Teacher

I found Classical Yoga at the age of 28, when four medical specialists and a research scientist said I would never work again. Eight months after starting Yoga and Colon Hydrotherapy, I was completely symptom free. Another four months later, by the request of fellow students, I began teaching yoga. And, most recently, with the physical and mental health and strength that yoga cultivates, I was able to fulfill a life long dream, and complete the 200 Mile Bigfoot Run.

It has been more than a two decade love affair with how this mind, body, spirit complex works, the process of healing and what it means to be whole. It became extremely clear in my very first year of yoga, and even more clear after being at a Yoga Ashram for two months, that science, as amazing as it is, cannot yet fully explain what it is to be ‘HUMAN’ and it’s inter-connedtedness with ‘all that exists’. The many ‘mini-miracles’ I experienced during the healing process are too numerous to list, but as I observed my body and mind heal, a deep understanding of the benefits of a daily yoga practice rooted in Classical Yogic Techniques became clear. During this time, I literally felt the synapses of my brain reconnect to their proper channels. I new see that all yoga is individual, all yoga is therapeutic and that ancient techniques have existed for 1000’s of years for a reason.

My husband and I started the very first ever yoga studio in Fort McMurray, Alberta called Dharma Spirit. Since there were no studios up North at that time, personal practice became the foundation of my yoga, and has remained as such over the years. This has created sacred space and time to really ‘look in the mirror’ to explore all that is beneath the surface of one’s being, and a place from where teaching can blossom.

I am an E-RYT500 Yoga Teacher Trainer, and have three other internationally recognized certifications: Sivananda Advanced (Acharya), IYTA (International Yoga Teacher) and Dharma Mittra 800 hour. I consider Sri Dharma Mittra my main teacher, but continue to learn from a variety of sources and life. My training also includeS Ayurveda, Meditation, Pranayama, Mantra, Yoga Nidra and Psychic Development. Bringing over 15 years of Classical Yoga study into my more recent daily practice and study of First, Second and Third Series Ashtanga has brought a unique reflective perspective to the practice, inspiring me to complete First and Second Series Training with both David Swensen and Richard Freeman. The more I practice yoga, the more I realize that it is the regularity, integrity and intention of the practice and study, as opposed to the template one uses.

Even within a classical foundation however, it is important to incorporate freedom and intelligence within that template to work with our own individuality. In this way, we are using Yoga to get into the body, as opposed to using the body to get into yoga.

I love how inner stillness can be found within the practice of yoga, even amongst the most yang (active) of yogas such as Ashtanga, and justa-positioned to this, how a deep physical backbend can open the heart to deeper compassion and wisdom. My teaching style is of helping students find stillness of being while finding expansion of body, in whatever technique is chosen.

For almost a decade, I worked with SOYA’s Teacher Training program (Marion McConnell) offering a Satellite Distance Program in Fort McMurray, Alberta, then teaching in the Calgary program before moving to Canmore. This was a humbling and deeply rewarding roll.

More recently, I have fallen deeply in love with Yin and Iyengar style Restorative Yoga. It is a major part of my current Yoga practice and teaching. It is a great way to target challenging areas of the body. I love the study of the more subtle aspects of yoga such as the Prana, Nadiis, Chakras and Koshas. These are definitely not just mental constructs, and through the practice of yoga, we can experience them fully, as we waken our energetic body!

I am currently studying for my Mantra Teacher Training exam.

I LOVE the community of teachers and students at The Yoga Lounge and am honoured to be part of such an incredible group!

It is a deep passion of mine to help guide people in starting, deepening, maximizing benefits or overcoming challenges to one’s practice through classes and private study. I hope you will join me in opening the physical body and calming the mind, to explore the depths of our being together.
To contact Katherine:
k.labonte@dharmaspirit.ca
www.dharmaspirit.ca