Studio director and instructor
 Working as an Occupational Therapist in the hospitals, schools and client's homes, Denise
has always enjoyed helping people make changes in their lives. However, ever since Denise was a young girl,
she has always expressed herself best with movement, dance and music. From being a gymnast to dancing to
singing songs repeatedly; her mom always said Denise wanted to join everything if possible, and that it
was impossible to hold her back. Apparently her favourite words were "mom can I join.." Searching for that
one thing to keep her grounded and share her passion for helping others make positive changes in their lives,
Denise came to find Moksha yoga and hasn't parted with it since..for once ;) In addition to her Moksha
certification, Denise also completed her prenatal yoga certification, Baron Baptiste Level 1and plans to
further her studies in other spheres of yoga such as Ashtanga and Moksha level 2 yoga.
Her secret to a happy life: letting the little things go, travelling, red wine and cheese, vanilla,
great friends/family and yoga.
Studio director and instructor
Leah's
high energy, and positive outlook, can be felt by everyone around her. Practicing Yoga has been life changing,
and has given her the passion to share this experience with others. After spending seven years in the corporate
environment, and longing for the warm embrace of a hot yoga class, Leah realized that it was time to make
her dreams a reality. She became a certified Moksha Yoga Instructor, and then went on to study Pre-Natal
Yoga under Janice Clairfield. Her most recent endevours have taken her to Hawaii to complete the Level 1
Teacher Training Bootcamp with Baron Baptiste. She is excited about furthering her studies in Moksha
Yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Baron Baptiste Yoga and Yin Yoga. As you can tell she just can't get enough knowledge,
and is so excited to explor the many realms of the Yoga world.
When not in the studio you will find Leah enjoying herself hanging with the fam, friends, and loved one.
And if she is gone for extended periods of time it's probably because she is away fulfilling her serious
case of the 'travel bug'.
Her secret to a happy life: eat good food, drink good wine, love those around you passionately and
do as much yoga as you possibly can.
Studio manager and Moksha Instructor
 Jackie is probably one of the most organized people you will ever meet. Although without her agenda, calendars, and post-it notes, she would be lost. She is friendly, generous and always laughing. Jackie has a warm, loving heart and is known amongst her friends as the “mom” because she is always looking out for everyone else. Following in the traits of her Cancer horoscope, she is usually guided by her emotions in any decision she makes. She has worked in customer service since she was 15 and genuinely enjoys chatting and getting to know people in her community. Becoming a Moksha yoga instructor, and studio manager at Moksha Yoga Markham was a natural progression for Jackie to share something she was passionate about with those around her.
In high school Jackie developed a desire to pursue a career in the television and film industry. As a result, in May of 2006 she graduated from Seneca College with a diploma in Television Broadcasting. She then went to work in the industry for 2 years. During that time she found Moksha and completely fell in love! Thanks to her friend Carolyn, who encouraged her to try yoga for the first time by asking: “What kind of yoga do you want to do? Hot yoga or regular?” After a couple months Jackie started off as a trade at the studio, and then a part-time receptionist while working at her full time job from Monday to Friday. After a lot of deliberation, in August 2008, she made the decision to leave her job and work at Moksha Yoga Markham full time as the studio manager. She hasn’t looked back since.
Jackie completed the Moksha yoga teacher training in Kerala, India in March 2009, and through this has found a new appreciation for those around her and herself. Life is too short, don’t waste it. Do something you love, instead of something you like. In saying this, she would like to further her studies in other styles of yoga such as Moksha Level 2, Baron Baptiste Power Flow, Ashtanga, and Yin Yoga. In Jackie’s mind the possibilities are endless…
“It truly is an amazing and beautiful thing to be connected to so many incredible teachers and students through yoga. Every time you talk about Moksha yoga, its hard not to find the corners of your mouth turn up into a smile. Live and learn. Be thankful for the simplest things in life. Breathe in, and breathe out. Namaste.”
