Dana Wemyss

I am a passionate, dedicated and responsible teacher, interested in giving the most I can to each person I encounter.  I believe in teaching Yoga from a place of love, compassion and gentle discipline.  I wish to offer a safe space for each individual to explore and connect with their bodies, their breath and their spirit. With an honors degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa and a certificate in Holistic Nutrition, and my yoga teaching certificate for 200 hours, I am an advocate for well-rounded health – body, mind and spirit.

I have been teaching yoga at a variety of places including the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, The Irdeto Corporate Center, the OAC and at the Vanda Hadarean Studio. I have also been volunteering throughout the community teaching yoga with the Christie Lake Kids, the Freeing the Human Spirit Foundation and volunteering during Healing Week at the Blue Deer Center.  I have also worked in Mozambique with UNICEF.  My work there was focused on Monitoring and Evaluating a newly implemented Physical Education and Sports program. This project lasted seven months. Prior to that I taught English in South Korea to children ages 8-16.

I have been involved in teaching and physical activity for most of my life.  I began as a competitive gymnast, training up to 25 hours per week, competing both in Canada and in the United States.  I went on to coach gymnastics to many different ages ranging from 18 month old children to adults.  I was a competitive gymnastics coach for 7 years.  After this, I competed in fitness, finishing as runner up in Canada, and then competing in Miss Fitness World.  I also taught fitness to young women, ages 9-15, focusing on educating the girls on what a healthy body image is through physical activity and wholesome, natural foods.  I have also worked as a personal trainer, helping clients to achieve their fitness and nutrition goals.  

Yoga has brought balance and purpose to my life.  It has taught me to practice being present in each moment, to act from a place of love and compassion and it has helped me begin to explore my spirituality.  I would like nothing more than to be able to inspire and help others find what they are looking for through Yoga.