Click the links below to read the instructor bios.
Co-Owner, Instructor, Reiki & Thai Practitioner
After practicing daily meditation for a number of years, Annette felt she needed something else to spice up her life. That is when she discovered hot and sweaty yoga and became a regular student at Moksha Yoga London. Yoga soon became a passion and with that, Annette realized she had found what she was looking for. She left the corporate world after many years at the executive level to train as a Moksha Yoga Teacher in the summer of 2004. After 4 years of managing the studio, Annette is now a co-owner and is affectionately known to many as the "yoga mum".
In October of 2006, Annette successfully completed Baptiste Power Yoga Institute's Level I Teacher Training Bootcamp with Baron Baptiste, and is now excited to teach our Power Vinyasa classes as well as Yin and Moksha.
She has also completed the Moksha Yoga Level 2 intensive training and teaches our pre-natal classes as well!
When taking Annette's class you'll first notice that sassy English accent and crazy sense of humour. Born and raised in South Yorkshire, England, she emigrated 18 years ago with her family. Raising two children to adulthood, whilst juggling a busy career, has taught her patience and understanding. This shows in the fusion of challenge and relaxation you feel in her classes.
She feels honoured to be part of such a wonderful community and still can't believe that this is her "job".
Co-Owner, Instructor, Thai and Ayurvedic Massage Practitioner
Rob's yoga journey started when he transitioned to cancer and A.I.D.S. organizations after a decade in the corporate world. It was during this transition that he found Moksha to complement his fitness regimen. After the first class, he swore he would never step foot in the hot room again, but the after-effects of heated yoga were so amazing, he became hooked as he let his practice form itself into a daily ritual.
He completed the Moksha Yoga instructor intensive in 2008 and has been accepted into the Baron Baptiste Level I and (fingers crossed) Level II teacher training courses in 2009.
Keeping his classes simple, but focused, Rob invites you to travel deeper into your yoga practice to find new paths of openness and space.
Rob is also a certified personal trainer, certified fitness assessor (C.P.A.F.L.A.), F.O.L.P. Strength Training course graduate, and licensed Thai yoga massage therapist. His other interests include playing multiple instruments, any type of outdoor sport, and photography.
Teacher
Jessica Lemon has been a teaching member of the Moksha Yoga London community since May 2005. Completing her Moksha Yoga Certification in 2003, she has taught in Toronto, London, Montreal, and France using her bilingualism to bring Moksha to both English and French speaking communities. Currently in her last year of a French degree at U of T, Jessica foresees a higher degree of involvement in film and acting projects as well as more yoga certification in the near future. She is currently enrolled in Judith Lasater's Restorative Yoga teacher training in October. Jessica's interests also include music, culinary arts, photography, travel, body work, and holistic education.
Teacher
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Moksha yoga community in London since the studio's inception. After completing my first marathon over two years ago, I found myself searching for a new physical endeavour to explore. Within the first week of practicing yoga, I knew that I had encountered something that not only would sustain my desire to maintain a high level of physical fitness, but broaden my knowledge and appreciation for a holistic health and well-being. It has been over a year since I began teaching at the London studio.
In addition to practicing yoga, I completed her Master's degree in Kinesiology and am currently pursuing my PhD at the University of Western Ontario. I continue to race in 10K, half-marathons, and full marathons and teach figure skating at the local skating club. In my free time, I have also taken up snowboarding and wakeboarding. My goal is to seek balance in my life and I hope that my enthusiasm and passion for yoga will carry over to those whom I teach.
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.
Teacher
Melanie was introduced to Hatha Yoga during her search for alternative forms of exercise. However, her commitment to yoga developed when she stepped into her first hot yoga studio in September 2004 and has been addicted ever sense.
Melanie has completed an intensive Moksha Yoga Teacher Training program in Thailand and in October 2007 completed the Level 1 Baron Baptiste Teacher Training Bootcamp. She now welcomes students to her physically challenging classes where she encourages you to balance effort by finding ease in every posture.
Being her own witness of personal transformation on and off the mat she invites students to make that discovery for themselves.
Teacher
Laughing loud, living large; Aaron is an old soul with a big heart. Always ready for a challenge, and loving to discover new things.
Having spent his undergraduate degree studying consumer culture, Aaron really values Moksha's commitment to making responsible environmental choices. In a world so wrapped up with consumption, communities like Moksha provide environments where progressive thinking can flourish. A strong advocate for healthy living and continued education, he believes in asking questions and looking beyond the surface.
Committed to his partner, our very own Ms. Jennifer Schweizer, Aaron also loves to cook, bake, and play scrabble. His other hobbies include being a computer nerd, a science fiction geek, and doing arm balances, headstands, and any other cool move he's attempting to master in the moment. His classes reflect his contagious excitement about sweaty yoga!
Teacher
David began his journey through yoga in the summer of 2005 as a form of physical exercise and weight loss. For the first few months of his training David noticed physical transformations but there were other changes happening; he was more relaxed and he began to see life in a more positive light. It may not have been his intention from the beginning but David was really starting to live his yoga! While in the midst of a 30-day challenge, David made a revelation. He began to realize all the amazing benefits yoga had brought into his life and knew he had to give something back. “What better way”, he thought, “than to spread yoga to as many people as I can”. And so his training to become a teacher of Yoga began.
David completed his Moksha Yoga Teacher Training in the summer of 2007 and currently teaches in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and London. He is enrolled at the University of Western Ontario to complete a BA in Media, Information and Technoculture and Music. David enjoys long walks on the beach and candlelit dinners and clichés but seriously, who doesn't? His love for yoga, comedy and food are the three main driving factors in his life. David has been fortunate enough to study under everyone on this website and then some... Truthfully, David's path has been guided by brilliant and enlightening teachers and he cannot even begin to explain his excitement as he sets out on this truly amazing path.
