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our studio
Staff & Instructors


DIRECTORS AND MANAGER
Todd Canning director
Thea LaCarte director


MOKSHA TEACHERS
Belinda Degano
Bonnie Chiong
Danny Noel
David Crimi
Dorian Kolinas
Gerald Riosa
Hera Lee
Joy Roca
Jordan Nahmias
Michael Shin
Mike Steiner
Tea Shahbazi
Shirley Chou
Stephanie Hutchinson
Vikram Jeet Singh

ASHTANGA TEACHERS
Eric Anderson
Erika LaPosta
Joey Tsang
Lauren Krieger
Shannon Henry
Sharon Mueller
Susan Delaney
Tiago Varella-cid
Yancey Lee
Jian Li

IYENGAR TEACHER
Lynda Montis

JIVAMUKTI TEACHERS
Charlene Yeh
Shayna Orfus
YuMee Chung

VINYASA TEACHERS
Mariana Perticarini
Omaya Elguin
Yvonne Eastwood

YIN TEACHERS
Lydia Pollock
Thea LaCarte
Stephanie Hutchinson



Todd Canning
Director
Todd is a Collingwood native who found yoga in order to rehabilitate his body. Todd has been highly athletic as a surfer, windsurfer, high-caliber tree planter and competitive snowboard racer. Injuries from several of his passions left him with chronic pain that lingered for years. Thanks to a friend's referral, hot yoga completely fixed Todd's body, and this is the sole reason for his choice of path as a yoga teacher:  to help people help themselves and free their bodies from pain. He has taught at studios in California, Vancouver, Montreal and now resides in Richmond Hill and Collingwood.

 

Thea LaCarte
Director
Thea's yoga journey began many years ago. As a young rising star in the world of figure skating, she needed something to carry her through the summer months which incorporated strength and flexibility, so she found her first yoga book at a yard sale for 5 cents and has never looked back.   Thea and Todd now share the responsibility as owners and directors of the studio, along with raising their new baby boy Kai!

 

Tea Shahbazi
Moksha Teacher
"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." Having spent a lifetime creating an image of who and what she thought she ought to be, it was when Tea's foundation began to crumble from the ground up, that she realized it was time for some serious self-examination.

Always having been one to question, analyze, and doubt the norm, Tea majored in Psychology and Philosophy at York University. However, it was through learning about yoga's inner traditions that Tea began to rely less on her intellectual ability in taking in information and more on the felt body sense in being able to sort through inner knowledge/wisdom. Having turned to yoga at a difficult period in her life, it was during her Moksha Teacher Training that Tea finally began to fully realize the abundant benefits of yoga on a physical, psychological, as well as the energetic and spiritual level.

Tea has also done training in yin yoga, in Mindfulness Teacher training with Frank Jude Boccio, has studied with Michael Stone during a Yoga Intensive at the Centre of Gravity in Toronto, and is also learning of The Foundations of Yoga through Georg Feuerstein. Other teachers from whom she draws inspiration from are Jessica Robertson and Ted Grand with whom she began this wonderful journey with!

It is with heart and passion, as well as a beginner's mind, that she continues to pursue her yoga studies; and it is with compassion and love that she passes on her knowledge to fellow students.

 

Stephanie Hutchinson
Moksha and Yin Teacher
Stephanie has been a hairstylist for the past thirty years, using cardio and weight training to keep fit. She then added yoga to her routine over six years ago to bring a sense of balance to her life. Enjoying yoga and all of its benefits, she sought different forms of yoga until some friends introduced her to hot yoga. She began a daily practice, and after finding better health and improved posture, she decided to train as a teacher. Stephanie trained under Bikram and his senior teachers in Los Angeles and received her certificate in November of 2003. She is dedicated to yoga and intends to continue studying so that she can bring a wealth of knowledge to her class and share this with fellow yoga practitioners.  

 

Lydia Pollock
Yin Teacher
Lydia has been involved in dance, fitness and healthy lifestyle activities throughout her life. She has enjoyed blending her background in applied science with her creative spirit in a long and diverse career path including five years with a consumer health web site. Over the years Lydia realized that she needed to adjust her fitness regimen to protect her joint health and yet continue to build strength. She was surprised to find the solution in Yoga. In addition, there were the wonderful benefits of quieting a racing mind and relaxing a body very sensitive to stress. Meditation has been a challenging yet beneficial and grounding practice.

