Teachers
Josephine Vittoria
Yoga Teacher, Founder and Director of Institut Yoga Essentiel, Jeweller
Following the teachings of the Iyengar tradition, since 2009 Josephine has studied under the guidance of various senior Iyengar teachers and influencers including Judith Lasater (Restorative Yoga, Relax and Renew®), Elise Miller (Yoga for Scoliosis), Bobby Clennell (author of The Woman’s Yoga Book), and Eyal Shifroni (author of "A Chair for Yoga"). She completed her initial training at École Satyam de Hatha Yoga in Montreal; and continued her studies with François Raoult at Open Sky Yoga, completing over 500 hours in the Pranayama, Back Care Therapy, EYTT and Advanced Teacher Training programs. These trainings have enabled a journey of teachings and practices that are strengthened by dedication and integrity.
Her work as a yoga practitioner bestows her with discoveries about the human body and spirit. These experiences have influenced the way she understands herself and the world as well as the way she expresses herself creatively through her jewelry brand Inherstudy. Creating space, discovering self-awareness, and learning to let go are the fundamentals of her teachings.
Josephine has been teaching yoga since 2012. She also directs the 200h Yoga Teacher Training : The Essentials at Institut Yoga Essentiel, and is on the faculty of Open Sky Yoga's 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training : The Journey.
Marina Bortolini
Yoga Teacher, Birth Companion/Doula
Member of the Association of Naturotherapists of Quebec (ANQ)
Marina was introduced to yoga at the age of 13. She has practiced with several teachers and methods. In the past years, she has dedicated her time to deepening her personal practice and knowledge of this fascinating philosophy.
She has acquired over 300 hours of training including the essentials of Hatha Yoga, Yoga for Menstrual Health, Therapeutic Yoga, as well as prenatal and postnatal Yoga. Women's health is a dear subject to her. This led her to specialize in perinatal care, she is also a birth doula who combines yoga techniques in her work with pregnant women.
Yoga made her understand that movement and relaxation are the keys to a balanced life. Her main objective in her classes is to apply her knowledge of the search for equanimity through yoga, as well as to provide students with tools that will be useful on their path.
Andrea Shepherd
Yoga & Argentine Tango Teacher, Writer
Andrea Shepherd has been teaching yoga since 2017. A longtime dancer, tango teacher and co-owner of the MonTango Argentine tango school, she took up yoga over a decade ago with the goal of increasing her flexibility. Little did she expect the extent to which yoga would work its way into, and benefit, her life.
Flexibility, stability, strength, improved posture, body awareness, self-awareness and a new connection to her spiritual self are just a few of the benefits she has reaped and now aims to share with her students.
In 2015 she began studying with Josephine Vittoria, who became Andrea’s teacher of choice and also encouraged her to pursue teacher training. In 2017, Andrea completed her first teacher training with Hervé Blondon at École Satyam, and did continuing education in Anatomy and Postural Pathologies. She later completed an extensive teacher training program at Open Sky Yoga with François Raoult. She has completed over 500 hours in yoga studies and continues to explore with curiosity the vast subject of Yoga.
Andrea is also a writer. She published a collection of essays on life and dance titled 25 Tango Lessons in 2021, and her first novel will be released in summer 2023.
Andrea is a dedicated teacher appreciated for her patience and clear, detailed instruction.
Emily Conliffe
Yoga Teacher
Emily attended her first yoga class in 2001. She was drawn to the practice right away as it quickly brought a variety of positive things to her life, particularly : self-awareness, overall well-being, and a feeling of calmness. She is drawn not only to the physical practice of yoga but also the spiritual one.
From practising over the years, her curiosity to delve into the subject of Yoga led her to deepen her studies. She completed the 200 hour yoga teacher training at Institut Yoga Essentiel under the direction of Josephine Vittoria. Being introduced to different topics like anatomy & biomechanics, Ayurveda, and Sanskrit, she learned that the journey of discovery is endless.
Emily integrates yoga into all aspects of her life because she believes Yoga is ultimately continuously teaching us about ourselves and how we live in the world.
Emily hopes to share with her students the light that yoga has brought to her life.
Shelley Ruth Butler
Yoga Teacher, Museum Researcher, Consultant, Writer
Shelley has practiced yoga for over thirty years and completed her teacher training with Josephine Vittoria in 2023. Shelley teaches well-rounded classes with a focus on safety, which are accessible to beginners and engaging for those with experience.
She appreciates how yoga promotes community, care, and resilience in relation to aging. Shelley enjoys working with small groups and uses props to support postures and balance effort and ease.
She taught in Canadian Studies at McGill and is a researcher, writer, and facilitator in the museum field. She founded Curatorial Dreams.
Shelley appreciates evocative language, integrating yoga ethics into class and daily life, and creating an atmosphere of being alone together.