staff

RENU BHATIA
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance - Certified Life Coach Specialized in Meditation & Yoga for Cancer - Owner of Holistic Bodyworx
Certified Nutritionist
Certified Ayurveda Practitioner

Renu has background in Hatha Yoga (Yoga Alliance Certified) and specialization in therapeutic applications of Yoga for healing and health. Her personal Journey with yoga has taught her how to listen to oneself’ s body and mind to develop wisdom and navigate through life. She is also Yoga Personal Trainer and customizes wellness programmes to individuals recovering from Anxiety, Depression, PTSD or you’ve just decided to mold into healthy and physically life style.

Renu is passionate about yoga philosophy and about the privilege and service of teaching. She often leaves space for free discussions and movements in her class. She also encourages her students to find new levels of possibilities in their bodies and mind to bring their practice off their Mats and into their lives. She is an inspiring teacher of yoga philosophy and cultivates the practice of chanting Mantras in Sanskrit language to her classes.

The words Of Pattabhi Jois – “Practice, Practice, Practice, and all is coming”.

Driving for growth, she spent 12 weeks in India to learn yoga basics and fundamentals of BKS Iyengar yoga. Whether through a vigorous asana, the stillness of meditation or diving deep into yoga philosophy, she is committed to support her friends and community to bring balance, awareness, health and happiness into their lives.

YVONNE DIBIASE
Certified Yoga Instructor
Certified Pilates Instructor
Black Belt in Karate, CMAC
Black Belt in Kobudo, CMAC
Tai Chi Certification, CMAC

Yvonne lives Yoga and Pilates every day. She has cultivated a commitment both through her practice and meditation. She started out in the Martial Arts receiving black belts in Karate, Kobudo, and Tai Chi. Shortly after, she received her teacher’s certificate for teaching Yoga and Pilates. She sees the body as energy and having explored the element of energetic flow understands the benefits of reenergizing our bodies. As we create lines of energy through the body, we also create space through the joints and spine and as our bodies open, our minds begin to open. She understands that balance comes from a calm and focused mind.

She teaches a hatha flow yoga class where the mind, body and breathe are connected, moving from one move to the next with mindfulness and breath. She also teaches a vigorous Pilates class for a whole body workout .

"All of life is contained in this moment, in the space between thoughts, in the pause between breaths.” Stephen Shaw

CRISTINA REYES
300Hr Downward Dog Yoga Centre Teacher Training - May 2021
200Hr Holistic Bodyworx - April 2016
Jock Yoga - October 2016
Body Harmonics Pilates Mat Teacher - July 2013

Other Credentials & Trainings:
Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Orthopedic Health, Body Harmonics - April 2021
Cervical Spine Mechanic and Protocols, Body Harmonics - April 2021
Restorative Intensive, Downward Dog Yoga Centre - May 2020
Yoga For Cancer, Downward Dog Yoga Centre - January 2020
The Art of Hands On Adjustments And Therapeutics, Downward Dog Yoga Centre - July 2019
Sequencing and Art of Teaching, Downward Dog Yoga Centre - June 2019
Integrated Biomechanics with Chris Kummer - May 2019
Post – Natal and Abdominal Reconditioning for Diastasis Recti, Body Harmonics - March 2019
Ultimate Mat Repertoire Plus, Body Harmonics- January 2019
Chakra Immersion with Ashley Turner - April 2018
Essential Yoga Anatomy with Jason Crandell and Paul B. Roche M.D.- March 2018
Sequencing Safely, Sensible Class Planning & Design - August 2018
Cues And Cueing Effectively - August 2018
Yin Yoga with Travis Eliot – April 2017
Biomechanics Fundamentals: From Science To Practice with Ray Long - April 2017
Balance And Resistance Apparatus, Body Harmonics - May 2013

Additional Experience:
Toronto Yoga Conference, CIBC Run For the Cure (CIBC RFTC), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University Health Network (UHN), Yoga Seven, Mind To Body, Hatch Yoga, I AM Yoga

Cristina has been an ardent student of Pilates and Yoga for close to a decade. She completed her Pilates Mat Certification at Body Harmonics and Her Yoga Teacher Training Certification at Holistic BodyWorx, a Registered School -Yoga Alliance. Cristina is also Certified in Jock Yoga - the original athletic yoga method. Her focus is on broadening her knowledge through continuous training and learning as nothing is more rewarding to her than to see her students reap the benefits of Yoga and Pilates.

Her goal is to inspire students and help them improve their well-being through Yoga and Pilates. She believes that one does not need to choose between these two systems and the key is striking a balance. She offers a wide variety of classes that are accessible to everyone: Pilates Fusion, Yoga Fusion, Hot Hatha flow and Vinyasa.

