Meet Our Teachers

Our studio celebrates the unique styles and diverse backgrounds of all of our teachers. Explore and connect with each one for a richer journey on the mat!

Matt

Matt is deeply passionate about yoga, body movement, and overall fitness and wellness. He thrives on motivating and helping others achieve their goals. His journey began when he coached his children’s youth soccer teams, where he discovered his love for creating safe spaces and fostering a sense of community where everyone can thrive.

As his kids grew and ventured into new pursuits, Matt transitioned his focus to the gym environment, teaching spin and fitness classes. He is dedicated to supporting individuals on their fitness journeys and is always available to lend a helping hand. A proud graduate of the Pranalife Yoga Teacher Training program in 2018, Matt has combined his training, coaching experience, and fitness and yoga skills into a holistic movement practice. He is excited to share this with the community!

Lacia

Lacia has dedicated nearly a decade to the fitness industry, beginning her journey as a personal trainer before discovering her true passion for group fitness. The vibrant energy of a room filled with enthusiastic participants is something she cherishes. Over the years, she has taught a variety of classes, with HIIT and strength training becoming her favorites.

Her love for strength training eventually led her to compete in several body-building competitions, where she advanced to the National level. However, in August 2021, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition that left her paralyzed from head to toe for nearly two months. This life altering experience gave her a new appreciation of everything your body does for you and how we take the simplest things for granted. “You don’t know what you have until it's gone” never rang so true.

After months of re-learning how to eat, sit, and walk, yoga became her guiding light in returning to a fitness lifestyle. Lacia firmly believes that her active lifestyle before her illness played a crucial role in her recovery. Now, she is committed to inspiring others to prioritize movement in their lives. In 2023 she completed her 200 hour YTT and TML training and looks forward to sharing a new skillset with The Bright Side Community.

Abi

Energetic, passionate, and always ready to groove, Abi brings a fresh twist to Pilates with her unique combination of movements that increase mobility and strength, set to the beat of the music. As a certified Pilates instructor, she believes fitness should be both challenging and fun, which is why every one of her classes is set to a curated playlist that keeps you moving and motivated.

With a background in group fitness and a love for rhythm, Abi creates a dynamic workout experience that combines precision and flow. Whether you're a Pilates pro or a beginner, her upbeat approach to movement will have you feeling empowered and energized.

Expect a workout that makes you smile, a class that feels like a dance party, and a stronger, more balanced body at the end. Let's move to the beat and sculpt, stretch, and strengthen in a way you’ve never experienced before!

Alana

Alana is a yoga and Pilates instructor with a passion for honouring yoga’s Indian lineage and delivering inclusive classes. She teaches a wide range of class styles, from vinyasa flows to restorative, and provides many pose variations so that you can find the version of movement that feels right in your body that day.

Community-building is her wheelhouse; in all her classes she strives to connect with students and to foster a sense of belonging so that folks stay to chat after class, get to know each other, and forge relationships beyond the mat. She worked in marketing and communications at the University of Waterloo her job included championing equity, diversity, and inclusion projects, and she brings that expertise to her fitness instruction.

Christina

Christina Hennelly has dedicated the last 10 years to the study and practice of yoga after discovering its healing effects during her own injury recovery. It inspired her so much that she decided to take the seat of teacher in order to help others by combining her expertise in yoga, neurorehabilitation, and psychotherapy. She feels honoured to teach yoga and bring balance, health and well -being into other’s lives through biomechanically-sound flow, and guided meditation. Thoughtful emphasis of proper alignment, modifications and advanced options are available for new students and experienced yogis so that all can reach their potential. She is known for her authentic, non-judgmental teaching style and compassion-centered philosophy. Christina is a busy mom who has a private counselling practice and is a community facilitator at the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington. A gift of yoga she shares with others is that problems and pain are just mechanisms to remind you to be aware. Struggles become tools for awareness, not defeat.

Dahlia

The 18 year relationship I’ve had with this practice has taught me how to better digest and metabolize the challenges of living. It has softened the blow of health challenges and loss, increased my window of tolerance and gifted me a community of people who keep me humbled and inspired. Self study sits at the forefront of my classes and I encourage students to continually recognize their unique but also universal truths of what it is to live in a human body. The integration of what we notice on the mat and how we move forward in the world is a foundation for my offering. A typical class with me shares a balance of movement and stillness, is thought provoking yet embodied, is loving yet challenging. Random Fun Fact about me: I have a rare genetic disease that actually protects me from contracting Malaria. Talk about turning a bad thing into a good thing!

Hot Flow - In a hot flow with me, you can expect a steady incline to a physically challenging practice with lots of balance that ties into it an inner exploration of your experience. The movement will be a combination of what’s familiar and an exploration of something new.

