Teachers

Marcia Bamber

I went to my first hatha yoga class at age 12 and it has been a passion of mine for most of my life.  I have wanted to become a teacher for years, but the right opportunity did not present itself until I connected with Yasodhara Ottawa and then went to the ashram.  The practices are so respectful of the body, mind and spirit and gently invite me to explore my inner world in a way that has led me to a deep inner peace.  I made the commitment and did the 3 month Yoga Development course in 2015 and the hatha yoga teacher training.  I have found the learning is very practical and am applying it to my work as a physiotherapist.  I continue to learn and find inspiration from the classes offered here in Ottawa, from reading Swami Radha’s books and from my home practice.   It is a privilege to share what I have learned with others.

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.

Paula Richardson

I spent three and half months at Yasodhara Ashram in 2009 taking the Yoga Development Course and Hatha Yoga Teacher training and have felt a deep connection to yoga and the spiritual practices of Yasodhara ever since. I’m inspired by bringing yoga into my daily life and continue to bring my yoga mat and mediation practice with me when I travel around the world for work. I recently moved just outside of Ottawa to a beautiful community called Chelsea in Quebec and am looking forward to holding Satsang in my new abode.