Teacher Training
Faculty
JASON HAGEMEISTER
jason@yyoga.ca
Jason began practicing yoga in 1991 in an effort to find some balance in his busy life and law practice. Him and Kelly met in 2001 and would go on to open Flow Yoga Studio, create the Flow Teacher Training Program and produce their TV program ‘Flow Yoga with Kelly and Jason’. Over the years he has maintained a steady practice in a variety of types of yoga and have been very fortunate to have learned from the many amazing teachers and students at Flow. These influences have helped him and Kelly develop their particular version of 'Flow' Yoga. Firmly grounded in the Krishnamacharia lineage, they draw from the many rich traditions of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vijnana, Sivananda, Vinyasa Flow and Anusara Yoga.
KELLY COLLEEN
kelly@yyoga.ca
Kelly began her journey of Hatha yoga in San Francisco over 13 years ago. She fell in love with the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice and studied this dynamic form for 6 years before embracing a variety of other styles of yoga. In 2001, Her and Jason would go on to open Flow Yoga studio and develop a 200 hour Teacher Training Program. They also had the privilege to produce and host a 130 episode T.V. program “Flow Yoga” for Channel M.
In her classes, Kelly loves the balance of a physically and mentally challenging class - one that is sequenced intelligently and invites relaxation. She hopes to encourage a sense of humor, accessibility and non-judgment in each class she is honored to teach.
Her current study of yoga includes Vinyasa Flow, Yin, and Anusara yoga and she continues her journey as a humble and dedicated student of motherhood.
ERICA BLITZ
erica@yyoga.ca
www.ericablitz.com
Erica's teaching of yoga is steeped with an intensive background of yogic studies in healing arts, health sciences (anatomy, psychology, nutrition and plant medicine), and meditation. Grounded in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere, Erica works to create a safe and inviting space for everybody to experience yoga’s benefits.
Based on her experience and understanding of the Ashtanga and the Krishnamacharya lineage (KYM) Erica's teachings focus on precise physical alignment, dynamic movement, and breath awareness. Defined as vinyasa krama — a step-by-step approach—her classes weave a balance between intensity and grace into creative, mindful movements that build physical strength and flexibility, reduce stress and quiet the mind. Together with simple pranayama and meditation, she creates a practice that is simultaneously challenging and calming leaving you energized and centered long after you've left your yoga mat.
Erica has been studying and practicing yoga since 1996. She has been teaching classes, workshops and teacher trainings in Vancouver, China and Nicaragua. She is also a freelance writer and editor focusing on travel, health, yoga sustainability and lifestyle. She write the wellness column in the Vancouver View. Her work has appeared in publications including the Vancouver Sun and SharedVISION.
CHRIS CHAVEZ
chris@chrischavezyoga.com
www.chrischavez.com
Named as one of LA's top 10 yoga teachers, Chris is one of the most
down to earth yoga teachers you will ever meet.His teachings are fun,
challenging, and spiritually uplifting. Chris has found the power of
practicing and teaching yoga to be an integral part of being a great
artist as he continues to maintain a healthy music career and a rockin'
yoga practice!
KRISTIN CAMPBELL
kristin@yyoga.ca
Kristin's playful, loving and adventurous spirit shines through her
teaching style. Her classes are a passionate offering of sweetness
coupled with a commanding presence, using a precise dialogue to convey
key alignment principles that will enhance your practice and
modifications for those who need them.
Always beginning with the remembrance of intention and self- awareness,
Kristin hopes to inspire you to give of your best in order to become
more of who you already are. Kristin bows humbly at the lotus feet of
these formal teachers who each in their own unique way have been a well
spring of knowledge and a huge inspiration, John Friend, Elissa
Gumushel, Christine Price-Clark, Baron Baptiste, David Life, Bikram
Choudhury, Paul Grilley, Ram Dass and Master Dhyan Vimal.
ALEX ATHERTON
alex@yyoga.ca
As a scholar and athlete, Alex was devastated at the age of 21 by severe whiplash/concussion. Suffering constant headaches, and chronic fatigue, Alex was advised by doctors to never play sports again at the risk of further brain damage. After 5 years of chronic back pain, headaches, and unsuccessful visits to chiropractors, doctors, and physiotherapists, Alex discovered Hot Yoga. He recognized immediately the amazing transformational power of Yoga practice, and began an amazing journey that led him to health, amazing personal growth, and globe trotting adventure. With the help of his practice, Alex healed his spine, regained his vitality, and majored in Philosophy at the University of Victoria. Certified by Bikram Yoga College of India, Yoga Alliance (USA), and I.N.S.P.Y.A (Australia). He became a teacher of classes, workshops, retreats, and trainings in Canada, China, Thailand, and Malaysia, and spent 2 years as Retreat/Program Manager for Shanghai's largest studio group Y+.
