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Instructor Biographies

Jessica Beck
Jessica has been living and teaching about healthy lifestyle choices formally since 1998, when she achieved certification in personal training, nutrition coaching and fitness instruction from the American Counsel on Exercise in California. She founded the business Just Energy, specializing in holistic nutrition, which also included Western phytotherapy (medicinal herbs) when she achieved certification with A.Vogel Phytotherepeutics of Switzerland.

Jessica then pursued an academic study of Behavioral Psychology at Mount Royal College and Fine Art with Alberta College of Art and Design. She held a social work position advocating for youth at risk, which led her to a deep practice of Vipassana meditation. Inspired by her love of rock climbing, Jessica travelled to South East Asia for a holiday and ended up living, studying and practising yoga and Thai medicine there for several years. She continued her business, Just Energy, in Asia and included retreats, fire dance performance, natural medical treatments and yoga instruction. Jessica studied with the Yasukim family of Mae Sot, Northern Thailand and with the University of Phitsinolok. She is the only foreigner to be taught this very ancient style of healing by the Yasukim family and by the university, learning in the Thai language.

Upon her return, Jessica pursued teaching certification in Yoga Philosophy and Practice with Trinity Yoga. She also graduated from Alberta College of Holistic Health with letter of reference in Swedish Relaxation and Therapeutic Massage. As well, she certified as an Ayurvedic health educator with Dr. David Frawley. Jessica founded an independent business that successfully offered yoga, massage, Ayurveda and products. From 2007-09 Jessica joined forces with the multi-disciplinary health group Innovative Health in Calgary, Alberta as senior yoga therapist and yoga director. Jessica found her specialty in rehabilitation and restoration of physical and mental imbalances by learning to integrate health care systems.

Today Jessica enjoys a slower pace, having done all of this before she turned 30. While enjoying her passion for a healthy lifestyle she also enjoys her dogs and hopes one day to create a dog-friendly healing centre.

Robin Campbell Ziffer
Robin began his spiritual journey in meditation at 18 and was introduced to yoga while completing his BA in Psychology and Anthropology at the University of Alberta. After completing his degree, Robin travelled to India to gain knowledge and experience of this ancient practice. In 1999, he met his teacher, Yogi Vishvketu, at Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh. He developed a deep connection with Yogi Vishvketu and has remained a dedicated student. During his travels in India Robin was also introduced to Vipassana (insight meditation), which he continues to practise on a daily basis. He completed a 250-hour yoga training in Vinyasa flow at the Yoga Sanctuary in Toronto. He also volunteered at the Kripalu Yoga Center. In 2002, Robin and his family established Organic Roots, Edmonton’s first organic grocery store and restaurant. Robin also began teaching yoga in Edmonton while continuing his education in restorative yoga therapy, Vipassana meditation and yoga philosophy with David McAmmond. In 2004, Robin took the 200-hour teacher training with World Conscious Yoga Family at Kanv Ashram. The following year, he completed his advanced training with Yogi Vishvketu in Rishikesh and then went to Pune to study yoga therapy and anatomy with Dr. Nivedita Pingle. Robin has completed 100 hours of training in Pilates mat work with Steve Bryson (kinesiologist) and has furthered his knowledge and understanding of body movement and mechanics. In 2006, Robin assisted the World Conscious Yoga Family Teacher Training course and helped to facilitate the yoga anatomy component alongside Dr. Pingle. Robin is exploring his interest in mind-body psychology in a MA of counselling program and is completing his thesis on yoga for emotional health. He is a co-instructor for the course Psychological and Emotional Issues and Yoga Therapy Applications.

Nishcala Joy Devi
Nischala Joy Devi is a masterful yoga teacher and healer. For over 30 years she has been respected internationally for her innovative way of expressing yoga’s subtle uses for spiritual growth and complete healing. Originally trained in Western medicine, she began to blend yoga with medical protocols. She developed the yoga portion of the Lifestyle Heart Trial and the Multi-Center Lifestyle Trial with Dr. Dean Ornish, which proved the efficacy of a yoga-based program in reversing cardiovascular disease. She directed and has trained teachers and health professionals in the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease for ten years.

