Our Team
Andrea Cochrane
Bianca Schaefer
Bianca specializes in Vinyasa Flow, combining the many different styles of yoga which she has studied with innovative ideas which are drawn from her health and wellness backround. Her passion for living a balanced life come from her experience as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and fitness instructor at Mississauga Adventure Boot Camp.
Bianca believes that balancing the body, mind, heart and soul are essential to living life to it’s fullest and uses yoga as a way to spiritually connect to God. Bianca’s sincerity, positive energy and commitment to health is what make her classes invigorating, comforting and suitable for everyone.
Catherine Jarmain
Catherine is Leewi’s founder and director. With a professional background in psychology and behavioural therapy, as well as a personal penchant for health and fitness – ranging from ballroom dance and ballet to Pilates and yoga, Catherine has dedicated much of her life to bridging the gap between mental, physical and emotional states of wellbeing. Her interest in holistic health is centered largely on yoga, and the solace one finds when “coming to the mat”.
Catherine’s introduction to the Kundalini philosophy, later grew into a deep appreciation for the challenge and stimulation Ashtanga and Bikram/Moksha styles of yoga. To enhance her understanding of yogic tradition, Catherine completed the Yoga Alliance Teacher Training and is a registered member of the International Association of Yoga Therapy, which combines her previous work in psychology with her current passion for physical wellness.
Connie Bartley
On the recommendation of a fellow runner Connie set out to try “hot” yoga as a means to better stretch her muscles from her distance running eight years ago, thus her yoga journey began. After only a few classes Connie realized she has stepped into a whole new world of self- discovery, self –acceptance, and non-judgment. A registered nurse for over 20 years specializing in Obstetrics and Maternal/Fetal medicine, her first yoga training was with Janice Clarfield in 2005 in prenatal yoga. Craving more knowledge she took two wonderful workshops with Frank Jude Boccio in Mindfulness Yoga, as well as participating in a weekend workshop with Marshall Rosenberg- the creator of Non-Violent Communication in Ottawa. Wishing to take the Moksha Yoga teacher training and wondering how that might be possible with a full time job and 2 children to take care of, the belief in possibility was realized and doors opened. Connie completed the Moksha yoga training in the summer of 2006 in Toronto and her yoga teaching journey began. Taking many workshops in various yoga traditions Connie soon found herself at the Downward Dog Yoga Center in Toronto. Taking classes with Diane Bruni and Ron Reid inspired her to take their ashtanga teacher training in fall/winter 2007-2008.
Having learned from Michael Stone in her Moksha training- a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, Buddhist teacher, author and activist, committed to the integration of traditional teachings with contemporary psychological and philosophical understanding. She continued to seek him out when possible for workshops. She furthered her study with Michael in the fall of 2010 in a 6 month intensive and is currently studying with him this winter.
Teaching from the heart and a place of compassion, Connie remains a student of life. When not teaching, or developing her own practice, she is absorbing many life lessons from the two brightest lights on her path sons Garrett and Cameron.
Favorite pose: Downward dog as it reflects the duality of strength and surrender.
Janet Williams
Janet is a certified yoga instructor and has studied many styles of yoga in Canada, Australia, England and Spain. She first found yoga in 1988 but not until 1996 did she pursue her yoga teacher training certification. Today, Janet holds two different certifications and teaches Hatha and children’s yoga.
Janet is committed to making the world a better place by promoting children’s physical, mental and emotional health through Yoga, and protecting the environment. Her book “What I See, I Can Be: A Guided Yoga Flow for Children” is used as a primary tool to engage and connect with children in a non-competitive environment.
Jennifer Moser
Jennifer Moser started her spiritual journey with Yoga in 2005. What began as curiosity, attending a class with a friend, has led to a journey that has invited a new sense of openness, awareness and personal reflection in her life. After a number of years of focusing on her personal practice, the opportunity to train as a yoga teacher literally fell into her lap during summer break. Realizing that the universe has a way of presenting you with opportunities at the right time in life, Jennifer decided to enrol in a 200-hour Power Yoga Teacher Training program with Kinndli McCollum. She felt she was ready to embark on a journey to give back what yoga has been able to do for her, as well as to deepen her own practice. Jennifer is also a high school teacher and has been teaching World Religions for 7 years, bringing the physical dimension of yoga into her classroom.
