meet all our
instructors

guides for your yoga journey

Heal Yoga introduces yoga to new students and offers challenging classes to long-time practitioners with the belief that ‘yoga is for every body’. We offer instruction in various yoga styles (including hatha yoga). Our focus is on joints and ligaments, toning muscles and developing the core for a healthy spine. When you practice yoga with us, you can feel confident that we live by the following values:

  • Heal Yoga is a welcoming and inclusive community.  We welcome everyone interested in learning, sharing, and growing in their yoga practice.  Further, we’re committed to building an inclusive and respectful studio environment.
  • Heal Yoga is authentic, empathetic, and present.  We believe in clear, honest communication.  This creates healthy boundaries, a safe space, and a place for healing and growth.  We give room for people to be vulnerable, too.  That means practicing presence and not perfection.

co-owner & operator

After dabbling in yoga for years, Holly started practicing at Heal Yoga in 2021 as a way to build resiliency and find balance. Inspired by the studio’s community and curious to deepen her practice, Holly completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2023. She is now a co-owner and operator of Heal Yoga, where she shares her passion for movement, mindfulness, and functional strength.
 
Holly holds a Master of Education degree through UNBC and has a background in education and healthcare. She is certified through the Canadian Fitness Education Service (CFES) as a weight training and group fitness instructor.

MaKailey’s yoga journey began in 2013 but it was the events of 2020 that caused her to draw on yoga as a consistent source of grounding and healing.  In 2023, she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in beautiful Bali, Indonesia and is honoured to share this life-changing practice with others.

Originally from Atlantic Canada, MaKailey is of mixed Gaelic, English and Mi’kmaq ancestry. Yoga is one of many doorways she uses to commune with Spirit. With a background in youth mental health services, she brings an empathetic and supportive approach to her teaching. Variety is the spice of life, thus you’ll find MaKailey teaching both strong energizing flow classes and deeply meditative restorative practices. Students can expect an inviting atmosphere to explore movement and rest in ways that feel most authentic to them.

Britta’s yoga journey began in childhood after seeing her mother transform her life with yoga in an effort to beat cancer. As a result, she developed a passion for connecting others with wellness. Today, Britta is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Mat Pilates Instructor. She continues to deepen her understanding with training in philosophy, anatomy, and physiology.

Britta recognizes every student has unique experiences that bring them to their mat. Students who attend her classes will benefit from learning to find greater freedom in their bodies and their minds. She’s honoured to share this practice with our local community.

Dr Russell teaches hatha yoga

Dr. Virginia Russell (PhD, E-RYT, YACEP) has been a devoted practitioner of yoga for more than twenty years. While living in South Africa, she completed her hatha yoga teacher training at Jivananda Yoga Shala. She is the founder of Heal Yoga and an associate professor in Health Sciences.

Ishvari found yoga during her university studies in philosophy and eastern religions.  Realizing that the practice brought her more fulfillment than theory, she went to India to fully immerse herself. For the past 10 years, Ishvari has taught yoga and continued her studies in yoga, meditation, trauma-informed care, TCM, communication and somatic healing. She is part of Anuttara Ashram’s YTT faculty.

Ishvari creates space for deep relaxation, explorative movement and emotional processing. She values sustainability over perfection, and prioritizes nervous system regulation in her classes. Her name means “the personal relationship we have with spirit.” Through her classes, Ishvari hopes to strengthen and nourish your own connection with spirit.

Shannon has been a part time yogi for 20 years, and wants to share the quiet inner support yoga can offer. In 2012, she completed yoga teacher training with the dedicated team at Shanti Yoga in Nelson. In 2016, she completed additional training at the Shamanic Yoga Institute in Squamish.
 
Yoga never fails to bring her a sense of belonging, mindfulness, and support. Shannon aims to share that in her classes. She looks forward to welcoming the community to gather, practice, breathe and heal together.

Kerry began her yoga journey nearly 15 years ago and has been practicing yoga and meditation ever since. She completed her 200-hour YRR in Iyengar at the Alberta Yoga College in 2017, and a 10-day Vipassana sit at Dhamma Surabi in 2024.  Her work in community mental health weaves together visual art (BDes), decolonial studies (MLA), and counselling psychology (MACP, in progress), all grounded in trauma-informed care.  Fourteen seasons on forestry cutblocks as a treeplanter remain at the heart of Kerry’s meditative practice.

Kerry aims to bring compassion, somatic awareness, and a restorative slowness to her classes.  A settler of Celtic and Dutch ancestry, she draws on the warmest and wisest parts of her lineage in all that she does.  Ask her about acro yoga!

Bella first discovered yoga during her university years, returning to it through different seasons of life – especially in challenging times. What began as a focus on movement grew into a deeper appreciation for the philosophy behind the practice, which continues to inspire her both on and off the mat. She completed her 200-hour Vinyasa and Yin training with Moksha Yoga Amazonica in Peru in May 2025.

In her classes, Bella draws inspiration from nature and the way the body can flow, warm up, and come alive. She focuses on helping students find stability in correct posture, connect with their breath, and tune in to how their bodies feel. Her practice is inclusive for all, blending mindful movement, breath, and the benefits of a workout to create space for connection, balance, and ease.

Kim has been practicing and teaching breath-based movement for over 20 years. Rooted in Mysore-style Ashtanga, she became a certified teacher in 2008 and has since taught yoga and meditation in studio and community settings. She holds her 200-hour YTT with additional pre/postnatal training and continues to study trauma-informed practice.

Kim’s teaching is shaped by decades of movement, including strength training, endurance running, and motherhood. She guides students through breath-led movement and intelligent alignment, creating space for authentic embodiment. Students can expect a thoughtful, playful practice that cultivates ease, resilience, and joy in everyday life.

Terri has spent over 20 years in the fitness industry, leading group fitness classes and helping clients build strength, confidence, and consistency. Her background in both education and fitness drew her naturally to yoga, where she found a practice that blends movement with mindfulness. She joined the Heal Yoga team to share that connection with others.

Terri brings a supportive, approachable style to every class, making all levels feel welcome. Her sessions focus on functional strength and endurance, helping students find balance that supports both their fitness goals and daily life. Outside the studio, she stays active through sports, yoga, and the outdoors.

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praise for our instructors

Holly's functional strength classes are great! They create a welcoming, energetic atmosphere and keep every session challenging and fun.
Danielle
Danielle
The perfect start to my morning! Just enough movement to get the blood flowing! Thanks Dom!
Lindsay
Lindsay
Amazing class! I love that I can show up as I am and adjust the difficulty to my challenge level that day.
Madeleine
Madeleine
Great stretch and workout! Easy to follow and the instructor was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Caitlin
Caitlin
Britta teaches a fantastic combo class ! This is easily my new favourite class and always makes me excited for Saturday morning !
Kasey
Kasey
This class allows me to experiment with maintaining mindfulness while working up to my edge and challenging my body. Love it!
Jade
Jade