Christina Raskin
Founder/Owner - Soul Thrive Yoga
Christina, a native of California, discovered her life purpose at the age of 26 when an astrologer advised her to move to Vancouver, BC. Her unique contribution to the field of yoga stems from her extensive background in professional dance, spanning over 15 years. This experience has granted her a profound understanding of the body, movement, and their inter-connectedness.
Having completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training program with YogaWorks, Christina had the privilege of furthering her education by undertaking a 300-hour teacher training in India. As a result, she now holds the designation of a 500-hour E-RYT (Experience-Registered Yoga Teacher) with Yoga Alliance. Additionally, she is an accredited continued education provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance.
With over 20 years of teaching experience in various styles including Power, Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, fitness, and Pilates, Christina strives to create a welcoming and nurturing environment in her classes. Her aim is to empower her students to embark on their personal journeys, providing them with support and encouragement every step of the way. Christina’s ultimate aspiration is for her students to leave her classes feeling grounded, restored, and empowered, ready to embrace a more fulfilling life by cherishing and enjoying the beauty of the world.
Currently residing in Vancouver with her loving husband Devin, Christina firmly believes that she is fulfilling her life purpose in her chosen city.
- 500 E-RYT
- Founder and Owner of Soul Thrive Yoga
- 200hr complete with Yogaworks, based out of California
- 300hr completed with Kailash Tribal School Of Yoga & Holistic Healing in India
Melanie Palis
Lead Trainer & Administration Assistant
Melanie is an E-RYT whose teaching reflects her love of movement, anatomy and yogic philosophy. Her background in dance is what initially drew her to yoga, while her practice at first was heavily asana based, after exposing herself to many teachers in the community it was understood that yoga stretches far beyond the confines of the body.
She was inspired by the connection between the patterns of the mind, the body and the breath, she was eager to deepen her own practice and share yoga with her friends and family. This is what initially drew Melanie to look into a YTT program. She completed her first 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with YYoga Teachers College. After a few years of mentoring with teachers in Vancouver’s yoga community, teaching public classes and workshops Melanie was then privileged enough to complete her 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training with School Yoga Institute. She studied anatomy, teaching methodologies, shamanic healing, and holistic cleansing in the Sacred Valley of Peru. Melanie is now a lead trainer for O2 Yoga Teacher Training’s 200 hour program and is a continued education provider with Yoga Alliance (YACEP).
Yoga motivates Melanie to continually evolve and grow. As a teacher Melanie aims to introduce all levels of practitioners to a deep union of mind, body and spirit. Melanie has experience teaching Power, Vinyasa flow, Hatha, and Restorative yoga, she provides space for new and experienced yogis to explore their spirituality through asana, pranayama and guided meditations. With efficient alignment cues and sequencing you will be led through a strong and balanced practice. Melanie strives to continually learn from others and encourages students to integrate the practice of yoga off the mat and into everyday life.
Kerry Koble
Fitness Fusion Trainer
Kerry Koble is the Master Franchisor for Oxygen Alberta and has also been a leader in the fitness and dance community in Edmonton for over 25 years! Her certifications include a 200 hour YTT, A.F.L.C.A with designations in Group Fitness, Barre, Special Equipment and Personal training combined with many continuing education courses and thousands of hours of teaching experience. She will bring a lot of knowledge, variety and fun to the Soul Trhive family. Kerry is known for teaching dynamic fusion classes that will always have you coming back for more! She is very excited to share her knowledge of all she has learned from her time in this industry
“Christina has a lot of experience under her belt as an instructor, is extremely knowledgeable, has the warmest smile & she’s awesome. Who wouldn’t want an awesome teacher? The YTT was a great mix of asana practice, meditation, philosophy, anatomy, pranayama & discussions. Christina has inspired me in countless positive ways while the YTT taught me the skills I needed to continue my personal practice throughout my life. This program isn’t just for those interested in teaching or yoga, it’s for anyone who wants to accomplish something very fulfilling & healthy. Thank you for believing in all of us when we doubted ourselves, Christina. Thank you for teaching me to be compassionate towards myself. “
Lily Jiang
“I completed my teacher training this past June and I want to tell you other than the birth of my children and my marriage it is the best decision I ever made! I also want to say you are never ever too old…I am 45 and so very proud to tell you that This course will leave you feeling knowledgeable, proud, strong in body and mind, confident to teach right away. I also want to give a shout out to Christina Raskin because a huge part of my success and my knowledge to teach are because of her. She is an amazing teacher and a beautiful soul. So just go for it you won’t regret it for a second!”
Tammy Coard
“Melanie Palis is a delight to work with. Ever encouraging, and always supportive, she creates a warm and welcoming space to erase all self-doubt and worry. She sought to ease our nerves and helped us recognize and reach our potential. She is wise and caring, bubbly and optimistic, true to herself and an embodiment of the practices she teaches. Never once was a hand afraid to be raised, or an opinion to be stated. I couldn’t have asked for a more suited YTT teacher. Thanks for your time and energy Mel! Namaste.”
Chelsea Franz
“Just wanted to send a short note to thank all of you after completing the 6- week O2 YYT course yesterday. Mel was a wonderful lead instructor and it was also great to have different instructors come in to teach as well. You were all informative, helpful, insightful and a joy to learn from. You truly are an amazing team!”
Tina Chow
