INSTRUCTORS VANCOUVER, RICHMOND, & MORGAN CROSSING

YOGA & PILATES INSTRUCTORS VANCOUVER

Erica Gehrke

With the deepest intention of inspiring others to cultivate personal power, Erica's classes are known for being insightful and challenging. She uses the arena of yoga to challenge her students to explore their potential on the mat and take that playful curiosity into the rest of their lives to spark a sense that anything and everything is possible... An international adventuress, Erica currently resides in Vancouver, BC where she works as a freelance writer focusing on travel, health and lifestyle. Erica's experience has led her to a place where she constantly reminded that there is always more to learn. www.ericablitz.com

Karen Davies

www.anandretreats.com

Karen's journey with yoga began 8 years ago. After playing varsity basketball at Malaspina College and the University of Victoria, Karen began to feel the effects of years of misuse of her body. She came to yoga as an alternative to physiotherapy forback problems. Karen was amazed at the results physically, but soon realized the immense power behind the movement. Yoga had a serendipitous effect on Karen; what once was considered a cross training exercise soon became a life path. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Victoria and a Diploma of Physical Education from Malaspina College. She completed her Yoga teacher training in 2006 and has since been certified in prenatal and kids' yoga teacher training. Karenbelieves that yoga is for everyone and teaches an all levels style to ensure everyone leaves feeling the blissful benefits of the practice.

Mara Branscombe

Mara Branscombe www.marabranscombe.com/riseyoga.html Mara's personal yoga practice began in India over a decade ago. Since then, Yoga has been the most poignant, transformative, and informative force in her life. Mara received her yoga certification through Trinity Yoga and continues to be inspired by her long-term teacher and friend, Mary-Jo Fetterly. Her teaching practice draws from several traditions: Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Iyengar, Anusara Yoga, Pilates, and Chi Gong. Mara's background in both athletics and dance contributes to the design of her class through dynamic flow, grace, strength, and vitality.

Fran Hinton

Fran is a BCRPA certified group fitness instructor, Pilates mat instructor and a yoga teacher. Her two main passions are Pilates and yoga which she teaches as individual classes and as fusion classes of fitness, yoga and Pilates on the mat, on the stability fitness ball and with small apparatus. Fran has practiced Pilates since 1997 and in January, 2002, she received her certification to teach Matwork Pilates, all levels, including standing Pilates, through The PhysicalMind Institute. She continues to study the Pilates methods by attending workshops and reading. Fran has practiced hatha yoga for over 40 years and has trained in various styles of hatha yoga and meditation. In the last five years, she has been studying and teacher training Anusara Yoga, certified in Yin Yoga, and is currently studying Tibetan Heart Yoga. Fran loves to teach and teaches from her heart and believes that no matter what you do, it should be fun and from a joyful heart.

Robyn Land

www.myyogaspirit.ca

Robyn Land's passion for yoga first began in 1999, when she first stepped on a yoga mat. She has been hooked ever since! She completed her teacher training under the guidance of Trinity Yoga and is always learning more as she goes along the path that yoga has offered her She loves to share with others the benefits, joy and beauty that yoga has instilled in her life.

Jami Macarty

Jami Macarty holds certifications as a professional-level (500hr) Kripalu yoga teacher, a Ron Fletcher pilates teacher, and an American Council on Exercise personal trainer. In each class she teaches, Jami draws from her dedication to her own personal and professional growth, her 21 years of teaching experience, and her breadth of knowledge in various movement modalities to create a genuine, holistic mind-body experience in which she addresses the individual needs and personal goals of participants to help them build a new foundation of fitness for a lifetime of healthy, active living!

Linda Rea

Linda's yoga journey started 10 years ago when looking for more than just another aerobics class. Yoga Alliance certified in 2006 and trained in Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Power and Pre-Natal yoga she has taught all levels of practitioners from beginners to advanced from the corporate world to the yoga studio. Striving to create fun and challenging flows she emphasizes strength, balance and alignment in her classes in order to truly unite the 3 dimensions of yoga (body mind and soul). Originally trained under Wade Morissette, she continues to be inspired by teachers Shiva Rea, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, David Life and Sharon Gannon, Dharma Mittra and Tracy Groshak. Working in the film business she understands the need to relieve stress and create a calm and focused mind.

Tedi Martin

Tedi is a 9-year devotee of yoga and brings a holistic and organic approach to her work and life philosophy. Holding an Honours degree in kinesiology, she provides a well rounded training program including the benefits of strength training and yoga. This unique combination provides functional and challenging programs for her clients. Tedi specializes in private yoga where each practitioner can gain optimal benefits from their practice. Tedi is forever grateful to her yoga teachers and inspirations, Tracy Mann, Leritta Rubinoff, Tanis Fishman and Cathy Shae.