Daryl

Daryl’s yoga practice is guided by the idea of “choose your own adventure.” With a passion for learning and travelling, she encourages students to explore their own bodies in a way that feels authentic to them. Daryl has been a long-time student of yoga, but found a deeper connection to it during a period of significant burnout. She wants to share the mental and physical benefits she found in yoga, and in 2023, she completed her 200hr YTT at Alpha Yoga School in Greece.
Formally trained in Ashtanga and vinyasa, Daryl enjoys creating playful, intuitive sequences that give students the space and support to challenge themselves, expand their practice, and honour their uniqueness in ways that nourish the soul. She’s a strong believer that there is no such thing as being “good” or “bad” at yoga, and designs flow classes that are accessible to all. Her own life experiences have also taught her the importance of slowing down and she loves leading introspective restorative classes.

Jen

Jen’s love of yoga started in 2014 after she attended her first class at Modo Yoga Waterloo. She was captivated by the overwhelming sense of community, support, and acceptance that radiated through the studio. Over the years, as Jen became more acquainted with her practice, her relationship with yoga shifted and grew in more ways than she could count. Inspired to take her journey to the next level, Jen attended the Modo Level One teacher training, honing her skills as a budding yogi. Jen’s focus on the harmony of the breath, body, and movement creates a practice that enhances greater self-awareness and exudes her sense of gratitude for all that yoga can, and does, offer. Subsequently completing the Modo Flow training and most recently the Oxygen Yoga training, Jen continues to add to her yoga repertoire. When Jen’s not on her mat or in the hot room, she can be found at the gym, drinking smoothies, and jamming out to Taylor Swift.

Jenn

Jenn's intention for all her classes is to slow down and spend time with the Self. She aims to incorporate aspects of meditation and breathwork into every movement practice, and encourages students to come into relationship with their own senses while quieting the outer world. Jenn is trained in 200 hour Vinyasa and has completed her Reiki II.

Joanne

Joanne Anger Is a Certified 500hr YTT instructor, certified Iron Yoga Instructor,

Certified in Restorative Yoga, Children’s yoga, Trauma-informed yoga teaching, Mindfulness Movement and has completed a 300HR Advanced YTT with Rolf Gates. Joanne has always led an active life and is thrilled to be able to share her love of movement and strength in a yoga forum. Joanne’s classes focus on building strength, stability and resilience through intentional, functional movement paired with the whole body awareness and breath focus of yoga. Joanne invites participants to be curious about how their bodies move, range of motion and most of all, to have fun as she and they move through all the stages of life. Joanne loves to challenge and dispel the stereotypes associated with aging and mobility. Participants of all ages have found her to be accessible, approachable as she strives to not take life so seriously! Joanne currently teaches at 2 local studios, corporate classes, and with private clients in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario, Canada.

Karen

Karen is a certified yoga instructor with over 7 years of experience in teaching the Modo sequence, as well as the Modo flow sequence. Her classes focus on mindful movement, breath awareness, and cultivating a deeper connection between body and mind. Karen started yoga to work on her flexibility and reduce chronic back pain and quickly realized it was so much more than that. She believes that yoga is for everyone, regardless of age or experience, and she is passionate about helping students of all levels experience the profound physical and mental benefits of yoga. With a background in fitness and anatomy, she emphasizes alignment, strength and breath, ensuring students leave feeling balanced and relaxed.

Kate

I strive to make my classes inclusive and accessible as possible, a welcoming place for all who choose to explore and learn in a safe, judgment free zone. When stepping through the studio doors, I’d like everyone to abandon any and all expectations they may have for their practice, meeting yourself where you are in that very moment.

I received my 200 hour YTT from Modo Yoga over the summer of 2022 and since then, Ive taught in various gyms, studios, private and corporate classes in the region.

Recently I obtained my 500 hour Trauma Sensitive Yoga Certification from the Centre for Trauma and Embodiment.

Kelly

A lifelong movement enthusiast, Kelly's yoga journey began on the ice as a competitive figure skater where balance, flexibility, and focus were key. After over 20 years of practice and 10 years of teaching, Kelly is now a seasoned yoga teacher, blending her passion for strength, flow, and fun into every class.

She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Pranalife Yoga in 2014, followed by Pilates training in 2019, and just wrapped up her 300-hour YTT with Yoga Renew in 2024. Kelly’s classes are where you can challenge yourself, sweat, and build strength while having a blast.

Kelsey

Kelsey’s classes are dynamic and creative. Each class is a little different. Expect playful, fluid movements with lots of energy. With a focus of mindful movements, stepping out of the thinking mind - we can focus on getting into the body. Cultivating a deeper connection between movement and breath. Expect to flow through sequences that both challenge strength and flexibility, while also grounding the mind in the present moment. Building mindfulness, releasing tension and tap into your body’s natural rhythm.

