Learn from Experienced Teachers

Blaine's doorway into yoga was through lunchtime yoga classes in the workplace in 2010. Then, before he could use his sweet deal groupon at Moksha Dartmouth, he was working out of country and practicing Bikram regularly. Upon returning home, he has been practicing at Shanti ever since. He completed his 200hr YTT in 2014, followed up with 50hr Yin TT through Shanti. He also gained certifications with the level 1 Great Yoga Wall, SUP Yoga Instructor, Love Your Brain YTT and Yoga Nidra.

Renée is a 200RYT who centres her practice in the transformative nature of yoga. Her class offers spaciousness as well as challenge in an opportunity to self-discover, self-express and grow. Expect a soothing voice to ground you in a practice created with intent of self awareness. Renée is passionate about bringing human centred practice to all areas of society. With this in mind, she brings an informed view to her teaching and realizes the power of yoga on the mental and physical aspects of the body.

My name is Andrea Gracia and I have been practicing Yoga for a little bit more than 10 years. I started this journey when I was living in México, my home land. Throughout the years I have witnessed how yoga has transformed my life in many different ways. I had the fortune to travel to the Motherland of Yoga a couple of years ago and train with my teacher in the banks of the Himalayas and later on I was lucky to travel again to South India to study with Saraswati Jois the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa style in Mysore. My experience in India and what I have learned from my teachers in México and Canada and my personal practice throughout these years is something I wish to share with more people.

Kristie remembers thinking, 'Wow, I'm twenty-three - if my back feels this bad now, what is it going to be like in ten years?' Kristie started yoga in hopes that it would heal her chronic back pain. When it did, she knew that she wanted to offer yoga to others. Kristie has been certified in Hatha Yoga for a decade and has done intensive trainings close to her home in Ontario, and around the world. She is passionate about connecting the body and breath while helping students find ways to align and lengthen their bodies in a way that releases pain and discomfort. Her classes are full of insightful, intelligent, alignment-oriented cues, and a balanced sequence of poses. Her goal is to leave you feeling centred, present, and better than when you arrived.

In Fall of 2009 Emilie completed a 200 hour, Yoga Alliance certified teacher training in Edmonton. She believes the person she was then was broken down into many pieces and re-sculpted. The new insight, and perspective gained, also brought acceptance of who she is and the desire to guide others on this path of self-awareness, acceptance and compassion.

Paighton's yoga journey started several years ago at Shanti Halifax. Arriving with few expectations, and leaving fulfilled with a newfound sense of peace, she knew she had found a home in this community. After several years of dreaming to do so, Paighton completed her 200HR Yoga Teacher Training with Shanti in the Fall of 2021, and shortly after her 75HR Yin Teacher Training with Shanti in the Winter of 2022. She is beyond thrilled to share her passion further among the Shanti community.

Amanda Greenwood (she/her) is a Recreation & Leisure graduate, R-YT 200 with continued training in Myofascial, Yin, Vinyasa Krama and Kundalini. Amanda began her teacher training in January 2019 and has been teaching since September 2019 in various formats with studios and gyms in HRM.

Abbey started her practice right here in the Dartmouth studio more than ten years ago. Not until she had the opportunity to move overseas did she really find her strong connection with yoga. She traveled to India in 2013 to do her 200 Hour YTT in Vinyasa/Ashtanga. After that, she began to practice every day, growing and progressing in her practice. Living in the United Arab Emirates, Abbey began to teach private and corporate classes as she became apart of the yoga community.

Trever found the Shanti team back in 2018 when he planted roots in Halifax and became a regular in attendance of our classes. Trever quickly forged bonds with fellow yogis, teachers, and enthusiasts, immersing himself in the warmth of a truly remarkable community.

A yoga nerd at heart, Kevin brings his genuine passion for yoga to every class. He started his yoga journey at Shanti in 2011, and has since had the pleasure of training with Ryan Leier, Srivatsa Ramaswami (vinyasa krama), and Manju Jois (ashtanga), and holds a RYT 200, and RCYT (registered children's yoga teacher) certification with Yoga Alliance. He shares his dynamic style of practice which is fun, inspirational, and focused on the core traditions of yoga.

I found yoga in the year 2000 and I fell in love with it- the practice, the way it made by body feel, and how calm and at ease I felt during and after the classes. I believe that Yoga has helped me to slow down, to be more present and to get more grounded. I have completed both the 200 hr and 500 hr yoga teacher training programs with TAYS (Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio) and continue to take as much training as I can. There is so much to discover.

It was the first day on a new job and my coworkers led me to an in-house yoga class. Within five breaths I realized this is what has been missing from my life. This connection with my body, breath, and movement. I felt at home, grounded, challenged and inspired. That inspiration took root and yoga has become my passion. As a dedicated yoga student since 2008, the pull to teach and share what I learned on and off my yoga mat, would not leave. So in 2017 I started the journey to teach.

