About US

Mark Atherton

I always loved to move my body, I was obsessed with gymnastics as a child and was intrigued by the shapes I was able to find with practice and discipline. As a young adult I continued to explore the capability of my body but my focus moved to music, and I fell in love, this time with opera. I studied singing, obtained a degree in opera performance from The University of British Columbia, and worked diligently toward a career in music. As I moved towards crafting a life as a performer, teaching singing came to me naturally and guiding others to explore their voices became my focus. I felt something missing however, a void that music alone wasn’t filling.

After a little searching I found myself in a Yoga class. I couldn’t believe how incredible it felt to reconnect with my body in ways similar as to when I was a child. It took about a year of regular classes before I knew I wanted to dive in deeper into understanding Yoga and embarked upon my first teacher training. It was during this training that I felt a massive shift. Yoga philosophy, Buddhism and the ideas contained within these teachings gave me a whole new set of tools with which to understand myself and those around me. Meditation, philosophy study and a consistent asana practice changed everything, including my path through life. I began to focus on teaching Yoga full time. I found ways to integrate my love of music and singing into my classes. Through Yoga, all the varied and diverse aspects of myself were coming together and finding their home.

I feel so empowered by the teachings that have been shared with me, the large and subtle shifts that have occurred through creating a kinder relationship with my body and mind, that having the opportunity to share this with others through trainings is a joy. I am so blessed to be part of this team, surrounded by other like-minded humans who are passionate about sharing the transformational power of Yoga.

Juan Villegas

Yoga has always been with me since I was born and I believe that we are all born yoginis and yogis because in one form or another we are always striving to be better versions of ourselves.

It was not until I began to learn more about the philosophy behind Yoga that I noticed that, for as long as I can remember, I was already trying to apply all these concepts in my life.

I was in my early 20’s when I became interested in postural or asana Yoga.  At the same time I realized that I was very curious about dance and how the body was another tool for communication.

I was longing to find balance amongst my many interests and Yoga was the practice that brought unification;  starting me on a new path.

I decided to pursue my dance interests alongside my Yoga interests and in the early 2000’s I completed my first Yoga Teacher Training in Vancouver and have been teaching Yoga ever since.

I have a Post Bac. Diploma in Contemporary Dance from Simon Fraser University and have worked professionally as an independent Dance Artist. I hold a degree in Industrial Design from Emily Carr University.  I have completed additional certifications in Restorative, Yin, Pilates and Aerial Yoga.

Teachers that I am inspired by are Georg Feuerstein, Shakti Mhi, Sarah Powers, Hali Schwartz, YuMee Chung, Julie Gudmestad, Amy Mathews and Leslie Kaminoff.

My dedication has granted me the opportunity to teach in many places across the globe and many styles including Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga. Currently, I am completing Georg Feuerstein’s, Traditional Yoga Studies ~ 800HRS;  a program in History, Literature and Philosophy of Yoga and Leslie Kaminoff’s intensive program in Yoga Anatomy Principles.