Ottawa : Rideau Centre
Alumni Abassador Allan Alguire
"Knowledgeable." "Confident." "Charismatic." These are only three of the answers that Allan's clients provided when asked to describe him. It is because of these character traits, and his dynamic methods that Allan has quickly become one of the most sought after Personal Trainers in the Ottawa region. Allan's personal and athletic pursuits have ranged from competitive snowboarding to road cycling. It is through these experiences that Allan established a strong sense of commitment to excellence, and a firm understanding of the effort and sacrifice involved in achieving one's goals. Allan's clients have already discovered the benefits of his work ethic and positive attitude through the quick and long-lasting results they have achieved themselves. In 2005, Allan received the... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Amber Stratton
SOMA Health and Fitness
Amber started on her yogic path early, as a young girl growing up in a spiritual home. But she would feel there was a missing piece for many years, as she first pursued a variety of other forms of body movement. Her journey began with eight years of ballet training. Kickboxing, running, and weight training would all become regular pursuits, along with snowboarding in the winter and wakeboarding in the summer. Amber eventually sought out yoga to stretch out her overworked muscles, but soon began to discover an understanding of balance she had long been searching for. She began to realize her yoga practice was influencing almost every other part of her life. A magical byproduct of those muscle-stretching sessions was a calmer mind, a healthier body and an open heart. Yoga had helped... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Carole Woodstock
GoodLife Fitness
Carole is the full time Regional Group Exercise Manager for the GoodLife Fitness Clubs. She oversees and leads 175 fitness instructors covering the entire Ottawa and Hull area. When not managing, Carole can be found teaching a variety of classes including BodyPump, BodyJam, Latin Jam, hip-hop and Cardioga (which is an original concept of cardio mixed with yoga). A choreographer for fitness and aerobic competitions Carole is the former National Director of Culture Shock Canada and was recognized in that role with the Ottawa Community Builders Award. Over her two decades in the fitness industry, she has presented at fitness conventions both locally and internationally and continues to deliver these workshops today. In her personal time Carole trains for marathons and triathlons and is a... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Carolyn Waldo
Carolyn Waldo overcame a fear of water and turned it into a passion. After nearly drowning at a young age, she stayed clear of the water until having the opportunity to try synchronized swimming at age 11. She won her first national title in synchro at 14, later went on to win 6 world titles. In 1984 she won a silver medal in the solo event in Los Angeles. 4 years later she went on to win 2 gold medals in synchronized swimming at the 1988 Seoul Korea Games becoming the first Canadian woman to capture 2 gold medals at the same Olympic games. She was named Canadian Female athlete of the year twice, and was the recipient of the officer of the order of Canada. Carolyn is now a sports reporter/anchor at CTV sports in Ottawa. She is also a motivational speaker. Carolyn is a proud mother... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Colleen Cameron
Colleen is a graduate of Queen’s University and works as a senior policy officer within the Charities Directorate of Canada Revenue Agancy. She has worked within the Charities Directorate for the past 3 years. In her current position she develops proposals for legislative and regulatory change to implement and enhance programs, processes and polices related to Canadian registered charities. In her personal time, Colleen can be found running and biking the Ottawa trails with friends or swimming with the Nepean Masters Swim Club. She has competed in several sprint and olympic distance triathlons and duathlons in Eastern Ontario for the past 6 years, and recently completed her first marathon in Lake Placid. Colleen is also a 3 year member of the Fast Women Happy Men running team... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Elaine Giacobbi
Elaine has been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years and has successfully owned and operated a fitness and martial arts studio (Wellness on Rideau). She loves many sports and fitness is her #1 passion. She holds many titles, including being a yoga instructor, certified personal trainer and an aerobic instructor. She has also earned a 1st degree black belt in karate and was featured in a karate fitness video released in 1998. In the summer time, she really enjoys being outside and playing sports like tennis. Elaine is also a member of the Women's Business Network and the Canadian Women Golfers Inc. She loves to motivate people and to empower them to live and lead healthy lifestyles. Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Ichih Wang
Around the world 3 times, well traveled Ichih initially discovered yoga while living in Sydney Australia 7 years ago. It was during this time that she also found her love for yoga and began a committed daily asana and meditation practice. First in Bikram style, then evolving to Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa flow and then S.K. Pattabhi Jois influence Ashtanga. Her yoga instructors would often approach her at the end of the class with the idea of her teaching yoga and sharing the amazing benefits they could witness taking effect. The seed was well planted and it led to her desire to teach yoga and share its amazing benefits with others. For the past 3 years she has been living and teaching yoga full-time in Ottawa Canada. Her teaching style approach is natural, spiritual and authentic... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Jacqueline Ethier
