Our Incredible Teachers

Emily is passionate, dedicated and driven. She loves to create, and bring ideas to life. She is always ready for what is next and isn't afraid to get her feet dirty.

An RMT since 2009 and teaching yoga since 2015, Emily's curiosity towards the human body has been there from a very young age after suffering from an injury as a very young child. After learning how to heal herself, she learnt how much she wanted to then help others find their way. Emily has the ability to treat every client in a very unique way, allowing trust and compassion to guide her. The minute you are on her massage table you will feel complete comfort, and as one of her yoga students, you will always have her full, undivided attention. The energetic body began to fascinate Emily in 2015 when she took her yoga teacher training in Bali, where she travelled to get far away from home to allow for no interruptions to take place, and to heal from a big change in her life. Now a Reiki practitioner, Emily believes in the power of self care, discipline and self love as our most powerful healers. Attention to detail, strength, breath and alignment are expressed through her teachings, with a strong focus on aftercare for every client.

Emily opened Banff Yoga Practice with Hayley Molina in February 2020, located in the Harmon's Lane Building, 111 Banff Avenue, in the heart of downtown Banff National Park. The duo then went on to open Banff Wellness Practice in March, 2022 after both successfully running their own massage businesses for 3+ years. They now have a wellness space that offers Massage, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Reiki, Reflexology, CranioSacral, Somato Emotional Release and Shirodhara Head & Scalp Massage.

Born in the UK, Emily is also half Greek. The Rocky Mountains have become her place of inspiration and growth since 2008, when she moved to Banff. Most days, Emily's self practice comes first, which includes, Meditation, Pranayama, and Movement. She LOVES to travel, dip her toes in the ocean, hike big mountains, ride bikes endlessly, read books, eat good food and walk her dog. Emily is continually learning as much as she can to further her knowledge and improve her skills as a therapist, most recently becoming a breath coach in 2021. She runs wellness retreats internationally with Hayley Molina, with Greece as an annual retreat venue.

Down to earth with a huge open heart, Hayley has been working with the healing arts for over 20 years.  Hayley's passion and life purpose is to guide transformation and healing within her clients and students. 

Hayley completed her yoga teacher training with the Trauma-Informed Yoga Psychology School so that she could create a calm, safe and healing environment that fosters well-being through movement, meditation, breath work and mindfulness, supporting individuals on and off the mat.

Co-Founder of Banff Yoga Practice in 2020 with her business partner, Emily Gionis, the duo recently sold their yoga studio to focus on Banff Wellness Practice which they co-created in March, 2022.

Hayley is also a Registered Massage Therapist, Reiki Master & Teacher, Cranio-Sacral Therapist, Somato Emotional Release Practitioner, Yoga & Meditation teacher and Birth Educator - she is deeply fulfilled by helping clients find peace and connection within their mind, body and spirit and to help them become the best version of themselves. 



Originally from Australia, Hayley settled in Banff 20 years ago, whilst on a journey around the world, where she met her husband and best friend Marcos, soon after arriving. She feels blessed to raise their 2 daughters, Hannah and Leilah, skiing, hiking, backcountry camping, canoeing, paddle boarding and biking in the Rocky Mountains and adventuring to the ocean for surf trips.


Hayley’s love for her community, mountain life and protecting Mother Nature - together with her passion for teaching yoga and meditation and her healing practices allows her to live a fulfilled life that makes her heart sing.

Kim is a multi-passionate mover, teacher, performer, and creator. She received her 200 hour yoga teacher training under Mugs McConnell with SOYA (Southern Okanagan Yoga Alliance) in 2016.

Since then she has added certifications in Buti and Deep Yoga. She rounds this out with AFLCA group fitness leadership certifications.

A professional Belly Dancer for over 15 years, Kim has also studied African, Bollywood, Contemporary, Diva, Flamenco, and Polynesian dance. She loves to move and share dance, fitness, and yoga with others! Kim is also a Reiki Master who enjoys giving Reiki to participants in savasana.

Jess is a curious, bright and passionate yogi of the Bow Valley. A Vancouver Island native, with a love for turning new corners and exploring the world. Her infatuation with yoga took her on a journey to India in 2016 and ever since then it has been a priority of hers to continue studying and practicing yoga through various different styles of trainings. Jess believes in the healing powers of connecting breath to movement, and has a love for helping others to find and reveal their purpose. Besides yoga and travel; music, creative cuisine and the ocean are the way to Jess’ heart.

