It’s pretty simple… Andrea loves running! From her very first Calgary marathon experience 6 short years ago all the way to Boston, Chicago, New York, Vancouver and Winnipeg, each of these 26.2 miles has shown her something unique and important about training, racing, herself, and life in general. Running is Andrea’s own form of moving meditation. It is her first choice for physical activity and there isn’t a day that she doesn’t look forward to hitting the pavement for a run. Not only are there amazing physical and health benefits, but the emotional and mental benefits Andrea receives from a long run on the pathways cannot be underestimated. She often tries to share with the world that running truly brings her “Peace in my mind and happiness in my heart”. For Andrea... Read the profile >>
Chris Rurka, born in Edmonton, Alberta, studied Business Management at Grant MacEwan College. If he could go back in time and change his university experience, he would study Commerce. Chris also swam competitively for 10 years before his yoga journey began. His training was under Rameen Peyrow at Yoga Santosha. His patience and groundedness are two of his biggest strengths which were both developed through his practice of yoga. If he has not decided to become a yoga teacher, Chris would be an actor or a clothing designer. He comes across as quite guarded and quiet, but can be found most energetic when teaching around noon. Two of the biggest influences in Chris' life are his mother, who is hard working and giving, and gave him values and showed him how to love. The other is... Read the profile >>
A Montreal, Quebec native, you can recognize this yogi by her tall stature and ear-to-ear smile. Genevieve Levesque studied Art at Carleton University, and Urban Planning at the University of Calgary, where she played on the university volleyball team. Her passion for athletics led her to Rishikesh, India and Yoga Passage in Calgary for Hatha and Ashtanga courses. She has also travelled to Espanla, New Mexico at the Yoga Bhahjan Ashram for KRI Level One Aquarians Teacher Training. However, she does not plan on stopping there; she would love to practice on a pristine beach platform (Bali and Mexico are at the top of her list right now). Gen's favorite way to sweat is in a European bathhouse sauna. You can expect to see Genevieve (or her spiritual name, Navnihal, meanaing... Read the profile >>
Bombshell Fit
Heather Berard-Mounsey is easily identified by her intense look and fiery red hair, she was born in Denver, Colorado but quickly headed north of the 49th parallel to receive an honors degree in Communications Studies from Concordia University in Montréal, Quebec. If she could re-do her university studies, she would study languages and get a degree in kinesiology. Growing up Heather competed in figure skating competitions and even won 2nd place in Western Canada for synchronized skating. Currently her favorite way to sweat is any type of explosive plyometrics, she loves burpees and her creative nature helps her in coming up with new variations on them! The biggest lie Heather tells herself is that she will, one day, be completely happy with her physique-but she is always pushing... Read the profile >>
Jennifer Rurka, a native Calgarian, began her teaching journey with Ishta training at Yoga Passage in Calgary and from there went to India for Sivananda training. Both she and her husband Chris would love the opportunity to practice with Edward Clarke in London, England. If Jennifer had not taken the path that led her to yoga she envisions herself somewhere practicing Law or Medicine. Her favorite movie was Gorillas in the Mist because it inspired her by showing a courageous and brilliant woman who would stop at nothing to protect the gorillas and their rainforest habitat. The person Jennifer admires most is her husband, Chris, as he provides her with strength, courage, patience and love each day. Her courage and willpower aide her in what she is the best in the world at- developing,... Read the profile >>
Aside from being our favorite IronMan, Rafael Lopez is also a true Calgarian with a Commerce degree in Marketing from the University of Calgary. A year from now, he will have his Calgary office open for his marketing company, REDLIME and ten years from now his company will be one of Canada's top 30 marketing companies. He competed in his first race, the Blitz Diathalon, only a few years ago and from there he caught the race fever and his first serious race was the Calgary Police Half Marathon last year (which, without her permission, he signed his fiancée up to run with him), in 2011 he set his personal best at the same race! His first IronMan is the 2011 Canada IronMan in Penticton. In 2014 he will qualify for the Kona IronMan and in 2016 you can check for his time at the Boston... Read the profile >>
