Teaching Team
MORGAN COWIE
INSTRUCTOR
Leo Sun, Virgo Moon, Scorpio Rising
Morgan Cowie (she/her) is a Leo Sun, a dedicated learner and a lover of all things that light the world up with joy.
There is not a movement practice in the world that Morgan doesn’t want to find out more about. She is currently enthralled with teaching pilates, barre, yoga and fun dance cardio sequences. She loves the feeling of combining intelligent design and sequencing with straight up sweaty fun.
There’s no feeling in the world better than being at home in your body and Morgan’s classes are created to help you know that amazing is your birthright.
‘Find out who you are then do it on purpose.’ -Dolly Parton
ANNE CHAN
INSTRUCTOR
Anne Chan (she/her)
A fast walker (in life) and a slow mover (in practice). To share in a practice that is personal and unique to every individual in every single class, is such an amazing experience.
My approach to movement is to invite self inquiry. To notice, observe and appreciate the experience and allow that to guide you so your movement becomes intuitive and visceral.
“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” -Alice from Alice in Wonderland
BARBARA (Babz) JOHNSTON
INSTRUCTOR
Taurus Sun, Gemini Moon, Capricorn Rising
Barbara (Babz) Johnston (she/her)
I am a Toronto based multidisciplinary artist who spends a lot of time impersonating Ginger Spice and singing country songs.
I love practicing movement because it is the thing that grounds me the most of anything in my life and takes me out of my head and back into my body. I love teaching because it is where I learn the most.
CHELSEA COTTRELL
INSTRUCTOR
Sagittarius Sun, Pisces Moon, Sagittarius Rising
Chelsea (she/her) is a teacher & creative based in Tkaronto. Her practice is grounded in mindful and compassionate movement – with a particular affinity for a good heart opener. She strives to be conscious of how each person’s experience influences the way they show up every day – on and off the mat. She is a firm believer that each student knows their body best and lives by the saying: “you are your own expert”. She aims to guide classes that are supportive and challenging, and is constantly looking for fun new ways to transition into familiar shapes.
“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.” – Rumi
DANEA GREY
INSTRUCTOR
DARCIE LADD
INSTRUCTOR
Hi I’m Darcie (She/Her) I’m a mom of two, yoga teacher, passionate mover, and a forever student of yoga, life and the world. I have an eclectic background which both led me onto my yoga journey and continues to influence me as a teacher; including, an introduction to yoga philosophy and culture through my degree in Comparative Religious Studies, time in the corporate world and as a business owner, and now for much of my life, a dedicated practitioner, student, and teacher of yoga and movement. In addition to vinyasa flow classes where I often feel most in my element, I also teach Restorative, Pre/Post Natal and have spent the past few years teaching teachers in a number of teacher trainings in Toronto.
I love that the practice of yoga has no boundaries – it happens not just on the four corners of a mat but everywhere in our daily lives. It’s a process. Every moment is a new opportunity to grow, evolve and be present. And each day presents new evolution, new challenges, and it’s never the same, complete or “perfect”.
I get really, really excited about all things anatomy/mechanical related to movement and have spent the past several years doing a serious deep-dive into learning and teaching in this field. This certainly colours my sometimes explorative and creative perspective to teaching asanas. While at the same time, sharing deep reverence for the meditative and more subtle aspects of the yoga tradition and philosophy.
“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” – Dolly Parton
KATHRIN BRUNNER
INSTRUCTOR
Aries Sun, but I don’t know the rest.
Kathrin (she/her) began practicing yoga in 2005 and has been teaching since 2009. She’s also a Pilates instructor and has studied mindful approaches to resistance and strength training. Her approach to movement is one that values accessibility and personal exploration. She believes movement is an integral component of our overall health and that mindful forms of movement can increase our capacity for stress resiliency and self-regulation. In her own practice, the ability to self-soothe through breath, movement, and meditation has been deeply healing. Off her mat, Kathrin loves hiking, camping, learning about nature and playing with her two kitties Molly & Mitzi.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” –Maya Angelou
LAURA WOOD
INSTRUCTOR
Taurus Sun, not sure about the rest
Laura has been a mover her entire life and her path led her into teaching yoga and pilates after studying musical theatre in college. From early in her teaching career, Laura focused on supporting pregnant and postpartum people and has spent the last 15 years developing an approach to perinatal movement that is both grounding and uplifting.
Laura is an experienced yoga and pilates teacher who infuses approachable and functional movement into every class, with a side of humour and lightheartedness.
