My journey into yoga began approximately ten years ago when I started attending drop-in classes at a gym. A remarkable transformation took place, as my sedentary lifestyle and negative self-image gave way to improved physical and emotional health. After several years of practicing, I heeded the call to share yoga with others and enrolled in teacher training with Gaiatri Yoga, one of Western Canada's most respected yoga teacher training programs.

J'Adore Dance Artistic Director, Edmonton Owner

As long as I can remember, I have loved to dance. At age 3, I took my first creative movement class and fell in love with the freedom of expression, the creativity, and the joy I felt while I danced. Dance was something that seemed so natural, so instinctual; it was my body's way of singing.

As I grew older, so did my passion for learning to move my body in new ways. I studied with different teachers and choreographers in the areas of Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, African, Latin, Belly Dance, and Folk Dance. I was in awe of what amazing athletes dancers were, strong and flexible. My love affair with dance continued to grow as I realized it balanced my mind, body, and spirit, unlike anything else I had ever experienced.

Through the years, Kasha has found numerous ways to express herself through music and other activities. Kasha has just released her first original song on a cd set to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society. She has also completed her Grade 9 piano with the Toronto Conservatory. Aside from music, Kasha believes in leading a healthy and active lifestyle through her love of sports and dance.

I first began my dance career as a hip hop dancer. I was taught by my mother Nancy Lavorato who used to be the lead coach of the Eskimo's cheerleaders and the Producer and Choreographer of the Miss Canadian Universe pageant. I learned and taught Bollywood Dancing at Sitare Studios while going to school and playing football at the U of A.

Music is my passion and using music to teach dance is my privilege. For this reason, I am so very grateful for the opportunity to teach the Salsa Babies program to moms and dads alike. I would like to think that I bring a wealth of music and dance experience to every class I teach.

I have studied music and dance since the age of three. My musical training has been predominately on the violin and piano although, I occasionally dabble on the cello and guitar. Musically, I am a published children's theory book author as well as a regular fiddle instructor and adjudicator at many camps and festivals throughout Alberta. My dance experience ranges from ballet to ballroom and also includes pole dancing for fitness, which I have been involved with since 2006.

Salena Kitteringham is the marketing and communications director for the University of Alberta's Department of Drama and a freelance dance writer for the Edmonton Journal. She loves meeting and chatting with dance artists and writing about their work.

Salena grew up dancing in Red Deer, studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and musical theatre before taking up contemporary dance training at the University of Alberta, through the Orchesis Modern Dance group.

A proud mommy, she was first introduced to J'Adore Dance in 2007 as a Salsa Babies participant with her son Kieran and recently has been taking the Dance Quickie classes - a great way to fit some dancing into her busy working mom schedule.