Ajna Yoga Teachers
Jules Payne, Director & Primary Teacher
ERYT-200, RYT 500, Certified Professional Yoga Therapist
| "I began practicing yoga with the idea that it would make me stronger. Yoga did help my strength, and it also helped me slow down to live a happier life. As I learned more about yoga, I discovered other therapeutic benefits that have helped me with a life-long struggle with insomnia and back pain from scoliosis. I was inspired by these discoveries to pursue an education in Yoga Therapy." |
Jules has been training teachers of yoga since 2004 and co-founded Ajna Yoga with Michelle in 2008. Her own training is in Vijnana, Anusara, Ashtanga and Integrative Yoga Therapy. Jules received her certification as a Yoga Therapist with Integrative Yoga Therapy.
In her teaching, Jules is most interested in connecting people with the therapeutic aspects of yoga - guiding people to their own internal source of calm through movement, breath and meditation. Her classes combine awareness of alignment, breath and a sense of play. Jules teaches vinyasa flow classes, hatha classes, meditation retreats, chair- yoga and sees clients for private yoga therapy sessions.
In training new teachers to find their voice as a yoga instructor, Jules believes in providing a strong foundation in philosophy, anatomy and alignment. With this full 'toolbox' of knowledge, new teachers have the freedom to find their own voice and own style of teaching.
Michelle Schroeder, Primary Teacher
ERYT-200
| "Yoga has been a part of my life since I can remember. Since my early childhood I have felt a real calling to the postures and just sitting. Yoga has helped guide me in my life and allowed me to stay focused on my path when I have needed it the most. I feel very grateful for the gift of yoga and the path of self discovery that has come about so far." |
Michelle completed her certification through the Chakra yoga center in July 2000 and has been teaching ever since. She has taught many styles of yoga from Hatha, Flow, Power, Pre-natal, post-natal and kids yoga. In the last 5 years, Michelle has been drawn to a style of yoga called Vijnana yoga, working from a place of within. She currently study with Orit Sen-Gupta, Gioia Irwin and her weekly teacher Elizabeth Peckman.
"Having envisioned a yoga teacher training course for a few years now, I feel very pleased to be sharing this experience with Jules and the students that come to explore with us. The path of yoga leads us to the sacred connection of our true self and the divine energy of the unvierse. May you stay true to your path and follow your heart. Namaste"
500 Hour Advanced Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Faculty
Bio's on our 300 hour Guest Instructors
Elizabeth Peckham started yoga at the age of 30. She has been practicing and teaching yoga for 15 years. She has studied with many senior teachers in the world including Pattabhi Jois & Swami Satchinanda. In the past 8 years she has studied Vijnana Yoga with Orit Sen-Gupta and Iyengar Yoga with Shirley Daventry- French. She presently teaches yoga to beginners, advanced students, athletes and works privately with students who have illnesses.
Melissa McLeod is a friendly, down-to-earth yoga and fitness instructor. She encourages her students to slow down and listen to their bodies during their practice. She loves helping people discover what they are capable of, and how their body likes to move! Melissa specializes in teaching students how to engage their core correctly, using their deep abdominals and pelvic floor muscles. Melissa first began practicing yoga as a new way for her to exercise and discovered that yoga was so much more than working out. She was inspired to deepen her practice and was certified as a yoga teacher in 2005 through MokSana Yoga Center. Melissa is honored to share the practice of yoga.
www.bloomyogavictoria.ca
Paulette Carlson trusts that freedom in body and mind is attained through the practice of yoga and sitting meditation. She received her yoga certification from a local Victoria studio and has since trained in Self-Awakening Yoga with Don and Amber Stapleton in Costa Rica, certifying with them as a practitioner of Pranassage, one on one yoga massage. Currently a student of Integral Theory through Integral Coaching Canada, Paulette also recently launched her own business as a professional Integral Life Coach (www.shinelife.ca). In her spare time, Paulette continues on with her life long love of ballet.
Robert Smith is certified with Yoga Alliance (RTY-200). Completing his teacher training at Moksana Yoga Studio and Yin Teacher Training. What brought me to Yoga at first, was a way to help repair my body from 30 plus years of distance running. I discovered that Yoga presented not only a physical practice, but one that enriched my spiritual awareness and connection with all aspect of life.
In leading classes, whether it is Yin or Hatha, I invite you to integrate pranayama, movement from within to discover your edge. Often in a fun dynamic class that it suitable for all levels. Both instructor and student, I seek to find a balance in a studio and in life.
My teachers include Bernie Clark, Elizabeth Peckham, Padma Nair and Vishvi Ji. I have traveled to India deepening my personal practice, comparing the Eastern vs. Western approach to yoga. The styles of yoga that I have been influenced by are Yin, Sivananada (Hatha) and Akhanda.
Certified Yoga Teacher Yoga Alliance
Certified Personal Trainer BCRPA
Email: westboundbike@gmail.com or robertsmith@shaw.ca
Katerina Standish has been studying yoga and meditation since 1997. Her exploration of the Yoga Family Tree began in the Kundalini Tradition and then branched out into the Hatha, Vinyasa and Iyengar methodologies. She has been teaching yoga in Victoria since 2004 when she completed her 250 Hour training and has continued her training with workshops in restorative yoga, the Five Tibetans and Yoga for Pregnancy. Her classes are suitable for all levels and join breath and body to motion and mindfulness. In addition to studying yoga, Katerina is currently working towards a PhD in Peace and Conflict studies at the University of Manitoba and is a proud mother.