Meet Team White Birch
Staci Harrison, Owner
I began my career in the health industry in 2012 as a CanFitPro Certified Personal Trainer, with a specialization in strength and conditioning through Poliquin International. This turned into a passion for helping clients with pain management, over the years growing into a more hands on approach after my first and second certifications in Fascial Stretch Therapy in 2013. With my fascination in the body’s natural ability to heal, I continued my education to become a Registered Massage Therapist in 2017.
After years of creating a thriving massage practice everything was put on hold during the pandemic in 2020. During this time I was able to dive into my own healing through yoga. Though I had been practising yoga on and off for almost 10 years with various studios in the city, I felt like an integral part for me was missing. With lots of soul searching and self inquiry, I was able to find teachings that allowed me to bring these parts together to create the foundation of who I am today.
I started to recognize a shift in the world around me for a new paradigm of healing and wanted to provide assistance to more people beyond my massage practice. In 2023 I decided to take a 200 hour YTT course in order to be able to provide yoga in a Women's Workshop Series I was creating. This turned into a need for a space to run the workshops, and shortly after that White Birch Wholistics was born.
The many tools that I have gathered over the course of my journey of healing are what I want to share with my students and community. White Birch Wholistics provides a space for your healing journey, and to help encourage and empower you to find your way back home to Self.
Dana Lesperance, Instructor
Dana Lesperance is a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Yoga Teacher. Her
own struggles with chronic pain are what led her to yoga, and prompted her to go back to school for Massage Therapy. She then became a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2021, with her teaching experiences being in Yin, Slow Flow & Vinyasa.
Finding healthy outlets for the physical, mental and emotional toll of chronic pain has been a pivotal part of Dana’s healing journey, and has helped her better understand and empathize with her clients and students. Incorporating daily movement and breathwork has been an immense help in reclaiming her mind and body, and something she instils in others! Using her knowledge of anatomy and physiology has helped elevate her teaching experiences as well, facilitating a deeper connection between mind and body.
Beth Hawkins, Instructor
Beth has been teaching fitness since 1996. She taught aerobics and step, and was the first in the city to offer Tae Bo...you name it, she taught it!
She then fell in love with Pilates. It wasn't offered in Windsor, so she certified in the full Stott Merrithew Pilates Repertoire in Toronto, Ontario. She opened the first Pilates Studio in this area, called the 'Pilates Lifestyle' in Tecumseh. She was fortunate to share her love of Pilates with many beloved clients and friends. Pilates has been, and will always be a part of her life.
She has dabbled in yoga for many years, but found a much deeper connection with it in her forties. She became certified to teach yoga and has continued to learn and grow in her own practice. Yoga is something she practices daily to keep her grounded. She loves sharing asana with heart and soul!
Anna Tomaselli, Instructor
Anna has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. As a high school educator, Anna has been passionate about teaching yoga and sharing these lessons from the moment she stepped on the mat. She became a certified yoga teacher shortly thereafter to bring these practices into the high school classroom to empower students with tools for self awareness and to build resilience in challenging moments of their lives.
The word “yoga” is derived from Sanskrit meaning to join, to yoke or to unite. In her class, the Indigenous teaching of the Medicine Wheel will be used to focus on the integration of the four elements of earth, air, water and fire. By integrating these four integral elements in each yoga class, participants will be encouraged to bring more conscious awareness to their own evolution and progression towards a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Aliz Glassco, Instructor
Aliz is a graduate of the Music Theatre and Performance program at St. Clair College and will be a certified Yoga Teacher just in time for our opening in May! She has experience in Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin styles of yoga.
She was introduced to yoga as an active form of rehabilitation and became passionate about the positive impact it had on her mind, body and spirit. When she’s not practising yoga, she enjoys art, nature walks, travelling, reading and always looking to learn new ways to improve her teaching and practice.
With her musical and dance background she invites you on a full body experience through her nature themed aromatherapy, breath-work and core building sequences to improve strength, alignment and flexibility.
Christine Hamel, Instructor
Christine is a devoted advocate for holistic wellness, specializing in Pilates, Yoga, Reflexology, and Reiki energy work. With a deep passion for guiding others towards balance and harmony across physical, emotional, and spiritual realms, she believes in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in achieving optimal health.
Christine holds degrees in Human Kinetics, Biology, and Education from the University of Windsor. Her academic background provides her with a strong foundation in understanding the complexities of the human body and mind. Drawing from her diverse education, she offers specialized care tailored to each individual's unique needs.
Continuously dedicated to personal growth and education, Christine strives to better serve her community by creating a nurturing space for healing journeys. She empowers individuals to tap into their innate healing potential, fostering authenticity and alignment in their lives.
Kristine Atkinson, Instructor
Kristine is passionate about yoga with a specialty in Restorative Yoga. She has experience in teaching Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha, Chair and Beginner's Yoga. Her teaching style is complimented by her background in oncology esthetics and holistic treatments.
Many people have a difficult time meditating, so Kristine utilizes some of the holistic traditions in her classes that she has taught, and has implemented in her work for years. Kristine will use guided meditation, hot stones, aromatherapy, singing bowls, pressure points or reflexology.
Her future goals involve; specialty Yoga course and Barre and Pilates Teachers Training. She also plans on upgrading her sign language skills, to be able to incorporate them in her classes and welcome the deaf & hard of hearing in our community.
Her hobbies include cooking from scratch and trying new recipes, organic gardening and growing food, flowers and herbs. She also loves reading, learning new things and meeting new people.
Beth Rocheleau, Instructor
While first feeling sceptical of trying yoga, Beth decided to attend a beginners yoga series in 2008 and became quickly hooked. She has been practicing yoga regularly ever since and has attended many training workshops over the years to deepen her knowledge. Beth completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification with Inspiritus Yoga in 2021 and is currently pursuing her 300 Hour Master Yoga Teacher Certification. She also completed her Pilates Teacher Certification in October of 2021.
Beth is a licensed engineer working in the automotive industry in Tecumseh and holds an Honour Bachlor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Windsor.
Cynthia Ballard, Instructor
Cynthia Ballard is a dedicated holistic wellness practitioner specializing in sound healing and Reiki energy work.
She is passionate about helping others achieve balance and harmony on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. She also takes a holistic approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in achieving overall health.
Cynthia is committed to ongoing education and personal growth to better serve her community, creating a supportive environment for their healing journeys. Her work emphasizes empowering individuals to awaken their innate healing potential and live authentically aligned lives.
Sasha Pavlovic, Instructor
Upon Sasha's retirement from the Canadian Military in 2018 after 17 years of service, his body and mind felt the effects of such a difficult career. He left the military with a few breaks, bulges and an anxiety disorder. He knew he needed to start taking care of his mind, body and soul.
On his journey to heal those wounds, Sasha found yoga. It only took a few weeks for him to feel the positive effects of his practice. He knew that yoga was going to be a staple from then on to heal his wounds. Although he's only been committed to yoga for a few years, the benefits of yoga continue to aid him in his recovery.
Sasha wants to help others in realizing the benefits that yoga provides and help them along their journey to live healthier lives. He is a certified 50 hour Yin Instructor.
Contact Us
Phone
info@whitebirchwholistics.ca
226-344-2707
262 Lauzon Rd.
Windsor, Ont.