About Us

Leila Rai (Shakti)
While on a long pilgrimage to her ancestral homeland, Leila became a certified Sivananda Yoga teacher taking her Teacher Training Course at the Sivananda Ashram in Netala, India on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. As a lifelong learner and spiritual seeker, she dedicates much of her time studying Eastern and Western philosophy and psychology, as well as many perspectives found in the field of human consciousness. Her devotion to a yogic practice stems from her deep connection to her Indian roots and her natural born tendency to integrate the mind, body and spirit in her approach to a contented life.

Leila believes that all human endeavors are an opportunity for growth and provide a person with valuable lessons and insights about one’s true nature. Whether a person pursues an interest in a spiritual life, the arts, academics or technology, in athletics and recreation, in the service of others or the environment, in business or simply in bettering oneself, Leila sees all outward expressions as an inner journey towards a wholeness of being. Leila’s purpose as a yoga teacher is to help each person uncover his/her highest potential as a balanced human. She approaches teaching from the perspective of a facilitator.

Leila's outward expression of her inner journey was reflected in her years as an elite world-class athlete.
Her successes as a swimmer were intrinsically linked to her ability to integrate the boundless power of the body, mind and spirit.

Highlights of Leila’s athletic career include:

    * 1984 Olympic Games Bronze Medal
    * 1983 Pan Am Games Silver Medal
    * 1986 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal
    * Induction into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame
    * University of Victoria Legacy Award recipient
    * Prime Minister of Canada’s Award of Champions
    * University of Victoria Female Athlete of the Year
    * City of Victoria Athlete of the Year

In the years following her swimming career, Leila spent many years learning and reflecting on the world's great traditions. She awakened the beauty and wisdom of the East which stirred deep within her being from childhood. She also spent time coaching young aspiring athletes for many years and still continues to mentor young swimmers on a volunteer basis. She believes that participation in sport can address the whole person and not simply regard the athlete as being their performances.

Later, Leila turned her energies and talents towards a career in Education. Leila has 14 years experience as a highly respected Special Education, English and Media Studies high school teacher whose impact on students has been regarded as profound. In her teaching, she combines both Eastern and Western approaches to her work with students. She possesses a degree in Sociology from the University of Victoria, B.C., and a degree in Education from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C.

Leila’s life purpose of encouraging world peace through the discovery of inner peace has been her impetus to make yoga a way of life and to teach yogic methods to attain this.

Regis Chapman (DurgaDas)
Regis took his Teacher Training Course at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California, USA. After practicing yoga and meditation at another nearby spiritual center, Regis made the courageous decision and committed to a permanent residency at the ashram.

While living a monastic life at the ashram from 2005-2008, he devoted his time to his yogic path and to the service of others. In addition to his disciplined spiritual practice, and primary computer technician duties, Regis spent much of this time as head Hatha Yoga teacher. He was responsible for assisting new yoga teachers in-training and recent graduates refine their skills, as well as mentoring and guiding new spiritual aspirants in work study and other residency programs.

It was during his first year at the ashram that Regis developed the Yoga & Balance program. This program attempts to explain, both in spiritual and physical terms, many of the concerns he was hearing from his yoga students, ashram program attendees and teachers in training.

Regis’ passion for personal excellence and self-discovery was ignited in 1989 which led him on a journey to bicycle across America. His love for cycling grew into a serious endeavor, both as a coach and participant in the sport.  As a cyclist, he excelled in many races at an elite level including clinching the title of Florida State Time Trial Champion in 1990. As a coach for 20 years, most of which he dedicated his time voluntarily, he worked long-term with many well-known elite cyclists who have gone onto successful professional careers.

As a practicing life coach, Regis' unique approach has become highly sought after in this time when people are seeking a deeper inquiry into the mind, body and spirit connection. His in-depth experiences, plus the multitude of skills needed to assist people with various physical, mental and spiritual challenges which naturally arise in life, have led him to integrate Eastern philosophical teachings with modern physical and psychological methods for attaining a sense of peace and well-being.

Regis is dedicated to combining his life coaching skills and his experience of yoga practice into an integrated system towards a balanced life. His compassionate and patient nature is admired by his clients from all walks of life. He is devoted to help others along their path of optimal health, personal excellence and self-realization. Combine that with a healthy dose of humor and you have a truly gifted teacher.

Vision

• Contemplate. Integrate. Connect.
• Your goals, your vision, your body realized with our integral method of ancient yogic wisdom, modern compassionate communication skills and scientific physiology knowledge.
• Seeing the other as ourselves, we integrate the ancient and complete system of Yoga, Vedanta and other mystical traditions with modern non-violent communication tools, coaching and science for peaceful, transformative, loving and successful daily living.
• Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha  "Yoga is the individual discipline that leads to the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind." - Patanjali

Mission Statement

We generate and inspire peace, wellness, happiness and connection with the divine within all- through our own role as Yoga practitioners, teachers, and students- students and clients who become practitioners abiding in the essence of Yoga.

Purpose

We create and deliver programs, books, services and training in the gurukula system (spiritual apprenticeship) to unite and integrate one's true Self by focusing effort on the revealing power behind the projections and impurities of the mind and the veils that cover our experiencing and expressing our true integral Self in the present moment.

Values

We value integrity and integral living.
To say so, we must define what integrity is, per dictionary:

• Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
• The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
• The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.

To this dictionary definition we would add:

• We stand on the truth- sat, or that which does not change in the three periods of time- past, present, or future. Integrity is standing on the truth in all spheres of life and to be integral is to be intimate- i.e. being present, honest and vulnerable.
• Internal change precedes external change. One must be a practitioner first. It is the silent unspoken intention behind thought, word and deed that makes lasting change.
• We acknowledge the whole, wise, capable, and resourceful nature of all things in oneness.
• We integrate and validate the Self-evident essence of all philosophy, religion and action toward spiritual practice, as this is the nature of Yoga. 
• Our thoughts, deeds and reflection facilitate ethical conduct, non-violence, action, peace, contentment, and compassion internally and externally.
• Recognize that our thoughts, words and actions grow and expand awareness worldwide.
• Living is ALWAYS relationship. The things that make us alive are those that must adapt, accommodate and adjust in the physical, mental, interpersonal and spiritual spheres.