Meet our Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School Graduates!
Alexandra Zuniga, BA
Coordinator and Student Support at Canmore Counselling Educational Assistant Registered Yoga Teacher Melissa creates such a brave space for her students to show up as they are, learn and grow. ~Alex |
Amélie Dubé, Ph.D.
Registered Psychologist at Canmore Counselling As a trauma-informed counsellor and yoga teacher, I feel honored when people invite me to guide them on their journey to wellbeing, I am passionate about brain development, attachment relationships, and everything else that contributes to the make-up of human beings. Watching my children and others grow, in the beautiful environment of the Bow Valley, brings me joy and trust in the future. The trauma-informed yoga teacher training was a safe space to learn and experience yoga teaching. It went way beyond the yoga postures and it took me on an unexpected journey towards increased spirituality, increased mindfulness, respect, self-compassion and self-awareness. I think it made me a better person, counsellor, and eventually a yoga teacher. Looking forward to meeting you! ~Amelie |
Brittany Williams, M.A.
Trauma Therapist & Owner of Inhale Exhale Counselling & Consultation Services As a therapist working with individuals who have experienced traumatic events, it has become clear to me that there is never a “one-size fits all approach” and that treatment needs to be tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Often when working with trauma survivors, I find that traditional psychotherapy in the form of verbal dialogue isn’t sufficient, which is where body-based approaches such as trauma-informed yoga come into place. I believe that people can recover from trauma, and I am here to help guide individuals in resolving the impact trauma has had on their lives. For more information about me and the services I offer, please feel free to email me at: [email protected] Graduating from the 200-Hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology Teaching Training offered through Canmore Counselling has allowed me to better understand how to treat the complex array of physiological symptoms and somatic complaints that trauma survivors often experience. Moreover, after completing the training, I am now able to integrate yoga into the therapy room, offering my clients an alternative means of learning how to decrease their symptoms and improve their overall health and wellness. ~Brittany |
Danielle Findlay
Pilates & Yoga Teacher, Studio Owner - Danielle Findlay Pilates, Yoga & Wellness As an ex-corporate junkie turned movement enthusiast, I joined the trauma informed yoga teachers training program to enhance my business, the real beauty was in some healing of my own personal trauma and what I learned about myself. The curriculum was outstanding and the sisterhood we created in my group will forever be cherished. It was nothing like I expected and better than I imagined. Dr. Melissa has created a special and unique offering, not only within the yoga community, but in the approach of global understanding through compassion, vulnerability, unity and equality. Just magic. I can’t wait for further teachings by this amazing team of talented and passionate facilitators and teachers, and highly recommend this program to others who want to explore their psyche and delve deeper within themselves through yoga and psychology. ~Danielle [email protected] | 403.988.9510 |
David Jennings, B.A.
Master of Counselling Student Such a welcoming, brave space to deepen your yoga practice and to learn more about yourself! Also, the absolute best teachers and faculty you could ask for! Just say yes! The learnings, connections, self-growth and discovery that you will experience will change your life! This is what you’ve been waiting for so just do it! ~David |
Hayley Molina, R.M.T
Owner, Massage Therapist & Cranio Sacral Therapist at Canmore Holistic Therapies Co-Owner of Banff Yoga Practice Trauma-Informed needs to be the foundation of all yoga practices/YTT’s! This training is a must for all yoga teachers to understand that our language and teachings need to be trauma-informed to heal more purposely/intentionally through yoga. ~Hayley |
Jane Webb, Student
The course curriculum was insightful and informative allowing for full integration and the instructors exceeded all of my expectations. So grateful to Melissa Jay and all her incredible team for creating and sharing this amazing course! What I walked away with was so much more than a yoga certification. The strong connections, beautiful friendships, personal growth and awareness ~ absolutely loved everything about this experience. ~Jane Webb |
Julie Fletcher
RCMP Police Officer Yoga Teacher at Banff Yoga Practice Melissa does a beautiful job of incorporating the eight limbs of yoga seamlessly into the training while maintaining a trauma-informed perspective. ~Julie |
Kalli Frissell, MScPT
