Barb Leese MA, ERYT 200, 500 RYS 200
Yoga and movement educator
About
A recipient of Burlington’s Civic Recognition Award for International Achievements, Barb is an
experienced and committed educator with a passion for the arts and yoga and a vocation for
instilling a love of learning to assist people in finding personal wellness and performance
excellence.
Barb’s passion for health and mind/body wellness began at the age of ten training professionally
with Canada’s National Ballet School. Joining the National Ballet of Canada as a classical dancer, at
age 17, for a decade Barb performed across Canada, The States and through out Europe
performing with dance legends, Eric Bruhn, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia
Makarova. Her career then shifted to musical theatre, credits include the Phantom of the Opera
Toronto and International touring companies as performer, dance captain and associate director.
Holding a Masters Degree from York University, Barb is currently on faculty at Sheridan College,
teaching anatomy/physiology and dance technique for the Bachelor of Musical Theatre
Performance program. As a guest presenter at IADMS International Conference 2019, Barb
contributed beneficial approaches for streamed programs in post secondary dance training to a
global network of medical professionals, educators, dancers, and researchers helping to elevate
dance training
Barb holds certifications in various styles of yoga, personal training and mind/body techniques,
all of which enable her to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to her teaching over the
last 30 years. Her guest lecturing and workshops on the effects and manifestations of stress have
been enjoyed and appreciated by various groups looking to move towards greater wellness. Barb
has trained numerous students in her 200hr Yoga Alliance registered Yoga Teacher Training
program which she has run for the last twelve years.
Her vast teaching experience has expanded to New York City, co-teaching/creating modules in
BodeNYC’s OHYA registered Teacher Training Program where she also launched her 40hr
Fascial-Yin training, The Inward Journey in 2019. Barb has co-created and launched an online
teaching platform thelotusedge.com offering pre-recorded Yoga training programs of fascial-yin
work. Barb continues her association with pivotdancer.com “helping to bring science into the
studio” on multiple levels. Forever the student, Barb recently added two years of studies at the
RYT 500 level to her credentials
Barb is delighted to be using all of her experience and knowledge to assist people in finding
personal wellness and performance excellence through the mind/body connection of yoga and
dance.
Jump on to your mat and into your life
"Having taken Barb's RYT 200 teacher training I came to the conclusion that Barb is not only a yoga teacher to be experienced, but a yoga leader with the capacity to effect a turnaround in how health matters are addressed through the practice of yoga. Barb's classes and teaching changed my life permanently on so many levels. I am eternally grateful and encourage students, new to advanced, to have the benefit of all of Barb's passion and experience in her classes and teacher training."
Hazel Lamarre
"Barb Leese an amazing teacher. Barb is an amazing yoga teacher and an inspiration to a great many yoga practitioners including myself. There are many great yoga instructors out there, but very few true yoga teachers like Barb. She's highly knowledgeable, skilled and one of the most humble and down to earth persons I've had the privilege of knowing. Its a true honour to have been trained and taught by Barb."
Wadood Bhatti
