January 2005

My Dream Yoga

Ariel Clara Pavic, RYT

Give a brief bio about yourself and/or your studio.
Ariel Clara Pavic, RYT is a creative and approachable teacher, inspired to give to others tool of yoga, which has enriched her life, so much. She teaches hatha yoga to all levels, as well as a flow power yoga to both beginners and advanced and has a specialty in Pre-Natal yoga. Ariel teaches all around the lower mainland, both in public, corporate and private environments. Her teaching draws on her background of contemporary movement training, jazz and ballet, personal yoga practice and intuition. Also, largely, on 17 years spent riding, showing and training horses in the art of Dressage, which she later realized was a yogic dance with a large silent partner! Her natural capacity for teaching was evident at a young age, teaching riding lessons from the age of 15. A riding injury which fractured 2 vertebrae left her with severe back problems for years, yoga being the only alternative to living life in pain. It is this personal experience with injury and recovery through yoga that she continues to share with her students, and as a result she places a huge emphasis on safety and correct alignment in her classes. Following through with her calling to work with pregnant and birthing woman, Ariel continues to focus on this field. She is currently expecting her own baby in may 2005, and continues to practice and teach yoga throughout the pregnancy. She lives in North Burnaby, British Columbia with her husband and two dogs.

What styles of yoga you teach? Hatha, Power and Pre-natal yoga

What makes your teaching or studio unique?
Ariel teaches yoga as a healing art, after recovering from a severe riding injury through yoga. Experience as a birth doula adds to her knowledge as a pre-natal yoga teacher, so not only has she training in pre-natal yoga postures but also practical experience and training in the physiology of labor and birth.

Do you or your studio provide other services other than yoga? Ariel is also a Birth doula, providing labor and birth support to childbearing families.

What is your favorite yoga posture? The double pigeon, sometimes called "box" pose: dwapada Rajakapotasana, for the amazing way it opens me up in my tightest spots! But really, who can choose their favorite when it's all so awesome?

Who is your favorite yoga teacher? Erich Schiffman, so down to earth and no nonsense! Locally, Bernie Clark and Alix Rodrigues.

How long have you been doing yoga? Over 9 years

* Please note these spotlights are written by individuals, and in no way reflects the view of Yoga in Canada.