TeachersNAOMI GIBB
Following this desire, she began studying from many different teachers and sources, and eventually become a Kundalini Yoga Teacher from the Yogi Bhajan tradition. In 2006 she finally connected with Agama Yoga when Swami Vivekananda came to Vancouver. She was immediately hooked by Swami's extensive knowledge of Tantra, Yoga and Kundalini, and saw how his teachings could bring all her interests together. In January 2007 she went to thailand and studied the first level intensive program, in 2008 she became an Agama Yoga teacher and then went on to teach in Dharamsala (India), Rishikesh (India), Koh Phangan (Thailand) and Vancouver (Canada). She is currently a level 2 Agama Teacher and has completed 24 levels of the Agama curriculum in Hatha and Kundalini yoga. KRISTA NOVAKOWSKI
In the following years she began to study various forms of yoga and meditation. Finally as the planet shifted into the new millennium she returned to India and Asia for almost 3 years of explorations. Upon returning to Canada she began her studies that would deeply influence her actions on the path of service and compassion. She was blessed to experience and complete a 3 year program of “Integrated Energy Healing” at Langara College in Vancouver. This was an amazing comprehensive study of energy and consciousness..the marriage of eastern and western ways. Once again Krista returned to India in 2006, to Rishikesh where to her delight she first came across the Agama Yoga system as taught by Swami Vivekenda. She felt that she had finally found the key she was searching for and naturally surrendered herself to this wonderful path of tantra yoga involving hatha yoga, laya yoga, kundalini yoga, karma yoga and work with the Maha Vidyas..the 10 Cosmic Powers. Since then she has continued to spend a lot of time in India and living most of her time at the Agama School in Thailand. She feels that she has devoted herself to following this yogic recipe and has experienced positive results on all aspects of her being. She completed the 24 month program of Hatha and Kundalini Yoga in 2009 and has since been continuing with the studies of Kashmir Shaivism with Swami Vivekenanda. She began teaching Hatha Yoga in 2008 and is delighted to be a channel of such sacred teachings. Since 2009 she has been holding Shakti Groups in Thailand which she adores..this is a training group for women aligned with the tantric traditions. She has been most highly influenced by her works with the Maha Vidyas, Kashmir Shaivism and Hridyaya Meditation-the Revelation of the Spiritual Heart as transmitted by Sahajananda. Krista’s fiery nature continues to ignite her aspiration on this journey of awakening to reveal the great mystery of the eternal self. Her own direct experiences inspire her to move deeper into her true nature. Her heart flows with gratitude to all her teachers for their love, support and wisdom on this journey. RON LAVERDIERE
Ron first started practicing yoga from books in 2000 while studying electronics engineering. Soon after finishing the program, his interest in electronics diminished and he started to search for something that could answer his deeper questions. He found seasonal work as a treeplanter and started to travel. In the beginning, he travelled around most of North America by motorcycle. After developing a passion for permaculture, he spent time studying in Hawaii and Washington as well as using his treeplanting work as a tool for deepening his connection to nature. He actually found the Agama school in India on a trip originally inspired by permaculture in 2007. After deciding to devote his time to Yoga instead of permaculture, he flew to Thailand and extended his trip. Ever since, the study of Yoga has guided his life. Over the last three years, he has been involved in developing and implementing a sustainable vision for Anuttara Ashram in Northern BC, where he now calls home. This has given him the oppurtunity to combine his interests in Yoga and Permaculture, with the intention of developing a sustainable community where students can study Yoga and meditation. He has also had the oppurtunity to do many meditation retreats in this time, and is devoted to making this more accessible to others. In 2011, Ron completed the Kundalini program with Agama in Thailand as well as participating in the first ever Hridaya Yoga TTC given by Sahajananda. He teaches both Agama and Hridaya yoga in different locations stretching from the Saskatchewan prairies, northern and central Alberta and in many parts of British Columbia. Ron enjoys the oppurtunity to incorporate yoga into his daily life, as well as using his daily life to support his spiritual practice. He has a great Love and appreciation for the teachings he has received on this path, and is devoted to continuing his practice and supporting others along the way. RAFALE CHOUINARD
She was not on a quest of any sort, nor was she looking for spirituality in her life. But somehow she managed to find not only her deepest purpose but her life’s fulfillment, all at once! Rafale, an Aries, founded the Agama Yoga-Vancouver branch with partner Yoav Lerner, and has been teaching since 2008. She is happy and grateful to have Agama in her life and to pass these remarkable teachings on to her students. YOAV LERNER
Finally Yoav found Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, a mental giant and inspiring spiritual teacher, who was able to lead him to the answers he was looking for, both intellectually and practically.Yoav has been studying Agama Yoga ever since they met in early 2002. Although he would say he is still a beginner, he has completed much of Agama Yoga Curriculum (about 50 levels of courses). Over the years, meditation has become the cornerstone of his personal practice. He has spent countless hours in meditation, both in reclusive retreat settings, as well as early mornings or late nights while living a 'Western lifestyle'. Yoav brings his deep and extensive personal experience to the courses he teaches. This experience is complimented by his vast and academic knowledge and understanding of yogic topics, the technicalities of yoga and meditation, and spiritual philosophies in general. |
Naomi is a native Aries of New Zealand. She first heard about Agama yoga when she was travelling in India in 2002. This unlocked a deep desire within her to learn more about Tantra, Yoga and the mysterious Kundalini.
Krista is a lioness born in Canada. Her first trip to India in 1997 profoundly shifted her perceptions of being…nourishing her curiosities and opening her to new ways.
Rafale arrived at Agama Yoga in 2006 quite by accident, bellydancing her way through the door with Monika Nataraj and then planted firmly on the path of Yoga when she met her true love and also discovered how powerful she could be if she harnessed her potential.
Before his life with Yoga, Yoav spent many years searching for something that would give his life meaning. He explored Martial Arts and was examined for his second degree black belt in Aikedo. He searched the academic world and studied at the University of Tel Aviv for a couple of years, became a member of Mensa and engaged in intellectual debates, chess clubs and anything he could find that would help him puzzle out the meaning of his existance.