Meet Joanna — Joanna Griffin Yoga

HELLO beautiful soul.
I’m so glad you found your way here. How can I support you?
Firstly, let me introduce myself, my name is Joanna, originally from the UK, but my journey has led me to now call Coquitlam, Canada home. I moved to Beautiful British Columbia in 2015 having hung up my dance shoes and eager to transition into a new career encompassing my love of movement and wellness. Yoga had always supported my dance profession and I believe the practice kept me safe from injury. I was curious to see where this yoga journey might take me, I could feel its calling as the next step for me, so naturally I dove in feet first.

In 2015 I took my initial 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Whistler, BC which expanded me beyond my wildest dreams. What sweet relief it was, to realize that there was a place for me to continue to move creatively, led by breath, and infused with the beautiful philosophies and ethics that can connect us to becoming more compassionate, conscious, mindful beings.

I was in love. I soaked it all up. I was so excited for others to experience the benefits of this practice.

And so it began. Working through the awkward and vulnerable beginnings as a new teacher. Learning to persevere through the moments of self doubt and to keep showing up. Observing the growth in skill and confidence with every class. What a beautiful evolution it was. Before too long I had started to carve out a full teaching schedule and felt called to connect yoga with the diverse range of people in my community. This involved lots of learning on my part, figuring out how to make classes more accessible and how to offer modifications and variations that made sense and empowered the practitioner. Naturally this led to more training, including an unforgettable month in Bali for my 300hr Yoga Teacher Training in 2017. Through the years I have had the opportunity to teach in schools and colleges, in senior homes and community spaces, in corporate and conference settings and in yoga studios. I have worked with children with learning challenges and adults with physical disabilities. All of my public teaching experience has led me to understand that we are all so beautifully different and that yoga is not a one size fits all approach.

This is why I teach. It is Grace. It is Love. It is Creativity.

My classes, workshops and retreats are inclusive and cultivate first and foremost a space for grounding. I strive to establish a sense of balance in the body through the concept of Sthira and Sukha, strength and ease. My personal practice and teaching is slow and mindful, giving time to curiously learn from the body and the breath in each pose and transition without rushing to what is next. The creation of such a space gives the practitioner the opportunity to linger, to develop a deep awareness of their own bodies and to recognize that they truly are their own best teacher and guide as they delve inwards. I am so proud when I look around the space and see the diverse array of students that join on their mats for these offerings. A decade into my teaching career, and I am as passionate as ever to share what I am continuing to learn on my own yoga journey and truly believe that the time spent on our mats creates a beautiful ripple effect out into the world.

I truly look forward to us joining together on our mats soon. Until then, sending love.

YOGA EDUCATION & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

500 E-RYT with Yoga Alliance and 500 ECYT with GOYA - Global Online Yoga Association

April 2024: Spring Renewal Retreat at Quinta Carvalhas, Portugal

October 2023: Autumn Renewal Retreat at Stowel Lake Farm, Salt Spring Island

April 2023: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Mentorship Program in Colombia

September 2022: 50hr Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Your Yoga Flow

August 2022: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Mentorship Program in Vancouver

June 2022: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Online Ayurveda Program in Vancouver

September 2021: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Online Children’s Yoga Program in Vancouver

April 2021: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Online Yoga Conference in Vancouver

September 2020: Online Meditation Retreat with Pema Chödrön & Tim Olmsted

July 2020: Guest Teacher for Your Yoga Flow Online 300hr Teacher Training Program in Vancouver

March 2020: Teacher Mentorship weekend with Carolyn Anne Budgell & Clara Roberts-Oss

October 2018: Guest Teacher at The Om Yoga Show, London Yoga Conference, UK

June 2018: Online Teacher Mentorship with Yogacara Global

January 2018: Your Yoga Flow Ambassador and Online Teacher

April 2017: 300hr Yoga Teacher Training in Bali with Yogacara Global

May 2016: 50hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Bernie Clark

April 2016: Kindred Kula Ambassador

March 2015: 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Whistler, BC with Yogacara Global

TEACHER GRATITUDES

HELLO beautiful soul.