Jacqueline Ethier is a fully Certified Pilates Teacher and professional dancer. She studied the Pilates Method for nearly ten years before opening the Pilates Space in 2002. Jacqueline is studying with The Ron Fletcher Program of Study under the guidance of her mentor Sagrario Castilla, and under the direction of Kyria Sabin in Tucson, Arizona and Pat Guyton in Boulder, Colorado. Ron Fletcher is a Master Teacher who began his studies of Body Contrology, the name Joseph Pilates gave his fitness method, with Joseph and wife Clara in New York City in 1948. Over twenty years of dance training gives Jacqueline a unique sense of the body and how it moves. Jacqueline teaches all levels of the Pilates Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Spine Corrector, and Chair. Jacqueline is a Licensed... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Justine Hoang
MountainGoat Yoga and Santosha Yoga
Justine started down her yogic path about 2.5 years ago and has never looked back. The shutdown of her employer's design centre in the Kanata Technology Park turned out to be a great blessing, as it forced her to reassess her life goals. Her love for sports and working with people naturally gravitated her towards the health and fitness industry. With encouragement from close friends, she decided to include yoga in the list of potential career opportunities. She fell in love with yoga upon taking her first studio led class, in Ashtanga yoga. She immediately immersed herself full-force into the practice, taking daily classes at both Mountaingoat Yoga and Santosha studios, and developing an intensive home practice. The more she progressed, the more she realized that she had finally... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Kailena Van de Nes
Développé Dance Studio, Dovercourt and the Glebe Community Centres
Life Story Kailena has had the privilege of growing up in very different parts of the world. She is also the only born Canadian in her family. Kailena moved to Brazil with her family at the age of four, and returned to Canada in 1992. She schooled in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed her degree in Recreation Management. Career Since the age of fourteen, Kailena set her career goal to become a commercial pilot, and as been working towards it ever since. She joined Air Cadets in order to obtain her glider and private pilot’s license, and after university, moved out to Steinbach, Manitoba, to begin her commercial pilot training. In 2005, she moved to Ottawa, where she continues to fly at Ottawa Aviation Services and is preparing for her commercial flight test.... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Mike Fabbro
Mike in the Middle Mike grew up in Ottawa as the “middle” of five boys up in a close-knit family. There was never a shortage of activity or rough play in the Fabbro household. In fact, in high school Mike and his brothers were wrestling champions, and were constantly on the road competing. There is No Life Like it After high school, Mike followed his in his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force and attended RMC in Kingston. There, he continued to wrestle, compete and win. It’s also where he discovered the new sport of windsurfing. From Surf The rest, as they say is history. Mike went on to win six consecutive national windsurfing titles in a variety of disciplines from 1985 to 1990, competed in five world championships and won a World Cup title in the freestyle... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Nadia Robichaud
Sportheque de Hull, St-Laurent Complex and Carole Brouard Dance Studio
Nadia is a certified Fitness Professional since 1992, teaching an array of programs in the Ottawa/Gatineau region in group fitness and personal training. The beginning of her career focused mainly on Competitive Aerobics. In 1993 she won the Novice National Aerobic Champion title and was a finalist at the Canadian Nationals in 92 to 95. Although fitness has always been a great part of her life Nadia's talents are diverse... In 1995 Nadia signed a record deal with New Music Records based out of Montreal releasing a number of hit singles heard over the radio stations across Canada. She also signed many of those singles abroad. Her first Album "Kiss of Destiny" was released in Russia, Japan and Saudi Arabia. She was featured as a performer on Much Music's "Electric Circus" and... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Nikki Manzies
From the time she was young, Nikki has absorbed herself in inquiries into spirit, energy, and body. Her work in yoga and related fields reflects her commitment to the journey of healing, growth and evolution – the place where spirit, energy and body meet. For Nikki, the essence of her work and teaching is to assist in the joyful embrace of one’s life and the growth it rewards. Nikki began a meditation practice at 17 years old and studying yoga and other healing arts in her early twenties. She has been teaching classes, workshops and retreats and facilitating individual healing sessions since 1994. In 1998, she founded Yanumoja Yoga, a practice of self-exploration through movement, breath, meditation, and reflection on seasonal themes. Nikki invites students to attune... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Scott Duval
