About me
How It All Started
My name is Svetlana Yarkova. I am a certified YogaFit Canada instructor.
My journey with yoga began in 2012. At first, I just wanted to try something new. However, I didn’t know it would grow into my life’s work. Step by step, yoga changed how I saw myself, my body, and the world around me. It helped me discover inner strength and, more importantly, accept myself more deeply.
Since childhood, I’ve been intrigued by the idea that we use only 4% of our brain. This always made me wonder — where is the rest of our potential? Yoga helped me begin to answer that question.
As I practiced, I realized how little we know about our own bodies. Modern life, unfortunately, pulls us away from that connection. We often ignore the signals our body sends. And yet, our body is the foundation of our health and emotional balance. It speaks — we just need to listen.
Listen When the Body Speaks
Our bodies are built to heal themselves. Nevertheless, they need help — or simply our attention. When the body feels tired or tense, it’s important to pause. We shouldn’t always push through discomfort like running a marathon.
I started my first yoga training with curiosity. Very quickly, I saw it wasn’t just another fitness course — it was a doorway into something much deeper. At the time, I was already a certified personal trainer with YMCA. I had worked with many people who needed support. However, I came to realize that in order to truly help someone, we must understand the whole picture, not just treat symptoms.
For instance, someone comes to a therapist with shoulder pain. They get exercises for the shoulder. Yet, the underlying cause often remains unaddressed. That’s why I chose the path of yoga therapy. It allows us to see the person as a whole — not a collection of problems.
Today, I continue learning. I work with people who didn’t find relief through physio, chiropractic, or osteopathy. For them, the body needs a different approach — one that starts with awareness and breath.
A Holistic Approach to the Body: From Anatomy to Awareness
Throughout the years, I’ve studied thousands of pages on anatomy and biomechanics. However, I’ve also discovered that our organs affect more than just physical function — they influence our energy, emotions, and even our mindset.
While working with clients, I noticed a pattern. People often overlook simple things. And yet, small adjustments — such as changing how we walk — can greatly improve posture and overall well-being. In fact, gentle shifts in our routine can lead to lasting transformation.
In addition, through the study of Ayurveda, I learned to view each person more clearly. Each of us has a unique constitution that shapes our health, energy, and emotional tendencies. As a result, I can tailor yoga practices more precisely, choosing techniques that support both physical and emotional balance.
My journey is far from over. I continue to explore yoga therapy, functional movement, and somatic awareness. Above all, I’m here to share practices that truly work — tools that help people recover not only from pain and injury, but also from fatigue, tension, and emotional overload.