Having lived in China and Taiwan for several years, and been a tour Guide in Tibet and Nepal, Alex is comfortable speaking in teaching in a combination of English and Mandarin Chinese and shares his love of cultures and languages with his students.
Alex brings to his teaching, an energetic and uplifting style, personal conviction and passion, and easy way of communicating with students.
GUEST TEACHERS:
JESSE ENRIGHT
Anatomy, Dynamic Yoga Therapy & Biomechanical Education
http://smartyoga.ca
Jesse has been a student of Yoga for thirteen years and an instructor for the past ten. He began his studies with Sivananda Yoga before exploring the more dynamic Ashtanga Vinyasa, the detailed alignment of Iyengar and the comprehensive intelligence of Vijnana Yoga. He has studied and practiced under senior instructors in India, Australia, Canada and the U.S. Jesse was a full-time instructor at the Downward Dog Yoga Centre in Toronto for five years and completed their one-year teacher training program before moving to Vancouver in 2002. Jesse credits his excellent teachers and his training in anatomy and postural analysis for his detailed, informative style of instruction. His classes blend the challenge and flow of vinyasa with deep alignment and a lighthearted approach.
JEFFREY ARMSTRONG - KAVINDRA RISHI
Bhagavad Gita
www.jeffreyarmstrong.com
A Western Master of Eastern Wisdon - Motivational Speaker, Spiritual Teacher, Mystical Poet, Author, Founder of VASA: Vedic Academy of Sciences & Arts, Ayurvedic Astrologer for over 40 years, Senior YABC Yoga Teacher
As an international speaker and award-winning author, Jeffrey Armstrong lectures on the Philosophy & Lifestyle of Yoga to corporations, yoga studios, universities and ashrams around the world. For the last thirteen years, Jeffrey has been teaching the Vedic knowledge full time. He has developed a full curriculum of seminars on the Vedic knowledge including: the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Puranas, the Yoga Sutras, Vedanta, and the Upanishads. Jeffrey brings a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to his teachings about Vedic culture and offers a clear presentation illuminating the profound wisdom and practical philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita.
MAGGIE REAGH
Yoga Philososhy, Scriptures and Yoga Sutras
www.yogatherapyvancouver.com
Maggie began studying Yoga at age 3 and in 2000, she made her way to study Astanga Vinyasa in Mysore, India with BNS Iyengar. Searching for the source of this work brought her to Chennai, India to study at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) where she met her teachers DV Sridhar, Radha Sridhar, and Viji Vasu. She continues to study with them at Yoga Raksanam in Chennai, India. In addition, she studies Ayurvedic Medicine with Dr. B. Ganesh, Chennai and Iyengar Yoga with Lindsay Whalen, Vancouver.
COLLEEN FRASER
Thailam Ayurvedic Wisdom & Wellness
www.whistlerhealingarts.com
Colleen is a Whistler based registered massage therapist and teacher of ancient ayurvedic texts. She is a graduate of the West Coast College of Massage Therapy and the Ayurvedic Institute, and continues her self-study for over 20 years. Colleen is the director of education and training for Vida Wellness Spas, originally the co-founder of the spa which opened its flagship location in 1989, formerly known as the Spa at Chateau Whistler. The Spa has grown to encompass an integrated, multidisciplinary team of more than 100 professionals, with goals including continuing education and preventative healthcare. She works primarily with massage practitioners and estheticians who look to enhance their skill level. Ayurveda is a complete life science and life strategy that facilitates health so that we can employ all of our potentials in life. She has practiced massage therapy and taught massage at numerous colleges and massage schools in the Pacific Northwest on deep tissue massage, sports, foot massage, cranial sacral, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, pregnancy, ayurvedic bodywork techniques, ayurvedic cooking, ayurveda and self-care and marma point therapy. Colleen’s teaching style brings a calm presence, firmly rooted in mindfulness. She brings a long standing interest in alternative healthcare and a vibrant passion for her spa work. Colleen’s joy for the healing arts has been the propelling force behind her success and in her own process of self-discovery. Currently, she lives with her family in Whistler, where she teaches, writes, and has a private practice working primarily with individuals undergoing detoxification programmes.