Karina Ackert, RMT & Yoga Instructor
(Founder / Clinic Director)
Karina practices massage therapy and therapeutic yoga full time at Metta Massage & Yoga Clinic. She has been teaching yoga for 16 years, and has been a registered massage therapist for 12 years. Karina has specialized training in Yoga for Children, Recovery Yoga, personal training and advanced massage therapy techniques. Karina created Metta Massage & Yoga Clinic so that people would have a place to learn and have fun in a safe and healthy environment.

Lynne Cardinal, Yoga & Meditation Instructor
has been teaching and giving lectures and seminars on subjects related to Stress Management, Yoga, Relaxation and Meditation for over 20 years in Canada, Europe and India. She studied Eastern Philosophy from the International Meditation Institute in the Himalayas from where she received a Ph.D. in Eastern Philosophy. Lynne is the co-author of several books and tapes on the philosophy of Yoga. She studies the scriptures directly from the Sanskrit, and has created booklets and tapes and a recently production of a Learning Kit (CD and Booklet) on the philosophy of Yoga (Yoga Sûtras). Each Sanskrit verse is translated word-by-word and explained. This philosophy contains many direct meditation techniques plus insights into the workings of the human mind, as explained by the author of Yoga. Find out more about Lynne at www.kaivalya.ca

Nathalie Chartier, PT, Therapeutic Yoga Instructor
has been a physiotherapist for the past 12 years and is presently working in private practice in downtown Ottawa. She has worked for 6 years as the travelling physio for Cirque du Soleil which gave her a unique understanding of the creative extremes that are physically possible. Having had various injuries herself as well as chronic pain, she has a deep understanding of the body-mind relationship. She uses that background as her base in her treatments and classes. Her knowledge of Acupuncture also plays a role in her approach to understand the complexity of the human body. Join Nathalie for an introduction to yoga with insights far beyond basic alignment skills and meditation- prepare to learn more about where you can move and grow from where you are now. 

Joyce (Lagasse) Hardman, Yoga Instructor 
with a wide range of life experiences from which she has learned the importance of compassion and a yoga teacher for over 30 years, Joyce currently leads "Yoga for Wise Bodies," a class for students aged 50+. She has grown in openness and acceptance through her commitment to spiritual practice, and she has come to value tender forgiveness and humour through the adventures and mishaps of passionate experiments and embarrassing choices... She now draws upon this rich and varied background to help others create a more grounded, balanced, and abundant life for themselves. Find out more about Joyce at www.coachingforlifeottawa.ca 

Lindsay Gillespie, RMT, BA Psych 
As Lindsay is an active individual, she is very aware and interested in how the body functions and the many alternative ways of treating pain and discomfort. After graduating from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Lindsay felt that massage therapy would be a natural progression into working "hands on" with people. Lindsay graduated with Honours from the Massage Therapy program at Algonquin College and has specialized training in pre & post natal massage, joint mobilizations, swedish massage, remedial exercise and hydrotherapy. She continues her post-graduate training with courses in Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Injury Techniques and Myofascial Release. Lindsay welcomes all clients, new and returning, with a warm handshake.

Amy Maheu (nee Moore), RMT, BA Kinesiology
After graduating from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in 2004, Amy felt that massage therapy would be complementary to her degree.  Amy graduated from the Massage Therapy Program at Algonquin College and has received specialized training & education in Swedish Massage, Trigger Points, Joint mobilizations, TMJ issues, Breast Massage, and a variety of musculoskeletal pathologies.  Amy is looking forward to furthering her education by completing her Can-Fit-Pro personal training certificate.  Amy welcomes all clients and looks forwards to assisting her client to achieve and maintain a positive lifestyle through massage therapy.   

Nikki Manzie, Workshop Leader & Yoga Program Advisor
Nikki is a certified Yoga Teacher, Traditional (Northern) Thai Massage Practitioner, Traditional (Northern) Thai Massage advanced practitioner trainer and an Ayurvedic Medical Practitioner and Educator amongst other related trainings. Nikki offers courses related to massage and yoga therapies that center around healing energies and ancient traditions. For more information, please visit Nikki's website at www.threewinds.com

Kelly McAuley, RMT
After having many family members and friends injured through motor vehicle accidents, sports and health conditions, Kelly was influenced to join a healing and helping healthcare profession. Being a Registered Massage Therapist has been rewarding for Kelly as she sees clients progress through all stages of healing to full therapeutic success. Trained in Hot Stone Therapy, Thermal Palms Massage, Swedish Massage, Joint Mobilizations and stretch/strengthening programs, Kelly enjoys the hands on rehabilitation process and personal connection to her clients. Interested in Pre and Post Natal Massage Therapy, she is an Infant Massage Instructor as well as trained in Pre & Post Natal Massage. All clients are welcome, at any age, and any degree of injury, for Relaxation or Therapeutic Massage. 
On Maternity Leave from April 14, 2008

Susan McEwen, Yoga Instructor
Susan sees the practice of yoga in light of the threefold invocation of peace, Om shanti, shanti, shanti: cultivating peace and benevolence in body, speech, and mind; peace individually, collectively, and universally.  Her life experience as a student and teacher has been graced with rich and varied opportunities to connect with, learn from, and facilitate the discoveries of people of all ages.  A graduate of the 250 hour teacher training at Core-Elation Yoga, Susan offers deep gratitude to the teachers and students with whose wisdom and energy she continues to be blessed, a heartfelt dedication to her ever-evolving personal yoga practice and ongoing studies, and a commitment to safely sharing yoga with others in the spirit of love, respect, and the life long journey of learning. 