A graduate of the 200 hour Kripalu Teacher Training Program in 2004 Lydia completed the 500 hour Kripalu Professional Teacher Certification in September of 2007. Since then she has studied Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Shiva Rea, Yin Yoga with Sarah Powers and Mindfulness Meditation with various teachers.

Lydia enjoys diversity, regularly participating in classes and workshops in the Anusara, Moksha, Ashtanga, and Jivamukti traditions and finds inspiration in all.

Since graduating the 200 hour YTT program, Lydia has been teaching a variety of Yoga classes in the Markham/Richmond Hill, Ontario area.

 

Danny Noel
Moksha Teacher
Following more than two decades in varying corporate administrative positions within the winemaking industry, Danny's growing penchant for wellness and physical conditioning eventually lead him to pursue a career in health and fitness. Shortly before attaining certifications in fitness assessment and personal training, Danny was introduced to yoga while traveling abroad on the island of Kauai. This initial introduction to Hatha yoga piqued Danny's interest. However, it wasn't until shortly afterwards, upon his return to Canada, while attending his first Hot Yoga class that Danny experienced a truly cathartic revelation. From the outset, it was clearly evident that the awareness and inter-connectivity that yoga cultivates was an ideal complement to the rigors of conventional fitness.

In the summer of 2004, Danny registered and subsequently graduated from the inaugural Moksha Teacher Training certification program consisting of over 800 hours of study. Danny has since studied with many highly accredited teachers including David Life, Paul Grilley, Judith Lasater, Baron Baptiste and John Friend. Danny's love and passion for yoga grows with every passing day. Danny credits his teachers, students and family for helping him to attain a greater understanding and appreciation of connection, compassion and awareness

 

Hera Lee
Moksha Teacher
After years of struggling with chronic knee, neck and lower back pain caused by playing years of rugby, Hera was destined to have Yoga introduced into her life. In 2001, while working in Chandigarh, India, searching for relief, Hera found yoga. While in India, Hera was fortunate enough to practice under the tutelage of Dr. Binodini Debi of the International Foundation of Natural Health and Yoga. Upon her return to Canada, Hera continued to deepen her practice, which eventually led her to complete the Moksha teacher training in July, 2006.  Yoga has not only brought Hera physical relief, but has empowered her with ability to embrace all that life brings with open arms and a deep breath!   

 

Lynda Montis
Iyengar Teacher
Two words which immediately come to mind when students describe Lynda are energy & passion. Lynda feels that her intense positive energy is directly related to her passionate dedication to her yoga teaching & practice. Lynda is witness, both in herself & in her many students, to the limitless transformational power of the practice of yoga.

Lynda attended her first yoga class in 1977 when her first of four daughters (now all yoga practitioners, aged 23 - 33) was one year old. Over the course of raising her family, Lynda found the many lessons of yoga, particularly patience & compassion to be invaluable.

While Lynda had practiced many styles of yoga over the years, she was drawn to the precision and depth of understanding in the Iyengar system of yoga. In November, 2005, after five years of teacher training and thousands of hours of study, Lynda passed assessment and was awarded International Certification in the Iyengar Method from B.K.S. Iyengar.

After completing Iyengar certification, through attending yoga classes with her daughters, Lynda once again began to reconnect with the practice of Ashtanga/Vinyasa. Studying regularly at Downwarddog Yoga Centre, Lynda was accepted directly into their Module III certification program (100 hours Advanced Teacher Training within the following areas: Yoga Therapy, Asana assists & adjustments, Functional Anatomy, Sanskrit & Philosophy, Prenatal Yoga, Ayurveda & Yoga) completing the program in June, 2008.

Seeking to better integrate core integrity in her teaching, Lynda became certified as a Pilates Mat Work Instructor in June, 2009, through Body Harmonics Pilates. Lynda infuses her teaching with awareness of strengthening & moving from the core.

Over the years, Lynda has completed trainings and continues to study with almost every major teacher in North America & some outstanding teachers from Europe and India. Today Lynda's classes are a balance of moving with the breath but at the same time finding the deep, penetrating & transformational actions in the asanas. Lynda looks forward to a future full of new challenges both for herself and for her students.    

 

Yancy Lee
Ashtanga Teacher
Yancey practices various styles of yoga: Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin.... She believes that different types of yoga have their own therapeutic benefit to ones body and different yoga practices will help improve ones health, wellness, mind awareness and flexibility. She likes to combine different types of yoga in her classes which all emphases on breathing, building core and upper body strength, focus on creating good posture and alignment.

