Instructors

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Ryan Leier is a teacher, a student, and a creative force who leads with his heart and guides with his wisdom—inherent wisdom and wisdom acquired through extensive study.

A student of the Krishnamacharya yoga lineage, Ryan has received teachings directly from the Master Sri BKS Iyengar and the Ashtanga Guru, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. He now studies primarily with Srivatsa Ramaswami, a student of 33 years of Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Ryan also continues to gather wisdom through the extraordinary teachings of Father Joe Pereira (Iyengar Yoga), Baron Baptiste, Dina T, Danny Paradise, Eddie Modestini and Nicki Doane (Maya Yoga). At home, he has roots in the local sacred teachings, and regularly studies with and serves the Elders in his home province of Saskatchewan. These various teachings have given him an invaluable root system of ancestry and technique—yet Ryan’s yoga classes have an intangible, some might even say magical, quality that can only be attributed to him.

Ryan’s teachings also extend beyond his asana classes, through the non-profit he co-created, Vinyasa Yoga For Youth, the international One Yoga studios and his role as a Global Yoga Ambassador for lululemon.

Ryan believes that through steady practice and devotion, all people – regardless of their age, gender, race or religion, can experience the Oneness of Yoga.

 Website www.ryanleier.com 

Instagram @ryanleier

 I began practicing yoga sporadically in November 2008, originally because a bunch of soccer teammates thought it might be a great way to bond and get in shape for the coming season. I never took it seriously, but I still felt myself drawn back to it from time to time, so I did stay in touch with a kind of practice. When I quit drinking for good, I found yoga, Savasana and meditation to be an integral part of the recovery.

My practice became more consistent in November 2012 after I was dragged to a hot Vinyasa flow class in Edmonton and today I have attended more than 1000 yoga classes and taught over 3000 classes. Initially, yoga was an alternate way to try and get into better shape, but it soon revealed many more benefits for me. It became my refuge and a place to recharge and clear my mind. I often joke about my OCD but in reality OCD and ADHD are difficult challenges to try to live normally with and the yoga mat has become a salvation for me and a way to become more productive in all other aspects of my life.

The most obvious way yoga changed me is when I learned to take my practice away from the mat. I know I am much calmer, focused and patient now when confronted with life's hurdles. In December 2013 I took up the challenge to commit to a daily practice and I cannot stress enough how exponential all the benefits became.

A couple things you may not know about me. 

I am a survivor of malignant cancer, a massive car accident and a battle with Rhabdomyolysis. You may have seen the tattoo on my neck, it signifies two of the bullets I have dodged. 

Also, on my birthday in 2011, I decided to change my life in all aspects. I went through a tough time personally and reached the point where I needed to change, or I would not survive any longer. I gave up drinking and dedicated myself to a full mental and physical transformation. I look back and cannot believe how I looked at the time I made my decision, 260 pounds and the embodiment of unhealthy and unhappy living. I owe a huge debt to the many way’s yoga has played a part in getting me to where I eventually plan to be!

www.bulletac.com

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Shawn received his 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Lisa Babiuk at Soul Mind Body Fitness in Edmonton in June 2016. 

Lisa’s strong focus on anatomy and a therapeutic style of yoga resonates deeply with Shawn and it both structures his class style and the way he informs his students.

Shawn received his 200-hour yoga teacher certification with Ryan Leier at One Yoga Saskatoon in July 2019. Ryan’s ability to share his joy and passion for yoga restored Shawn’s own love for the art, and Ryan’s devotion to yoga’s history, lineage and senior teachers has inspired Shawn to explore this path as well. 

I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years and recently deepened my practice by becoming a yoga teacher. I have always felt closest to my soul when practicing yoga, and I love to infuse mindfulness, soul connection and intuition into my teaching. 

In my classes you can expect a blend of challenging asana and integrative, restorative poses that foster both physical and mental well-being. I am passionate about creating an environment that fosters spiritual growth, encourages self-reflection and honours yoga philosophy for a holistic approach to the practice. 

In addition to teaching yoga, I am also studied in Philosophy, Astrology and Akashics and look forward to deepening my connection to the One Yoga Vernon family and community through my passions and gifts. 

If you would like to learn more about me visit my website at www.aishaecasia.com

I have been living in the beautiful Okanagan for 11 years; my journey with yoga started in the summer of 2020 at a time when I was struggling with addiction and mental health issues, and the studio became a safe place for me to be myself and work through the struggles I had going on in my life.   

