Bernie (Bernadette) Feakes - Owner/Founder
Yoga Instructor (500RYT)
Fusion Energy Healer and Reiki healer
Kelani® Instructor
Former Zumba® Instructor
A piece of History:
Honestly, I was always that kid who hated gym class. My fitness journey started in 2013 after healing from a blood clot in my upper thigh. I was told by the doctors that my desk job (inactive) is what caused the blood clot. Determined prevent another clot, I started with a YMCA membership, and joined a Dance Fitness Class. I fell in love with dancing. The instructor was a plus sized woman which made it even more encouraging for me. My friend that joined me at the time quit after 1 class, she made comments toward the instructors body size. A flame grew in my soul, - a passion that fitness is for all body shapes and sizes. I loved taking her Dance Fitness Classes! Yes, I was that keener at the front of the room! I had some changes in my household that left me without anyone to watch my children and being left unable to continue the dance fitness classes. Starving for some kind of way to continue a "healthy lifestyle" I started an online support group through Facebook called Women's Healthy Living. We, together as a group (which grew to over 100 members across Canada, USA, and Australia) hosted healthy living challenges and were accountable to each other. We started hosting charity fundraisers in Winnipeg, including a local health and fitness event at our local community centre. Yet there was a part of me that always wanted more-and that was to dance again. I tried finding another dance fitness instructor, however the times of the classes conflicted with my work schedule and I was still left with no babysitter.
My journey into teaching Fitness:
Summer 2016 I made a decision that I needed Dance Fitness for not only my physical health, but my mental health as well. I did a very scary thing when I booked my Zumba certification training. I was nervous, but determined. After my certification, an old friend of mine invited me to his Zumba classes. I attended a few, then started practicing at home including creating my own choreography. In January 2017, I started to teach, and I still continue to do so. I was able to create a class time that fit within my schedule, and I even brought my kids to the community club with me. I love teaching Dance fitness!
I am proud to say the story doesn't end here....
In December 2017 I met a beautiful woman by the of Ioana, who flew into Winnipeg to host her Kelani Class. I fell in love again! Not only with Kelani, but with my now soul sister Ioana. In January 2018 Ioana returned to Winnipeg to offer a Kelani Teacher Certification. After taking the course, and fulfilling the accreditation requirements I was proud to post my Kelani Instructor certificate in March 2018!
Since then I have taken Zumba Gold, Zumba Level 2 and Zumba Core training. ( I guess certifications became a bit of an addition for me...hahaa!)
In February of 2018, I took a different type of certification- Fusion Healing. It was then, that I had a full spiritual awakening and realized that fitness is not only physical and mental, its spiritual as well.
December 2018 marked a special month for me, as this is when I completed my YogaFit Teacher Training. What promoted this extraverted, energetic Zumba instructor to take Yoga Training you might ask? Well, I thought Yoga was "easy" and just a "bunch of stretching", but I was wrong! Hahaa! Yoga has taught me to slow down, bring awareness to my body and breath, therefore creating a perfect balance in me.
A passion for event organizing/fundraising:
November 2014 I hosted my first fundraiser-a craft sale. To date I have hosted 6 Craft Sales, a Community Health & Fitness Extravaganza, along with several other Fundraisers. October 2018 & October 2019 are special dates for me, as these months I hosted a Body-Mind-Spirit Expo at the Assiniboia Downs (25,000sf Hall) called the Balanced Life Experience.
Where I am today (updated February 2020):
So here I am. 41 years old, mom of two boys. A plus size woman, with osteoarthritis in my knees, bone spurs in the knees, heel spurs, compression in the spine in L5 and S1, carpal tunnel.... and teaching fitness classes. I have decided to dedicated 2020 to Yoga (Training/Teaching/Practice). I have never felt so amazing in my life!
Oh... and pats on the back to you for reading right to the end. If you know me in person, I talk lots, So this is probably no surprise to you. If you don't know me....heads up... I talk lots. Haha.