Nischala Joy Devi co-founded the award-winning Commonwealth Cancer Help Program and designed the protocol for a yet-to-be-published study with Dean Ornish using yoga practices to reduce the effects of prostate cancer. She created and teaches Yoga of the Heart, a certification program for yoga teachers and health professionals designed to adapt yoga practices to special needs in that field. Nischala Devi is the author of The Healing Path of Yoga, the Abundant Wellbeing Series, a four-part CD based on the book, and The Secret Power of Yoga, a Woman’s Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras and a six-set CD of the same name.

Susi Hately Aldous

Kathleen Ludwig
Kathleen Ludwig has been working in the area of human development and personal growth for over 25 years. She began a career in corporate human resource management in 1983, then discovered and pursued yoga training in 1997. Kathleen holds a BA degree, is a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor with the Yoga Association of Alberta; Certified iRest Teacher with the Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI) and Certified Spiritual Intuitive. She has continued to train extensively in the art and science of iRest Yoga Nidra meditation with Dr. R. Miller of IRI, and now serves as an iRest supervisor to yoga teachers in the process of their iRest certification. Currently mentoring yoga teachers, students and private clients, Kathleen offers classes, workshops and private sessions to help others overcome self-limiting patterns and encounter a first-hand experience of their true nature as a spiritual being. Kathleen teaches the course Spiritual Transformation in the Yoga Therapy Certificate at Mount Royal University. Kathleen’s foundational and continuing training includes studies with Dr. R. Miller, Swami Veda, Mukunda Stiles, Donna Farhi, Nischala Joy Devi and Esther Myers.

Suzette O’Byrne
Suzette O’Byrne started teaching and working in the health and fitness industry in 1984 and has been training instructors since 1989. Suzette O’Byrne (B.Sc. Kinesiology) is the author of the book Yoga for the Core: Finding Stability in an Unstable Environment, Yoga Association of Alberta Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (500 level), AFLCA Trainer of Fitness Leaders (Group Fitness, Resistance Training, Older Adults, Aquafitness), Keiser Master Trainer and STOTT PILATES* trained mat and reformer instructor. In addition to her successful yoga therapy practice and indoor cycling program development, Suzette travels extensively, teaching at conferences and leading workshops and teacher training programs throughout North America. Suzette’s latest yoga training and influences have come from with Gert van Leeuwen, Richard Miller and Susi Hately Aldous. 

Robin Rothenberg
Robin Rothenberg is certified in both the Iyengar and Viniyoga traditions and an AVI Certified Yoga Therapist, she has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Robin is the owner of The Yoga Barn, a thriving studio in Issaquah, Washington, offering more than 40 classes a week for all levels, and featuring a Therapeutic Yoga Program with individual and group classes. (www.yogabarn.com). Robin is recognized by colleagues as a highly skilled yoga therapist and trains teachers at the Yoga Alliance 500-hour level. Robin sits on the Advisory Board for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). She is also an instructor and Advisory Committee Member for Mount Royal’d Yoga Therapy Program in Calgary, which will launch in August, 2008. Robin has presented on low back pain at the IAYT Symposiums for 2007 and 2008. She also presented on "Yoga for Anxiety" at the NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) conference in 2007. Robin created the Pacific Institute of Yoga Therapy to help establish yogatherapy as a healing profession. She has published The Essential Low Back Program: Relieve Pain and Restore Health, a 5 CD/Book set based on the ground-breaking NIH study she co-created, establishing yoga as a safe and effective treatment for lower back pain. She also offers a Training Intensive for registered Instructors to teach them how to adapt practices specifically for students with lower back pain. Robin offers annual
teachers' retreats, as well as open retreats each year in wonderful settings such as Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Hana Stastny, MD
Dr. Stastny started practising Yoga when she was 16 years old. She received her training in Hatha Yoga in The Czech Republic, her country of birth. While learning about various pathologies during her medical studies, Hana came to understand the healing potential of yoga. After receiving her PhD in medicine, she moved to Canada and opened Holistic Alternatives, a private practice in homeopathy, massage therapy, reflexology, nutritional counseling and yoga. She developed her unique synthesis of asanas, pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques called Yoga for Personal Growth™. Hana currently teaches at two institutions in Calgary: anatomy, physiology, pathology, nutrition and yoga therapy at Mount Royal University; anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology at Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. She also offers private and group yoga sessions.