Moksha Instructor
Following more than two decades in varying corporate administrative positions within the
winemaking industry, Danny's growing penchant for wellness and physical conditioning eventually lead him
to pursue a career in health and fitness. Shortly before attaining certifications in fitness assessment
and personal training, Danny was introduced to yoga while traveling abroad on the island of Kauai. This
initial introduction to Hatha yoga piqued Danny's interest. However, it wasn't until shortly
afterwards, upon his return to Canada, while attending his first Hot Yoga class that Danny experienced
a truly cathartic revelation. From the outset, it was clearly evident that the awareness and inter-connectivity
that yoga cultivates was an ideal complement to the rigors of conventional fitness.
In the summer of 2004, Danny registered and subsequently graduated from the inaugural
Moksha Teacher Training certification program consisting of over 800 hours of study. Danny has since studied
with many highly accredited teachers including David Life, Paul Grilley, Judith Lasater, Baron Baptiste
and John Friend. Danny's love and passion for yoga grows with every passing day. Danny credits his teachers,
students and family for helping him to attain a greater understanding and appreciation of connection,
compassion and awareness.
Moksha Instructor 
Holly is someone who would describe herself as having a youthful spirit, but a ripened
soul. Almost 10 years ago, the pressures of school, a competitive swimming stint, and all of the
other challenges life throws into the mix left Holly longing for a little more peace in her life, and
a need to reconnect. Ultimately, this led her to participate in her first hatha yoga class, and shortly
thereafter Yoga became the Yin to Holly’s Yang.
Holly has participated in over 1000 hours of Hatha and Moksha yoga (hot series) training. The
latter enabled her to travel across the world to India for a life-changing, mind-opening, heart-BURSTING
experience. During this time she spent 30 days with some of the most incredible people on the planet...who
in turn became life-long friends.
Having spent her undergraduate degree studying earth sciences, and consumer culture,
Holly really values Moksha’s commitment to making responsible environmental choices. In a
world so wrapped up in consumption and excess, communities like Moksha cultivate atmospheres where progressive
ideology can soar. A passionate advocate for healthy living and life-learning, Holly believes in
asking questions...lots of questions, and diving deep below the surface as that is where the real treasures
lie. Holly practices regularly and aspires to complete the Baptiste Power Flow method and begin
her Anusara training in the new year.
Holly’s classes reflect her contagious passion for yoga. Her path has been
guided by brilliant and enlightening teachers who have not only truly been mentors, but have enabled Holly
to live life with a full heart, a calm mind, and an awakened spirit.
Moksha Instructor
After years of struggling with chronic knee, neck and lower back pain caused by playing years of rugby, Hera was destined to have Yoga introduced into her life. In 2001, while working in Chandigarh, India, searching for relief, Hera found yoga. While in India, Hera was fortunate enough to practice under the tutelage of Dr. Binodini Debi of the International Foundation of Natural Health and Yoga. Upon her return to Canada, Hera continued to deepen her practice, which eventually led her to complete the Moksha teacher training in July, 2006. Yoga has not only brought Hera physical relief, but has empowered her with ability to embrace all that life brings with open arms and a deep breath!
Moksha and Meditation Instructor
 After 15 years in the fast paced, high stress advertising business and bringing up three children, Lyn would say life took a sharp turn to the right. She came to a serious personal yoga practice about 9 years ago when paths crossed with a thoroughly inspiring Hatha yoga teacher. Through a contra arrangement which allowed her to study with him on a private basis, Lyn developed a deep love for asauna practice. From here she dove into meditation with a Tibetan Buddhist teacher from the Kagyu lineage. Again finding herself a single student with direct guidance, she developed a strong meditation practice. For the past 4 years Lyn has studied with this and many other non-dualist teachers from all parts of the world - going on course and retreats whenever possible and participating in yoga workshops, and regular sangha meditation and study groups.
It seemed a natural thing to do her Moksha training in India in the spring of 2008 and she has been teaching ever since in Markham, where she resides.
As well as teaching yoga asauna classes, Lyn also leads a mindfulness meditation group on Sunday evenings at the Markham studio and welcomes all to come out to extend their yoga practice with the exploration of the mind/body connection through meditation.
"It's all about the breath for me" says Lyn. "The invitation is to follow the breath, drop out of the mind, into the body and be present, living fully in this moment."
