About Us
Up Yoga & Wellness is an uplifting WELLNESS HUB, YOGA STUDIO & RETREAT CENTRE located in Paris, Ontario.
Our yoga classes are uplifting, alignment informed and accessible to all.
We love yoga and all its benefits, especially the community of like minded individuals that connect over a great yoga class!
Not only will we help you take back your energy, we will give you the evidence based tools to help you keep feeling your best. To support you in your health, in addition to yoga and fitness classes our wellness facility features:
-
12 Person, Medical Grade Infrared Sauna
-
State of the art Cold Plunge Tub
-
Holistic Health Coaching
-
Acupuncture
-
Reflexology
-
Osteopathy
-
Somatic Coaching
-
Holistic Aesthetician
-
Reiki, Intuitive Reiki
-
Registered Massage Therapy
-
Cranial Sacral Therapy
-
Counselling & Psychotherapy
-
Wellness Workshops to Educate & Inspire
-
Individual & Group Programs
-
1/2 Day & Full Day Retreats
Ultimately, we want you to have the energy to pursue all the things that light you up! Transforming your health takes a village, and we would love to support and inspire your wellness journey!
We also love music, we believe authenticity is a beautiful thing, and we cannot wait to connect with you!

Medical Grade Infrared Sauna
SaunaRay Sauna
Our custom 12 - 15 person SaunaRay Medical Grade Infrared Sauna houses unique ceramic elements that are hand made with natural infrared-reflective minerals that make it feel like you’re lying on a beach.
There are many known benefits of infrared sauna use.
Regular IR exposure may boost users' overall feelings of wellness, relaxation, and, of course a more intense cleansing sweat session.
Unlike traditional steam saunas, our infrared sauna uses infrared heat to penetrate the skin and warm the air around you. Infrared technology does not over heat your lungs or your core body temperature. SaunaRay has designed a modern twist on the ancient ritual of sauna use. Their ceramic infrared heating elements mimic the heat reflected by beach sand into the ocean and create a feeling of calm relaxation. The lower temperatures allow you to sweat without raising your core body temperature. This means you can breathe normally while inducing a profuse sweat. You can stay inside longer, relax into a cleansing sweat. It’s like going to the beach! End your Sauna session in our state of the art PLUNGE cold plunge tub to refresh and invigorate.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
SLOW FLOW
Slow Flow classes are a combination of Vinyasa Flow and Hatha yoga, with fewer transitions than Vinyasa yoga and more flow than Hatha yoga. This slow and intentional practice will deepen your awareness around the nuances of integrating strength, flexibility and balance while cultivating freedom in the body and mind as you flow your way into a blissful state. You will learn how to deepen your breath to anchor and ground your body, move energy and land in the present moment. Slow Flow is suitable to all levels of students and is a beautiful stepping stone to Flow & Yoga Sculpt.
HATHA / YIN
This class is a combination of hatha for the first 35 minutes and Yin for the final 25 minutes of class. *Refer to Hatha and Yin Class descriptions
CHAIR YOGA
This class uses the support of a chair to make yoga accessible for all people. Class includes poses to encourage strength and flexibility, breath work and guided relaxation. Poses are done seated in the chair, and standing (optional) with chair for support. This class is a good fit for older adults, people with chronic conditions that affect mobility, and for those who enjoy a seated practice. No previous yoga experience is necessary.
PILATES
Build strength, improve posture, and move with more ease in our mat-based Pilates class! Using just your body weight (no reformer needed!), we’ll focus on controlled movements, breathwork, and deep core engagement to help you feel stronger and more balanced. Expect a mix of stretching and strengthening that supports your spine, improves flexibility, and leaves you feeling energized. Perfect for all levels—whether you're new to Pilates or looking to refine your practice!
SCULPT
Come prepared to sweat, strengthen, and leave energized. 💪✨This upbeat class will start off with a mix of bodyweight and mobility exercises to warm up the body and activate the core, followed by a strength and resistance training component using weights and bands. Sculpt offers a mix of functional strength and dynamic movement. Class will end with slice off HIIT to challenge both upper and lower body while elevating cardiovascular endurance. This class is designed to get you feeling strong in both body and mind.
YIN