Teacher
Although Elyse only discovered Moksha yoga just under two years ago, it's hard for her to remember a time when it wasn't an integral part of her life. Practicing hot yoga has enriched her life immeasurably, both physically and mentally. She's a busy girl, between pursuing her PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Western, playing numerous sports, and being heavily involved in the V-Day/Vagina Monologues movement to end violence against women and girls. She finds that practicing Moksha yoga helps her find that much-needed balance in her life, and teaches her to meet each moment with gratitude, one breath at a time.
The Moksha teacher training was an extraordinary experience for Elyse, putting her on a new path that she is eager to explore as she continues to learn and grow. Elyse feels incredibly blessed to be included in the Moksha family, and is excited to share her passion and love for all things yogic as a new teacher.
TeacherA competitive spirit drove Emma to many different sports as a young adult. From gymnastics to diving, field hockey to rugby, ultimate Frisbee to rowing. All these activities from recreational to international level took their toll on her body. Yoga seemed to be a logical supplement to these activities. Initially Emma started practicing yoga in Victoria British Columbia at age 17. She began her journey like many others, because it seemed “cool”. A few years later she found her way across the country and into Moksha Yoga London’s studio. It was there that her yoga family, and spirit grew.
Over the years she was encouraged to do teacher training, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2007 that it felt like the right time. Training provided to her with the tools to grow as a yogi. She learned that yoga is not only about improving the physical body, but also about enhancing the spiritual and emotional bodies as well.
Students can feel welcome in her classes, with her fun attitude and stories. She strives to teach the way that she wants to do yoga: with warmth, a smile, and an open heart.
Teacher
Ashley has always enjoyed physical fitness. She also loves to share her enthusiasm for fitness with others. Her teaching experience began shortly after she became a certified spinning instructor while attending university. Ashley enjoyed teaching weekly spinning classes while completing a degree in Management and French from the University of Western Ontario.
It was at University that Ashley discovered yoga. Although originally approaching it as a way to stay in shape, Ashley soon realized that practicing yoga also had a positive impact on her self-image, and a soothing effect on an anxious mind. Further practice led Ashley to decide to devote more time to understanding, practicing, teaching and learning from yoga. Ashley loves to meet new people, discuss new ideas and learn new things. Ashley is honored to have to opportunity to be part of the Moksha Yoga community.
Teacher
Jennifer revels in life's deliciousness. She has been doing yoga since she was a little girl growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, dancing around the living room on red shag carpet and practising every morning with the PBS yoga program. To this day, she continues to dance through life. Her passionate study of dance and music led to an understanding of being embodied and how that can carry us forward in life. A graduate of University of Western Ontario with a B.A. in music education, Jennifer is continuing the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom through trainings with Moksha, Anusara and YogaKids, and through the lessons of each moment. She is full of gratitude for all the teachers with whom she has been graced to study, formally and informally. Her interests include playing in puddles, working in Montessori classrooms, making music, singing, knitting, reading, travelling across the globe, almost anything arty....well, she's pretty much interested in the world.
Let's approach each other, our practices and our world, with reverence, wonderment and remembrance.
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."
Teacher
I have been a teacher at Moksha yoga since I got back from my training in India in April 2008. Before that I had been a student at Moksha London for 3 years and for me Moksha was love at first pranayama :)
The Moksha community has been such a huge part of my life and has given me so much and now as a teacher I want to give that back to my students. I am a graduate from the Randolph Academy for the Performing arts, and I have found a beautiful tie between my training in theatre and my yoga practice. I find they compliment each other. I also work for Lululemon Athletica in the Masonville mall. This has also been a wonderful discovery and connector of my passions. My core values are integrity, compassion, and family. I used to be in a field where I was not balanced in these values, and I was unhappy in my spot in life. I now spend my days riding my bike from home (in London with my amazing fiance and little doggy Binks!), to the stude, to the store, and back and I LOVE every minute of my life! I am so greatful for everything I have and for this incredible community we are all apart of here at Moksha. In my classes I hope my students can find a sense of balance between a calm body and mind while pushing themselves to their edge in each posture and leaving each class with a sense of accomplishment. I believe in the power of goal setting, and I encourage each and every student to set goals and work hard to achieve them no matter how big (or small) they seem. See you in the hot room!!! LET'S GET SWEATY!!!!!
Teacher
 Tara came to yoga while a graduate student at UWO, hoping that yoga would help to relieve anxiety and
bring balance to an overly intellectual life. She found both relief and
balance, along with a host of other physical benefits, and a warm and
loving community. After practicing for three years, she
completed her teacher training in 2007 in Toronto. After two months teaching yoga at Moksha Yoga Trinidad, Tara moved back to London in
the summer of 2008 and has been teaching here ever since.
Tara's other passions include sewing, digital photography, drawing,
and science fiction. She's committed to finding personal balance and
developing community. She hopes that her teaching will inspire others
to find ease, not only on the mat but also in all of the difficult
situations that arise in life.
She lives in London with her partner Ian Holloway, their cat, and about an acre
of house plants!
Teacher
Debbie has been teaching yoga for the past two years having received her yoga certification through Trinity Yoga and then this summer completing her Moksha Yoga Teacher Training. She teaches both Ashtanga and Moksha in her home community of Thunder Bay , Ontario . Debbie offers both types of yoga to abused women and her staff of the Faye Peterson Transition House, with her belief yoga assists in grounding women especially those who have experienced trauma. This fall she has been co-offering Karma yoga on Friday nights, with the monies raised being donated to women in need.
|
