Meet Your Instructors

Elle D'Amico, Owner

Elle, the owner of Namaskar Yoga is a certified 550 hr Ashtanga-based and Yin yoga teacher registered with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT550, YACEP, CYA550), as well as a certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher. Elle believes that a consistent yoga practice cultivates self awareness, compassion and healing, and reminds us that we are already whole. 
She is intentional in educating students, by teaching the why behind the what and how.  Elle believes that with a little knowledge, students can learn to trust their intuition and safely practice yoga asanas in a way that best supports their unique body. A free spirit at heart, she seeks to understand and is a student of life.
​

Annica Melanson, Studio Manager

Annica is the Manager of Namaskar Yoga as well as a certified yoga teacher (RYT 500) registered with Yoga Alliance. The teachings of yoga have brought immense peace to her life and she is honoured to share the gift of peace with others. Annica believes we all deserve to be happy and happiness starts with self love.

Marlene Weller,
Assistant Manager

Marlene is the Assistant Manager of Namaskar Yoa as well as a certified yoga teacher (CYT 1200).  Marlene’s passion is to graciously share her love of the practice of Yoga and the medicine of the teachings with others. Her intention is to create a space for others to experience confidence, ease, love and connection. She strives to inspire her students to reach their highest potential on and off their mats; to bring their Yoga to life!

Her integral approach to optimal alignment and safety keeps her style of teaching appropriate for all levels and shares that Yoga is for every body and anyone that wants to know themselves. She will guide you through a safe and intentional practice connecting your body, heart and mind through movement and breath.

Jodi Weber

​Jodi is a certified yoga teacher (RYT200) registered with Yoga Alliance. She quickly learned that yoga was not just a means to physical fitness.  It provided her a much-needed reprieve from the busy world. 

Hollie James

Hollie completed her first YTT300 in February 2023 at VI Yoga School in Duncan. During this time she discovered a passion for teaching. Hollie completed her second 300- hr training in February 2024 at Namaskar Yoga.  Hollie is excited to share what she has learned and is grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn more from her students, teachers and community. In her free time, Hollie enjoys spring baseball as well as the many hiking trails,camping spots and year-round boating and fishing.

Shannon Ryan

Shannon has been a student and teacher of yoga for about 10 years.  After her very first class she knew she found an important part of herself.  Her training ranges from Restorative and Yin, to Vinyasa and Sun, Fire and Moon Hatha. She received her 200+ hour YTT certification while living in her hometown of Toronto, and continues to learn more every year. Recent Mindset studies are a significant asset to her teaching. Shannon sees yoga as a great metaphor for life – how we are on the mat reflects how we are off the mat.  Helping yogis unplug from their busy, outside world and turn inwards to discover themselves is one of her greatest joys. 
If you feel the need to slow down, or alternatively, to take it to the next level, Shannon will support you. Find balance through the breath, discover the complementary forces of strength and ease, witness your internal landscape and trust your heart centred guidance. 

Stephen Ewashkiw

Stephen has been teaching for more than 13 years, has led trainings and workshops all over the world (in 25 countries so far!) and has been fortunate to study with some incredible teachers along the way!
Stephen's classes are playful and challenging.  He uses clear instructions and demonstrations to help focus on form so that you can build your practice from a strong foundation.  Practice with Stephen and you will learn anatomy and alignment to build strength and flexibility as well as yoga philosophy so you also develop mindfulness skills that you can use in yoga class and in the rest of your life!

Luisa C. Quezada

Louisa has been practicing yoga for 14 years. She started the practice to find ease and to connect with herself after postpartum depression. Feeling inspired by her personal practice, she wanted to share the practice with others and received her first RYT200 certification in 2016. Louisa is trained in Hatha and Vinyasa styles and is also a Registered Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga teacher (RPYT).

Before becoming a student and teacher of yoga, Louisa was an architect, so she believes in the importance of foundations, to develop a strong and well balanced building or space. Such is in our human life, we need foundations to find the balance of strength and flexibility in both mental, emotional and physical body.

Yoga offers a start through our foundation and from there we become a better version of ourselves.

Luisa's classes allow the students to find balance in all aspects of life (body-mind-spirit).

Hannah Flahr

Hannah is an accomplished clinical exercise professional with extensive experience in workplace wellness promotion. She is passionate about yoga and this emanates through her classes. She strongly believes in the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that yoga has to offer and is eternally grateful to share the benefits of yoga with others. In recent years Hannah has been devoted to making yoga more accessible to first responders and she continues to remain dedicated to this intention.

Steve Boechler

Steve has been a student of Iyengar Yoga for 28 years and a certified teacher for 17 years.  His approach to class is that Yoga is about life. The practice of Yoga helps us to learn a way of living.  Sutra 1.2 defines Yoga: to cease the fluctuations of the mind. This Sutra tells us that Yoga is about being present and self aware in the moment. Whether that moment is on the mat in class or in the moments outside of class in everyday life. In class we will bring the study of Yoga to our practice.