to integrate her mind, body, and breath to evolve her workouts into a spiritual practice. Her yoga journey has now become one of healing. "I have discovered how each and every time I use this sacred practice, it rises up to reveal and meet my emotional, physical and spiritual needs. I am truly grateful to have witnessed how yoga can become a vehicle of self discovery."
Jacqueline Cuthbert has a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Manitoba, and she has been teaching in public schools for over 30 years. She has a certificate in Theology, from the University of Winnipeg, with a practicum in palliative care. She has trained in Hebrew mantra with Rabbi Shefa Gold, and in Reiki with Jenny Dupas. She is a sound healing practioner certified by Tom Kenyon, and she has been a meditation student at Aromansse for the past 5 years.