About Us

Sisters, Kimberley Sopinka and Cynthia Funk, have brought their varied life experiences to create The Yoga Sanctuary.

Having lived in the countryside of rural Ontario for most of their lives, they are aware of the importance of being a part of a community and their mission is to build long term harmonious relationships with all of the students of The Yoga Sanctuary. Both sisters graduated from Queen's University in Kingston with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Theatre.

In 1998, they were driving home from a family visit in Ottawa when they started dreaming about creating a family-run business. Cynthia, a Certified Yoga Teacher, was free-lancing at various locations in Toronto, Burlington and Brampton. Kimberley was co-ordinating The First Annual Aromatherapy Conference as well as doing a stint as a model for The Shopping Channel.

They decided a yoga studio would be the perfect place to combine their energies, talents and philosophies. At that time, many yoga classes were typically held in church basements. They wanted a unique and safe space for people to practice yoga.

The Yoga Sanctuary on College Street was ready for its grand opening in November 1999. After a year of gestation, the birth of their dream had come true.

In June 2003, they opened a second studio on the Danforth, in Toronto's east end, and it too a truly one-of-a-kind practice space.

Today the Funk sisters are still living their dream and have not one, but two beautiful yoga studios in Toronto. This is the power of their love, excitement, joy, enthusiasm and belief.

Cynthia Funk

Cynthia's path took her to northern Ontario as a tree planter during her university career, and she was introduced to yoga in the middle of a clear-cut!

Cynthia has Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Queen's University in Kingston. She graduated from the Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Works in L.A. in 1997. She has continued her studies with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, completed a 40 hour Ashtanga teacher training with David Swenson, as well as continuing yoga training in both Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga with acclaimed teachers Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, Rodney Yee, Maty Ezraty, Eddie Modestini, Nicki Doane and Esther Myers.

Cynthia has led several Yoga Teacher Training Programs including workshops, week long intensives and 250 hour courses. She also enjoys leading yoga day trips and weekend retreats.

Cynthia was the first teacher to record an instructional CD of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga available in both a short-form and the full Primary Series in a double CD set.

Cynthia's television appearances include David Suzuki's 'The Nature of Things', MTV, CityTV, Global, TVO, CTV, LIFE and Women's Television network. She recently appeared in a Fila TV commercial and has modeled yoga poses for Flare, Canadian Living, Today's Parent, National Post, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Modern Woman.

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Kimberley Sopinka

Kimberley, co-director of both locations of The Yoga Sanctuary, has completed two, 250 hour Yoga Teacher Training courses. She is also a Certified Kids Yoga instructor.

It was upon completion of her Kids Yoga Teacher Training that she found her true passion for teaching. Kimberley has been teaching yoga to children of all ages for the past two years.

She has studied with many internationally recognized teachers including Beryl Bender Birch, Hart Lazer, David Life, Darby and Joanne, Kaustaub Desichakar, Sharon Gagnon and Erich Shiffmann.

Kimberley is a loving mother of three children and continues on her path of practice, teaching and study.

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