Jennifer is grateful to share the ability for deeper awareness, compassion and acceptance in her classes.
Joanne Taylor
Joanne’s journey into yoga began when she participated in a yoga class offered at a local church. This ignited a desire to pursue Moksha Yoga’s teacher training and become an instructor. Her classes are dynamic and infused with intelligence and creativity. She skillfully weaves the biomechanics of postures with inspired expression, inviting deeper awareness on and off the mat.
Joanne continues to develop her understanding of yoga through the principles of Anusara yoga and enjoys participating in workshops as well as maintaining her own regular practice.
June Bradley
June’s teaching style flows from the ancient tradition of classical Hatha Yoga. She has practiced and loved yoga since 1970. She trained to receive her yoga instructor’s certification in 1977 and has continued to upgrade her training regularly over the years. She is a registered member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
June teaches Hatha Basic, Gentle Awareness and Yin yoga. She encourages students to practice with mindfulness and respect for where they are in their journey. As a yoga therapist, June’s focus is with the integration of mind, body and spirit to promote a holistic experience of healing.
Justine Chomski
Justine was drawn to the effects of yoga after her initial class in 2004. She found herself scheduling her life and work around her yoga schedule. Not long after that first class, Justine enrolled in her first 500 hour teacher training in Hatha and Kundalini. Since then she has received training in Yoga for Golfers and Ashtanga.
Justine is thankful for what yoga has brought to her life not only physically and spiritually, but also has inspired her zest for knowledge and learning. She believes yoga comes to you when you are ready to embrace the changes that can occur through your practice.
Kelly Johnson
Yoga has given Kelly the clarity to move through many difficult physical and emotional challenges of her own with grace. Her journey began in 1998, providing her balance to her background in dance and figure skating. She is certified to instruct Ashtanga, Restorative and Hatha as well as partner yoga, but finds her true passion in Pre and Post Natal yoga. She feels that regular yoga practice helped build the strength and courage for the most intense experience of her life… Childbirth! This experience has motivated her to share her knowledge of the miracle of life through her Pre-Natal and Mom & Baby classes.
Kim Radovich
Kim’s yoga journey began in 1996 but it was only until a few years later when a life-changing illness prompted Kim to heal her body and spirit through the practice of yoga. The profound transformation that she experienced motivated Kim to pursue her teaching certification. Since 2008, Kim has completed two teacher training programs and she is an Anusara™-Inspired teacher who has studied extensively with Anusara™ teachers Todd Norian & Ann Green; Pre-Natal Yoga with Sue Elkin, John Friend, Sianna Sherman, Naime Jezzeny and Dr. Douglas Brooks.
Kimberley Beaudry
Kiran Sohal
Kiran left her professional background in Human Resources and IT Recruitment to pursue her true passion in life, Yoga. As a Certified Yoga Instructor in Ashtanga, Kripalu, and Hatha, she has been teaching for the past 10 years in the corporate, health, and fitness sector. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Hinduism at the University of Toronto. Her passion for Yoga also lead her to spend a year in Manitoba working with youth and children from the inner cities and First Nations community to share the healing power of yoga in dealing with stress, anger, and addiction. In addition to Yoga, she enjoys teaching Pilates, Meditation, and Belly Dancing.
Kirstin Randall-Gan
Kirstin is certified yoga instructor as well as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Through her classes, Kirstin shares her passion for yoga and nutrition and invites students to cultivate a healthy lifestyle with both spiritual and physical aspects.
Kirstin is inspired by the teachings of her former teacher, Raymonde Worsfold, who she had the pleasure of practicing under for several years. Kirstin brings to her classes a classic Hatha method of practice, aligning with the principles of expansion and contraction, breath and strength, inspired by the Ashtanga and Anusara™ styles of yoga.
Megan Trimble
Megan approaches teaching through the eyes of a perpetual student, yet will the wisdom of a seasoned teacher. While constantly bringing her own experience from her mat to the practice room, she is committed to supporting her students on their journey of exploration and healing.
