Who We Are

Siobhan McAuley – Facilitator

I spend most of my time practicing yoga and eating delicious, wholesome food. I travel around with my yoga mat, my laptop, a couple boxes of books on cooking, nutrition, yoga and meditation, as well as a box of spices, a spice grinder, a food processor, and my juicer. It sounds pretty excessive, I know, but when sleeping in different beds and cooking in different kitchens, you must have your essentials. For me, these few things cover the basics.

The early part of my adult life was spent moving around quite a bit, but when I began teaching yoga in 1998, I started to settle down. That meant staying for a year or more in one stretch, since you have to do that to maintain a student base! I’m currently enjoying a little more mobility as I transition from living on Wolfe Island to living in my hometown of Toronto. I left the city when I was 20 and moved to the southern states where I spent the majority of my time until about 5 years ago.

Basically, I’m the odd ball of my family – the one who went the other way, so to speak. Other than a short stint as a boat builder in my late 20s, all I’ve really done is teach yoga. I’ve had all sorts of odd jobs along the way to support myself. I was a farmer, a painter, a cook, a waitress, and a dog walker, to name a few. I lived in a ashram for two years, I’m a self taught astrologer – none, other than myself, in our family history that I know of – and the meals I cook, my nephew calls ‘exotic.’  Through my travels, I’ve had the good fortune to pick up new skills, and meet some pretty interesting teachers. Mostly, though, it’s the practice of showing up, day after day, both on the mat and off the mat, that has been my greatest teacher. This is the gift I have to share with you.

Jenny Gladish – Editrix

Jenny Gladish will correct your grammar, in her head, while you talk to her. She’s Siobhan’s little sister, and for many years, she wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with this whole yoga/nomad/mindfulness/health nut stuff her sister seemed so committed to practicing. In 2008, she took her first real yoga class, and has tried her darndest since to keep up the good work. Yoga has improved, in no particular order, her sleeping patterns, eating habits, outlook on life, energy levels, and generally made her a nicer, more patient human. That’s why she keeps the grammar corrections to herself now. She keeps the copy clean and the lines of communication open at Stirring the Soul, but hasn’t quit her day job in hospitality event management. Here she is in Paris, eating a croissant.

Kristen Ritchie – Photographer

Kristen Ritchie has been running her own photography business since 2005. Her photography work includes lifestyle portraiture, weddings, editorial, musicians, celebrities, and food. When not on a photo job, she enjoys exploring her surroundings, meeting with friends for good food, napping and being in the country. To see more of Kristen’s work go to www.kristenritchie.com. Contact Kristen @ 613.888.5113.