About Deb Doncaster

Hi, I'm Deb! I have been a dedicated yoga student for the past 30 years, practicing ashtanga, hatha, yin, modo, bikram, and kundalini for the past 5 years.  I have a 60 minute morning practice designed and updated for me by my teachers at Yoga Therapy Toronto. A back injury at age 25 led me to the practice of yoga.  I was recommended to have surgery but opted for a different approach. Yoga has supported strengthening my lower back and core, as well as my commitment to self-healing.  Yoga has deepened my understanding of the inherent intelligence of our body’s capacity to heal.  Much of yoga is tapping into core bodily functions that support our health and well-being: breath, focus, movement, positive thinking and visualizations, chanting, balancing and being still.

I have worked in the non-profit sector in leadership roles for over 25 years. I was the creator of the Ontario Green Energy Act and the project lead behind the community-owned wind turbine at Exhibition Place on the Toronto waterfront. I co-founded EarthPLAY, a program dedicated to bringing outdoor free play back into the lives of children across Canada. I founded and managed the Community Power Fund to support local communities to develop, own and operate renewable energy projects. Regardless of the role or organization, my focus has been the same, support initiatives that build individual resilience and well-being (sense of place, sense of purpose, sense of agency) through community engagement. I am passionate about connecting people to their inner and outer nature, Ancient Knowledge systems and traditions, whole foods, farming and youth mental health.  I am working toward transitioning from the environmental sector into the Yoga, Health and Wellness sector as a Yoga Therapist over the next few years. 

Education & Experience Relevant to Yoga & Yoga Therapy 

• I completed my Yoga Teacher Training 300 hr certificate in May 2020 with Yoga Therapy Toronto.

• I completed my Yoga Therapist Training 1000 hr certificate in July 2023 with Yoga Therapy Toronto.

• Ayurvedic Training is part of the Yoga Therapist Training program and is an added element of the sessions.

• I have attended several Silent Yoga Therapy Retreats and try to do so on an annual basis for personal growth and to regroup with the broader yoga community.

• I am entering my 30th year of commitment to daily yoga practice.

• I teach group Yoga Therapy classes in Toronto at Yoga Therapy Toronto.  All the Yoga Therapy classes include a combination of asanas, pranayama, chanting, visualizations and meditation (and/or yoga nidra).