Team Members Archive - PranaShanti

Evelyn

I’ve been studying and practicing astrology for more than twenty years, but what continues to inspire me most is its remarkable ability to help us understand ourselves with greater compassion and clarity. My path with astrology has taken me across North and Central America and beyond, studying evolutionary, archetypal, Shamanistic, and Jungian approaches to the birth chart. Along the way, I’ve worked with clients from many different backgrounds and stages of life, each seeking to better understand their purpose, relationships, challenges, and opportunities for growth. I see astrology not as a tool for predicting the future, but as a sacred language of meaning. It helps us recognize the deeper patterns at work in our lives, understand the season we are currently living through, and reconnect with the person we are becoming. Many of the people who find their way to my practice are navigating transitions: questions of identity, purpose, relationships, career, or simply a feeling that life is asking something new of them....

Doug

I began my yoga journey in 2012 after finding myself in the emergency room being treated for diverticulitis and going into a septic shock. Stressed out and burnt out, I knew I could not continue the lifestyle I was living. Shortly thereafter I walked into my first yoga class. I couldn’t even reach my toes but I knew I had found my purpose. Leaving behind a career in sales and marketing, I held a dedicated practice for 5 years before making my first trip to India to go deeper into my passion for yoga. I completed my first YTT in 2017 at the Sri Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India. I have since returned 5 times to continue my studies. I have completed 600 hours in Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga, and recently 200 hours in Kundalini Tantra. I have also completed trainings in Yoga Nidra and Yin and Restorative Yoga. I am also passionate about woodworking and build musical instruments(monochords and harps)...

Mark

Mark values kindness, love and helping people. He wants to improve a bit each day and try to make each day a bit brighter. He has experienced the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of regular yoga practice over the last 15 years. He loves yoga and wants to share the benefits with as many people as possible. Mark enjoys a yoga practice that focuses on strength, flexibility, breath work and body awareness. His classes can be challenging, but provide options for all. He tries to bring a bit of joy or levity to his classes as yoga, like life, should be fun and incorporate some laughter. He looks forward to serving his fellow yogis in class, and is happy to be part of the wonderful yoga community at PranaShanti. Please say hello if you see him as he always enjoys meeting people and learning something about them.< Yoga is life, and life is beautiful....

Saman

Saman is a yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator and a percussionist. He integrates his drumming into his breathwork and yoga sessions, believing that drum beats connect us with our inner rhythm and others, and help us be more present. He also incorporates electronic beats into his music production to allow for more immersive experiences. His passion lies in quieting the mind through movement and breathwork, a practice he is eager to share with others....

Sonya, RMT

When you’re in balance, you feel it — your body moves with ease, your mind is clear and focused, and your emotions flow without overwhelm. You feel healthy, present, and alive. But balance doesn’t mean staying still. Much like riding a bike, it’s a dynamic process — sometimes we wobble, sometimes we fall, but with awareness and support, we find our centre again. Over time, we learn how to maintain momentum and recover more easily when life shifts us off course. I’m Sonya, a Registered Massage Therapist since 2012, a Professional Life Coach, and a certified First Aid/CPR Trainer. My work is grounded in the belief that healing and growth happen when we align body, mind, and spirit. Whether through massage therapy, coaching conversations, or teaching essential life-saving skills, my goal is to work in partnership with you — to help you reconnect with your own rhythm, rediscover your balance, and feel empowered to maintain it. Let’s explore what balance looks and feels...

Lynn-Marie

A woman of many roles and infinite passions, I proudly wear the hats of mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Each of these connections weaves the rich tapestry of my life, grounding me in love, growth, and shared experiences. For over a decade, yoga has been my anchor, my compass, and my joy. As a certified Kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, I guide others through transformative practices that awaken the spirit and center the soul. Mantra meditations are my heart’s song, blending sound and stillness to create moments of profound peace. I also cherish the deep restorative magic of Yoga Nidra, the gentle embrace of yin yoga, and the soothing clarity of mindfulness meditations. These practices are my gifts to the world—an invitation to explore the calm within, to move with intention, and to rediscover the beauty of being present. Whether you’re seeking serenity, inner exploration, or a nurturing practice to ground your day, I’m here to guide you with warmth, compassion, and a sprinkle...

Kyle

Drawn to its transformative impact on both body, mind and spirit, Kyle began practicing yoga in 2009, immersing himself in a dedicated personal practice. Kyle completed his first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Ottawa in 2013. He went on to teach a variety of styles, including vinyasa flow, hatha, and yin, while pursuing continued education with internationally renowned teachers to deepen his expertise and connection to the practice. In 2016, Kyle stepped away from teaching to focus on co-founding and running the Pure Kitchen group of restaurants, which have since become a cornerstone of the Ottawa community. During this time, he maintained a regular meditation practice and stayed deeply connected to yoga as both a practice and a calling. In 2021, Kyle completed a second Yoga Teacher Training, reigniting his passion for teaching. Kyle is thrilled to return to the studio, and to offer his wealth of experience and heartfelt desire to share yoga’s transformative benefits with his students....

Jemile

Jemile is a 200-hour Hatha yoga instructor. Her approach is for all to benefit from yoga, and to make it fun and accessible for everyone while building a strong and flexible body and mind. Jemile believes yoga is a practice on and off the mat and physically and mentally....

Bobbi

Bobbi is a dedicated 200-hour certified yoga teacher who brings a blend of experience and empathy to her practice. Her spiritual journey with yoga at its centre, began over twenty years ago as a way to find balance and peace in the midst of high-pressure jobs and the challenges of being a single mother. With stress and the uncertainties of life taking a toll on her mind and body, yoga and meditation became her sanctuary, offering physical strength, mental clarity, and inner peace. She is now passionate about sharing these benefits with others, guiding them on their own path to wellness with a compassionate and supportive approach. Bobbi includes Hatha Flow, Power, Yin, Yoga Nidra and Vipassana meditation in her personal practice....

Janice

Janice has been actively involved in the Ottawa Yoga Community for over 20 years. Throughout her career, Janice has travelled the world teaching movement, fitness and yoga. Her expertise brought her back to Ottawa to conduct Teacher Trainings and workshops over the years. Janice has been accepted into and completed five Teacher Training courses from renowned Richard Freeman. These trainings have had an enormous influence and inspiration on her for which she is grateful. Janice was also able to study with Pattabi Jois when he visited Canada.She holds a special place for meditation and has studied at the Shambala Center in Boulder Colorado. She teaches from the heart to make all feel comfortable and inspired to follow their own path. Janice continues to teach, grow, study, meditate and hold space for all who want to share and learn from this beautiful practice. Hope to see you on the mat soon!...