It all started when…
Back in 2002 there weren't a lot of Yoga & Pilates studios around Brampton & Georgetown. The popular brands of today weren't even established yet. I was teaching classes in gyms and also Prenatal & Postnatal yoga in a Maternity Centre. The air was cold and drafty, the atmosphere uninspiring. I felt so stiffled. I longed for warmth and inspiration. I longed for an environment that had a strong connection to the community...to the past...and yet was modern and updated and fresh! I came to a difficult decision: I decided that if I was to continue teaching Yoga & Pilates, I would need to open a studio. But it couldn't be "just anywhere"...it had to be somewhere so special, so compelling, so amazing that once I found it, I would know it would be "the place". It also had to be in a desirable location and conveniently located.
The first seeds of my first studio were planted in December 2002. 6 months of preparation ensued and in July 2003 we opened our doors for our very first Yoga & Pilates classes. It was an exciting and revolutionary time! No one was offering what we were and it was so amazing to have the most incredible studio. So many people over the years would tell me "this is the most beautiful studio I have ever seen"...including people who have travelled the world and seen many magnificent studios. The vibe that was collectively created through years of practice and dedication, infusing the practices taught with the positive intention of transformation and spreading the love, joy and happiness of Yoga (& Pilates). Wow!! It has been humbling and beyond beautiful for me to facilitate!
My philosophy is based on what my long-time teacher, Shiva Rea, calls: the "Roots & Evolution" of yoga. We are deeply steeped in the tradition and roots of yoga, and yet follow our heart and intuition in evolving traditional, authentic tantric-based yoga (within the lineage of Yoga Master, Sri T. Krishnamacharya and the yoga of the Himalayan Masters), into creative, inspired and lovingly-evolved Yoga. My own personal meditation practice is guided by my teacher, Rod Stryker's, lineage of Tantra & Kriya Yoga (Mani Finger & Yogananda), Ayurveda and the tradition of the Himalayan Masters through the Himalayan Institute. I have been blessed to learn from so many wonderful teachers over the years of studying yoga, ayurveda, tantra and meditation but it was these 2 teachers, Shiva Rea and Rod Stryker, who I felt were absolutely the best teachers for me. So I travelled extensively to study with them....to California, Colorado, Massachusetts and also 3 times to India. I have shared my knowledge and experience with my Yoga Teacher Trainees that I’ve been teaching since 2004 in my innovative Yoga Teacher Trainings (YTT). I recommend my wonderful teachers to my YTT students/graduates as resources for further learning...many of our teachers have also studied with them. It's also been a great honour for me to assist my teachers in various trainings. I have learned so much it's extraordinary beyond words!
The same applies to our approach to Pilates...the genius of classical Pilates is merged into the ever evolving contemporary Pilates we teach today. Joseph Pilates himself was continually evolving and refining his approach, yet we honour and appreciate the original foundational roots of Pilates.
In 2013 a new era dawned for 5 Elements…after many years of being obsessed with nature and wanting to be in natureI I had the great blessing to purchase a gorgeous lot in the country and build a new home in the country specifically with the plan to build my second studio location IN NATURE! The new studio is located just north of Georgetown, in the Halton Hills hamlet of Glen Williams. It is a serene country studio surrounded by so many lovely trees and a valley with Silvercreek at the base. The space was mindfully cultivated to be imbued with an incredible vibe and features a cathedral ceiling, bamboo floors and plenty of windows with an open, fresh airy vibe. In addition to our fabulous signature classes available, it also features a fully-equipped Pilates studio with every exciting piece of large equipment that Joseph Pilates invented, available for Personal Training/Private Sessions.
Then, in December 2016 my old Brampton studio transitioned/rebranded and 5 Elements Yoga & Pilates is now completely located and operated out of the Georgetown/Glen Williams location.
I am grateful to teach "boutique" classes at my gorgeous home studio in Glen Williams/Georgetown and focus most of my teaching now on Yoga Teacher Training…developing new Curriculum, always with careful consideration given to every detail that will enhance your experience and produce the most well-rounded Yoga Teachers and continue to help our community flourish and thrive! As part of my increased focus on Yoga Teacher Training, I am now using the name 5 Elements Yoga School to emphasize our specific focus on Training.
I’m so incredibly grateful to all the amazing students I have had the privilege to teach all these years and for my family that have supported me in this endeavour! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!
Namaste. OM Shanti.
Michelle Cormack, Founder - 5 Elements Yoga School