Ona Manning

Ona spent one year in extensive training with Balanced Body University in San Francisco Ca. In 2007, she received certification in Mat levels 1 and 2, Reformer levels 1, 2, and 3, Cadilac (Trapeze), Chair, and Barrels. She spent one year teaching at Absolute Center in Laffayette California before returning to B.C. to pursue her career in health and fitness . Ona is also a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and has completed the BCRPA weight training course. She believes in incorporating all aspects of health and fitness with a focus on alignment and prevention of injuries and illness. Ona offers group and individual Pilates sessions at Steve Nash Sports Club.

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GROUP X INSTRUCTORS VANCOUVER

Brandon Crichton

Retired professional road cyclist and National Team member. Competed and lived in Europe, representing Canada at 3 World Championships. Brandon was a double silver medalist at the 2005 Canada Summer Games and has raced in 14 countries, making sure to test the beer in each! His most memorable athletic achievement is being hit by a car at the 2006 World Championships in Austria, while on the last lap. Brandon is Yoga certified from Blue Dog Yoga and has been teaching a form of powerflow yoga that brings out the elite athlete in all of us! Yoga helped him race competitively for 12 years, while on the road traveling.

Tim Hawke

Tim Hawke is passionate about helping people improve their health and quality of life. A fitness industry veteran, he has been a fitness educator, club manager, program director, personal trainer and group exercise instructor for private, not-for-profit and corporate facilities in Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg for more than 20 years. Tim obtained his Bachelor of Arts majoring in Physical Activity and Sports Studies, from the University of Winnipeg, while working for the YM-YWCA, as assistant Adult Director. In addition to his degree Tim holds many other certifications including BCRPA , Can Fit Pro, Bender Method, Resist A Ball, Keiser , Yoga Alliance and Physical Mind Institute.

Rebecca Greiger

For many years Rebecca has been a cyclist and all-around outdoor enthusiast who discovered the magic of Spin class in the year 2004. In 2005, she became a certified Spin instructor and began teaching classes.

Natalie Sheh

Natalie Carmen Sheh's interest and passion for group fitness began at an early age. As a child she would eagerly attend her mother's aerobic classes, and since then she's never looked back. In 2003, she became a BCRPA certified Group Fitness Instructor, and joined the staff of The Fitness Group. At The Fitness Group, she trained under well known fitness personalities such as Krista Popowych, a TV fitness host and a two-time Canadian Presenter of the Year. Since then, she's instructed at the Vancouver Tennis Club, ran her own energetic outdoor bootcamps, and worked with the Vancouver School Board to promote group fitness initiatives among students and teachers alike. In her spare time, Natalie also enjoys many recreational pursuits involving her own personal fitness. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, white water rafted the Nile River as well as hiking, biking and kayaking around beautiful British Columbia.
Natalie is a graduate of the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and works for a local environmental technology firm specializing in water quality and bioinformatics.

Kate Pecknold

Kate's passion for a healthy lifestyle comes from her involvement in physical activity and diverse sports since a very young age. With interests that range from running and strength training, to yoga, boxing and cycling, she works to incorporate all aspects of sport into her classes, challenging her clients to achieve their maximum fitness potential. Kate believes we are all capable of realizing our fitness goals with the right amount of hard work and commitment.

Dolores Leite

Dolores has been in the Fitness and Health Industry for 17 years instructing a wide range of different style of classes from step, ball, strength to indoor and out door bootcamp. She loves teaching and is passionate about helping others reach their fitness and health goals. She feels that she is always enthusiastic, high energy and motivating in every class. She gives it my all every time!Dolores is also a Certified Personal Trainer and has taken the Indoor Cycling and Yoga Certification Courses. Furthermore she will be working towards her Pilates Instructor Certification this coming fall.

Brian Scott

Brian has an extensive background in plyometrics, functional fitness and athletic training. He is passionate about cycling and has competed for over 20 years in road racing and distance events. Brian comes from a nursing background, and switched careers to Fitness out of a great need to help people prevent illness and stay healthy from a proactive perspective. His nursing background brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to his coaching skills. His clients benefit greatly from his extensive knowledge base that allows him to design unique workouts that keep them interested, challenged and motivated."