Lisa

I took my first Yoga class at 18 and immediately fell in love with the practice. Almost 30 years later I’m still in love, although my practice looks very different these days. I’ve come to appreciate the slower, more subtle aspects of Yoga and this is what I focus on in my teaching. My classes include pranayama (breath exercises), meditation and mindfulness along with gentle stretching and slow intentional movements that help relieve stress and tension from the body, increase flexibility and enhance overall well-being.
We live in a very fast-paced, high-stress world…let's take a moment to slow down and find some stillness amidst the busyness of everyday life. Together, we will cultivate a practice that encourages patience, compassion, and self-acceptance, allowing you to carry the benefits of yoga into your daily life. Whether you’re new to yoga or seeking to deepen your practice, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s breathe, move, and grow together!

Mackenzie

Mackenzie's Pilates classes are designed to enhance strength, stability, and mobility through dynamic, functional movements. As a competitive Bikini Athlete with a strong foundation in strength training, Mackenzie brings a unique, high-energy approach to every session. Her classes are suitable for all levels, featuring uplifting music and a supportive atmosphere that will leave you feeling empowered, accomplished, and yes—sweaty!

Michaela

Michaela has embraced yoga as an important part of her life for over 10 years, earning her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification in 2019. While her original training focused on Vinyasa Flow, she has a passion for Slow Flow classes that feature feel-good deep stretching and good music!

Michaela wholeheartedly believes that Yoga is for everybody and every body. Her primary goal in each class is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can release their stress and worries. She encourages her students to explore their range of movement, listen to their bodies, and move in a way that feels good!

Fun fact: Michaela secretly only became a yoga teacher to make everyone listen to her playlists.

Mistyna

Mistyna originally started exploring yoga as a means to balance her dance training. Through her daily yoga practice, she quickly found a home on her mat that was much more than being able to conquer each pose. She has trained extensively in dance for thirty two years, which has instilled a deep curiosity of moving the body with breath. In 2015, her curiosity led her to complete her Modo Teacher Training in the beautiful Okanagan. She since has completed her flow training in 2017.

Mistyna’s love of yoga stems on the balance between the body and the mind. Yoga offers an individual to work on strength, mindfulness, and focus all while developing flexibility and mental health. With focus on the breath, the individual can calm their thoughts and leave everything that is happening before and after class at the door. In her class you will be encouraged to brighten the eyes, soften the jaw and find ease in the effort.

Niki Jean

Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Niki Jean (the "Travel Queen") has had the privilege of teaching Pilates classes around the world, bringing her global experience back to her hometown. Known for her vibrant personality and infectious energy, Niki's classes have become a local favorite. You can expect a challenging yet accessible workout that blends focused, slow, and controlled movements, all set to the beat of your favorite tunes—making movement both fun and effective. After a year spent traveling and teaching, Niki is excited to be back in the hot room, sharing her love for Pilates and her commitment to helping others find joy and strength through movement.

Petra

Petra is a 500hr certified Yoga Teacher who has been practicing for over 15 years. Within that time, Petra fell completely in love with the practice and wanted to share the amazing gift of Yoga with others, not only the physical benefits but the self love and inner peace one finds during their practice.

Petra completed her Hot Yoga Teacher Training training in 2014 in Los Angeles. Since then she has had a passion for teaching and helping her students see the results they deserve. As well, she completed her 200 hour YTT in 2015 , Rocket yoga training in 2020 and her Pilates training in 2016. This breath of knowledge combined with Petra’s enthusiastic nature makes her classes both energetic and peaceful. Petra is extremely knowledgeable in many styles such as Vinyasa, Power Flow, Yin, and Hot Yoga to name a few. Her classes always bring the same heat as the hot yoga room!

Sarina

Sarina began practicing yoga during her time studying & working as an orchestral musician as a way to incorporate movement into her routine and manage stress. She quickly fell in love with the parallels she found between art and yoga, and spent several years exploring different styles of yoga, breathwork and meditation.

She completed her first 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2020 and soon after began working at several local hot yoga studios. In the summer of 2022, she travelled to Thailand for a 500 hour yoga teacher training to become certified to teach the Original Hot Yoga series, and later in the year completed her Pilates teacher training. Over the course of this time, she has shifted her professional focus to teaching yoga & pilates full time before deciding in late 2023 to fulfil her dream of teaching while travelling. She has since been teaching yoga internationally, with recent destinations including El Salvador, Greece and Austria.

Her teaching style is infused with a natural sense of creativity & free-spiritedness that comes from her background in the arts, while also being rooted in safe and functional alignment principles.

Vale

Vale is a passionate IHP instructor committed to helping others achieve their fitness goals. Since discovering her love for fitness over a decade ago, she has implemented health and wellness into her daily life. Vale has been teaching IHP for the past year with a focus on empowering individuals to push their limits. She creates an encouraging and motivating environment for all participants to thrive.