Dr. Alain Soto, MD
With 17 years of medical experience, Dr. Alain Sotto has served as Chief Medical Officer with some of the largest North American corporations. Board certified in Occupational Medicine, Dr. Sotto has served as lead medical officer at Boeing, CN Railway, Pratt-Whitney and is currently Chief Physician at Ontario Power Generation.
Dr. Nick Bianchi, DC
Dr. Nick Bianchi, DC, is a graduate of Sherman College in South Carolina. He also graduated from Guelph University with a degree in Honours Human Biology.
Dr. Bianchi and his wife operated a Wellness & Lifestyle office in Calgary for 5 years where their focus was to provide people tools and information to help them lead a healthier life. Workshops were designed to bring people from a state of being stuck & suffering to a leadership position for their community. In Calgary, Dr. Bianchi instructed at the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy, lecturing on Anatomy, Physiology, Neurology, and Pathology. He was a regular speaker for the City of Calgary Wellness at Work Programs, and for YMCA fitness instructor retreats. He is a fitness instructor with Goodlife Fitness, teaching cycling and weight training Programs. Dr. Bianchi currently owns and operates a chiropractic practice in Bracebridge, Ontario.
Dr. Bianchi defines Wellness as a state of being. 'We achieve this state through continued practices of connecting mind & body. These practices include Yoga, Meditation, and certain forms of Bodywork. As one becomes well, healthier practices such as proper exercise & nutrition result naturally. I believe that our present day society has access to too much information and too little wisdom. We are attracted by high tech, complicated procedures, whereas becoming healthy is very simple. We need to learn to trust ourselves and our bodies more. We also need to be more patient, and enjoy the journey rather than focus on the end result. I believe that we are all entitled to live a life of joy & happiness. Being well means knowing that everything is always OK. Events and tragedies can occur, but our underlying state rarely falters. I believe that we can all achieve this through simple, consistent practices of focused connection with our inner selves.'
Jane Armstrong, Life Coach
Jane Armstrong received her certification as Life Coach from Coaches Training Institute (CTI) in 2005 and is a member of International Coaches Federation (ICF). Jane possesses a long history of business and management experience and has worked with individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.
She holds workshops and retreats for groups and is a dynamic motivational speaker. Jane coaches individuals, executives, small businesses and groups.
Ellen Koennecke
Ellen Koennecke is a graduate of University of Toronto in the Occupational Therapy Program. Working with the Clark Institute in addictions and at Toronto General Hospital in occupational therapy and art therapy Programs, Ellen was recognized by the U of T for her abilities in therapy design and implementation. As an occupational therapist, Ellen worked with the Workmen's Compensation Board Hospital Toronto and as a physiotherapist, worked at rehab hospitals in Toronto and Kitchener.
In Parry Sound, Ellen worked as a Career Development Facilitator and was a member of the Board of Community Living. She has been a resource consultant for cardiac rehabilitation community Program, Community Mental Health Programs, the MS society and the Near North School Board.
As a yoga teacher/therapist Ellen initiated stress management and relaxation sessions for the Waterloo Wellington "Quit Smoking" Program. Ellen has also provided consulting to a government task force and focus group examining the stressors and concerns of those persons already in or re-entering the workplace.
Ellen has enjoyed a personal formal daily meditation practice for over thirty years. She has taught introductory classes for Georgian College and Conestoga College for two years and currently teaches at her studio in Parry Sound. She has taught meditation with Kevin Smith at the Damar Institute of Spiritual Studies.
Ellen is a Reiki master and teaches children reiki, yoga and meditation. She has designed a children's manual and recorded meditation tapes for adults and children.
In her massage practice, Ellen incorporates the use of crystals, aromatherapy and meditation.
Additonal techniques of study include detailed advanced yogic breath, creative visualization, study of colour and imagery, mindfulness, Vipassana meditation and Buddhist techniques, Savasana or Yoga nidra "yoga sleep, Japa or mantra repetition, chanting, use of sound including singing bowls and tuning forks, vision journeys of fasting and sweat lodge with Shawanaga First Nation.
'This practice is the foundation of my spiritual life and my absolute joy!