Instructors
Alana Eberts -
Andrina Tisi-Yamashita -Andrina creates a safe and relaxed environment in her classes. She motivates and challenges both the beginner and advance student by providing clear instruction and offering modification with a constant focus on the breath. She believes that Yoga is a place to recharge and let go: “Yoga will give you whatever you are looking for – physically, mentally and spiritually.” Her goal is to make it accessible to everyone, make it less intimidating and for people to have fun and feel good about themselves: “All Yoga is, is breath and movement “ She completed her 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training and the Kundalini Certification at Semperviva Yoga College. To further follow her passion for the mind and body connection she is currently enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Health Coach. Andrina was born and raised in Switzerland. Her love of traveling brought her to Australia, Japan, North America and all over Europe. She has called Vancouver home for a little over 4 years.
Beverley Akhurst - Beverly became a Yoga teacher in her 40’s after starting a practice over 15 years ago. Her experiences over the years brought her to a place where she felt she needed to take her practice deeper and share it’s infinite possibilities with others looking for a first time introduction or those looking to add to an already ingrained asana. Though teacher is the title, she feels guide is a more appropriate term as her belief is that the teacher is there to guide each student to the places and experiences that speak most, to the individual journey, allowing the students to connect to their own internal teacher so that their practice more personally fulfills their needs. Whether your desire is to follow a physical, mental or spiritual practice Beverly welcomes you to each class as the unique individual you are. Certified as a Hatha and Yin instructor she welcomes young and old, new and experienced to explore body and soul. Maybe you will find more open joints, maybe a more open heart and maybe you will just have a laugh. Whatever your goal, come ready to explore and breathe. Beverly’s own health experiences with heart and breath have given her a deeper understanding of the healing effects of yoga. Her wish is to pass on the knowledge shared over the centuries with others. The North American life style keeps us in such a constant state of unrest that taking time to connect internally and get to know ourselves and our body’s has become a difficult art to master. Give yourself the gift of being there for yourself so that you can be there for others in your life.
Jennifer Cousineau-Jennifer was born and raised in Vancouver and is grateful that she now teaches yoga in the city she calls home…Jennifer obtained her 200 hour yoga teaching certificate in December 2010 from Semperviva College and has been teaching ever since. She completed her Yin training with Bernie Clarck in January 2011 and has discovered a passion forYin yoga and educating those around her about its many benefits. Jennifer believes that anyone can do yoga…you need only to bring an open mind and heart….the rest will come…When she is not teaching she is also a part time dental assistant who enjoys walking, lifting weights and practicing many other types of yoga including Vinyassa, Kundalini and Hatha….She enjoys teaching at Eastside Fitness and meeting all the new students!
Laura Hall- Laura knew yoga had some kind magnetic draw pulling her toward it as early as her teens when she dropped in at a beginner’s class at a local gym and was yelled at by someone screaming into a microphone, playing terrible music and omitting shavasana altogether. She left the class somewhat traumatized but still feeling incredibly good and curious to seek out some good instruction. Yoga soon became her home where she learned to bring her head and heart into unity. As she became dedicated to her practice she noticed her restlessness and wanderlust transforming into wonder. She fell deeper in love with asana each time she arrived at the mat and eventually decided to take her 200 hour teacher training in 2010 with Semperviva. As a Lioness with 2 boy cubs in her pride, Laura is inspired to facilitate space for other mothers to unify and feel the well being that comes from breath and movement.
