About
Chelsea McCrimmon
A little (or a lot) about me!
“Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost”. Truer words couldn’t be written to describe the journey that lead me to yoga. I am not the person who tried yoga once only to be struck by this profound yearning or moment of peace. No, in fact, it was quite the opposite. I found yoga frustrating, unpleasant, even deflating. What was the big deal about yoga??
Throughout my life, however, the practice kept coming back to me, largely at the recommendation of counsellors as a means of managing my intense anxiety, (ha! I thought and rolled my eyes). Not surprisingly, I didn’t heed their advice and eventually stress consumed me; I found myself sitting at the proverbial rock bottom; I was lost. Once again, enter yoga; only this time it was different. This time I began to see that this practice, which is so revered for its mental and physical benefits, is about so much more than the poses!
I had turned to yoga as a means of dealing with my extreme anxiety, but, the practice began to slowly transform my entire relationship with myself. Through yoga I overcame extremely painful issues related to body image and negative self-talk; I found self-love, compassion and forgiveness, for others, but most importantly in my case, for myself.
Beginning in 2014 I went through some major life changes, quit my job as a lawyer and embarked on my first yoga teacher training in Hawaii. Fast forward 7 years, another dabble in law, a lot of yoga teaching, more training in California and Peru, and an amazing job at my family’s business, here I am… opening Luna Muna! Does this mean the journey is over? That I’ve conquered my anxiety, achieved happiness and self-actualization? NO! That’s the thing about life and about yoga, there is always room to grow, to learn, to improve, be it on, or off the mat.
One of my favorite things about teaching is that “ah-ha” moment that occurs when students realize that yoga is truly available to anybody! It’s not about being flexible, being a certain shape, size, age, or fitness level. In fact, the poses are only one part of the practice, it just so happens to be the part that we typically see. Yoga is about so much more, it’s honing the breath, learning to still (or at least endure) the fluctuations of the mind, it’s moving mindfully, with compassion and intention.
I liken yoga to a tool that can be added to the “toolbox” that we carry through life. Not only does it promote flexibility and strength in the body, but also the mind and spirit. The skills that you learn on the mat can be applied in every facet of life, so that eventually each new challenge you face is just an opportunity to apply, and maybe deepen, your practice.
When I’m not teaching yoga, I can be found volunteering with various animal rescues, watching hockey (go Knights!) or spending time with my boyfriend, Landon, and our two rescue pets, Luna and Peru. My bio wouldn’t be complete without including that I am a book and wine LOVER, and can often be found sitting on my mat sipping wine and reading.
To close, I would just like to express my deep gratitude for this practice, for India where it originated, to all the practitioners who have come before me to share this gift of yoga; to my teachers, all of whom I continue to learn from to this day, to my family, my friends, without whom none of this would be possible, and most importantly to God, for leading me to this beautiful path. I can’t wait to share this practice with each of you.
Namaste.
Danna Rudniski
All about Danna
I have been very active all my life, I have played volleyball for 20+ years and still do. Health and wellness have been an important part of my adult life. I came into contact with yoga after working with Chelsea at her family business. Not only were we coworkers, we became great friends! Chelsea began to teach classes in Brandon but due to the fact I couldn’t touch my toes, I didn’t think I was equipped for yoga.
I attended one of Chelsea’s classes and loved it! After years of volleyball and being active, it was nothing like what I had ever done before. My mind and body needed something different and yoga did that. It didn’t take long before I noticed a change in my body and strength.
I took my Level 1 training in May 2020 (thanks covid….) and then a seniors training 6 weeks later.
I never ever imagined that I would one day be guiding others through Yoga! I love it so much because it truly is universal. Having these two levels of training is so important to me because it doesn’t matter if your 60 or 16, yoga can be a part of your routine and everyBODY is capable of yoga.
I’m excited to get started teaching! My classes will be lighthearted, with no judgement and no expectations! One hour for YOU. Let’s get started + enjoy ourselves!
“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is what you learn on the way down.” Jigar Gor
See you on the mat!
Alexandra Trotter
All about Alexandra
I spent most of my early life in the dance studio and have a deep love for ballet and the arts. In the last few years I have gotten back into moving my body and love practising yoga with Chelsea! (I always say she should record hypnosis CDs to help people fall asleep or quit smoking, her voice is so soothing and her classes always leave me feeling amazing!)
Almost immediately after welcoming her into the world we got some pretty devastating news about my health, and since then life has been a real rollercoaster. After treatment I was left feeling sick and weak and was not able to be the mom I really wanted to be. So, as we awaited more test results, I decided I needed somewhere to channel all my nervous energy, and what better way to do that, and to start to feel stronger again, than to teach Barre!? So I took the plunge and signed up for American Barre Technique’s teacher certification course.
Barre is such a fun way to get moving! It is more “workout-y” than “dance-y” so no dance experience required! It’s an all levels, low-impact, heart-pumping way to feel the burn!
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me and I’m so excited to get to know you!
Jamie Falloon
All about Jamie
I’m Jamie, and I love the colour pink and my sweet pup, Luna (yes, that’s right – my fur baby is named Luna, just like Chelsea’s!). I’m a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT200) with the Yoga Alliance. I have been working as a massage therapist since 2005, and in January of 2017, I traveled to Costa Rica to complete my 200hr yoga teacher training at Anamaya Yoga Centre.
I am passionate about helping people of all sizes, shapes and skill levels learn the benefits of yoga. I struggled with body image for a big part of my life, and yoga was a huge part of how I learned to love and respect my body for exactly what it was in that moment, which was a turning point in my self love journey.
From 2017 to 2021, I taught yoga classes out of my own studio, Prairie Bliss Yoga. I offered a wide range of classes including Yoga Foundations, Bare Bones Basics, Flow and Yin Yoga. When Covid hit, we pivoted to online classes for a while, but eventually I decided I needed a break from teaching. I took some yoga classes with Chelsea in the past year and absolutely love her style of teaching and the vibe at her studio. I am so excited to return to teaching yoga, this time with Luna Muna Studio.
What's in a name?
Luna Muna
I have always loved the imagery and symbolism surrounding the moon. The connection to nature, its cycles, its magical quality. I like it so much that I decided upon the name “Luna” for my dog! However, the name Luna Muna did not come to be simply because of its poetic appeal. While in Peru for a yoga training I came upon an adorable little hostel by the same name, I snapped a picture of the yellow crescent moon and thought, “Luna Muna!”. A few years later, when thinking about names for the studio I continued to come back to this picture and this name. I learned that in an ancient Peruvian language the words Luna Muna translated to free spirits and seekers of joy.
The words have a mystical quality that is one of the things I love about yoga; it’s ability, through practice, to transport you into that space that lies somewhere beyond the body and mind. Luna, means moon, and is sometimes the name used to describe Artemis, the goddess of the moon, the hunt, and all things wild. Muna, translates to wish, or desire.
What more could I want in a name for my studio? A connection to earth, to the magic of the universe, to our internal wild nature, a place to find joy. What a happy coincidence that name also allowed me incorporate my dog into it!