Teachers - VIVAcroyoga Festival

2024 TEACHERS !

Jessie Goldberg & Eugene Poku

Jessie and Eugene, the visionary founders of Acroyoga Montreal, whose journey spans back to 1982. Originally professional dancers until 2004, they transitioned into the role of founders and co-owners of Ashtanga Yoga Montreal from 2004 to 2016. However, it was in 1999 that they made a profound mark on the yoga world by coining the term “AcroYoga,” reflecting their innovative fusion of dance, acrobatics, and yoga.

As a teaching team for nearly four decades, this senior married couple embodies a profound connection between mind, body, breath, and relationships. Their holistic approach to teaching goes beyond mere physicality, touching the hearts of their students and fostering mutual growth and understanding.

Heidi Blais

Whether on a slackline, on her hands or with other humans, Heidi loves being in a conversation with gravity. A pioneer of the hands-free movement, she loves the acroyoga of ‘staying’, especially when using minimal points of contact between base and flyer. The collaborative, creative and technical possibilities of acroyoga and partner acrobatics are what drew the former architect out of the office, and into the world of movement. Her highly original flows and classes are infused with clever drills that will keep you coming back for more!

Jill Campbell

Acroyoga shapes Jill’s life, and life shapes her Acroyoga practice. Through her work with AcroYoga Montreal, it has always been apparent to her that the practice belongs to each and every one of us. She loves to share stuff that works for her, and observe and relish in what works for you. Joy and focus are fundamental to her teaching and practice.

Matt Berno

Matt is a passionate practitioner and teacher of partner acrobatics who embarked on his circus journey in 2017. Transitioning away from academia in late 2021, Matt dedicated himself to circus performance and teaching. Since then, he has been making waves across continents, sharing his expertise and coaching at festivals, intensives, and multi-week training programs throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Specializing in hand-to-hand and group acrobatics, Matt’s diverse skill set also encompasses icarian/risley, whips, and L-base flow. Whether performing jaw-dropping feats or guiding students through intricate sequences, Matt’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to his craft shine through in every interaction.

Millissa Martin

Millissa Martin, who has been fully immersed in the world of Acroyoga since 2010, has a talent for bringing people together and curating meaningful experiences. Millissa is dedicated to fostering authentic connections, exploration, and pure joy within the Acroyoga community. Recognizing that building a strong community requires authenticity and vulnerability, Millissa embraces all aspects of herself, even the challenging ones, as she continues to enrich the Acroyoga experience for all involved.

Devon French

Devon French, an experienced Acroyoga teacher who has lived the teacher’s life for over a decade. Through teaching in numerous countries around the globe, Devon has come to understand that communication extends beyond mere words. With a focus on safety, Devon has skillfully guided countless individuals into the practice of Acroyoga and plans to continue sharing this beautiful practice with many more.

Devin Deangelis

Devin is dedicated to encouraging self-discovery through active communication and peaceful collaboration with other people. His passions are Icarian and hand to hand Acrobatics.

Courtney Julia

Courtney sees acroyoga as a way to connect with others and to spread playfulness and self confidence through body awareness. She loves the sense of community and connection that can be found all over the world.

Ahna Ma

Ahna Ma (Adam Mednick) is a professional Thai massage therapist and teacher in Santa Fe, New Mexico. www.mettabody.works Author, program director, and lead teacher of 200-hour Professional Thai Massage Training, New Mexico School of Massage www.mudlot.us. Author of MBLExplained, comprehensive Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam courses. www.mblexplained.com. AcroYogi, forever and always, since 2010

Art, in its initial stage, is Science… Science, in its highest form, is Art

Mel Sirois

Mel Sirois, a Certified Movement Analyst from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute in NYC, is a dynamic mover, shaker, and facilitator. With a background in professional dance and acting, Mel guides people to discover their essence and well-being through workshops, ecstatic shake practices, and movement sessions. Her work emphasizes vulnerability, empowerment, truth, body awareness, and radical self-love, fostering an environment where individuals can embrace their authenticity and unleash their full potential.

Joey Stafford-Abbott

Joey Stafford-Abbott, a Level 2 AcroYoga Montreal instructor and esteemed professor at Vanier College, is a pioneering spirit in merging academia with AcroYoga. He crafted the first credited course, revolutionizing the college experience. Based in Montreal, Joey finds joy in dancing, indulging in mangos, and practicing jiu-jitsu, embodying diverse passions.

Jean-François Bélanger

JF is a dedicated practitioner who thrives on the delicate balance between his diverse passions. From mastering the intricacies of acroyoga and slackline/Highline to delving into meditation and Mechanical Engineering, he approaches each pursuit with focus and precision. With his solid foundation in Engineering, JF brings a pragmatic perspective to his exploration of acroyoga and balance activities. Methodically analyzing and synthesizing his findings, he continuously refines his practice to achieve greater proficiency.

