Experience:

7 years combined teaching competitive and recreational gymnastics at Flicka Gymnastics and West Vancouver Gymnastics

3 years as a personal trainer and more recently a Yoga instructor for the District of West Vancouver

Experience as a trainer of elite level amateur athletes.

Early days:

I grew up on the North shore and have been active all of my life. I was introduced to exercise in the form of gymnastics at a very young age and was a competitive gymnast for 8 years.

Yoga and me:

I started practicing yoga at the age of 17, as a way to keep myself conditioned after 'retiring' from competitive gymnastics. Initially I practiced as a way to keep my body strong and flexible, but found myself drawn more and more to the meditation and spiritual aspects.

In order to further my own practice and become a certified yoga instructor I traveled to India, where I lived for six weeks. I stayed at Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh and studied under Yogi Vishveketu of the World Conscious Yoga Family.

Training and me:

I started training in a gym at the age of 16 as a way to increase my upper body strength for rock climbing, which is one of my favorite activities. I spent my early years researching and discovering what exercises worked best and gave me the best results.

I was always giving advice to friends and this is where I discovered the joy of sharing knowledge and helping people get active and be healthy. This led me to pursue certification as a personal trainer and still drives me today, to continue to expand my knowledge and be the best trainer I can!

My philosophy:

Exercising and being active should be enjoyable, safe and provide functional strengthening of your body. Your body is beautiful and truly a gift, you should do everything we can to make it last and perform for as long as possible!

Qualifications:

Standard First Aid (including CPR-C), St. John Ambulance

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Paul Grilley, Yin Yoga, workshop

Yoga teacher training (200-Hr.), Yoga Alliance, World Conscious Yoga Family, Yoga Niketan Ashram (Rishikesh, India)

Cycling Workshop, BCRPA Approved, On The Edge Fitness Educators

Joint Replacement Workshop, BCRPA Approved, On The Edge Fitness Educators

Personal Training, BCRPA

Weight Training, BCRPA

NCCA Levels 1 & 2 Technical Gymnastics