Instructors
Our Instructors
Adele Ohama (YIM, YAA-TTP)
Ann Waschuk (YAA)
Anomi Bearden (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Barb Breau (YAA, HY-TTP)
Bette Chan (YAA)
Cheryl Cooper (YAA)
Connie Walker-Dymianiw (YAA, CSEP-CEP, AFLCA, BPE)
Dena Simran Kaur Fairell (KRI)
Kendel Jewell
Kyla Belich (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Maxine Winchester (YAA)
Mike Kozlowski
Paula King (YAA)
Selina Hicks (YAA)
Sharon Hamilton (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Suzanne Blackwell (YAA, David Swenson TT-40 hrs, Doug Swenson YA TT-500 hr, Calm-Steady-Strong TT)
Trish Campbell (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Wanda Oster (YAA)
Certifications
- YAA: Yoga Association of Alberta Certified
- KRI: Kundalini Yoga Certified
- HY: Himalayan Institute
- INT: Integral Yoga Certified
- IHY: International Himalayan Yoga
- YAA-TTP: Yoga Association of Alberta Teacher Training Program
- YIM: Yoga in Motion Certified
Instructor Bios
Adele was introduced to the benefits of yoga in 1996 and became certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga in 2001. Later that same year, a severe horse-back riding accident resulted in Adele recovering from a broken back.
During the lengthy recovery and rehabilitation process Adele gained insight into herself, the practice of yoga, and in particular about starting yoga from the beginning - a second time around. Adele teaches beginning power yoga at YARD.
As an instructor, her goal is to encourage balance, awareness, self-practice and self-responsibility.
Ann Waschuk (Annapurna) (YAA Certified, SDS-ttp & YAA Senior Teacher)
Ann has been studying some of the many branches of yoga since childhood. Since 1994, she has been sharing this knowledge in the Red Deer area, teaching weekly classes and workshops for various schools and organizations.
Ann is YAA Certified, presently an active instructor for YARD and has served as their director of instruction since YARD's inception. She also has served on the Yoga Assoc. of AB board of directors for 15 years, acts as YAA's Senior Instructor for the teacher-training program in Central Alberta and is serving as a mentor for the Himalayan Institute's teacher training program. Currently, she is working with Satyabhama toward her certification in the teaching of Sanskrit Mantra.
Ann is ever thankful for the blessings of the great teachers in her life including: Grace Little, Lynn V. Andrews, Maya Margot Balog, Swami Veda, Namadeva Acharya & his wife Satyabhama and of course, her greatest mentor – her mother, Dr. Jytte Roy-Poulsen who brainwashed her at an early age with all these “crazy” esoteric principles such as: Every experience from everything & everybody is an opportunity to learn... be open... be aware...
Anomi Bearden (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Anomi teaches Continuing Power yoga classes.
Barbara Barbara practices and instructs yoga primarily from the teachings of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition. This includes both traditional Hatha and Raja Yoga. She participates in the YARD Yoga Outreach Program that offers free yoga classes to our more vulnerable populations in Red Deer.
For Barbara, a quote by Swami Veda Bharati sums up her personal understanding of this most beautiful ancient science: "Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self to the Self."
Cheryl Cooper (Cheryl teaches Yoga, Pilates, and various dance forms in Red Deer and area.
She is a YAA certified instructor, CDTA Ballet Member and has a Diploma in Dance.
Connie Walker-Dymianiw (YAA, CSEP-CEP, AFLCA, BPE)
Connie was introduced to yoga more than 15 years ago and instantly knew she had to learn more! She combines her knowledge as an exercise professional with the teachings of yoga to help her students find comfort in their body as they practice yoga.
She enjoys a gentle flowing practice incorporating hatha, vinyasa and viniyoga techniques. Connie teaches classes for YARD, RDC, the Collicutt Centre and to various small groups.
