Our Story
Meet Michele | Co-owner Just Breathe Wellness
Three years ago, Leslie and I registered the name Just Breathe with hopes of a future plan. I wrote that out and pinned it on my vision board and here we are co-owners of a beautiful space that we can’t wait to share with you. Just like everything in life, if you envision your goals and dreams, you will bring them into reality.
As life goes on I’ve come to believe that we are never to old to start a new chapter or take a new path. At 50 I became a yoga instructor and learned to play the ukulele. I am on a constant search of inner peace and spirituality.
Yoga and meditation has brought so much into my life. This past year took a hard unexpected turn for me, so much so, that if not for my ability to quiet my mind and turn inward, I surely could not have survived.
I am full of peace and love when I am on my mat. I strive to carry this into every aspect of my life. Being present and learning to cherish each moment while we’re in it, is something to strive towards every day. Practicing yoga is almost like a dance for me; flowing between balance and breath, feeling the strength and softness in our bodies, closing our eyes and realizing that all we really need to do is just breathe.
Never stop chasing dreams. Never stop setting goals. And remember, thoughts become actions.
Buffalo Bills still need that super bowl ;)
Meet Leslie | Co-owner Just Breathe Wellness
After many years of listening (or not listening) to my sister say "Practice mindfulness, take up yoga, meditate, raise your vibration, feed your soul..." I finally decided to take the plunge.
Why I waited so long I will never know. I can’t begin to describe the profound impact all of this has had on my life! Starting each day with a grateful thought, quieting my mind, moving my body through yoga or exercise; I am now living a life full of grace.
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My yoga practice along with my spirituality has strengthened my body and my mind and I continue to treat myself and those around me with nothing other than love.
As I embark on this new adventure being involved with running this amazing wellness space, I look forward to sharing all that I have experienced, and hope to continue to do so with all of you.
Meet Our Team
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Pat Eversden
Pat has been in the fitness industry for over 36 years.
Fitness and staying active have become a her lifestyle. She brings her energy, enthusiasm and passion for an active, healthy, balanced lifestyle to each of her classes.
She is dedicated to motivating, educating and supporting her participants of all ages to reach their maximum potential and fulfil their health and fitness goals.
As a group fitness professional, Pat leads her participants in a safe, respectful, fun and motivating environment. Her classes emphasize various formats of cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength and endurance, stretching, flexibility and relaxation techniques. She makes a point of explaining the rationale behind her class structure, identifying specific anatomy and muscle groups targeted, as well as the benefits and safety aspects of each exercise performed. Music has become Pat’s “assistant coach”, contributing to driving motivation and inspiration within her class participants.
Pat’s focus has always been on supporting and building a sense of community in her home town. She facilitates a group dynamic that enhances a sense of belonging, commitment and overall well being. She fosters an environment that brings people together with common goals and aspirations, providing then with a sense of accomplishment and success in each and every class.
Pat has many certifications… she keeps up on fitness trends and offers a wide variety of movement.
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Sera Gordon
Yoga has been a part of my life for over 20 years, and my practice has
helped me grow stronger, more flexible, and confident, both on and off the mat. Yoga inspires me to live each moment authentically while
living in the present.
I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training with East Meets West Yoga in Buffalo New York and my 95-hour trauma-informed children's yoga teacher training with Yogis In-Service in Buffalo New York. I will always be a student of the practice and I am deeply grateful for
the loving wisdom my teachers have shared with me.
In my classes, I love to combine gentle yoga sequencing, a spirit of
playfulness, and a dose of inspiration to help you deepen your practice. I seek to help others thrive in life by nurturing body, mind
and soul with yoga, and my hope is that you step off the mat feeling
refreshed, nourished and balanced.
Gabi Lee
My yoga journey began when I was 14 years old, when I was introduced to Hatha practices as a way to stay flexible and mobile as to enhance my performance in the competitive sports I played. I instantly fell in love with the movement, but beyond that, fell in love with the stillness and mental clarity I found while on my mat.
