Teachers
In addition to being Certified Yoga Teachers, all of our teachers have completed years of intensive personal study and practical teaching experience. Many are also instructors of teacher training programs and hold workshops and retreats both locally and abroad.
You can be certain to benefit from the depth and diverse experience of the following teachers:
Michelle Currie
Michelle Currie (M.Ed.) is a writer, wellness consultant, and Founder of Meditative Arts, a rhythm & wellness program in Toronto. She empowers women through African drumming and mindfulness courses and workshops.
Kathleen O’Connell
My journey with yoga began when I was introduced to it by my mother as a small child. I found that my body and mind felt more flexible and calm when I practiced yoga.
Since then my journey has included teacher trainings in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. I have taught yoga in community centres with youth, adults and seniors, and am particularly interested in teaching yoga to people with little or no experience with yoga. I am a therapist and also teach mindfulness meditation practices.
I believe that yoga can contribute greatly to peace and balance in our lives.
Michael DeCorte
Michael has a long history of being very physically active. He was an avid bodybuilder for many years, as well as a marathon runner. Michael has studied dance and in 2002 was certified as a personal trainer. Upon finding his first yoga class, Michael realised that he had tapped into something both physical and spiritual. Having found ashtanga yoga, his strict workout regime in the gym was replaced by a daily Ashtanga practice.
In 2008, he was certified as a yoga teacher through the Downward Dog Yoga Centre. In addition to his primary teachers Ron Reid and Diane Bruni, Michael has also studied with renowned teachers Chuck Miller, Maty Exraty, Seane Corn among others. Michael believes that in yoga he has found his true passion and is committed to making it an ever-evolving life long practice.
Anita Soutendam
“I teach to remind people they are extraordinary.”
Anita’s classes are filled with energy, humour and warmth to stimulate your body and your mind.
Anita is a graduate of the Jivamukti Yoga teacher training program and received her certification from Sharon Gannon and David Life in 2007. She studies in the Gelukpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and has received extensive training in Buddhist studies through the Asian Classics Institute, Diamond Mountain
University and in personal studies with her teachers.
By drawing on this strong foundation and blending it with real world experience, Anita can make the most sacred of teachings accessible and meaningful to your daily life.
Anita is based in Toronto and teaches Yoga, Dharma and Meditation across the United States and Canada.
Ian MacDonald
Ian MacDonald has studied a variety of styles of yoga since 1980. His enthusiasm for yoga led him to the Kripalu Centre in Lenox, Massachusetts in 1994 where he became a certified Kripalu teacher. In 2000 he received Ashtanga teacher training at Downward Dog Centre in Toronto. Since 1994 Ian has taught in YMCAs, yoga studios, health clubs and has worked with cancer patients. He has also taught yoga in Italy and France with "Travel With A Twist" tours.
Ian sees yoga as a vehicle that allows us to become more integrated - more whole, cultivating physical, mental and spiritual health.
Billy J. Gekas (Ganesha)
OMViriditas Founder, Holistic Therapist & Educator
Called to a vocation to help others in their healing, Billy has devoted his life to continual development in the healing arts. His journey into the practice of yoga began 10 years ago, and he received his yoga teaching certification through Sananda Yoga with Xenia Splawinski (AnandaShakti). During his time of practicing yoga, Billy received a degree in Religious Studies & Philosophy at the University of Toronto, and continued into graduate studies focusing on social justice issues within the theological department of U of T, and specializing in Ecological Theology and Inter(ra)religious Dialogue.
He is also trained in the healing arts of Reiki and Ayurveda, having the opportunity to teach across Canada creating awareness for the importance of holistic and sustainable living. Billy is honored to have the opportunity to join the Buddha Body Yoga community offering yoga classes and workshops that incorporate the principals of Ayurveda and other healing modalities.
Ali Alexander
Yoga has made every aspect of my life better. I want to do everything I can to share that with as many people as I can. I am a Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher (800 hour) and have been teaching since 2005. I endeavour to guide students through a safe, challenging, comprehensive practice with an eclectic sound track. I continue to study (Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga) and to practice at living consciously, in the present. I dedicate my efforts to all those who have taught me.
True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.
-Nikos Kazantzakis, poet and novelist (1883-1957)
Dawn Bailey
Dawn took her first yoga class at the age of fifteen in a summer music program. She continued to study yoga in the hopes of improving her singing performance by finding a deeper connection to her body and breath. When she moved from Edmonton to Toronto in 2005, she discovered Jivamukti Yoga and the practice quickly transformed from a physical practice into an entire way of life.
In 2008 she completed the 300 hour Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training with Sharon Gannon and David Life, and since that time has been teaching classes regularly. She continues to deepen her own yoga practice and to explore the connections between yoga and the voice. Dawn is an encouraging and patient teacher and her classes are infused with her inspiration and passion for music.
She is eternally grateful to all of her dear teachers who have passed on these precious teachings so perfectly to her, and she teaches with the goal of transmitting these sacred teachings to others as joyfully as they have been given to her.
Joshua Lewis
Performing on stage from a young age, I learned early on about the connection between mind, body and spirit and how to harness and develop my whole self in pursuit of honest expression. My passion for theatre and movement led me along the path of exploring the physical body and along the way, I began to practice yoga.
From that point on, my life changed and I moved slowly and surely toward integrating all that I had learned in the arts with all of the new discoveries yoga brought to my life. It has been an incredible journey, thus far. Yoga brings together my passion for life, the stillness I need to reflect to live that life in truth, harmony and bliss and the ability to share with others the joy of being truly alive.