Moksha Instructor
 Michelle Doyle is an entrepreneur, athlete, world traveller, writer and soul searcher.
After travelling to over 20 countries, Michelle completed her education in International Business and Marketing in Budapest, Hungary. A few years later she was the National Manager of Marketing and Branding for a multi-million dollar corporation. Her transition to becoming a yoga teacher started the day she randomly decided to fulfill a decade long dream of visiting India. With nothing more than a backpack with some bare essentials, 3 blank journals, a few pens and a copy of Lonely Planet’s Guide to India, she boarded a plane for New Delhi and thus began the most life-changing month of her life. Yoga completely transformed her life physically and professionally. She loves to use her experience, both on and off the yoga mat, as a base to teach and guide others on their own yogic journeys.
Michelle takes an enthusiastic, motivational approach to teaching and believes that there’s no limit to what you can learn through your yoga practice. She has had the honour of learning from some amazing teachers in India, as well as here in Canada: Amma, Ted Grand, Jessica Robertson, Wade Imre Morissette, Francesco Jaya, Frank Jude Boccio, Michael Stone, Jeanine Woodall and Jennifer Taillefer just to name a few…and the list is continuously growing!
“As a teacher, the words of a wise yogi I met in India (who had been teaching for over 50 years) constantly replay in my mind. He said that the minute he stopped being a student, he was no longer qualified to teach. Thus, I am on a continuous journey to learn and experience as much as I can. The more I learn, the more I can share with my students.”
Moksha Instructor and Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner
 Jian attended her first Yoga class on recommendation of her persistent younger sister. Not knowing what to expect, she grudgingly got her self into the hot room to see what it was all about. An instant love affair began. For the second time in her life her life path became perfectly clear. The first time came 3 years early, when she fell into her full time job working with Children with Autism. Knowing after her first class that becoming a yoga teacher would be something that was within her calling, she embarked on the journey of practicing. Six month later, after having a conversation with the owners of the Markham studio, Jian decided it was time to become a teacher.
The journey through teaching has brought Jian to explore new and exciting forms of healing modality. Thai Yoga Massage was first introduced to her during the Moksha Yoga training and she was instantly intrigued. A short time later, after the recommendation of a good friend, Jian embarked on the journey of becoming a Thai Yoga Massage practitioner and loved what she found.
As the journey continues, Jian hopes to further her knowledge and practice of yoga and Thai Yoga Massage through learning about different forms of yoga and using the understanding of Ayurveda principles to improve her Thai Yoga Massage. In addition, Reiki and other healing modalities are being sought after by Jian for its therapeutic benefits.
It’s her ultimate goal to merry all aspect of her passions, working with Autistic children, Thai yoga massage, Reiki and other forms of healing modalities to help the betterment of everyone.
Moksha Instructor
 Julia does everything she can to live her yoga! Yoga came into her life six years ago and continues to transform her body, mind and spirit in ways she can't even imagine. Once very lethargic and depressed she found a humble self love through her yoga practice and works to cultivate contentment despite what mood she may find herself in: "Being 'PRESENT' saves my life!" Without constantly drawing herself back into the moment she suffers from what she likes to term: "The What if Syndrome", which by definition is the ultimate anxiety booster. "It is the question that leads you away from what you can and are doing, to self deprecating thoughts about the past and what you have yet to achieve." So as both a teacher and student she works to use yoga as an active practice where conscious intention, positive affirmation and inner strength are exercised to promote overall health and well being.
Julia completed the Toronto Moksha teacher training in July 2006, an Iyengar Meditation and Asana Teacher Training in Rhishikesh India April 2008, and recently a Yoga For Kids and Pre Natal Teacher Training at the Yoga Sanctuary Summer 2009.
A student for life Julia's other loves include: teaching English and Drama which she will be pursuing a Masters in this Fall, walking, spending time with her fam and friends and dancing til she beads sweat on her upper lip and lower back!
