our teachers

At Yoga Grace, our teachers are experienced and knowledgeable. They live the practice of Yoga and are passionate about supporting you. Check below to learn a little bit about them and their journey with Yoga.

 
 
 

Engel

As co-owner of Yoga Grace and founder of Pranayama Sadhana, Engel is a lifelong Yogi with a specialization in Pranayama and Yogic Philosophy. Recognized as one of the foremost educators on Pranayama, Engel has been offering comprehensive trainings to the Yoga community, as well as the wellness, medical and psychiatric fields for over fifteen years, graduating hundreds of Pranayama Teachers & Breathwork Therapists worldwide. Being a husband and father, Engel always brings integrity, friendliness and relatability to his Pranayama classes and Yoga Therapy sessions.

 
 
 

Teresa

Teresa is co-owner of Yoga Grace & YG Online and shares the practice of Yoga with the intention of bringing an overall sense of spiritual wellness to her community. Blessed to study under incredible teachers in the Krishnamacharya lineage, Teresa’s offerings focus on mindfulness, a connection to our breath and knowing ourselves well. With these, come a richer, more fulfilling life. Teresa has a deep love for this practice, its roots and traditions and applying its timeless tools and wisdom to better our lives today. Teresa feels so blessed to be a part of it, both as a teacher and as a lifelong student.

 
 
 

Marlene

Marlene’s passion is to graciously share her love of the practice of Yoga and the medicine of the teachings with others. Her intention is to create a space for her others to experience confidence, ease, love and connection. She strives to inspire her students to reach their highest potential on and off their mats; to bring their Yoga to life!

  • Her integral approach to optimal alignment and safety keeps her style of teaching appropriate for all levels and shares that Yoga is for every body and anyone that wants to know themselves. She will guide you through a safe and intentional practice connecting your body, heart and mind through movement and breath.

    Marlene has a strong and devoted daily Vinyasa and meditation practice. The list of beloved teachers who’s teachings she holds close to her heart include Srivatsa Ramaswami, Pam Rader of Shift Power Yoga, Nicki Doane and Eddie Modestini of Maya Yoga, Mary & Richard Freeman, Ryan C. Leir, Chuck Miller, Dustin Fruson, Desiree Rumbaugh and all of her students she has had the opportunity to learn from. I

    t is through Marlene’s sincere appreciation for her own practice that inspires her to share the love of Yoga with others! When Marlene is not teaching, you can find her running, hiking, biking and breathing in the gifts of Mother Nature!

 
 
 

Lisa

Lisa started her journey back in the early 90’s when she was a teen. She stumbled across a step-by-step Hatha Yoga book, and was immediately drawn to it and started practicing daily. As a young adult, Lisa moved from her small costal town to the city, where at the time, was opportunity to begin practicing live classes. In 2018, Lisa completed her Yoga Teacher Training from Perfect Hearts Studio in beautiful Steveston, Richmond. During her training, her love for the “slower and more restorative Yogas” deepened. Lisa has since trained in Restorative, and now shares it with the Yoga Grace community.

 
 
 

Ricardo

Ricardo has embraced the path of Yoga for many years following the lineage of Ashtanga Yoga. The journey has been rich with different Yogic styles and Ricardo has been fortunate and inspired by the teachers and teachings along the way. Sharing songs and stories from the great Yoga writings is a great joy for Ricardo.

 
 
 

Jane

Jane became a student of Yoga at 14 in the Pacific Northwest and then a teacher of Yoga in Toronto in 1993. Her teacher training is in the roots of Ashtanga, Restorative and Yoga Nidra and many other forms of Yoga. For Jane, returning to Vancouver Island provides a profound immersion in how to flow along with the natural world gracefully in an ever changing body. Jane’s teachings demonstrate that a nurturing and gentle Yoga practice is grounding and healing. Her 30 year Shiatsu Massage practice consistently informs her deep knowledge of bodies and the flow of prana and qi.

 

Kaylee

After falling in love with the tools and wisdom that Yoga offers in 2018, Kaylee has tirelessly developed her appreciation and love for the practice. Completing her Hatha and Vinyasa teacher training in January of 2023 and her Yin teacher training in June of 2023, Kaylee plans to continue to grow her knowledge as both a teacher and a student, eager to follow a lifelong Yoga journey wherever her practice takes her. 

  • Kaylee’s offerings include threads of historical and philosophical teachings of yoga paired with the Universal Principles of Alignment (UPAs). Kaylee firmly believes that by integrating the UPA principles within teaching, persons of all different body structures and levels of Yoga experience can achieve balance and ease within their own unique expressions of each asana. Incorporating breathwork and meditation within her classes, Kaylee hopes to encourage a rounded sadhana (your living practice) that offers students opportunities to reflect upon the connection between body and mind.

YG Subs

You might see one of these friendly faces at the studio when our regular teachers are unable to share their regularly scheduled classes.

 

Ezmy

Ezmy was raised here in Qualicum Beach, and after a couple of decades of living and travelling abroad, is happy to be back home. She did her first personal Yoga Teacher Training in India in 2010 and has since enjoyed learning from many amazing teachers. Over the last ten-plus years, Ezmy spent time teaching full-time in Los Angeles and led teacher development programs, international teacher trainings, and retreats.

  • She is forever a student, and believes deeply in Yoga. It has helped her and many others she knows in more ways that she can say. It's a rich resource that can help us navigate the adventure of life more peacefully inside and out. Ezmy brings a lighthearted, accessible, fluid, and breath-centred approach to her classes and hopes to see you there.

 

Amber

Amber has spent over 20 years of her life as a student of Yoga, immersing herself in its teachings and practices, dreaming to teach its offerings to others one day.  In 2022, a health scare forced her to realize the need for significant changes in her life. And one of those changes was committing herself to a dedicated daily practice of meditation, breathwork, and asana. Amber's personal journey with Yoga has been nothing short of amazing. She has utilized its practices to help manage multiple autoimmune diseases into remission, empowering her to lead a strong, active, and healthy life.

  • In 2023, she made the leap to transform her dream of becoming a teacher into reality by completing multiple yoga trainings in Hatha, Vinyasa and Pranayama, allowing her to fully embrace her passion and share the transformative and healing effects of yoga with others.

    When she's not guiding others on their Yogic journey, Amber finds solace in the great outdoors alongside her husband and loved ones. She is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder, hiker, and backpacker, having trekked over 300 kilometers of Vancouver Island's breathtaking and secluded coastal trails, including the West Coast Trail twice!! As a true island girl, born and raised, she finds her utmost happiness in exploring every nook and cranny of this magical island, from its enchanting coastline to its majestic peaks.

 

Bonnie

Bonnie is an incredible guide and has studied a wide variety of Yoga styles and traditions across the globe. You’ll catch her at Yoga Grace, subbing Restorative, Yin, Gentle Hatha & more. Bonnie’s full bio is coming soon…