The Hudson Yoga Team

Marcene von Ravenhurst

Studio Director

Sophie Turcotte

I began exploring my yoga journey in 2009. At the time I was teaching fitness classes but found my health and well being were unbalanced and I was looking for something more. It was during my very first class that I fell in love with the discipline of the practice and I knew then I wanted to become a teacher - in 2013 I was certified through Bikram Yoga College of India. My personal growth and development, physically and psychologically, inspire me to share my love for the yoga. Learning to simply breathe has returned focus and balance back into my life. In this practice movement through every part of your body, inside and out, leaves you feeling healthy and accomplished. I believe yoga is a relationship built between the body, the mind and breath. My desired outcome is to support yogis to kick-off their journey through cultivating confidence, clarity and fascination. I want to create a space for my students to leave feeling strong, more flexible and more empowered on all levels. Yoga is freedom. See you on the mat!

Eddie Solidon

I started a regular yoga practice while studying to become a high school PE teacher. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with it. Coming from an athletics background I was used to pushing my physical limits with the help of a coach. Having a teacher guide me in my practice filled the void perfectly when I stopped running. I was still able to feel like I was being challenged physically but it didn't take long for me to realize what was happening mentally. I didn't have to think but at the same time I could totally tune in. People thought I smiled a lot before the yoga, now I can't stop. This journey I've been on has truly taught me about patience, determination, concentration, self-control and faith. You really learn to experience each and every moment. There's nothing that we can't achieve inside or outside the hot room and it was being in there that allowed me to see things that way. I hope to see you at the studio and we can sweat it out together.

Rhiannon Reid

My first ever hot yoga class was a surprise. I was a dedicated karate practitioner; one day our head instructor walked into the studio, turned up the heat and took off most of his clothes. Turned out he had just become a certified Bikram method teacher and we were to be introduced to his new love and passion: "hot yoga". It was love at first savasana. The combination of class discipline and mechanically-oriented instruction provided the structure and challenge I so enjoyed about martial arts. Add to that the bone-penetrating heat, and I was hooked. In 2010 I took my Bikram method teacher training. Throughout the first years of teaching I spread myself across multiple studios. Every studio creates its own distinct community and I had the good fortune of experiencing many. It was the impending birth of my little girl that made clear the need for stability and family. I am blessed to call the Hudson my home and this community my family. Much like life, how I teach and practice is ever evolving. I draw inspiration from the yoga community as a whole and aspire to diversify my training. I wish for all a fruitful journey to health and happiness.

Leila Jones

My favourite thing about yoga is the community. There are so many inspiring people I get to learn from every day, including my students. I have been teaching Bikram Yoga since November 2011 after attending teacher training with Lisette during Fall 2011. I specialize in Yoga Therapy and Aromatherapy. I love learning about other styles of yoga and broadening my knowledge on holistic nutrition.

Lisette Shortt

I first became fascinated with yoga in 2003, began practicing hot yoga in 2008, and completed Bikrams Teacher Training in 2011. Growing up, I struggled with severe asthma, weight and general lack of confidence. We all have our challenges! My yoga journey has helped me work through years of accumulated tension, correct my breathing habits, heal old injuries and gain strength and flexibility. I have learned to love my reflection in the mirror, respect my efforts, and trust myself and my body. The transformation has felt like a weight lifted form my shoulders, and I want nothing more than to help lift others up as well! At Hudson Yoga I've found a supportive community of friends and colleagues who love to learn, laugh, explore and grow together. I am so grateful to have found this lifelong yoga practice and inspiring friends to share it with.

Tony Lum

I started the hot yoga about 11 years ago. After the first week, I knew the yoga was for me. After practicing for about a year, I noticed I had more energy and mental clarity. I decided to go to Yoga Teacher Training in the fall of 2004. I love inspiring students to practice yoga.

Nat Toby

I have been involved in the yoga community for about seven years. One of my favourite things about yoga is getting in touch with my higher self. It allows me to teach and practise in alignment with my purest intentions. Everyday I am inspired by my students and teachers and through them, I realize my potential and am reminded of my purpose on Earth. Teaching and practicing yoga has brought me to a place in which I have found clarity within myself. When I teach, I try to incorporate some of the skills I have acquired from reiki, yoga, and the quantum healing hypnosis therapy course by Dolores Cannon. "We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." - Anaïs Nin

Maria Filippone

I love roses, being barefoot, the ocean, and fresh cotton sheets. I was born to the joy of movement and have been blessed to work and study with some of the finest teachers in the world. Committed to being impeccable with my word, my cues are precise and clear - making the class accessible as well as challenging. Vinyasa informed by the study of Bikram, Pilates, and Thai Massage - I blend music, movement, breath and Sanskrit chanting to carry the mind and body into alignment. Deeply connected with my students, I offer hands on adjustments that help lend the courage it takes to access grace, ease and the untapped power within. Together we grow curious about the ancient and authentic practice of yoga.