Mylène Leclair

Mylene’s love for AcroYoga stems from its capacity to foster movement and playful interaction with cherished individuals. With a background deeply rooted in vinyasa yoga, her classes emphasize the harmonious synchronization of breath and movement. She guides students through transformative experiences in AcroYoga and Thai Massage sessions. Her unwavering focus on participant well-being creates a nurturing environment where every individual’s journey is valued and supported.

Ximena Ezeta

Ximena, born in Mexico City, embarked on her journey of body movement from a tender age. She found Yoga in 2010, initially delving into Hatha Yoga before obtaining certification as an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher. In 2014, her encounter with AcroYoga sparked a profound passion, and in 2016, Ximena earned her teaching certification with the renowned @acroyogamontreal school. Ximena is the co-producer of @festivalacroyogatl and Acroyoga Montreal certifications in Mexico and the visionary behind @lacasadelacroyoga in Mérida Yucatán. She views AcroYoga as a holistic practice that enhances physical strength and nurtures emotional and mental well-being.

Sabrina Cooper

Sabrina loves life’s simple pleasures that enrich our daily existence. From well-being and yoga to personal development and basking in the sun’s warmth, Sabrina finds joy in the small things. Her journey into Acroyoga began in 2015, during a trip 15000 km away from home, where she discovered her passion for the practice. Sabrina is deeply fascinated by the learning opportunities inherent in Acroyoga, including communication, confidence-building, and the sheer joy of playful exploration.

Byron Hardie

Byron began his Acroyoga journey in 2014 and completed his first Acroyoga Montreal teacher training in 2016. Since 2017, he has been teaching at the VIVAcroyoga festival. A trained osteopath and massage therapist, Byron combines his expertise with his passion for Acroyoga, flow arts, and calisthenics. His playful spirit and background in contact improv and yoga influence his dynamic flows. Byron enjoys switching roles between base and flyer and infuses his classes with joy and upliftment. His love for play is evident in his growing collection of flow toys, now around 20.

Sarah Grimes

Sarah, an avid enthusiast of the diverse practices found within AcroYoga. She is captivated by the multitude of experiences each acrobatic encounter offers, reveling in the uniqueness of every moment. Whether exploring new movements, championing women’s strength and empowerment, or igniting creative inspiration, Sariah finds endless fascination in the world of AcroYoga.

Kike del Val

Kike is deeply passionate about movement and its myriad forms. With over five years of experience teaching Ashtanga Yoga and AcroYoga, complemented by his expertise as a massage therapist specializing in Thai treatments, Ayurveda, and Sports massage, Kike possesses a profound understanding of movement and its inherent limitations. This understanding fuels his commitment to the holistic well-being of each individual under his guidance, fostering a nurturing environment where every person’s needs are meticulously attended to.

Mathieu Duchesneau

Mathieu’s journey began in martial arts; his fascination with aspects of body awareness, strength, and balance steered him toward various disciplines, such as parkour and climbing. Partner-based Acro, Hand balancing, and Movement work captured his heart. As a teacher, he’s committed to spreading the joy of partnership – with as highlights: progress, combined growth, building something together. He carries teaching certifications with Acroyoga Montreal (AYM) and Movement Flow (MF).

Etienne Ponton-Bouchard

Etienne, a dedicated educator who has always found fulfillment in teaching his passions to others. After four years of coaching gymnastics and cheerleading, he discovered AcroYoga, embracing its tranquil and relaxed atmosphere alongside a vibrant and passionate community. Etienne constantly seeks to elevate his Acro-Yoga practice, enjoying the challenges of pops, long holds, foot-to-hand connections, and intricate balances. His commitment to growth and his love for pushing boundaries inspire him and those he teaches.

Sirus Bouchat

Sirus Bouchat, a multifaceted individual who wears many hats as a professor, avid coffee lover, and enthusiast for heavy lifting. Certified by Acro Revolution, Sirus shares his passion for partner acrobatics and handstands through classes, workshops, and individual coaching sessions in the Chicagoland area. As a team, Sirus and Timothy bring a unique blend of expertise and humor to their instruction, inspiring students to push their boundaries and reach new heights in their acrobatic journey.

Tim Furman

Timothy Furman, a stick evangelist and circus clown engineer who traverses the United States to cultivate acrobatic skills and foster community through skill-sharing events and his practice, will be teaching at VIVA for the first time! As a team, Sirus and Timothy bring a unique blend of expertise and humor to their instruction, inspiring students to push their boundaries and reach new heights in their acrobatic journey.

Dominique Dubowy

Dom is a seasoned Acroyoga practitioner based in Montreal with six years of experience. She recently completed her AYM Teacher Training. Acroyoga embodies fun, creativity, and community for Dom, and she cherishes human connections through physical touch, dance, movement, and building safe and supportive communities. Thriving in collective environments, Dom finds inspiration in the people around her and seeks to maintain a beginner’s mindset, always finding something awe-inspiring in her practice.