Registered Physiotherapist Hello! I'm Kalli -- lover of tiny birds, the outdoors, running, and bad horror films. :) I work as a Physiotherapist with a special interest in helping those with complex and persistent pain. Pain is so much more than the physical. It is an invisible condition that often impacts our relationships, hobbies, mental wellness, nervous system, finances, and identity. As a person who has struggled with persistent pain in the past, I found yoga to be an incredibly powerful practice that helped me to not only manage the physical aspects of my pain, but also get in touch with and attend to the spiritual and emotional aspects. This training has helped me to better help those in pain - and on a separate note, it has taught me how to stay connected to my body, breath, and emotions, and to trust my intuition. If you have questions or would like to connect, I can be reached at [email protected] |
Kristin Spangenberg, MSW
Registed Social Worker at Canmore Counselling Yoga Teacher at Canmore Holistic Therapies For me the 200 Hour Trauma Informed Yoga Psychology teacher training was transformative, empowering, challenging and nurturing all at the same time! I see trauma as the root cause of most of the suffering in our world, and yoga as one path to reclaiming ourselves and our shared humanity on our way to healing together. I'm passionate about helping people reconnect with their needs and core values, to live a life with intention. If you'd like to explore further, I can be reached at [email protected]. ~Kristin |
Lacey Barrett, BSW
Registered Social Worker Family School Enhancement Counsellor This has been such an amazing experience. The incredible self-growth I’ve had has made it worth it and then on top of that the skills, tools, knowledge, and experience for my professional practice has been priceless and more than I’ve ever imagined. I’m so inspired to continue this journey and bring it into all aspects of my life. ~Lacey |
Melissa Thomas
Pharmacist Melissa is a world traveller, mother, wife, girlfriend, pharmacist and yoga teacher all rolled into one being. You can find her dancing and laughing while stuffing her face with gorgeous food and using pranayama to ski her way down Red Mountain in Rossland, BC. Melissa welcomes you to choose your own adventure and play with breathwork, meditation, grounding practices and movement. She would be honoured to guide you through a trauma-informed practice both on and off your mat. Connect with her at [email protected] |
Sara Steil, BSc (Biology)
This was an amazing experience and point of personal growth for me. The attentional to detail, care and nurturing from the instructors as well as the knowledge shared, far exceeded my expectations. Such a warm, welcoming, amazing group of people! I feel like I have learned so much more than a traditional yoga teacher training and his course has far exceeded my expectations. Thank you! ~Sara |
Candace Zwaagstra, BA, RMT
Massage Therapist at Cochrane Sports Physio This teacher training was a gift to me on my journey and brought together such an amazing group of skilled helping professionals with whom I will always feel deep gratitude and connection to. The space Melissa creates is one of profound acceptance and one where incredible growth can take place on so many levels. I initially took this course with no clear intention on where I wanted to go with it, but I came out of it with such a deeper understanding of myself and how I could contribute my own special gifts to the world and how each and every one of us have special gifts to share and it is just a matter of being led to that place within us where they reside. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Melissa and the entire team at Canmore Counselling's Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School! You are amazing!” ~Candace |
Photography by the very talented Suzanne Hampson
We are so grateful for each of you!
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Upcoming 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training... February - May 2020
NEW Location:109-705 10th Street Canmore, AB T1W2A3
We're next to Communitea & Vermelho, on the corner of 10th St. and 6th Ave. |
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Dr. Melissa Jay is an Indigenous, Nehiyaw-Métis member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Canmore Counselling is located Châ Ûpchîchîyen Kudebi (translated from Îyârhe Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”), colonially known as Canmore. The physical location of Canmore Counselling & the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which is considered Treaty 7 land and home of Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III, and the traditional territory of the Îyârhe Nakoda, including the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley First Nations, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations. As an act of reconciliation and commitment to decolonization, we are committed to the TRC's Calls to Action.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. Thank you for being here.
At Canmore Counselling, we are also privileged to be yoga students, practitioners, and guides. Our offerings centre on the root of yoga as Indigenous to South Asia, and we are grateful to learn from and amplify the South Asian practitioners and teachers whenever possible. We are grateful for the eight limbs of yoga, as taught by Patanjali. It is a joy to walk alongside our incredible alumni of the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School as they create opportunities for care, connection & curiosity within their communities.
We believe wholeheartedly that community, social justice, decolonization, anti-oppression, and anti-racism are inherent to trauma-informed care. Thank you for being here.