Stefani Hoyt PYT, E-RYT 500, Institute Director
Stefani began teaching yoga after traveling the world and graduating from University in 2001. Having earned her undergraduate degree in Cultural Studies gave Stefani a unique perspective in studying yoga as she was able to approach her studies with cultural sensitivity and academic experience. She has spent a great deal of time studying the history and evolution of yoga and makes it her goal to share the benefits of yoga with her students in a non-restrictive and inspiring manner.
Stefani is currently completing Orthopedic Massage Therapy School (2200HR RMT program) and is scheduled to graduate at the end of May 2013. She is already tying the kinesiology and remedial exercise knowledge that she has gained from this program into the senior yoga therapy curriculum and is enthused to share her knew found knowledge with past and current students alike.
A lifelong student, with a passion for health; Stefani has pursued education in holistic nutrition, vinyasa flow yoga, thai yoga massage and yoga therapy. She holds a Masters degree from Clayton College of Natural Health in Holistic Nutrition and a Holistic Chef certificate from the Raw Gourment Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago. While the creativity of Vinyasa Flow Yoga inspired her to study Vinyasa Flow and Prenatal Yoga with Michelle Cormack of Five Elements Yoga and Pilates; it was her personal experience with yoga related injuries that inspired her to pursue training in Yoga Therapy from an Anusara perspective with Karen Claffey of the Heaven on Earth Yoga Institute. She has continued to pursue therapeutic studies by completing the yoga therapy bridge program with Robin Rothenburg of Essential Yoga Therapy and the level 4 vinyasa thai yoga massage program with Lucille Palancher of Spectrum Yoga. Most recently Stefani completed the Prenatal Thai Yoga Massage Training through the Still Light Centre in Toronto. Stefani is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher at the highest level (500 hours) through Yoga Alliance with over 2,000 hours of teaching experience. She is approved through Yoga Alliance to offer teacher training at both the 200 and 500 hour levels.
Stefani offers her services through her company Mandorla Therapeutics. Specializing in working with physical and emotional pain she offers a therapeutic blend of vinyasa flow and power yoga classes along with group and private Yoga Therapy sessions that incorporate Thai Yoga Massage, Breath Therapy and nutritional guidance. Stefani specializes in women's health issues offering Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Therapy, Yoga for Fertility and Yoga for Postpartum Depression. She has had the privilege and honour to support many of her clients as their doula in the healthy labour and delivery of their babies.
"I developed the Mandorla Yoga Institute because of my love of yoga teacher trainings. There is something about being in the midst of like minded people that lets you drop your guard and be yourself. You go further in your practice. You unravel areas that you didn't even know were tight. You feel a boldness to let go of old habits and embrace new things that terrify you. In a culture that can be at times isolating and busy beyond reason, community, or "sangha", is something that we don't often get to experience. I bring these trainings to you as a gift from my heart in hopes that you will benefit from them as much as I continue to."
Deepest Blessings and Namaste,
Stefani
Stefani is currently completing Orthopedic Massage Therapy School (2200HR RMT program) and is scheduled to graduate at the end of May 2013. She is already tying the kinesiology and remedial exercise knowledge that she has gained from this program into the senior yoga therapy curriculum and is enthused to share her knew found knowledge with past and current students alike.
A lifelong student, with a passion for health; Stefani has pursued education in holistic nutrition, vinyasa flow yoga, thai yoga massage and yoga therapy. She holds a Masters degree from Clayton College of Natural Health in Holistic Nutrition and a Holistic Chef certificate from the Raw Gourment Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago. While the creativity of Vinyasa Flow Yoga inspired her to study Vinyasa Flow and Prenatal Yoga with Michelle Cormack of Five Elements Yoga and Pilates; it was her personal experience with yoga related injuries that inspired her to pursue training in Yoga Therapy from an Anusara perspective with Karen Claffey of the Heaven on Earth Yoga Institute. She has continued to pursue therapeutic studies by completing the yoga therapy bridge program with Robin Rothenburg of Essential Yoga Therapy and the level 4 vinyasa thai yoga massage program with Lucille Palancher of Spectrum Yoga. Most recently Stefani completed the Prenatal Thai Yoga Massage Training through the Still Light Centre in Toronto. Stefani is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher at the highest level (500 hours) through Yoga Alliance with over 2,000 hours of teaching experience. She is approved through Yoga Alliance to offer teacher training at both the 200 and 500 hour levels.
Stefani offers her services through her company Mandorla Therapeutics. Specializing in working with physical and emotional pain she offers a therapeutic blend of vinyasa flow and power yoga classes along with group and private Yoga Therapy sessions that incorporate Thai Yoga Massage, Breath Therapy and nutritional guidance. Stefani specializes in women's health issues offering Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Therapy, Yoga for Fertility and Yoga for Postpartum Depression. She has had the privilege and honour to support many of her clients as their doula in the healthy labour and delivery of their babies.
"I developed the Mandorla Yoga Institute because of my love of yoga teacher trainings. There is something about being in the midst of like minded people that lets you drop your guard and be yourself. You go further in your practice. You unravel areas that you didn't even know were tight. You feel a boldness to let go of old habits and embrace new things that terrify you. In a culture that can be at times isolating and busy beyond reason, community, or "sangha", is something that we don't often get to experience. I bring these trainings to you as a gift from my heart in hopes that you will benefit from them as much as I continue to."