 

Jordan Nahmias
Moksha Teacher
Yoga Sutras, 1.33: "Be happy for those who are happy, compassionate for those who suffer, joyful for the noble and lucky, and indifferent to the wicked."
Jordan Nahmias is a yoga instructor and photographer. In his spare time, he is also a lawyer. Jordan has been practicing yoga since the beginning of 2008, and recently completed the Moksha Yoga Teacher Training in Toronto. Initially seeking yoga for relaxation, Jordan discovered early on the physical and mental benefits of a yogic practice and lifestyle. Constantly looking for ways to improve his practice, Jordan now focuses on sharing his practice and the benefits of yoga with others. This specifically includes the aspects of mindfulness, meditation and flexibility, both on and off the yoga mat. In teaching, he strives to teach others to witness the beauty of the body in asana, and to open the heart of each practitioner to the expected and unexpected.

 

Belinda Degano
Moksha Teacher
Belinda received her B.Sc. in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo in 1992. She went on to study Massage Therapy and became a Registered Massage Therapist in 1994. Belinda has had a full time Massage Therapy practice in Richmond Hill for the past 14 years. She was drawn to yoga more than 10 years ago for its therapeutic benefits. Belinda completed her Moksha Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand in March 2006. She has enjoyed studying Restorative Yoga with Judith Lasater and continues to deepen her practice studying Anusara Yoga.

Belinda believes that beyond the physical benefits, yoga provides an opportunity for us to reveal/re-discover our true nature and inherent goodness. By cultivating a deepened sense of self, she believes that yoga connects us to the spirit that moves within each and everyone of us=> the source!

As a studio owner and director Belinda's intention is to inspire others to live a life full of peace, vitality and "ananda"= happiness.

 

Tiago Varella-cid
Ashtanga Teacher
I began my study of yoga in 2001 to address chronic back pain but quickly discovered that the benefits were far greater than I had anticipated. As a result a passionate exploration of yoga has steadily provided a guiding path for transformative growth. I bring my love of yoga philosophy to my practice and teaching, and strive to integrate elements from all 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga so that students may be exposed to a more internal practice, within the framework of asana.

I primarily teach a vigorous flowing class based on the primary series but also teach a restorative class that uses passive poses to unwind stress imposed by more athletic forms of yoga, and our demanding urban lifestyles.

 

Joy Roca
Moksha Teacher
Joy started yoga at her local gym in 2004. After a short introduction to Capoeria, she decided to dive deeper into a intense yoga practice. After her first hot yoga class in Oakville, she took a full 10 minute final savasana and became hooked ever since. She completed her Moksha Teacher Training in Kerala, India in March 2008. The experience became so embedded in her soul that she holds every moment and person she encounterd in her heart.

Joy graduated from York University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree attaining a double major in Sociology and Communication Studies. While teaching in Trinidad for the winter months of 08/09 she also completed her Level 1 & 2 training of Thai Yoga Massage in Tobago, with founder of Lotus Palm, Kam Thye Chow.

The greatest teachers are always conscious they are first, foremost, and always students, learning to appreciate all the lessons each moment has to offer. Joy understands when one strays from the fundamentals, the ability to focus is the next to go. With that in light, she is always using mindful breath awareness, keeps an open mind and, more importantly, an open heart. She looks forward to teaching and learning; listening and loving. She hopes to one day grow into her full name; Josephine.

 

Mike Steiner
Moksha Teacher
Mike's yoga journey began in the wee hours in a hot studio somewhere in Toronto. He was forever changed and immediately captivated. One of Mike's favourite facts to share, is that he was the very first student to sign up for the first ever Moksha Yoga Teacher Training. Mike has also studied Anusra and studied Ujjayi breathing with Michael Stone. He also completed the 200 hour Anusara teacher training at Yogaphoria. His approach to teaching is to always include humour, fun and a good dose of unpredictability! Mike's kind heart and dedicated practice shine through his instruction. If you're lucky, you can still find him around town playing pool or spending time close to the earth in his garden.

 

Vikram Jeet Singh
Moksha Teacher
Vikram finished a 400 hour teacher training certification with Moksha Yoga in Kerala, India in March 2008. Since then he has been actively teaching forty hours a month at various Moksha locations in the GTA and has also taught at Moksha studios in Winnipeg and Halifax.