With a little discipline and consistency in my practice, my life has transformed into something beautiful and meaningful.  My love for yoga inspired me to take my 200 hour teacher training, which I completed in May of this year.   

I am excited to join the One Yoga team and look forward to the next chapter in my journey. 

I recently moved to Vernon in the spring of 2022 and I’m so excited to start guiding at One Yoga.   

I enjoy teaching yin, Flo, hatha and power yoga. I do my best to incorporate time for meditation and breath work in every class. I want to help people connect to their true selves and experience joy and peace through yoga.   

I’m fully certified in hatha and yin. Yoga has been a regular practice in my life since 2008.  

Looking forward to meeting new people and to help you Flo through life.  

Our story begins in East Vancouver, where a young Gillian tells her mother she'll one day "do yoga." Being born into a multicultural community, she was drawn naturally to things like art, dance and learning about different ways the children in the neighbourhood practiced their unique customs and rituals. 

Her family moved to the interior of BC, first to Nakusp, where she exchanged her awe of things like crabs and seals for a love of goats, bonding more deeply with animals and nature. A second move to Salmon Arm gifted her a connection with the lakes of the Okanagan Valley. As she grew into adulthood, she moved and travelled and moved again, seeking and searching for something that felt like her; like home.

In 2010 she finally found her place on her mat. From the very first class, she was hooked. Gillian completed her first 200hr teacher training with Eoin Finn in Bali, Indonesia in 2015. From there she has continued to travel and train with Eoin and Insiya, in Bali, Tofino and Victoria, BC and plans to one day complete their Blissology 500hr certification. 

With yoga teaching underway, Gillian also began her work in the autism community in 2016. Having a passion for working with children, she combined her areas of expertise to teach kids yoga for autism, alongside her regular studio classes and workshops. 

Children have been one of Gillian's greatest teachers, as they come to the planet without any of the social and cultural constraints life delivers. Working with kids and being a Mom to her own son have both softened and strengthened the way she looks at yoga and teaching, and deepened her understanding that when life provides a supportive environment for us to grow, we naturally become more of ourselves.

Gillian's classes are an open and safe space to explore your potential. She values each individual's freedom of expression on their mat, and understands that each class is a unique experience. In class you will be encouraged to tune in, and learn to feel more deeply what the present moment has to offer. Everyone, and all levels, are always welcome. 

I fell in love with yoga around 20 years ago, my practice was sporadic through the years but a health scare and life changes pushed me to develop a consistent practice of yoga.

I was in encouraged to dive deep, and made the decision to take the Yoga Teacher Training with One Yoga Vernon. It has been an amazing journey.

I love all types of yoga and the balance it has brought to my life.  I am happy and honoured to share my love and passion for yoga with you. 

I am new to the Okanagan Valley and look forward to meeting you! 

I have always been drawn to yoga for the way it would leave me feeling calm and at peace, but my practice was inconsistent for many years. More opportunities to practice started showing up over the past year through a friend who was a new teacher, and my renewed practice helped me navigate a major shift in my journey.

Eventually I became curious about yoga teacher training. I decided to fully embrace the gift of yoga and joined Shawn’s 200-hour yoga teacher training in October of 2022, graduating in March 2023. Going in, I wanted to deepen my personal practice, explore my breath, and connect to my inner world. 

The training has been so transformative that I have been inspired to teach and am very excited to embark on my teaching journey with One Yoga and to share my love of yoga with you all.

I have been drawn to yoga practice and philosophy at many different times throughout my life. As a young girl in the 70's,  I was introduced to yoga by my mom who practiced yoga through Kareen's Yoga via cable TV. Yoga has provided many benefits to me personally and I was excited to take teacher training to dive in deeper and it was pretty life changing.  I enjoy the challenge of many different types of yoga and love the benefits of  a restorative healing practice. My intention is  to provide you with  a welcoming and comfortable environment for you to explore and deepen your own practice.
 

I am a graduate of 200-hour teacher certification at Srishti Krama School of Yoga, Vernon BC with Shawn McMann in March 2023.  Being a long term resident of the Okanagan, I am happy to call Vernon my home. I am also a Registered Social Worker in  Private Practice and Adoption Work.
 

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people at One Yoga.    It is an honour to be one of your guides on your yoga journey - See you on the mat!

 

Sam is new to the One Yoga Community after spending five transformational years living abroad in Thailand and Indonesia. She’s passionate about all thing's yoga, energy work, and herbalism.