As a medical doctor, holistic health practitioner and yoga teacher, Hana guides students into a yoga practice that leads to improved health, relaxation and spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Her experience includes working with clients suffering from musculo-skeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other pathologies.

Advisory Committee Biographies

Barbara Eastham
Barbara Eastham has been teaching yoga for more than 30 years. She is a Certified Senior Teacher with the Yoga Association of Alberta and holds a master’s degree in health education. Barbara began her yoga studies in 1971 with Dr. Usharbudh Arya. In 1977 she completed the Yoga Teachers Course at Yasodhara Ashram under the direction of Swami Sivananda Radha. Since then she has studied extensively with Richard Miller, Margaret Hahn, Esther Myers, Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten. Her teaching has also been influenced by study with both Gary Kraftsow and senior teachers in the Iyengar tradition. Barbara directed the Yoga Teacher Training Program at the Yoga Centre of Calgary from 1995 to 2002. She is currently studying to become a certified mentor of Yoga Nidra-Integrative Restoration (iRest). From its inception in 2006, Barbara has participated in developing the Yoga Therapy Certificate program at Mount Royal University.

Suzette O’Byrne
Suzette O’Byrne started teaching and working in the health and fitness industry in 1984 and has been training instructors since 1989. Suzette’s credentials include B.Sc. Kinesiology, Yoga Association of Alberta Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (500 level), AFLCA Trainer of Fitness Leaders (Group Fitness, Resistance Training, Older Adults, Aquafitness), Keiser Master Trainer, and STOTT PILATES* certified mat and reformer instructor. Currently working in Calgary as a yoga therapist, Suzette is a sought-after international presenter and instructor trainer, and author of Yoga for the Core: Finding Stability in an Unstable Environment. Suzette’s latest yoga training and influences have come from working with Gert van Leeuwen, Richard Miller and Susi Hately Aldous.

Dr. Hana Stastny
Dr. Stastny started practising yoga when she was 16 years old. She received her training in hatha yoga in the Czech Republic, her country of birth. While learning about various pathologies during her medical studies, Hana came to understand the healing potential of yoga. After receiving her PhD in Medicine, she moved to Canada and opened Holistic Alternatives, a private practice in homeopathy, massage therapy, reflexology, nutritional counselling and yoga. She developed her unique synthesis of asanas, pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques called Yoga for Personal Growth™. Hana currently teaches at two colleges in Calgary: anatomy, physiology, pathology, nutrition and yoga therapy at Mount Royal University, as well as anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology and pharmacology at Calgary College of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture. She also offers private and group yoga sessions. As a medical doctor, a holistic health practitioner and a yoga teacher, Hana guides students into a yoga practice that leads to improved health, relaxation and spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being. Her experience includes working with clients suffering from musculo-skeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other pathologies.

David McAmmond
David McAmmond is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Beginning as a student of Hilda Pezarro in the early 70s, he was soon encouraged to start teaching. Although he worked with many teachers, David feels that he was most influenced by Dr. Bruce and Maureen Carruthers, and Acharya Dr. S.V. Karandikar. In 1996, David first travelled to Pune, India, to train under Acharya Dr. S.V. Karandikar at Kabir Baug. Dr. Karandikar is one of the world’s pioneers in restorative yoga. He then continued to receive training from Dr. Karandikar, both in India and Canada, for many years. Recently David returned to Kabir Baug, where he always feels inspired, to continue to learn Sunjeevan Yoga. Over the last 33 years, David has trained more than 300 yoga teachers through various teacher training programs in Canada and Mexico. Many of his students are now leaders in their chosen yoga fields. His training includes asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, anatomy and restorative therapeutic yoga.

June Knobel
YAA certified yoga teacher and psychotherapist has over 35 years of experience working with youth in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, Family and Community Support Services (prevention), Alberta Child and Youth Services: Child Protection and Family Support for Children with Disabilities. June is currently in private practice as a senior therapist at Kells Counselling. June specializes in processing of trauma for children, adults and youth. In addition to her psychotherapy practice, she is Coordinator of the YAA Yoga Outreach Program and is currently involved in a pilot project regarding the benefits of yoga for at risk youth. June has a background in dance, martial arts and has previously taught dance and aerobics to both youth and adults. June has been practising yoga for the past several years.

