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Last updateFri, 28 Oct 2016 2pm

Discovering yoga and sharing it with the world

When Latika Pierrette Claude stepped foot into her first yoga class in Montreal, her motive was to alleviate back pain that developed from her high-stressed job as an interior designer.

What she later realized was that she was actually seeking a deep spiritual practice; something she eventually found in yoga. 

“I started taking classes twice a week. I am fortunate that I found a very good teacher,” says the 73-year-old French Canadian, now a resident of Riberas del Pilar. The classes helped alleviate her back pain and it wasn’t long before she became hooked on yoga.

When Latika finally made the decision to leave her business, she moved with her husband to the small town of Picton on the shores of Lake Ontario. 

“It took me five tries before I found a yoga teacher I really liked. I still say to my students, it may take you some time. Be patient. The first teacher you find may not be your teacher.” 

She eventually found her spiritual teacher in Picton and ended up studying with Jaime for five years. 

“With strong roots in yogic scriptures and yoga philosophy, he incorporated meditation, chanting and yogic education – just what I was searching for,” Latika says.

To deepen her practice, she signed up for a month-long, 200-hour teacher training course at the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts, receiving her certification in June 2006.  “I had the best teachers, and the school was so inspiring, so professional.”

When Latika returned to Picton, Jamie told her that she could use his home studio to teach his students during the summer, while he was away. 

“I jumped at the opportunity,” says Latika, and she taught his classes until she and Ken took off to their winter home in the Mexican coastal town of Melaque.

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