About Sandra Leigh
E-RYT500, DYT

Sandra Leigh is a registered member of the Canadian Yoga Alliance. She has also been accredited with the highest level of study with the Yoga Alliance (USA), achieving the 500 hour Experienced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500) designation. Sandra is also registered with Yoga Association of BC as a Senior Teacher as well as with Dru Worldwide as a Dru Yoga Teacher (DYT).

Passionately devoted to yoga as a pathway to health and wellness since 1991, Sandra's ongoing commitment to excellence in the field of yoga has been influenced by some of the finest international teachers of yogic arts. Her studies began with yoga development and mentorship under Advanced Senior Hatha Yoga Instructor, Lilian Bianchi. In 1997, she received certification from Yasodhara Ashram, (near Kootenay Bay, BC) with further studies in the Hidden Language of Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga as taught by Swami Sivananda Radha. Sandra is also certified to teach yoga through Sandra Sammartino's yoga teacher training program.

Sandra's most recent attainment is an instructor's certificate in Dru Yoga (DYT) from the School of DRU Worldwide, based in Wales, UK. Popular in the UK, Europe, Australia, Dru is a form of hatha yoga based on the meaning of the ancient Sanskrit word 'Dhruva', meaning still and unchanging. In Vedic texts, 'Dhruva Nakshatra' is the name given to the North Star, or Pole Star, which appears to remain fixed while all other stars move around it. Recognized as the yoga of the heart, Dru yoga practices direct awareness inward to a space known as 'Dhruvakasha', a source point within ourselves which is still and infinite. While Dru yoga techniques focus primarily on energy block release and stress reduction, Dru classes also include yoga asanas (postures), pranayama exercises (the science of breath), mudras (hand gestures), positive affirmations, sound and mantra, empowering visualisations, and potent sequences performed in a flowing and dynamic style.

Sandra Leigh's work in the community also includes explorations in the yoga of sound, or 'Nada' Yoga. An important branch of Nada Yoga is the practice of chanting and mantra meditation. A mantra practice is rooted in ancient yogic science and is usually given directly from teacher to student to be developed on one's own. Kirtan chanting (prounounced KEER-tun) is practiced in a group and can be quite musical, percussive, and danceable. It is regarded as an expression of 'Bhakti' yoga, the pathway of love and devotion. In this call and response style of chant, one does not have to be musical or a even a good singer to enjoy themselves. Voices lift and blend into one, creating blissful ocean like waves of sacred sound. The benefits can include a general sense of wellness, kinship with community and spiritual awakening. Kirtan is yoga, too!

In 2001, Sandra founded a popular weekly kirtan in Vancouver called ‘Give Peace a Chant!’, bringing yoga chanting to studios around the Pacific Northwest. Sandra continues as the artistic director and one of many kirtaneers at Give Peace a Chant! In addition to kirtan, Sandra offers yoga of chant workshops, where participants are introduced to the healing power of sacred sound vibrations, japa yoga and mantra meditations for daily life.

Sandra Leigh is a long standing member and enthusiastic contributor to the Vancouver yoga community. She maintains a flourishing yoga practice in Vancouver, BC, and offers many yoga classes weekly, including Dru Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Hatha Yoga, teen's, kid's and tiny tots yoga classes at the West End Community Centre in downtown Vancouver. 'Give Peace a Chant!' Kirtan is held every 2nd and 4th Friday at Open Door Yoga Studio in Kitsilano. For more kirtan information go to givepeaceachant.com.

OM Shantih