our instructors

Alisha Sapach, Dr. Marcy Kimpton, Ileana Camchado, Crysthian Rivas, Jessica Fisher, Annie Sidhu, Emma Sauve,

Eva Diack, Syrena Barsalou, Irina Poli, Diva Bradley & Vick Maan

 

Alisha Sapach - Owner + Founder + Instructor

I grew up in Nelson, BC and have always had an athletic lifestyle but mostly through team sports.

In 2016, I found yoga through a personal tragedy. After years of trying to have a baby, various miscarriages and a round of in-vitro, my full term son Amari died minutes before birth due to a delayed C-Section.

I developed PTSD, depression and anxiety. I avoided going in public for fear of seeing and or hearing babies and even watched TV muted at times because some channels had more diaper commercials than others.

Several months after this tragedy unfolded I visited a local physic medium. She was bang on about many things and recommended that I pick myself up some angel oracle cards. The very first reading I gave myself I was guided to “learn something new” and I knew that it was yoga. The very first class that I attended the instructor closed the class by saying “make you hands to the shape of a heart and point them towards your angels”. I cried silently and knew that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I left a very successful career in banking to pursue this new path. I have made peace with Amari’s tragic passing knowing that his purpose was a great one in redirecting me to my life’s purpose. I have learned that through difficult challenges in life, we receive our biggest gifts. Kismet means “destiny” or “fate” and I know whole heartedly that I am fulfilling my dharma in life now through the studio and providing this healing space for all.

When I am not at the studio I am at home with my children and menagerie of animals. I enjoy an active lifestyle including snowboarding, bicycling, hiking, snowshoeing, wakeboarding, going to the gym and of course being in the studio for classes. I completed 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training through Naked Truth Yoga in the Summer of 2021. My favourite classes to teach are fitness based as I love pushing people beyond what they believe they can do.

My goal for the studio is for it to be a safe place for healing, personal growth and new friendships. May we all find a path of happiness.

Dr. Marcy Kimpton

My yoga journey began in the mid 90’s. Yes, I have been doing yoga for 30 years! I had the unique experience of learning yoga by practicing daily with my mentor for several years. This was in California while I was studying to become a chiropractor. After graduating from chiropractic school, I moved back to Calgary to start my career and continue my yoga practice. In 2001 I completed my yoga teacher training in Ashtanga yoga. I immediately began teaching and have been sharing my experience and knowledge of yoga ever since. Over the years, I have practiced many styles of yoga and meditation methods and always include a variety of postures and breathing techniques in my classes. Also, as a chiropractor, I find myself focusing on teaching detailed alignment in the postures and encouraging the health benefits that yoga has to offer.
I am excited to share my experience and offer insights on how to go deeper into your yoga practice. Whether this is in a flow or prenatal class, I hope to encourage the joy of yoga in each student in my classes. You will explore a deeper yoga practice by learning the foundations including alignment, breath work and calming your mind. This will decrease the impact of stress on your body and allow you to express optimal health and experience a sense of well-being.

Jessica Fisher

Hi! I'm Jessica, an experienced group fitness instructor with over five years of teaching experience. I hold a 500-hour yoga certification with additional training in restorative yoga, and I am also a certified personal trainer, a 3rd-degree black belt, and a Pilates instructor. My goal for my classes is to make them challenging yet accessible to everyone, ensuring that you leave my class feeling accomplished and proud.

Teaching is my passion. When I'm not in the studio, I'm often attending other instructors' classes and seeking inspiration online to keep my classes fresh and exciting. My favorite yoga pose right now is Compass, and my favorite class to  teach is Pilates.

Outside of teaching, you can find me practicing acro yoga, hula hooping, and camping. Hope to see you on your mat soon!

Syrena Barsalou

Bio coming soon!

Vick Maan

From humble beginnings in poverty to the entanglements of gang affiliation and navigating psychiatric facilities with varied medications, Vick's life has spanned many profound experiences. He found yoga 20 years ago during a decade of mental and emotional turmoil, discovering a simple book in India that sparked his interest while he was severely depressed. Practicing the poses empowered Vick to take ownership of his mental well-being. As a public speaker, holistic life/wellness coach, and dedicated yoga teacher, he now shares his journey of transforming life's darkest moments into meaningful teachings. Vick's story, which brought him to the edge of suicide, now fuels his passion to help others experience the life-altering and positive benefits of yoga on their well-being. Through his experiences, he aims to empower others to enhance their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being health through a blend of modern and ancient yogic practices.

Ileana Camchado

Bio coming soon!

Annie Sidhu

Bio Coming Soon

Eva Diack

Bio coming soon

Irina Poli

Bio coming soon!

Diva Bradley

Hi, my name is Diva. My journey with yoga began at Kismet in 2019 when I attended my first class on a whim with a friend to try something new. What started as curiosity quickly grew into a passion for the sense of community and the benefits of heated fitness, drawn not only to the physical practice of yoga but also to the deeper exploration of mindfulness and inner peace. Each session brought a new insight, a deeper stretch, and a sense of grounding that extended beyond the mat. Inspired by this journey, I completed my 200 Hour Certification through Satya Yoga Teacher Training Academy in June 2023, focusing my offerings in vinyasa, creative flow style yoga, and heated fitness classes.
Beyond the studio, you may find me at the pet store, or out exploring in nature with my best friend and love of my life, Boomer—a spirited companion dog who joins me on almost every adventure.
In a world that’s always on the move, I believe in the importance of slowing down, taking time for ourselves, and doing what makes us happiest. I'm passionate about continuing my education in yoga and fitness, aiming to challenge and inspire others in a safe and inclusive space.
Join me on the mat as we flow together, finding strength, balance, and joy in every breath.

Crysthian Rivas

Crysthian’s fitness journey started before he could form words in his mouth. As a young child he was raised in a circus so his job was to learn to be an acrobat and a clown. These qualities follow him to this day. When he started as a group fitness instructor he realized how much impact you can have on someone through fitness. He then began to study for his CFES certifications for personal training. Along the way he was in a car accident causing the car to roll off the highway. This stunted the speed in which his certifications were completed. However in the toughest of times he realized the value fitness has for the mind. “Exercise is done with the body, however the mind is what really moves you. Start with the mind and everything else will follow.” He believes fitness is a great tool to help others become not only physically better but mentally as well. Crysthian’s hobbies include boxing, dancing, writing, paddle boarding, oh and eating he loves eating.

Emma Sauve

I joined Kismet in January 2019. I was a mechanic before I decided to switch careers and get my 200 YTT yoga through Naked Truth Yoga in February 2022 and have been teaching ever since. My favourite classes to teach are any weighted fitness class. I love the energy in the room and seeing people push themselves. My goal is to give back what I’ve received from being a member. Since being a member I’ve created a healthy relationship with both food and my body, both things I really struggled with for quite some time. I am also a huge advocate for using movement for mental health, based on my own experience I’ve seen how much it can help. When the pandemic closed gyms, I as well as many others were struggling with their mental health. When gyms and studios had opened back up I started attending both fitness and yoga classes. In the past I didn’t attend any sort of yoga class, I never thought they were for me. However when I had started attending regularly I found it to be almost therapeutic, a space to heal. From that moment I knew I wanted to share what I had received from the studio and pass it on. At the time Kismet had a draw going on for a backpack. I was debating on if I wanted to take the training or not. I had asked for a sign. Alisha messaged me that same night saying that I had won. To me that was as clear as the universe could make it and I registered that same night. Yoga and fitness are two things that have transformed both my body and mind in ways I can’t even describe, I want to bring the same experience to my classes. I want to help people create a heathy relationships between both the mind and body.