Following her path of self-realization and living within the heart, Sam will guide you through an in-depth meditative experience. Working with the subtle bodies while hold postures for longer periods, using awareness on the energy centers and breath. She looks forward to offering Yin Yang classes as well as Yin.

 

At 16 I started doing yoga to a DVD early in the mornings. Then when I moved to Victoria for University, I progressively lost my religion and yoga caught and held me. I began practicing Ashtanga yoga 2-3 times a week in a studio downtown. For 20 years now, flow yoga has been a standard in my weekly wellness routine.

However, it wasn't until recently, while studying the 200 hour yoga teacher training at One Yoga, where I learned what yoga really is. I'd heard it said that yoga is a "work in" not a work out, but didn't truly understand what that meant until learning about Patanjali's 8 limbs. When I teach, I aim to balance the work out with the work in; to help my students leave the world outside and come inward - mind, body and soul.

 

Janine discovered her passion for yoga in the fall of 2008. At the time being a mother of two small children she had expected it to be nothing more than a pleasant way to enjoy some quiet time to herself. 

She very quickly realized after attending only one class that she felt the amazing benefits of increased energy as well as clarity of the mind. Over the next three years Janine attended many classes which lead her in the direction of taking her 200 hour YTT. Since then she has also taken training in reflexology, relaxation massage as well as hot stone massage in which she has incorporated into some of her yoga classes. 

Janine takes pride helping others to feel grounded and at peace while in the studio as she leads through their own yoga journey.

I’m a life long student of Yoga with 20 years of teaching, primarily in Lumby and Cherryville, where I make my home.

My first 200 hour training was at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga. Since then I have acquired numerous certifications from a variety of skilled and well known teachers.

For the past 15 years my focus has been on Yin Yoga. I can’t get enough and continue to study with the best!

I have completed 50 hours with Vancouver Yin master Bernie Clark and I’m excited to be enrolled in his first ever 50 hour “Advanced Studies” course happening in July 2023. 

In the fall of 2022 I completed ”Yin Yoga Next Level” with Joe Barnett. As well, I have certification from Paul and Suzee Grilley “The Functional Approach to Yoga.”

Two years ago I completed studies on pain management with U.B.C. professor, author, yogi and renowned physical therapist, Neil Pearson. 

My intention is to share my excitement, appreciation and knowledge of Yin Yoga with a wider audience. I love that fascia research is new and evolving. 

Please join me for a Yin class and see how good your body feels afterwards! 

I am fascinated by all forms of movement. I grew up playing various sports and, well, just playing. Then life became more structured and stressful and responsibilities grew. I adopted rigid training routines that had to fit into the many hours that study and work demanded. I didn’t eat or sleep well. Predictably, my mental health took a severe nose-dive to the point where I was so tired and sick that I no longer could live a productive life.   

One day I went to a yoga class offered nearby. I hated it! I realized in that moment that my mind was completely out of control and I couldn’t inhabit my body, even for a few minutes. This was not good news to a perfectionist. So I went back, and slowly over the last 15 years I have designed a life around studying yoga and forms of movement that recapture that sense of play and wonder and wholeness that I felt as a child.   

The beauty of yoga is that there are techniques and tools that enable you to affect your overall state from any entry point: physical, mental or spiritual. We all have unused movement potential. We all have the capacity to learn how our body-minds work and the power to improve our own health and well-being. As I see it, my job is to spark curiosity and provide the space for your own exploration of skilful movement and life balance.   

I am fortunate to have studied personally with some truly excellent teachers from whom I learned alignment and biomechanics, breath, flow, humility and the value of both movement and stillness. Among those many helpful beings, special thanks to Paul and Suzee Grilley, Katy Bowman, Pam Rader, Pat Harada-Linfoot, Scott Davis and Brigitte Longueville. 

I am a certified yoga and meditation facilitator with training in Hatha yoga, Somatic Therapy and Kundalini yoga (RYT 550, KRI 500), with a background in dance. 

It is my purpose and joy to bring sacredness to each moment through awareness. The most important posture I’m practicing is compassion, and like everyone else I’m just practicing. Yoga has been a grounding force for me in navigating life with an open heart and it is an honour to share yoga that is inclusive, courageous and authentic. I love all the things that grow; plants, people, and communities and what really lights me up are relationships and collaborations that form strong, diverse human ecosystems. 

I work for the Young Agrarians as the Okanagan Land Matcher and am nearly completed my education in Mediation and Third Party Conflict Resolution.