Michelle Rice 300HR CYT of Yoga Studio of Calgary, Prenatal, Yoga Thrive For Cancer Survivors, Thai Yoga Massage, Yoga Journey Founder
My yoga journey began around 1999 at an Ashtanga studio and fell in love with the flow, the warmth and the connection with my breath, movement and mind. Fortunately I was able to find a hatha instructor that would come downtown Calgary teach at lunchtimes in our building, it fostered my curiosity and growth. After a few years of a casual yoga practice, I began to feel a pull towards learning more about yoga, and felt I needed a little extra push to encourage me to make time for myself to practice. I decided upon the Yoga Studio of Calgary where I was graciously accepted into the program, The more I learned, the more I wanted to share. During my training, my husband was relocated back to Rocky Mountain House for work and all I could think was how beautiful it would be to share yoga in ways it was shared with me in Calgary. I started to teach anywhere I could, rented spaces literally anywhere until I decided my students needed something more. I wanted to give them a slice of what I had experienced at the studios in Calgary, so I opened up the first yoga studio in Rocky called Yoga Journey. It was wonderful while it lasted until I closed the doors a couple years later to raise another baby, and then being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2011. My teaching was on a hiatus while I mended and grew stronger. Getting back into strength and mobility was an important part to my well being, but I also realized once I got myself strong enough, I also needed to get back to sharing the passion of yoga, and that's when I started teaching at Amanda's space, Seeking Samadhi, which got me back to doing what I loved! Sharing yoga has been healing for me personally after my cancer treatments. I enjoy helping people to gain more flexibility and strength, and also learn how to quiet a busy mind. It gives me pleasure to see that people can move better, feel lighter and happier when they leave a yoga class.
My yoga journey began around 1999 at an Ashtanga studio and fell in love with the flow, the warmth and the connection with my breath, movement and mind. Fortunately I was able to find a hatha instructor that would come downtown Calgary teach at lunchtimes in our building, it fostered my curiosity and growth. After a few years of a casual yoga practice, I began to feel a pull towards learning more about yoga, and felt I needed a little extra push to encourage me to make time for myself to practice. I decided upon the Yoga Studio of Calgary where I was graciously accepted into the program, The more I learned, the more I wanted to share. During my training, my husband was relocated back to Rocky Mountain House for work and all I could think was how beautiful it would be to share yoga in ways it was shared with me in Calgary. I started to teach anywhere I could, rented spaces literally anywhere until I decided my students needed something more. I wanted to give them a slice of what I had experienced at the studios in Calgary, so I opened up the first yoga studio in Rocky called Yoga Journey. It was wonderful while it lasted until I closed the doors a couple years later to raise another baby, and then being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2011. My teaching was on a hiatus while I mended and grew stronger. Getting back into strength and mobility was an important part to my well being, but I also realized once I got myself strong enough, I also needed to get back to sharing the passion of yoga, and that's when I started teaching at Amanda's space, Seeking Samadhi, which got me back to doing what I loved! Sharing yoga has been healing for me personally after my cancer treatments. I enjoy helping people to gain more flexibility and strength, and also learn how to quiet a busy mind. It gives me pleasure to see that people can move better, feel lighter and happier when they leave a yoga class.
Amanda Joy 500HR RYT Vinyasa & Hatha, Yoga Kids, Yoga NIdra, Yoga for Cancer Survivors and Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Yoga Thai Massage, Seeking Samadhi Founder
I like to say that yoga found me. In a time in my life where I was struggling, depression was settling in and I was desperate. I had been strong for too long and the walls were starting to cave in, my ability to remain composed and find courage to face each day was fading. So I turned to my dear friend who is also a yoga instructor, massage therapist and my soul-sister. I needed help. Without hesitation she urged me to join her at a yoga class that evening and that’s when it all began. I found a practice that was intense, it was powerful and it was strict. That is what resonated with me at that time and that is exactly what I needed. Somewhere to turn off the mind, to allow myself a space without fear, time to focus on me. It was powerful. The first time in a long time that I had been fully present, I pushed through every pose with fierce determination, struggling, battling, and taking charge of my life for 90 minutes. And at the end, while I laid down in Savasana, I released, I cried, I allowed myself to feel. No one told me that would happen, no one warned me that I had chosen the hardest yoga class in the hottest environment with the strictest instructors and no one gave me permission to quit.