Scott Duval has been a registered massage therapist for the past 10 years, and he owns SOMA Health & Fitness, located on 700 Sussex Drive. He specializes in and focuses on sports & athletics and deep tissue massage. Scott incorporates Thai and Shiatsu into his treatments, broadening the range of therapy. He is also experienced in pregnancy and infant massage. In addition to this, Scott is a Kinesis trainer – this focuses on movement and core strengthening rehabilitation. His secondary interests include running, snowshoeing, and hiking. With his newly opened fitness studio, SOMA Health and Fitness, his goal is to promote a well rounded lifestyle, incorporating health and fitness equally – keeping the realities and enjoyments of life on a parallel. Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Scott Johnston
Personal Health Fitness
Scott Johnston is a fully certified personal trainer with an honours degree in Kinesiology with Psychology from the University of Western Ontario. Fitness has been a part of Scott's life as far back as he can remember. From skating on the canal when he was 2, Scott developed in to a local athlete playing a wide variety of sports up to the varsity level. It was then that Scott discovered a passion for not only teaching people how to exercise properly, but educating them on how they could change their life to lead a more balanced existence. I love the mind body connection. I thrive on helping people see that a healthy lifestyle involves not only going to the gym, but incorporating many other aspects of balance in to their lives. After stints in Vancouver and Central America, Scott moved... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Stuart Maskell
Stuart Maskell is the owner of Firm Fit Personal Training Services. He has been coaching teams and motivating individuals for over 14 years. Stuart has studied the work of Joseph Pilates since 2002 and is a certified STOTT Pilates matwork instructor. In addition, he holds a Personal Training Specialist certificate from Can Fit Pro (2002). Combining the Pilates method with traditional sport and bodybuilding techniques, he creates unique fitness programs that assist with core strength, posture, speed and strength. Stuart’s studio is located within the Physical Therapy Institute, a sports medicine clinic offering Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Sports Medicine and Personal Training. His private space offers clients an opportunity to relax and focus on their bodies while being... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Susan (Mukti Priya) Randall
English-born Susan Randall is an internationally certified yogi, educator and coach, with over twenty five years of experience in studying, practicing and teaching techniques that relieve the body and mind of pain, thus empowering people to live vibrant lives – being the best that they can be. She is the owner and founder of YourLifestyleCenter, a multi-faceted service operating in Ottawa and West Québec, which integrates yogic practice and philosophy with daily life. Also known by the names Madhurta and Mukti Priya, Susan studied yoga and meditation in the Western Himalayas of India for 15 years under the guidance of the sage Swami Shyam. There, she earned a degree in meditation and advanced yoga sciences that included in-depth work with yogic philosophy in its original Sanskrit... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Tania Fréchette
Rama Lotus and Upward Dog Yoga
"What is the purpose of life? To elevate all, big or small." - Yogi Bhajan Yoga is Tania's passion. She has been captivated since her first class in January 2000. She is an IKYTA certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor as well as a Children's Yoga instructor. Tania currently teaches Kundalini Yoga and a monthly Children and Parents Yoga class at Rama Lotus Yoga Centre, www.ottawayoga.com. Her greatest joy is to share the spirit of yoga as a new member of the Mimi Publishing Inc. team, she brings her yoga expertise as a columnist for Mimi the Angel Newsletter. Within that organization she teaches yoga workshops for children. To discover more visit www.mimitheangel.ca. Tania believes that yoga brings balance and harmony to her life. As a graphic designer she often has tight... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassador Tim Thompson
Tim Thompson has been working with varying levels of the criminal justice system for 22 years. In this capacity he has faced the challenge of balancing his work and personal life. Beginning in the role of a Child and Youth Worker specializing in violent offenders, to a Guard at Kingston Penitentiary and a Parole Officer in Toronto, he now works at National Headquarters for the Correctional Services Canada in Ottawa. Along with continuing his involvement with Youth in crisis and teaching the occasional course at Algonquin College, Tim has strived to maintain a level of fitness that not only aids him in the physical and mental demands of his work, but helps provide a healthy balance in his personal life as well. As well as being a long time member of GoodLife Fitness, Tim also manages... Read the profile >>
Alumni Ambassadors Roxanne Joly & Sage Cram
Sage Cram has a degree in kinesiology, is an aromatologist and trained as a paramedic, but the biggest influence in Sage's life and the reason she loves teaching yoga is because of her parents. Sage was introduced to yoga and meditation at a very young age and that interest has followed her throughout her life. Thanks to yoga she is able to share her love of movement. Sage's current focus is on partner yoga, working with two adults as well as in pre and post natal yoga. Roxanne Joly fell in love with the art of yoga practice in Toronto in 1998. She recognized the profound life changes and benefits inspired by yoga, such as deep relaxation, patience, strength, stamina and overall well-being. She rapidly incorporated yoga into her daily life and embarked on the study of yoga philosophy.... Read the profile >>
Charlie Ayoub
