Use arrows to see more of our team.
Cheryl
Melody
Annetta
Anna
Liz
Joan
Bronwyn
Kristine
May
Andrea
Lydia
Jane
Tina
" 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 14 year practicing Yogini and a 20 year practicing Meditator, she began yoga and meditation to invite inner peace as well as heal some physical challenges. The Forward Motion Yoga Studio opened it’s doors in 2006. Cheryl holds the recognized Yoga Alliance North American 200-hour teaching certificate in Ashtanga-Hatha Yoga from Balanced Life Yoga. Cheryl has thousands of study hours training with world leaders, Sean Corne, Monica Voss, Shasta Townsend, Michael Siddall, Jennifer Reis & Leslie Kaminoff. In November, 2010, Cheryl obtained her teaching certificate in Primordial Sound Meditation as developed by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon of the Chopra Centre in Carlsbad, Califorina.
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".
Melody
Melody wears many hats! Her background is in film and television where she worked as a Field Producer and Promo Producer. Since having her son, priorities changed and she needed to find work a little closer to home and with some flexible hours. She landed here! The home of flexibility! Melody had purchased one of our Yoga packages at a local fundraiser, contacted me and the rest is history. She manages a great deal of the administrative procedures in the office allowing me time to do what I love to do - teach Yoga and Meditation.
Thanks Melody! Couldn’t do it without you!
Cheryl
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.
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
Joan Emmans RYT
My introduction to yoga was many years ago in Edmonton, where I lived for three years. I went to a local class with a colleague, and loved it. When I came back east, life was busy with other things, and yoga was set aside. I came back to it in 1999, and have embraced it ever since. I started with once-a-week classes at a community centre; this was followed by regular classes at a studio in Richmond Hill for several years. Finally, I ended up at Forward Motion, and have been here as a student for three years. Cheryl inspired me to want to teach, and deepen my yoga practice and my knowledge of yoga philosophy. I completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training course at Kripalu Centre in Massachusetts. I am delighted to be a student and teacher at this unique and very special studio.
The modern day stresses of city living led Bronwyn to her first yoga class over 15 years ago. She saw the benefits of a regular yoga practice immediately, and knew that she had found a life-long tool for bringing strength, suppleness and relaxation to her life. After many years of personal practice, Bronwyn embarked on formal studies at Nature Care College, Sydney (Australia), as well as apprenticing with her own yoga teacher. Bronwyn has experience teaching Beginner's Courses, corporate yoga as well as general yoga classes. She teaches a fun and dynamic style of Yoga designed to cater to Beginners as well as more experienced students. Her sequences are designed to help strengthen, stretch and ease tensions throughout the body. A rewarding guided relaxation concludes each of her classes. Students enjoy her friendly approach and personal attention.
Kristine Korosec E-RYT
Kristine has been a Yogini now for over 10 years, and a certified Instructor since 2007. She brings with her a wide variety of life experiences and joy to her teaching. Kristine is certified in Ashtanga Yoga as well as Pre-Natal Yoga, Yoga for Fertility and Children’s Yoga. Kristine is also a Reiki Level 2 Healer and a Registered Early Childhood Educator.
Life for Kristine has been a long and winding road, she loves to explore Yoga with students of all levels and to encourage them to explore their infinite possibilities. As a Yoga guide, Kristine strives to help students connect with their true inner self. Making connections within oneself through breath linked with movement leads us to shine our inner light with strength and consistency.
“Yoga is the giver of untold happiness”
~Bhagavad Gita~
"May is a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She found yoga as a true whole health for healing and optimum wellness, realizing that continually practicing is the key aspect to improve yoga techniques and understanding the mind-body-spirit. Her classes focus on a combination of exercise and energy balancing through breathing to increase overall well-being. Students are flowing from one pose to another on each inhalation and exhalation in breath-synchronized movement.
May believes that yoga is a lifetime of learning and it is a good way to enhance self-acceptance, concentration and self-discipline. She is constantly continuing her education by attending workshops and training seminars to enhance and improve her classes."
Andrea has her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in the Ashtanga tradition and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. She is also certified in Restorative Yoga and has a 34 year background in dance and is a certified dance teacher. Andrea's journey with yoga began over 8 years ago. Passionate about the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga and how it can help balance and heal the body, Andrea embarked on teacher training to help share the gift of yoga that had helped her so much. She certainly finds that yoga has helped regain strength and helps calms the mind after the birth of her daughter. Yoga is a continuously evolving art and that's what Andrea loves; always learning something new.
Just Breathe.
Andrea
Lydia Pollock RYT
Lydia has enjoyed 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 jewellery design and as a researcher, writer and marketing consultant for a consumer health web site.
A graduate of the 200 hour Kripalu Teacher Training Program in 2004 Lydia completed the full 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. A silent meditation retreat once or twice a year is a must!
Since graduating the 200 hour YTT program, Lydia has been teaching a variety of Yoga classes in the Markham/Richmond Hill/Stouffville, Ontario area.
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 12 years in the GTA. Her classes at Forward Motion blend asana evolution with pranayama and lifestyle applications. Each session addresses individual bodies, using watchful insight and personal guidance. Jane provides a balance of progress and patience, self-knowledge and confidence, seriousness and fun. EveryBody benefits!
Tina Addorisio RYT
Tina discovered Yoga 6 years ago after many restless nights. Her first Hatha Yoga class changed her life and now here she is expanding her knowledge and feeling a deep desire to share it all with you. She has completed two (2) 200 hour teacher training programs and many yoga workshops including Classical Hatha Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Yoga for Kids, Meditation Coaching, Chair Yoga for Seniors, and Restorative Yoga.
Tina's mission is to teach mindful yoga, while reminding each individual of their essence. She strives to inspire people to love themselves, as that is where real great life begins. "As you focus on your breath, you are instantly experiencing the NOW and expanding your awareness. When your body awareness expands, you experience a shift. You shift from living in constant survival mode to a balance of stillness and flow. Through your practice of Yoga, you can experience feeling grounded and connected."
Forward Motion Yoga Instructors - Markham