Fraser Valley Yoga Teachers Intro Blog

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Abbotsford Yoga Studio

There are two primary teachers at the Studio: Eileen Millar, the owner and primary teacher and Tanya Marusech, the Foundations teacher. Karina Paradis is our substitute teacher and will be teaching more in the future.

We have enjoyed learning about the yoga instructors within the Fraser Valley, thank you Wendy for initiating this tour.

Tanya Marusech   

Teaching the Foundations classes at the Studio: Monday and Wednesday evenings, and Thursday mornings. These classes are suitable for those beginning their yoga journey as well as practicing students who are interested in the Iyengar Yoga system; learning a connection to the body. Classes include men and women.

Private, individual and group instruction is available at the Studio, when space allows, and off site via my own business Bent Mat Yoga.

There are two things very important to me:

  • My family
  • My students

I’m learning to not take myself so seriously. I’m a bit of a goof and sometimes can’t string enough words together to form a coherent sentence ~ but I believe in my students and what they can achieve for themselves.

Yoga is meant for any interested person. Flexibility is a non-issue. Strength level, coordination and ability/mobility levels are all non-issues.

If you have the willingness to participate, I am willing to teach you.

The biggest wall I run into as a yoga instructor is the assumption all yoga is the same. If you are curious about yoga and don’t connect with your first class ~ try another teacher or modality. Keep trying, asking questions, until you find your fit.

Not everyone is interested in yoga, and I get that. I was opposed to yoga for years until my own mobility restrictions demanded I look outside my comfort zone. I first walked into a yoga studio, rather reluctantly, in the fall of 2012. Those first classes met my needs and then I was ready for something deeper.

At first glance, some may consider me a typical yoga body but this is an illusion. I have multiple mobility restrictions that at first were of great disappointment but are now an opportunity of knowledge and even courage.

I participate in a lot of teacher training. I completed my 200hr training with a yoga alliance certified school in 2014. I have been studying and mentoring with Eileen Millar since 2014 and am currently in my third year of the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Program with The Yoga Space, Vancouver, BC.

I am so very grateful to my teachers and the wisdom they share. I believe in the concept of mentors and the responsibility of honouring their teachings. I am grateful for my students ~ for believing in me as I believe in them.

My mentors and training teachers:

 

Eileen Millar

Opened the first professional yoga studio in Abbotsford in 2006.

  • A certified Yoga therapist with IAYT,
  • A certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, and
  • A certified holistic practitioner specializing in lymphatic massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and Reiki.

My yoga journey began in 1991 after a serious bicycle accident led me to the special needs classes at Yoga Centre Toronto with, my now mentor, Senior Iyengar teacher Marlene Mawhinney. My love for yoga therapy started right there and then. I can’t even imagine where I’d be today if it were not for the therapeutic aspect of Iyengar Yoga. I’ve travelled to India three times to study and apprentice in the medical classes at the Iyengar Institute.

Apprenticed with Marlene Mawhinney in special needs classes at YCT from 1995-2001, and had the good fortune to study yoga therapy yearly with Stephanie Quirk from 2008-2014. I try applying these skills into my classes, one to one sessions and specialized workshops with compassion, humour and humility. I am a forever student in wonder of the science of yoga and other healing modalities, with a mission to see yoga recognized as a respected therapy.

My students and current mentor, Ingelise Nherlan, have been my greatest gift. Their belief in me has helped me grow as a practitioner and business woman.

With gratitude, Eileen

 

Be sure to read yesterday’s post by Paula Young and tomorrow’s post by Donna Tillotson.

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