Our Team: PYC St.Catharines

Darlene Berg

Co Owner

I attended my first yoga class in 2002, shortly after the birth of my second child. I was highly stressed, and looking to get some “me” time outside the house. By the second class, I was completely hooked on yoga as I felt the immediate release of tension in my body.

By 2007, I decided I wanted to know more about yoga, I knew I was only scratching the surface in my practice. I registered in my first 200 hour yoga teacher training in Hatha yoga.  Afterwards, I started to teach Hatha yoga at Yoga by Sarah in St Catharines.

In February 2009, Kinndli came to teach weekend workshops at my home studio, introducing me to Baptiste Power Vinyasa. My mind was blown away. I had never been more connected to myself or my mat, and I knew I wanted to have the lightness I saw in Kinndli, and I wanted to bring that energy to my students in my classes. Needless to say, I signed up for a level 1, Baptiste Power Vinyasa teacher training in August 2009, completed Level 2 in May 2010 and I am currently an associate Baptiste teacher and working on my certification.  

I’ll be honest- I had gone to dozens of different types of practitioners looking for answers to “fix” what was “wrong” with me.  I was looking for the easy answer or quick fix, but what I really needed to do was to connect with myself. I realized my problem - I was looking for answers from the outside world when the answers were always inside me. Through my trainings I have learned to let go of past experiences that I was letting shape my life. I now know I am responsible for where I am in my life and where I am going. Hitting my mat everyday keeps this connection alive so I can let the past dissolve and live in the present moment.

I feel empowered and want to share the lightness I have found within, to those who come to my class. Anything is possible in your life, the sky is the limit! Go big with your dreams and your life! Carpe Diem

 

Andrea McGee

Co Owner

 My yoga journey started in 2002 by a chance meeting with a friend at Yoga By Sarah in St. Catharines.  My 3 month membership became a year membership.  I was intrigued mentally and relieved physically after years of back pain.  The tears in savasana didn’t deter me even though I had no idea why they fell. With the encouragement of my yoga teacher Sarah Giovannone, I completed a yoga teacher training program at Yoga Space in Toronto in 2005 and have been teaching since then.  I attended conferences and workshops and fine tuned my teaching but still felt incomplete off my mat.

Another chance meeting lead me to Kinndli McCollum, Master Baptiste Certified teacher, whose energy and shine fascinated me.  By a friends’ example and encouragement I attended Baron Baptiste’s Journey Into Power Level 1 in Mexico in December 2009 and Level 2 in May 2010.  On a personal level, I discovered how to get out of my own way and create healthy relationships and be authentic.  Now when I teach, I connect with students beyond the physical practice of yoga and share myself spiritually and mentally.  I believe in holding space for you to release your fears, expectations and masks on your mat so you can live in freedom and authenticity off your mat. 

I have felt more complete on and off my mat since training with Baron.  I understand the root of my tears in savasana and honour what I am experiencing on my mat.  When I realized my fear was preventing me from moving forward, I turned my “I want” statements into “I am” statements.   I embraced the expression, “If not now, when?”  and left my job in social services to teach yoga full time.

Since September 2010, I am teaching yoga full time, have become a Certified Baptiste Teacher. Oh yeah, and living my life with love and authenticity!

Sam Newton

I teach yoga because I absolutely LOVE sharing this practice that has revolutionized (I’d even venture to say ‘saved’) my life!

I was drawn to yoga in 2004, at a time when my physical and emotional health were both at a serious low.  I was looking for a way to take better care of my body, get a bit more toned, maybe gain a bit more energy.  I found all that - and so, so much more.

Yoga has given me a “true north” in my life; a place I can go to where I know myself and I know what’s true.   Coming to my mat washes away opinions, expectations, confusions, doubt.... (all the things that hold me back) and replaces the space they held with just pure possibility.  No matter what is happening in my life, yoga practice impacts it positively by helping me to see it clearly.

After earning my 200 hour ashtanga certification in 2006, I obtained further certifications in pilates, group exercise, and personal training.  In 2009 I began studying directly with Baron Baptiste, and have now completed Foundations in Action, Level I & Level II teacher trainings. 

I am so lucky, grateful, and joyful that my life is about sharing this yoga!