Roxana Mares

 Breathing exercises, katas, inner power exercises, all taught her to harvest the life energy (qi, prana, etc.).  This resonated with Roxy from such an early age that she continued her martial arts practice throughout the years. Martial arts incorporates many of the principles found in yoga: breathing, meditation, present moment awareness, personal growth - life strategies.  During this time, Roxy completed a Bachelor of Science degree at University of Toronto specializing in Human Anatomy and Physiology, followed by a two year dental hygiene program. In parallel, she also became a certified fitness instructor specialist working in various fitness centers in Ontario and Quebec, teaching kickboxing, cardio, and strength training group fitness classes. Roxana found her career in dentistry very interesting, but also very physically demanding. And thus she found yoga! Having practiced yoga for the past eight years, Roxy has reaped many of the amazing benefits this traditional discipline has to offer. Aside from the instant neck, shoulder and back pain relief, yoga also helps create core and back strength, restores flexibility and fluidity in the joints, massages internal organs, to just name a few. These are just physical consequences of the practice, the real life-altering results present themselves on a much deeper level: increased awareness in daily life, reduced stress, improved communication with those around you, an ease that envelops your whole being... renewed, relaxed, re-energized. Roxana studied yoga with the very experienced and authentic yoga teacher Shakti Mhi at Prana Yoga Teacher College in Vancouver, Canada.  She completed a 200 Hr program followed by a 300 Hr program, all completed with distinction and highest recommendations from Shakti Mhi.  Roxana was then invited to stay on and teach yoga classes at Prana Yoga Teacher College.  A few years later, Roxana began teaching workshops to other yoga teachers, organizing and teaching training programs in Kids Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Roxana is currently studying Ayurveda at the DSBM and is very passionate about a holistic approach to working with the body, mind and spirit.