At Nest, we offer a wide variety of movement classes and interesting and engaging workshops and events aimed at deepening your practice, physically, mentally and spiritually. Our workshops have included a 6-week journey through the rich and fascinating history of yoga with our “Living Your Yoga” workshop and a 4-week Pilates workshop using a band and squishy ball. We moved and breathed together apart, in our virtual Summer Solstice event to welcome the new season in support of Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank. Over the holidays we connected online to support each other and women in need through the Red Door Shelter.
Take a look at our calendar below to see what we’re up to and to book your spot online! Looking forward to having you join us.
© 2021 nest yoga + massage
You can join us online for one of our movement classes from the comfort of your home using your computer, tablet or smartphone. Once you register for your class you will receive an email confirmation 30 minutes prior to the start of class with a link to access the class. If you register less than 30 minutes before the class, you will receive the link right away.
Click on the link in the email that says “Click here to join”.
Turn on your camera and mic to say hello if you wish, and then we’ll get started!
Lindsay is a passionate yogi who loves the freedom that comes with getting into her body and out of her head. She has a Masters degree in International Social Development and 15 years experience working as a marketing and communications professional in the sustainability field. Her commitment to healthy living is both personal and extends outward to the planet. She is active in her community leading the West Toronto Kids Run for Nature in support of WWF-Canada for the past 5 years for which she won the David Lin Memorial Award for volunteerism in 2019. After leaving her corporate job for more flexibility and to pursue her passion for wellness, Lindsay successfully completed her training in kids yoga, her 200hr yoga teacher training with Power Yoga Canada in 2019 and her Pilates Mat certification through Equinox in 2020. Since then, she has been building her own business sharing her love of and curiosity about movement and mindfulness for all bodies of all ages at all stages.
Karen is a Registered Massage Therapist, Certified Ashiatsu Barefoot massage Therapist ® and Foot Reflexologist, and Yoga Therapist
She has been involved in healing work and spiritual practices since she was a young teenager. She believes that real transformational change happens over time, at a slow and steady pace. She brings this way of approaching the healing process to her work with clients – that is, with consciousness, sensitivity, awareness and compassion.
In addition to the treatment she provides, Karen will often recommend self-care practices as part of an ongoing treatment plan. To provide the best possible client care, referrals to other healthcare professionals may also be given to support the treatment plan.
Karen looks forward to the opportunity to working with you as a part of embodying well-being.
Michelle Tomlin, an international swim champion from the United Kingdom, is passionate about helping others achieve their personal health goals. She is a seasoned and accomplished massage therapist, and an educator at the Sutherland-Chan School leading courses in pathology, sports massage and hydrotherapy.
Her expertise includes work with clients who have had pelvic surgeries, cancer patients and athletes, as well as teaching and using positional release techniques, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, K-taping and cupping modalities.
In her practice, Michelle weaves evidence-based techniques with old healing wisdom, such as reiki, meditation and intuition, and believes in the benefit of alternative therapies such as snow walks, cold immersion and embodiment intent bringing a deep and holistic understanding of how to support a patient’s healing journey on all levels.
Kirsten Emma Wood (they/them) is a queer & nonbinary intuitive guide and student of many incredible modalities. Currently sharing through the self-created container ‘Rubedo*Rebirthing Being*Alchemy’ (@rubedoalchemy) to facilitate circles, learning spaces and 1 on 1 offerings. Kirsten is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, tarot teacher & reader, Akashic Records practitioner, Astrologer (traditional horary – astro magic, hellenistic & medical astrology specialization centring intuitive work with the Akashic Records of birth charts/events, astral bodies, solar systems and galaxies), herbalist (astro-herbalism, ceremonial & folk herbalism specialization), Accessible Yoga and trauma sensitive mindfulness guide. Passionate about becoming a helpful ancestor (the work of ancestral healing & spiritual activism) and bringing folks together to honour the gift of listening & learning from one another. In solidarity with marginalized folks they share 2/3 of all monetary proceeds from circles & yoga/meditation offerings they facilitate to go directly to calls for funds from LGBT2SIQQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two spirit, intersex, queer, questioning, plus) BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of colour).
