Meet The Teachers & Staff!
Audrey
Audrey Started her journey on the Path of Yoga in 2007 and immediately felt the benefits. This journey has become her passion to bring those benefits to the General Public.
Her intention is to provide a space for all who need healing and she uses a gentle approach to allow each individual the opportunity to be still and create their own sacred space within.
Audrey's training as a Yoga teacher began with a two year intensive Meditation Facilitator Training Course with Tony Murdock from Towards Stillness. She continues to build upon her skills with continued Education & training, workshops and daily practice. Among many of the courses she has completed Sound Bath Healing, Reiki Master, Yin Yoga, and more.
Audrey beliefs we are all students and should never stop learning, learning is a life time journey as is the practice of Yoga. Audrey has also travelled to India for a month long intensive training learning the Traditional style of Yoga at the Nada Yoga School and is excited to pass on what she has learned. "it is a humbling experience to acknowledge that the more we learn the less we know, it is an ongoing process."
Her most recent training among several is Sound Healing, using Sound to bring Yoga to a whole new level!
Kristin
I'm Audrey's daughter who was lucky enough to inherit the artistic gene from my Mama. I teamed up with her almost 6 years ago when I decided life was too short and I wanted more time with my family so I quit my full time retail management job and here I am! Most days you will find me working on crafting up something fun for your home, ordering new cool merchandise for the store or planning workshops at the studio!
My most recent passion is Pottery, which you can find at the studio or follow my Pottery page.
Shannon
Hi my name is Shannon
I am Audrey's daughter.
I am a mother of three awesome children! I currently live in Simcoe and was born and raised in Haldimand County.
I recently gave up a ten Year career as a PSW and am exploring my more creative side. I have worked in the food industry since the age of 14. I am excited to be part of the team at Art Rock's Nomastay Café and look forward to serving you.
Shannon has added her expertise for fitness and is facilitating the online Virtual Exercise program.
Shannon's new adventure is starting her own business with her life partner Alex, Yummy Freeze, making Yummy Treats!
Follow them on Facebook or come purchase some of their treats at the Cafe
Teaching Staff
Joshita Arora Comes to us Via Zoom From India to teacher Yoga Nidra
Originally an Interior Designer, Joshita started to practice Yoga and Meditation at an incredibly young age under the guidance of her mother. Joshita has been practicing Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Meditation for several years on a regular basis. She has conducted Yoga Nidra, Meditation classes and workshops in various teacher training courses and retreats for more than 6 years in Rishikesh, India and Thailand. Joshita is a certified Yoga Nidra Facilitator. Her curiosity to explore different aspects of Yoga led her to Rishikesh, India and Asian Countries where she studied and continues to learn by intensively participating in different forms of Yoga, workshops and courses from various traditions. She began to learn in depth knowledge of ancient teachings of yoga at The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Kerala, India. After finding its profound benefits with the daily practice of Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and Karma Yoga, it completely changed her perspective of the body, mind, energy, and spirituality. The call for sharing this knowledge was so deep in her that she started to teach Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation at Sivananda Yoga Centre. She loves to bring dynamism and enthusiasm in her classes.
Tony's adds his expertise and years of experience to our program with his teachings of Spirtual Anatomy, Sanskrit and the Gita
Tony’s spiritual journey began in 1972 when he met his guru
Ramakrishna Ananda. From this point forward, he has
dedicated his life to personal spiritual unfoldment. In 1973 he
received his spiritual name Vishnu Das (servant of the
preserving aspect of the Divine).
Tony’s interest in spiritual development led him to study
Comparative Religions at York University and California State
University Fullerton. After completing his Honours Degree in
Comparative Religions, he continued his academic studies and
received his Master’s degree from McMaster University in
Sanskrit and Hindu Religious History, with a minor in
Christian Studies.
Since 1998 Tony has been facilitating meditation classes and
workshops in various parts of Ontario, Halifax, and in
Vancouver, BC. His personal practice and coursework
incorporate a blend of meditations drawn from a variety of
religious and spiritual traditions, including Hinduism,
Buddhism and Christianity. This experience gave him the tools
to work successfully for 12 years in corporate middle
management. It taught him to balance his life as a meditator
with both his work and his personal life.