Yin yoga is the gentle, grounding counterpart to more active, muscular (Yang) yoga practices. While Yang builds strength and heat, Yin invites stillness, softness, and deep release. This nurturing practice works on the body’s deepest tissues: connective tissue, joints, ligaments, cartilage, and fascial networks. Poses are held for longer periods (3-7 minutes) with a focus on breath. Although this practice is simple, this doesn’t mean easy, however the rewards are profound: increased mobility, recovery, balance, and a deeper sense of calm, centeredness, and wholeness. Yin also nourishes the energy body, encouraging the flow of qi (life force) through your organs and promoting harmony between body and mind. Feel grounded, present, spacious in your body-mnd.
RESTORATIVE
Restorative yoga provides us the opportunity to slow down and develop a greater sense of balance and health. In our fast paced society, many of us spend our time in a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ state (sympathetic nervous system). Too much time spent in this state leads to dis-ease. In restorative yoga, you will learn to arrive back in your body and into a state of ‘rest and digest’ (parasympathetic nervous system). With the use of the floor, wall, and props such as, bolsters, weight bags, blankets and blocks, you will begin the practice of surrendering into deep relaxation and restoration. Be prepared to shed tension and stress, quiet mental chatter and become unstuck.
BARRE
Barre is a fun, high-energy workout that blends ballet-inspired movements with Pilates, strength training, and flexibility work. Using small, controlled movements, light weights, and bodyweight exercises, you'll sculpt and tone your entire body while improving posture and stability. No dance experience is needed—just bring your energy and get ready to feel the burn! Perfect for all levels.
CHOREO FLOW
This class is a blend of vinyasa flow, choreography and strength sequencing all woven together. It is a workout, incredibly fun and inspiring!
You've got to try it at least once. Open to all levels!
CORE & RESTORE
This pilates inspired class will improve core strength, overall posture and flexibility. Warm up and awaken your core followed by movement to open the body while promoting relaxation and stress reduction. This class will help you stand taller and will leave you feeling energized and calm.
HATHA
This slower paced, mindful moving class fosters strength, balance and flexibility with a focus on connection to steadiness and ease of the breath. This practice uses simpler transitions between foundational yoga postures with attention to individual alignment. It is a perfect class for those new to yoga with the opportunity to lean into your personal edge of strength and focus. This class will lift your heart rate and soothe your mind by helping you empty the overflowing inbox of the mind, leaving you feeling uplifted, calm and focused.
FLOW
Flow connects breath and movement, with a focus on fluid transitions from one asana (pose) to the next with consistent sun salutations (downdog, plank, chaturanga, updog, downdog) integrated into the sequence of class. This class opens the body and builds heat to explore a ‘peak’ posture through rhythmic sequencing to an uplifting playlist. In a vinyasa flow class you will build strength, flexibility and fitness as you move mindfully with intention. This Class will allow you to ‘rinse and release’ while re-energizing your body and mind.
MINDFUL MOVEMENT
This class pairs functional movement with breath while improving in range of motion, mobility, balance, stability and all over resiliency. This class does not include traditional western yoga postures. You will spend some time standing (with or without the support of wall or chair) and a lot of time on the floor (no downward dogs, no inversions). This class will help you articulate hip mobility, shoulder mobility, spine mobility… all over healthy joints. This class has a focus on reducing rigidity in the body and increasing fluidity in movement.
Who is this class great for? Athletes, Cross Fitters, those recovering from injury, anyone who wants to maintain/build confidence in fluidity of movement, ageing population who wants to maintain confidence in their movement and feel good in their body.
UNWIND
Unwind is a soothing yoga class designed to open the body and awaken gentle strength and melt away stress. Through heart-opening shapes and tension-melting movement, this practice invites deep release and relaxation. You’ll stay close to the ground throughout the class, with the option for a standing forward fold to help decompress the spine. Combining slow, mindful movement with gentle holds, Unwind offers space to reset your body and mind. Leave feeling calm, grounded, and renewed
YOGA TEACHERS
Meet our team of incredible yoga practitioners!