YOGA & PILATES INSTRUCTORS RICHMOND

Connie Wu

Connie brings love, enthusiasm and awareness to every Vinyasa Flow, Power and Hot class. She is also certified to teach Kids Yoga and Prenatal Yoga, encouraging each class with patience, creativity and nurturing spirit of a goddess. To compliment her yoga practice, she has been certified to teach mat Pilates from the Physicalmind Institute and is now studying Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Teaching classes since 2006, yoga is Connie's passion and inspiration; giving her the opportunities to connect with others and cultivate compassion. She believes that each yoga practice should align breath, body and spirit - you should feel invigorated, relaxed and positively charged. Her classes are playful yet challenging and she invites you to try a class and expect to flow and smile. When she s not teaching, she can be found snowboarding, scuba diving, traveling and looking for the perfect cup of hot chocolate.

Troy Turi

Troy Turi has taught yoga for the past 12 years, most recently in Los Angeles. He has previously worked internationally as an interventionist, yoga teacher and as a Gestalt Therapist working with violent offenders in prisons around North America. His personal philosophy is that teaching yoga is the best path to enhanced awareness of the physical body in harmony with the mind to affect change directly in the moment.

Sue Campagna

Connection of "body, mind and soul" is intrinsic to Sue’s practice. Yoga is meant to be shared and embraced by all. Her classes are fun, inventive, and empowering, combining her own unique sense of style and sequencing. When not on her mat, You will find her hanging out with her kids LuLu, and Takoda, and her husband Iain. Live, Love, Laugh...

GROUP X INSTRUCTORS RICHMOND

Adria Despres

Adria has been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years. Her personal and professional interests and passion for health and fitness have allowed her to help many reach their goals. Areas of specialty are weight loss, core conditioning, bootcamp, youth training, small and large group training. Weither you are at the athletic level, post rehab, POPAT candidate, pregnant or beginner to exercise she will get you to the next level safely and efficiently.

• BCRPA Registered Personal Trainer
• BCRPA Registered Weight Trainer
• BCRPA Registered Group Fitness Instructor
• Certified Pilates Instructor
• Twist Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Certified Spinning Instructor

Nadia Rose

Nadia has been in fitness industry for over 20 years. Her commitment in fitness has pursued her to continue education. She is dedicated to using her knowledge and experience to provide you with the steps you need to achieve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health. She is a BCRPA Certified Group Fitness instructor, Aquatic instructor, 3rd age instructor, Weight training instructor, Yoga instructor, and a Personal trainer. She is qualified in a broad range of health conditions such as : Clinical Exercise Specialist, Sports Specific Programs, Weight gain, Weight loss, Improving Cardio Vascular Endurance and Pre-Post Natal Certificates. She has also competed in different fitness categories as a fitness professional at WNSO and FAME.

Dave Eleiter

Dave has been a spinning instructor for 5+ years. His style mimics outdoor riding while emphasizing climbing and interval work. Dave specializes in long endurance and his experience includes 15 adventure races in Canada and the US including a 5 day Eco-Challenge. In addition, Dave has completed the 160km Canadian Ski Marathon 7 times (Lachute, PQ), the Snow to Sea MultiSport Race (Beirut, Lebanon), the TransRockies 7 day mountain bike stage race (2008) and placed 2nd in the 2007 Race Across America (2 man team, 5000km, 8 days, 4 hrs).

Michelle Ramsay

Michelle Ramsay is a BCRPA Fitness Leader for over 10 years. She is also a competitive Curler for 23 years. Michelle is a former Rep A softball Coach for Richmond Girl’s Softball Association. She is currently teaching all levels of spin classes in Richmond and works as a manger for BC Lottery Corporation.

Jennifer Kempton

Jennifer Kempton has always loved participating group fitness classes and in 2009 she decided that it was time to take it to the next level and become an instructor. She has been teaching since January 2010 and loving every minute of it!

Mary – Elin Enhorn

Mary-Elin is a well-rounded Can-Fit Pro Specialist who has been in the fitness industry for over 13 years. Her diverse experience includes Resistance Ball/Bosu Training, Strength Training, Bootcamp and Hi/Low Cardio Dance. Mary-Elin teaches an intense, demanding and challenging workout to maximize all fitness levels.