We are very excited to have Suzie coming on Board to Assit in our Teacher training program that run's from September to April Yearly
Hi! I’m Suzie and I am so delighted to be able to teach with Audrey at Art Rocks!
I have been practicing Yoga with Audrey since 2017 and completed the Yoga Teacher Training program
in 2019. Yoga is so much more then touching your toes! Yoga teaches us how we can unite the mind,
the body, and the spirit so that we can live our life in a harmonious way. Practicing Yoga has brought me
so much joy and healing. I look forward to sharing some of these practices and teachings with others. I
love learning on this journey and I am presently working towards completing the Yoga as Therapy
Program at Art Rocks, as well as an online Yoga Nidra course at the Nada Yoga School.
Well hello!
I’m Esther, and I am oh so very excited to be able to share my love of yoga with you! Yoga came into my life many moons ago, while I worked in a kindergarten classroom - but I didn't start practicing for my own health and wellbeing until about 6 years ago. I took a couple classes, and felt this cosmic push to jump in the deep end - impulsively committing to a year long studio membership. At that time, I had only experienced the shallow end of yoga - and wanted to learn more and understand why it felt like EVERYONE and their mother should practice! So I decided to leap in again, and completed the teacher training course with Audrey in 2021. It was challenging. It opened areas of my heart and mind I didn’t know were hidden.
I did not regret it. It might seem cliché to many, but yoga saved me, when I didn’t know I needed to be saved. Yoga sharpened skills that I didn’t realize I already had, opened my heart to healing, and helped me be a better me. Which makes me a better mom, wife, sister, friend, daughter, and all around human being!
Yoga has always spoken directly to me, and parts of my soul in a way I can’t put down in words. I hope to help you find love and understanding in Yoga. For the practice, for others, but mostly, for yourself. Because it’s so much more than ‘stretching’.
Melinda is a full time yoga teacher who completed her 200hr YTT training in 2021. Since then she has added to her teaching toolkit with additional training in chair, restorative and prenatal yoga. Melinda first started her own personal practice around 6 years ago and it didn't take long for her to see/feel the profound effects a regular practice had on her mind,spirit & body. It wasn't too long after that Melinda felt compelled to dive deeper into the teachings of yoga and enrolled in her teacher training. It was one of the best decisions she ever made. Melinda enjoys holding space for her students in a welcoming environment.
She lives in Wellandport, has 3 grown kids, a loving husband and a couple of fur babies. In her spare time she loves to garden, golf and travel.
My name is Jill and I am very happy to be part of the Art Rocks yoga family!
My yoga journey began over 40 years ago and to this day it still brings me so many wonderful gifts as I continue to learn and grow in my practice. Audrey and I met in 2012 when I started taking her evening yoga classes at Hausers. From then on, she hasn't been able to get rid of me!
My teacher training was completed under Audrey (see what I mean!) encompassing not only yoga and some specialized yoga studies, but meditation teacher training as well. As well as Yoga my favorite things to do are travelling and reading.
I started to practice yoga approximately 10 years ago. I thought it would be a great way to get into shape and do some breathing exercises. Over time I realized yoga is so much more. I quickly gravitated to the pranayama (breathwork in the practice) . I didn't realize when you breathe mindfully you can change the chemical composition in the mind and in the body. I was intrigued so I enrolled in the YTT 200 hour course. I loved it and graduated in September 2020 from the 5 Elements YTT program.
I have been teaching now for 3 years. Learning so much along the way. The more I learn the more I realize I don't know and the more humble I become. I have accreditation in Yoga Nidra, Chair Yoga and Restorative Yoga. What I really love about teaching yoga is at the start of the class the students have lots on their minds. You can see or feel the busy energy and by the end of the practice I feel and see the calm energy in the students faces and in the room. This makes me so happy, as what I have wanted to accomplish in the class is now a reality. My dharma is to help people in life. I have helped patients for 30 years in the dental field in private practice and in Public Health reach optimum oral health. I am currently still working part-time in the dental field and teaching on the other days.
Yoga has so many tools to help restore balance and find peace and calmness within the mind, body and soul. Yoga has become a huge part of my life. It helps me with my day to day activities and how I manage and relay my thoughts. I am looking forward to meeting you and helping you with your yoga journey.
Sharon
