Teacher bios

Alana is the co-founder of KO Yoga and leads the nonprofit’s marketing and communications efforts. She is a yoga, Pilates, and myofascial release instructor who teaches throughout Kitchener-Waterloo while also working at the University of Waterloo. In her classes, Alana wants you to feel joy. Joy in your body. A sense of pride for what you’ve achieved, whether that’s rest or work. A feeling of belonging as part of a larger community. She offers many pose variations so you can find the version of movement that feels right… Read more: Alana

Amanda Watkins came to yoga in 2012 when she experienced first-hand its healing benefits. Amanda brings a nurturing and loving mindset to her yoga practice, and is passionate about supporting others both on and off the mat.  Amanda completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga and has focussed much of her career teaching prenatal and postnatal (Parent and Baby) classes as well as beginner and advanced Hatha classes. Amanda is also experienced in Kids Yoga and has additional training in Trauma Informed Yoga.… Read more: Amanda

Amber has a passion for making classes that are accessible for people of all sizes and abilities.  In her classes you can expect to explore the mind-body connection with lots of reminders to let go of comparison and shift your focus to unattached observation.  Amber cherishes the wisdom and learning that yoga brings us, beyond the physical poses. Come to Amber’s classes to let go of expectations, learn through discomfort, and feel welcome exactly as you are. Amber is certified in vinyasa, restorative, and aerial. She’s currently completing training… Read more: Amber

Anastasia is an Antigravity, yoga, and movement teacher of Mohawk descent based in Waterloo Region on the Haldimand tract with experience teaching in various disciplines since 2017. She considers herself a lifelong student and has completed instructor training in Antigravity aerial yoga, Antigravity aerial pilates, Antigravity aerial barre as well as a 250 Hour YTT and 45 Hour Restorative YTT at The Branches and intends to continue her learning in more movement-based practices. Beyond her teaching pursuits, Anastasia engages passionately with her professional role in the field of… Read more: Anastasia

Andrea’s journey has always been guided by her values of creativity, community, and connection. A former full-time theatre artist with a physically demanding schedule (and the perpetual jet lag to prove it), she turned to movement as a way to heal injuries, find calm, and engage with her body differently. What began as a personal practice soon blossomed into a desire to help others discover the transformative power of mindful movement. With the arrival of her children, Andrea transitioned away from the whirlwind of touring to embrace a… Read more: Andrea

Meet Ashley, an inclusive yoga instructor dedicated to making yoga accessible to every body. With a warm, welcoming approach, she encourages students to embrace self-love through mindful movement. Deeply passionate about recovery from substance abuse and restorative yoga, Ashley creates a safe space for intentional rest, self-acceptance, and gentle transformation – inviting everyone to fall in love with their practice and themselves. Whether you’re new to yoga or have been practicing for a while, Ashley will remind you that this space is for you to listen to your… Read more: Ashley

Emily has been a lifelong lover of movement. Growing up as a dancer, Emily found yoga in high school as a means to diversify her dance training. During her post-secondary education, she turned to yoga to quiet her anxious mind. She encourages her students to turn inward, giving opportunities to make empowered movement choices, find stillness and explore a bit of play. Emily received her RYT200 in 2022 and has since completed certifications in restorative, meditation, yoga nidra and aerial. In addition to her yoga training, she is… Read more: Emily

Julie began her yoga journey in 2016, completing her 200-hour RYT at Queen Street Yoga with a focus on alignment-based Hatha yoga. Her passion for deepening her practice and supporting others led her to pursue additional certifications, including the Tensegrity Repair Series in 2017 and Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training in 2019. Julie’s classes are a delightful blend of mindful movement and playful exploration. With a light-hearted approach, she encourages students to leave their egos at the door and fully embrace the joy of being in their own bodies.… Read more: Julie

Justine has been practicing yoga for most of her adult life. Over the years, her yoga practice has become instrumental in maintaining balance and well-being while practicing the art of quieting a very busy mind. She completed her 200-hour RYT in 2022 and has since completed additional training in restorative yoga. As an instructor, Justine strives to make classes as accessible as possible. She encourages students to treat each practice as an opportunity to learn, play and honour their needs in the present moment. In her classes, you… Read more: Justine

Megan started her journey into the health and wellness field in 2007 when she became a massage practitioner. Since then she has expanded her education to become a registered massage therapist and completed over 500 hours of Yoga Teacher training. Megan has over ten years of experience teaching, where she combines her love of anatomy, movement and self-care for clients.  Megan specializes in Restorative yoga, Hatha yoga and mindfulness practices to help with nervous system regulation. Megan loves to take a functional movement approach using resistance bands and… Read more: Megan

San is passionate about providing accessible yoga and movement to the masses. As the founder of KO Yoga, she partners with corporate sponsors, and procures funding and cool spaces to bring free yoga classes to the community. San’s yoga approach is fun, nurturing, and inspiring, emphasizing the importance of balance in life, body, and breath, and promoting self-love as a healing force. She describes herself as friendly, open-minded, and approachable. Her yoga journey is a constant pursuit of growth, something she practices daily and shares with others, believing that… Read more: Sandra

Sandra (“Coop”) first tried yoga as a teenager and found it quickly became an essential part of her wellbeing, both physically and mentally. She loved the quiet that she found in her body and mind during meditative practices, and the strength and flexibility she gained from the physical poses.  After ten dedicated years as a student, Sandra realized her desire to share yoga teachings with others and completed over 500 hours of training in India and Vancouver. She is trained in multiple styles, and often incorporates poses that… Read more: Sandra (“Coop”)