TONY SIDHU
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance
Certified Practitioner of Thai Massage - Still Light Centre - Toronto

Tony first stumbled across Yoga during his early working life when he found himself taking “Kundalini Yoga” classes as an outlet to the everyday stresses of work life. During this time he realized that there was truly something transformational about yoga, which always left him feeling internally balanced, strengthened and at peace, after participating in a class. Many years later, he found himself establishing a weekly practice by participating in “yoga” classes at a local gym. To deepen and expand his interest in Yoga, Tony decided to pursue the Yoga Teacher Training through Holistic Bodyworx.

Since then, he has been teaching at various studios in both heated and non-heated environments. Throughout his classes, Tony strives to teach yoga with a specific focus on postural alignment, breathing and relaxation techniques that will allow participants to become stronger, more balanced and relaxed. “For me, there is no greater investment in one’s physical, mental and spiritual health than through the practice of Yoga except being able to teach and guide others where I truly feel privileged and honoured to have the opportunity to do so".

MONICA ROTARIU
Certified Pilates Teacher - Holistic BodyWorx

Monica's love for Pilates started in 2012 when she took her first class at Holistic Bodyworx and she has been practicing daily ever since. Pilates has allowed her to maintain not only physically, but mentally as well and brings on a smile every time she is on her mat in her Pilates class. Her daily motivation in everything she does is to always remember that there is no growth in comfort and there is no comfort in growth.

Becoming a Pilates instructor was a long time dream for Monica and her goal as a teacher is to inspire clients to show up to class and do the best they can. She hopes her clients leave her classes with a smile and a rewarding experience.

BAHAR MIRAFTAB
Certified Yoga Instructor 200hrs Hatha And Ashantga Yoga.
Certified Pilates Instructor Holisticbodyworx Figure Skater and Pole Dancer

As a yogi, competitive ballroom dancer, figure skater and a pole dancer, I love to stay active and fit. Yoga helps me to slow down, feel and nurture every moment, stay present and appreciate life and Pilates keeps me strong and supports my active, healthy, pain free lifestyle.

I feel content and my love for fitness, movement, rehabilitation and forever motivated to support others to achieve their goals.

SANDRA SULJANOVIC
Certified Pilates Teacher - Holistic BodyWorx

Sandra has been practicing Pilates for 10 years, and actively teaching for 7. She really enjoys how Pilates balances and integrates her body and stimulates a mind-movement connection.

Sandra wanted to share that experience with others and that led her to teaching. Today her clients are in a broad range of age and abilities, from marathon runners to clients with MS and Parkinson's and her biggest reward is when she see their faces light up when they achieve a goal they thought would never reach.

Sandra's style is intuitive and focused and she like to coach clients to a deeper awareness of movement and strength and toward integration and awareness of the whole body.

“The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit.“ Joseph Pilates

Katherine Sato
Certified Yoga Instructor - RYT500 Yoga Alliance
Advanced Yoga Teacher Training - East to West Yoga
Primary Yoga Teacher Training - Holistic BodyWorx

Katherine enjoyed her first hot yoga class in 2010 and fell in love with the practice that strengthened, energized, challenged, and relaxed her from the start. She participated in an Energy Exchange program where she would enjoy daily yoga classes in a variety of styles. Slowing down and finding stillness in both mind and body was a much-needed balance to her fast-paced corporate life.

Feeling called to dive deeper into the study of yoga, she enrolled in the 223-hour Yoga Teacher Training at Holistic BodyWorx with her teacher, Sarbjeet Kalia. In this course, the teachings of Yoga came alive. She was honoured to begin guiding classes right after the completion of the course in 2011, incorporating what she had learned while furthering her studies.

While teaching classes, Katherine completed the Advanced 350-hour Yoga Teacher Training at East to West Yoga with Susie Dias. Over the course of two years, she learned more in depth about topics designed to enhance teaching, including: Restorative, Therapeutic, Prenatal, Yoga for Children, Sequencing, Anatomy, Alignment, Chakras, Sound, and Philosophy.

Katherine feels honoured to guide yoga classes while continuing to learn and evolve her personal practice. Her style is rooted in Hatha yoga while incorporating seamless flows. She aims to help others feel energized, balanced, and relaxed, and looks forward to connecting with the community.

MINJA BOVAN
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance

Minja Bovan is doing Yoga practice for 15 years . Her practice includes: Hatha Yoga Flows, Vinyasa and carefully selected fusion of Spicy Energizing Flows. Her favorite is a powerful blend of Classic Hatha and Energizing Vinyasa spiced up with hand-picked Ashtanga assanas and refreshing Pranayama.