In December of '08, Vikram also finished a 200 hour ashtanga yoga certification with David Robson of the Ashtanga Yoga Center of Toronto. Vikram has studied with Natasha Rizopolous, Rama Birch and Seane Corn at the Yoga Conference in Toronto. He has been practicing Moksha yoga for the last three years and has now incorporated a daily ashtanga Mysore style practice in his schedule. His classes are interactive, high energy and work on the simple belief that yoga goes beyond the asanas (physical postures) and flows into one's daily life.

 

Eric Anderson
Ashtanga Teacher
As a long time martial arts student and teacher, Eric was looking for a way to enhance and balance his training. Coming to yoga primarily for its physical benefits, he soon found yoga's theories and spiritual aspects aligned with his martial arts practice. Through yoga, Eric found his body opening in ways years of vigorous training had never allowed. In Ashtanga yoga, with its attention to breath and alignment, Eric discovered the balance he was seeking. Completing his teacher training at Downward Dog Yoga Centre, he continues to deepen his yoga practice with teachers Ron Reid, Diane Bruni and David Gellineau.

 

Jian Li
Moksha Teacher
Jian attended her first Yoga class on recommendation of her persistent younger sister. Not knowing what to expect, she grudgingly got her self into the hot room to see what it was all about. An instant love affair began. For the second time in her life her life path became perfectly clear. The first time came 4 years early, when she fell into her full time job working with Children with Autism. Knowing, after the first class that becoming a yoga teacher would be something that was within her calling, she embarked on the journey of practicing. Six month later, decided it was time to become a teacher. The journey through teaching has brought Jian to explore new and exciting forms of healing modality. Thai Yoga Massage was first introduced to her during the Moksha Yoga training and she was intrigued by the modality. A short time later Jian decided to embarked on the journey of becoming a Thai Yoga Massage therapist and loved what she found.

As the journey continues, Jian hopes to further her knowledge and practice of yoga and Thai Yoga Massage through learning about different forms of yoga and using the understanding of Ayurveda principles to improve her Thai Yoga Massage therapy. In addition, Reiki and other healing modalities are being sought after by Jian for its therapeutic benefits.

It's her ultimate goal to marry all aspect of her passions, working with Autistic children, Thai yoga massage, Reiki and other forms of healing modalities to help the betterment of everyone.

 

Dorian Kolinas
Moksha Teacher
Dorian began her journey towards yoga through dance. At the age of 18, Dorian suffered from dance injuries which lead her towards her current yoga practice. She has been practicing yoga for just over ten years and has been teaching yoga for nearly two. She teaches Moksha yoga and practices a wide variety of yoga including: Astanga, Yin, Restorative, and Iyengar.

In addition, Dorian completed the Fitness & Lifestyle Management Program at George Brown College. She is a Certified Personal Trainer (CSEP) and Certified Group Fitness Leader (OFC) and has taught a wide variety of fitness and dance classes for the past 8 years at fitness gyms and dance studios.

Dorian then completed her Bachelor in Education at the University of Toronto. She currently teaches health, dance and drama at a private school, teaches dance at Young Dancers of Canada, and is proud to be part of the Moksha community.

 

YuMee Chung
Jivamukti Teacher
YuMee is a former securities lawyer who left behind a busy practice to engage more deeply with life. Named in Yoga Journal's February 2008 listing of yoga's "who's who," she is an Advance Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher who is also trained to teach Ashtanga Yoga. YuMee has taught and spoken at national yoga conferences, completed a tour of 19 North American cities, and teaches yoga to CEOs and celebrity yogis.

 

David Crimi
Moksha Teacher
David began incorporating yoga asana into his life in 2005. As his practice deepened, so too did his fascination with “that amazing feeling you have in Savasana after a really, really satisfying class.” David went on to complete the 400-hour Moksha Yoga Teacher Training in 2007 and has since taught hundreds of students at numerous Moksha Yoga studios across South-Western Ontario. David has taken a keen interest in the learned subtleties of deep meditative states and has been fortunate to further his meditation studies with Michael Stone. David will be beginning the two-year, 800-hour History and Philosophy of Yoga training with Georg Feurstein in 2010.

David has at times been described as an ‘old-soul,’ yet his vivacity and passion for yoga can be felt as he moves through a yoga class with excited energy.  If you walk away from a class that David has instructed feeling that ‘Yoga bliss,’ he is confident that he has done his job successfully—“ yoganganusthanad asuddhi-ksaye jnana-diptir aviveka-khyateh” say the Yoga Sutras (II.28). “When the components of yoga are practiced, impurities dwindle; then, the light of understanding can shine forth, illuminating the way to discriminative awareness.”