Our Teachers

Colin Matthews - Director

Colin invites an ever-evolving conversation, with one’s self and the community. His teaching is infused with passion for life, self-empowerment, healing and the power of intention. His light-hearted spirit inspires a playful and engaged practice that is deeply rooted in the Anusara tradition.

Colin draws continued inspiration from his teachers, Naime Jezzeny, Sue Elkind, Sianna Sherman and Douglas Brooks. He has also studied with Bikram Choudhry, Judith Lasater, Ken Nateshvar Scott, and John Friend.

Colin co-teaches Kula’s advance study and teacher training
certification program.

Off the mat, he’s known to climb great rock faces, indulge in woodworking, and cherish time with his wife, Anne-Marie.

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Uttanasana (Forward bend), because it requires tremendous humility to look inward and honour one's boundaries.

Tracy Ng – Director

Tracy’s classes radiate with the energetic flow of Prana. She invites students to experience Prana, the universal source of breath, life-energy and conscious intelligence as the navigating source of yoga practice and vital living.

Tracy draws tremendous inspiration from her teachers, Shiva Rae, Marie Garre and Twee Merrigan. Her continued studies include Tantric Philosophy and Ayurveda.

Off the Mat, Tracy treasures time with family, husband, Brian and their two children, Braeden and Rachel. You can often find the NG family exploring through travel, creating adventure with their furry clan, or sculpting beauty in the garden. Lucky for us, Tracy also includes the larger Kula as part of her love and care for family!

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), because it embodies wisdom, courage and unwavering focus.

Sofie Jambor - Teacher

Sofie’s playful and exuberant presence infuses her teaching, lighting the way to compassion and acceptance on the mat and beyond. Her classes help students skillfully expand their boundaries from the inside out as they delve deeper on their personal journeys.

She is grateful for the inspired teachings of Colin Matthews, Naime Jezzeny and Judith Lasater on her path as a student and teacher.

Off the mat, you’re likely to find her climbing, hiking, running bootcamps or traveling to foreign lands.

Favourite Yoga Posture: Drop back into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel), because it requires inner strength, trust, a courageous open heart and a strong foundation to leap back into the unknown and let the universe catch you

Grant Hutchinson - Teacher

Grant invites students to explore stillness, whether in an energetic practice of Ashtanga Yoga or in the receptive quiet of Yin Yoga. His teaching fosters a supportive and non-competitive environment, encouraging students to embrace the gifts of the present moment.

He continues to study in great depth with Ron Reid and Michael Stone. The words of Pattabhi Jois, "practice, practice, practice and all is coming" are embodied in Grant’s devotion to yoga.

Off the mat, he weaves beautiful textiles for his granted line.

Favourite Yoga Posture:
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel), because itís an exploration into the unknown with an open heart

Shelley Gower - Teacher

Shelley is a Hatha yoga teacher, specializing in restorative yoga at Kula. Her teaching embodies a patient internal focus, as she invites students to welcome ease, spaciousness, and transformation on the mat and in their lives.

Her teaching largely draws from the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions, inspired by her teachers, Nesta Falladown and Susan McClelland. Shelley is ever-grateful for the encouragement from Katie McClelland on her journey.

Off the mat, Shelley delights in watching her two boys become men, and cherishes time at the cottage with loved ones and a fabulous book!

Diana Lockett - Teacher

Diana embodies a poise and grace rich with strength, awareness and heart. Her teaching is inspired, and she encourages students to embrace alignment and authenticity in their body and life.

Diana draws continued inspiration from her mentors Naime Jezzeny and Sue Elkind, Baron Baptiste, Marsha Weig and Colin Matthews.

Off the mat, Diana is a speech pathologist who passionately works with school boards to implement yoga into the classroom. She is a trained Reiki practitioner, and a loving wife and mother.

Favourite Yoga Posture:
Vasisthasana, (side plank) a graceful, heart-opening expression

Adam Dunn - Teacher

As a gifted and accomplished athlete, - i.e five triathlons under his belt - Adam’s class is perfect for students who desire to bring balance and bio-mechanic awareness to their practice.

With the experience of an athlete and the knowledge of a chiropractor, Adam’s teaching embraces yoga as a self-directed way of maintaining and achieving health and wellness. He draws on the teachings of Nancy Thacker and Colin Matthews, and he is inspired by principles of Anusara Yoga.

When not at the studio, you’re likely to see Adam on his bike or out for a run!

Favourite Yoga Posture:
Halasana (Plow), his practice simply feels incomplete without it

Christine Fortier - Teacher

Christine celebrates yoga’s invitation to transform through postures, breath, awareness, and an open heart. Her classes are uplifting, and they encourage students to connect deeper within and to the world around them.

Christine draws continued wisdom from her teachers, Colin Matthews, Naime Jezzeny, Sianna Sherman and Baron Baptiste.

Off the mat, she is an eco buff who loves to spend time in nature with her husband, Bert and their four furry family members!

Favourite Yoga Posture:
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon), because it invites surrender and release, both physically and emotionally

Jennifer Song - Teacher

Jennifer’s teaching invites students to explore self-discovery, cultivate strength, move and live with joy and express from the heart. She encourages students to experience their bodies as a vehicle for greater insight, thus fostering self-acceptance and deeper understanding on and off the mat.

Jennifer draws inspiration from her mentors Todd Norian and Anne Greene, Joan Schaner, Allen Bateman, and Naime Jezzeny. She continues to embrace the heart-centred teachings and Universal Principles of Alignment of Anusara.