Rosemarie Oechsli, Yoga Instructor

Through teaching yoga, Rosie inspires students to deepen their experience of body-mind awareness.  Working with beginners to advanced students, Rosie integrates postural alignment, philosophy, and vinyasa flow; offering a way of life on and off the yoga mat.  Vinyasa means the place in between the goal is equal to the goal; trough sequences that promote flexibility, strength and balance; both mentally and physically; the emphasis is on the importance of constant awareness and presence.  Off the mat Rosie is currently training as a birth doula.  One day she hopes to become a midwife; a perfect marriage with Yoga.  Coming from a Hatha Vinyasa style background, Rosie has completed here teacher training of 250 hours at Core-Elation and is recognized by the yoga alliance.

Julie Oliveira, Yoga Instructor

Julie has been practising yoga for over 18 years and has studied various styles of yoga; specifically, Sivananda Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Raja Yoga and Classical Kundalini Yoga in Canada, Spain and India. She has also studied various forms of meditation in Canada and India. Julie became a certified Hatha Yoga Instructor (Yoga Alliance) in 2003 and went on to complete the Yoga Development Course at Yasodhara Ashram in British Columbia. Julie's background in writing and in dance led her to the reflective yoga (journaling) and sacred dance taught at Yasodhara Ashram as part of her practice, and she has since begun to develop her own style combining the two forms of movement that she loves most - yoga and dance. She brings her own experiences with injuries and self-healing to her teaching and helps students nurture and work with their individual bodies and life situations

Linda Rumleski, Yoga Instructor 
Linda’s teaching encourages students to practice with a sense of compassion and joyful curiosity about their bodies, their selves and their practice. She is a skilled teacher, who emphasizes precision of instruction to ensure a safe practice and demonstrates both an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the ability to adapt classes and asanas to students needs. In addition to teaching hatha at Metta, Linda also teaches yin, and partner/ acro yoga. She is also interested in the connection between yoga, dance and prana and, in her spare time, trains and performs as a poi dancer (fire and glow). Join Linda and Kathryn for Partner Yoga monthly at Metta!

Jessica Scott, Yoga Instructor
trained at Upward Dog Yoga Centre, and teaches Wellness Yoga Classes at Metta as well as managing many aspects of our Client Care and Front Desk. Jessica trained as a dancer and has a keen interest in the benefits of Yoga therapeutically for people with physical challenges and most especially during pregnancy. Jessica is currently studying Thai Yoga Massage and continuing her studies as a yoga instructor as Metta.

Mike Scott, RMT
After receiving massage and physiotherapy for an injury, Mike discovered the benefits of massage therapy and this sparked an interest in one-on-one healthcare.  He believes that massage therapy can rehabilitate and enhance bodily function and movement, while keeping the client comfortable.  Mike plans to continue his post-diploma studies of the human body & function through Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release and Postural Dysfunction courses.  Mike is a graduate of Algonquin College and is looking forward to meeting all clients. 

Eileen Scully, Therapeutic Yoga Instructor
Eileen has been living & practicing yoga as a path of healing & transformation for over 25 years. Since receiving her Yoga Teachers Certification at Kripalu Institute for Yoga & Health in 1991, Eileen has been teaching group & one-on-one yoga classes as well as creating and facilitating wellness and yoga-related "playshops". She has taught at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga & Health and was the core faculty yoga teacher at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for 3 years. In addition, Eileen attended Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training for Health Professionals. Eileen has studied Thai Yoga Massage at the Lotus Palm School. She has also been attuned to Reiki levels 1 and 2. She brings a 19 year diversified background in nursing, including 8 years as a hospice nurse, into her experience. Eileen's heart-centred teaching style creates a flowing experience of conscious movement, breath & mindful awareness. Through this practice, she encourages her students to cultivate loving-kindness towards themselves. Visit Eileen's website at: www.eileensyoga.com

Lushan Silva, Thai Yoga Bodyworker 
Lushan has studied with masters in his home country of Sri Lanka, as well as Chiang Mai, Thailand, over the past decade to become a Traditional Thai Therapeutic Bodyworker. His unique skills, endless energy and inspired integrity are a reflection of his hope to bring balance to people’s lives.