289-680-9642 (YOGA) info@breathingspaceyoga.ca

About the owner and Director, Dina Pereira.

dina-picDina is a certified Yoga Teacher trained in the principles of Kripalu Yoga and Classical Hatha Yoga. Dina has been practicing yoga since 1994 and teaching it since 1998. She has over 2,000 hours of training from various senior yoga teachers and schools. Dina obtained her initial two and a half years Yoga teacher certification from Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. The Hatha Yoga training she received from Sheridan College was the Classical Hatha Yoga with focus on the principles of Kripalu yoga. Kripalu yoga is a gentle, meditative, therapeutic, and mindful yoga practice which resonates with Dina. Kripalu Yoga also focuses on alignment and Dina is exceptional in observing and identifying alignment issues. Dina also acquired further yoga teacher certification from the Yoga Association of Alberta and the Friedel Khattab School of Yoga in Edmonton. She received training in the principles of the Bhajan, Shyam Goswami, Indra Devi, and Ma Yoga Shakti yoga systems from her senior teacher and mentor Friedel Khattab. In addition she obtained Restorative Yoga training from Judith Lasater and she also has some training in vinyasa and yin yoga. She is also certified in Pre and Post Natal Yoga.

She has extensive teaching experience with individuals of all ages, levels, and abilities including those with multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, cancer, and other physical challenges. She has taught yoga classes at various locations including community centres and workplaces. Dina has a keen eye for posture and alignment. She has a therapeutic approach to yoga and instils mindfulness in her participants. She is able to adapt her yoga to individual needs in the class without losing focus of each individual in the class. She also has a hands on approach to teaching and she is respectful and sensitive to her students and their needs.

Dina also organized and facilitated various extended yoga retreats and workshops when she practiced in Alberta. It is her hope to continue offering extended yoga retreats here in Ontario and elsewhere.

Dina is also a Holistic Health Practitioner with certification in acupressure massage, level 3 Usui Reiki, and flower essence therapy. She has extensive experience in these areas including offering workshops on holistic health practices to groups in workplaces and various community organizations. Dina has the keen ability to facilitate an individual’s own journey towards health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit.

Dina continues to study yoga and holistic health practices to expand her skills and further develop her expertise as a Holistic Health Practitioner and Yoga teacher. With her background and experience as an Adult Educator, Counsellor, Group Facilitator and Coach, and Community Worker her abilities as a yoga teacher and holistic health practitioner are further enhanced and enriched.

Drawing from Dina’s rich, diverse experience and training, she brings a holistic and insightful approach to her work. Her caring, respectful, and professional approach facilitates others to attain health and wellness in their lives.

DSC_8360-41- yoga studio extended warrior pose_398x600Dina has been living in Hamilton since 2012. For years she dreamt of opening her own yoga studio and wellness centre. Dina’s dream finally came to fruition when she opened Breathing Space Yoga and Wellness Services in February 2014. She taught several weekly yoga classes at the studio up until June 2025. Since June 2025, Dina has transitioned to teaching monthly yoga workshops with focus on various aspects of yoga. She continues to teach meditation classes and offer acupressure massage, reiki, and flower essences therapy on a regular basis. In addition, she offers workshops in other areas of health and wellness  

Dina has wanted to share her passion for yoga with everyone since she opened the studio. Through yoga, she wants to instill in her students the practice of mindfulness on and off the mat and inspire and support her students to develop their own yoga practice to attain optimum health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Dina is also passionate about holistic health. She hopes to share her in-depth knowledge and skills in the area of holistic health with the community and help facilitate people’s journey towards full vitality of mind, body, and spirit.

About the Tai Chi QiQong Instructor, Shane Kachur.

Shane, known as Coach Shane or simply Shane, is a respected martial artist academic whose career bridges traditional Chinese martial arts, physiotherapy and Daoist philosophy. Shane’s journey reflects a commitment to personal mastery, teaching excellence, and advancing health through interdisciplinary approaches.
 
Shane began his martial arts journey and training at age 16 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the guidance of Sifu David Cliffe. After two years of dedicated practice, Shane developed a solid foundation in Chinese martial arts, focusing chiefly on Northern Shaolin Boxing and mastering the four classical weapons: broadsword, staff, spear, and straight sword. In 1988, as a member of the Canadian contingent consisting of schools
from Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, Shane competed at the 5th International Invitational Tournament in Sharon, Pennsylvania—an event where he first connected with Master Nick Gracenin.
Following Shane’s graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Manitoba, he relocated to Pennsylvania to continue his martial studies under Master Gracenin. Over the next 5 years, he competed extensively across North America, earning medals at the Canadian National Wushu Championships and top placements in the U.S. Chinese Martial Arts circuit. His teacher’s commitment to
excellence led him to China on multiple occasions, where he trained at the Beijing Sport University and the renowned Beijing Shi Cha Hai Sports School, deepening his expertise in both modern external and internal martial arts. During his time in Beijing, Shane also devoted early mornings at Tuan Jie Hu Gong Yuan to learn Sun Style Taijiquan and Taiji straight sword from local masters – who wished not to be
named.
Academically, Shane is a retired physiotherapist after 30 years in practice. He completed his spinal manipulative therapy certification under renowned instructor Jim Meadows. Later he earned a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Regina, researching psychological factors influencing chronic pain. His scholarly work includes over 95 citations in peer-reviewed literature. Notably, his article “The Effect of Taijiquan on Fear of Falling in Older Adults” was published in The Journal of Asian
Martial Arts, and his research on “Wushu Knee Syndrome” appeared in the Inside Kungfu magazine. Pursuing further expertise, Shane completed a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Liverpool, focusing on entrepreneurship and program development in health and wellness.
Under Master Gracenin, Shane became the fifth formal disciple specializing in Fu Style Martial Arts, or Wu Dang Quan. He continues this lineage today, integrating tradition with modern pedagogy. Shane has served as head coach of the Manitoba Wushu Team at the Canadian National Wushu Competition, where his students consistently achieved podium finishes, including three consecutive gold medals in the external and internal forms divisions at the U.S. International Wushu Championships. Additionally,
he led the Progressive Wushu Centre competition team to the United States, where students earned national titles, reflecting his dedication to developing the next generation of martial artists.
 
Shane also received the Research award from the College of Physiotherapists of Saskatchewan and an award for innovation from Altum Health, part of the University Health Network based in Toronto.
Drawing on his multidisciplinary background, Shane fuses martial arts philosophy with evidence-based physiotherapy. His innovative approach centers on designing programs
that use Chinese physical and philosophical practices to improve mobility, enhance function, and proactively address the effects of aging. Currently based in Hamilton, Shane is committed to establishing a center of excellence dedicated to healthy aging and the prevention of frailty, offering a model that integrates martial arts, rehabilitation science, and business acumen for transformative community health.

“All great achievements require time.”
Maya Angelou