The Yoga Sanctuary Danforth

I've spend almost daily at Yoga Sanctuary between 2010 and 2014, it was among the first, the best and the leading Yoga studios in Toronto. Cynthia was one of K. Pattabhi Jois first students and a number one dedicated genuine Ashtangi. 5 Stars is not enough.

I've had the pleasure to work with Cynthia and many incredible teachers Kai, Shehla, Karen! at Yoga Sanctuary Academy for my 300 hours 250HR YTT and 50HR HypnoZen Yoga Teacher Training. These won't be my last either! My experience at the YS began 7-8 years ago at the College St. studio. Many of the teachers were incredibly impactful for my personal practice, and I will never forget! These experiences led me to my teacher training journey with Cynthia. She's a free-spirit with so much to offer! Her trainings are truly transforming. I HIGHLY recommend her HypnoZen teacher training. It's like a full on retreat, except you receive a certification at the end! Win, win, win ;

I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Sanctuary Academy YSA, along with Kids and Teens Yoga, and HypnoZen Yoga training. Each experience was amazing from start to finish. YSA owner, Cynthia Funk, is an incredible teacher who is generous with her time and eager to share her considerable knowledge and experience with her students. Cynthia infuses her teaching with curiosity, integrity, compassion, and joy, and by the end of each training, I felt confident and excited to apply what I learned in my own practice and incorporate it into my teaching. On a personal note, Cynthia saw that something was holding me back from showing up as my best self – and within just a few weeks, she helped me overcome this hurdle that had impacted me my whole life. I will forever be grateful to her for his gift. Cynthia led every course and training with great professionalism and a focus on creating positive outcomes for all students. She is intentional about creating a safe space so each student can bring their whole selves to class, is patient and respectful of all questions and perspectives, and approaches each discussion with honesty, humour, and insight. I also loved learning from other faculty members of the 200-hour yoga teacher training and Kids and Teens Yoga teacher training including Katherine MeKeown, Georgia Mamakis, and Lyndsey Bishop – all of whom are remarkable individuals with extraordinary talent and passion for their work. Thanks to Cynthia's extensive experience as a teacher and studio owner, her vast knowledge of all aspects of yoga, and her deeply compassionate nature, each class was pure joy. And Cynthia has inspired me to bring this same joy to every class I teach - and to my own practice. I can't recommend the Yoga Sanctuary Academy enough. It is a supportive environment in which to learn, a gorgeous and peaceful space in which to practice, and a wonderful place to connect and grow with others who love yoga.

Professionalism Be very careful paying up front. If for any reason any class get to be cancelled you won't get your money back. Edited to add: Cynthia's completely edited reply is disingenuous. Unfortunately, I don't have a screenshot of her full original response to my review. I attended Yoga Sanctuary YS since about 2012. Originally this was YS's Google page not Yoga Sanctuary Academy's page.  I routinely purchased 6- month memberships which were paid in advance.  Just prior to covid, I purchased a six month membership, and when the first closure occured memberships were honoured upon reopening however I was invited by Cynthia Funk to join the yoga teacher training which I did. At my request YS put my prepaid membership on hold again, since I had paid for the yoga teacher training and that entitled me to YS classes and I would have paid double for that access had it not been put on hold.  Yoga teacher training started in the fall of 2020 under YS. As covid cases were rising both yoga classes and yoga teacher training were impacted by lockdowns. It appears that Cynthia likely based on her accountant's advice, which she divulged during the teacher training classes started "Yoga Sanctuary Academy" YSA to take advantage of a "school" status so that she could keep the yoga teacher training open despite the lock downs with little concern about the potential risk to participants it seemed.  Eventually she dissolved YS and I, as a member received the news via a friend who saw the notice on Facebook only 4 days notice was given, it was impossible for me to use up 6 months worth of classes in 4 days. Prior to the closure of YS, I asked her if I could have access to my membership at YSA, as I had an outstanding balance of six months worth of classes. I got the following text from Cynthia: "Hi Naghi, Nice to hear from you. Hope you are well. YS and YSA are two separate entities and as such operate separately. The unused portion of your YS pass cannot be honoured at YSA as it would put the business in a deficit position. YSA has no money and may not even survive if I don't get some sign ups for Fast Track. I am truly sorry that the costs to run YS during Covid and the lockdown forced me to close this once thriving business. You can't imagine my heartbreak after 21 years. Take good care, Cynthia " As a response I sent her another text. "You're the owner of both companies and you owe me the rest of my membership.   You're not denying that, are you? " Cynthia Funk's response was: "Sorry Naghi Yoga Sanctuary is bankrupt. There is no money. There will be no further response to this thread." So, it looks like Cynthia decided to sacrifice YS and not to honour the outstanding debt to us members and transferred everything from YS to YSA. Money that legally isn't hers to keep, however the fact that YS did not provide appropriate receipts prevents me from being able to pursue further action. This reviews Cynthia Funk.   I'm not reviewing YS or YSA or any other company. I'm reviewing the owner of Yoga Sanctuary and Yoga Sanctuary Academy. My personal experience with this owner is that she will manipulate the situation at the cost of others. Covid has affected many businesses, no question, and those who are surviving and thriving are the ones who acted with honour, grace and integrity. That has not been my experience with this business. You decide whether you're willing to learn yoga from a person who knows nothing about being a Yogi.

The Yoga Sanctuary has been a main stay , community hub and loving haven for me for more than 20 years .. I can’t count the number of workshops , special events , fascinating guest teachers and teaching trainings that I have participated in .. these have enriched my life immeasurably.. Cynthia Funk has to be one of the most devoted and steadfast community builders in the city of Toronto .. She has managed to continue offering courses , intuitive yoga training and remarkably, a beautiful physical space despite the massive Global upheaval that we all have recently experienced .. that is only love