We’ve just arrived on our Greek Island, Kythera and in a few short days our Yoga Retreat Group will be here. By we I mean Gloria and our daughters Tatiana and Gabriella. We’ve done this trip many times over the years starting with G. and I honeymooning here 17 years ago (oh my god . . . we’re married 17 years. I say the time has just flown by, G. says it feels like a long time . . . hmmm). We baptized both the girls here on the Island, the homeland of Gloria’s Father Athanasios, or Tommy, his Canadian name. Tommy and my Mother-In-Law Helen built a beautiful little family home here over the years and along the way G. and I were inspired to start offering Yoga Retreats. This beautiful, mystical, rough and rugged Island has been the source of so much love in our lives and continuously inspires us. But love and Kythera go hand in hand . . . after all Aphrodite, the Goddess of Spiritual Love rose from the sea just off the beach of Paleopoli that we gaze upon from our yoga mats. People travelled here from all over the Mediterranean in antiquity to worship at her temples, and we still come from the far corners of the world. There is still a powerful presence, a feeling in the earth and the air of the people and the past dating back some 5,000 years. A few minutes on the yoga mat and ahhhh, it’s simply magic. After yoga a swim in the crystal clear water at Aphrodite’s beach—and for lunch a fresh Greek Salad and maybe one of my favorites, Imam-stewed eggplant in olive oil and tomato sauce.
Wesley Salter-Semperviva Yoga Teacher
About Wesley 
Wesley graduated with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria (Social & Phys. Ed.) and he went on to have a successful high school teaching career both in Canada and abroad. After studying yoga for over 10 years Wesley completed his Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Certification under at Semperviva Yoga College. He has made the full-time transition from the high school classroom into the yoga studio and as a certified Hatha & Vinyasa Power Flow instructor, Wesley’s credo is simple: ‘Yoga Is For Everyone!’ Creating a fun & safe atmosphere with funky music mixes & challenging sequences, Wesley invites his students to focus on discovering their breath within each and every class.
What I love about yoga
Stretching, sweating, meditating, strengthening, growing, changing, dancing, grooving and breathing with my fellow yogi’s. It’s simply THE BEST:)
I teach yoga because
Teaching is an ever-changing, amazing adventure! Having the opportunity to continue to develop & share my practice & guide yogi’s in a class is the most rewarding experience.
I’m inspired by
Positivity, Passion, & Uniqueness
My favourite music to do yoga
At the moment my Top 5 songs (in no particular order) that I love to have in a my yoga playlists:
1) Gula Gula – Mari Boine
2) Disco Friends – Just Jack
3) Running Up That Hill – Placebo
4) All Night Long – Lionel Richie
5) Hot Like Fire – The XX
Beautiful places I love to visit
Travel has always been my passion. I’ve been fortunate to have travelled through over 50 countries and if I had a ’super power’ that allowed me to teleport to 3 beautiful places at any moment I would choose:
A) Tokashiki-Jima, Okinawa, Japan
B) Biarritz, France
c) Boracay, Philippines
What I like to do in my spare time:
Mountain biking, triathlons, hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, skateboarding, reading books, watching tons of movies and hanging with my girlfriend:)
My favourite quote:
“Learn how to exhale, the inhale will take care of itself.”
Credo:
Wesley’s credo is simple: ’Yoga Is For Everyone!’ Creating a fun & safe atmosphere with funky music mixes & challenging sequences, Wesley invites his students to focus on discovering their breath within each and every class.
Joanne Livera-Semperviva Yoga Teacher
What I love about yoga
I love experiencing and exploring the stillness and the movement within my breath, body and mind. I love the grace and the beauty of the dance, I love the sense of peace I get from moving deep into my body with my breath as I explore my practice. I love the connection to my heart, the clarity and peace of mind, and the flexibility and strength it provides my entire being.
I teach yoga because:
I teach because I want to share something that I love, something that has moved me deeply. It is a beautiful experience watching people transform and connect to the light within.
I’m inspired by:
Love
My favourite music to do yoga:
I love moving to the sound of my breath. It becomes an artful meditation and dance when I allow myself to move with the sound of my own rhythm.
Beautiful places I love to visit:
I would love to re-visit Sri Lanka. I haven’t been back in a very long time, but my memories are still vivid and bright and they call to me often.
What I like to do in my spare time:
The obvious answer is asana practice, I really enjoy being in class with friends. Any chill-time and play-time with friends is always a plus. I also enjoy being creative. Sometimes I’m inspired to paint and sometimes I’m inspired to cook. I also enjoy being in stillness.
My favourite quote:
So many to pick from, but here is one that speaks to me right now.
”If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford
Crista Shillington – Semperviva Yoga Teacher
Meet Your Yoga Instructor: Crista Shillington
Crista loves yoga! She has found that yoga addresses all aspects of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Crista holds a B.A. in Psychology, and has taken additional training in counselling and social work. She has been studying yoga for over ten years, and teaching yoga for six years. She has completed Teacher Trainings in Thailand and India. She has also completed numerous silent meditation and yogic breathing intensives. She loves to see students learn, sweat, de-stress, and have fun! She feels that yoga should be a balance between pushing oneself to grow and learn, and respecting one’s daily limits: acceptance and confidence on the mat reflect into daily life.
