Erica’s passion for yoga and Ayurveda began 20 years ago. Desiring a deeper and more subtle understanding of the human experience led her to yoga teacher training and a yoga therapy certification at Mount Royal University (2009). While studying at Mount Royal, Erica was certified as a Thrive instructor. The Thrive program was designed specifically for cancer patients at the University of Calgary.
There she met and studied with Nischala Joy Devi who offered her unique feminine perspective of the Yoga Sutras. Nischala Joy Devi is a master teacher and healer and monastic disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda.
Erica also studied with Susi Hatley and her functional synergy “approach to anatomy. This approach gave Erica an understanding of the anatomical and functional approach to movement in the human body.
Erica went on to study with Robin Rothenberg and her energetic models for using asana and pranayama for healing.
At Mount Royal she had her first formal Ayurveda class which took her on another journey to initial study with Matthew Remski and Todd Caldecott until she found her true home in Ayurveda and the traditional Kerala Ayurveda at Kerala Academy. At Kerala Academy it was an honor to learn traditional Ayurveda from her primary teacher, Dr. Jayarajan Kodikannath and many of his associate teachers. There she completed an Ayurveda Practitioners certification.
Along the way, she interned in an Ayurveda hospital in India and took courses in Panchakarma and Ayurveda body work. While in India she had the opportunity to spend time at Ayurvedagram, a private clinic outside of Bangalore, India. Erica’s training continued with Ayurveda formulation and bodywork certification at CCA and the study of Yoga Nidra and mindfulness-centered somatic psychotherapy.
Erica lecture on Ayurveda, hosts webinars for the Ayurveda Association of Canada and act as one of their directors. She also does private training for doctors and health care practitioners.
In her private practice Erica does assessments and Ayurveda treatments. She also teaches online Mindfulness and cooking classes. As a volunteer she also teaches foundational yoga classes and pranayama to students with structural and functional issues.
At the moment she is completing the Kerala doctoral certification in Ayurveda Medicine. This has afforded her the opportunity to learn from many great India teachers. She will be returning to India for continued internships. As Dr Jay says, “Ayurveda is an ocean” and the learning never ends.
One of Erica’s primary passions is Manas Chikitsa, the treatment of the mind and how it affects and can heal every aspect of physical and mental health issues.
Her continued passion and study of yoga and ayurveda allows her to be of service to her family, friends, and her community.