Our Studio
Darlene Steele
Owner/Operator
Yoga Instructor @ Yoga Bloom Studio
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I first stepped on a yoga mat in 2012, and it was love at first twist. At the time, I was looking for something to help me find some inner calm, and I left feeling so peaceful I couldn’t wait to go back for more. As I continued to attend different yoga classes, I began to notice so many major changes in my overall physical, spiritual and mental well-being. Just learning how slowing down the breath and taking easy inhales & exhales could be so powerful, was amazing to me.
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I was constantly telling everyone I met about all the fantastic benefits of yoga, so I figured it was time I took it to another level. I decided to delve into it deeper by signing up with the amazing Bobby Bessey and Meaghan Burridge, to complete my 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training-NL in December, 2018.
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I did some substitute teaching, and then in 2019 I completed my Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Andrea Peloso. From there I completely emptied out my basement to have a small home based studio. This opportunity allowed me to learn and grow in my teaching, and I knew this was what I wanted to do. But then when Covid hit, things changed and I had to switch my teaching to online Zoom. I think those Zoom classes were so important to all of us practicing together in such uncertain times, but I really missed the energy in the room with people around.
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When the opportunity came up this year to open my own yoga studio in St. John's, I was so excited to have a space where all people could come to practice this gift of yoga.
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I feel blessed to have this opportunity to teach, and I am so thankful for all my yogis and for the many wonderful teachers that have guided me over the years.
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Namaste,
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Darlene
Our Approach
If there is one thing I want people to know it’s that all bodies can do yoga, as it’s truly for everyone. I tell people to leave their judgements of themselves and others at the door and to get rid of any pre-conceived notions they may have of yoga. I try to teach in a way that everyone feels empowered to know when to stop and when to push on, and that can be different every time we come to our mat. I like to teach with a sense of lightheartedness, encouraging students to try new poses while having fun along the way and not taking ourselves too seriously.
Yoga really is a moving mediation, allowing us to tune out and tune in during our time on our mat. My favourite part of teaching yoga in St. John's is seeing the difference in people’s faces when they come to class and when they leave…the transformation is incredible to witness. I truly believe in the healing power of yoga.
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My fantastic instructors & I look forward to seeing you on your mat.
Blessings,
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Darlene
Our Instructors
Kelly Bursey
Yoga Instructor
Kelly Bursey has been practicing yoga since 2003 and has been teaching since 2012. She has been inspired by many yoga styles ranging from Ashtanga, Kundalini, Anusara, Iyengar and Yin. She has been drawn by the strengthening qualities of alignment based instruction which has become the pillar of her teaching style.
Kelly takes great joy and pride in empowering her students through carefully crafted yoga sequences that create a safe platform for her students to improve their range of motion while keeping them safe with strong alignment cues.
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All of Kelly’s classes are taught with many alternatives to poses that may be challenging for some and doable for others giving each student an opportunity to grow at their own pace and reach their full potential.
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Kelly currently holds a 200 hour certification in Hatha Yoga and is currently completing a 300 hour in CYoga. She is also certified in Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Yoga Trapeze, Gravity Yoga and is a Breath Coach.
Christie Fahey
Yoga Instructor
RYT 200, Yoga For All Certified Instructor
Christie offers a welcoming safe space for all bodies to feel accepted, appreciated and loved. Christie has over 30 years of trying to make her body “fit in” the ideal diet and fitness culture’s thin-able body. Teaching various fitness and Yoga classes she witnessed people who wanted to participate or did not return due to inaccessibility. Within the last three years Christie has divested from the oppressed and exclusive mindset of diet and fitness culture. She says it has been hard and at times felt isolated but grateful for the teachings of Yoga. Christie is committed to creating a community to help support people learning to love their bodies as they are without shame or pressure to change. Continuing on her journey in a bigger body she has learned new ways to adapt and make movement accessible and enjoyable again.