Dena Simran Kaur Fairell (KRI)
Dena started practising Hatha Yoga during her teens and was introduced to Kundalini Yoga and Meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan in her early 20’s. She has received teacher training in Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
Dena has been honoured to share yogic teachings with students since 1998. She is a registered social worker and works part-time for Alberta Health Services – AADAC.
Kendel began practicing yoga in 2008 and thanks to her inspiring teachers quickly developed a passion and desire to further her practice and gain a greater understanding of the principles, philosophy, and history of yoga. She is currently a second year student in the Kinesiology program at RDC pursuing yoga as her directed study and has recently completed the Yoga Alliance 200 hour teacher training program with Rameen Peyrow of the Sattva School of Yoga in Edmonton. Kendel values the balance and awareness that yoga and meditation have provided her, and is grateful to have the opportunity to share her love and enthusiasm for yoga with others.
Kyla Belich (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Kyla's roots are with the traditional practice of Ashtanga Yoga and she also leads classes in hatha and vinyasa flow at studios in and around Red Deer.
As an engineer, her interest in the science of movement has led her to seek certification in Therapeutic Yoga and she currently teaches private and group classes.
Maxine Winchester (Maxine has been studying yoga since 1998 with previous training in Tai Chi.
She is a certified instructor with the YAA and teaches at the Yoga YARD and for the City of Red Deer.
Paula King (YAA Certified Instructor and YAA Training Instructor, RMT)
Paula has been sharing yoga with students in South Central Alberta since 1997. She specializes in yoga for special needs and draws from her studies in therapeutic yoga, Ayurveda, massage, aromatherapy, astrology and complementary wholistic healing modalities.
Paula has served on the board of directors for YARD since 2004 and has also served as a director at large for the YAA since 2008. She acts as a YAA Training Teacher for the teacher-training program in this region. She teaches weekly classes at YARD as well as private tutoring.
Paula has been extremely blessed to have many wonderful and inspirational teachers in her life, including: Christine Steinlein, Grace Little, Maya Margot Balog, Swami Veda, Namadeva Archarya & Satyabhama, Richard Miller and Dr. Vasant Lad. She feels her life has been blessed with teachers from all walks of life and hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Selina Hicks (YAA, B.Comm, BScN)
Selina knew that she had found ‘home’ when she stepped on to her yoga mat 8 years ago for her first asana practice. Since then, she has been sharing her Hatha yoga knowledge with others in Central Alberta. Selina has a passion for working with pregnant and birthing women.
She is pre/post natal yoga certified, a doula (DONA trained), works for Alberta Health Services and is a perpetual student of yoga. She enjoys an eclectic, non-purist style to her practice and classes.
Sharon Hamilton (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Suzanne Blackwell (YAA, David Swenson TT-40 hrs, Doug Swenson YA TT-500 hr, & Calm-Steady-Strong TT)
Suzanne has a background as a martial artist (3rd degree black belt in karate & jujitsu), outdoor sports enthusiast, professional athlete (mountain-biking) and coach (cycling and skiing). She is interested in the interaction of the physical, mental and emotional dimensions of these activities and how yoga can bring balance to our sometimes “overly-vigorous” and busy stressful lifestyles. She likes working with a vast variety of people from those with health challenges, injuries, and stress to those wishing to simply enhance their focus, energy levels, performance, and overall well-being, whether they are elite athletes, achievers in the workplace, stay-at-home parents, or children & youth. She holds a B.Ed Degree and NCCP Coaching & AFLCA Fitness Leadership certifications and instructs in the Kinesiology program at Red Deer College. She also teaches yoga, fitness and martial arts classes around the city to college & high school students, youth, seniors, parents & tots, and adults. Suzanne is thrilled to be offering the Yogathrive class specifically for students who are in cancer treatment or who have completed treatment.
Trish Campbell (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Wanda Oster (YAA)Wanda has been a student of Yoga since 1998. She is in the YAA Teacher Training Program.
Wanda teaches at YARD and various classes in and around Red Deer.
Photos © Hunter Photography. Used with Permission.