Stéphane is all about balance. When leading yoga practices, he strives for a “just right” combination of Yin and Yang—a balance that shifts depending on the energy present in the room. He brings a strong, unhurried presence, a solid foundational teaching style and his sense of humour to every class, making for a well-framed and accepting environment for students.
Stéphane places the emphasis on fundamentals: a solid connection to the earth, alignment as it applies to each yogi’s physical body, and relaxed breathing throughout. He provides clear, direct instruction and offers many variations for each asana. His instructions meet the yogis where they are; it’s an invitation to leave one’s comfort zone in a manner that respects the yogi’s current physical, spiritual and mental space.
He is grateful to have been trained by masterful teachers covering many styles and traditions, including Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Ashaya Yoga, Forrest Yoga, Bowspring and Yin Yoga. The result of learning from so many different styles is an understanding that each student needs to be approached individually, and that in yoga one size does not fit all.
Stéphane’s approach to yoga has evolved since his first class in 2006. He says “Yoga is a lifelong practice: you do, you learn; you do some more, you learn some more. There is no end point. The sweet spot is where you commit fully to the practice without ego.”