Pamma has practiced meditation and mindfulness for over 20 years, and is a graduate of the Mindfulness Mentor Training Program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. She is a certified health and life coach and is the owner and founder of Rewire Your Brain Coaching for health and happiness. Having overcome almost 15 years of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Pamma understands the stress and overwhelm that can come with life’s demands. Through both her own personal experience as well as the experience of her clients, Pamma knows first hand how mindfulness meditation can help us not only cope with anxiety, fear and other difficult emotions but can also help us to awaken to deeper peace, joy and happiness in our lives. Her mindfulness meditation classes focus on listening to the sensations of our own unique experiences both internally and externally with the goal of being more present in our everyday life. She is passionate about empowering others to discover the power we all have within, and the wondrous beauty of this sacred life we are living. When she is not teaching or coaching, she enjoys hiking, skiing, time in nature, and hanging out with her son, husband and dog, Mojo.

Christine Crook is one of our Co-Founders, a fierce momma bear, and is passionate about the world of birth and postpartum. Christine has been a birth and postpartum doula for 10 years and she has worked with over 200 families, supporting them throughout the entire birthing process. For 6 years, Christine ran the Ottawa branch for a doula agency and uses her expertise to support the members of Rooted Family Wellness Centre. Christine is also a proud ally to the LQTQ2S+ community and fosters a community of love and support for all expecting and new families. Christine's leadership and expertise provide a safe space for families and she also teaches Preparing for Baby classes and provides New Parent Support at Rooted Family Wellness Centre.

Erin Kasungu is one of our Co-Founders at Rooted Family Wellness Centre and an experienced birth and postpartum doula. Erin is also a pre/postnatal fitness specialist helping clients on their wellness journey no matter their fitness level. She is committed to helping parents feel prepared, informed and supported in their birth experience. She believes that parents must prepare their whole self for their birth and baby. That includes the mind, body, and most importantly, the heart (and having a sense of humour too!).

As a dancer and lover of all things health, fitness and healing, Stefania was always drawn to Pilates for the added strength training, injury prevention and mindfulness it offered. In 2012, she completed her STOTT Pilates Teacher Training and has enjoyed teaching part-time while working in Project Management. After becoming a mom to her daughter Ella in 2020, she has been inspired to pursue her passion further and share the amazing benefits of having a Pilates practice both pre and postnatal. Stefania is the owner of a private and semi-private pilates studio in Kanata where she offers sessions on the Reformer or Cadillac.

Susan Martensen is a dedicated Postnatal Doula and Trainer, bringing her expertise to empower new parents during the transformative postpartum phase. With a rich background and certification as a Birth and Postnatal Doula by DONA International. she’s been an influential figure in maternal support. Susan's commitment is evident through her roles as a former Past President of DONA International and as a CLC (Lactation Counselor). Her lasting impact includes founding and hosting The Breastfeeding Cafe in Ottawa for 5 years, and as a Perinatal Outreach Facilitator at Mothercraft, Ottawa, where she continued to contribute significantly to maternal and infant well-being. Susan is joining our team as the facilitator for "Shine Through Shadows”. In this role, she holds a nurturing space for moms navigating the challenging aspects of their postpartum journey. Her ultimate goal is to provide you with a space of understanding, empathy, resources and the reassuring knowledge that you're never alone in your experiences.

Désirée is a health and wellness professional offering a range of services to support individuals in their journey towards optimal health. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Fertility Support Practitioner, Birth & Labour Doula and Yoga Instructor, Désirée has developed a broad skillset and specialised knowledge in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga. Having relocated to Canada, Désirée made a career transition from education to health and wellness. She completed her studies at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and has since provided support to individuals of all ages experiencing various health concerns, including gastrointestinal issues, anemia, osteoporosis, menopause, surgery recovery, blood sugar control, stress and anxiety, hormonal imbalances, fertility, and more. Désirée's passion for perinatal nutrition and yoga led her to obtain certifications as a perinatal yoga instructor and doula. This has allowed her to provide comprehensive support to individuals struggling with their cycles, trying to conceive, going through pregnancy, labour, healing postpartum, and raising a new life. Désirée firmly believes that everyone deserves to feel their best and receive care at their most vulnerable, and that every new child deserves the best start in life. In her practice, Désirée adopts a holistic approach, seeing the client as a whole, encompassing body, mind, and spirit. She uses evidence-based information and educates her clients to empower them towards optimal health. Désirée's philosophy is centered on providing the highest level of care and support to her clients, with the goal of promoting wellbeing and improving their quality of life.

Sandra was introduced to yoga over 20 years ago and has always turned to the practice when needing to connect to herself and feel more grounded. When she discovered Yin during a period of time when she felt burnout, it became a vital part of her daily routine where she found peace in her day. Yin reminds us that the breath controls the mind and the mind controls the body. When we slow the mind we begin to notice how we really feel, our muscles relax, our anxiety is reduced, we feel calm and more in control of our emotions. It's also an amazing way to end your day! As a Registered Early Childhood Educator, Sandra has worked with children for over 35 years, combining her passion for yoga with her lifelong love of supporting children seemed a natural partnership. Sandra enjoys bringing families together to share in an activity that teaches lifelong skills that benefit children and adults alike. Each class provides the opportunity to learn self-regulation skills, increase communication, increase coordination, encourage positive body image, increase confidence, and most of all, have fun together!

Joanna Henderin is a Certified Music Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. Her passion for music, yoga, and child development coalesce to offer a warm and relaxing environment for parents and babies to learn and bond together through singing, touch and play. Joanna was fortunate to be introduced to yoga as a child, via her mom’s VHS workout collection. She began a daily practice during University as a way to manage piano performance anxiety, and felt yoga's positive effects in all aspects of her life. She completed her first 250 hour training in 2009 and has taught Ashtanga, Yin, Vinyasa, and Slow Flow classes since then. A lifelong learner, Joanna is currently completing her 500 hour Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist teacher training. She is particularly passionate about sharing yoga practices which support fertility, the nervous system, and mental health. Joanna’s classes will leave you feeling refreshed, settled, and reconnected with your body’s inner wisdom. Outside of yoga, Joanna enjoys cooking, hiking, playing piano, and spending time with her spouse and 5 year old daughter.

Sarah weaves thought-provoking meditations throughout her classes, applying yoga philosophy to our modern world in a pertinent way. She encourages growth of the spiritual self by nurturing body, mind and soul with simple meditations and a movement based practice. Yoga found Sarah at a heavy time in life, recently grieving the loss of her mother; yoga helped heal around her wound and ultimately changed the trajectory of her life. In 2008, she obtained her first yoga teacher certification with Iyengar Teacher Nesta Falladown, then Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga training with Michelle Cormack and Meditation with Tony Murdock. Completing over 500 hours of advanced yoga training, including Trauma Informed Yoga. Today, with over a decade of teaching experience and practice, Sarah has since shared her story and gift of yoga with others around the world. She is forever grateful for the loving wisdom from students and teachers alike. Sarah is best known in the community for teaching her Mother focused programs in Ottawa, holding space for moms online and leading soul mama circles. She is a self proclaimed rebel mama of two wildly awesome kiddos, a lover of nature and finds joy experimenting in the kitchen! A forever student, Sarah’s studies have taken her to Niagara on the Lake for Tourism Management & Business Development, to Herbalism and Postpartum Doula training in British Columbia and distance education for Women in Business. She is continuing her education as a Mama Rising ™ Facilitator and is the Founder and Creator of Mama Awakened Yoga.