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20 years later while on maternity leave I decided to take the plunge and became a certified YTT-200hr instructor. Completing my program with Lost n Found Yoga in St. Catharines, it was an experience I will never forget. I fell further in love with class planning, challenging my body and the beauty of Sanskrit as a language and history. I am passionate for all styles of yoga, but particularly love a fast paced Vinyasa Flow and cardio influenced Tone class! No two of my classes are ever the same - I like to listen to my body, and the requests of my students, to create new and creative flows and classes.
Diana Polinski
Diana Polinski has been in the fitness industry for over 24 years. As a personal trainer and fitness instructor of Pilates, step aerobics and spin classes, she brings a wealth of fitness knowledge to the studio. She was also the fitness director for CBSA in which she has retired from. Diana plans to stay in fitness, travel and enjoy the second half of her career.
Tobi Phillips Crain
Greetings beautiful people! My name is Tobi. I am 43 years young, I was raised by a flower child & a hippie so naturally I followed in their footsteps. I am a yoga teacher & essential oil lover, (especially Patchouli ) which has led me to make my own products such as blended sprays, creams, & scrubs. But my first love is yoga. I have been doing yoga since I was 18. I completed my RYT 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified YTT for Hatha & Vinyasa in 2014 & completed a Restorative yoga with minimal props course in 2018. In my classes I like to focus on Mindfulness, observing breath & body, providing great stretches that strengthen the body. Balanced with energy, to give you a good physical work-out, & calm to keep you balanced. I like to use props such as bolsters, blocks, & blankets; they help to support the body, allowing it to open slowly & naturally with no effort. In addition to that I like to add a short Meditation in my classes, focusing on the breath, calm movement, or bringing awareness to your body in order to increase awareness to the present moment. All in all I love for people to leave my classes feeling refreshed & relaxed. Enjoying how they feel, I hope they are able to share that feeling with the world.
Rebecca Parton
Fitness has been a part of my life for almost 40 years!! The magic of movement never ceases to amaze me. FACT: Moving the body lifts the spirits, fills the soul while building strength. As a trainer, I love to create programs that improve strength, flexibility, mobility and confidence designed with function and FUN! I can’t stop myself from preaching the benefits of whole foods, hydration, happiness and sound sleep! In an industry that changes rapidly I love to educate myself to provide my peeps with the best information to stay safe, motivated and in control of their health. As a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, I am committed to improving the health, happiness and quality of life of everyone who invests in my fitness experience!!
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Makayla Mcintyre
My journey with yoga started along side my years as a competitive
dancer. I was introduced to yoga and meditation in my early teens as a way to help me learn how to slow down in life. Yoga not only changed the trajectory of life but it also helped me cultivate
stillness, gratitude and presence.
After a few years of leaning on yoga and meditation as key tools in my life, I decided to complete my 200h YTT so I could help teach others the tools I've always loved. After a little teaching experience, I decided to jump into my 300h YTT and 85h prenatal yoga training to amplify my
knowledge and teaching abilities.
I aim to create a safe space for students to simply be present on their mat.
Slow yoga with emphasis on breath, presence and intention is my favourite.
Melissa B.
My journey with Yoga began in my late teens as I incorporated it into my daily fitness routines. I was originally practicing yoga simply reaping the physical benefits. I was born with tibial hemimelia, club foot and one ankle bone on my right side. I've had many correction surgeries, I have many scars, physically & mentally. Going through such events, inspired me to gain education in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. Following this I worked in many different health care settings within the community, where I began to recognize a true need for YOGA. I could see first hand how accessible and beneficial it could be.
Years later while taking boxing classes, I began to gain a whole other perspective on YOGA. I found myself practicing grounding, meditation and breath work. That not only aided me with my skill set, but also allowed me to become aware of my mental and emotional wellbeing. I experienced a new sense of awareness about myself that I had never before. That being said, it took me time to fully accept and love all of myself MIND,BODY,SPIRIT.
YOGA is the teacher, I'm just the messenger.