Yoga Instructor (500RYT)
Fusion Energy Healer and Reiki healer
Kelani® Instructor
Former Zumba® Instructor
A piece of History:
Honestly, I was always that kid who hated gym class. My fitness journey started in 2013 after healing from a blood clot in my upper thigh. I was told by the doctors that my desk job (inactive) is what caused the blood clot. Determined prevent another clot, I started with a YMCA membership, and joined a Dance Fitness Class. I fell in love with dancing. The instructor was a plus sized woman which made it even more encouraging for me. My friend that joined me at the time quit after 1 class, she made comments toward the instructors body size. A flame grew in my soul, - a passion that fitness is for all body shapes and sizes. I loved taking her Dance Fitness Classes! Yes, I was that keener at the front of the room! I had some changes in my household that left me without anyone to watch my children and being left unable to continue the dance fitness classes. Starving for some kind of way to continue a "healthy lifestyle" I started an online support group through Facebook called Women's Healthy Living. We, together as a group (which grew to over 100 members across Canada, USA, and Australia) hosted healthy living challenges and were accountable to each other. We started hosting charity fundraisers in Winnipeg, including a local health and fitness event at our local community centre. Yet there was a part of me that always wanted more-and that was to dance again. I tried finding another dance fitness instructor, however the times of the classes conflicted with my work schedule and I was still left with no babysitter.
My journey into teaching Fitness:
Summer 2016 I made a decision that I needed Dance Fitness for not only my physical health, but my mental health as well. I did a very scary thing when I booked my Zumba certification training. I was nervous, but determined. After my certification, an old friend of mine invited me to his Zumba classes. I attended a few, then started practicing at home including creating my own choreography. In January 2017, I started to teach, and I still continue to do so. I was able to create a class time that fit within my schedule, and I even brought my kids to the community club with me. I love teaching Dance fitness!
I am proud to say the story doesn't end here....
In December 2017 I met a beautiful woman by the of Ioana, who flew into Winnipeg to host her Kelani Class. I fell in love again! Not only with Kelani, but with my now soul sister Ioana. In January 2018 Ioana returned to Winnipeg to offer a Kelani Teacher Certification. After taking the course, and fulfilling the accreditation requirements I was proud to post my Kelani Instructor certificate in March 2018!
Since then I have taken Zumba Gold, Zumba Level 2 and Zumba Core training. ( I guess certifications became a bit of an addition for me...hahaa!)
In February of 2018, I took a different type of certification- Fusion Healing. It was then, that I had a full spiritual awakening and realized that fitness is not only physical and mental, its spiritual as well.
December 2018 marked a special month for me, as this is when I completed my YogaFit Teacher Training. What promoted this extraverted, energetic Zumba instructor to take Yoga Training you might ask? Well, I thought Yoga was "easy" and just a "bunch of stretching", but I was wrong! Hahaa! Yoga has taught me to slow down, bring awareness to my body and breath, therefore creating a perfect balance in me.
A passion for event organizing/fundraising:
November 2014 I hosted my first fundraiser-a craft sale. To date I have hosted 6 Craft Sales, a Community Health & Fitness Extravaganza, along with several other Fundraisers. October 2018 & October 2019 are special dates for me, as these months I hosted a Body-Mind-Spirit Expo at the Assiniboia Downs (25,000sf Hall) called the Balanced Life Experience.
Where I am today (updated February 2020):
So here I am. 41 years old, mom of two boys. A plus size woman, with osteoarthritis in my knees, bone spurs in the knees, heel spurs, compression in the spine in L5 and S1, carpal tunnel.... and teaching fitness classes. I have decided to dedicated 2020 to Yoga (Training/Teaching/Practice). I have never felt so amazing in my life!
Oh... and pats on the back to you for reading right to the end. If you know me in person, I talk lots, So this is probably no surprise to you. If you don't know me....heads up... I talk lots. Haha.
