Katherine Ryan

KATHERINE IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED YOGA INSTRUCTOR WITH EXPERIENCE TEACHING A VARIETY OF FOLKS AND BACKGROUNDS.

SHE IS YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED WITH ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS IN BUTI YOGA, MINDFUL YOGA FOR CANCER, AND YOGA FOR PTSD, AS WELL AS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

I was lucky enough to be introduced to yoga at an early age by my parents, however it wasn't until my years of biological studies at the University of Victoria, B.C. that I truly discovered its powerful influence on mind, body, and overall well-being. In 2015, I decided to deepen my practice by spending an immersive month in Maui, Hawaii studying and practicing under the watchful eyes of senior teachers at Maui Yoga Shala in Paia. It was here where I completed my RYT-200 and truly started my personal journey with yoga.  
I am also one of the few teachers in the city of Calgary offering Buti Yoga® - a non-traditional practice which combines power yoga, primal movement, plyometrics, and deep core engagement to invigorate the body. This practice encourages the release of emotional trauma, the restoration and function of the energetic body, and the activation of shakti energy. It also creates healthy self-confidence and powerful connections between practitioners.

The completion of the YogaFit course on “Yoga for Warriors (PTSD)” gave me the tools to lead a trauma-sensitive, safe class for those of us with painful pasts. These tools are woven into each class I teach to ensure an added measure of comfort and self-determination for all. For this reason, I usually do not perform physical adjustments where I touch my students’ body, unless I know the student well and have asked permission. I believe it is actually more helpful for the student to explore adjustments for themselves, with the guidance of their instructor. For example, noticing how the asana changes when they pull navel to spine, drop the shoulders, flex the feet, etc. Inevitably, this is a personal practice with an overarching goal of mindfulness and peace of mind - guiding students to “adjust” themselves is a great way to work towards that goal without causing unnecessary trauma or discomfort.
Most recently, I was very lucky to have successfully completed Duke University's prestigious "Mindful Yoga for Cancer" program*, a professional training program based on clinical trials of the Yoga of Awareness intervention conducted with cancer patients at Duke University, where I learned how to safely and effectively teach yoga to people with cancer, and how to tailor asana and pranayama to specific symptoms.

Please see my website for testimonials from students