— Monica was a teenager when she first encountered yoga. She came across some old library books, and one was an illustrated dictionary of yoga poses featuring men in loincloths demonstrating asanas. Another had women from the flower-child era demonstrating the ‘yoga way to natural beauty’. She was fascinated, but without any direction, this fascination didn’t go further than curious attempts at poses and lots of tumbling over!
When yoga became more accessible and popular in the late ‘90s, Monica began a 5:30am home practice with videos. She also became interested in nutrition—specifically how what we take into our bodies affects us physically, psychologically and emotionally, and thus how we might heal ourselves. The choice to focus on her own wellbeing led her to her first studio in Halifax. In a Mysore-style class, Monica’s practice was challenged—or rather her devotion to it. She was shy, and few others (if any) attended this early morning class. “It took a lot of self-convincing to head to practice, knowing that I may well be the centre of focus. That I kept going to class was a true testament to my teacher’s kindness and compassion. This time was transformative for me —to leave self consciousness at the door and enter into the consciousness of my ‘self’.”
Over the next several years, friendships and a sense of community began to develop. Monica received designations in Holistic nutrition, and attended workshops from senior yoga teachers. She has practiced and studied with Mark Darby, Jonathan Austman, Tim Miller, Hart Lazer, and Father Joe Pereira. Monica wanted to explore body wisdom and yoga even further, so she took her first 200-hour teacher training program, a subsequent pre and postnatal program, and developed a thirst for more advanced training—specifically with Hart Lazer. Hart’s down-to-earth manner and incredible knowledge of the body and how its systems can be affected by yoga allowed Monica to find a greater depth of practice while learning how to be a more effective teacher. His Iyengar training allowed her to examine and experience the asanas more deeply, while integrating seamlessly into the Ashtanga practice. Monica also learned ways to modify postures so that the practice is accessible to everyone.
Monica’s most significant teaching experience was the creation of a weekly yoga class for the IWK’s CHOICES, a treatment program for adolescents experiencing the negative effects of substance use and/or gambling. Now in its fourth year, the program’s success led to an added weekly class to an in-patient assessment and treatment unit for youth with serious mental health concerns. “I feel very privileged to introduce yoga to these bright, young teenagers. This experience never fails to teach me compassion. These youth help me to become a better communicator as I guide them to discover themselves through their bodies and help them experience a little joy in their day. “
Beyond yoga classes, Monica has been involved in the training and conditioning of professional, semi-pro and amateur athletes. She can often be found where she is happiest: in the great outdoors—in all weather and seasons. Whether she is whitewater kayaking, running trails or city streets, her yoga practice helps her stay in the moment and connected to herself and her surroundings. Yoga is a life-long study for Monica, and she continues to train in the holistic nutrition field with a current focus on cancer. “I hope to guide people to access their own wisdom so that they may not only live longer, but live well for their entire lives.”
