Studio Teachers
Jules Payne, Co-Owner & Director of Teacher Training, ERYT-500, C-IAYT (Yoga Therapist)
Jules co-founded Ajna Yoga in 2008 and has been training yoga teachers since 2004. Her foundation is rooted in yoga therapy, anusara, ashtanga and vijnana yoga. Jules has a special interest in teaching 50+ yoga and injury rehabilitation. She teaches group classes, private yoga therapy sessions and teacher training. Jules’ classes are an equal mix of education, therapeutic applications and fun.
Michelle Schroeder, Co-Owner & Primary Instructor of Teacher Training, E-RYT-500, C-IAYT (Yoga Therapist)
Michelle co-founded Ajna Yoga and has been teaching yoga classes in Victoria since 2001and training teachers since 2008. She is trained in Hatha, Pre/Post Natal, Ashtanga and Vijnana yoga~where she completed her 800-hour training with Gioia Irwin and Orit Sen-Gupta. She teaches group yoga classes, private yoga therapy sessions and Ajna Yoga’s Teacher Training. Michelle loves to share her passion of yoga with her easy going personality. Her classes focus on alignment, pranayama (breath), and connecting to the divine self.
Agi Mallory, RYT – 500, YACEP, C-IAYT (Yoga Therapist), MBA
Agi brings a compassionate and gentle approach to teaching, meeting students where they are at, and nurturing gentle transformation through supported practice and breathing exercises. With a passion for supporting clients in living and aging well, Agi is certified in teaching Yoga for Healthy Aging, Yoga for Cancer, Yoga for Osteoporosis, and has completed advanced studies in anatomy, joint therapeutics and movement science. Agi offers drop-in yoga classes, private yoga therapy, workshops, retreats, and has served on the Faculty at Ajna Yoga since 2016..
Agi teaches weekly Bone Health Clinic and Steadiness and Ease classes at Ajna. She teaches in the Yoga for Healthy Aging, Yoga Therapy for Hips and Knees, and Business of Yoga Therapy modules. You can read more about Agi at her website:, www.Arbutus Yoga.ca
Janice Arnot, ERYT-500, C-IAYT (Yoga Therapist)
Janice comes to us with over 20 year’s experience teaching aquatics, fitness and yoga classes in the community. Janice has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching yoga for 16 years. As a Yoga Therapist and teacher she is passionate about the therapeutic benefits of mindful exercise and breath practices. Her intention is to share tools that empower her students to feel strong, centred and relaxed. Janice is also a BCRPA certified fitness instructor specializing in fitness for the older adult and aquatic fitness and aquatic yoga.
Laura Benson, RT-200
Laura has always been interested in movement. She studied dance and gymnastics as a child; fitness and strength training as a teen; and in her twenties was a Personal Trainer. A decade after being introduced to yoga, it became an essential life practice that helped her heal a chronic illness. From appreciation of yoga’s profound impact, Laura shares this ancient wisdom as a way to connect back to the Self. She honours the teacher in everyone and encourages a safe, supportive and accepting environment. Certified at Moksana Yoga Centre in 2012, she is currently enrolled in Ajna Yoga’s 500 hour Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga program. Laura guides yoga classes with a mix of dynamic flow and strong long holds to enable mindfulness; empowering you to Be where you are.
Mabel Chong, (1979-2018)
Mabel was a gifted teacher with a gentle spirit and love for learning. In her yoga therapy practice, she specialized in knee and back care injury recovery, as well as women’s health. We miss Mabel deeply and hold her in our hearts forever.
