About Mandorla Yoga & Wellness

The word Mandorla, means almond in Italian. Its name is derived from the shape one sees when two circles of the same size overlap.  Historically the mandorla has been a symbol for thousands of years that has been used by different societies and religions to signify the perfect balance of two opposites.  One hears about this balance in yoga all the time as there are many terms to describe this balance in the ancient Sanskrit language (Shiva/Shakti, Ha-tha meaning sun-moon). We believe that yoga is not exclusive to any one religion or people group, that the beauty of yoga can be found and seen everywhere, so we chose the name Mandorla to signify that.

The studio and wellness centre is located at 106 Mitton St. S.  in the Mitton Village area of downtown Sarnia.  Established in 2007, Mandorla was created to encourage true balance on the macro and micro level and is a business that fosters sustainability.  The centre is operated using Bull Frog Power, a 100% Green source for electricity and all cleaning products used are organic and environmentally friendly.  The yoga studio is fully furnished with mats,blocks and straps for your use and offers courses and workshops in yoga and holistic living as well as a registered yoga teacher training that is Yoga Alliance approved..

Stefani (Stefiji) M.Sc., E-RYT, RYT 500, Certified Yoga Therapist & Holistic Chef, Studio Owner

Stefani is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level and an Experienced-Registered Yoga teacher with over 2,000 hours of teaching experience.  A Certified Vinyasa Flow Yoga Teacher; she has a great passion for working with Prenatal women.  At this point in her teaching career, she has assisted at several births and brings this experience into her classes.  After attending her first yoga teacher training in 2002 through Yoga Fit®, Stefani has continued to advance her yoga studies; completing trainings and certifications through East to West Yoga and 5 Elements Yoga & Pilates. Stefani's Prenatal training was with Michelle Cormack E-RYT 500 and she has completed the level 4 training in Thai Vinyasa Healing Arts through Spectrum Yoga.  Most recently Stefji has completed her 500 hour level yoga certification in yoga therapy through the Heaven on Earth Yoga Institute in Montreal.  

Stefani is also certified as a Raw Culinary Arts Associate Chef through the Raw Gourmet International Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago and has earned her Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition through Clayton College of Natural Health. She uses this training to offer our Holistic Chef Services that entail everything from cooking lessons to Nutritional Education.

Stefani pays tribute to her yoga teachers Michiji, Karen and Lucille and honors her Yoga lineage. . . Shiva Rea, B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, TKV Desikachar and T. Krishnamacharya.

Carrie Wood, Certified Yoga & Pilates Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Practitioner

Carrie is the newest addition to the Mandorla family.  Carrie has a deep joy exuding from her and  we know that you are going to love her classes!  Read what she has to say, below.

My name is Carrie Wood and I have been teaching Yoga and Pilates for the past 5 years. My passion for Yoga began in my youth, weekdays at 6am doing “Yoga with Lilias” on the local PBS station.  The music, breath, and movements felt more like dancing to me than exercise, and I loved it. A decade later, I first tried Pilates when my usual “workouts” didn’t succeed in helping restore my core strength, as suggested by my chiropractor, after the birth of my second child . . . and the benefits were obvious and immediate.  It never would have occurred to me that knee problems could stem from lack of strength in my core muscle groups, but what I appreciated more, was wrestling with my children on the floor again.  As my core was strengthened, my confidence was also strengthened, and I pursued certification in both Pilates and Yoga opening a small studio.

The more I practice these two disciplines the more I become aware of the emotional/mental effect on our physical well-being.  In the pursuit of well-being I have become a U.S. Licensed Massage Therapist, a Reiki Master and Raindrop (essential oils) technician.  All of these disciplines have become incorporated into my own personal style of instruction. . The more I practice the healing arts, the more obvious it becomes to me how inter-related and complimentary they are.  I am currently completing my certification to become a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance through the Mandorla Teacher Training Program. 

I believe each person has the innate ability to recognize their own needs and to acknowledge and meet those needs through self exploration, expression, and education.  Many of us forget our consciousness of self and fail to rely on our intuition, often, in the times we need it most.  In community, we are better equipped to remain accountable to our goals, dreams, and transformation to our higher selves.

My sacred charge is to foster healthy relationships and community through action, prayer and mindfulness. Join me and remember to breathe deeply, savor the wonder of creation and become re-connected to our neighbours and the world we live in.  Find your strength and be Whole, Strong, and Happy.

Leslie Pullen, Pilates Instructor and Yoga Teacher Candidate

Leslie has been a life long artist, athlete and dancer with a deep love for creativity, movement and passion. Throughout her life Leslie has pursued competitive sports such as track and field, cross country, rowing and tennis. In dance, Leslie holds a Senior Diploma in Classical Ballet. Having battled knee problems for several years Leslie has discovered the amazing benefits of Yoga and Pilates and has gone on to attain certification as a Pilates Instructor under the expert guidance of Ellie Herman of New York.  Currently Leslie is working towards attaining her 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Certificate through Mandorla Yoga.

Leslie's art education is diverse, including a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario and most recently, Post Baccalaureate training in Visual Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As an artist, Leslie's artwork can be found in collections across Canada. Her artwork can be viewed online at www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_pullen.