Find your balance.
in body, mind, and soul.
Find your balance.
in body, mind, and soul.
Meet Our Yoga Teachers & Wellness Practitioners
Meet Our Yoga Teachers & Wellness Practitioners
Yoga- Meditation- Workshops-Special Events- Private Healing Sessions
Yoga- Meditation- Workshops-Special Events- Private Healing Sessions
Andrea Bertoia
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Andrea is a Canadian TCK who grew up in the Middle East, where her love for traveling was embeded early.
She has spent the last 6 years traveling and teaching in Vietnam and Thailand, offering Yoga, Mindfulness and Reiki Healing sessions.
She has a background in the field of Psychology, supporting children and youth with Autism. Integrating a therapeutic understanding of sensory needs and play with her calming nature.
She has had the opportunity to hold space at Festivals, Siam Reiki Gatherings, retreats, studios, wellness centres and private events across Vietnam and Thailand and the Okanagan. She also created and facilitated Yoga and Mindfulness programs for school readiness and test anxiety at high schools in Vietnam, getting the opportunity to support over 600 children.
She is a certified Yoga and Mindfulness teacher, Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga teacher. She is also a Siam Reiki Master Healer, and a certified Crystal Healer. Expect breath cues and internal body cues to connect you back to the present moment, and to the sensations in your body. Expect a light-hearted, open atmosphere to try new things, laugh and smile!
Jesca Peach
Jesca Peach
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Jesca is a teacher, medicine women, and mother. She began practicing yoga in 2013 after she birthed her daughter. She was 19, a new mom, struggling with depression and searching for purpose in her life.
Yoga became the first place she ever felt truly at peace in her mind and body. This connection sparked a fire and curiosity that deepened as she grew and changed over her journey.
Expect yoga for wholeness, possibility, and empowerment!
Her intention is to provide a grounding practice for others, and to inspire a joyful & empowered life.
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Jesca is a teacher, medicine women, and mother. She began practicing yoga in 2013 after she birthed her daughter. She was 19, a new mom, struggling with depression and searching for purpose in her life.
Yoga became the first place she ever felt truly at peace in her mind and body. This connection sparked a fire and curiosity that deepened as she grew and changed over her journey.
Expect yoga for wholeness, possibility, and empowerment!
Her intention is to provide a grounding practice for others, and to inspire a joyful & empowered life.
Megan Grandel
Megan Grandel
Yoga Instructor
Megan's personal practice began after years of competitive dance, bodybuilding, and powerlifting left her craving something deeper than these physical practices. Yoga has helped her create a connection between her physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Her personal experience of the benefits of yoga led her to pursue teaching as a way to share this practice with others. She completed her 200 hour YTT through Elevate Yoga Okanagan in 2020. She truly believes that there is something in this practice for everyone and her intention is to provide support and guidance in finding it. Each class offering she shares is created with overall wellness in mind. She is passionate about sharing this practice with others and supporting students in their wellness journeys both on and off the mat.
Yoga Instructor
Megan's personal practice began after years of competitive dance, bodybuilding, and powerlifting left her craving something deeper than these physical practices. Yoga has helped her create a connection between her physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Her personal experience of the benefits of yoga led her to pursue teaching as a way to share this practice with others. She completed her 200 hour YTT through Elevate Yoga Okanagan in 2020. She truly believes that there is something in this practice for everyone and her intention is to provide support and guidance in finding it. Each class offering she shares is created with overall wellness in mind. She is passionate about sharing this practice with others and supporting students in their wellness journeys both on and off the mat.
Sarah Mayes
Sarah Mayes
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Sarah is a born Okanaganite. Her youth was filled with all things musical: ballet, jazz dance, piano and acting lessons. In 2005, she began her journey to becoming a certified Group Fitness Instructor through CFES & BCRPA and started teaching salsa dance classes. She fell head over heels for teaching classes and learnt to teach everything from aerobics to step, barre to kickboxing, Pump to TRX. Sarah was elated to accomplish Yoga Teacher Training 200hr in 2019 & Aerial Yoga certification in 2021.
Her classes are described as creative & well-balanced with a host of options to appeal to the beginner, injured and advanced attendees alike.
Sarah is also on our Healing team offering Tarot. Sarah's personalized Tarot, Numerology, Astrology and Spiritual Counselling readings enhance self-awareness, foster personal growth and connect you with every aspect of your life.
