Carolyn Hapgood
RYT 500, E-RYT 200, C-IAYT, M.Ed., B.A. (Hons)
Kula Board Member
Carolyn began her yoga journey in January 2002. Her background includes 10 years of studying and practicing in the Iyengar tradition, where postures are alignment based. In 2012 she completed the 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training at Shakti Yoga Studio, St. John’s, NL. In 2013, she completed the 300 Hr Professional Yoga Therapist Certification with Integrative Yoga Therapy which took place in Texas, Massachusetts and Arizona. In 2014, she completed the Neurogenic Yoga training in Arizona and became one of two Certified Neurogenic Yoga teachers in Canada. In 2015, she became Globally Certified as a TRE Provider (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), this training was completed in Chicago – though TRE is not yoga, it is a body intervention. In 2017, Carolyn became a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
She hopes that whether students are looking for restfulness, peace, inner calm or a challenge, that they will have the freedom to find it in her class.
Pamela Martin-McDonald
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Pam is a passionate mental health advocate and mompreneur, who believes in whole body holistic health for all and for the long term.
Pam’s entry into better health was sparked by motherhood. She started applying the care she gave to her children to herself- first with physical health entry point. From here, she realized just how interconnected mental health, physical health and emotional health are.
From overcoming her own depression and anxiety, from surpassing her own limitations via winning awards in bodybuilding, to opening a private health clinic, and everything in between, Pam's personal journey of overcoming, combined with her personal touch, transparency, speaks to many on a variety of levels. Her approach is through the nervous system and on what we all have in common- the basic human need to feel seen, heard, loved.
She started as a Personal Trainer and Healthy Weight Loss Coach while her children were babies and then added in specialty certifications in Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Kids and Family Yoga, Essential Oils and Natural Health Coaching, Meditation Teacher, and Restorative Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and has recently just completed her Reiki Master Teacher Level.
She has a passion for helping others overcome doubt, breaking unhealthy patterns and sparking the inner light of empowerment in others. In addition to the numerous holistic healing modalities offered through Meridian, she is a public speaker, wellness presenter, personal development coach, self-care program facilitator, and offers wellness retreats both privately and corporately.
Pam firmly believes that by addressing the mental, physical and spiritual elements of the self, both the Yin and Yang sides of life are what teach us balance. One is not better than the other, we need both and there is not one size fits all approach to living healthy and well!
When not with clients, Pam can be found volunteering in the community or with her children's schools, exercising in a variety of fun ways, learning new skills, visiting her roots around the bay and currently, working on building her family lakeside cottage.
Following her passion for growth and to reach as many people as possible, Meridian offers private and group sessions virtually!
Be sure to follow Meridian Health and Wellness on instagram and facebook as well as to sign up for the Meridian News by visiting Meridian Health & Wellness.
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Meet Pam, aka, the hybrid health coach! Pam is a Holistic Health Practitioner “Naturotherapist” with the ANN (Academy of Naturopaths and Naturotherapist of Canada), and founder of Meridian Health and Wellness, in St. John’s.
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Knowledge, Nurture, Nature, Connection, Consistency
will shift you from surviving to thriving
Bobby Bessey
B.Sc., E-RYT 500, RPYT,
Doula CD(DONA),HypnoBirthing Instructor
Kula Board Member
Bobby studies and teaches yoga both in Canada and internationally. She approaches yoga holistically with classes that nourish body, mind, and spirit. Bobby has completed a number of yoga certifications both in India and at home in Canada. Her background in science and study of yoga traditions infuses her classes with both physiological and energetic perspectives. Becoming a mother inspired Bobby to pursue specialization and certification in prenatal yoga, post natal yoga, HypnoBirthing, and doula support. In addition to teaching Hatha, prenatal, postnatal and corporate yoga classes Bobby is the creator and director of the 85-hour Shakti Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training & the Shakti Yoga Nidra Teacher Training. She also co-teaches the Yoga Alliance registered 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training NL program.
Carolann Harding
B VocEd, RYT-200
Kula Board Member
Carolann is a certified yoga instructor with her Registered Yoga Alliance RYT-200 hour certification as well as training in Yin, Soma, children’s yoga and presently pursuing Prenatal Teacher Training with Bobby Bessey. Carolann has also trained in Thai Yoga Massage and more in-depth alignment based yoga in which she brings into her classes. Carolann is fueled by joy, passion, yoga, fresh air, smiles, travel, creation and just rolling with it - make peace, friends & love!
Carolann presently teaches two classes per week- one at the Kula co-op and one in the west end St. John's as well as private classes and various fundraising classes for not for profits.
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Lea Coultas
Movement Motivator/Certified Yoga Teacher/DJ/Musician
Lea has turned her passion for music & empowering others into a fun & uplifting class that is meant for all body types & fitness levels.
Voted # 1 under Yoga & Meditation with St. John's Community Votes in 2023 - The Elevated Experience class contains carefully curated playlists that are meant to inspire movement & the release of heavy emotions. Each class comes with its own unique experience as the playlists are never repeated. And all her class playlists are available on Spotify so you can enjoy the music from home. Each class contains movements such as:
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Gentle Stretching
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Gentle Yoga
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Mobility Exercises
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Low/High Impact Aerobics
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Free Dance
Lea's classes contain both guided movement & the freedom to move in your own way. It is HIGHLY encouraged to go at your own pace & do what feels right in your body at any given time. Let Lea ELEVATE your EXPERIENCE through music & movement. You can find Lea on Instagram & Facebook under The Elevated Experience where she posts regularly about upcoming classes & pop-up events. Contact Lea via email at connect@gentleyogawithlea.com