We are proud to have a great team!

The AHY team consists of diverse and passionate individuals who will all aim to give you the best possible experience at our studio.

Marc Amphavannasouk

As Co-owner and Director of Awesome Hot Yoga, Marc's days begin with a practice of gratitude for the blessings of his path. He began practicing yoga in 2007, completing his Moksha training shortly thereafter in 2009. Building on this solid foundation, Marc completed other teacher training programs with prominent teachers including Ryan Lier, Shana Myerson, Dina Tsoulouhas and Emily Easton. These experiences have shaped his teaching style to be enthusiastic while still remaining accessible to all practitioners. Marc has a passion for volunteering, teaching yoga to youth through Sistema (an inclusive after school orchestra program that focuses on children with the fewest resources and greatest need and is delivered at no cost to participants). As a former Winnipeg Blue Bomber cheerleader, Marc is excited to open his own studio and create a community opened to passionate yoga practitioners of all levels, styles and lineages.

Vonne Bannavong

Vonne believes that Yoga is for everybody regardless of age or ability and that breath is the key to empowering yoga practice - the bridge to our mind and body. Calm and deep breath can positively affect the mind, the body, the heart, the nervous system and to assist us in cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, understanding and peace on an individual and global scale. Vonne has completed over 1000 hours of study in yoga (therapeutic, restorative, Vinyasa, yin, hatha, meditation, barre, Traditional Thai Massage). She is a registered Master/Teacher of Usui and Karuna Reiki, and she holds a Certificate in Administration and a B.A. from the University of Regina. She was already fluent in five languages when she moved to Canada at the age of 19.

As a lifelong Buddhist, the philosophy of Yoga resonates with Vonne. She takes her yoga off the mat through Vipassana (Insight) Meditation, and reciprocates by infusing her yoga with Sati, Metta, and Karuna (Mindfulness, Lovingkindness, and Compassion). When she isn't at the studio Vonne can be found at Aromansse Meditation Studio or working at her job at the University of Manitoba. With Gratitude.

Arin Takeuchi

Arin was born and raised right here in Winnipeg. Growing up as a dancer, then a dance teacher - the transition into a free flowing, music forward yoga practice in her 20's was a very natural one. In 2014 Arin travelled to Costa Rica, in the months she was there, earned her 200-hour registered yoga teacher certification. She has taught yoga and mindfulness in Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver on the side to her more corporate style career.

From England, France and Portugal, to Morocco, Sri Lanka and Thailand - to name a few - Arin has had the privilege of taking her yoga and mindfulness practices all over the world.

"The beautiful thing about the human race is that no matter where you go, anywhere in the world, you will always find people who value peace, happiness and love. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness can play such a beautiful part in that." - Arin

Arin looks forward to sharing her playful and free flowing, practice (and playlists) with the Awesome Hot Yoga Community.

Hilde Gonzales

Hilde Gonzalez was born in Mexico. She began to dance at the age of 4, her love and passion for dance helped her become a professional dancer and she danced with many iconic Latin Artists like Marco Antonio Solis, Thalia, Emmanuel, Shakira, Cristian Castro, and she even had the privilege of dancing with the Back Street Boys for their South America Latin Tour. She then transformed into a Choreographer working for some of the most important brands and TV Channels in Mexico. Love was what brought Hilde to Winnipeg in 2008 and when she took her first Hot Yoga Class, she never looked back. Hilde fell in love with the practice, the union of movement and stillness, breath, meditation, and heat is perfect for her, so she decided to follow the path of yoga and became a Hatha Yoga instructor under the guidance of Master Tony Sanchez (Master and teacher of the 84 Asanas Bishnu Gosh lineage). Hilde thinks it is best to teach from experience and from the heart, to practice everyday asana, pranayama, meditation, and right thinking. She loves to be a mom and family is her happiness in life. Her classes are full of energy and fun, she is always helpful and tries to teach each and every student the proper technique so that they can feel the full benefits of their yoga journey. Hilde welcomes everyone to her classes and hopes that you come out of class with a smile on your face.

Nancy Harrar

It was a yoga video someone popped in at a friend's house in Australia in 2000 that sparked Nancy's interest in this ancient practice. She has since been on a journey that has taken her to fascinating places and she continues to learn more about herself and others every day. Nancy completed her Shiva Raja yoga teacher training in India in 2008 and her Hatha yoga teacher training in Mexico in 2007. Nancy's intuitive sensibility allows for a strong connection between her and her class. She loves the breathing, the movement, and the attention to self. Nancy thinks it would be nice if everyone is able to experience that feeling of connection whether through yoga or not.

• EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING
• BEnvSc Honors University of Manitoba, 2006
• Certified Massage Therapist, Long Beach California, 2002
• Yandara Yoga 200hr teacher training, Mexico, 2007
• School of Shanti 200hr teacher training, India, 2008

Nancy teaches mostly Vinyasa Yoga. In these challenging and athletic classes, poses are linked together and synced with the breath. We flow through the asanas to keep the body warm and engaged throughout the practice. This is beautiful, dynamic style of flow Yoga that maintains a playful and dance-like quality. There is no set sequence and each class has it's own style. Many of the classes incorporate music to support the energy of the flow.

Tally Polard

Yoga is a connection to the breathe, mind and aligned movement of our bodies to open energy and let go of what is not needed. Tally Polard takes you into a practice that nurtures yoga's basic essence.

With the guiding hand of grace, Tally will lead you through practices of healing, opening, strength and beautiful release. As you move in practice with ease and softness, you will nurture a state of gratefulness for the presence of your body its movements and all that our bodies do for us.

Tally has over 1300 hours of study in yoga. In offerings of therapeutic, restorative, vinyasa, yin, hatha, meditation and all that she can find to enhance the passion she vibrantly gives to others who play with her on the mat.

Come out and breathe, play and nurture your body with much love.