Brenda Berube Yoga
About
My journey with yoga began in 2003 when a running injury forced me to take a break from running. I took a few yoga classes and discovered that yoga was much more than a physical practice. I loved the way it made me feel and the connection I found within myself. My first 200 hr Hatha Yoga teacher training began in 2008 with Ally Bogard and Gaiatri Yoga.
Supporting Cancer patients through treatment and recovery with yoga is my hearts work. When my Mother was diagnosed with Cancer I remember how helpless I felt in supporting her. When I took the Thrive Yoga for Cancer Survivors program I knew that I had found a way to support Cancer patients. I completed this training through Yoga Thrive with Tyla Arnason C-IAYT and Dr. NicoIe Culos-Reed, Associate Professor, Health and Exercise Psychology at the University of Calgary.
Sharing this beautiful practice and witnessing my student’s growth, and transformation is what inspires me to teach. What I receive from teaching yoga is truly a gift. The greatest gift a student has given me was sharing this with me "I feel safe in your classes!"
I will always be a student of Yoga, honoring its roots and offering my classes with respect and honoring of classical yoga. The human body intrigues me and I will continue to grow my knowledge of movement.
In 2021 I completed an 800 hr Therapeutic Yoga Training with Jamie Mathiasen/Canadian Institute of Therapeutic Yoga. This training included 16 hours of Clinical Somatic Education based on the work of Thomas Hanna, as well as 50 hours of practical one on one teaching.
Fascia is my new fascination, and in 2023 I completed training in Myofascial Ball Placement in yoga, and Pain Informed Yoga with Christine Wushke, at the Myofascial Yoga Institute of Canada. Many of us live with chronic pain. Breath may be the single most important movement in our body, and all of my classes are taught with an awareness to the movement of breath. Breath, mindful movement & ease are three elements you will find in every class I offer.
I continue to offer Yoga classes along with meditation in public and private settings to support those recovering from Cancer, those wanting to improve their mobility, and build awareness of Self.
Video & Photo credit Shanda Harper Photography
Testimonial
I have had the absolute pleasure of receiving yoga instruction from Brenda for the last 7 or so years. When I first started pursuing yoga it was for a purely physical means; to become more toned and strong and to maintain my health. Throughout my seven years, Brenda has been my favorite instructor for more than just her physical practice. Brenda has offered a level of yoga I never thought I needed. She has allowed me to become not only comfortable with my new body, but embrace it and thank it for all it does for me.
She has added a new level to her practice with her therapeutic training that has leveled up my practice even more. Due to her compassion and understanding of anatomy, differences in bodies, and individual backgrounds, Brenda has shown me a new level of love for my body. The therapeutic aspect of Brenda's classes has honestly made me feel the best I have ever felt. After any session of Brenda's, I feel like a magical unicorn! I don't know where my yoga practice (both on and off the mat) would be without the kind guidance from Brenda. I highly recommend her to everyone I know, even those hesitant to try anything physical.
Angie
Testimonial
I have known Brenda for many years. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 I messaged Brenda and she did not hesitate to help me deal with recovery from surgery and chemo. When I was feeling weak and not very good she adjusted yoga poses to suit my needs. There were a few times I was pretty fatigued and so our practice was meditation. I remember one day Brenda said lets try plank, I was pretty worried because I didn’t know how I’d do after having a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. That time will probably always be my favorite plank day as it got my confidence back up. Yoga was a great stress release for me and helped me improve my quality of life during those dreaded chemo treatments. Brenda has so much compassion and her personality is a perfect match for what she does. I looked forward to our weekly meets and I know that I could not have gone through some of the darkest times without her. Sometimes you meet those people in life that hold a spot near and dear to your heart…Brenda is definitely one of those people for me.
Trina Gedny
