Me at age 6

As a Senior Yoga teacher, I teach accessible, enlightening, peace filled and alignment conscious classes in Calgary, Alberta.
My passion is to connect Yoga practice with nature, the elements of nature, and to explore the divine and sacred feminine.
I wrote a monthly Yoga column for the Calgary Herald/Post media for 8 years from 2010 – 2018, and my columns were printed in newspapers across the country. 

My Yoga journey began in 1996
I was walking down the hallway of the Calgary Jewish Centre heading to the workout room.
Every step getting me to the gym was an effort in itself.
Every part of me screaming to stop and not do this yet my head wasn’t listening.

I had to workout to ‘stay in shape’. (As I write that I am laughing to myself, cause now that means feeling good and being connected mind, body and breath)

On this one particular day, I walked past a room with windows out to the hallway.
The lights were dimmed and there were about 8 people lying on the floor in what appeared to me to be a deeply relaxing and calm place.
I had never seen anything like it.
I remember placing my hand on the window and gazing longingly into that room, and saying, “I want to be there”

I had no idea what it was I was looking at but it was love at first sight, and by the next week I had registered and was in, my first Yoga class.

I loved Yoga.
I loved the way it felt in my body,
I loved the calm atmosphere.
I loved the music I heard that I’d heard no where else,
I loved the anatomy learning,
I loved the balance
and loved the things that were surprisingly difficult and challenging.

Yet it took me 8 years to understand the power of practice and the support Yoga practice brings to all aspects of Life.

In between this time, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.
As the pain became more frequent and more painful, I sought medical advice.
I was told to avoid lifting and carrying heavy things, and began weekly visits to the Chiro and Physio.
Yet the healing solution was there in front of me and in my hands the whole time.
I just didn’t realize it

Around this time I also began attending Yoga classes more regularly.
As the lights turned on, the fire was lit.
I began to feel stronger, happier and more centred than I ever had before.

And my aches and pains went away.

My mind opened to my own potential, and I realized that healing my body was in my own hands. The more I practiced Yoga the easier some poses became, and I enjoyed meeting my edge and expanding as the poses flowed into more interesting places.

Becoming a full time Yoga teacher was a natural evolution for me. People noticed the change in me and were constantly asking me what I was doing. I had lost weight, I felt lighter in my head, heart and body, and I believe I was shining my inner light with the joy I was experiencing.

The more I learned the more inspired I felt to keep learning more.

And this remains true today.

I always feel a flutter of excitement when I step on the mat.
I don’t know whats going to happen or what I will discover and am always excited to see where my practice will lead me today.

My Yoga practice has taught me the value in keeping moving and expanding, and the benefits of committed practice.

It is my joy to share this practice and am honoured and uplifted by the kindred spirits who join me.

I look forward to sharing Practice together

So Much Love,
Johanna