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!

Chloe is a second-year MSc student at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Chloe is specializing in sports psychology, and her research focuses on mental health and self-esteem. Chloe completed her training through the U of T MindFIT program. She is a Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness Program Assistant for the Multi-Faith Centre, where she assists with MindFIT and other Mindful Moments programs.

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 Meditation, Mindfulness & Yoga Program Coordinator for Student Life and is pursuing a PhD in Curriculum & Pedagogy at OISE, where she is studying student wellbeing and mental health at U of T. She was introduced to mindfulness to manage performance anxiety as a teen athlete and has practiced yoga for over 20 years. Lauren has taught yoga and mindfulness in healthcare, public schools, with elite athletes, executives and in higher education. She holds a BEd and MEd in Adult Education, an Applied Mindfulness Meditation Certificate and is a registered yoga instructor.

Melina, RP(Q), began meditation and Dharma practice in 2003 in both Plum Village and Vipassana traditions, eventually taking monastic vows under the Vietnamese Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh in 2012. After six years in the monastery and three more as a wandering mendicant, Melina returned to lay life in 2021. They now offer somatic psychotherapy through Mindfulness for Life Therapy and teach meditation and Dharma classes oriented toward social justice and creativity. Melina completed the True North Insight Community Meditation Leader Mentorship program in 2022.

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.

Song, a dedicated mindfulness practitioner, holds MEd degrees in Developmental Psychology and Education from OISE. Since 2010, Song has delved into Eastern Zen culture, traditional Samatha-Vipassana, and Western mindfulness practices. With a focus on well-being and personal growth, he has explored psychology, psychotherapy, and mindfulness applications, completing the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course and training in the University of Toronto's MindFIT and Applied Specialization in Mindfulness Meditation programs.

Dr. Banerjee is a family doctor who has been meditating for many years. She has focused on mindfulness in healthcare for the last several years due to the growing research on its potential impact on stress management, mental health, pain and many other conditions. Her sessions are a great way to practice as a community whether you are a beginner or a seasoned meditator. Each session involves a short introduction, meditation and a short closing discussion addressing any questions, concerns, and/or sharing of experiences.

Veronika is an alumna of the University of Toronto and a registered yoga teacher whose classes focus on syncing breath with movement, alignment and mindfulness, with an emphasis on safe sequencing. She completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at PranaShanti Yoga Centre in Ottawa, and her 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre in Toronto. Veronika seeks to pursue work that aligns with her values and currently works as a full-time Policy Analyst in intergovernmental affairs at Environment and Climate Change Canada.