About

Risto Duggan

Yoga Instructor

I am a Vancouver based yoga teacher with a focus on healing. My background as a semi-professional multi-sport athlete left my body broken and battered. 

On my 40th birthday I took my first yoga class and my life changed dramatically.

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Since completing the 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2007, I built a strong following of students who attend my Rocket classes, Active Yin/ Gravity Yoga classes and Workshops.

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Rocket Yoga is an Ashtanga based practice created by Larry Schultz in the late '80s. Larry took the first 3 sequences of Ashtanga Yoga and created 3 playful strong sequences from them. Rocket 1 is the "Primary Series" of Rocket Yoga. Rocket 2 has extra focus on back with playful inversion options. Rocket 3 is a 2-3 hour "Workshop" practice.

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Gravity Yoga is a targeted mobility training created by Lucas Rockwood in 2007 in Thailand. He made 3 sequences ( Hips, Hamstrings, Back/ Shoulders ). Each sequence has 8-12 poses being held from 2-5 minutes with some functional mobility transitional postures. The breathing is 4:8 ( 4 Breath inhale: 8 Breath exhale ). This breathing taps into the para sympathetic nervous system and helps shut off your stress response.

This supplemental practice is the perfect compliment to The Rocket! 

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Hanging out at your "edge"..... Makes your "edge" expand!

My main focus is on healing the body. Releasing tension through a strong practice focussing on the breath, and building true strength. I'm known for my focussed cueing, alignment, quality adjustments ( when possible ), and positive guidance.

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25hr. Gravity Yoga - Lucas Rockwood - Barcelona

50hr. Rocket Training - Steve Pyka -Asta Yoga, San Fransisco

Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher Course - Vancouver, B.C.

200hr. Vinyasa Training - Eoin Finn  

Positive Force Alignment #1 & #2

50hr. Advanced Training - Eoin Finn

50hr. Evolve - Advanced Training - Natalie Rousseau & Christine Price-Clark

40hr. Yin Training - Jolene Bayda  

Sacred Story ( Yoga Mythology ) - Natalie Rousseau

Level 1 & 2 Anatomy Training - Dr. Paul Maximus

Intensives & Immersions - Srivasta Ramaswami, Danny Paradise, Eddie Modestini, Ryan Leier, Dustin Fruson, Dylan Bernstien, Pedro Franco, Suzanne Slocum-Gori, Shiva Rae, & Eoin Finn