— Amanda was born in Halifax in 1980 and grew up in Fall River with her two younger sisters, Robyn and Jenna. Her interest in athletics and competitive edge led her to play on various teams from soccer, baseball, and volleyball, to rugby, hockey and snowboarding. After high school, Amanda attended Bishop’s university, where she studied business and played soccer. A knee injury in her final year prompted Amanda to leave sports behind and opened up the new world of yoga.
Upon moving to Calgary to land her first job, Amanda’s knee was still bothering her, so she met with the head physiotherapist for the Canada Games’ Rugby team who basically told her that she would never be able to run again. At this point, a friend suggested that she try yoga. Amanda was unacquainted with the practice and was scared of the prospect of having to sit and meditate. Despite her trepidation, she fell in love after the first class and couldn’t get enough. Initially she felt so stiff and sore that she’d try to show up late to avoid sitting cross-legged for too long, but after six months she noticed changes in her body and mind. Her focus became that of feeling good as opposed to ‘winning,’ and her knee felt so great that she was able to run again.
A year later, Amanda ventured to Japan to teach English and explore another part of the world. After 2 years, she realized that she did not feel good physically or mentally, and on a beautiful sunny day’s bike ride in the mountains, she decided she needed to go study and be immersed in yoga. Because she didn’t know anyone who practiced yoga in Halifax and was unfamiliar with its history and locations for study, the results of a Google search led her to Bangalore, India and the opportunity for three months of study with Mr. Viswanatha (Masterji). After a 36-hour sleepless trip from Japan, Amanda arrived in India for three months of Mysore practice 6 days a week, pranayma at noon, evening chanting, and the study of philosophy and anatomy.
Amanda returned to Halifax in December 2004 and met her wonderful and supportive husband, John. She completed a second teacher-training program with 8 continually influential yogi friends, and then began her official teaching career. A year later she enrolled in The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and received a diploma as a registered Holistic Nutrition Consultant. She also took a course in Colon Hydrotherapy and has had her own business practicing it for the last four years. Amanda continues to be grateful for the opportunities she has had to practice with wonderful yogis in Halifax, and the chances to study with David Williams, Tim Miller, Mark Darby, Hart Lazer, and Cindy Lee.
“I’m excited to start this new journey with the Yoga Shala and be completely immersed once again in the yoga community. I have changed a lot from the day I was scared to sit and meditate. Not only has yoga helped me physically, but it has also allowed me to open up spiritually and see what the world has to offer. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this spectacular journey.”
Namaste.