And so it began.
I committed to attending yoga class every day for the first while, it was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I couldn’t explain it to others I just knew I needed to be there, on my mat, safe, and fully present with just me. The tears came at the end of every class but the incredible release that I came away with was unlike no other. One day I remember making eye contact in the mirror during a class and I locked my gaze with this beautiful, powerful woman gazing back at me and for the first time in forever I recognized her. She was still in there, hidden underneath pain, buried so deep I feared she would never surface but in that moment I caught a glimpse.
I continued on my yoga practice, dedicating days, weeks, months to my healing journey. But soon I knew I needed more, there was more healing that needed to be done, away from distractions of day to day life, away from routine and the comforts of home.
While seeking a retreat I came across a 3 week yoga teacher training in Troncones, Mexico. This would require me leaving my children and my rock, my best friend; my husband, at home. Stepping into unknown territory by myself and putting all of my trust in the greater Source I never turned back. It was terrifying! But I knew it was what I needed to further my journey and to bring this healing back to my family and friends. I went without any intention to teach, this was a soul-journey for me. Those 3 weeks were the most powerful, healing, life-changing weeks of my life. I was challenged, I was pushed, I was nurtured, and most importantly I was loved. Yoga helped me discover myself again, the deeper I went in my practice the deeper I went into my soul. I started my yoga journey broken and scared and today when I catch a glimpse of that beautiful reflection in the mirror I am able to pause and smile, knowing I am sharing this healing journey with others. I am grateful for every soul that has joined me on this path as they have helped me as much as I have helped them.
I received my 200hr YTT in Vinyasa and Hatha yoga in October 2012. I have since added training in YogaKids, Yoga Nidra, Yoga for Cancer Thrivers, & Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. I am very passionate about sharing yoga and meditation and helping others to find their way on their yoga journey.
The love and light that resides deep within me honors this space that resides deep within you.
Namaste, Amanda
I like to say that yoga found me. In a time in my life where I was struggling, depression was settling in and I was desperate. I had been strong for too long and the walls were starting to cave in, my ability to remain composed and find courage to face each day was fading. So I turned to my dear friend who is also a yoga instructor, massage therapist and my soul-sister. I needed help. Without hesitation she urged me to join her at a yoga class that evening and that’s when it all began. I found a practice that was intense, it was powerful and it was strict. That is what resonated with me at that time and that is exactly what I needed. Somewhere to turn off the mind, to allow myself a space without fear, time to focus on me. It was powerful. The first time in a long time that I had been fully present, I pushed through every pose with fierce determination, struggling, battling, and taking charge of my life for 90 minutes. And at the end, while I laid down in Savasana, I released, I cried, I allowed myself to feel. No one told me that would happen, no one warned me that I had chosen the hardest yoga class in the hottest environment with the strictest instructors and no one gave me permission to quit.
And so it began.
I committed to attending yoga class every day for the first while, it was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I couldn’t explain it to others I just knew I needed to be there, on my mat, safe, and fully present with just me. The tears came at the end of every class but the incredible release that I came away with was unlike no other. One day I remember making eye contact in the mirror during a class and I locked my gaze with this beautiful, powerful woman gazing back at me and for the first time in forever I recognized her. She was still in there, hidden underneath pain, buried so deep I feared she would never surface but in that moment I caught a glimpse.
I continued on my yoga practice, dedicating days, weeks, months to my healing journey. But soon I knew I needed more, there was more healing that needed to be done, away from distractions of day to day life, away from routine and the comforts of home.
While seeking a retreat I came across a 3 week yoga teacher training in Troncones, Mexico. This would require me leaving my children and my rock, my best friend; my husband, at home. Stepping into unknown territory by myself and putting all of my trust in the greater Source I never turned back. It was terrifying! But I knew it was what I needed to further my journey and to bring this healing back to my family and friends. I went without any intention to teach, this was a soul-journey for me. Those 3 weeks were the most powerful, healing, life-changing weeks of my life. I was challenged, I was pushed, I was nurtured, and most importantly I was loved. Yoga helped me discover myself again, the deeper I went in my practice the deeper I went into my soul. I started my yoga journey broken and scared and today when I catch a glimpse of that beautiful reflection in the mirror I am able to pause and smile, knowing I am sharing this healing journey with others. I am grateful for every soul that has joined me on this path as they have helped me as much as I have helped them.