Laura is happiest and most at home when she’s spending time connecting with the world around her- spending time with friends, family and enjoying nature.
Favorite quote: “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
LINDSAY KINZINGER
INSTRUCTOR
Lindsay (she/her) is a Toronto based movement instructor. Her approach to teaching is to create classes and an environment in hopes that people will feel comfortable exploring connection to themselves. Her classes are functional, challenging, fun and she encourages you to get deeply inquisitive about your personal movement practice.
LIZ LAYWINE
INSTRUCTOR
Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon, Capricorn Rising.
Liz (she/her) has been practicing yoga for over a decade and been teaching since 2016. Her work is rooted in bringing people back to themselves, to feel at home in their own bodies, hearts and minds. All bodies are different, and as such, Liz aims to meet you where you are and open up the practice with lots of options. Her classes are distinct by her specific cueing, playful and curious approach, and soul-stirring music.
“Look down at your body / whisper / there is no home like you” – thank you by Rupi Kaur
MEREDITH BANNAN
INSTRUCTOR
Leo Sun, Virgo Moon, Scorpio Rising
Meredith (she/her) has been teaching asana, pranayama and meditation since 2004. Described as an intuitive and creative teacher, Meredith’s teaching style is a reflection of a personal practice that spans over 20 years and a variety of disciplines. Influenced most by Hatha (Anusara) and Yin Yoga, her classes are both dynamic and deeply therapeutic.
By placing attention on the subtitles of alignment and breath, Meredith encourages students to navigate mindfully through their own experience and embody the present moment. Meredith is also a Mom, nature lover and dog person.
“If you work on Yoga, Yoga will work on you.” Baba Hari Dass
NICOLE PITCHER
INSTRUCTOR
Capricorn Sun, Aquarius Moon, Pisces Rising (aka, an old soul).
Nicole Pitcher (she/her) is a Toronto-based Classical Hatha & Vinyasa trained yoga teacher, with a passion for practicing and leading the “quieter” yoga modalities such as Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidrã, meditation and prãnãyãmã (yogic breathing). She believes that by cultivating inner awareness in a safe and supportive environment, we are able to deepen our connection to ourselves and others, sharpen our discernment and find a sense of ease in day-to-day living. Nicole is passionate about exploring the history and roots of modern yoga, and she is an avid student of yoga philosophy with her teacher/mentors, Taryn Diamond and Hali Schwartz.
Off the mat, Nicole can be found at the Mosaic front desk a few days a week as well as running her own Organizational Focus & Strategy Consulting business from home. She lives happily with her husband and their two fur babies, Oliver and Desmond.
“And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.” – The Beatles
PAMELA BY WONG
INSTRUCTOR
Scorpio Sun, Capricorn Moon and Rising
“Truth is one, the paths are many.” -Rig Veda
PHILIPPE VAN DE MAELE MARTIN
INSTRUCTOR
Capricorn, Capricorn, Capricorn. Don’t mess with Earth energy, baby.
Philippe (he/his) is a bilingual (en/fr) vinyasa & restorative yoga teacher and actor originally from Ottawa and based in Toronto. He found yoga in 2007, and has been teaching since 2015.
“It is safe to desire more than just survival.”
RAMI SCHANDALL
INSTRUCTOR
SHAWNA TURNER
INSTRUCTOR
TAMARA FAITH BERGER
INSTRUCTOR
TAMARA SALPETER
INSTRUCTOR
Cancer Sun, Aquarius Moon, Leo Rising
Tamara (she/they)
I believe in the holistic benefits of movement and lead practices in a multitude of modalities. I instruct yoga, restorative, pilates, barre, rope wall, functional movement, circus arts like contortion and aerial, and more. I am also in school studying to be an osteopathic manual practitioner.
I love leading practices that invite connection to breath, noticing thoughts, emotions, and loving and accepting the most subtle layers of yourself. The invitation to be intentional, and integrate your practice to inform your actions, expand your heart-mind, and to be of service off the mat.
“Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move. Move the way joy makes you move.” -Osho
TARANEE PONJANI
INSTRUCTOR
Libra Sun, Scorpio Moon, Libra Rising
“T”, (she/her)
Who You Are: A human trying to be her best self
Why You Love to Practice and Teach: To give back to community and develop deeper relationships with myself and others.
Taranee’s favourite quote is “We are our ancestors wildest dreams”. She uses this quote as a reminder to dig deeper, work harder, and to take a chance on herself.
