Chris is a movement educator. Curiosity is what brought Chris into his first yoga class. That curiosity marked the beginning of an ongoing journey and passion for the practice of yoga and a profound desire to deepen that relationship.
Chris is currently studying the Ashtanga Yoga method. With persistence, mindfulness and dedication, one’s yoga practice can only strengthen and grow deeper. In 2015, Chris embarked on two separate trip to Mysore, India to study with R.Sharath Jois and Saraswathi Rangaswamy at KPJAYI (Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute), the source of Ashtanga yoga. In 2018, Chris completed his fourth trip studying at the Shala with Paramaguru Sharath Jois. Chris is a certified Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist (FRCms) under Dr. Andreo Spina and continues to work with Head FRC & Kinstretch Master Instructor, Dana John Heimbecker. In 2018, Chris completed the Kinstretch Instructor training in the Functional Range Systems under Dewey Neilson and is currently completing the certification. He is also studying the art of hand balancing under renown circus performer and coach, Nicolas Montes de Oca and hand balance legend, Yury Bozyan. Chris is also a second-degree Reiki practitioner.
In 2017, Chris began his studies in contemporary Pilates with esteemed Pilates educator; Leslie Parker of Mindful Movement Centre and completed the Yoga Tune Up Level 1 Teacher Training created by Jill Miller. To Chris, yoga is not something to “excel” at but rather about cultivating contentment, compassion, mindfulness, self acceptance and bringing awareness into the body. Yoga has transformed his life on and off the mat. As a teacher, he aspires to help others find a santosha (contentment) and a deeper connection to themselves.
Julia Bonifacio
Julia has been dancing almost her whole life, and fell in love with ballet at a very young age. She successfully achieved her Solo Seal Award, the highest examination in the Royal Academy of Dance. Julia has spent summers training across Canada at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, and Rhythm and Grace Productions. She was also a part of the Canadian National Ballet’s Nutcracker. Julia loves the barre workout because she is able to incorporate her knowledge of ballet into fun and upbeat exercises. We love having her be a part of the barre life team.
Patricia de Vries
Patricia (Pat) worked in Marketing Management for over 20 years before embracing her second career in dance-based fitness. She became a certified Group Fitness Instructor with the American Council on Exercise in 2001 while living in New York. She has been teaching for over 15 years, including Cardio Dance, Zumba, Yoga and Barre. Her most recent passion is Essentrics, which combines flexibility and strength to lengthen and rebalance the body. She is delighted to expand this program at Barre Life and hopes to inspire people of all ages and fitness levels.
Lauren MacDonald
Lauren Rosemarie MacDonald is a Yoga Instructor, Barre Instructor, Holistic Nutritionist & Wellness Entrepreneur from Burlington. Lauren danced competitively through her younger years then carried her love for movement into yoga, barre & weight lifting which she enjoys daily. Lauren loves foods that nourish, music that moves you, experiences with adventure, lifting & loving others. We are so happy to have her as part of our family and we know that you will too!
Joanna Kasprzyk has an Architectural background with which she has pursued a career in the Nuclear Industry for about 10 years. Her move to Dubai 18 years ago helped her discover Pilates, which she fell in love with straight away. She adapted her Pilates experience into every day activities. Seeing how it transformed her posture, balance, mobility and strength, she was inspired to pursue it further. Joanna is a certified Pilates Mat & Reformer Instructor with Balanced Body, as well as certified Prenatal/Postnatal Instructor with the Center for Woman’s Wellness. Also, certified Booty Barre and Barreless Instructor with Tracey Mallett, as well as certified Injuries and Corrective Exercise Instructor with Body Hack. She recently became certified in The Pilates Suspension Method with Pilates 949’s Rebecca Beckler. We are very excited to have her join our family!