Rachel Strasser
FOUNDER, UP YOGA & WELLNESS
Rachel Strasser is the founder of UP Yoga & Wellness, a holistic sanctuary founded in February 2020 with a clear mission: to create a space where people feel uplifted, supported, and empowered in mind, body, and spirit. With a background in yoga, community building, and integrative wellness, Rachel brings a deep sense of purpose to every aspect of her work. What began as a yoga studio evolved into a full-spectrum wellness collective under offering services such as psychotherapy, massage therapy, somatic therapy, osteopathy, holistic nutrition, infrared sauna and cold plunge therapy, holistic skin care and more. Today Up Yoga has a team of skilled, heart centered practitioners who share a commitment to creating meaningful, healing experiences. Rachel is known for her calm presence, thoughtful programming, and ability to build community with heart. UP Yoga & Wellness reflects her vision: a space for people to reconnect, release what no longer serves them, and rise into the fullest version of themselves.

Tammy Veenstra
Tammy started yoga as a fitness endeavour branching off from Pilates back in 2003 and quickly evolved into a lifelong passion and journey of self-discovery. Having practiced yoga regularly for several years now with Up Yoga, Tammy has not only honed her skills on the mat but also developed a deep appreciation for the art of play and creativity that yoga brings. She believes that through movement and exploration, one can unlock their true potential and peel back the layers to connect with their authentic selves. With a solid foundation in yoga, Tammy has invested in her education and personal growth. In Spring 2023, Tammy completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program and achieved TIMP level 1 certification. She is also currently studying herbalism, recognizing the importance of holistic well-being and agency in health. What truly sets Tammy apart is her genuine love for sharing the joy of yoga with others. She firmly believes that yoga is not just about the physical postures, but it is an all-encompassing lifestyle that extends beyond the mat. When not on her mat, Tammy can be found embracing various outdoor activities such has homesteading, gardening, hiking, camping, swimming and paddle boarding or hanging out with her pup.

Shawna Bator
Full Bio Coming Soon...

Nadine Bellhouse
Nadine completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training certification with Joy Dorsey in 2019. Her yoga training includes breath work, functional mobility, myo-fascial release, prop work and restorative yoga. Her love for yoga started in 2002 and continues to grow every day. Seeing students grow their practice each time they come to the mat is an inspiration!

Elisabeth Kolenko
After a bad car accident that left her in constant pain, yoga offered the relief from pain Elisabeth was searching for. 12 years later she still adores her yoga practice and has been sharing her love for yoga as a yoga teacher for 3 years with a particular passion for active aging and helping individuals live their best lives. Each practice is a unique journey of growth, evolution, and positive change. She loves being part of a yoga community of like-minded individuals that are accepting and supportive. Elisabeth is a dedicated M.A., RYT 550 Yoga Teacher, and a Certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach. Her expertise extends to various niches, including Chair Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. She has also received specialized training in Bonefit, and passionately teaches Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease, PWR Moves, and Aqua Yoga. Her knowledge also includes Meditation, Yoga Nidra, and mindfulness. Currently, Elisabeth is working towards becoming a yoga therapist. Elisabeth loves teaching yoga as it helps her to continue feeling her best while also allowing her to extend the gift of well-being to others. Beyond the mat, her yoga practice has had a profound influence on her life. It has helped her become more mindful and aware of herself and her surroundings, helping her to live in the present moment with greater appreciation and serenity. When she is not immersed in her yoga practice and teaching, Elisabeth enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Traveling and biking are her cherished hobbies, as they provide her with additional opportunities to explore and connect with the world around her.

Melissa Richardson
Full Bio Coming Soon.