Off the mat, Jennifer is a shiatsu and craniosacral therapist. She loves being Mom to her two girls, and she bravely takes on home improvement projects with great pleasure!

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Virasana (hero), a deep invitation and surrender to the divine

Manoj Mehta - Teacher
Manoj invites students to explore the infinite connection between body, mind and spirit on the mat and in the current of life. His teaching embodies the delight of the present moment cultivated through supple alertness, a steady application of conscious alignment and inspired contemplations for an ever-expanding heart.

Manoj draws on the wisdom of his mentors, Dr. Douglas Brooks for his life-affirming teachings, John Friend for radical expansion through asana, Colin Matthews for his inspired application of Yoga, Naime Jezzeny who encourages one to face their challenges, and Pankaj Sharma for his invitation to cultivate one’s sadhana (spiritual practice).

Off the mat, Manoj treasures unhurried time with like-minded souls, creating culinary dishes that excite the palate, - often for others! - and basking in the white sand and sounds of the sea back home in Mombasa, Kenya.

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Ardha Chandrachapasana (Sugar-cane), an exhilarating inner freedom cultivated from a strong connection to the earth and an open heart willing to soar to new heights

Kirstin Randall-Gan - Teacher

Kirstin’s warm and joyful presence uplifts and enriches the community. Her teaching harnesses the power within, ignites the heart, and invites students to move with fullness.

Kirstin’s teaching is illuminated by the direction of Raymonde Worsfold and Colin Matthews on her journey. Her classes weave Hatha Yoga with creative and insightful awareness.

Off the mat, Kirstin is a registered holistic nutritionist, and she cherishes time – often in nature! - with her family and loved ones.

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon), an inspired balance between stability and freedom!

Jennifer Armilio - Teacher

Jennifer’s passion for connection inspires and empowers mothers, and mothers-to-be at Kula. Her teaching invites intimacy with baby that enriches the heart and nourishes the body in a supportive community.

Jennifer is grateful for the rich Ashtanga teachings of Ron Reid and Diane Bruni on her journey, as well as the pre and post natal teachings of Sasha Padron and Janet Balaskas who have guided her heart to work with mothers.

Off the mat, you’re likely to find Jennifer exploring exciting travel destinations and gardening with her three favourite men, her husband, Marco and their two beautiful boys.

Favourite Yoga Posture: Malasana (garland pose), because it was the most beneficial during pregnancy!

Beth Rutty – Teacher

Beth’s classes flow from the heart, marrying the body, breath and mind to the attunement of infinite beauty within and all around. She encourages students to cultivate the awareness and skills to connect to their teacher within, on the mat and in their lives.

Beth is an Anusara-Inspired teacher. She feels blessed to have discovered Anusara yoga, and she continues to draw from her yoga training in the styles of Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga. Beth is grateful for the guidance from her teachers, Sue McClelland, Nesta Falladown, Katie McClelland, Todd Norian, Ann Greene and Martin & Jordan Kirk.

Off the mat, Beth creates beauty through Graphic Design, along side her husband. She is passionately devoted to her family and is often seen commuting everywhere by bike from May-November!

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Savasana (Corpse Pose), because resting in the pulsation of an open heart is to experience home - life!

Jannine Markou - Teacher

Jannine empowers each student where they are on their journey, encouraging them to embrace their embodiment, listen to their body, and let prana (breath) be their revered guide. She is a Vinyasa inspired teacher, offering flowing classes that incorporate pranayama, visualization, and Vedic Chanting while weaving principles from Ashtanga, Iyengar and Hatha Yoga.

Jannine draws inspiration from her mentors, Kathryn Beet, Ante Pavlovic, Sasha Padron and Patricia White. She continues to specialize her training in yoga for women, and she shares her knowledge at Kula in our prenatal and postnatal programs.

Off the mat, Jannine is a loving mother of two beautiful children, Logan and Rowan, a La Leche League leader, and a trained Doula who is well on her way to certification.

Matsyasana (fish pose), because of the expansive floating sensation when you rest after the pose

Jen Irvine - Teacher

Jen’s teaching balances a playful exploration with an invitation to focus the mind, align the body and expand the heart. As a consummate student of yoga and life, her teaching is rich with inspiration as she welcomes students to skillfully challenge their boundaries.

Jen’s teaching draws largely from the Ashtanga tradition, and she is grateful for her inspired teachers Cynthia Funk, Eion Finn, Tim Miller, Chuck Miller, Maty Etzary and Laurie Campbell; as well as her father who always believes in her.

Off the mat, you’re likely to find Jen out for a run – even taking our Kula with her! - mountain biking, surfing, backpacking, and cherishing time with her beautiful niece, Ella.

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Utthita Trikonasona (Triangle Pose), because it invites a full extension of self while challenging the mind and balance.

Julie Tesolin – Teacher

Julie’s passion for movement and her enthusiasm for life are ever-present in her teaching. With a playful and soulful offering, she encourages students to attune to their hearts, honour the wisdom within and celebrate the expression of one’s individual gifts.

Julie draws from the traditions of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, Prenatal, Kids yoga and Anusara Yoga. She is grateful for the continued guidance from her teachers, Susie Dias, Christi-an Slomka, Michael Siddall, Sue Elkind, and Roberta Mohler.

Off the mat, Julie is an actor, a writer and a dancer, and she weaves all things creative with great dedication and inspiration!

Favourite Yoga Posture:

Svarga Dvidasana (bird of paradise), a delightful expression of balance, bliss, and an open heart.