Leeann Anaka – Leeann has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. Having received her 200 hour Teaching certificate in 2009, she continues to love sharing the beauty of yoga to anyone who has a curious, fun loving heart with the desire to breathe deeply. She loves being able to share the “a ha” moment when students come to realize that yoga is about accepting yourself as you are, that all moments of self doubt can be replaced by just believing you are exactly where you are supposed to be. The more she teaches, the more she wants to share the inner, focused, breath empowering flow of yoga in classes such as Hatha, Yin and Vinyassa. No matter what the style, she believes it is essential to always take it back to the breath in conjunction with movement. Her inspirational teachers include Lori Charko, Bernie Clarke, Susi Hately and Nara Henderson among many others. Some favorite books include “Meditations from the Mat” by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison and “Autobiography of a Yogi”. Namaste
Leona Finlayson- Leona has been belly dancing in Vancouver for over a decade, gracing stages, teaching classes and lessons throughout the Lower Mainland. Her passion for the dance form is still as great as it was in her first class. She is sought after for her smooth transitions, beautiful hip work and captivating smile. Leona started dancing at an early age with Slovenian Folkloric dance and continued on over the years, moving and grooving to different dance styles. She found Middle Eastern dance in 2001 and she knew she had found her dance form. Her focus in her classes is for you to get control of your body in a beautiful way, learn some dances, smile and have a good time. www.leonabellydance.com
Lisa DeVita -Lisa is a certified BCRPA Fitness Instructor specializing in Boot Camp Training, Sports Conditioning, Boxing and Circuit workouts. Always incorporating an element of fun in her classes, Lisa is dedicated to helping individuals reach their fitness goals. Through her years of training as an athlete, Lisa has developed in-depth knowledge in athletic conditioning, peek performance and optimal training technique. Her most valuable lesson however has come through the discovery that exercise doesn’t have to be monotonous. By incorporating her creative flair with her fitness regime Lisa keeps people interested, motivated and most importantly, entertained. As an avid sports nut, Lisa competes in various sports including softball, hockey and soccer all year round. She practices Bikram Yoga on a daily basis and is a Parkour enthusiast. When she’s not jumping around on the playground, you’ll find her at any one of her favourite meat shacks (Moderne Burger, Memphis Blues Café or The Keg) putting the boys to shame. www.beefbootcamp.com
Paige Tan – Paige is constantly on the go! Friends and clients can tell you that she has a well of boundless energy and health. Wanting to act as a catalyst and support in helping individuals to realize that general health and well-being is within their control, she decided to become a certified fitness professional. She believes that form, fun and fitness do go hand-in-hand. Paige also believes very much in healthy aging! That means living your life to its fullest into the twilight years by taking care of your body and addressing all aspects of fitness. Paige’s interests are varied and include running, hiking, bicycling, tennis, snowboarding, camping, travelling, roller blading, reading, music, singing, hanging out with friends or simply watching as the sun goes down… You will be certain to enjoy her trademark “7-11” circuit training classes which include cardio, strength, balance core and flexibility components. Certifications include: Fitness Leadership Diploma, BCRPA Certified Fitness Leader – Personal Training & Weight, Third Age (55+), Certified Foot Reflexologist, Plantar Fasciitis – Prevention & Protocol Training, Touch For Health Level 1 Program.
Ryan Delaney – Ryan joins Eastside Fitness with a background in Sports Conditioning. He is a trainer and instructor at the Richmond Olympic Oval where he teaches the Kinesis Total Sport program in addition to the ‘Rock Solid’ core conditioning class. In addition to being a BCRPA certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and weight trainier, Ryan is a Kettlebell Specialist Level 1 ,Powerplate and FMS certified as well as a graduate of the Athletes Performance Level 1 Professional Mentorship Program. His specialty is in training individuals to be on the top of their game no matter what that game may be. He loves to work with Law Enforcement professionals, amateur and recreational athletes or anyone looking for a serious fitness challenge.
Samantha Sowassey – Samantha’s passion is teaching and holistic health. After practicing yoga for almost 10 years, Samantha decided in 2009 to turn her passion into a full time endeavor. She traveled to India and completed YogaLife’s 200-hour teacher training in Mcleod Ganj. Upon her return to her hometown of Vancouver, she hasn’t stopped learning. She has taken countless workshops and teacher’s trainings including intensive prenatal, kundalini and yin courses as well as a yearlong study in holistic nutrition at the Canadian School of Holistic Nutrition. She brings in what she has learned into her classes and provides tools for healthy living that go beyond the mat.
Savannagh Marchell- Savannagh has found her passion in helping people become more in tune with their bodies and physical capabilities and her enthusiasm is contagious! After spending years taking exercise classes, she was persuaded that getting her certification as a fitness instructor would be a very good thing. Savannagh would rather see someone do one perfect repetition than 10 repetitions incorrectly. And she is very willing to have a laugh along the way because fun is a must ingredient to getting fit! “The last thing I ever thought was that I would be a fitness instructor. In high school my motto was “no sweating”. It finally dawned on me that my body was athletic; it was my mind set that wasn’t.” Now she is passionate about helping others to discover their “inner athlete” and new sense of accomplishment and motivation. Besides bootcamps, power walking and stretching she is also busily learning the ropes of sailing. ” Last year, my husband and I purchased a sail boat and are in the midst of learning all about sailing, boats, tides, winds and how to be comfortable on the water. Psst, don’t tell anyone, I’m still a landlubber at heart. “ Savannagh will be leading a power walking group and FitCamps for beginners.
More instructor bios coming soon!
