Teachers

Mary established The Lotus Yoga Centre in Toronto with a vision for providing powerful yoga and meditation practices to enhance people's physical and spiritual lives. For over 10 years, she has studied and taught yoga internationally in India, New Mexico, England, France, New York and Toronto. She holds international certifications in Kundalini yoga (as taught by Yogi Bhajan), pre and post-natal yoga and Hatha yoga. Mary has taught a wide range of people in all walks of life. Along with her classes at Lotus, she has taught anxiety-reducing and relaxation techniques to those with cancer and oncology nurses at the charitable organization "Wellspring". Mary has practiced Buddhist meditation in the Vipassana and Zen traditions in India and at the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh's Monastery in France. She has found these practices to be particularly transformative and beneficial - for her personal life and teaching of yoga/meditation. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University with a focus on Biology, Psychology, French and Art courses. She is also a classically trained dancer and choreographer with an extensive background performing internationally on stage and film. Her dance background enables her to bring great creativity, precision and fluidity to her teaching of yoga. While Mary teaches several celebrities, she recognizes the importance of equally valuing every human life. With her understanding that we are all deeply interconnected and all face the challenges and joys of being human, Mary enjoys reaching out to people in all walks of life. She is passionate about the powerful way yoga and meditation transforms people and is devoted to guiding others towards greater health and happiness. *Mary is currently writing a book on the pilgrimage she took to Thich Nhat Hanh's Monastery in France.

e-mail: mary@lotusyogacentre.com

Photos of teachers are below their bios.

Angela Hanes
Angela Hanes is a newly certified Kundalini yoga teacher, having graduated from the KRI Aquarian Teacher Training Program is 2009. Angela has been practicing yoga since 2001, with a devoted practice in kundalini, ashtanga, hatha, moksha and kripalu yoga. She is an avid runner and believes in promoting a healthy, holistic lifestyle, with a strong interest in natural, healthy cooking. Angela is also an actor, having received her BFA in theatre at York University, and is a founding member and the Managing Director of the independent theatre company Column 13 Actors Company.


Gurushabd
Gurushabd is a student at the University of Toronto, who has been practising Kundalini yoga and meditation throughout her life. She brings grace to yoga classes that are taught in an insightful, straightforward, and fun manner. Come and join her to be uplifted by the ancient healing tradition of Kundalini Yoga, in classes that always incorporate yogic postures, specialized breathing techniques, mantras, meditation and relaxation. Her classes are designed to enable yoga students to experience the benefits of the class in their daily lives.

Roselby Rodriguez
Was introduced to Pilates in 1999. This work improved her lower back pain tremendously. After being a student for many years, she decided to obtain her certification in order to share the wonderful benefits of Pilates with others. In 2004 she finished her Mat Work Training with Movement for Health in Toronto and began teaching Mat classes. In the winter of 2006 she
completed her Reformer Certification with Vivian Nickels at Body Matrix Toronto. Roselby has also taught Pilates on the rebounder (mini trampoline), adding cardio work to the core stabilization fundamentals. Prior to Pilates, she studied classical Ballet for eight years in
Caracas, Venezuela. Roselby continues to participate in workshops on core stability, movement and posture imbalance. She uses props in her classes to help people connect with their core muscles. This creates freedom in movement, improves regular activities and helps avoid injuries. Contact - roselby@canada.com 416-531-2671 


Katherine Duncanson
Katherine is an experienced teacher with a special interest in Naad (Sound ) yoga and meditation . In addition to teaching yoga, Katherine is an active interdisciplinary performer (music, dance and theatre) and teaches Voice and Movement Improvisation to many of Toronto's most celebrated music, dance and theatre artists. Now running her own voice and movement studio she is in demand to teach workshops across the country. Katherine was a long time faculty member at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre and the Dance Department of York University where she continues to guest teach.
Katherine is also a certified reflexologist.

Seodhna Keown
graduated with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto in 2003.  For the last five years she has volunteered and worked for Commonwealth Games Canada’s International Development through Sport unit across the southern African region, supporting community NGO partners to develop creative and locally relevant programming using sport and physical activity as a vehicle for social development. Seodhna qualified as a pilates instructor with Renee Watson Studios in Cape Town, South Africa (http://www.pilates-studio.co.za). She is now now back home in Toronto completing her Master's in Public Health. Contact -
seodhnakeown@gmail.com