Deedee Poyner

Ms. Deedee Poyner comes to Evolve with vast experience within the healing arts.

Her education began with an undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in Recreation Education, followed by yoga teacher training with Swami Vishnu Divananda in 1972 in Grass Valley, California. Upon completing her teacher training, Ms. Poyner and her sister opened the Vancouver Yoga Centre, one of the first yoga studios in Vancouver. They taught the Sivananda method, which promotes physical, mental and spiritual health, and were honoured to work alongside another highly respected yogi, Baba Hari Dass.

From 1999 to 2002, Ms. Poyner continued her yoga studies with Sandra Samartino, a former pupil of B.K.S. Iyengar, training that brought greater focus to the alignment and gentleness of the yoga practice characteristic of the Iyengar method, as well as an introduction to Yamuna body rolling. Her experience with yoga dovetailed into an extensive study in meditation with many great teachers, and eight years of study of a form of energy healing similar to Reiki. To this day, Ms. Poyner continues to teach yoga and body rolling in West Vancouver.

Ms. Poyner is also a Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC), completing her certification through Vancouver Community College and gaining invaluable experience during her eight-month practicum working with patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Ms. Poyner spent eight years at Pacifica Treatment Centre, where she led a multifaceted mindfulness practice to support patients with addictions, and where for over 25 years has successfully led many groups in mindfulness, meditation, stress release and energy healing. Ms. Poyner has also maintained a private counselling practice for 12 years and is a member of the Canadian Professional Counselling Association.

In 2017, Ms. Poyner had her first introduction to Clarity Breathwork and immediately recognized the healing potential of this practice. Clarity Breathwork utilizes a technique called circular breathing, which simply means there is no pause between inhalation and exhalation. Using this full-body, intentional breath technique, the practitioner guides the clients through an experiential process where they connect deeply with their physical body in order to unwind and transform long-held patterns of limiting thoughts, emotions and beliefs. With the power of Clarity Breathwork there is also an ease and a gentleness. 

Ms. Poyner brings a multifaceted approach to her sessions with clients by including energy work and talk therapy to further support and facilitate the depth of release and healing. Ms. Poyner  is honoured to bring this practice to Evolve Wellness Centre and believes it will complement the amazing healing work already occurring at Evolve.