About Lynn
Not just a yoga instructor. A life-long student of yoga.
How I help you
Feel the tension that underlies stress, in all body types.
- years studying, practising and teaching yoga
- 30+years studying, practising and teaching yoga
- hours of teacher trainings and certifications since 1990
- 1400hours of teacher trainings and certifications since 1990
- yoga teachers trained through the Kamena Yoga School
- 250+yoga teachers trained through the Kamena Yoga School
- Yoga Alliance instructor
- E-RYT 500Yoga Alliance instructor
When you work with me, for Kamena Yoga, restorative yoga, couples yoga, yoga meditation, and neurolinguistic programming, I empower you to relax; develop inner and outer strength and resilience; feel a progressive increase in range of motion, strength, and balance; and feel connected to a deeper part of yourself, those around you, and the whole of creation.
My three-plus decades of teaching and training in yoga have allowed me to cultivate the ability to intuitively feel, see, and hear the muscle tension that underlies stress, in all body types.
Over my 1400 hours earning certifications in various forms of yoga, undeniable qualities of tribalism, competition, and ownership became apparent to me. These qualities never sat well with me because they seemed disconnected from yoga’s true essence.
Yoga isn’t solely about twisting yourself into bendy poses or building physical strength. Yoga is bigger than that. At its core, yoga has always been an evolutionary and functional system of self-care.
Kamena Yoga unifies my studies in asana, breathwork, mindfulness meditation, and neurolinguistic programming. It empowers you to feel stronger, more flexible, and more relaxed in your body; meet life’s challenges with greater ease; and feel more connected to yourself, your body, others, and the world around you.
Why “Kamena”
kāmenaकामेन
Over 30 years of studying, practising and teaching, Lynn saw tribalism, competition and ownership creep into yoga. So she started her own style, in line with her own principles and values. In Sanskrit, the word kamena has several meanings.
- 01
intentionally
Moving on purpose, not on autopilot.
- 02
knowingly
Feeling what your body is telling you.
- 03
freely
Unrestrained. No competition, no ownership.
- 04
out of love
Out of affection, or love for.
“Yoga is about leveraging the doorway of your body to cultivate the qualities of kamena, intentionality, knowing, freedom, and deep love, within yourself.”
Experience + credentials
A few feathers in my cap.
1990
First teacher training
The start of over 1400 hours of teacher trainings and completed certifications.
1992
The Discovery Center
Founded a retreat center for health optimization on 8000 acres of conservation land in Ancaster, Ontario, the first of its kind in Canada. Many of the present day yoga instructors in Dundas, Brantford, Hamilton, St. Catharines, and surrounding areas were trained there.
2003
Yoga at Sandy Lane, Barbados
Six-day yoga retreats at Sandy Lane Hotel and Golf Club, and the DVD “Yoga at Sandy Lane”, sold exclusively at the Green Monkey Golf Club Pro Shop. Clients included professional athletes, PGA champions, and celebrities.
2005
Ireland and England
Private Personal Trainer for John Magnier of Coolmore Stud in Ireland, and British businessman Eddie Healey, while creating local wellness programs and retreats (2005 to 2011).
2006
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
500-hour NLP certification, and Life Coaching certification with Joseph Mappin in England.
2012
Kamena Yoga School
Founded a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training accredited by Yoga Alliance, which has trained more than 250 yoga teachers across the globe (2012 to 2015).
Today
Yorkville, Toronto
Private one-to-one yoga in person across the GTA and online, plus life mentoring.
Publications
From the Sandy Lane years.
Yoga Journal
“Get Spoiled in Balmy Barbados”, Chloe Busch
“I went home bendier, browner, and much more relaxed than when I arrived.”
The Daily Mail
“Caribbean Karma”, Emma Lucas
“Not only did I stay silent for a full eight minutes, but I managed to clear my mind, if only for a short while, of all my daily anxieties. This yoga thing was actually working.”
Harper’s
“Pure in spirit”
“While on holiday in Barbados recently, I met an incredible yoga teacher, Lynn McGowan, who opened my eyes to the all-round benefits of her discipline.”
My joy is helping you become present, connect with your body, and alleviate stress from your everyday life.
Read past client testimonialsReady to begin your journey?
Live healthier, one breath at a time.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discover how I can help support your wellness journey.