INSTRUCTORS
My name is Maddison and I am the founder of Summa Iru Yoga. I am a 29 year Registered Nurse with a background in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and have lived and worked in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and now Appleton, Newfoundland as of December 2016!
I have been practicing yoga for 12 years, with a strong foundation in Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow. I started yoga at the age of 16, practicing with two studios in Calgary for 7 years. I have over 1000hrs of yoga experience from all over Canada (and still practicing), Costa Rica and India, and over 300hrs of which are from teaching. Upon moving to various provinces, I joined different studios trying out different styles of yoga and having various teachers, as well as continuing and expanding my own practice at home while teaching others in private settings.
I have a passion for travelling which has allowed me to study and practice yoga in its various forms in many countries including Costa Rica, China, Switzerland, Argentina, Nepal and of course, India.
I have recently returned from a 4 month trip to India and Nepal where I practiced, studied and participated in yoga and meditation courses. I attended these courses in various areas of the country including Goa, Rishikesh, Dharmsala and Delhi. Having relatives in India, I was introduced to many local people with various teaching styles and philosophies on yoga and life. I was also fortunate to attend the Tushita Meditation Centre for a wonderful 10 day silent Buddhist meditation retreat. India opened my eyes to the origins, practice, philosophies and depth that is Yoga, which I hope to bring back to Canada through teaching. I strive to incorporate the spiritual, mental and physical aspects that is yoga into my classes for a complete experience.
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What I love about teaching yoga is the positive energy created by the students and myself. I love to see people happy and having fun! After all, It's Just Yoga ! Given my strong backround in Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow, you may notice I offer 3 flow classes and one Hatha! I just love a flow class; they are fantastic for creating warmth through our body, detoxifying, and getting all our joints and muscles moving, while allowing us to go through many key postures. I also believe it is important to have both the flow and Hatha yoga in your practice, for balance, and therefore offer Hatha yoga as well!
A little more about me: I love the outdoors, adventures in the mountains, traveling, brewing my own beer, and of course, my dog :)
Maddison
Canadian Yoga Alliance Manifesto
"Yoga is about attaining 'Self-Realization' through Union. (Harmony of mind, emotions, body, spirit and breath)
The western world loves to prove its worth through paper before proof of ability and so many active facilities expect a Yoga instructor to have a teachers certificate or they will send one of their own co-ordinators away for a week to attain one at a rather ridiculous cost. Some institutes may charge thousands of dollars for a one month program that the participant then can make claim that he or she is a certified Yoga teacher. As well, one whom may have two hundred hours study verses one whom may have five years study may be just as qualified to teach Yoga. Consider an article written by Alice Dembner (Boston Globe) which focused on the number of muscle and spinal injuries among its' practioners. The most startling was how a 'visiting teacher/guru from India sat on a student in a split position and broke her pelvic bone'.
We do not disagree with the idea of a certificate; however, we do have concern with how most of them are attained. It takes years to develop and refine ones understanding of true transformation, as well as learning and mastering the vital breaths. If an instructor is not proficient in the breath (pranayama) and understanding of the ecology (of the body) and economy (of the energy) of the body, than it is not True Yoga that is being taught.
It is always wise to consider the experience of your Yoga teacher or school wherever you go in the world to learn Yoga. If your prospective teacher is registered with a yogic organization, consider their own personal background and experience before the 'glamour' aspect of the affiliate. Buying a membership into an affilation for status sake does not make one (or organization) a qualified Yogin (or teacher).
Please never feel undermined to ask your prospective Yoga teacher their personal background of experience and daily practice. Trust your first instinct. Experience a couple sessions before you make a decision. Perhaps your vibration will be directed on another path...or perhaps you may have discovered the right one. Believe that the 'Universe' is your best and only 'True Teacher'. Listen carefully and observe wisely. You are worth the knowledge of our knowledge and the respect of true health and safety. If your teacher is not refined in Yoga safety and proper ergonomics it will be to your disadvantage."