The Hamsa hand is a universal sign of protection, power and strength. It brings its owner happiness, luck, health and good fortune. The word “Hamsa” literally means “five,” representing the fingers of the right hand. For Hindus and Buddhists, it symbolizes chakras, energy flow in the body, the five senses and the mudras that affect them.
Each finger connects to an element and chakra: Thumb- Fire element, solar plexus chakra. Forefinger- Air element, heart chakra. Middle Finger- Ethereal elements, throat chakra. Ring Finger- Earth element, root chakra. Pinky Finger- Water element, sacral chakra.
Hand Facing Down or Varada Mudra: When the Hamsa hand faces down, it opens you up to all of the abundance and goodness of the universe, welcoming them into your life.
Classes taught: Warm Flow, Yoga Fit, Gentle Yoga, Prenatal Yoga
Carly has lived an active lifestyle from an early age as sports held her center focus. It wasn’t until after her college years that she discovered her own draw to the practice of yoga, which is what ultimately lead her to her current path as an instructor. With over 15 years of personal experience practicing yoga and attending workshops/training sessions; she has developed a philosophy that we are all students of life working towards a common goal to achieve optimal living.
Yoga has become more than just a practice for Carly, which is reflected in her teaching. You can trust you’ll be led in a direction that will open and strengthen the body safely. Her underlying drive as a teacher and student is to elevate all aspects of life; Mind, Body and Health.
Classes Taught: Stretch + Unwind, Warm flow, Mindfulness Series
Carey completed her 200-YTT in 2007. She has since completed training in Ashtanga, Hatha, Yin, LoveYourBrain, Prenatal and Trauma-Sensitive yoga. Her passion is for weaving mindfulness and meditation into her yoga classes and leads several meditation series at the studio.
Carey is one of the instructors for Hamsa’s Yoga Teacher Training series. She is also the proud owner of Drop Anchor Yoga & Meditation, providing yoga and meditation to individuals recovering from acquired brain injuries and trauma.
Classes taught: hot flow, Gentle II, STRETCH + UNWIND, Kids Yoga Series
Andrea first came to yoga as a very un-flexible cross-country runner whose knees were crying out for a change. Over time and a committed yoga practice she experienced physical and spiritual transformation both on and off the mat. Andrea is a certified E-RYT 200 and YACEP instructor who will encourage you to find that peaceful warrior within yourself.
Growing her yoga knowledge, in addition to these certifications, Andrea has completed over 80-Hrs of Yin Yoga certification, Kids Yoga Training and has attended workshops and trainings from internationally known yogis such as: Dharma Mittra, Sean Corne, Koya Webb, Kathryn Flynn, Amy Wren, Jennifer Stow and more.
Classes Taught: Gentle Yoga, Yoga Tone Series.
Tracy holds a B.Sc. in Kinesiology and 200HR RYT Yoga Diploma with Hamsa Yoga. She has spent her career working with people of all different ages and injury histories. Assisting people to heal and to improve or maintain their mobility has been her challenge and her passion.
When Tracy was faced with chronic pain and a major change in lifestyle, she was drawn to using Yoga as a healing modality. Now Tracy combines the science of Kinesiology and her Yoga Teacher Training and applies this in her work to help others to heal and to improve their lives. She has been fortunate to lead exercises for an inspiring group of high-risk seniors. It is her belief that Yoga should be available to everyone, and that all can benefit. Tracy has taken additional training in Teaching Yoga to Seniors, Chair Yoga and Ursui Reiki. She is a Bonefit and HeartWise Certified Instructor and in May 2020 will embark on an 800 hour journey to becoming a Certified Yoga Therapist.
Classes taught: Hot Ashtanga
Cara started practicing yoga 14 years ago, just after her fifth child was born. Overwhelmed and exhausted, she was looking to take some time for herself, reduce her stress and start getting back in shape. She spent a couple of years exploring different class styles and teachers before she found her tribe right here at Hamsa Yoga in Carleton Place! Her practice has grown and deepened over the intervening years (and through the births of two more children!) – it has kept her grounded and centered and continues to keep her connected to who she is, beneath all of the roles that life has assigned her. She is inspired by how yoga connects us to our bodies – through the flow of breath and prana (energy).