Isolde Verbrugge

My passions? Art. Nature. Music. Health. My background? Education. Hospitality. Customer service. My fitness activities have included team sports, weightlifting, horseback riding, and skiing. I began practicing Bikram Yoga in 2007 for therapeutic reasons and experienced immediate physical and mental benefit. The power of this yoga amazed me. My journey continued with profound changes in 2012 when I became a Bikram teacher. I had to share this practice with others: it was transforming! I offer clear, compassionate, encouraging instruction, which emphasizes student focus to build concentration and determination. As I see students’ mind-body connections form through disciplined practice, I am inspired by their efforts. As they work towards holistic well-being and self-realization, my students radiate positive energy, and bring me joy. Let’s practice together. See you soon in the hot room!

Danielle Chevalier

The first time I stepped into a yoga studio was in 2008, but my yoga journey really began when I walked into Hudson Yoga in April 2013. Before my first class, I sat beside one of the regular practitioners in the lobby - and she took me under her wing. I fell in love with every part of the yoga, the studio and especially the community right then and there. Since October 2013 I have been honoured to be part of this Hudson Yoga Life. I love that I get to wear bright clothing, spend time with great people and learn about yoga every day. All I was searching for was me, and I found her at Hudson Yoga - what are you searching for? Come on in and find it.

Amy Cox

Like most people, my first Bikram class was a hazy, sweaty blur with a lot of unintentional staggering. Over the 8 years I’ve been practicing, the Bikram series has introduced (and re-introduced) me to my own body and mind, in a very tough-love sort of way. The Bikram method is meant to be challenging. As you move through the asanas, you are given the opportunity to witness your internal dialogue, to see how deeply that dialogue colours your experience, and structures the opportunities you imagine for yourself and your life. We are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. And yes, yoga can change your life. I have seen it so many times, in so many ways. It will find your weak spots and point them out to you, sometimes glaringly in the mirror. And as you continue to come back, and try the right way, it will give you exactly what you need - whether it be strength, flexibility, faith, self-control, concentration, determination and/or patience.

Izzy Shafey

As a person who has always been interested in honing the body, meeting the full potential of the mind and connecting with spirit it was a matter of time before I discovered Yoga, the great harmonizer of these three cores. Although I am not a Yoga teacher currently, I have maintained a regular daily practice of one form of Yoga or another. Yoga has been absolutely critical in sustaining myself in my other passion as a Zenthai Shiatsu therapist, a unique movement based form of therapy that requires a considerable degree of physical dexterity and mindfulness on behalf of the practitioner. Graduating from York University in marketing and admin studies and working in sales and promotions for many years, it feels great to utilize past education and experience to bring to Hudson Yoga an evolving framework that will continuously create new and exciting experiences for our community of guests.

Jan Wilson

I took my first Bikram Yoga class while I was playing competitive sport to assist in healing from major injury. I quickly fell in love with the yoga, and have never looked back since! I have been very fortunate and am grateful to have had the opportunity to study and teach both Bikram Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, and attend further trainings in Vinyasa Maya Yoga and meditation. I work as an Occupational Therapist and greatly enjoy teaching Yoga Anatomy to yoga teacher trainees – I continue to be humbled and mesmerized by the gift of the human body, and how the art and science of yoga can heal and transform. In my classes, I love to share bits of anatomy, philosophy, and poetry. Precision and alignment with breath, a natural evolution from the gross to the subtle.... A true and authentic connection with the Self. Yoga is a “self-reliant healing system” – the practice of yoga is “natural human education” (education – from “Educere” – To draw forth from within). I am amazed at how through moving mindfully, with breath and intention, we begin to “re-create” ourselves, as Bikram would say... “From the inside-out, from the bones to the skin”

Lisa Choptiany

My personal health and fitness endeavors have always leaned towards group-classes: aerobics, water-fit, yoga, belly-dance and pilates. The self-guided gym work-out could never hold my motivation; I'd usually abandon it three months in. After my first Bikram's Yoga class in 2007, I couldn't get enough. Within a year, I found myself on a stage in Acapulco, with Bikram himself handing me a certificate to instruct it. I first discovered yoga as a means of increasing physical health, but found it so healing in many other facets of my life. Now it is also a secondary career. As a Registered Massage Therapist I am always encouraging my patients to increase their healing themselves, through movement and exercise.

