Carly Smith
Founder + Owner, Strong Roots Yoga and Paddle Boarding
Yoga + Meditation Teacher, Reiki and Breathwork Guide
specializing in yoga for brain trauma and mental wellness
Carly's passion for yoga is one of which was gratefully stumbled upon. She got into yoga as a means to overcome anxiety, worry and stress. She quickly started to benefit from the unfolding's and transformations that it was bringing into her life. It not only improved her physical strength but more so helped her find inner peace and self-awareness. Yoga has helped her overcome obstacles and boundaries that she never thought possible.
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Carly has been teaching yoga for the past 11+ years after completing her 500-hour yoga teacher training under the guidance of Shasta Townsend, Director of Balanced Life Yoga. Through her passion of nature and being outdoors, she went on to complete her Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga training in San Diego, with Gillian Gibree from Paddle into Fitness in 2014. She has also completed continuing education courses in Restorative Yoga, Yoga Tune Up®, Yoga for Anxiety Relief, Pre-natal, Chair Yoga, Meditation Specialist, and Breathwork.
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Carly is currently registered with the Yoga Alliance as a RYT-500/200E-RYT. She is also certified with Canadian Red Cross in Psychological First Aid, First Aid + CPR-C, and a member of the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) and the Brock Board of Trade.
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In addition, being someone who has endured a TBI and concussions, she has taken a strong interest in the healing and therapy of individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and concussions. After receiving her certification from the Love your Brain Foundation in 2020, she has been working behind the scenes to continue to learn more about the brain and build a program for the TBI community, while sharing her experiences along the way with other TBI survivors.
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Carly is a strong mental health advocate who humbly shares her own personal experiences and healing. Through both Carly's personal journey and education, Carly has the passion and tools to help assist others in leading a more balanced, fulfilling, healthy lifestyle.
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Carly is a Reiki 2 practitioner and she can't wait to share the magical experience with you in her new Wellness Room. Registration coming soon!
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Hayley Whetham, Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Hayley was first introduced to yoga while studying at university. What started as a tool to help manage academic stress and anxiety quickly turned into a passion of self-discovery. By integrating yoga into her daily life, both on and off the mat, Hayley continues to learn how to embrace the ever-changing nature of life.
Hayley’s intention as a yoga teacher is to guide practices that both encourage you to find your own version of yoga, as well as promote the discovery of a deep connection with your most true self.
Hayley is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a 200 RYT. Her training was completed with Anuttara Ashram. Anuttara’s teachings are rooted in non-dual tantra emerging from the Shivoham Lineage. Along with her 200 RYT designation, Hayley also holds a Bachelor of Education and certifications in CPR-C and Mental Health First Aid.
Hayley has lived in the Sunderland area for over 10 years and looks forward to making meaningful connections with the community through yoga.
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Join Hayley at her Monday night Gentle Hatha Flow and Sunday morning Meditation classes!
Katie Burchert, Yoga Teacher + Reiki Practitioner
Yoga came into Katie’s life at a time when she most needed it. Working at a job that wasn’t fulfilling her spiritually, mentally, or physically, started to take a toll on her.
She turned to yoga to fill the void in her life that was slowly consuming her.
From that first class on, she knew she had found her calling. Using what she had learned on the mat and applying it throughout her life has completely changed her.
Katie’s hope as a yoga teacher is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. She’s a lover of the moon, stars, and Mother Earth.
Katie is registered with Yoga Alliance as a RYT 200 and is also a reiki practitioner. She looks forward to sharing, healing, and connecting with everyone in the community.
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Join Katie at her Monday morning and Thursday evening Power Vinyasa classes!
Cindy Dean, Yoga Teacher
Cindy is rooted in her guidance of yoga and is a fitness and wellness enthusiast who motivates and inspires individuals to dive in and explore their movement practice.
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Grounded in the soulful connection of breath, body, and movement, she is excited to meet you and is passionate about cultivating meaningful connections.
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Cindy studied at Ahimsa Yoga and received her 300hr YTT certification with JP Tamblyn-Sabo and completed her certification as a Goddess Flow intuitive Feminine movement guide with its creator, Michelle Tamblyn-Sabo.
Cindy is also certified by Can-Fit Pro as a Fitness Instructor Specialist. Cindy brings an energetic and grounding vibe to any class she teaches.
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Her enthusiasm, joy and love of music will leave you inspired to live your best life.
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Join Cindy at her Monday evening Move + Be Still classes!
Nicole Boake, Yoga Teacher
Nicole has been practicing Yoga for over 15 years and has been a certified Yoga Instructor for 3. She has completed 200 Hours of training through Gyan Breath Yoga and 50 hours of training at KIND yoga.
Nicole is a Highschool Art and Yoga Teacher. She is passionate about teaching yoga to beginners and teens to help them get comfortable and feel supported in their practice. She loves incorporating creativity into her classes to keep things interesting.
Nicole is expecting a baby girl in February! She plans to join us with her little one to teach a Mommy & Baby Yoga Class to new Moms who can bring their babies. She is excited to venture and grow her Yoga practice.
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Keep an eye out for when Nicole and her new little one will be joining us!
Kirsten Nicolson, Yoga Teacher
Kirsten became a yoga teacher after realizing how much a consistent yoga
practice led to improvements in her physical and mental health and wanted to bring that same feeling to others. Kirsten first became certified to teach kids yoga through Rainbow Kids Yoga in 2017, completed her 200 hour YTT in Vinyasa Yoga in 2018 through Happy Jack Yoga, and completed a Trauma Sensitive Yoga certification in 2019 through Power Yoga Canada and Healing Heroes.
Kirsten's favourite class to teach is one that leaves people feeling challenged and rested all within an hour, and loves to compliment her classes with a coffee-house vibe playlist and extra long savasanas!
Kirsten is new to the community and is looking forward to connecting with
all of you!
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We are so grateful to have Kirsten join our team!
Taylor Vanderzwet, Yoga Teacher + Reiki Practitioner
Taylor is a very passionate being who believes in the self integration of yoga and its teachings to help empower others. She’s a nature lover, an avid traveler, and Reiki Practitioner.
Taylor believes her practice is the intersection of bliss between mind, body, and soul… each time she steps on the mat that is her goal.
Through teaching Taylor has found a unique way to actively share and inspire others. She believes theme weaving with nature creates an accessible way for her clients and students to visualize energy and how to find alignment within within their own bodies.
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We are so grateful to have Taylor join our team and community!
Teagon Glasgow, Pilates Instructor
I took my first Pilates class in 2021, and instantly fell in love with the practice.
I left feeling so light, energized, and excited I had found a form of exercise I truly enjoy! During this time I was attending my first year of college, using Pilates classes as a mental break from the workload. In 2023, I took the steps to become a certified mat Pilates instructor trained by Body Harmonics. Along the way, I have gotten to experience the amazing things Pilates can do for you (not only physically, but mentally) and am so excited I get to share that with everyone !
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We are so grateful to have Teagon join our team!