Her message to the community :
Every Yoga practice is a personal journey to the inner world. A powerful awakening of Divine spark within our beings.

Yoga is also a practice of graceful movement, focus and acceptance of true perfection of our own selves. Yoga is love and beauty in every move in every breath!

Crystal Liu
Certified Pilates instructor Pilates Method Alliance Certified Yoga instructor Holistic Bodyworx

Crystal is a certified Pilates Instructor (Mat and Reformer),PMA and also a certified Yoga Instructor from Holistic Bodyworx.

Crystal also has background in Classical Ballet Dance and loves ballet dancing. She believes That Pilates promotes physical and mental Health. Pilates not only help you create a strong physical body, it also helps you feel mentally and emotionally balanced ,calm and refreshed. Pilates also helps to improve core stability and postural alignment while emphasizing breathing and mindful thinking, reduce stress, and enhances concentration on becoming healthier and a more confident self.

MICHELLE McCAFFREY
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance, Form & Flow Vinyasa Training - Schuyler Grant, Vinyasa Krama- Noah Mazé, Yin Yoga Teacher Training- Bernie Clark & Diana Batts, Restorative Yoga Teacher Training- Andrea Peloso

Like many Yogis before, Michelle is inspired by the presence of nature. Yoga Asana found her in 2003 and continues to nurture, strengthen, and guide her. She is grateful to be a long-time student of Rose Merritt and her heartfelt style of community Vinyasa.

Michelle completed her 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Holisitc BodyWorx and continues to study Vinyasa, Restorative, and Yin Yoga. She welcomes you in the heart space.

CHANDRAJIT
Certified instructor - 230Hrs Hatha Yoga Holistic Bodyworx

Finding my love for yoga has been an amazing blessing and a gift. Growing up as a kid who loved playing outdoor sports, especially cricket and football for long hours during my school and college years, I felt I needed to have a routine to keep myself physically and mentally fit once I got busy with my career in construction and architecture after college. Yoga seemed to be a great fit for this as it helped me learn yogasana sequences that worked on the whole body to provide strength, flexibility and endurance which could be done in a reasonably short span of time in a single day.

With time, I also developed a keen interest in the practice of pranayama and was very fortunate to learn from some amazing gurus and mentors, pranayama techniques that have been truly life transforming and a great blessing. I am drawn towards teaching and learning yoga that encompasses a holistic experience for an individual including focus on the movements of the whole body, coordination with the breathing, awareness, posture alignment and working on developing strength, flexibility and endurance from a space of comfort and steadiness - 'Sthiram Sukham Asanam', while leaving the opportunity open to explore one's own potential in the experience of yoga through one's own unique style and preference.

I truly believe that yoga can be a lifelong companion for an individual and help one live a healthy, well balanced and fulfilling life with a joy that can be happily shared with
the whole world

Olga
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance

Olga is a humbled student of this universe and came to mat in search of healthy antidote to stress from her corporate job. She is intrigued by the individual stories of the people she meets, whether heartwarming or devastating, inspire her to love and serve others with purpose.

Over the years she has developed the discipline to transform her body and mind and is always eager to learn how to live toward a more conscious, compassionate and healthy existence.

Incorporating a plant based diet 8 years ago and recently discovering the power of yoga has lead her to a path of liberation from desire, anxiety, anger and fear as well as freeing herself from competition and seeking approval or display.

Olga's classes emphasize on how the poses feel in your body and mind as opposed to how they look. Her class is accompanied with curated breath work, all levels asanas with the combination of vinyasa flow. Her personal favorite pose is Sirshasana (Headstand), the most effective asana for building up that connection between body and mind. She is passionate about sharing her practice off the mat and that’s what she incorporates in her classes inspiring and accessible to all.

OLAF SCHNEIDER

His fitness journey began after a visit to a record store where he discovered a Dvd by the creator of Tae Bo, Billy Banks. He always had an interest in martial arts and was inspired to get into shape. After taking a TaeBo training workshop with Billy Blanks, then became committed to Taekwondo.
Motivated with a thirst for health and fitness knowledge he achieved the following certifications;

• Fitness Instructor Specialist
• Pilates
• Barre
• Stability Ball and Mini Ball
• Schwinn Cycle
• Strong by Zumba

"His immediate goal is to work as an integral part of a highly motivated team, where his effort and skills will be utilized to contribute to the team’s effectiveness. He has a dedication and commitment to helping people achieve their fitness goals. His mission in life is to live with integrity while making a difference in the lives of others.”

Linh Hang
Certified Yoga Instructor - Holistic BodyWorx - RYT200 Yoga Alliance

Yoga quickly became a way of life for Linh when she noticed that the most significant impact of her practice was happening off the mat.

