Joanne Astley

Joanne Astley, Registered Social Worker, is a graduate of 500 hours of teacher training at Octopus Garden Holistic Yoga Centre in Toronto (2012), as well as advanced trainings in Restorative and Yin yoga. Joanne has additional training in iRest Yoga Nidra, a form of guided meditation in the yogic tradition, which was developed by Richard Miller, clinical psychologist.

Joanne has benefited greatly from studying with local teachers, Pat Harada Linfoot, Scott Davis, and Cathy Keenan, as well as from international teachers and authors such as Pema Chodron, Amy Weintraub and Thich Nhat Hanh. In addition to a Master’s in Social Work, Joanne has training in therapeutic modalities with mindfulness components such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which she uses regularly to assist her clients.

All of these trainings and experience have deepened Joanne’s understanding of yoga and mindfulness, as well as how to make her classes more accessible and supportive to all students. Joanne encourages students to adapt their practice according to their own needs, while bringing a sense of self-exploration, playfulness and self-compassion.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a form of guided meditation in the yoga tradition that promotes deep relaxation and self-inquiry. Lying down on a mat fully supported with props—and in the comfort of your own home (via Zoom)—you will be guided through the steps of iRest Yoga Nidra, which was developed by Richard Miller, Clinical Psychologist. 

These steps aim to give practitioners an opportunity to systematically explore their own body, mind and spirit without judgment as a way to discover a deeper sense of their own true nature. In clinical trials, iRest Yoga Nidra has been found to be helpful for chronic pain, sleep problems, depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, go to:
https://www.irest.org/about-irest