“The Shit That You Go Through In Life is the Manure That You Grow From." Julia Gibran
Ashtanga Instructor
 As a long time martial arts student and teacher, Eric was looking for a way to enhance and balance his training. Coming to yoga primarily for its physical benefits, he soon found yoga’s theories and spiritual aspects aligned with his martial arts practice. Through yoga, Eric found his body opening in ways years of vigorous training had never allowed. In Ashtanga yoga, with its attention to breath and alignment, Eric discovered the balance he was seeking. Completing his teacher training at Downward Dog Yoga Centre, he continues to deepen his yoga practice with teachers Ron Reid, Diane Bruni and David Gellineau.
Ashtanga Instructor
 Yancey practices various styles of yoga: Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin.... She believes that different types of yoga have their own therapeutic benefit to ones body and different yoga practices will help improve ones health, wellness, mind awareness and flexibility.
She likes to combine different types of yoga in her classes which all emphases on breathing, building core and upper body strength, focus on creating good posture and alignment.
Hatha Flow and Moksha Instructor
Jennifer has the heart of an adventurer. Her love of yoga has inspired her to take several teacher training programs around the world. In her travels, she has studied traditional Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga. Jennifer has also studied the philosophy of yoga. She first obtained her Hatha yoga license five years ago in China and began teaching immediately. After immigrating to Canada she continued to study yoga and became a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance in 2005. In 2006, Jennifer trained with David Swenson and became a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor. Presently, Jennifer continues to study with a diverse range of teachers representing many of yoga’s theoretical traditions. After four successful years of teaching Yoga in Canada, Jennifer continues to offer her students a deep, well-rounded perspective on the power and beauty of yoga.
Moksha Instructor
 Carolyn is moving in a new direction on her Yoga journey after completing the Moksha Teacher training in Kerala India this spring. She is no stranger however to balance, flexibility, and expression through movement after spending most of her life in a Dance Studio. Carolyn danced competitively in the disciplines of Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Modern dance for over 10 years and became a dance instructor for all ages.
She retired from Dance to study Massage and Hydrotherapy at the Canadian Therapeutic College.
Approaching her tenth year as a Registered Massage Therapist she is able to work at what she has found a real passion for and that is helping other's achieve a higher state of wellness. Through hands on application of modalities such as Swedish Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, and Aromatherapy she melts away stress and tension that accumulates in the body as a result of wear and tear, chronic pain, and the daily demands of life.
Carolyn is an avid golfer and has observed many improved aspects of her game since practicing Yoga.
Moksha Yoga has been changing her life everyday in big and small ways helping her to keep her mind open and her heart open even wider!
Moksha Intructor
 Two years ago, Jenny tried her first hot yoga class at a Moksha studio forced by her friend, and then totally fell in love with hot yoga. Her first week, Jenny did four classes, and after one month, she even lost 30 pounds, and her lower back pain disappeared! She is excited about all the miracle changes, and loves to continue her yoga practice in her everyday life. She loves to encourage all her friends to do yoga and share experiences with friends.
Jenny wanted to learn more about yoga, so she started off as a trade at the studio, and then went for the Moksha Yoga teacher training in September 2009 in Las Vegas. After training, she became a certified yoga instructor, and since then her dream became a reality. Jenny would love to introduce yoga to more people, and will continue her yoga journey in her life.
Besides yoga, Jenny also loves to practice in Chinese QiGong. She has found that QiGong and yoga are similar, and loves to combine then together.
Moksha Instructor
 Having been a student and teacher of many dance disciplines for fifteen years, Angela has now ventured into teaching Yoga. As well as Moksha Yoga, Angela has studied Yin, Bikram, Jivamukti, Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga.
Having taken her first yoga class in California, 2003, Ange found herself in and out of yoga practice until 2008 when a dear friend got her hooked on Moksha Yoga. The journey of well being and achieving balance in life became a priority.
She is grateful to have the opportunity to pass on the healing work of yoga to her students, which also inspires Ange to continue growing as a student herself!
Moksha & Power Flow Instructor
 Michael sees yoga as a practice of rediscovering a way of moving and being in our bodies that is most authentic and true for ourselves. Through his own journey of coming up against his own hard edges and habit patterns that caused him to lose life balance, Michael found yoga as a most effective way to make a very tangible commitment to a life of health, balance, and connection with those parts of life that are truly important.