Mike Mackenzie
Michael is currently working towards his PhD in Kinesiology with a specialization is Health & Exercise Psychology. His proposed research examines the relationships between yoga practices, states of mindfulness, self-regulatory skills and how these relationships mediate health outcomes in cancer survivors. Michael’s research is funded by SSHRC, AHFMR, and the University of Calgary. Michael holds a M.Sc. in Applied Psychology, with a specialization in Counselling Psychology, and is registered as a Clinical Counsellor in the Province of British Columbia. He has worked as both a clinician and researcher in the mental health and rehabilitation fields since 1998. Michael has completed extensive clinical training in mindfulness-based therapies and is the co-author of several peer-reviewed publications in the field of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Michael has been a student of yoga, in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, since 2001. He completed a 200-hour advanced yoga studies program at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India in 2002. Michael will complete his 500-hour yoga teacher training, under the expert guidance of Robin Rothenberg, this fall.

Elaine Danelesko
Elaine began working at Mount Royal over twenty years ago as an adult educator and has successively acquired more senior administrative roles. Since 2006 she has led the Integrative Health Institute which promotes holistic wellness (mind, body and spirit) including all aspects of lifestyle, through research, education and resource development.

Carolyn Murray
Carolyn has been involved with yoga all her adult life. She received her Yoga Teacher Training certification from the Yasodhara Ashram in British Columbia and has studied primarily with Swami Radha, Barbara Eastham, Margaret Hahn and Richard Miller. She has a particular interest in yoga therapy and its applications for chronic illness. Yoga is a great support for healing and providing spiritual nourishment.

In Absentia Members

Anne Douglas
Anne Douglas has been practising yoga and meditation since 1982 and teaching since 1989. Anne is certified to teach both Kripalu (500 hour; Senior Level Certification) and Astanga Yoga and has studied many other lineages including Iyengar and Bikrams Yoga. She currently studies with Master Teacher Richard Miller, PhD. Anne is certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist (1991), Holistic Lifestyle Coach (Kripalu, 1990) and Reiki Master (1995). She has been drawing upon these skills to facilitate classes, workshops and retreats for the past 18 years. Some of the themes she works with include therapeutic yoga, yoga for prevention, Yoga Nidra, Chakra Yoga Healing Intensive, yoga and meditation for stress management, the psychology of Pranayama and the feminine face of power. Anne has combined all her studies, skills and experience to create Anahata Yoga, the yoga of kindness, in which breathing, movement, meditation and self inquiry help you to remember your true nature as loving kindness and abiding calm. She offers a 200-hour Anahata Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Prior to her career in yoga, Anne worked in the fields of marketing and human resources.

Robin Rothenberg
Robin Rothenberg is certified in both the Iyengar and Viniyoga traditions and an AVI Certified Yoga Therapist. She has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Robin is the owner of The Yoga Barn, a thriving studio in Issaquah, Washington, offering more than 40 classes a week for all levels, and featuring a Therapeutic Yoga Program with individual and group classes. Robin is recognized by colleagues as a highly skilled yoga therapist and trains teachers at the Yoga Alliance 500-hour level. Robin sits on the Advisory Board for the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). She is also an instructor and advisory committee member for Mount Royal University's Yoga Therapy program in Calgary. Robin has presented on low back pain at the IAYT Symposiums for 2007 and 2008. She also presented on Yoga for Anxiety at the NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) conference in 2007. Robin created the Pacific Institute of Yoga Therapy to help establish yoga therapy as a healing profession. She has published The Essential Low Back Program: Relieve Pain and Restore Health, a five-CD/book set based on the ground-breaking NIH study she co-created, establishing yoga as a safe and effective treatment for lower back pain. She also offers a training intensive for registered instructors to teach them how to adapt practices specifically for students with lower back pain. Robin offers annual teachers' retreats, as well as open retreats each year in wonderful settings such as Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica.