Teachers
Marcia Bamber

Erna Herwig
I took my first yoga classes at the Ottawa Radha Yoga (now Yasodhara Yoga Ottawa) in 1989 – first taking classes and then gradually becoming more involved in helping to take care of the centre as well. I completed the Yoga Development course at the Yasodhara Ashram in 2007, Hidden Language certification in 2010 and now I teach Hatha Yoga, Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, Dream Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.
Joan Gamble
I started doing Yoga when I was in my 20s but things got serious when I was introduced to Swami Radha’s teachings in the late 1970s. From the start her approach felt right because of its down to earth practicality and emphasis on applying insights to daily living. This work has allowed me to deepen my self-awareness, to gain insight into how to deal with issues that block my growth and to discover how to lead a more compassionate life.
Swami Radha’s writings were an inspiration in my work of training teachers at the Université de Moncton. After retiring, time opened up for me to do the Yoga Development Course in 2008. I’ve been a teacher since then, continuing my own learning and ever opening to the Light.
Swami Radhatarananda
I have been involved in Yoga and East Indian dance all of my adult life out of a deep love and connection to both. I have had the privilege of studying Hidden Language Hatha Yoga with Swami Radha (founder of Yasodhara Ashram) when she first decided to bring the practice forward to the general public in 1987. It touched such a deep chord within me that it has been my ‘go-to’ practice ever since. It is like having a best friend within me at all times.
Through it, I have learned how to heal, even when I was told I wouldn’t walk again after a serious car accident. What is most interesting for me to notice is that as my practice deepens the simpler and more nourishing it becomes. Even though my body loves to practice the more demanding poses, I find myself gravitating toward the simpler poses to establish a deeper connection with who I am.
Currently my practice brings me to exploring the places of long held trauma and how to release it. It’s a continual unfolding and opening.
I’ve been a Yoga teacher since1998 in Ottawa and British Columbia. The teachings continue to open.
Robin Macdonald
I went to Yasodhara Ashram for the first time as part of the youth program. I had only ever done Hatha Yoga in a church basement before then and had no idea what I was stepping into. After three weeks, I made a commitment to return the following year for the three-month Yoga Development Course. I was inspired by the courage, honesty, wisdom and integrity I experienced in the Ashram community; all qualities I wanted to bring forward in myself. I continue to be inspired by the people I witness growing at the Ashram. It’s the most vibrant community I know. I’ve been a Yasodhara Yoga teacher for 13 years and the teachings continue to open.
Martha Lamon
I first experienced Swami Radha’s teachings in 2005 and felt a profound impact on my life immediately. Since then I have worked with her teachings and practices because they continue to enhance my life. I lived at the ashram between September 2017 and August 2018 and did the Yoga Development Course and Hidden Language certification. It is an honour to be a part of the Ottawa Yasodhara teaching community and I’m grateful for the opportunity to offer these valuable tools to others.