Liz’s goal as a yoga instructor and meditation guide is to safely lead individuals through an enjoyable and accessible practice that will allow students to release tension, increase mobility, and promote peace of mind through the linking of mindful movement and breath. Liz is deeply passionate about promoting more diversity in the yoga community and she continues to work in developing the accessibility and knowledge of yoga and meditation in underserved communities through various outreach initiatives. She has completed mindfulness training with Dr. Shailla Vaidya and completed her 300+ hour Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Therapy Toronto with Ante & Felicia Pavlovic, under the Sri T. Krishnamacharya lineage
Jeanne is a dedicated yoga student and teacher who brings compassion, knowledge and love into her yoga classes. Jeanne’s classes focus on moving energy through the breath, connecting the body, the mind, and the spirit in a safe, accessible and nurturing environment. Her gentle classes can provide you with a sense of inner peace and personal strength. Jeanne is honoured to guide students through the practices of mindfulness, breathing and yoga.
Jeanne is an avid learner of yoga and holistic health. She’s been teaching and studying yoga for over a decade. Jeanne graduated as a Certified Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist with Ante and Felicia Pavlovic at Yoga Therapy Toronto in the lineage of Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Jeanne has completed additional trainings in Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Chair Yoga, Yoga for 50+, Yoga for Older Adults, Mindfulness Meditation, Indian Head Massage, and Reiki
Sara is a Certified Yoga Teacher, Meditation Guide, Life Coach, Reiki Master, Access Consciousness Practitioner and founder of “Evolutionary Journey”. She is an experienced subtle energies practitioner and natural healer with a holistic approach towards helping others thrive in mind, body and spirit. She is committed to spiritual investigations through the study of subtle energies, new and ancient wisdom. This is combined with her 25 years experience of studies & teaching Yoga, Meditation, Energy Medicine, Mind Body Fitness, Longevity and Holistic Health, where she has been serving both private clients and larger groups, doing private sessions, group clearings & activations, speaking, and teaching classes & workshops.
Domenica believes that movement can heal and empower. After coming to Pilates to seek relief from chronic back and hip pain, her body began to feel stronger and the pain dramatically decreased and then disappeared. She realized that what her body was learning in Pilates classes could help her throughout her daily life. In 2006 she successfully completed her mat work instructor training at Body Harmonics Pilates, followed by Comprehensive Pilates equipment training in 2009.
Domenica loves teaching so that we can all be our best selves in the bodies we have. She earned a Bachelor of Education at O.I.S.E., loves learning and continues to take additional Pilates, anatomy and movement courses to inform her practice and teaching.
In 2010, while pregnant herself, she completed additional training for pre and post natal Pilates where the focus is always on safe, effective movements so moms and moms-to-be can feel their best.
Health and wellness has been a passion for Michele’s for many years. She went to her first yoga class to explore another way of staying fit and healthy. After returning from her first retreat 4 years ago feeling relaxed, strong and rejuvenated, she knew she was hooked. Practising yoga has increased her strength and flexibility and helped her find balance, peace, and connection to her inner wisdom. Yoga is and always will be her sanctuary. She recently completed her 200-hour teacher training and looks forward to helping others discover their yoga sanctuary.
Karina is a devoted yoga, pranayama and meditation teacher and therapist in training with over ten years of personal practice. She is committed to bringing joy, presence, breath work and appropriate challenge into yoga classes. Her extensive teaching experience with children and teens, therapeutic, restorative and active flow classes makes her a welcome addition to NEST. Avid to create a safe, healing group class atmosphere where students can drop into their own authentic yoga practice – join one of Karina classes today.
Preet describes herself as a little bit of everything. She is also a yogi, a sound maker, a Reiki practitioner and an artist. Her practice in life and in yoga is a playful exploration of possibilities that happens when she chooses to just show up and be kind to herself.
Preet has completed a 200-hour yoga program in yin, restorative and yoga nidra from India and is expanding her learning to hatha and advanced Reiki.
Her style of teaching weaves playful attitude, laughter, kind words and poetry.
Devoted practitioner and forever a student, Daria was hooked on moving well after her first yoga class in 2008. Motivated to help others through their journey, since becoming a movement teacher, Daria enjoys assisting others in bridging what they learned on the mat, off the mat.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. There is a connection between our thoughts and our physical being. A healthy and harmonious body-mind connection can help in achieving goals, overcoming obstacles and create a happier person – Daria loves her job!