Shanon attended her first Yoga (Ashtanga) class with her Mom 25 years ago. She quickly fell in love with it, more so for the physical aspects at that time. However, it didn't take long for her to realize that Yoga was a way of living. Yoga has taught her how to love herself and others, to be gracious, to forgive, to accept, to be kind, to observe, to be present, to listen, to hold space, and to honour the beauty in the human experience. This is the heart of Shanon's practice.

Kyla Mackinnon resides on the east coast of Canada in Halifax but fulfills her sense of wanderlust by traveling regularly. Most of her travels involve leading yoga retreats and yoga teacher trainings as she loves to combine her passions of connecting with people and creating memorable experiences. Kyla teaches yoga as a way to inspire others to live a happy, healthy and authentic life. She enjoys coaching people and creating a space where they feel comfortable and confident in order to reach their full potential. Thanks to her many great teachers, Kyla vows to keep the tradition of Krishnamacharya's yoga lineage alive while weaving in a mix of her own movements which she explores through continuous study. When not getting her yoga on, Kyla can be found tasting new vegan health foods, enjoying time in nature, working out with the lululemon crew, connecting with loved ones, and exploring the world.

Pytrik completed the 200hr Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) at Shanti in 2024 and aims to share with students what she loves about yoga and life; freedom, detachment and consciousness.

I started practicing yoga in 2012 when I was living in Bermuda looking for a way to get back in shape and quickly feel in love with it. I decided to do my 200-hour YTT in May 2023 with Shanti and I started to teach in May 2024. Doing my teacher training has been a life changing experience for me. I love the way yoga makes me feel, grounded and present and more connected with my body. I am so grateful to be able to share my yoga journey with all my students. Yoga is so much more than just a physical workout, Yoga is a way of life.

Erika started her daily yoga practice in 2021 at Shanti Bedford as a form of exercise, but it quickly and unexpectedly transformed into a spiritual journey and lifestyle. In spring of 2024 she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training through Shanti. In her classes you can expect a balance of strength and flexibility, with an emphasis on finding effort and ease as you move through each posture. Erika truly believes that yoga is for every body: 'if you can breathe, you can do yoga!'

Nikki came to yoga in 2012, craving an activity to get her out of the house and drawn by both the strength, grace and challenge of arm balances and inversions, and a desire to finally forge a path to peace and happiness in her life. She quickly fell in love with the practice of yoga as a whole and how it enriched all facets of her life, and though she still loves the physical challenges, it presents she has come to appreciate the mental, spiritual and philosophical aspects of the practice as well.

Courtney was introduced to yoga at a young age in the midst of her dancing career. She found yoga at a time where flexibility and strength were an asset to being a competitive dancer. While her practice grew, she noticed the benefits that yoga had on her mental clarity and well being. Feeling inspired and continuously challenged by her yoga teachers and mentors, Courtney decided to take the next step of completing a 200hr teacher training with Shanti Yoga.

Andrea discovered yoga at a local community center in 2010 and was immediately drawn to the transformational nature of the practice. The Shanti Community has played a large role in her life since then. She completed Shanti's 200hr Yoga Teacher Training program in 2021 as a way to deepen her own personal practice and has completed further training in Kundalini, Yin, Vinyasa Krama and Pranayama. Andrea now enjoys creating and holding space for others to experience the connection to the self that yoga provides.

Fifteen years ago, I discovered yoga as an alternative to high school gym class and was instantly drawn to its unique style of movement. What began as a purely physical practice soon evolved into something much deeper. As I continued my journey through life's challenges, yoga became a grounding force that sparked a deeper curiosity about its ancient roots and transformative potential. In 2025, I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and I continue to explore and reconnect with my mind, body, and soul through yoga. I hope to inspire the same sense of curiosity and self-discovery in those who practice with me!

Leanna's yoga journey began over a decade ago and has been a steady thread through seasons of challenge, growth, and self-discovery. Through movement, breath, and meditation, she's learned to cultivate peace, build strength, and find moments of joy—no matter what life holds. Her teaching is rooted in mindfulness and inspired by movement, offering thoughtful, accessible practices that ground you in the foundations of yoga while exploring creative ways to flow through the familiar. Guided by her personal health journey and background in architecture, Leanna approaches each class with care and curiosity, weaving sequences that invite you to slow down, build strength, and reconnect. She completed her 200-hr Hatha and Vinyasa training in Bali and began teaching community classes on the beaches of Australia. Whether you come seeking clarity, balance, or a deeper connection to yourself, Leanna holds space for you to meet yourself exactly where you are.

Katherine King is a dedicated yoga teacher who brings passion and expertise to every class.

Jasmine Chauhan is a passionate yoga teacher committed to creating a welcoming space for all students.

Natasha Pollock brings her love of yoga and dedication to her students to every class she teaches.