I received my 200hr YTT in Vinyasa and Hatha yoga in October 2012. I have since added training in YogaKids, Yoga Nidra, Yoga for Cancer Thrivers, & Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. I am very passionate about sharing yoga and meditation and helping others to find their way on their yoga journey.
The love and light that resides deep within me honors this space that resides deep within you.
Namaste, Amanda
Sarah Irmen 200HR RYT
My story has been a few years in the making, dabbling a bit in my teens and coming back to yoga in my twenties. The teaching chapter began in 2013 when I attended my first training. I completed 200 hours with Real Evolution Yoga and the following year, attended their 100 advanced training in Playa Neigra, Costa Rica. Also, in the summer of 2014 I became certified to teach Yoga Nidra. After teaching for a few years, I decided to make one of my dreams a reality by attending a Blissology Yoga Teacher Training with Eoin Finn, completing the first 100 hour intensive in the fall of 2015 in Santa Cruz, California. Yoga has been my vehicle for change, growth, and self-acceptance. I have travelled to places I had never imagined and experienced things I never thought possible.
It never ceases to amaze me the sense of love and community that radiates throughout the yoga population! And I am so grateful and honoured to be sharing this amazing practice with others!
Stacey Smith 200HR RYT Shift Power Yoga
TruNorth Yoga Owner
In 1989, I moved out to a farm North West of Rocky with my parents and called that home ever since. I grew up and graduated from Will Sinclair in 2001 and ventured off to the big world of Red Deer to complete my Kinesiology and Sport Studies.
In 2005 I graduated and began my career as a personal trainer, CrossFit Instructor, and athletic trainer. And through all of that Iw as blessed with the most supportive and loving man Dylan and 3 incredible boys Drake, Degan and Deklan.
In 2015, I lost my main man, my dad. I was inspired by the yoga community and classes as a way to relax, calm my mind and begin rebuilding myself. This past January, I stepped out of my comfort zone and started my 200Hr Teacher Training with Power Shift Yoga, inspired from the Baron Baptiste, Journey into Power, 90 min Power Flow.
It has been life changing and I am ready to share this with my community. I have become a YES for a change, and to open the doors to a new experience and opportunity to anyone who steps into class.
TruNorth Yoga Owner
In 1989, I moved out to a farm North West of Rocky with my parents and called that home ever since. I grew up and graduated from Will Sinclair in 2001 and ventured off to the big world of Red Deer to complete my Kinesiology and Sport Studies.
In 2005 I graduated and began my career as a personal trainer, CrossFit Instructor, and athletic trainer. And through all of that Iw as blessed with the most supportive and loving man Dylan and 3 incredible boys Drake, Degan and Deklan.
In 2015, I lost my main man, my dad. I was inspired by the yoga community and classes as a way to relax, calm my mind and begin rebuilding myself. This past January, I stepped out of my comfort zone and started my 200Hr Teacher Training with Power Shift Yoga, inspired from the Baron Baptiste, Journey into Power, 90 min Power Flow.
It has been life changing and I am ready to share this with my community. I have become a YES for a change, and to open the doors to a new experience and opportunity to anyone who steps into class.
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Tanis Dickin 200HR YTT, 60Hr Yin Yoga, Yoga Warriors Training (Yoga for PTSD), Birthing from Within Introductory Workshop, 85HR Prenatal Yoga -Mamata Yoga, Doula in Training
Yoga found me when I was 14. Over the years I have learned that yoga is not one practice or one way of being. Yoga has this beautiful ability to shift, change shape, grow and even soften. Sometimes it is a sweaty, breath filled vinyasa class. Sometimes yoga is experiencing the tears fall down your cheeks. Sometimes it is 20 minutes of child's pose. yoga is all of these things. It is the presence and acceptance of whatever comes in this very moment. Yin and prenatal yoga are my favourite styles to teach. Both of these practices encourage you to dive deep into your physical body and true that you are exactly where you are meant to be. I am so grateful to bare witness to the physical, mental and spiritual transformations that occur in yin and prenatal yoga. |
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