Lindsey has B.Sc. in Kinesiology, B.Ed, M.A. Leadership, C.H.N.C, eRYT-500, FIS, PTS, and is currently an Osteopathy student in her 2nd year.

She is the founder of Fuel Your Awesome: Movement, Nutrition and Wilderness Yoga School. Lindsey is passionate about the human body and discovering how to fuel it optimally through movement and nutrition. With over 20 years experience and continuous study as a yoga teacher, movement educator, outdoor guide, and entrepreneur, Lindsey teaches the importance of building a sustainable relationship with one’s body and the planet.

Her fine attention to detail and calm present energy empowers students to become curious about their body to discover their own unique potential. Lindsey is inspired by the wilderness and seeks to activate understanding, awareness and resiliency through physical and spiritual alignment with the natural environment.

In 2018 I was given the name Gayatri Jyoti by my teacher Yogrishi Vishvetketu - which means “goddess and giver of the light” - this name was given with the understanding that a spiritual name is a personal mantra of sorts - it is the name of your essence or soul. A spiritual name can be repeated when needing a reminder of your karmic journey in this life and the gifts you are meant to share. 

Gayatri believes yoga has the capacity to take you to the edge of who you consider yourself to be and supports you in redefining your reality; this took her from a corporate lifestyle to an ashram in India. After completing her Chartered Accountant designation in 2014, she had the crashing realization that her life didn’t satisfy her soul. She left her career and went to India, to find the roots of the practice that sustained her through years of study and work.

It was in India in 2016 that she received her 200hr training from Yogrishi Vishveketu in Akhanda Yoga.- a holistic practice that incorporates asana (movement), pranayama (breath), mantra (chanting), meditation and yogic wisdom in each class. She went on to get her 300hr in the Jungle of Costa Rica, with a focus on social justice and women’s empowerment. Over these years sisterhood has been one of the greatest gifts on this journey, and it led her into becoming a 100hr transformational facilitator where she developed a deep love of ritual. Kristie has had the pleasure of diving into Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra; practices that offer vast space for introspection and integration through the body.

Her business mind and hippie heart have come into balance here in the Bow Valley, where she advises holistic practitioners on how to grow their businesses and has the pleasure of teaching the spiritual practices that set her soul soaring.

Her greatest hope is to offer you a practice that allows you to experience the mental clarity and emotional freedom that will lead you back to yourself.

From the very beginning, Jen has always been a zealous individual with a passion to be expressive both athletically as well as artistically. A rebel by nature, Jen's journey led her to Banff Alberta; the birthplace of Canada's first national park and what a journey it was and still is. Her soul was soothed by the roots of the rockies and the healing abilities of the backcountry. Her desire for self inquiry grew, which then led her to yoga - a practice that has taught her how to care with great compassion and to be grateful for every lesson learned through all of her experiences. Jen is extremely dedicated to her practice and has developed a level of discipline that is admired by many.

Not only does Jen teach just about any style of yoga, she also carefully designs and creates incredibly beautiful Mala's, bracelets, earrings, and muscle balms to soothe the body from its aches and pains as we move through life. All sold here at the studio. Jen also recently became a Reiki Master through The Practice with Hayley Molina as her teacher.

Trish has been practicing yoga since 2009 and has a passion for teaching flow, yin and meditation. Trish teaches yoga for real life. If yoga is a calm and steady mind, then the real yoga is discovered in the face of a challenge, whether it’s on our mats or in everyday life. Her passion is helping her students find the seated-ness of their mind in a challenging posture, so they can find the same calm and steadiness in an argument with their spouse, bumper to bumper traffic, in times of heartache and in the chaos that can be real, messy, imperfect life. Trish’s classes take yoga seriously, but encourage us not to take ourselves too seriously. They are infused with inspiring quotes, poetry and time to breathe, sit and let it all sink in.

When she’s not teaching yoga, you might find her skiing, hiking, camping, reading or travelling to conference and event stages across the country, where she speaks about how the transformative practice of mindfulness can help us reduce stress and burnout at work, to be happier and more effective life.

Trish is thrilled to be able to share the teachings that have been instrumental in helping her live a more purposeful life with any willing and ready student.

Here to help you find and deepen your connection to your own body and breath, Alyssa is always looking to meet you where you are at. Striving to create a space for you to make the practice your own and bring more mindfulness into your day today. Alyssa brings a strong connection to nature and the outdoor world to the mat that you can feel through her playful flows and grounding meditations.