Having studied at the school of Yoga Therapy and Natural Medicine in Toronto, her primary styles of teaching being Kundalini and Classical Hatha. Megan has since continued her study with The Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto. Megan credits, Diane Bruni with having the greatest influence on her teaching.
Mike Steiner
Mike is formerly a pool player and actor whose yoga journey began with a 6:30am hot yoga class. His passion for Yoga was apparent from the this very first class and he committed himself to sharing this passion to those around him. He completed his initial inaugural Moksha Yoga teacher training in Toronto and has since completed his Anusara training studying extensively with Naime Jezzeny and Sue Elkind. His classes are fun and his aim is to teach each class as a class that he himself would enjoy attending.
Nitsa Diakoloukas
Nitsa Diakoloukas is a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance-RYT200, and also a Certified Elementary School Teacher.
She loves to work with kids – where everyone’s imaginations can go wild! So much can be learned and experienced through movement. Specialized training has helped her open the creative minds and creative hearts in kids!
When teaching adults, her style of Yoga is a gentler, but deeper practice, which is guided by the breath; allowing us to go deeper into the pose, to undo, to elongate and release to the earth, while going deeper into ourselves. Her style is eclectic, incorporating training from Anusara Yoga, and Maria Garre’s Vinyasa Flow, into her yoga classes. Yoga is a time for one’s self and for inner reflection. Therefore, Nitsa is committed to supporting her students on their journey to embrace authenticity in their lives.
Patricia Telesnicki
Patricia was initially drawn to yoga as she trained for her first marathon in 1997. The postures brought relief to her tight, sore muscles and her body was grateful to discover the beauty, joy and soulfulness of movement led by breath. Her ignited spirit and strong desire to help others discover freedom in their own bodies is apparent in each class she leads. She has studied Anusara yoga with John Friend and other senior certified teachers as well as completed over 400 hours of extensive training through immersions, teacher trainings, anatomy and yoga therapeutics.
My classes are infused with precise alignment instruction, a playful spirit, and gentle support. All levels of students are encouraged to participate and play at their edge remembering that the expression of the poses are a unique celebration of the heart.
Rose Merritt
Rose credits a shoulder injury as the primary means to discovering yoga and finding a way to heal physically and help find a deeper connection with herself. For Rose, yoga has been an evolution of becoming attuned with her body and learning to be quiet enough to hear her own voice. She encourages students to do the same on and off their mats. As a certified yoga instructor, Rose enjoys the beauty of all forms of yoga and has adopted Vinyasa Flow Yoga as her primary teaching style.
Sofia Jambor
Sofia has completed training programs in Hatha, Hot, Restorative and Anusara™ Yoga. Her classes are infused with an exuberant and playful nature, creating opportunities for students to overcome challenges, find acceptance and integration, and learn to act more skilfully in the face of adversity and resistance on and off their mats.
Her background includes studies in applied anatomy and physiology, multiple languages, partner yoga and Thai yoga massage. She strives to find balance between her studentship and teaching, knowing that her capacity to serve others grows from her ability to find wisdom and peace within first.
Soni Craik
Through sweaty play, Soni’s classes are meant to inspire, deepen and connect students to their innate goodness through the practice. Soni’s style is deeply influenced by the Anusara yoga tradition. It is her intention to create classes that guide students safely through practices that are fun and challenging as well as heart oriented and balanced.
She draws inspiration from her teachers Christi-ian Slomka, Sonja Patterson, Josie Houpt, Hareesh Wallis and Noah Maze.
Soni is currently completing her Anusara training.
Trish Dingman
Living in Denver Colorado away from her family, Trish attended her first yoga class on Christmas Day 2006. She was intrigued by the changes in her way of being which stemmed from the classes she was attending. Old habits that were no longer serving her fell away and she revisited her faith. As she began to physically align her body, her life began to align itself with the universe.
Upon her return to Canada, she began to teach what had changed her life so profoundly in order to deepen her practice, spirit and create a community to grow with. She has since completed over 300 hours of Vinyasa training and is currently completing her Anusara training.