Our caring & qualified instructors can modify the class for your needs.
Laurie-Anne Lamothe
She/Her
Visionary
In 2016, Laurie-Anne Lamothe purchased the Yoga Centre of Niagara, becoming its visionary and continued to turn the Centre into an inclusive wellness space. She wasn’t a yoga teacher at the time; however, she was someone with a dream.
Laurie-Anne has lived many lives while working in the United States and Canada, including being a life coach, inspirational speaker, workshop facilitator, Reiki master, and yoga teacher. She also has been on Canadian television, has been a guest writer for many blogs and been featured in magazines. These are all things Laurie-Anne continues to do in her daily life, and uses them to add another unique element into her yoga practice and her classes.
Laurie-Anne is a friend to all, being an avid supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. As a mother of two children who are part of the BIPOC community, inclusivity is important to her. She uses her experiences from working as an education assistant, in geriatrics, and with neurodivergent people to make the studio a warm and welcoming space.
Laurie-Anne uses the emotional, physical, and spiritual obstacles she’s overcome in her life to create valuable lessons in her classes. She always encourages students to embrace the practice and turn their intentions inwards, encouraging self-love and self-care as well as teaching sacred texts with integrity in the modern day.
Education is very important to Laurie-Anne. She has studied inclusivity, decolonization of yoga, specialized anatomy programs and personal and spiritual development programs. She has studied with Wayne Dyer, Colette Baron-Reid and many more.
Laurie-Anne continues to learn and grow, and never forgets to keep dreaming.
Kimberly Anderson
She/Her
RYT 200
Kimberly has been teaching yoga since 2012, after many years as a certified fitness and aerobics instructor. She is also a certified life and wellness coach.
Her mission as a yoga teacher is to make yoga practice accessible to every “body”. She believes that yoga can be practiced in many ways. One size does not fit all.
Working with intention and awareness, within your own mind, body and spirit is what Kimberly aims to facilitate in her classes and her coaching. She teaches with compassion and permission, while holding space for each participant to have their own individual experience.
Helen Booth
She/Her
RYT 200
Helen has been practicing yoga for many years, finding in it an oasis of peace and focus in both body and spirit. Her interest in the philosophical side of the practice led her to take Meditation Teacher Training and she continues to read, learn and study yoga philosophy and ideas. Helen’s yoga teaching training took place in Rishikesh, India, the birthplace of yoga, where she undertook the YTT 200 Hour program.
Helen continues to teach meditation, and incorporates her soothing voice in her teaching and practice.She also holds a Level I Reiki certification, Mental Health First Aid certification, and continues to expand her knowledge and abilities by taking many other meditation and yoga workshops, retreats and courses.
Helen’s path will lead you to breath awareness, meditative movement and strength of mind and of body.
Lora McCandless
She/Her
RYT 200
My name is Lora McCandless and I am a 200 hour yoga teacher trained by the Himalayan Institute. I am currently working on my 300 hour training. I have been teaching privately for the past year out of my home. And I also have the privilege of learning from and teaching the Girls and Boys Rowing teams at Ridley College. My yoga Journey began over 20 years ago when I was at my lowest point. Struggling with a severe eating disorder I was drawn to the gentle and self accepting way of yoga. During one particular class an incredibly intuitive teacher whispered words that would change my life. ” Be kind to yourself”. This novel and foreign concept changes the trajectory of my life. I now find myself seeking to guide others on a journey of self love and kindness through the ancient practice of yoga. Let’s Journey together.
Stephanie Vail
She/Her
RYT 200
Stephanie has worked in the social services for over 20 years and currently works in health care providing support, advocacy and community development for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Yoga and nature has been a part of her life and wellness for many years and in 2001 she graduated from the 200 hr yoga teaching program at the Yoga Centre of Niagara. The most important things yoga has taught her is presence, being with discomfort and being okay with this feeling, and most importantly, self-compassion. She teaches yoga because she loves what it can offer and wants to share that with others. Stephanie truly believes yoga is so much more than the physical practice and is truly lived off the mat. If you take a class with her you can expect a calm practice that cultivates presence, self-compassion, joy and a sparkle of humour.
Guest Instructors
Sheila Deb
She/Her
RYT 200
Sheila took her YTT 200 Hour program in 2022, on Isla Mujeres (Island of Women). She has an undergraduate degree in Adult Education (2009), a Bachelor of Education (2010) and has been a Registered Massage Therapist (1997) for over 20 years. Before all this higher education, she took her Level l & ll Reiki certification in 1994. In 2011, she completed a 6-month meditation training. As a life learner, Sheila continues to take courses in yoga and meditation with her recent certification in Yoga Nidra.
Sheila is a soul explorer, and her journey has led her to many wonderful places back to herself and around the world. She enjoys volunteering abroad and in her community. Some of her hobbies include disc golf and walking rescue dogs.
Hae Kwang Sunim
He/Him
Hae Kwang Sunim started training at the age of 18 in Thailand. He took full seminary and temple training in S. Korea, with graduated ordinations (including Bhikkhu ordination) under Patriarch Kun Sunim.
He spent over 25 years distilling the Inner Peace Qigong (IPQ), deepest and hardest to grasp teachings, into a simplified language so it can be taught and effectively applied directly in daily life. In 2005 (2549), the 19th Headquarters in Korea appointed Venerable Hae Kwang Sunim as Director of Bo Kwang Zen Center Palm Springs, U.S.A. In 2013, the Western Bhikkhus Council nominated Hae Kwang Sunim 교구장 Kyo Goo Jahng of all American-European Temples (closest English translation: North American-European Oversight Head / Bishop / Director).
Hae Kwang Sunim drew from the most effective mind-body teachings he acquired from studying under different teachers in the East, including the teachings of Wat Bua Luang in Thailand. Part of the methodology is based on the ancient Eastern principles of Hai Palung (Energy Healing), Mind-Body Healing Qigong, Pon Klie Kwan Sow (Emotional Release), Meditation, Food-Based Healing and the importance of compassion, gratitude, oneness, outreach and the need to support the whole person holistically — Body, Mind and Spirit.
