Linda Turnbull

Yoga:I was first introduced to Yoga in 2001 while studying dance in Vancouver. Little did I know it would change my life forever! In 2004, I received my Pilates Mat certification through Tracy Friesen (Edmonton). Both practices have increased my strength, flexibility and body awareness as a professional dancer, but it is Yoga that has taught me balance in a way that I would never imagine anything could. After years of my own dance-related knee, shoulder and hip injuries, I have had to change my asana practice and I now focus on safety and alignment to help support a strong and sustainable practice. Yoga has helped me recognize that life is not a competition. We all move and learn at our own pace and sometimes the calmer and more steady we move, the better the flowers smell! Breath is the key.

I feel blessed everyday to have a healthy mind and body. Yoga is the one element in my life that I have total control of. Through the use of breath and meditation, I have been able to manage my once highly anxious lifestyle to a more relaxed and loving state. I thank [all] my teachers everyday for welcoming me into this world of Yoga.

Peace.

Pilates:I began practicing the PIlates Method in 1998 while training at the Grant MacEwan Dance Program (Edmonton). It was during this time that I came to realize how integral core stability is to the moving body. I continued to practice the Method while completing my BFA in Dance at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), and soon I found myself taking the PIlates Mat certification course through Tracy Friesen (Integration Pilates, Edmonton) in 2004. Since completing my certification, I have been teaching all levels of practitioners, from reduced mobilty, seniors, pre/post natal, professional athletes and dancers, yogis,... the list goes on.

Dance:After graduating from the Grant MacEwan [Contemporary] Dance Program (Edmonton), and receiving my BFA from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), I became heavily involved in the Edmonton emerging dance community. From 2004-2008, I was dance curator for NeXtFest Emerging Artist Festival in Edmonton, and have since been performing and self-producing dance works