Meagan Welch

Nothing inspires me more than to inspire, and to help others see what every moment in this life has to offer. A dedicated yoga practice has allowed me to live a fuller life than I ever imagined. Sharing this with others has been one of the best experiences and exchanges in my life. I teach various styles of yoga but the theme in which I teach is consistent. We move from the heart, focus on breath and alignment, and unite the mind, body and soul in a sometimes challenging but always playful practice. Being in and around the Victoria yoga community allows me to feel truly at “home”. I stepped into the seat of a teacher 4 years ago within this community and it has watched me grow and evolve in my personal practice and as a teacher. You can be sure to feel supported, safe and inspired in my classes! I look f orward to continuing to teach and grow within the Victoria yoga community.

Dawn Meier

I completed Ajna Yoga Centre's Teacher Training in Spring of 2014. Since then I have been working on my 500hr Yoga Therapy Certification, to be complete in Summer of 2016. Since my initial Training I have completed 8 more Workshops, a 6 week Restorative Yoga Mentorship, and 3 Yoga Retreats. Yin Yoga is near and dear to my heart. I maintain a very strong home practice of both Yin Yoga and Meditation. I love to get up in the morning and meditate in the quiet and comfort of my home, then move right into my favourite Yin Postures. This beautiful style of yoga has helped me during those times when I had to travel with work. I find it very calming and soothing for my soul, keeping me grounded and present. When life gets overwhelming, being able to draw on your incredible inner strength is so empowering. My practice has helped me to believe in myself and know that this Journey called life is good! My dream is to never stop learning so I may offer the knowledge I gain to anyone and everyone, through many styles of Yoga. I offer contemplative, relaxing and deep releasing Yin Yoga as well as heat activating and energy generating Flow Classes. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined” Henry David Thoreau

Guy Friswell

I teach yoga from the perspective that everyone is unique. I believe that yoga practice is about discovering, embracing and acting from your deepest, most authentic self. When you come to one of my classes, expect to be grounded, centered, challenged, and reinvigorated – all delivered with a dose of fun and humour ... AND a decent soundtrack! My own yoga history, training and certification are extensive, varied and always ongoing. This variety is reflected in my classes as a fusion of seated and moving meditation, flowing Vinyasa, powerfully held Hatha postures, contemplative Yin, and guided relaxation. I am nearing completion of my training as a certified Yoga Therapist. The act of teaching is a joyful extension of my personal yoga practice. I have had a regular and focused practice for about 13 years. My practice is a fusion of many influences, including the inward focus of the Vijnana and Shadow Yoga methods, the alignment principles of Core Strength Vinyasa YogaTM and Anusara, the yoga philosophies of Erich Schiffmann and Michael Stone, and the mental discipline of hot yoga.

Rachel Radsma

Almost 9 years ago I did my first Bikram Yoga class. I was in love. I applied for the front desk position that same day and was fortunate enough to get it. I felt like I had come home. I have met the most amazing people, who have since become like family. In 2008 I went to teacher training in Acapulco Mexico and since then I have enjoyed teaching at various studios around Victoria, and most recently The Hudson. With the ups and downs that the last ten years have brought me, yoga has been my anchor. It has helped to keep me strong, flexible and sane. With my most recent endeavors to continue my education, and teach in a different capacity, I am seeing how this yoga has paved a path in my life from which I continue to explore. What I love most about teaching is seeing other people discover how yoga can change their lives. Whether it be physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually, we all come here for our own reasons and continue to come back as the many benefits reveal themselves. I look forward to seeing what the next decade of teaching and practicing will bring.

Britney Stables

I am madly in love with life. It is my intention to share this love with my students to inspire them to fall in love with themselves, with their life, and with the infinity of yoga— through movement, through stillness, breath, and through life. My classes are an infusion of heart, playfulness, inspiration and hard work. Years ago, yoga saved my life. In my quest of recovering from illness, I found yoga. In a very short time, the effects of yoga were creating profound and miraculous changes to my mind, health, body and life. Within just one month of consistent practice, I was medically seizure-free, drug-free and free from the chains of severe depression and self-harm. Since then, this yoga journey has taken me across the world; from living in an ashram in northern India, to meditating in the jungles of Thailand, to pilgrimaging through the Himalayas of Nepal; studying Yoga, Massage Therapy, Reiki, Holistic Nutrition, Life Coaching and other healing modalities. Yoga enlightens my body and mind, teaching liberates my spirit. When I am not teaching, you’ll find me on my own yoga mat, exploring the island, at the ocean, cycling | swimming | hiking | learning to ride a motorbike, or traveling the world. I’ll have a journal in my lap, sipping a tea, or creating healthy new vegan concoctions. I will be playing my guitar around a campfire, or indulging in deep heart-to-hearts with my beloved friends and family. I am forever grateful for the teachings of yoga, and the opportunity to share them with the world. Namaste! "