What I love about yoga:
The peace, compassion, and open heart that I feel after practicing.
I teach yoga because:
…it makes me a better person.
I’m inspired by:
…seeing people love what they do, witnessing how yoga uplifts people, watching people grow and connect to themselves, and, last but not least, some rockin’ tunes!!!!
My favorite music to do yoga by:
Oh, where to begin…. Thievery Corporation, Lauryn Hill, Freestylers, Stanton Warriors, Erykah Badu, Nightmares on Wax, Michael Franti, Massive Attack, XX, Lykke Li, Telepopmusik, Jill Scott, Norah Jones, Damian Marley, Groove Armada, David Newman, Bhagavan Das, Harc, G. Love, Girish, Bjork, The Januaries, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Bat for Lashes, Metric, A-Skillz, krafty Kuts…..
Beautiful places I love to visit:
INDIA!, Thailand, Turkey, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Caribbean, anywhere warm with a beach to lay on, or mountains to play on!
What I like to do in my spare time:
Yoga (obviously), rock climbing (my other love), walks and talks with family and friends, teas and conversation, hiking, camping, reading, getting sunshine!
My yoga education and certification:
Sivananda International Yoga Vedanta Centre – Neyyar Dam, India
Sivananda International Yoga Vedanta Centre – Madurai, India
Yoga Teacher Training Certification
Pyramid Yoga Centre – Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Yoga Teacher Training Certification
WORKSHOPS – Vancouver, BC
Include Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Sadie Nardini, Martin Kirk, Maria Garre, David Swenson, Annie Carpenter, and others. Also, many local teachers including Clara Roberts-Oss, Randy Chu, and Reno Muenz.
My favourite quote:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi
Joan Deverteuil – Semperviva Yoga Teacher
Meet Your Yoga Instructor: Joan Deverteuil
Joan began venturing down the yogic path in 2002, and has been enjoying the journey ever since. Her goal is to share with her students the same gifts that she receives from yoga: joy, exhilaration, presence, strength, confidence, flexibility, balance, and peace. In addition to yoga, Joan teaches music and movement classes to preschool children, and so likes to bring to her yoga classes elements of playfulness, discovery, and community.
What I love about yoga:
It makes me feel joyful, complete, strong, open, alive! It reminds me of what’s important in life, and that I already have everything I need to be happy. It teaches me to be more patient, compassionate, non-judgmental, accepting.
I teach yoga because:
I want to share all the wonderful benefits of yoga, to empower people to find peace and happiness, and to make the world a better place.
I’m inspired by:
Nature, other people’s kindness, my many teachers over the years.
My favorite music to do yoga by:
All kinds! Indian, African, Middle Eastern, Lounge, Ambient, Indie,…
Beautiful places I love to visit:
Salt Spring Centre of Yoga
What I like to do in my spare time:
Make music, ride my bike, walk, hike, snowshoe, dance.
My yoga education and certification:
Semperviva 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Semperviva Yin Yoga Teacher certification
My favourite quote:
“If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing.” – Zimbabwean proverb …and if you can breathe, you can do yoga…
The Semperviva Yoga Teacher Feature
Meet Your Yoga Teacher
Over 50 experienced and passionate yoga instructors teach and practice at Semperviva Yoga. We’ve created this new blog category, the Semperviva Yoga Teacher Feature, for you. Meet your yoga instructors and learn more about them.
Enjoy the read and send us your comments if you’d like to start a conversation.
Namaste,
The Semperviva Family
Exploring New Territories of My Body and Soul
From Barbora Libanska
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the email from Semperviva congratulating me on winning the first prize in the 40 Day Yoga Challenge. What a great completion of those amazing 40 days!
I am grateful to my housemate and friend Gen for drawing me into this adventure. At the outset, was an absolute beginner. I had been thinking about doing some yoga since I moved to Vancouver last November but could never really find the time and motivation to get started. Then Gen moved into our house at the beginning of May and invited me to join her in the Challenge. Her enthusiasm and excitement were contagious. This was the impulse I had been waiting for. What better opportunity to get fully immersed in yoga there could be? I love challenges!
The kick-off class gave me a rough idea of what to
40 Yoga Classes in 40 Days
Kudos to all Semperviva 40 Day Challenge Yogis out there. You have made it!
Between May 15th and June 23rd 43 Semperviva Yogis attended 40 or more yoga classes, the amazing Terry leading the count with 87 classes. 28 yogis checked in 30-39 times in 40 days. One participant, Rowan, completed the challenge from far away Saskatchewan without missing a day. Well done, everyone!
We hope that the 40 Day Yoga Challenge has deepened your yoga practice and that it has been an inspiring journey for you all…. and one to be continued.
As always we have drawn three lucky winners from all those who attended 40 or more classes during the challenge. And the winners are…