Irena Ponizova
Toronto,ON
Summary
Irena's current teaching practice seeks to encourage authentic movement generated from the inside-out and is guided by the breath. Students can expect creative flows, seamless transitions, alignment cues delivered through imagery and plenty of variations to honor students wherever they are on their journey. Irena believes that fostering a strong mind-body connection begins with gazing inwards and working with our strengths and funks to determine what we really need from our practice. Prepare to get curious, move expansively and breathe deeply.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Yoga Instructor
The Toronto Barre Collective
06.2022 - Current
- Created a class called Vinyasa + Flex that guides students through a heat building and energizing vinyasa flow followed by a relaxing and slow yin inspired practice.
- Helped boost and sustain yoga attendance at a studio that primarily focused on barre and pilates.
- Combined and honored the components of a traditional yoga practice with modern exercises for mobility and strength to suit the studio's cliental.
- Motivated participants through one-on-one instruction and positive feedback.
- Able to greet and address most students by their first name
- Promoted safe and inclusive environment for studio clients and members.
- Helped to set up and take down props/mats before and after classes.
Yoga Instructor
Yoga Tree Studios
06.2018 - Current
- Hired immediately upon graduation from YTT with two permanent classes
- Experienced in teaching Hot, Vinyasa, Yin, Ashtanga, Core, Hatha, Gentle Hatha and Meditation classes.
- Demonstrated yoga poses and provided verbal cues and adjustments with clarity to help students improve alignment and technique.
- Structured and executed multiple creative flows a week
- Created flows in multiple styles and at various levels to meet students where they are.
- Fostered long term positive relationships with students
- Currently leads weekly "Power Beats" practice which combines a dynamic flow, pilates inspired movement and loud beats to create an energetic yoga experience.
Yoga Instructor
Cymetree
05.2023 - 11.2023
- Hired as a part of the inaugural team of instructors.
- Planned and led yoga classes that were accessible, challenging and fun to students of various levels in the space.
- Created an immersive, healing and motivating environment in the studio with the use of LED lighting and curated tunes
- Built positive and lasting relationships with students during the studios duration.
- Retained knowledge of studio offerings, programs and pricing to promote brand and guide registration.
Education
Certificate - Yoga Teacher Training
YTT Yoga Tree
Toronto, ON05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Performance Dance
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)
Toronto, ON06.2016
Skills
- Able to deliver form and alignment cues through imagery, seamless and expansive transitions, smiles and sweat
- Brings her experience as a dancer into her thoughtful and creative sequencing
- Able to offer plenty of variations to accommodate multiple levels and needs
- Offers visual and hands on adjustments with confidence, knowledge and thoughtfulness
- Extremely knowledgeable on various styles of yoga, pranayama and other movement modalities that can be integrated into the practice
- Curates fun, current, appropriate and transcending playlists for practice
Timeline
Yoga Instructor
Cymetree
05.2023 - 11.2023
Yoga Instructor
The Toronto Barre Collective
06.2022 - Current
Yoga Instructor
Yoga Tree Studios
06.2018 - Current
Certificate - Yoga Teacher Training
YTT Yoga Tree
Bachelor of Arts - Performance Dance
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)
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