Flowing with grace and fluidity on her yoga mat helps her to bring that same sense of ease and calm to her day-to-day life. Cara is a 200-hr RYT and teaches Hatha, Flow, Vinyasa, Power, Ashtanga yoga and is in love with arm balances – any and all.
Classes taught: Aroma Flow
When Monica took her first Ashtanga Vinyasa class, she was instantly connected with the practice. She remembers her very first yoga instructor fondly as a person who left a lasting impression on her. Monica takes her own role as a teacher with not only great responsibility, but also with a warm and inviting approach. She continues to be inspired by her teachers, fellow yogis and is always attending workshops to further her training.
Monica is a 200HR RYT and has taught classes at Hamsa that include: Ashtanga Vinyasa, Hot Yoga, Power, Aroma Flow, Gentle YIN + Restorative.
Classes Taught: Gentle Flow, baby + me Series, Kids Yoga Series
Amanda fell in love with Yoga towards the end of her 100-pound weight loss journey. After struggling most of her adolescence with obesity and anxiety, Yoga brought calm and strength to her mind and body. As it does, life became busy and Amanda’s consistent yoga practice was derailed for a number of years. After losing her fiancé in a car accident in January 2018, Amanda decided to turn to her Yoga practice as an outlet. It was instantaneous with that decision that the universe began to open doors that led Amanda towards completing her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training; right here at Hamsa Yoga! Amanda wants to help others find the peace that her yoga practice has brought her; demonstrating that traumas do not always have to be fed with medications, but rather we are capable of taking control back over our mind and body.
With her Teachers Degree and a history as a Princess Performer, Amanda also hopes to bring a love for yoga into the hearts of children and adults alike!
Classes Taught: Relax + Restore
For many years Ruth was an equestrian coach and trainer. Yoga was the perfect complement to instill connection to the mind and body. Her life took a slight change of direction when she moved to the Middle East for two years. It was there that she was introduced to yoga with a deep focus on breathing techniques for stress release. Upon her return to Canada she completed her 200 YTT and received training in Restorative, Yin & Therapeutic Yoga (in Canada and India). Ruth is also a certified Hypopressive Breathing Level 1 coach.
She has been involved in the wellness field as a chiropractic health assistant for over 20 years & has a deep understanding of the importance of holistic health. Yoga and breathwork are an integral part of this equation and Ruth is passionate about sharing this knowledge. She maintains a sense of lightness and humour in her classes – “laughter being the best medicine.”
Classes Taught: Gentle Yoga
Taucha began practicing yoga 14 years ago as a way to calm her anxious, hyperactive mind during her undergrad. She then moved to Vancouver, BC for grad school where she wholeheartedly embraced the west coast yoga lifestyle. While working as a speech therapist, Taucha completed her 240-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Vancouver School of Healing Arts. After 11 years on the west coast, Taucha has recently returned to Ontario. She uses her experience as an allied health professional to evaluate pose difficulty and adjust postures to meet the needs of each student.
She combines breathwork, mindfulness, and physical poses to create strong accessible classes. Her goal is to empower students through relatable themes and playful sequences. She wants you to leave class feeling like the powerful unique human that you are.
CURRENT OPENINGS:
Applications for teachers or Energy Exchange Volunteer’s
We’re looking for energetic individuals who have enthusiasm for yoga; people who want to exchange their energy to help make our studio a better place to practice. You can share the studio’s positive energy and continue to strengthen your yoga practice.
Needed: Only 4-4.5 hours each week. Easy enough! Duties would include checking people in to class, data entry, explaining promotions and giving tours, sweeping floors, washing towels, cleaning bathrooms, etc. A 3-month commitment is required.