Alyssa really found her personal practice virtually at home alone during the covid lockdowns, and has been absolutely hooked ever since. She feels a strong need to share the beauty of the practice with others, and leans towards those who think yoga is not meant for them. Thriving off the energy and magic of trainings, she believes continuing education will forever be a part of her practice.

Alyssa loves to practice many different styles throughout the week and looks to find something new in every class. She loves creating fun flows and thoughtfully sequencing movements to help benefit you in specific activities, finding a practice designed to fit your lifestyle and body.

Originally from winnipeg, she now spends her winters admiring the mountains and wildlife in Banff, and heads to a remote fishing lodge in northwest ontario for the summer season where she enjoys fly fishing and taking her yoga practice outside. Alyssa loves early mornings and believes sunrise is the most magical time of day.

Let her calming voice be the anchor to your practice and leave her classes feeling more at home with yourself.

‘’One day we are a Warrior, a second later a Bird of Paradise, then, a lotus. We take poses, fold and unfold, we twist, bind, bend. We learn to unlearn, to reshape the mind. We practice until we can reach the still point.’’

Originally from France, Katia completed her first 200h Teacher Training in 2022 with Erin Evans here in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Her practice and teaching embody Ashtanga, Rocket, Power and Philosophy. You will find options for arms balances, inversions, laughs and self-inquiry.

Katia invites to move with the heart of a warrior, and the mind of a monk, working toward making every breath a conscious one. It’s a dance, a celebration, and you don’t want to miss the party.

Megan started her yoga journey in 2010 when she moved to the Bow Valley from Sherwood Park. Since completing her YYT in 2014 in Banff, she's since traveled around the world practicing and teaching in India, Nicaragua and New Zealand!

Megan teaches a fun, playful Vinyasa Flow and enjoys helping her students leave class having learned something new either about yoga or achieving a pose they've never done before.

Outside of teaching and travel, Megan enjoys hiking, snowboarding, playing music and singing; she has the voice of an angel!

A Montreal native, Steph began her yoga journey upon relocating to the Bow Valley in 2004. Her career in the travel / tourism industry fostered a passion for exploration, leading her to complete her first Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica in 2010.

Over the years her curiosity and dedication to practice deepened, leading to further trainings including Aerial Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and a comprehensive 300-hour YTT in 2020. Steph finds connection to source by linking movement and breath and is drawn to Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and the Rocket Series. Regardless of the chosen style, she loves to share her passion for yoga with others.

Off the mat, Steph enjoys spending time in the mountains, on two wheels or on foot with her four-legged friend, Jovi.

Tara (she/her) is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and landed in Banff in 2015. Like many, she embarked on what she thought would be a seasonal summer contract, a quick few months in the mountains to try on a new opportunity for size. What an adventure it has been!

Yoga found Tara more than a decade ago, a missing puzzle piece that supported her mental and physical health in the midst of large life transitions. Movement is an integral part of Tara's experience of the world, and her relationship to it continues to evolve with the passage of time, and collection of new life experiences. Returning to the mat has been a therapeutic process for this recovering perfectionist, so Tara strives to facilitate an environment of levity, curiosity, and expression within her practice and the classes that she leads. From an asana perspective, Tara loves to explore momentum and connection in her sequencing, creating a series that is nourishing to the body and the mind through creative transitions.

After completing her Level 1 Reiki training at Banff Yoga Practice in February 2022, Emily realized she wanted to connect with others with a similar mindset and signed up for her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training.

Emily completed her 200 Hour YTT with Erin Evans at Banff Yoga Practice in April 2023, and her 20 Hour Yin Yoga Training in May 2023 with Jess Young in Banff, Alberta also known as Treaty 7 Territory.

She is a forever student, wanting to create an inclusive environment by making yoga philosophy relatable and yoga sequences accessible. Yoga continues to give her the chance to study and connect with herself. By learning about her breath she found inner strength, and by learning about the branches of Yoga she found a perspective she can connect with.

Emily loves snowboarding, eating baked goods, the Toronto Raptors, reading mystery novels, and noticing the synchronicities in life.

Laura's Yoga journey started during a particularly stressful time in university, when a friend gifted her a Yoga DVD. Since then, she has been captivated by the transformative power of Yoga and its inclusive nature. Originally from Germany, in 2017 Laura embarked on a trip to explore the world. After 10 years of practice and having visited Yoga Studios and Schools all over South(east) Asia, she completed her 200hr YTT in Thailand. Coming to Banff in 2019 to learn snowboarding, she not only fell in love with the nature but also with the supportive community and decided to settle here.

