This interview is part of a monthly series with the aim of getting to know your Modo Yoga Thunder Bay instructors outside of the classroom and beyond the mat.

What do you do when you’re not teaching yoga?

I am a mother of two young men and a grandmother to three, soon to be four, beautiful grandchildren, and a partner to Jim. I am the executive director of the Faye Peterson House and the co-owner of Modo Yoga Thunder Bay! Life is full.

Tell us about your yoga journey so far.

I have been practicing yoga for about 18 years and teaching for 14. Yoga found me about a year after I starting working in the field of violence against women and children. The impact of this work led me to explore healing practices like yoga and meditation. It has allowed me to understand how yoga heals and continues to allow me to to find stillness and be peace. It has also allowed me to bring yoga into my work at the shelter for the staff, the women and the children we serve!
I have a family full of yogis: my husband Jim, my son Myles (co-owner at Modo and teacher) and my daughter in law Lauryn is also a modo teacher. Their son Lucas practices with me every Monday.

Why did you join the Modo community?

I found Modo by accident, but nothing happens by accident… I was late getting to an ashtanga teacher workshop in Winnipeg and googled studios to practice around the venue. I found a brand new studio called Moksha Yoga Winnipeg. I knew after my first class that this would be my practice and after spending time in moksha studios, I also knew these were “my people”. While I have many yoga teacher certifications, Modo is my practice!

What advice do you have for our yoga community?

Practice! Yoga is a practice. It changes lives, it heals, it brings the stillness you crave and allows you to show up in this world as peace!

What is your favourite yoga pose?

Triangle pose: hips and heart open, allowing a slight twist while you reach for the sky.