Suzanne is a YA ERYT-500, a YAA-750 (Yoga Assoc. of Alberta), and is a C-IAYT (Certified with International Assoc. of Yoga Therapists) to work with persons wanting individualized programming for wellness. She has been training in yoga since 2004 and is the Lead Teacher for YA Teacher Training for her own company (New Leaf Training & Life Pursuits). She was the former Director of Teacher Training for the YA RYT-200 hr Certification program at The Breathing Room in Red Deer, AB, Canada. She also teaches certification courses for Mind-Body Instructors with the AFLCA (Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association).

Suzanne has been teaching yoga full-time since 2006 at local studios, fitness centres, public & alternative schools, hospitals, addictions recovery centres, & seniors’ facilities. Styles taught include Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Flow, Power, Ashtanga, Budokon, & Mindfulness/ Meditation. Her IAYT & supplementary course work includes specialized modules in Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra & Sleep, Brain Injuries & Conditions, Stress, Cancer, Trauma & specific Mental Health Challenges (Anxiety, Anger, Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Pain, Eating Disorders). She is a champion for applying yoga to improve everyday health concerns (e.g. Back Pain, Common Injuries, etc.)

Her weekly schedule often includes teaching youth at her local hospital's mental health unit, working with adults at the addictions recovery centre, leading classes for marginalized youth, indigenous populations & children/youth with developmental disabilities in schools, and inspiring older-adults with functional fitness at local facilities. 

Suzanne has an extensive background teaching groups with specialized wellness interests, such as those:

- persons living with cancer

- people with mental health concerns (such as anxiety) 

- athletes with multiple concussions

- people experiencing sleep difficulties

- elite athletes cross-training for sport performance

She offers unique workshops, often as mountain retreats! She also offers private restorative sessions for individuals in order to assist their return to better health. 

Suzanne was an instructor in the Kinesiology Department at Red Deer College for many years including credit courses in Yoga, Flexibility & Relaxation, Outdoor Education, Fitness Wellness, & Lifestyle Management, & Metabolic Conditioning. 

She has an extensive sports, coaching, fitness, and martial arts background. She is an active 3rd degree black belt (20+ years of practice) in karate and jujitsu with 20+ years of practice and has taught the Budokon Yoga primary series - a demanding martial-arts inspired practice. She is also a former pro-elite mountain bike athlete and very experienced Coach (for College & Provincial Teams) in cycling, paddling & X-C skiing.  

In addition to yoga, Suzanne also teaches other fitness, spin, self defense and martial arts classes in her local area. 

If you take a class with Suzanne, you'll find that her diversity of life experience has given her a broad perspective on yoga as it applies to real life off the mat. Her spectrum of practice ranges from super-gentle to exceptionally vigorous/ demanding. She is interested as much in the mental, emotional and energetic dimensions of practice as she is in the tangible physical movements / postures and the science / anatomy behind it. Her sense of adventure, fun & humor provides a relaxing backdrop to even the most vigorous of classes. In her restorative classes, she has a reputation as someone whose voice and approach allows students to access their inner serenity and deep self-healing potential. 

Some of Suzanne's main teachers and mentors include Swami Veda Bharati & Maya Margo Balog (Himalayan), Doug Swenson & David Swenson (YA-500 Sadhana Yoga-Chi & Ashtanga), Ann Waschuk, Paula Carnegie-Fehr & other YAA Senior Teachers (Hatha), and all the amazing instructors at Ajna Yoga in Victoria BC (IAYT Certification).

She has also appreciated taking specialized workshops & certifications from the likes of ... 

- Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanda (IAYT & medical doctor)

- Nayaswami Gyandev McCord, PhD (Ananda Yoga)

- Doug Keller (Anatomy)

- Sara & Ty Powers & Michael Taylor (Yin)

- Judith Hanson-Lasater (Ayurveda & Mental Health)

- Susi Hately-Aldous (Injury & Anatomy)

- Cameron Shayne (Budokon)

- Tim Miller, Rameen Peyrow & Troy Lucero (Ashtanga)

- Swami Ritavan Bharati & Pandit Dabral (Himalayan)

- Rod Stryker (ParaYoga)

- Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed & Tyla Arnason (Yogathrive for Cancer)

- Yogi Amandeep Singh, Guru Prem Singh, Simran Kaur Khalsa, & Dena Simran Kaur Fairell (Kundalini)

- David Wilson (Breath & Voice)

- Eionn Finn (Blissology) 

- Trevor Yelich & Acroyoga Montreal (Acroyoga)

... plus Wade Morissette, Mackenzie Miller, Erin Evans, and so many more!