Astrid Merkt

Astrid grew up being very involved in athletics, competing in field hockey, ballet, swimming, figure skating, and the varsity track team at UBC. Being very involved in sports showed her the importance of training to maximize performance, prevent injury, and optimize the connection between body and mind. This interest led her to focus her studies and graduate in human kinetics and psychology at UBC, and become certified in personal training, group fitness, schwinn spinning, and twist core strength and conditioning. Her passion for sports and wellness is combined with an education in kinesiology and psychology, to effectively create functional training and motivational classes. She focuses on balancing the body by strengthening its weaknesses. Once you have a solid foundation to work with, you can achieve any health and fitness goals desired. She has taught all types of classes all over Vancouver, and was the fitness director for the "CRUNCH" fitness program at club med in Cancun, Mexico. Her spin classes are never boring, and revolve around high intensity interval training for weight loss, core strength for balance, mind and body awareness, and upper body work to achieve a full body conditioning workout. I also specialize in bosu ball, body ball, and outdoor fitness.

Lynn Cheng

Lynn has over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry in both Canada and Hong Kong. A BCRPA certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Lynn specializes in Boot Camps, Circuit Combos, SAQ/Core and balance training, Triathlon training clinics for youth and Indoor Cycling.

Mandy Nider

Mandy is BCRPA certified in Group Fitness, Weight Training and Third Age Fitness. Was a competitive gymnast for many years and from there got her NCCP certification and taught young gymnasts. Mandy has a passion for fitness and health and enjoys boxing in her spare time. Is currently taking her human kinetics degree.

YOGA & PILATES INSTRUCTORS MORGAN CROSSING

Tracy Sundbo

Combining 10 years of yoga practice and a passion for sharing the art of balance, Tracy teaches yoga from the heart. She has completed her 250 hour Yoga teacher training through Langara College, 30 hours of children’s Yoga training taught by Shakta Khalsa with “Radiant Child Yoga”, and just recently completed her first module toward her advanced teacher training in northern India at Anand Prakash Yoga Ahram. Believing in living yoga on & off the mat, Tracy will guide you through a beautiful, all encompassing practice that will leave you feeling energized & inspired.

Sarah Jamieson

Sarah believes yoga is not about what you are doing, but rather how you are doing it. Whether she is teaching a gentle class or a vigorous one, her teaching is focused on alignment, awareness, and breath. At the heart of her instruction is an invitation to explore yoga as a way of life. She believes practicing yoga can change our experience of life off the mat as we learn to find comfort in discomfort through longer holds, and as we develop strength and persistence when we engage with more challenging sequences. You can find out a lot more about Sarah at www.sarahjanejamieson.com

GROUP X INSTRUCTORS MORGAN CROSSING

Sonia Bains

Sonia has been a practicing Registered Dental Hygienist for the past 10 years. She moved to the west coast 3 years ago after living in New York for 10 years. She is a half and full marathon runner and will be running her 4th marathon in San Fran on Oct. 17th. She loves inspiring and teaching her Rhythm Ride.

Carolyn Collins

NSCA/P/T, Sports Performance Specialist, Sports Nutritionalist and fitness and lifestyle consultant with over 20 years experience in the fitness Industry, and owner and operator of TRAINERS, a Personal Training and Athletic Performance Center. I contract myself out to Fitness Facilities, teaching workshops, educating fitness instructors and other various organizations interested on fitness topics such as, weight loss, lifestyle changes, strength training, nutrition etc. I also write and model for some fitness publications. I spend the bulk of my time offering my services, which include, personal training, classes,coaching, sports specific training such as: golf, tennis, hockey, soccer, etc., full nutritional program and eating analysis for desired body fat %, Pilates mat, all aspects of strength and endurance training, counseling, educating.

Vicki Kunzli

Certified Spinning Instructor since 1995. She is a BCRPA Group Fitness, specializing in Strength conditioning, Athletic cardio, and Sculpt. Vicki is an avid outdoor road cyclist, with credits of STP, and the rider and organizer of the Ride2Survive, and a board member of Team Coastal Cycling.

Kerry Kunzli

Certified Spinning Instructor since 1995. He is a level 2 cycling coach. He is an avid outdoor road and mountain bike cyclist, with credits of winning the 24hr Adrenalin Mountain bike race 5X, STP, Ride2Survive, a board member of Team Coastal Cycling, and a Cat 4 racer.

Shelby Thom

is a young and enthusiastic instructor who has been teaching aerobics classes for the Township of Langley for two years and recently began teaching at Steve Nash. She is BCRPA certified and has her current First-aid and CPR certifications. She has completed her BCRPA weight training course and is studying to become a personal trainer, and specializes in strength classes.

Liz Hartwig

Liz has a background in sports and nutrition, with a degree in Kinesiology and a diploma in dietary technology. She has competed in various cycling, adventure, running and triathlon events over the past 15 years, provided sports and injury rehabilitation and personal training and most recently became certified spinning instructor in 2009. Her full time work is disability management.

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