Lana Sugarman
Lana was introduced to yoga ten years ago and has been practicing ever since.
A certified Jivamukti and Yin yoga teacher, she has been graced with the teachings of many inspiring yogis, including Sharon Gannon, David Life, and the wonderful women of Jivamukti Yoga Toronto. She has found yoga to be a wonderful tool in her life, opening her heart and mind to the world, and is eager to share the joy with others. Her classes are a mix of expressive asana, music, and philosophy.
Also a performer, Lana merges her love for song and yoga through kirtan (call and response chanting).
She leads workshops and kirtans with her harmonium spreading the magic of mantras!
Lori Myles-Carullo
Reiki Master, M.A. Transpersonal Psychology, Registered Professional Counsellor, Certified Aromatherapy Health Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher.
Lori has always had a deep passion for the healing arts and a great love for the adventure of life. She has been offering a number of different holistic modalities with heart and soul for the past 16 years. She fell in love 'at first touch' with Reiki, and moved into Mastery 9 years ago, adding the element of teaching this powerful healing art to her practice.
Lori is also a Registered Professional Counsellor with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association with a Master's Degree in Transpersonal Psychology, and a Registered Yoga Teacher, having studied Interdisciplinary Yoga in Nosara, Costa Rica in 2004. The depth and grace of Lori's personal healing journey combines beautifully with her skills and talents as she assists people in the journey of transforming the obstacles standing in the way of their best lives, assisting them to live fully, authentically, and with great passion and purpose. Lori also spends a good part of the year in Costa Rica working at Mystica Retreat (www.mysticaretreat.com), and she is thrilled to be in the process of publishing her first book, entitled: “The Beauty Way: Living from the Awakening Heart.”
Samuel Mullin
Drawn to meditation as a tool to overcome his own mental afflictions, Samuel quickly found a systematic and scientific approach hidden in the spiritual trappings of the practice. To his surprise, he found a spirituality that he never knew existed within himself. As an offering to those who have spent their precious time teaching him, and to all the teachers that came before them, he does his best to pass along this practice so that others might be blessed with the tools to begin to seek their higher self.
Beyond the cushion, Samuel is currently studying at Buddha Body to receive his certification as a Hatha Yoga teacher, and has completed the first Level of the Lotus Palm Thai Yoga Massage program. When he's not in his kitchen baking, he can usually be found wandering barefoot in High Park.
Holly Eleanor
I found myself in a yoga class for the first time, more out of sheer curiosity than anything else. It became clear very quickly that my study and practice of yoga had only just begun, that I was standing on the brink of a lifelong journey. As the world around me began to change before my eyes, the impact that my practice had on my life was undeniable; a feeling of joy and a return to childlike wonder began to emerge as I worked towards stripping away all that was no longer serving me.
It is through this quest of self exploration and through the guidance of the many beautiful teachers who have entered my life in their various forms that I have found myself moving towards the role of a teacher.
I am thrilled to embark upon the challenge of sharing the practice with those who wish to learn and hope to be able to pass along the illuminating light that the study of yoga has brought upon my life.
Alan Florence
Began yoga practice in 1968 in the Sivananda style taking workshops with swami Vishudevananda. Spent 71-77 at Shasta Abbey Zen Monastery, where I practiced from Light on Yoga. 1988 began study of Iyengar yoga with Lisa Schwartz a long-time student of Iyengar. Travelled to India in 1992 to study with Iyengar at Puna. Completed three-year teacher training with Lisa Schwartz in 1993.
I've continued to explore many other teachings including Ana Forrest (2003), Ashtanga Yoga with Richard Freeman, and Anusara Yoga workshops with John Friend (2008), Todd Norian and Anne Greene (2006-9) and Desiree Rumbauch (2007-9).
I've also practised Aikido and Tai Chi and WuJi Qi Gong. I have extensive Zen practice; spending six years as monk at Shasta Abbey and currently practice with Shodo Harada Roshi (97 onward). Usually spending seven weeks a year in meditation retreats with Harada Roshi. I developed a number of vinyasa for meditators (including supine, seated, and standing routines) that I refer to as Lotus Hips Yoga.
While I'm new to Jill Miller's Yoga Tune Up, I'm deeply influenced by her work. Her methods refine and focus the approach of Iyengar and the inclusion of anatomy gives a foundation for safe and deep exploration of the body, movement and health that can last a lifetime.
Julie Ouellet
Julie loves yoga because of the ever-present, ever-evolving lessons that exist within its binaries. The freedom that comes with discipline. The self-expansion that comes with grounding. The transformation that comes with stillness. Her classes encourage participants to challenge old fears and embrace new openings for creativity. She has been practicing yoga for ten years and is certified by Buddha Body.
Off the mat, Julie spends most of her time writing essays. She holds an undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion, and post-graduate degrees in international development and adult education. Her studies centre on uncovering alternative approaches to ending violence against women in both Canada and Southern Africa where she grew up.
Julie loves teaching at Buddha Body and is looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces!
Scott Belluz
A yoga practitioner since 2001, Scott is a graduate of the Kripalu Centre in Lenox, Massachusetts where he completed the 200 hour Teacher Training Certification in 2009. His classes weave conscious movement with breath awareness, and stillness; uniting body, mind, and spirit.
Also a professional classical singer, Scott continues to perform throughout Canada and teaches Yoga workshops specifically designed for performing artists.