Kim Lysenko
Yoga Instructor, mother, outgoing optimist, friend, amateur aspiring chef, bookworm. “Yoga takes us to the present moment, the only place where life exists.” As a yoga instructor, I strive to help beginner and experienced yogis feel comfortable in their practice, learn essential postures, and ensure a safe practice for everyone. I feel called to share the benefits I have received from yoga and meditation. PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT To create, inspire and manifest peace and relaxation through breath, movement, and mindfulness. To awaken, strengthen and find joy in our bodies and to appreciate what our bodies can do. Yoga to me means energy, lightness, intention and fun! ACCREDITATIONS 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Foundations of Chair Yoga Reiki Certified (Level 1) SPECIALTIES Hatha Vinyasa Flow Yin Restorative Chair Yoga Meditation Breathwork Soulful Flow OTHER INTERESTS Chakra Work Physical Fitness Mindfulness Music and Movement SIGNATURE STYLE Flow and Hold – A pleasing variance of standing and seated postures designed to awaken and strengthen. Suitable for all yogis with an emphasis on an individual experience while sharing with and contributing to the energy of others.

Melissa Houley
Full Bio Coming Soon.

McKenzie Shabatura
Full Bio Coming Soon.

Joanne Anger
Joanne Anger Is a Certified 500hr YTT instructor, certified Iron Yoga Instructor, Certified in Restorative Yoga, Children’s yoga, Trauma-informed yoga teaching, Mindfulness Movement and has completed a 300HR Advanced YTT with Rolf Gates. Joanne has always led an active life and is thrilled to be able to share her love of movement and strength in a yoga forum. Joanne’s classes focus on building strength, stability and resilience through intentional, functional movement paired with the whole body awareness and breath focus of yoga. Joanne invites participants to be curious about how their bodies move, range of motion and most of all, to have fun as she and they move through all the stages of life. Joanne loves to challenge and dispel the stereotypes associated with aging and mobility. Participants of all ages have found her to be accessible, approachable as she strives to not take life so seriously! Joanne currently teaches at 2 local studios, corporate classes, and with private clients in the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario, Canada.

Catherine Gorecki
Catherine started practicing at the former Moksha Yoga Brantford in 2015 when they offered a free trial for educations workers. She quickly realized that this was what she needed to maintain both physical and mental wellbeing while balancing the challenges of family and a career in the classroom. She spent time as an ambassador and studio coordinator and then made Yoga Teacher part of her retirement plan, jumping into Modo’s 500-hour teacher training in the fall of 2019. Since then, Catherine has added Heartrise Yoga for Children, and Modo Flow to her yoga resumé. She’s also been studying Mom and Baby Yoga, Chair Yoga and Ukulele Mindfulness. After being a French Immersion teacher, a swim coach, a runner, and helping to run the Grand River Canoe Company, yoga offers a whole new way to think about what ‘success’ looks like in life and fitness. Learning to be present and breathe to regulate emotions has helped her to manage busy little Gr. 1’s, raising teenagers, and an aging parent with dementia. Through the practice, Catherine is learning to work with the body and mind that arrive on the mat each time. She loves the powerful connectedness when the whole class breaths together in the hot room, and the feeling of strength and calm in final Savasana after a sweaty practice. Off the mat Catherine keeps busy playing and teaching the ukulele. She helps to lead the Bell City Strummers, a community ukulele group at the Brantford Public Library. She also spends lots of time outdoors: in the garden, hiking, skiing, cycling, paddling. A life-long learner, she hopes to share this exploration of how to have a healthy, active life and a quiet mind.

Cynthia Patterson
Cynthia lives in Brantford, Ontario and has been practicing Yoga since 2018. She is a proud Indigenous woman and mother who spends her free time hiking in nature and listening to great music. Since graduating her Level One Hatha Teacher Training in 2021, she has enjoyed showing her students love whenever possible. She feels it is truly an honour and privilege to lead students in their practice, and celebrates the bonds created by a loving and supportive yoga family. Cynthia is thankful for each and every class, and knows in her heart that a strong relationship with her yoga practice has helped her on her healing journey through trauma and mental health challenges. Cynthia is also Yin trained since 2022, and loves to spread awareness of the value in taking your time and slowing down. She is passionate about the practice of rest and patience and would love to help you nurture that habit within your own life. Ready with a big hug and a smile whenever she sees you, Cynthia couldn’t be more happy to join you in your yoga journey.

Jen Germann Wright
Full Bio Coming Soon!