Charlie became a YMCA Certified Personal Trainer in 1999 while practicing the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. His diverse fitness background naturally led him to Pilates in 2000. Charlie felt the negative effects on his body from working 10 years at a 9 to 5 office job and he immediately felt the benefits of a continuous Pilates practice. He began a serious study of Pilates in 2003 and received his Matwork Certificate 2 years later from The Studio Pilates, Toronto. Charlie continues to expand his knowledge and will be starting the Fletcher Pilates Comprehensive Program starting this fall 2008. Among his other studies, he graduated from the Business Administration Program at Algonquin College with a major in Information Systems. By combining his interests in Business, Technology and Fitness,... Read the profile >>
Louise Sattler
Soma Health and Fitness
Growing up on the back of a horse, Louise was fortunate to practice her passion every day. Competing in Show Jumping up to the international level, she won numerous awards including a Canadian Equestrian Team gold medal and the Saddle of Honour at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Although her passion for riding never subsided, a new one arose over ten years ago. Longing for a more harmonious way of being in the world, Louise was drawn to Yoga. Today Louise combines her two main passions of Yoga and Riding and enjoys making her living by teaching. In University Louise studied Microbiology, Mathematics and Psychology. On her own, she enjoys studying Quantum Science, Spirituality and theories on Consciousness as a way of developing a greater understanding of the mind-body connection. Louise brings... Read the profile >>
Maureen Fallis
Maureen Fallis, founder of Surround Circle Yoga, established her business with an intention to create a community of individuals who would share her love of yoga and appreciate the serenity of a beautiful yoga space. The journey of making Surround Circle Yoga a reality says a lot about Maureen. These are her words, “Living and working as a Senior Account Manager for a Specialty Pharmaceutical company for over eighteen years gave me the confidence and skills to consider creating my own company. I guess it was my strong desire to explore ‘what’s next’ that gave me the courage to build my dream.” A thousand years, as the expression goes, Maureen developed a passion for running. And as all runners know, running can cause hamstrings to tighten, knees to seize, and hips to... Read the profile >>
Nicola Henry
Planet Dance Studio
Nicola Henry is a dance teacher at Planet Dance Inc. She teaches Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theatre and Stretch & Strength to students of all ages and levels. Nicola is a graduate of the Professional Contemporary Dance Program at the School of Dance. During her three years of intensive training and performing, Nicola had the opportunity to work with many Canadian choreographers and guest teachers including Sylvie Desrosiers, Peter Boneham, Yvonne Coutts, Heidi Strauss, Emmanuel Jouthe, Marc Boivin, Brian Webb, Tedd Robinson and Cathy Kyle-Fenton. In June 2008, she performed choreography by Tedd Robinson and Sylvie Desrosiers in the prestigious Canada Dance Festival. Nicola returned to Ottawa after training at The University of Calgary in Contemporary Dance. She also... Read the profile >>
Todd Lavictoire
Upward Dog Yoga Centre
Todd's approach to both his personal practice and his yoga classes has always been one that has included joyfulness and playfulness in order to find every student's edge. At whatever point a student may find themselves in their practice, Todd hopes to encourage a pursuit of excellence without an attachement to the outcome. The students in his classes are always encouraged to remain happy and playful in their experience of their practice and mindful that, in the end, being present in the moment is what is most essential to yoga. Todd's yoga practice has helped him in every facet of his life. His children Ethan, Maya and Dharma are some of the primary benefactors of his and his partner's yogic pursuits -- always striving to live from the heart. Life's upcoming challenges for Todd... Read the profile >>
Tracy Glennon
Goodlife Fitness
Fitness has been Tracy's life for fifteen years. She began teaching fitness classes to keep herself active during her maternity leave and that maternity leave turned into a lifetime passion. From the start Tracy believed in the importance of involving both the mind and the body in physical fitness. Her personal yoga practice led her to becoming a certified Ashtanga and Power Yoga instructor. One of the greatest satisfactions of her vocation is introducing yoga to new students and initiating them on their journey. She has a passion for getting kids involved in physical activity and has taught yoga to children in yoga centers, at Girl Guide camps, in many Ottawa grade and high schools introducing kids who are alienated by traditional competitive sports to a fitness pursuit that looks... Read the profile >>
Tracy Koert
Tracy Koert Co-Director, Moksha Yoga Ottawa Through my own healing journey, I have discovered first hand the profound effects that diet and lifestyle can have on a person's health. Not just on a physical level, but mentally and emotionally as well. Unhappy with my career, recently divorced, and suffering from depression, a friend suggested I give yoga a try. The class was very challenging. I could not do half the poses, but I walked out feeling amazing and there was nothing I could do to wipe the smile off my face! As a runner and endurance athlete, the physical benefits were obvious, but as I started to practice daily, I became more aware of the therapeutic benefits yoga offered. I began to find more flexibility, balance and strength in all aspects of my life, not just my body.... Read the profile >>