Frances was lucky enough to begin learning yoga at the age of seven and continue for several years with a music teacher who used yoga to calm and focus her young students. This early exposure to yoga was a great base for her to work from, and she took several community centre courses throughout her teens. Later years brought more commitment, and she explored Iyengar yoga for several years with Val Paape and Hart Laser in Winnipeg. As her interest deepened, she attended week-end retreats with Sandra Sammartino, a yoga eclectic who used sound with yoga, and when she eventually lived in Vancouver, completed her teacher training with her.

Over the years, Frances’ interest and studies turned more and more towards the healing and therapeutic aspects of yoga. Among the teachers Frances has studied with are Constantine Darling, Mark Whitwell, Gary Kraftsow and Judith Lassiter. These and many other teachers have instilled a deep respect for the potential to heal through yoga and the importance of the relationship between student and teacher. With Rosemary Jean Antze, her current teacher and mentor, Frances is in the process of completing a 500 hour advanced Yoga certification. With Rosemary, Frances is deepening her understanding of Yoga as therapy, and the benefits of using breath with movement in Yoga, as well as meditation, which is an integral part of Yoga.

Exploring Yoga over twenty five years, and teaching for the last fourteen has brought Frances a deep understanding of the benefits to be gained from the practice of Yoga. As a very physically centered person, at first ‘moving meditation’ and exercise aspects of yoga were important, with better physical health her primary goal. Many other forms of health care did not really help her with chronic colds and low immune function. As a direct result of practicing yoga, Frances found great improvement in these areas. Now she has come to realize that as her dedication grew, the benefits spilled over into her relationship with herself and others. Greater satisfaction in life has come as a result of growing clarity and her developing sense of purpose.

Frances invites you to share in the learning with her in Classes at Harmony Health and Wellness in Oshawa. She offers group lessons, as well as private sessions, for Children and Adults. Go to Classes for more information,  or see the schedule.  Whether you are looking for an improvement in physical health or have emotional or spiritual goals, Frances seeks to meet you where you are and help you grow step by step.

Courses and Credentials

Teacher Developement: 2009 to present- on-going study with Rosemary Jean Anze of Toronto ON

Teacher Training Certification: 1998- 240 hour course with Sandro Sammartion of Whiterock B.C

Standard First Aid & CPR C  2010,  St. John’s Ambulance, Oshawa, ON

Yoga Festival Toronto: 2008 Yoga Therapy with Mark Whitwell

Yoga Spirit Toronto     2008  Moving from the Inner Body (20 h),  Judith Hansen Lasiter

2008, body-Mind Centering – the Endocrine System, (28 hr) Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen

2007 Yoga Physiology & Injury Prevention (10h)   Dr. Roger Cole

2007 Body Reading & Issues in the Tissues (28h)   Tom Meyers

2007  Anatomy Trains (17h)  Carrie Gaynor

Yoga in Toronto Conference 2007  Yoga Therapy with Mark Whitwell

Yoga in Toronto Conference 2006   Yoga Therapy with Gary Kraftsow

Women’s Place 2006   Information Counselor Training (32h)   Toronto,Ontario

Advanced Yoga Training (350+h) 1994-1995 Constantine Darling British Columbia