Mindful Moments: Meditation & Yoga

Abby is a grad student in the East Asian Studies department at U of T. She is enthusiastic about practicing and teaching yoga. Throughout her studies as a fashion designer (BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design), followed by her time as a womenswear designer for UNIQLO in New York City, Abby has been exploring a diverse combination of yoga styles and practices. Though she started her yoga pursuit in 2016 as a Hatha-style certified teacher, Abby enjoys teaching a variety of styles but most specifically a relaxed vinyasa yoga flow.

Catherine obtained her 200 hour basic Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) from Downward Dog Yoga Centre as well as her 300 hour advanced YTT from Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre. She is excited to be a student again as she begins graduate studies in Expressive Arts Therapy this year. She is grateful to her teachers Pat Harada Linfoot, Darcie Ladd, Jen Helland and Scotty Mac for generously sharing their knowledge and wise guidance. Her interests include being a dog and cat mom, nature, spirituality, travel, acting, improv, live music and writing!

Jenna is a current Master of Arts student in the University's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She has worked for the last three years as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and holds her 200-hr YTT certification. Her approach to yoga has always focused on mobility and a mind-body connection and her goal is to make her classes accessible and engaging to yogis of any ability. She has experience teaching professional athletes, kindergarteners and everyone in between! She would be excited and honoured to see you in one (or many) of her classes.

Keke Shadane is a multidisciplinary performing artist, movement/yoga instructor and community leader. She began her movement practice as a classically trained ballerina. After dealing with a traumatic injury in her late teens, Keke fell in love with the magic of yoga and sustainable approaches towards movement and mindfulness. She infuses her love of poetry and dance into her teachings by inviting in childlike explorations and encourages participants to explore what movement can feel like when we tune into what our bodies truly need, instead of contorting to fit in.

Lauren is the Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga Program Coordinator for the Division of Student Life. She was introduced to mindfulness as a teen athlete and has practised yoga for over 20 years. Her recently completed PhD research is a call to leverage formal education, such as credit bearing university courses, as a preventative measure in the fight for student mental health and wellbeing. Through her research she identified that undergraduates learn about wellbeing through experiential learning, contemplation and critical thinking.

Melissa is an experienced yoga teacher & therapist and Buteyko Breathing Educator. She has completed Foundations of Applied Mindfulness Meditation at U of T’s School of Continuing Studies. She encourages you to personalize yoga and meditation and bring their teachings into daily life. Melissa's classes involve a reflection topic/intention, gentle yoga practice, relaxation, breathing practice and seated/lying down mindfulness meditation. All of her classes are beginner friendly with modifications available.

Niamh is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Forestry and Conservation at U of T. She has had a meditation practice for over a decade and was certified to teach yoga in 2017. She has trained in various meditation techniques, including the Vipassana tradition in Nepal in 2014 and through her training with Pat Harada Linfoot in Toronto. She has also taken Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Based Compassion courses since. She joined the MindFit program at U of T in 2019. Niamh views her personal yoga practice as an opportunity for physical and spiritual inquiry.

Smriti Sundar is a U of T alum, designer and yoga instructor. Raised in India with yoga as a constant in her life, she rediscovered its significance as an adult, realizing the transformative impact of a wellness and mindfulness routine. Intrigued by its workings, she pursued her 200 and 300-hour teacher training in Bangalore and Mysore, India. Her classes focus on discovering grounding and self-awareness through conscious stillness, controlled movement and synchronized breath.