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Sarah is a born Okanaganite. Her youth was filled with all things musical: ballet, jazz dance, piano and acting lessons. In 2005, she began her journey to becoming a certified Group Fitness Instructor through CFES & BCRPA and started teaching salsa dance classes. She fell head over heels for teaching classes and learnt to teach everything from aerobics to step, barre to kickboxing, Pump to TRX. Sarah was elated to accomplish Yoga Teacher Training 200hr in 2019 & Aerial Yoga certification in 2021.
Her classes are described as creative & well-balanced with a host of options to appeal to the beginner, injured and advanced attendees alike.
Sarah is also on our Healing team offering Tarot. Sarah's personalized Tarot, Numerology, Astrology and Spiritual Counselling readings enhance self-awareness, foster personal growth and connect you with every aspect of your life.
Carly Thomas
Carly Thomas
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Carly, spent most of her life here in the Okanagan, raising her family in Penticton. Her first Yoga Experience was at The Juicy Carrot in Penticton back in the early 1990’s which peaked her curiosity of the yoga practice. Carly then began her personal yoga journey 17 years ago after being in the fitness industry and competing in body building for many years. She began with her practice in Power yoga, and took her first yoga teacher training at Maui Hot Yoga & Kickboxing in 2011, Realizing the need for balance in her life she discovered the Yin Yoga Practice and took her Yin Yoga Teacher training in Maple Ridge at Free Spirit Yoga in 2014. After teaching Power Hot Yoga and Yin Yoga up in Fort McMurray at Higher Health Yoga, her yoga teacher journey took her back to Hawaii to continue her yoga teacher training in the studies of Ayurveda with Sacred Seed Yoga in 2015.
Carly, also a Certified Wellness Coach, and Nutritional Supplement Advisor, blends her love for fitness, meditation, whole body wellness, and healing of the soul in her classes here in West Kelowna and Peachland.
She also brings her Essential Oil Yoga Sprays to compliment your practice and yoga journey
Yoga Instructor & Wellness Practitioner
Carly, spent most of her life here in the Okanagan, raising her family in Penticton. Her first Yoga Experience was at The Juicy Carrot in Penticton back in the early 1990’s which peaked her curiosity of the yoga practice. Carly then began her personal yoga journey 17 years ago after being in the fitness industry and competing in body building for many years. She began with her practice in Power yoga, and took her first yoga teacher training at Maui Hot Yoga & Kickboxing in 2011, Realizing the need for balance in her life she discovered the Yin Yoga Practice and took her Yin Yoga Teacher training in Maple Ridge at Free Spirit Yoga in 2014. After teaching Power Hot Yoga and Yin Yoga up in Fort McMurray at Higher Health Yoga, her yoga teacher journey took her back to Hawaii to continue her yoga teacher training in the studies of Ayurveda with Sacred Seed Yoga in 2015.
Carly, also a Certified Wellness Coach, and Nutritional Supplement Advisor, blends her love for fitness, meditation, whole body wellness, and healing of the soul in her classes here in West Kelowna and Peachland.
She also brings her Essential Oil Yoga Sprays to compliment your practice and yoga journey
Jonathan Fulham
Jonathan Fulham
Animal Flow Instructor
Jonathan is a professional sports coach specializing in teaching complex movements.
He started his career in 2005 in martial arts, where he became an instructor a few years later in Aiki ju-jitsu of Nintai ryu.
In 2006 he started his coaching career and established his brand of trust through his enthusiasm, energy and passion for movement. Since then, he has worked at some of the largest institutions in Quebec, such as UQAM, UDM, BELL, TVA and Bombardier.
In 2016, he created Fu Fitness, now A Flow State, a company specializing in 15-16 minute workouts focused on HIFT and/or EFI (functional interval training). These sessions are available for free on his YouTube channel and can be done anywhere, anytime.
In 2020, he became an Animal Flow Level 1 instructor, Level 2 soon and plans to continue to Level 2. He offers solo, duo, and group sessions and continues to hone his skills in QMT and keep up with studies on Animal Flow and other practices.
Animal Flow Instructor
Jonathan is a professional sports coach specializing in teaching complex movements.
He started his career in 2005 in martial arts, where he became an instructor a few years later in Aiki ju-jitsu of Nintai ryu.
In 2006 he started his coaching career and established his brand of trust through his enthusiasm, energy and passion for movement. Since then, he has worked at some of the largest institutions in Quebec, such as UQAM, UDM, BELL, TVA and Bombardier.
In 2016, he created Fu Fitness, now A Flow State, a company specializing in 15-16 minute workouts focused on HIFT and/or EFI (functional interval training). These sessions are available for free on his YouTube channel and can be done anywhere, anytime.
