Established 1996
Enriching Lives Through The Art, Science & Philosophy of Yoga
Celebrating 25 years - 1,164 graduates!

Instructors

Faculty

Valery Petrich
Founder/ Director

Certified by BKS Iyengar, originator of restorative yoga.
Khattab Certified
Psychosynthesis Certified
Himalayan Initiate
RYT 500
Valery took her first yoga class in 1975 with Friedel Khattab. She studied with Swami Radha in the 80’s and personally with BKS Iyengar in India  in 1983. Rama Vernon, Beryl Bender, Father Joe Pereira and Judith Lasater have also been influencing teachers. She founded the Yoga Studios and the Yoga Studio College in 1996. She was the Canadian representative for the Unity of Yoga Conferences, (1986 – 1996), which was the forerunner to the Yoga Journal conferences and the birth of Yoga Alliance. In her 33 years of teaching, Valery has observed that yoga has the ability to transform everyone who dedicates themselves to regular practice, if they are patient enough to find the teacher who ‘speaks to them’. Valery mentors, trains and empowers trainees to ‘bloom where planted’ adding value to the community and family around them. Valery prepares trainees for meet the ever increasing demand for yoga in corporate, health and wellness, educational and clinical settings. Valery guides trainees to find their unique gifts and calling, adding a deeper dimension of self fullfilment, confidence and prosperity to their lives.

· Certifications: Khattab, Psychosynthesis, Himalayan Tradition initiate, Certified by BKS Iyengar.

Trish Robbins
Trish Robbins
Co-director

Certified by BKS Iyengar, originator of restorative yoga.
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200, RYT 500
Relax & Renew Trainer®
YAA Certified
Yoga Studio College of Canada certified

Trish is a senior faculty member of The Yoga Studio College of Canada and Co Director of the Gold Therapy Diploma program. Over the last 15 years, Trish has taught thousands of students the art of restorative yoga. Through their gentle expertise, countless people have improved their health and minimized their symptoms. Trish is the teacher of choice recommended by many physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists and physiotherapists throughout Calgary.

Certifications:  BKS Iyengar, YAA, Judith Lasater, Heaven On Earth Yoga Institute, YCAT, Neil Pearson
Anne Douglas
Anne Douglas
Senior Yoga Teacher

Certified iRest Yoga Nidra Trainer
Certified Kripalu Teacher
Certified Ashtanga Teacher
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist

Anne Douglas of Banff Alta. has been a dedicated teacher full time since 1989.

She is a certified Kripalu senior yoga instructor (RYT 500), Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, is certified in Astanga Yoga. Synthesizing all her studies, skills and experience, Anne created Anahata Yoga Therapy as a path of self-inquiry, loving kindness, integration and wholeness. 

Working with Richard Miller, PhD.,with whom she helped develop the iRest system- Yoga Nidra trainings. Anne also served as a Director on the Board of the Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI) ..

Anne specializes in teaching students how to enrich their own lives by incorporating yoga therapeutically. From here she believes they will be a better teacher helping others deal with difficult symptoms, emotions and beliefs.

Pandit Dabral
Pandit Dabral
Yoga Master

Ph.D. Yoga Philosophy, Visiting Faculty Teacher Training Minneapolis
Disciple of Swami Rama – Himalayan Tradition.

Pandit Dabral is long time faculty member of the Yoga Studio College. He is an experienced philosophy teacher in the Himalayan Tradition who successfully brings the authentic teachings of the old yoga masters to the modern day student. People of all ages enjoy his warmth, accessibility and humor. He simplifies his knowledge of the ancient language of Sanskrit and the yoga scriptures by making complex ideas easy to understand. He teaches students the relevance of yoga philosophical thoughts to daily life and how to use these ideas to enrich both physical and mental yoga practices.
Tyla Arnason
Senior Yoga Teacher,
Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Leader

In partnership with Dr. Culos-Reed, Tyla leads the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Program.
 Tyla Arnason is the owner of The Yoga Effect in Calgary, AB.  She began working with Dr. Culos-Reed in 2007 within the Culos-Reed Health and Wellness Lab’s Thrive program (then Yoga for Cancer Survivors).  She has applied the knowledge gained from working both privately and in groups with cancer survivors and from numerous trainings and workshops to develop yoga protocols that have been used extensively in research, (Yoga Thrive Level 2 and Yoga for Pediatric Oncology Out-Patients).  In partnership with Dr. Culos-Reed, Tyla leads the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Program that has helped equip over 60 certified yoga instructors throughout Canada with the skillset necessary to teach within the cancer community.  She has presented for many groups including Wellspring Calgary, U of C’s Lunch and Learn, Alberta Health Services Cancer Care Conference and Alberta Healthy Living and teaches weekly at Wellspring Calgary.

Kim McNeil
Yoga Therapist, Yoga Thrive Instructor

Certified Yoga Instructor (500 hrs), Yoga Studio College of Canada (2005),
Certified YogaThrive(TM) Yoga Instructor (Level 1), Functional Synergy and University of Calgary (2008), Muscle Activation Technique (M.A.T.) Jumpstart Program (2013), Level 1 Training Certification (200 hrs) – Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada (2011), Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Biology), McGill University

Kim McNeil is a freckled, Montreal-born gal who discovered yoga after her competitive swimming career came to an end. After retiring from the sport, Kim tried kickboxing, karate, and knitting but nothing seemed to fill the gap. As a last resort, she took her first yoga class in 1998. The rest as they say is history. With over 10 years of experience, she specializes in demystifying yoga and helping her students become comfortable with it regardless of their yoga experience. She works with those living with pain, injury, arthritis, and those with more specific needs and goals. Her multi-disciplinary approach to yoga therapy helps her clients manage their chronic pain, stress, and mobility issues. The result is a huge improvement in their quality of life which includes getting back to doing the things they love.

Causes close to her heart are Cancervive, The Arthritis Society, Power of Movement, and Yoga Thrive. Most importantly, Kim believes yoga can help anyone feel better and live a happier life.
Lynn Fraser
Senior Yoga Teacher

Certified through the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association (IHYTA), Certified Living Realization Inquiry Facilitator

Lynn Fraser brings a life time of unique experience to her trainings which she shares generously and with touching honesty. She advocates a model of self-inquiry based on yoga teachings to help the individual unleash a personal power beyond habits and ingrained beliefs. Encouraging each participant to use their life lessons as ‘grist for the mill’, Lynn lights the way for each person to discover their own strengths, purpose and freedom. She was a founding member of the organizing committee for the IHYTA.

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