About Us
Our Studio
The Yoga Alliance of Red Deer (YARD) Society is a non-profit yoga studio.
We offer:
- A non-intimidating, warm atmosphere
- Committed, friendly, knowledgeable instructors
- A wide variety of classes from beginner to advanced
- Tough workouts to gentle stretching classes
Our Instructors
Adele Ohama (YIM, YAA-TTP)
Ann Waschuk (YAA)
Barb Breau (YAA, HY-TTP)
Bette Chan (YAA)
Cheryl Cooper (YAA)
Connie Walker-Dymianiw (YAA-TTP)
Dena Fairell (KRI)
Kyla Therrien (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Lorna Gardiner (IHY)
Maxine Winchester (YAA)
Paula King (YAA)
Randy McMullen
Selina Hicks (YAA)
Sharon Hamilton (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Stephanie Toth (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Suzanne Blackwell (YAA-TTP)
Trish Campbell (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Wanda Oster (YAA-TTP)
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 Ohama (YIM, YAA-TTP) 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) has been studying some of the many aspects 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 over 10 years, acts as YAA’s Senior Instructor for the teacher training program in this region, and has just begun serving as a mentor for the Himalayan Institute’s teacher training program. Currently, she is working with Namadeva toward her certification in the teaching of Sanskrit Mantra.
Barbara Breau (YAA, HY-TTP) is a dedicated yoga practitioner and offers instruction in Hatha Yoga at various locations around Red Deer. She is currently completing her first year (of a 600-hour program), in the teacher training program of the Himalayan Tradition, based out of Rishikesh, India. Barbara serves on the YAA-Yoga Outreach Advisory Committee, and is helping to further develop Yard Outreach, a service designed for our more vulnerable population.
Cheryl Cooper (YAA) 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-TTP) is an exercise professional and yoga practitioner who is nearing completion of her Teacher Certification with the YAA. She combines her knowledge of fitness with yoga practices to enable the mind and body to discover the amazing benefits of yoga.
Dena Fairell (aka Simran Kaur) (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.
Kyla Therrien (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Maxine Winchester (YAA) has been studying yoga for nine years 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) 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. She teaches weekly classes at YARD and for the City of Red Deer.
Selina Hicks (YAA, B.Comm, Bachelor of Science Nursing (3rd year student)) 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)
Stephanie Toth (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Suzanne Blackwell (YAA-TTP) 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.
Trish Campbell (David Swenson Teacher Training)
Wanda Oster (YAA-TTP) has been a student of Yoga for 9 years. She is in the YAA Teacher Training Program. Wanda teaches at YARD and various classes in and around Red Deer.