Pierre-Luc Brunet

Pierre-Luc is a passionate acrobat whose journey has taken him from European acro festivals to Pitch Catch Circus and finally to the Montreal Acroyoga Teacher training. Now, he’s eager to return home and share his love for throwing his friends around and catching them with compassion.
With a deep appreciation for musical and emotional vibrations, Pierre-Luc is prepared to harness our collective creative energy to crack open our inner shells and let our light shine through. Get ready to explore the boundless possibilities of acrobatics and connection under his guidance.

Mireille Chamberland

Mireille’s training began as a classical ballet dancer and gradually transitioned into contortionism. However, underlying every achievement is her sincere dedication to personal growth and self-discovery. This passion led her to AcroYoga, a natural progression from her established practice as a yogini. Mireille’s diverse background and unwavering commitment to self-improvement make her a valuable addition to the AcroYoga community.

Robert Strukelj

Robert’s journey into yoga commenced in 2007 to heal injuries and enhance flexibility while training in martial arts. Seeking a more dynamic practice, he discovered AcroYoga in 2012, and from his very first flight, he was captivated. Since then, Robert has dedicated himself to mastering new techniques that enhance flexibility, strength, and body awareness, fueling his passion for AcroYoga.

Stephanie Houlberg

Stephanie, a dedicated AcroYoga practitioner for 7 years, practices multiple times a week, enjoying the playfulness, physical challenges, and learning moments. Her teaching style emphasizes consent, safety, communication, playfulness, and respect. Known for her contagious positivity and encouragement, Stephanie creates a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels valued.

Jodie Hon

Jodie Hon, whose passion for flight was ignited through gymnastics and cheerleading before discovering the perfect blend of movement, play, and teamwork in acro. With a teaching style focused on technique, fluidity, and breaking down complex skills into accessible progressions, Jodie creates an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals and pairings, embracing her identity as a queer person of color (POC).

Kato Cawker

Kato Cawker is an experienced facilitator and yoga teacher certified by AcroYoga Montreal. With a background in Ashtanga Yoga, Kato prioritizes safety and accessibility in her AcroYoga classes, emphasizing informed consent, personal boundaries, and body neutrality. She delights in bringing groups together to learn and play intentionally, infusing her classes with playfulness and fun that encourages participants to express themselves freely, unleash their creativity, and enjoy the journey.

Sarah Feinburg

Sarah, a certified Acro Revolution teacher, has shared her passion for acro in Boston since 2017. With a background in occupational therapy, contact improvisation, and dance, she brings a unique teaching style to her classes. Sarah’s lifelong dedication to movement and love for collaboration make acro a perfect outlet for her. Known for her patience and encouragement, she aims to provide a strong foundation of technique and believes acro is for everyone. Sarah tailors her teaching to accommodate various learners, abilities, and body types, creating an inclusive and supportive environment.

Morgan Kelley

Morgan, a skilled base with a penchant for technical challenges and complex L-based flows. Passionate about empowering her students to be confident in their footwork, Morgan specializes in dynamic group and standing acro. If you’re seeking to flow and have fun, look no further than Morgan’s classes, where you’ll find a supportive and exhilarating environment to explore the world of acrobatics.

Moody Sheikh

Moody is a member of the Vancouver Acro Community and has been practicing for many years. Outside of AcroYoga, Moody enjoys various activities, including team sports, boxing, hiking, camping, spikeball, board games, and role-playing games. With a love for geeking out and connecting with others, Moody embraces life’s diverse experiences and connections.

Marie-Eve Fillion

Marie-Eve is a kinesiology graduate and dedicated movement enthusiast. Known for her kind and supportive nature, Marie-Eve delights in empowering others to discover connection, trust, and joy through the transformative art of Acroyoga. Her compassionate approach creates a nurturing environment where students can flourish and explore their potential to the fullest.

Rose Bergeron

Founder of SÉYONA, Rosalie combines her teaching experience, which she started at the age of 11, with her professional practice of “body arts” such as dance, yoga, circus, cheerleading, and, of course, acroyoga. This woman loves creating spaces to experience magical and meaningful moments. She is often described as inspiring, grounding, and full of energy.

Paloma Guardian

Paloma Guardian has a strong yoga background, and was introduced to acro with Maxime more than 6 years ago. Partners in life and in their practice, they’ve been teaching together ever since. Paloma brings the yoga into acroyoga, and her experience as a flyer allows her to give precise hints on how to practice a movement efficiently and safely.

Maxime Aliphat

Max has been teaching acro for many years and is a big fan of soft skills, flows, creativity, and general fun. Max’s goal in teaching is to facilitate a safe environment where creativity can thrive, and everyone can have the best possible time. Having known the Montreal acro community for many years, attending Viva is a must for Max.

Reno Gorman

Reno and Sariah met 8 years ago at an acro jam in Sariah’s backyard and have been training, playing, and creating together as The Handstand Nation ever since. A recent 23andMe test confirmed they are distant relatives from Gormanistan, a country with deep acro roots. As strong mid-sized acrobats, they often switch roles between base and flyer, mixing L-base, standing, and creative movements. Known for their fast-paced teaching and love for playfulness, their classes are dynamic and engaging. Reno and Sariah are based in Sacramento, CA.