With a strong desire to find a deeper meaning and more balanced way of life, she delved into the authentic teachings and philosophy behind the science and practice of yoga. Now an Certified Yoga Teacher (200RYT) and a graduate from Holistic Bodyworx, she is devoted to sharing her passion for yoga and the gift this transformational practice offers. Linh teaches classical Hatha style and incorporates Vinyasa flows encouraging students to challenge both body and mind, while connecting through pranayama (breath).

“Yoga helped me through some of the most stressful and difficult times in my life. It was truly that old friend that I could go to whenever I needed. Yoga met me where I was and never judged me.”
My intention is to spread the joy and peace that Yoga brings to students of all levels.

AFRINDA
Certified Ayurveda & Yoga Holistic Teacher – JAI Yoga & Ayurveda Centre for Wellness and Education
Tibetan Reiki Level 2
Currently - Suspension Yoga Teacher Training
Currently - Pre & Post Natal Suspension Training

Afrinda is a University of Toronto Alumni with a background in Arts and Art Therapy. She enjoys travelling, nature – all things ARTS related and most importantly learning and sharing as much as she can about how we can better heal ourselves – Body-Mind-Soul. Afrinda is incredibly grateful for the beautiful gifts and experiences she discovers and cultivates on her journey that guides her through the yogic way of living. Her classes will help you to grow and cultivate your inner wisdom between Mind, Body and soul.

“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies, were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know thyself”. Carl Sagan

NIkolia
Certified Yoga Instructor - 250H RYT Teacher Certificate

I have been practicing yoga and meditation for more than 3 years now. In 2020, I got my training at Shiva Dancing School of Yoga with Dada Pashupati and Didi Ananda Diipika and received my 250H RYT Yoga Teacher Certificate. In 2021, I completed a 2-month intensive meditation teacher training with senior meditation teacher-monk Dada Shiilabhadrananda, where I studied Yogic Philosophy and Lifestyle in Depth.

Restorative Yoga.
I teach classical Raja-dhiraja (8-limb yoga) with a focus on body-mind-breath connection. This type of yoga is perfect to achieve balance between physical, mental and spiritual bodies. Patanjali's definition of asana is "A comfortable and happy posture is asana". In this class, we do asanas (postures) to achieve perfect relaxation and peace of body and mind. Then, we can also experience bliss, joy and effortlessness in our day-to-day activities.

Kris k
Certified in: Group and Personal Fitness Instructor, Zumba Fitness LLC |ACE | Various Gyms
July 2016 to Present, Experience of 6 years and 1400+ sessions across GX formats spanning
Aerobics: Zumba, Bolly- aerobics, Bokwa HIIT : STRONGNation, Bootcamps Mind-body : Pilates Sports Conditioning (GX) and Personal Training/fitness assessments.

Kris is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor by American Council on Exercise, Kris (Umesh Krishna K) comes with experience spanning cardio, functional and mind-body formats.
He has over 6 years of experience in the industry and has taught programs including Zumba, Pilates, HIIT and Bokwa. He is also a Marketer who has experience in the health and wellness space. Worked as a freelancer with leading fitness chains and as a fitness consultant for Multinational Corporates.

Hosted/Organized multiple fitness events for social & wellness causes.
Experience instructing groups of 2 to 50 in fitness sessions. Certified in injury management and Gait /posture analysis. Hosted/Organized multiple fitness events for social & wellness causes.

Completed both B1 and B2 training and has experience instructing more than
700 sessions of Zumba. Has taken specialty training in Zumba including Indian, African & Caribbean Rhythms

Kris is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor by American Council on Exercise, Kris (Umesh Krishna K) comes with experience spanning cardio, functional and mind-body formats.
He has over 6 years of experience in the industry and has taught programs including Zumba, Pilates, HIIT and Bokwa. He is also a Marketer who has experience in the health and wellness space.

Karen
Certified 200hrs Hatha Yoga .
Certified Yin Yoga

Karen started her own yoga journey in 2002 at the advice of her midwife as a way of managing stress through breath work. She quickly fell in love with the benefits yoga had to offer. The alignment of breath and movement gave her a physical outlet from her desk job and calmed her busy mind. Through her practice, she has been able to cultivate stillness, strength and clarity. Yoga opened up a world of connection, happiness and peace that she had never known previously.

Karen completed her 200-hour Hatha Teacher Training in 2014 and a second Yin Teacher Training in 2018.

Teaching brings Karen the most joy because it encourages people in her community to live with greater stability, mobility and happiness on and off the mat. Her light hearted classes are infused with warmth and humour and look to inspire a deep connection with self-awareness while leaving you feeling strong and restored.

SCHEDULE CLICK TO CALL 905-277-1010 PRICES

Our Staff