In 2020, he became an Animal Flow Level 1 instructor, Level 2 soon and plans to continue to Level 2. He offers solo, duo, and group sessions and continues to hone his skills in QMT and keep up with studies on Animal Flow and other practices.
Tanya Normandale
Tanya Normandale
We find joy when we do what we are fashioned to do.
Tanya's joy comes from holding space for each person who comes to the mat with me. She has a background in martial arts that leads her to the foundation and flow in this practice that brings together alignment and breath. The best sadhanas come from the freedom to be as we are and move freely.
We find joy when we do what we are fashioned to do.
Tanya's joy comes from holding space for each person who comes to the mat with me. She has a background in martial arts that leads her to the foundation and flow in this practice that brings together alignment and breath. The best sadhanas come from the freedom to be as we are and move freely.
Hayley Paynter
Hayley Paynter
Yoga Instructor
I have had the pleasure of teaching for the last 13 years. My passion is people, and body movement and breath. The magic happens when you move that body freely, without apprehension, and breathe along the way."
"Yoga came to me back in 2006. I was young and working in mental health and really needed some time for myself to connect to the inside and have some stillness in my mind.
I immediately thought everyone in the yoga studio was crazy for doing such an intense hot practice.
It was so challenging and grueling, I didn’t think I would even make it out of the room…but I did, and I learned that I could do anything!
Fast forward to two years later and I was boarding a plane to go to Acapulco for three months to learn how to instruct.
I have had the pleasure of teaching for the last 13 years. My passion is people, and body movement and breath. The magic happens when you move that body freely, without apprehension and breathe along the way."
Yoga Instructor
I have had the pleasure of teaching for the last 13 years. My passion is people, and body movement and breath. The magic happens when you move that body freely, without apprehension, and breathe along the way."
"Yoga came to me back in 2006. I was young and working in mental health and really needed some time for myself to connect to the inside and have some stillness in my mind.
I immediately thought everyone in the yoga studio was crazy for doing such an intense hot practice.
It was so challenging and grueling, I didn’t think I would even make it out of the room…but I did, and I learned that I could do anything!
Fast forward to two years later and I was boarding a plane to go to Acapulco for three months to learn how to instruct.
I have had the pleasure of teaching for the last 13 years. My passion is people, and body movement and breath. The magic happens when you move that body freely, without apprehension and breathe along the way."
Leona Planko Finlayson
Leona Planko Finlayson
Yoga & Dance Instructor
Born and raised in Vancouver, Leona’s journey in becoming the Teacher, Dancer, Yogi and Motivational Speaker she is today was one of evolving self-discovery. Her dance journey began at a very young age with Slovenian folkloric dance, before leading into cheer-leading, hip hop and finally Belly Dance.
In combining her talents, experiences, knowledge and passions, Leona has founded AWE (Arts, Wellness and Education) which aims to create connections, foster communities, encourage collaboration, advocate empowerment and promote healing and positivity through virtual and in-person classes, workshops and events.
What she offers isn’t just a class, workshop, or a show—she offers an opportunity to learn, grow, heal and create positive change within.
Yoga & Dance Instructor
Born and raised in Vancouver, Leona’s journey in becoming the Teacher, Dancer, Yogi and Motivational Speaker she is today was one of evolving self-discovery. Her dance journey began at a very young age with Slovenian folkloric dance, before leading into cheer-leading, hip hop and finally Belly Dance.
In combining her talents, experiences, knowledge and passions, Leona has founded AWE (Arts, Wellness and Education) which aims to create connections, foster communities, encourage collaboration, advocate empowerment and promote healing and positivity through virtual and in-person classes, workshops and events.
What she offers isn’t just a class, workshop, or a show—she offers an opportunity to learn, grow, heal and create positive change within.
Rebecca Doll
Rebecca Doll
Yoga Instructor
Growing up Rebecca was very involved in sports and loved to move from a young age! This led to her getting my Degree in Kinesiology at UBC Okanagan, where she was simultaneously saving for her yoga teacher training. She has been teaching yoga for three years now. Rebecca considers yoga as her moving meditation. Every day she is grateful to wake up and share her passion for movement.
Her intention is to provide a grounding practice for others, and to inspire a joyful & empowered life.
Yoga Instructor
Growing up Rebecca was very involved in sports and loved to move from a young age! This led to her getting my Degree in Kinesiology at UBC Okanagan, where she was simultaneously saving for her yoga teacher training. She has been teaching yoga for three years now. Rebecca considers yoga as her moving meditation. Every day she is grateful to wake up and share her passion for movement.
Her intention is to provide a grounding practice for others, and to inspire a joyful & empowered life.
See you on the mat!
See you on the mat!