Yvonne has been on a long journey of self-development from a shy immigrant child in the 50’s through life-long learning in the areas of health, environment, social justice and sustainability.  She started studying Kripalu and Iyengar Yoga 40 years ago, while working as a professional urban planner for the Cities of Halifax (in the 80’s) and Toronto (in the 90’s).  In 1986 she started taking courses with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, now renowned world-wide as an enlightened master.  Through spiritual practice, enough inner confidence was gained to strike out into the wild blue yonder to visit her Guru in India, and to volunteer with UNV in Africa for over a year. 

 

Over the next ten years, she became an Art of Living teacher, took Purna Yoga teachers training from Divya Prabha at Shining Bay, NS, and learned Ayurvedic massage. Yvonne taught Yoga and Art of Living courses to the general public, as well as to clients and staff of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.  During this period, she also studied shamanic and transpersonal psychotherapies, and Ayurvedic massage.   After retiring early from her profession (1996) she devoted her time to teaching Yoga practices and knowledge as an Art of Living teacher, and developing a practice in Ayurvedic health treatments. 

 

In 2003 Yvonne  moved to the International Art of Living Centre (Ashram) in Quebec, to study and work with the Sri Sri Ayurveda Institute for Education and Wellness.  For four years she managed the Ayurveda office and clinic, and coordinated health retreats.  She visited the Art of Living International Ashram in Bangalore, India to learn more about Ayurvedic practices and herbs there at the Ayurvedic Hospital. After moving back to Nova Scotia in 2008, her focus was to promote the benefits of Yoga and Ayurveda in the Maritimes, teaching courses and counselling people about healthy lifestyles, yoga, vegetarian cookery, and stress management.   For over ten years, she was the cook at AYTT summer camps, providing vegetarian meals based on Ayurvedic principles. 

 

Now mainly retired, Yvonne continues to promote inner harmony, occasionally teaching and leading meditation groups.