Maureen Rae, RN, E-RYT200, YACEP

Maureen is a Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance, and also holds the title of Continual Educational Provider (YACEP). She began her yoga journey at the age of 13, when first introduced to ‘stretching’ as part of her school physical fitness program. The key fit the lock...the door opened..and the rest is history! Maureen graduated from Humber College as a Registered Nurse in 1975 – a life-long dream – and worked for many years at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto General Hospital, and the Addiction Research Foundation (now known as CAMH).. Her involvement in the fitness industry began in 1985, and she is among the first Canadian instructors to help bridge the gap between yoga and fitness.

Maureen is a well-known international presenter who has spoken annually at Canada’s premier CanFit-Pro Conference since its inception. She was awarded CanFit-Pro’s prestigious Presenter of the Year Award in 2010.

Maureen’s main yoga teacher is Erich Schiffmann of Santa Monica, California. Additionally, Angela Farmer (Greece) and T.K.V. and Kausthaub Desikachar – both of India – have been instrumental in broadening the scope of her yoga studies. Her teaching style is Vinyasa Flow Yoga – strong, precise and technical – flavoured with feeling, and punctuated with rest and reflection.

The studio, which opened in 2002, was a centre for Yoga Teacher Training. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical studio was closed in 2020. Prior to that time, Maureen traveled widely to share yoga with aspiring yoga teachers. In her spare time she enjoys cooking for her family, gardening, studying yoga, teaching at resorts in the Caribbean, and especially – just being quiet.

Cristina Dalimonte

Tracy Pearce

Since she was a kid, Tracy has always had a passion for health and wellness. She started teaching group exercise  in addition to her “day job” back in the Jane Fonda days. After retiring from the corporate world in 2014, Tracy added to her CAN FIT PRO group exercise certification Mo’s Yoga Teacher Training Certification in 2015 and a Body Harmonics Pilates Mat Work certification in 2016. In her free time Tracy likes to spend time in the garden, and tries to keep up with two book clubs.

Christine Ling, RYT 500, E-RYT200, YACEP

Christine first practiced yoga in the 70's and found her way back to the practice when she left a stressful career in finance and budgeting to raise her son in 1997. Recognizing the many positive benefits of yoga in her own life Christine believes that yoga is truly a gift worth sharing and has been teaching since 2002. Christine teaches classes here at the studio and in the local corporate office of lawyers.  Over the last few years, Christine has also taken on teaching the 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Programs.

Laura Pontieri, RYT 200

Laura began her yoga adventure in high school, although she didn’t know she was practicing yoga at the time!

Only at her first yoga class did she realize how much the stretching exercises and relaxation techniques she was so familiar with had in common with yoga practices. Soon she began following the yoga path and has never looked back. 

A few years ago, while pursuing her academic carrier, she started to think about how to combine her experience and passion for teaching with her fascination with yoga. A two-year-long yoga teacher training with Maureen Rae and several workshops with internationally renowned masters (Rod Stryker, Rodnee Yee, Seane Corn, Mark Stephens, etc.) led the way. This training allowed her to become a registered yoga instructor but, most importantly, opened up a world in which yoga was not only a series of asanas or meditation practices but also a way of living. 

Laura has been teaching yoga for years and still looks forward to every single class. She loves getting to know her students and being there to help each one of them. 

Rachel Morandin, FTYT

Rachel has always been involved with movement whether it be yoga or dance. She went to school at Etobicoke School of the Arts studying dance but ultimately found yoga in university and has never looked back. Coming to Maureen Rae's Yoga Studio, Rachel has strengthened her knowledge and movement vocabulary. Rachel completed Maureen's Fast Track Basic Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program. She continues to study under the wisdom of Maureen's teachings and is thrilled when she can give back to the students what was so freely given to her: the passion for yoga and the need to move. Rachel has always been fascinated with movement in the body and its benefits overall in life. She looks forward to continuing on the healing and spiritual journey she has paved in yoga and learning more about herself and her students through her teaching.

Mary DiRenzo, RYT 200

Mary has been practicing yoga for over 30 years. She has always found it to be the best way to recenter, regroup and recharge in our busy hurried lives. With this love of yogic movement and meditation, she felt she wanted to share it with others. In 2013 she completed her 250 hour yoga teacher training program at Maureen Rae’s Yoga Studio. Since then she continued her learning with various workshops at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health, as well as, with international masters Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman and Sadhguru of India. Mary aims to create a calming and healing space in her classes where students can connect with their best selves.

Wendy Brennan, RYT 200

Wendy has practiced yoga for nearly 20 years and has been a yoga instructor since 2012. Highlights of her yoga practice include completing her 200 hours of RYT training with  Heather Greaves of Hamilton Ontario, yoga retreats in the Kootenays and Bali with Karuna and Paul Erickson, and ongoing workshops with Maureen Rae including the Yoga for Older Bodies and Minds Workshop, Yoga for Cancer Workshop, Free Your Mind with Meditation Specialty Certification and Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga Practitioners.  She loves to blend poetry, meditation, reflection and poses together to help participants experience deep relaxation and new insights that they can take with them off the mat and into the world.

Cristina Dalimonte, FTYT

With over twenty years of experience as a fitness/ yoga instructor and personal trainer, I have taught a wide variety of fitness classes for participants of all ages and abilities. I love the energy that is shared in group exercise classes, and I strive to make my classes fun, inclusive and engaging for all participants regardless of fitness level.

FitChicks class is a combination of BARRE, cardio, strength and little bit of yoga. The class changes every week to target a different group of muscles, and will leave you feeling sweaty and energized. I look forward to seeing you there!

Janette Malcolm, FIS, PTS

I love to teach gentle yoga, PIL/yoga (Yoga and Pilates), 20/20/20 (low impact cardio/muscle toning/stretch), and muscle conditioning with bands/ paper plates/exercise ball/ light hand weights.

My passion for fitness and wellness speaks for itself, having been in this ever evolving industry since 1982. I love teaching Gentle Yoga, Pilates, Low Impact Cardio and Muscle Toning. Because of my fun, bubbly personality, don't be surprised if there are a few giggles in class. Yes, even Yoga sometimes! I aim to give my participants a judgement-free space. I cant wait for you to join me!