Cheryl
Kristine
Jane
Annetta
Anna
Maria
Liz
" Your life is unique. Don't exist in an ordinary space."
This was the motto used in Cheryl’s first passion….decorative painting, a faux finishing business which she ran successfully for more than 16 years. She attributes the physical practice of Yoga, and the pranayama (breath work) taught in yoga for sustaining such a long lasting, very physical career.
A 13 year practicing Yogini and a 19 year practicing Meditator, she began yoga and meditation to heal some physical problems, mainly lower back issues. As her practice deepened, her evolving personal philosophy made her long to bring tranquility and joy to her clients' bodies and souls - as well as their surroundings. Cheryl holds the recognized Yoga Alliance North American 200-hour teaching certificate in Ashtanga-Hatha Yoga from Balanced Life Yoga. Cheryl has hundreds of study hours training with world leaders, Sean Corne, Monica Voss, Shasta Townsend, Michael Siddall and most recently with Sara Verona in beautiful Costa Rica where she obtained her training and certification in the “Restoraflow” technique developed by Sara. Cheryl is only one of four in Canada to receive this certification. Cheryl has just returned from studying with Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon of the Chopra Centre in Carlsbad, Califorina in November, 2009 and is on her way to obtaining her teacher training certificate in Primordial Sound Meditation.
Her studio, in the Village of Markham, Ontario attracts those seeking calmness, healing, increased mobility, strength and a connection to self. Attention to each individual student is the focus at this small, serene studio.
Cheryl brings her own unique style, sense of humour, creativity and compassion to each class. She embraces the yogic philosophies, aiding students in finding that “feel good” place within themselves…..hence….
" Your life is unique. Don't exist in an ordinary space."
“Yoga is the giver of untold happiness”
~Bhagavad Gita~
Kristine Downes E-RYT began her Yoga Journey 10 years ago while living in the Cayman Islands. Upon moving home to Canada, she decided to make her dream of becoming a Yoga Instructor a reality and completed her Teacher Training in April of 2007. Kristine has studied with Balanced Life Yoga, Fertility to Delivery and has studied with notable yogis Sean Corne, Sri Dharma Mittra, Nischala Joy Devi, Rod Stryker, David Swenson and Danny Paradise. Kristine is an Experienced Registered Yoga Instructor 200Hr with the Yoga Alliance- Certified in Ashtanga, Hatha, Pre-Natal, Children’s Yoga, Yoga for Fertility, Reiki Level 2 Healer.
Jane Markowitz RYT
Jane discovered yoga many years ago, as a supplement to a career in dance and movement pedagogy. She is certified in the Yoga For Health branch of the Kripalu discipline, and has been teaching yoga for 10 years in the GTA. She is also trained as a teacher of classical ballet and, more recently, the Nia Technique. Her classes at Forward Motion incorporate watchful insight with personal rapport; she believes that guided yoga practice can be lively and fun, as well as serious and deeply rewarding. Asana, prana- yama, meditation: Jane’s classes offer Hatha Yoga for every age, stage, and body type.
Annetta Vanderveen RYT
Annetta first welcomed yoga in her early 20's practicing several years with a seasoned teacher who's training rooted from India.
In her 30’s, a deep desire to learn more about the roots of Yoga - not just the physical aspects - lead to an incredible journey as she joined a Yoga Alliance Teacher Training program with focus on Ashtanga and Hatha Flow.
It was a beginning with no end. In one year, the emotional, mental and physical re-union within Annetta, offered her an inner peace that was absent for many years.
Specializing also in Restorative Yoga as a tool to manage physical and emotional stress, Annetta is passionate to help every-ONE ~ every-BODY learn how they too can experience the wonderful gift of INNER and OUTER wellness through the practice and experience of integrating yoga into their daily lives - ON and OFF the mat.
Anna Hooper RYT
Anna brings an enormous amount of Yoga experience and knowledge to each and every class she teaches. A 12-year practicing yogini, Anna has also graduated from the two-year, intensive, seven hundred hour teacher training course at the Esther Meyer's Yoga Studio of Toronto in 2005. She continues to attend workshops, keeping current with teaching methods and practice. Anna's training and experience includes teaching yoga to those of all ages and physical conditions. She is a Hatha Yoga teacher, Ashtanga teacher as well as a certified Pilates instructor in the Pilates Process Method. Anna is passionate about sharing her Yoga with her students, teaching in the Toronto and York Region area at fitness centres as well as corporate and private groups.
Maria Liscio RYT
Maria began her Yoga journey six years ago in Stouffville when she took time off work to stay home with her three children. As a supplement to 16 years of aerobic training, Yoga helped change her physically, mentally and emotionally, giving her the skills necessary to manage a house full of children!
Maria completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training in 2007 and has been teaching locally ever since. She is a registered instructor of Yoga specializing in Ashtanga-Hatha and as well a qualified pre-natal Yoga Instructor.
"Yoga has made a permanent change in my lifestyle and I know it will make a difference in your life as well. I look forward in helping you reach your goals."
Maria.
Elizabeth started her yoga journey when she took her very first class 9 years ago and it just so happened that it was a prenatal class. “The inner connection that I felt was completely overwhelming…this feeling spilled over, allowing me to also connect deeply to that little life that was growing inside of me”. After that Elizabeth became a believer in the idea that we are all a part of something bigger.
“Just by being ourselves we are borne toward a destiny far beyond anything we could imagine. It is enough to know that the being I nourish inside me is the same as the Being that suffuses every atom of the cosmos.”
~ Deepak Chopra
Elizabeth began to juggle life with a busy family household (3 kids, spouse, pets, activities etc.) and an unsatisfying job. As many busy women tend to do, she began to feel as though she was losing herself. It was then that she decided to make a change! She reconnected with yoga and obtained her 200 HR Teacher Training through Balanced Life Yoga. Elizabeth also has training in Reiki.
Elizabeth teaches with kindness, compassion, heart and a smile. She uses her sense of humour to put others at ease. “There is nothing better than sharing and exchanging wonderful energy with people in class. The look of relaxation, peace, serenity, tranquility and happiness that I get to see on the students faces after class is something that I will never tire of! I am so happy to have the opportunity to be a part of the Forward Motion team!”
Namaste,
Elizabeth
Forward Motion Yoga Instructors - Markham