TARYN DIAMOND
INSTRUCTOR
Leo Sun, Taurus Moon, Virgo Rising
Taryn (she/her) will forever call herself a ‘new mom’, despite having a four year old. Her entry to yoga was through movement, but her passion ruminates in studying its roots in Eastern philosophy. She is unabashed in her commitment to cheesy jokes and not taking this thing called ‘life’ too seriously. Taryn is most passionate about teaching movement that breeds self-inquiry and compassion. Her classes purposefully amp up the agency of her students because, ultimately, we all have the best teachers within us. If she had to pick one modality to be monogamous with, it would be Yoga Nidrā. Through nidrā, Taryn is able to express the golden nuggets embedded within the philosophy of yoga, while also facilitating some meaningful rest for her students.
Despite not being a ‘Trekkie’, this Leonard Nimoy quote really hits home for her: “The miracle is this: the more we share, the more we have.
VALERIE TIU
INSTRUCTOR
Cancer Sun, Taurus Moon, Capricorn Rising
Hi, I’m Val, I use she/her pronouns. I’m a Yoga & Movement Instructor and Meditation Guide. I offer practices rooted in mindfulness and an anti-oppressive lens.
Outside of yoga, I love spending time outdoors and sampling baked goods in hip cafes.
Yoga has been the one thing that has remained a constant for me over the last 15 years. It is a practice that has grounded me in the most challenging times, leading me back to joy and peace with myself and others. Sharing the practice is an incredible privilege that comes with the responsibility to honour yoga’s roots and teachings.
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi
YAïZA DéCAUDIN
INSTRUCTOR
Cancer sun, Aries moon, Scorpio rising
True to my Cancer Moon, I lead my life with an open heart. Movement, art, and expression have always been a part of me, one discipline constantly leading me into a new layer of myself. After living abroad for many years, my love for travel and self-discovery have allowed me to experience the world through a unique lens, deepening my respect and need for community.
I became a yoga instructor in 2018 in order to not only dive deeper into my soul practice but to share this knowledge and gift with those willing. My approach to health and wellness is through a holistic lens, inviting students to view their experiences as multi-faceted.
“You are here to decide if your life, relationships, and world are true and beautiful enough for you. And if there are not and you dare to admit they are not, you must decide if you have the guts, the right – perhaps even the duty – to burn to the ground that which is not true and beautiful enough and get started building what is. “ – Untamed, Glennon Doyle
Administrative Team
MORGAN COWIE
STUDIO OWNER/DIRECTOR
Leo Sun, Virgo Moon, Scorpio Rising
Morgan Cowie (she/her) is a Leo Sun, a dedicated learner and a lover of all things that light the world up with joy.
There is not a movement practice in the world that Morgan doesn’t want to find out more about. She is currently enthralled with teaching meditation, barre, yoga and fun dance cardio sequences. She loves the feeling of combining intelligent design and sequencing with straight up sweaty fun.
There’s no feeling in the world better than being at home in your body and Morgan’s classes are created to help you know that amazing is your birthright.
‘Je suis prest (I am ready)’ – Clan Fraser of Lovat
AMBER GARDINER
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Yoga is a truly magical practice. It challenges me, supports me and always guides me home to myself. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to teach and share this with others. There is always something new to learn.
LAMA HALABI
ASSISTANT MANAGER / SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
Capricorn Sun, Taurus Moon, Scorpio Rising
Lama (she/her) began her yoga journey with her Grade 4 students and noticed the difference meditation and attention to breath had on development.
In 2019, she became a certified yoga teacher with a passion for learning about the human body and all that it is capable of.
As she continues on her yoga journey, Lama hopes to spread her knowledge of healthy living by learning constantly, embodying healthy habits, and creating accessible information to share.
On her off time, Lama enjoys making mala bead necklaces and bracelets to continue spreading good energy.
TEAGHAN YOUNG
DESIGN COORDINATOR
Libra Sun, Sagittarius moon, Scorpio Rising
Teaghan (she/they) is an artist of many mediums, with a focus on the performing arts, as well as graphic design. Her work aims to blend storytelling, creativity and accessibility.
Why I love to practice: movement has always helped me express myself in a way that words cannot 🙂
SHIREEN MIRSHAK
SPECIAL PROJECTS
With a background in Women’s Reproductive Health, Holistic Nutrition, and Yoga, I am passionate about supporting others in finding balance and re-connecting with themselves on and off the mat.
The mind and body work together in a beautiful, lyrical dance, and if we can learn to LISTEN to what it has to say I believe we will all be that much closer to finding what it is we are truly looking for, no matter what that may be.