Daria has been teaching and learning various disciplines of Yoga, Pilates, is a Reiki practitioner, an avid Face Yogi and sitar enthusiast. She works with a variety of clients, ranging from corporate settings to intimate one-on-one sessions, to weekly classes.
Margot holds an Honours BA in International Relations and English Literature. She is both a Certified Yoga Instructor (Yoga Alliance) and Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT).
Margot started her yoga journey in 1991 in Tokyo Japan where she was given a prenatal practice by a very wise doctor. Twelve years later she found her way to Breathe Yoga & Wellness Centre, and after several years of practice under the guidance of senior teachers, Margot graduated from the Breathe Yoga Teacher Training Program in 2009. An avid learner and passionate about all things yoga, Margot has continued her yoga education since and has completed teacher trainings in Yoga for Seniors, PreNatal and Post Natal, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and Ayurveda , and Yoga Therapy Program at Yoga Therapy Toronto.
After two and a half years and over 1000 hours of study and practicum, Margot became certified as a Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) in the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya.
As a Senior Instructor, today Margot teaches group classes with the principles of yoga therapy and her strong daily practice as her foundation. Pranayama practice and breath-focused vinyasa are the keys to her popular Flow and Restorative style classes . Margot is also a practicing Yoga Therapist, working one on one with clients.
Suz is certified in multiple styles of yoga (ashtanga/vinyasa, yin, restorative, iRest trauma sensitive yoga nidra). From this multi-faceted perspective, and the foundation of non-dual shaiva tantra philosophy, she teaches with intention to facilitate your optimal well-being. Her journey as a yoga teacher and practitioner is ongoing and spans over two decades of dedicated exploration.
Services are currently offered in a variety of virtual settings: website, studios, private, group, workshop, day retreats. You will find offerings where Suz is a solo practitioner, or in co-creative collaboration with others. Her teaching is driven by an endless fascination with nature.
Retired from the medical field, her approach is informed by an extensive career as teacher, examiner and integrative manual medicine practitioner (both neurofunctional acupuncture and registered massage therapy). Suz describes her life view, personally and as a teacher, is to support ways we can experience optimal embodied harmony and wellness embedded in daily life. Join her in this multidimensional discovery.
As a teacher of yoga, Shehla believes in the simplicity and the discipline of this great tradition. Having completed several yoga teacher trainings, as well as being a yoga therapist, she blends different styles of yoga and incorporates many tools. Most of all, she works diligently on bringing unadulterated teachings of yoga to people around her. Shehla has come to the realization that yoga truly is a lifelong journey — full of healing and love.
Shehla’s teachings are strongly influenced by all her teachers and honour the person in front of her, as well as honouring the environment around her. She strives to follow Ayurvedic principles by teaching according to seasons, weather changes and time of day, and of course the people in front of her.
Shehla has been teaching in the city of Toronto for almost 10 years. She is also a faculty member of George Brown College for their classical yoga teacher training certificate program.
Yoga is a part of Shehla along with her two boys and husband. You can spot her on Toronto’s downtown streets cycling around and enjoying our city’s colours, cuisine and culture. She enjoys running a few miles a week, sleeping, watching Ted talks and crime shows. She also enjoys getting some real “face time” with friends and family and cooking her versions of east Indian food!
Pam found her way to a yoga mat for the first time in 2009. She fondly remembers how she felt on the mat then and continues to find inner peace and personal strength each time she practices. She ranks Mandukasana (Frog) as one of her personal favourite poses! Massage ranks high on Pam’s list of ways to improve her overall health and well-being.
Pam brings her background in Organizational Behaviour along with her many years of experience in the corporate world to assist Nest attain its short- and long-term business goals.
In addition to working with Nest, Pam spends her time sculpting, writing, knitting and reading and mentoring people around the globe to help them achieve their health and wellness objectives. She is happy to report that her new pedal-assist bike helps her navigate the hills of Kelowna, British where she and her husband have recently relocated from Toronto.
Nikki has more than 20-years of experience in customer service within the retail environment. She always found herself drawn towards administrative tasks as she enjoys them immensely.
Through a serendipitous encounter, she is now joining the Nest team and can’t wait to make a positive impact.
Nikki lives in Owen Sound with her husband, daughter, son, and dog. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and with the Optimist Club.
