Teacher Biographies

Michelle Canasa (Owner/Parivartan Mississauga Instructor)

Michelle was first introduced to yoga in 2006 during her life as a new mother. Initially, Michelle sought out yoga for the physical activity it offered with the various asanas and its flow. Quickly enjoying the differing styles of yoga, she found that it not only assisted in her life physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. Yoga allowed Michelle to find a balance in her life through breath, mind stability and just 'letting go.' In early 2007, Michelle was then determined to become a Yoga Instructor.

In April 2007, Michelle completed her Yoga Instructor Certification course through the Parivartan Yoga Studio with Dorothy Guerra. Immediately after receiving her certification, Michelle began her life as a Yoga Instructor at the studio and has even taken her knowledge to instruct her family, friends, and the Mississauga, Toronto and Brampton Communities. In 2009, Michelle also received her certification as an Aquafit Instructor. She was
the former Tresurer and Secretary for the Ontario Yoga Association Board, and an Ambassador for Lululemon Square One in 2008.

Yoga has helped improve Michelle's life dramatically. She found peace and stillness that was long awaited for. With that, she hopes that through her teachings, Michelle's students will find the same balance and happiness she has found in the yogic lifestyle. Michelle would like to thank Ryan, her son Damien, the Parivartan Mississauga staff, friends and cousins for the support they have given her throughout the years.

Michelle is very excited to be the proud new owner of Parivartan Mississauga, and will strive to continue the great yoga family Parivartan has created within the Mississauga community. Michelle always welcomes any feedback, so please feel free to contact .

Dorothy Guerra (Founder of Parivartan Yoga)

Dorothy Guerra is the creator of Parivartan Yoga. Parivartan is the Sanskrit word for “transformation.” She is the original founder of the studio.
She is also the founder of Fertility to Delivery - Yoga Support for Pregnancy and Infertility. She has created the Hot Yoga at home kit and the
Fabulous Healthy Infrared yoga mat. Her DVD “Parivartan Yoga – The Power to Transform” is available at the studio and online. She is the president of
The Yoga Network of Canada formerly Ontario Yoga Association www.yoganetwork.ca and a member of the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada and
CAPPA Canada - Labour and Doula Support.

Dorothy has developed the Yoga Birth Method which is a technique for woman to use during labor that empowers a natural, mindful and enlightened birth
experience. She offers doula certification and Yoga Birth Method Certification through Canada and the United States. She is acclaimed international
presenter and guest speaker for the Yoga Conference Toronto, Dona America, Lamaze international and an inhouse yoga infertility therapist for New Life
Fertility Clinic Ontario.

Dorothy is the published author of Yoga from Within: The transformative Practice to a Better Life and is working on her next book “Yoga is the Law of
Attraction”.

For teacher training information visit dorothyguerrayoga.com

Lesley Lo

Lesley discovered the practice of yoga in early 2005. During a trying period in her life, she sought to find solace, peace, and harmony again.

Through yoga, she found her calling. She dedicated herself to the asanas (postures) while finding balance and tranquility through breath control and mindful concentration. Adopting yoga as a lifestyle, she discovered physical, emotional, and spiritual changes in her life.

With the incredible impact yoga made for her, Lesley decided to share her passion with others. She completed the Yoga Teacher Certification course with Dorothy Guerra in early 2006 and has been teaching ever since. She specializes in Vinyasa, Hatha, Power, Prenatal, Infertility Yoga, Yoga for Seniors, and Yoga for Kids. She also completed her Pilates Certification in 2008.

With dedication and practice, Lesley hopes that her students will also experience the divinity and bliss that yoga has brought to her life. She found an increase in flexibility, stamina, endurance and physical strength; a healthier overall lifestyle; a positive outlook within herself and her surroundings; and a clear and content energy. Lesley wishes for her students to experience their own personal transformation through the practice of yoga.

Dianne Gangerdeen

Dianne was first introduced to yoga in 1989. Dianne was first drawn to the Asanas (yoga poses) but through regular asana practice she learned that yoga is about so much more than the physical movement. Yoga truly combines the body, mind, and spirit as a whole.

The desire to learn more about yoga, the philosophy, proper alignment, and spirituality motivated Dianne to become a Yoga Teacher. In 2005, she completed her Yoga Teacher Certificate and started to teach at that time. Understanding that completing her Teacher Certificate did not mean she stopped learning, Dianne continues to pursue the knowledge of yoga by studying with teachers whom are knowledgeable in the field. She has studied
with Cyndi Lee, Sri Dharma Mittra, Seane Corn, and Rolf Gates.

Dianne enjoys sharing what she has learned with her students as she desires to make others just as passionate about the art of yoga; as she is.

Nida Kartavicius

Nida has been interested in physical health and well-being ever since she can remember. As a child, she studied ballet and folk dance. As a young adult she started “hitting the gym,” working out, running, and learning Pilates. It was only after the birth of her third child that Nida came to Yoga and finally found her perfect fit.

In Yoga Nida finds the balance between physical, mental, and spiritual practice that was missing in her earlier pursuits. Though she came to Yoga to move her body, she stayed with Yoga because it stilled her mind and strengthened her spirit.

Nida completed her Yoga teacher training with Dorothy Guerra at Parivartan in 2009 and loves to help others move their bodies, calm their minds, and feel their connection to the great Universal energy that moves through us all. Keep breathing… Namaste!

Ida Alvarez

A passion for all things positive, Ida was instantly drawn to yoga. A negative experience brought her to try her first hot yoga class and, in that one simple hour, she developed a fresh new perspective on life. At the time, her natural optimism made very little appearance and the racing, negative thoughts seemed to always get the best of her. The sweat of that first hot yoga class carried all her negativity with it and by the end of savasana, Ida opened her eyes to a brighter and more promising world. And so her journey began! Her hunger for physical well-being and cardio
exercise was also fed as she found a perfect fit in the asanas and flow of Power Yoga. Through yoga, she learned how to find balance, peace, and strength that hid deep underneath layers of tension, negativity and self-doubt - all while keeping physically fit and healthy by challenging her body to new strengths and levels.

Ida began her Yoga Teacher Certification with Dorothy Guerra in 2009 and felt an instant connection to its values and principles. Although she may not be able to do a perfect headstand (yet!), she has a strong heart and eager determination to spread her positivity with others. Her message is simple: See everything that happens to you as an opportunity to grow and be better. And always remember that life wants you to win…so get out of your
own way!

Her journey has just begun and she looks forward to learning and growing with her fellow teachers and students. Gandhi said it best: ‘We must be the change we wish to see in the world’ and this is her doing just that.

Kelly Cameron

Biography to come...

Lavinia Goodger

I discovered yoga in April 2007 after suffering an extremely painful episode of arthritis in my right knee. I tried gyms and workout studios and came to the conclusion that they were not for me, in fact, they only made the condition worse.

After a year of practice at Parivartan Yoga, I decided I wanted to start my training and become a yoga teacher. I completed my training in 2009. The physical flexibility I have attained from my practice has been life altering, not to mention the measure of the calmness, peace and tranquility that has become part of my life. The most important thing I wish to impart to anyone who enters my class is that life is a journey, a voyage of self discovery and exploration, just like a yoga practice, and should be enjoyed.