In his teaching and in his life, Michael stands for honesty and truth – nothing more, nothing less. Yoga taught him that an unwavering commitment to the truth of this present moment is a universal, accessible path to freedom.
Although he loves the transformative physical, mental and emotional benefits of the practice, at the heart of it all, Michael sees yoga as a precious opportunity to practice deep devotion and gratitude for life. His enthusiasm has led him to continue to practice and train under a number of yoga traditions: Moksha, Baptiste Power Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Anusara, Iyengar, Jivamukti. His classes draw from the rich heritage of all of these traditions, and the inspired experience and love of his teachers. In his classes, Michael strives to offer a practice that incorporates traditional practices and techniques as a strong support and guide. Ultimately, however, Michael believes in encouraging and supporting each person to start listening more carefully to their own intuition and inner teacher, to take full responsibility for their actions and experiences, so they can come into a way of being that is truly authentic and empowering for themselves.
Moksha Instructor
 David began incorporating yoga asana into his life in 2005. As his practice deepened, so too did his fascination with “that amazing feeling you have in Savasana after a really, really satisfying class.” David went on to complete the 400-hour Moksha Yoga Teacher Training in 2007 and has since taught hundreds of students at numerous Moksha Yoga studios across South-Western Ontario. David has taken a keen interest in the learned subtleties of deep meditative states and has been fortunate to further his meditation studies with Michael Stone. David will be beginning the two-year, 800-hour History and Philosophy of Yoga training with Georg Feurstein in 2010.
David has at times been described as an ‘old-soul,’ yet his vivacity and passion for yoga can be felt as he moves through a yoga class with excited energy. If you walk away from a class that David has instructed feeling that ‘Yoga bliss,’ he is confident that he has done his job successfully—“ yoganganusthanad asuddhi-ksaye jnana-diptir aviveka-khyateh” say the Yoga Sutras (II.28). “When the components of yoga are practiced, impurities dwindle; then, the light of understanding can shine forth, illuminating the way to discriminative awareness.”
Moksha Instructor
 "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." Having spent a lifetime creating an image of who and what she thought she ought to be, it was when Tea’s foundation began to crumble from the ground up, that she realized such time was the perfect opportunity for transformation through self-realization.
Tea majored in Psychology and Philosophy at York University. However, it was through learning about yoga’s inner traditions that Tea began to rely less on her intellectual ability in taking in information and more on the felt body sense in being able to sort through inner knowledge/wisdom. Having turned to yoga at a difficult period in her life, it was during her Moksha Teacher Training that Tea finally began to fully realize the abundant benefits of yoga, on a physical, psychological, as well as the energetic and spiritual level.
Tea has been blessed with the opportunities to study with Michael Stone, YuMee Chung, Frank Jude Boccio, Father Joe and Georg Feuerstein. She has also done training in yin yoga and prenatal yoga.
The styles of practices from which Tea draws inspiration from, with a focus on mindfulness, include Moksha, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga.
It is with heart and passion, as well as a beginner’s mind, that she continues to pursue her yoga studies; and it is with compassion and love that she passes on her knowledge to fellow students.
Jivamukti Instructor
 YuMee Chung is a former securities lawyer who left behind a busy practice to engage more deeply with life. Named in Yoga Journal's February 2008 listing of yoga's "who's who," she is an Advance Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher who is also trained to teach Ashtanga Yoga. She has taught and spoken at national yoga conferences and she completed a tour of 19 North American cities at the end of 2006.
Today, she is a yoga teacher, writer and spiritual seeker. Her work and teaching take her around the globe, but she is happiest at home in the country with her musician husband.
Moksha Instructor
 Darnell first came to Moksha to compliment his training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu jitsu hoping to become more flexible. However after doing his first Mokha class, he realized there was more to this than just heat and stretching because he had never felt so relaxed and 'liberated' in his life! Moksha quickly became an addiction and began to take its own path.
