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Marlene Mawhinney
Marlene has been teaching yoga since 1969 and has been President and Senior Teacher at Yoga Centre Toronto since 1988. Her quest for depth led her to BKS Iyengar in India , and since 1985 she has returned to India regularly to study and work with Mr. Iyengar directly. Marlene is one of Canada's most senior teachers.
Marlene has taught yoga to thousands of people, ranging in age from children to those in their 90’s. In addition to training new teachers, and teaching classes and workshops here and abroad, she is internationally recognized for her research and expertise in yoga for people with health challenges. In all her work, Marlene’s focus is on yoga for health and wellbeing, in both body and spirit.
“As a teacher, the biggest gift I have is my teacher, BKS Iyengar. The next biggest gift I have is the students.”
Certification:Senior Intermediate III
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Andy Orr
Andy has been studying and practicing yoga since the 1970’s. He loves the logical and specific approach to alignment that characterizes Iyengar yoga, and has been teaching at Yoga Centre Toronto since 1980.
As well as being one of our senior teachers, Andy also serves as Vice President of the Centre. He teaches a wide range of classes, from Introductory through Levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as Special Practices and Yoga for MS. A longtime student of Marlene Mawhinney, Andy has also studied in India with BKS Iyengar, who gave him a special practice for asthma that changed his life.
Andy’s teaching style is methodical, direct, and humorous. Now retired from a career in government, he is a voracious reader, particularly interested in history. When he’s not teaching yoga, Andy enjoys gardening, woodworking, and model trains.
Certification:Junior Intermediate III |
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Nadia Horodynsky
Nadia began practicing Iyengar yoga in 1985 when she was a much stressed police officer. Yoga made her feel so good, and she enjoyed it so much, that she became a teacher in 1991. For Nadia, Iyengar yoga exemplifies the qualities she most admires - honesty, integrity, determination, and service.
Nadia retired from the police force in 2002 after 27 years, and now teaches a wide range of yoga classes in this, her second career – from Introductory through Levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as therapeutic classes and teacher training. Nadia has also traveled to India four times to study yoga and says: “I can’t see myself ever not teaching, I enjoy it so much!” Her teaching style is positive, thorough and precise.
Raised on a farm, Nadia is adventurous and outdoorsy, and when she is not teaching, she loves gardening. Nadia is on the Board of Directors of Yoga Centre Toronto.
Certification: Junior Intermediate II |
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Theresa McDiarmid
Theresa practiced yoga intermittently for many years while pursuing a career as a physiotherapist. With a Masters in Rehab Studies and many years of professional experience treating people with back and neck problems, she found yoga was “both prevention and cure”. Theresa came to Yoga Centre Toronto to deepen her experience after being introduced to Iyengar yoga through the book Light on Yoga. Preferring to teach people how to help themselves, she became a yoga teacher and left physiotherapy.
As well as teaching both regular classes and therapeutic classes for back care and cardiac patients, Theresa is involved in research, using western medical tools to measure the effects of Iyengar yoga and bring it to a wider audience. She has also traveled to India three times to study yoga.
Theresa is an avid outdoors woman who loves traveling, kayaking, and camping. Always active, she came to yoga wanting to go inward. She says yoga has helped her to handle stress and become centered. She’s an inspiring and compassionate teacher: “Yoga has dealt with every physical problem I’ve ever had, so now I can help others. It’s from experience.”
Certification: Junior Intermediate II |
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Heidi Steinberg-Fenton
Heidi became seriously involved with Iyengar yoga in 1994, after exploring other yoga styles. Her Iyengar yoga practice had such a positive impact on her life that she became a teacher, and eventually part of the Centre’s teacher training team. She has taught a wide range of classes-from Foundations to Level 2, Special Practices, and MS classes. She was also involved in the Centre’s cardiac study program.
A former social worker and business woman, Heidi feels she learns a tremendous amount from her students-not only how to become a better teacher, but also a better person. Heidi has been several times to India to study yoga, and is deeply grateful for the experience. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Centre.
Certification: Junior Intermediate I |
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Michele McLean
Exposed to yoga since childhood, Michele began studying Iyengar yoga here at the Centre in 1995. Although she’s always been physically active, she found yoga to be “personally liberating”, not just exercise but a discipline that changed her whole life. She has been teaching at the Centre since 2000.
Michele has a diverse background in the food, fashion, and medical industries, but says she has learned the most from her yoga students. She currently teaches Levels 1 and 2, including classes on Friday nights. When she’s not teaching, Michele enjoys reading, tennis, and skiing.