Laura loves that Yoga is truly for everyone. Her pursuit is to show that there is no such thing as the infamous “not flexible enough”. The practice meets you exactly where you are and creates positive effects, no matter how deep you dive into a pose. Laura strives to make her classes a safe space to explore yourself through breath and Asanas and to use physical movement to invite a stillness to your mind. She loves teaching energizing Vinyasa classes, that incorporate mobility exercises in a playful flow. Teaching without music, the practice provides a place of silence, encouraging you to listen to your own emotions and needs.

Bethany’s yoga offering is anything but typical. Her background in pole fitness, aerial hoop and silks help her to see movement through a unique lens. She knows the importance of balancing hard work, play, and rest both in and out of the studio.

For Bethany, play is essential in this practice to let go and land in the present moment. Her classes allow students to turn inwards and meet themselves as they are each time they step into the studio.

I began practicing yoga around 8 years ago at my local gym. They offered a class that was a blend of Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi and I fell in love!

My intention is to share everything that I love about yoga, the desire to be a better version of yourself and the lessons you can take with you off the mat and into your every day life.

Growing up in Australia, I was a Summer baby through and through. If you told me one day I’d live somewhere the temperature gets to negative anything I’d never have believed you! But in 2019 I moved to the Rockies to learn to snowboard and I fell in love with seasons.

Being a hairdresser by trade, I love all things creativity and connections, and want everyone I meet to feel confident and shine in their own skin.

As a certified Baptiste Yoga Instructor and FIT to Lead graduate, with the Baptiste Institute, I have attained over 1500 hours of teaching and leadership training.

This is just the beginning!

I have been teaching yoga for 9 years. My journey, which began 17 years ago, has not always been one of ease and grace. In the beginning I found it very challenging to meet my gaze in the mirror because there was always something to critique.

I was coming from a place of yoga perfect, not yoga practice.

My passion for yoga motivated me to teach and lead classes. After watching my mom teach and powerfully lead yoga classes so naturally for years, I thought it would come naturally to me: I can confidently say, it did not.

The point is, you have to suck before you can SHINE!

I began training with the Baptiste Institute in 2015. The same year was when I taught my first class. I have had the privilege to be part of some amazing yoga communities and train under World Champions and International Yoga Instructors. This has led me to learn detailed techniques for beginner and advanced postures. I love that self expression in studentship and teaching is like a fingerprint, because it is unique.

Yoga is my passion. I am willing to be honest, truthful and get messy on the journey. I would be honored if you join me on the journey - our journey into power.

What’s up warriors!

I'm River. I am a passionate yoga teacher dedicated to guiding students on their journey to wellness and self-discovery. With a varied background in dance, gym and cheer, I blend breath, movement, and mindfulness. I aim to create transformative experiences on and off the mat. Join me to cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace through this ever evolving practice.

My relationship with yoga started a decade ago. What began as a purely physical practice evolved into a spiritual one, and eventually into my favourite form of self-expression and creativity. I began teaching in early 2022 with a focus on flows, connecting breath to movement, and being attentive to proper alignment to safely build strength and awareness in the body.

I then got my Yin certification and loved leading meditative Yin classes, helping students calm the nervous system and find stillness in an otherwise busy life.

A sudden onset of chronic back pain took yoga out of my life for almost a year while I worked to heal my body. Now I am delighted to feel healed and strong and share my love of the practice again. I am highly conscious of back pain as it relates to yoga and want to help others feel at home and safe in their bodies.

I am honoured to share this beautiful space and energy with all of you.

My yoga journey began a couple years ago as I battled with severe gastrointestinal issues. After conducting some research, I found an explicit connection between the practice of yoga and the restoration of gut health. The intricate movements of the asana practice significantly eliminated the physical pain and yoga quickly became a powerful ally in reclaiming my well-being. What initially started as a targeted health approach, unfolded into a profoundly beautiful lifestyle transformation. Embracing yoga as a holistic practice has brought a renewed sense of balance into my everyday life as its impact extends far beyond the confines of my mat, influencing my choices, perspectives, and overall well-being.

In October 2023, I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, focusing on Ashtanga and Vinyasa practices. Drawing on my experience as a school teacher, I prioritize deliberate and accessible teaching methods, while prioritizing inclusivity and the profound impact of education within the studio. My goal is to establish an inviting space where every practitioner can access yoga's physical and mental benefits. As I continue my journey as a student, teacher, and committed practitioner, my focus remains on creating an environment that enhances physical well-being, nurtures mindfulness, and fosters a sense of community among fellow practitioners.