Christie completed her Yoga teacher training with Bobby Bessey and Meaghan Burridge. She has 200 hours of Yin training with Stephanie Calhoun and Yoga For All with Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes. Other training in Yoga Nidra, Karma Kids Yoga, Restorative and Level 1 Meditation Teacher Training with Meranda Squires.
Christie is a mother of two beautiful boys and any free time she has you will find her in nature. Christie says “Come as you are, stay where you are at and leave in your own power”
Beverly Wareham
Yoga Instructor
Beverly is a certified yoga instructor and has been guiding yoga classes since 2015.
Yoga found her back in the early 90s discovering it to be the missing link in her exercise regime.
At that time she was weight training, running and attending fitness classes. Yoga proved to be essential to increase her flexibility, lengthen muscles and introduced her to a better balance in overall health and wellbeing.
It wasn’t until 2000, while living in Toronto, that she began to truly understand the mind/body connection of yoga while studying and practicing with experienced teachers, Esther Myers and Monica Voss. She learned the relationship between the ground, the breath and the spine. Finding balance and body awareness through conscious movement has changed her perspective and approach to all other forms of exercise. It has also taught her to be patient with herself allowing freedom of the mind and body.
She has practiced many types of yoga but her favourite is Vinyasa flow. Through the years practicing with yoga teacher, Melanie Caines and other great teachers, she has gained inspiration and knowledge that supports her teaching style.
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She is forever a student and always open to learning new skills towards self improvement and encouraging others. She has completed the 200hr yoga teacher training and Yoga Nidra certification at Shakti Yoga with Bobby Bessey and Meaghan Burridge. She is currently enrolled in Mindful Trauma Informed Yoga Training with Dr. Ann Bortz, through Yoga Medicine.
Beverly is also a certified Holistic Nutritionist. Her other certifications include, Reiki levels I and II, Personal Trainer, Colon Hydrotherapist and Live Cell Microscopist. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and worked in the fields of Earth Science and Environmental Assessment for 20 years.
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She has a very active lifestyle that includes yoga, hiking, weight training, cooking and travel! She loves being in the natural world and encouraging others to achieve their goals both on and off the mat!
John Foley
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
John is committed to bringing a peaceful presence and mindful awareness into his life every day and to doing the inner work of the spiritual warrior.
His hope is that by sharing the experiences of his journey, and how mindful awareness has shaped and enriched those experiences, he will be able to help others. He believes that stimulating discussions on love, personal empowerment and a better way forward can help us navigate life in a more joyful, peaceful, loving, kind and compassionate way.
John is a native Newfoundlander who has also lived in Jasper, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario. He worked as an English educator in South Korea for 10 years, and was fortunate enough to be able to travel to many countries in Asia and to visit other parts of the world.
He has been a spiritual seeker since his teens, but it really took a prominent role in the late 2000’s as he struggled through some major life upheaval. John has practiced and studied meditation for more than 15 years, and most recently completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teachers Certification Process; a two year program offered by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
Miriam Hornell
Yoga Instructor
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Miriam Hornell has been practicing and loving yoga for over 25 years and has been teaching a variety of yoga to diverse groups for over a decade.
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She is certified at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Nassau, Bahamas in both Basic Yoga and Advanced Yoga.
Mariam is an avid volunteer and loves running, gardening, camping and cycling. She is also certified as a Royal Life Saving Society Instructor/Examiner.
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She has been teaching Chair Yoga for over 5 years and feels passionate about helping people discover a safe practice space that will lead them to explore how to keep their body moving even with challenges.
Maria Vargas
Yoga Instructor
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Yoga Bloom is happy to welcome Maria Vargas to our amazing team of instructors!
Maria is a dedicated wellness enthusiast with a passion for yoga and pilates.
Having recently completed her yoga teacher training, she brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to her classes.
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Maria will be teaching Saturday Morning Hatha Flow at 11AM
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