Hi. I’m Maria.
I’m a Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and Yoga Teacher.
I received my Yoga Therapy Diploma (800hr, Ajna Yoga, Victoria, BC) and my Yoga Therapist designation from the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) in 2023. I also have additional training in Hatha & Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, and Chair Yoga.
Chronic and Muscloskeletal Pain - I work one-on-one with individuals who experience chronic pain, are healing from injury or surgery, and are dealing with muscloskeletal and joint pain (back, neck, hips and shoulders).
Cancer Care - I also offer Yoga Therapy supporting individuals with cancer (pre-treatment, in-treatment and post-treatment care).
Stress, Anxiety and Depression - I offer sessions to individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and depression with evidence-based tools and techniques to support nervous system regulation.
I hope that who practice with me discover more about their body, breath, heart, and mind each time they practice and that with each practice, you welcome yourselves with kindness, gentleness, and lots of love to the mat and/or chair.
I teach through a trauma informed lens with a focus on creating an inclusive and inviting space.
A little more about me
Maria surrounds herself with a furry family of two dogs (Benson and Molly), a cat (Starbuck), and a supportive partner. She loves to travel and explore our local hiking trails (with a new found love of mushroom foraging), enjoys plant-based cooking and baking, is passionate about trying to grow vegetables (there’s always next year), and loves the occasional paddle board session during our warmer summer season.
Yoga Training and Certifications
800hr Yoga Therapy Diploma, Ajna Yoga, Victoria, BC, May 2023
Training included: Yoga Therapy Immersion (80hrs); Yoga, Psychology and The Mind Immersion (60hrs), and the following modules (all 20hrs): Backcare Yoga, Yoga Therapy for Knees and Hips; Yoga Therapy for Shoulders and Wrists; Sequencing for Yoga Therapy; Yoga, Trauma, and Mental Health; Yoga Therapy for Healthy Aging and Chair Yoga; Yoga, Tensegrity and Fascia; Yoga Therapy in Pain Care; Meditation for Yoga Therapy; Pranayama (breathing) for Yoga Therapy; The Therapeutic Relationship; The Business of Yoga Therapy; Yin Yoga Therapy; Therapeutic Inversions and Backbends; and Journey Through the Chakras
200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Vinyasa & Hatha with Debbie Krejci, Sayulita, Mexico, February 2016
50hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Bernie Clark, Vancouver, BC, February 2016
100hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training Level Two with Stephanie Calhoun, St. John’s, NL, February 2018
40hr Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Andrea Peloso, St. John’s, NL, 2019/2020
34hr Unified Body Yoga Training (Fascia Anatomy) with Michelle Dalbec and Christopher Holmes, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Mass., USA, February 2019
16hr Yoga Nidra Yoga Teacher Training with Bobby Bessey, St. John’s, NL, April 2019
24hr Upper Body Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Stephanie Calhoun, July 2020
Chair Yoga Teacher Training (2 days) with Connie Abbass, January 2020
42hr Yoga Thrive Teacher Training (for individuals living with and beyond cancer) with Tyla Arnason, C-IAYT and Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, PhD, University of Calgary, December 2021