Certification: Junior Intermediate I
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Sarah Bertucci
In her very first class at the Yoga Centre over 20 years ago, Sarah experienced a profound sense of awareness that kept her coming back. A high energy, successful business woman, Sarah found yoga brought balance and ease to both her life and work, and after 10 years as a student, her desire to connect with others motivated her to become a yoga teacher.
Sarah currently teaches both level 1 and 2 classes on weekends. She still has a busy career, but loves teaching yoga and helping her students to grow and change. “Yoga is the tool we use to become present, to become connected to that creative energy that we all have. It all comes down to the breath … ultimately to become connected to that internal sense of wholeness.”
Sarah also serves as a Board member, using her business skills to help sustain Yoga Centre Toronto. When she’s not working or teaching, she enjoys relaxing with family and friends, and traveling, especially to warm climates.
Certification: Junior Intermediate I |
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Brooke Garnet
Brooke came to Iyengar yoga in 1995. Formerly active in dance, and aerobics, she fell in love with Iyengar yoga and became a teacher in 2003. “This practice allows such integrity for the individual. I’m a happier, more joyfu, and more confident person because of yoga.”
As well as regular level 1 and 2 classes, Brooke teaches Yoga for Teens. Her avid interest in popular culture, world beat music, art, and fashion keeps her in tune with her teen students.
Brooke is a student of Marlene Mawhinney, and has also traveled twice to India to study with Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. When she’s not teaching or practicing yoga, she loves to be outdoors.
Certification: Introductory II |
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Ida Robinson
Ida began her yoga career at an age when most people are retiring. She first came to the Centre in 1990 to study yoga at the age of 65, after practicing on her own from a book. Yoga gave Ida inner strength and confidence as well as vibrant good health, and in 1998 she entered the teacher training program at the age of 73.
Ida says she “walked into the Centre and immediately felt she belonged.” She particularly loves the sense of community, friendship, and support that she found at YCT. “Yoga is the best experience anyone could undertake, for both the mind and body. It’s an insurance policy.”
Ida teaches the Seniors program, levels 1 and 2, and assists in the Special Needs classes. Her teaching style is gentle and clear. In 2006, BKS Iyengar awarded Ida a special certificate in honour of her achievements.
Certification: Introductory II
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Shannon Cameron
Shannon began practicing yoga in 1989 while still in high school, when she and her mother were looking for an activity they could share together. It happened to be Iyengar yoga, and she has stuck with it ever since. Though she tried other styles of yoga in her earlier practice, she found that nothing else gave her the steadiness and energy that Iyengar yoga did.
Shannon became a certified Iyengar yoga teacher in 2004, traveling to India to study at RIMYI that same year. She hopes to share the sense of stability and vitality she gains from her yoga practice with her students, and to have fun during the classes.
Shannon enjoys reading, dancing and films, and occasionally manages to squeeze these activities in around family and yoga commitments
Certification: Introductory II |
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Jocelyn Hollmann
In 1992 a friend who had studied Iyengar Yoga in England wanted to start classes at YCT and knowing I would try anything once brought me along.
I started coming and it never occurred to me to stop. After two children and many sadhanas later l am excited to see how positively
yoga has affected my life.
I continued to study at YCT as the integrity of the Iyengar method
spoke to me. It created a solid foundation that has allowed me to challenge myself – physically, mentally, and emotionally through a safe and guided approach.
I entered the teacher training program in 2003 out of a desire to grow and give. As an Iyengar teacher I am learning to apply
all aspects of yoga in the classroom through asana, but this can only be done through personal practice and life long study. I hope I can give students an inkling of the joy, wholeness and gift
of continuous learning that yoga brings.
In 2007 I studied at the institute in India with students
and teachers from around the world many of them have studied with Guruji and Geetaji for over 20 years. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experience was humbling. The wealth
of B.K.S Iyengar’s work is immense and alive. It is held collectively by thousands of people in our world and I am grateful for their guidance and knowledge. I am especially thankful for my
teacher, Marlene.
Enjoy your yoga journey and may all your obstacles be swiftly overcome.
Certification: Introductory II |
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Brenda Ledsham
Brenda began attending classes at YCT in 1990. She entered the teacher training Program in 2000, inspired by her teachers, the work of BKS Iyengar, and the personal experience of being restored to vibrant health after a serious illness. She loves the students and currently teaches Level 1 and 2 classes at the Centre. She also assists regularly in the Special Practices and Special Needs classes.
Brenda is a patient and gentle teacher with a clear teaching style. In 2006 she traveled to India to study with Geeta Iyengar. “Part of teaching is practicing for our students, so if I’m not teaching, I’m always studying”
Formerly a professional photographer, Brenda is also an avid reader. When she’s not teaching she enjoys spending time with friends and going to the movies.
Certification: Introductory II |
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