Darnell attended the Moksha teacher training in Toronto in the summer of 2009 and ever since, he has been thanking the universe for the opportunity to practice and teach yoga in the vibrant Moksha community. He was truly inspired by this group of sweaty, tree hugging yogi's who are trying to help make the world a better place one person at a time. Motivated by the various benefits he experiences through his practice of yoga, Darnell now feels it is his duty to pass this along to others while continuing to be a student of yoga himself.
In the future, he hopes to further his practice in various styles including power flow. In addition to his love of yoga, Darnell also enjoys mixed martial arts (comprised of Muay Thai , Jiu jitsu, boxing and wrestling), snowboarding, baseball, golf and various other sports.
Visiting Moksha Instructor from Moksha Yoga Winnipeg
 Philly D or "Phil Doucette" is a passionate human being. He is an inspirational speaker, author, yogi. He lives with the simple mission statement, "To live with the understanding that there are no ordinary moments." Philly D believes in everyday love and everyday education. Love & learning is happening each & every day. He did his Moksha training in Hawaii [2007], but his passion inspired him learn more. 2009 has been a busy year o
f learning. In May '09 he did a Therapeutic Yoga Training and a Yoga For Cancer Survivors training. In June '09 he did a Mindfulness Yoga Teacher training. All of which he credits to helping me him grow as a student, teacher and human being. In developing his Inspirational Hip Hop Yoga program, PhillyD found a way to combine his passion for music, motivation and yoga. Join us for this unique 2 hour program with will uplift your spirits and you'll do yoga like you've never done it before.
Ashtanga Instructor
Lisa began her path as a dental hygienist, working with people to create confident and healthy smiles. In the pursuit of knowledge, she found herself studying for a degree in medical anthropology, including the study of cultural coping mechanisms for stress and healing around the world. Coming to yoga for the first time and after many years of dance and aerobics, Lisa felt right at home in a world of creative expression and poised movement. Moving through each purposeful pose, she experienced the flagrant connection they create with her very soul. This is what truly defined her move towards yoga in a more serious way. Lisa wishes to share the bountiful ways that yoga can lead to a calm, healthy and fulfilling life. Continuing to nurture this creative reawakening, Lisa has recently taken up the harp and looks forward to sharing the angelic sound created by this instrument with her yoga students in the near future.
Lisa had the amazing experience of completing her 200 RYT teacher training with Paul Dallaghan in Thailand. Thirsting for more knowledge to live and share yoga, her path progresses by reading, practicing and soaking up every bit of information she possibly can. She will be returning to Thailand next year to deepen her own pranayama and asana practice so that she may continue to offer more deeply from her own experience. Lisa is very excited to have the opportunity to guide others in their own unfolding and discovery of the ethereal truths made possible through yoga.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light and not our darkness that most frightens us…We are all meant to shine as children do.” ~ Marianne Williamson
Hatha Flow instructor
"Guylaine is very excited to join the Moksha Yoga Markham family and is looking forward to helping you discover your "yogic" potential. She believes that the principals and basics of yoga can benefit all, regardless of your age, your fitness level or your experience. As a fitness instructor and certified personal trainer she's helped hundreds of gym goers get stronger, slimmer and healthier. Now, as a registered yoga teacher, her goal is to help people get fit practicing asanas mindfully and connecting breath to movement while recognizing and accepting limitations to reap greater, faster, lasting health benefits. Her Hatha Flow class is a blend of strengthening, balancing and twisting poses that are sequenced in logical easy-to-follow vinyasas that help improve strength, flexibility, functional fitness and release stress. Breathe, believe, be!"
Core Conditioning instructor 
Nikki is a Personal Trainer and Holistic Nutritionist and has been operating all aspects of Cardio-Core Fitness Bootcamp in Scarborough since January 2007.
Nikki works confidently with a variety of different fitness levels and creates unique fitness programming that challenges and motivates people and is fun. She has helped many people reached above and beyond their biggest goals!
Nikki has a great passion for healthy living in all aspects; including nutrition and training in different modalities. Trail running, strength and weight training, spinning and yoga are among her favourites. She encourages her bootcamp members to participate in Yoga or Pilates to balance their bodies and stretch out their muscles, ligaments, tendons and to de-stress.
Other Instructors and their bios are to come.... :)
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