Valeriya Darkke

My objective is to provide a gift of a holistic yoga practice that is safe, transformational and fun for people with various physical capacities.

Below is a bit about myself in the question/answer format. 

Preferred yoga teaching styles:

Power, vinyassa, gentle hatha, yin/yang, yin

Please describe yourself:

I am a curious individual, reliable friend and a great dancer (when no one is watching!). I have been told that my innocence, jovial nature and intuition are a few traits that make my personality unique. Travelling is a lifelong commitment that I made to myself in order to expand my horizons, make time for reflection and step out of comfort zone/cyclical pattern.

I am currently a Research Associate with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada working on projects to improve medical education in Canada. My life’s purpose is reduction of harm around me while respecting my own limits.

Please describe your teaching philosophy:

When it comes to my asana teaching style and philosophy, it is continuously evolving as my experiences change and consciousness evolves. I am most familiar with teaching yin/yang, power, flow and yin styles of Hatha yoga. My classes are taught from my heart and by being fully present with the students. In my teaching, I include meditative awareness of postures for a deeper mind relaxation experience. I will throw in a joke sometimes just so students don’t take themselves too seriously. Most importantly, I guide students to incorporate mindfulness into their daily activities.

Describe how you typically structure a yoga class:

Throughout the week I keep my heart open to the theme I would be teaching in my next class. The postures taught in a class would be reflected by the theme but will also depend on the class energy. I would typically begin teaching the class by introducing myself, continuing with centering and setting an intention for the class, some warm up asanas, followed by quick movements to increase the heart rate, following by strengthening postures, balancing, yin, and short final meditation before savasana.

What do you consider to be your main strengths as a Yoga teacher?

My strengths as a yoga teacher is first of all my own commitment to the practice, well-projected soothing voice and ability to be fully present with my students.

What has yoga/meditation brought to your life?

Peace

Do you have a daily practice? Please briefly describe:

My daily practice consists of journaling, discussing my questions with my guru, meditation, and asana practice.

Other Interests

Mindful eating, mindfulness, vegetarian cooking, photography, travelling, psychology of change, evidence-based research.