Facilitators

Helena McKinney

In 2008 Helena attended her first yoga class, unaware of the incredible journey the practice would lead her on. Helena comes from a professional dance background, trained in ballet, contemporary and acrobatics. Her teaching career began over 12 years ago instructing students in dance at the competitive level. Helena has always had a passion and knowledge for movement, but through yoga she has discovered how to move more mindfully and live more consciously. Dedication to her practice has led her down a path of greater health, strength and peace. Feeling compelled to share this passion, Helena completed her 200 hour Teacher Training at De La Sol in 2012 and has continued her studies in Yin-Yang Yoga. Helena established In Fine Feather in 2012 just after receiving her Teacher Training certificate. Recognizing the unbelievable benefits of the practice, Helena immediately began to reach out to her community, offering pay what you can classes at a community centre in downtown Hamilton. As her passion for teaching continued to grow, she branched out into other areas of the city doing corporate wellness in the workplace. Teaching in all these different and unique settings of the city has directly contributed to Helena creative teaching style as well as her desire to open this space in central Hamilton. She is very excited to share this journey with her students. Teaching brings Helena the most joy because it encourages people in her community to live with greater stability, mobility and happiness on and off the mat. Her classes look to inspire a deep connection with self awareness while integrating breath with movement, to leave feeling strong and restored.

Natalie Jakymyshyn

Natalie is a classically trained manual Osteopath and Registered Yoga Teacher. She unites these two passions together as she facilitated anatomy yoga teacher trainings. Natalie is fascinated by the anatomy of the human body and understands it’s complexity. In her work she has witnessed that no two bodies are the same. She encourages yoga teachers to honour every unique student in their class and to always be in awe of what the human body can do.

Steve Ferrell

Steve found his pathway to Yoga as a bodybuilder and personal trainer who was always feeling tight, sore and looking for “more” out of his physical workouts. Steve tried his first class with Hamilton’s Alex Bovkis and immediately fell in love. Within 3 months Steve was enrolled in his first 200hr Teacher Training with Heather Greaves. Steve was certified through Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT), a style founded by renowned Yoga therapist, Joseph LePage. Steve found his way to De La Sol where he immediately fell in love with the fluidity, strength and meditative qualities of the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. Steve is always learning and combined with his interests in Human Anatomy, Ayurveda and Buddhist Meditation, he continues to deepen his practice. He offers a challenging, invigorating but very quirky and light-hearted class, blending the physical with an emphasis on the mental and spiritual facets of the practice.

Rachel Gibson

Rachel’s teachings come in the form of a playful curiosity towards one’s body, heart and mind. When we acknowledge that we are not the same person we were the last time we came to our mat, that understanding paves the way for deeper Self acceptance, compassion and trust. Yoga provides a framework to experience this Self discovery through. Breath, Asanas, Visualization and Meditation all lend themselves in Rachel’s classes to remind students that they are more than the thoughts in their head. She loves to infuse other metaphysical teachings, too!

Rachel desires to create a class for her students that grounds them in the present moment until they roll out of Savasana. Once class is over she hopes they feel a greater sense of connection to Nature, the Universe and each other. Rachel currently teaches a unique Sunrise class that blends Vinyasa, Hatha and Tai Chi as well as hosting the Guided by the Moon workshop series.

Shelley Gordon

Shelley Gordon has been part of the In Fine Feather team since the very beginning. She is our resident Meditation & Yoga Nidra Instructor. She is also the owner of Love My Mat who supplies most of our studio props. Shelley has been practicing yoga since 1998 & teaching since 2008. Being active & dealing with injuries, Shelley has an acute physical body awareness that continues to grow with practicing & teaching yoga. She knows that yoga & meditation are powerful tools to restore balance & equanimity to our busy, over-scheduled lives. Through yoga & meditation, Shelley aims to build happy bodies & minds that live in a state of ease, lightness & love. She is passionate about sharing her joy of yoga, meditation, music, and movement with new and seasoned students alike. You’ll enjoy Shelley’s creative approach to making yoga fun & effective.