Deepest Blessings and Namaste,
Stefani
Sandy Reid (Meera) E-RYT 200, RYT 500, Senior Teacher
Mandorla Yoga was where I found the beginning of the rest of my life. Not only did I begin my journey with Stefani, I met my soul teacher and now respectfully my dearest friend. Mandorla Yoga offers something that surpasses any teacher training I have experienced. It is yoga with intention that comes from a place of kindness, acceptance and unconditional love. Stefani challenges you through the teacher training experience with physical asana, meditation, chanting, sanskrit and lecture, but at the end of each session you leave with more then just a foundation for instructing yoga, you leave with life tools and a new forecast on your life and those who surround you. Stefani is wise beyond her years; talented beyond any expectations I may have had for a teacher, and certainly an educated yogi. Stefani has high expectations of her students because she can see each individuals true potential when people may not see it in themselves. She looks at the world from a place of adoration, and reminds you that you are capable of most anything. Mandorla offers a teacher training that when you are complete you will feel empowered to teach a multi leveled class with the knowing that your newfound wisdom stems not only from research but also from a place of dedication and love for your students. You will lead your classroom with a graceful presence and feel confident to be a leader in your community and in your life.
Now having completed my 500hr advanced teacher training with Mandorla Yoga Institute, I continue to learn from Stefani as she continues to share her beautiful spirit with me. I have gone on to complete my 200hrs with YogaFit and almost done my 500hrs with YogaFit as well. I have a certification in Hot Yoga with Beth Shaw, Seniors yoga, Kids yoga, and completed training relating to yoga for eating disorders and depression. I have most recently studied Sattva Yoga in India with my teacher Anand Mehrotra, a form of yoga that is new to Canada, which I plan on sharing with all my students and any others who want to learn.
Beyond being a yoga practitioner for over 13 years, and beyond any credentials, I continue on my path to transformation. With the intention to devote my love to all living beings, to let go of judgment of myself and of others and to have no expectations of the present or the future while letting go of the past. I will continue to be the student even when I am the teacher and acknowledge all of life’s little lessons with an open heart. I will listen intensely to each of my students and devote my teachings to them while I share my knowledge of yoga through a spiritual journey and sometimes vigorous asana practices, kriyas, meditation, chanting and all that I can deliver. Through my teacher training I have learned to look at life with compassion, teach yoga with a pure heart and live life with a sense of ease and grace. I can’t wait to share my love for teaching with each person wishing to learn yoga. I have been blessed to learn from some of the greatest teachers on earth and I am thankfully aware of my inner guide because of them.
Yoga is a way of life. Watch intensely, listen entirely and you will learn constantly about loving fully.
In Grace,
Sandy (Meera)
Now having completed my 500hr advanced teacher training with Mandorla Yoga Institute, I continue to learn from Stefani as she continues to share her beautiful spirit with me. I have gone on to complete my 200hrs with YogaFit and almost done my 500hrs with YogaFit as well. I have a certification in Hot Yoga with Beth Shaw, Seniors yoga, Kids yoga, and completed training relating to yoga for eating disorders and depression. I have most recently studied Sattva Yoga in India with my teacher Anand Mehrotra, a form of yoga that is new to Canada, which I plan on sharing with all my students and any others who want to learn.
Beyond being a yoga practitioner for over 13 years, and beyond any credentials, I continue on my path to transformation. With the intention to devote my love to all living beings, to let go of judgment of myself and of others and to have no expectations of the present or the future while letting go of the past. I will continue to be the student even when I am the teacher and acknowledge all of life’s little lessons with an open heart. I will listen intensely to each of my students and devote my teachings to them while I share my knowledge of yoga through a spiritual journey and sometimes vigorous asana practices, kriyas, meditation, chanting and all that I can deliver. Through my teacher training I have learned to look at life with compassion, teach yoga with a pure heart and live life with a sense of ease and grace. I can’t wait to share my love for teaching with each person wishing to learn yoga. I have been blessed to learn from some of the greatest teachers on earth and I am thankfully aware of my inner guide because of them.
Yoga is a way of life. Watch intensely, listen entirely and you will learn constantly about loving fully.
In Grace,
Sandy (Meera)
Shai Plonski
Shai first discovered Thai Massage in 1999 while traveling in Thailand. Upon returning to his native Quebec, Shai was delighted to find that Kam Thye Chow, one of the original North American teachers, lived less than two blocks from his home in Montreal. From that point on, Shai worked hand-in-hand with Kam Thye, learning the practice, teaching, acting as manager of Lotus Palm, and eventually developing curriculum and helping to write many of the books currently in use, including the Teacher Training program and advanced training courses.Over the past twelve years Shai has taught at some of the largest yoga centers in the world including the Kripalu Center and Omega Institute. He brings a passionate and patient approach to his teaching, confident that anyone can excel at giving Thai Yoga Massage. He is co-founder of the Still Light Centre based in Toronto Ontario. Learn more at www.stilllightcentre.com.
