Our Instructors

Vic Mehta | Director of Yoga

You'll have fun in Vic's classes. They are energetic with a focus on correct alignment, relaxation, rejuvenation and developing self-awareness. Vic has been practising yoga for over 15 years and enjoys sharing his love of yoga with all students.

He is passionate about learning and teaching yoga and has had a keen interest in yoga and yoga philosophy since childhood.

Melanie Batychy

Vic Mehta | Director of Yoga

| Yoga Studio College of Canada - 2012 |

| Iyengar Certification - Intro II - 2018 |

Melanie discovered yoga as a way to gain strength and flexibility while managing stress during her 17 year career as a professional ballet dancer.

She loves Iyengar Yoga for its accessibility to everyone, regardless of physical limitations; and its transformative effect on the mind, body and spirit. She loves when her students observe changes in their practice that stay with them "off the mat".

When not doing Yoga, Melanie can be found on her bike or in the mountains with her family.

Carolyn Badger

Vic Mehta | Director of Yoga

Carolyn Badger

| Iyengar Certification - Level I |

Carolyn has been practising Iyengar yoga at Yoga Sarana since 2013 and began teaching at the studio in 2019.

After being introduced to yoga by our own Vic Mehta, Carolyn has continued her learning with various international senior teachers such as Jawahar Bangera, Faeq and Corine Bria and Eyal Shifroni.

Iyengar has improved Carolyn's life both physically and mentally and she continues to be inspired by her teachers strength and wisdom.

"The fact that life is an admixture of happiness and sorrow cannot become untrue. Yoga makes one face both happiness and sorrow with equanimity."

- Geeta Iyengar

Santiago Arribas Picon

| Iyengar Level 1 - 2018 |

Santiago started taking yoga in 2001 at the Amsterdam Iyengar Yoga Institute where he mainly studied with Cle Souren. He moved to Calgary in 2013 and since then has been actively involved in the Iyengar community.

What draws Santiago to this method is its accessibility. He believes that people of all ages and abilities should be able to practice yoga.

Iyengar yoga is a life long journey, where consistent and sustained practice helps us better ourselves and connect us with the body, mind and soul.

Martina Walsh

Santiago Arribas Picon

| Yoga Studio College of Canada - 2007 |

| Iyengar Certification - Intro IJ2 |

Martina started taking yoga classes in 1998 when she was a young mother of three kids - meaning 6:00 AM classes! She started teaching at Yoga Sarana in 2009 - and has trained in Pune, India with the Iyengar family three times - 2014, 2016 and 2018.

She loves yoga - there is always a new asana to learn; and finds teaching very rewarding when students see the physical and mental changes that yoga brings.

Martina enjoys playing golf and has noticed how yoga, especially the twisting asanas, have made her a natural !

Martina is also Yoga Thrive certified - a program for Cancer survivors.

Meg Protz

Santiago Arribas Picon

Meg Protz

| 200 RYT - 2014 |

| 300 hour CYT - 2015 |
| Yoga Therapy Certification - 2019 |

Meg is a passionate and fun teacher who has continued her education and launched her own Yoga Therapy business called

Yoga Therapy Apothecary.

Recently, she received her Prenatal Yoga Teacher training in 2020 and has been doing clinic work at Restorative Sports Therapy since her graduation where she has been working with cancer survivors and senior citizens primarily on mobility and balance.

She believes that every body should be able to find balance regardless of ability or mobility.
Meg loves adventuring into the mountains on her days off.

Lynne Swenson

| Yoga Studio Collage of Canada - 2007 |

| Iyengar Certification - Level1 - 2016 |

Lynne has been a student of yoga for 20+ years, a teacher since 2007, and is currently working toward her next level of Iyengar certification.

She enjoys Iyengar's balance of proper alignment with strength, stability and flexibility; allowing students to just "be" in the posture and enjoy.

She is appreciated for her passion for teaching, precise instruction and knowledge. She teaches many classes including our Intro Workshops and Yoga for the Visually impaired.

Lynne's Moto: "When one teaches, two learn."

Trudy Holder

Lynne Swenson

| 200 RYT - 2016 |

Trudy's yoga passion began when she certified 200 RYT in 2016 and started teaching in 2017.

Her own personal journery with yoga started 20+ years ago when looking for some relief during pregnancy. Yoga was there for her then and it's now the bedrock of Trudy's life.

Trudy finds the creativity she has been seeking when designing classes, the wholehearted sharing of discoveries that deeply connect her to herself and others on and off the mat. As well as the ongoing stability and mobility that yoga provides physically, emotionally and mindfully.