Why Moai?
Mo•ai (/mo,eye/) Japan. noun. A group of lifelong friends. A social support group that forms in order to provide varying support from social, financial, health, or spiritual interests.
On Japan's Okinawa Island, nicknamed the “island of longevity”, residents suffer from low levels of heart disease, cancer and dementia, and Okinawan's robust social life and strong sense of ikigai (a unique purpose in life) often keeps them alive and healthy past the age of 100. Moai embodies the essence of the word Moai, which means community in Japanese culture.
At Moai, we believe in the power of coming together to create a sense of belonging and support. We offer a variety of pre and postnatal classes for your parenting journey, in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The studio encourages students, both parents and children to connect with themselves and each other, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the yoga mat. Moai is a place where families can come to not only improve their physical health but also their mental and emotional wellbeing, all while being part of a supportive group of like-minded individuals.
The Face Behind Moai
Hi, I'm Rebecca!
My name is Rebecca, most people call me Becks. I previously worked in Toronto leading yoga classes but as myself and my family made our move to Hamilton, I was looking for a new opportunity closer to home. I happened to catch a post in one of the Hamilton mom groups that asked, “Are there any yoga teachers out there that would teach a Prenatal class in Gage Park?” I thought to myself, I’m pregnant and a yoga teacher and what a great way to start meeting some other moms in the area!
I never would have anticipated the bond I built with the other moms to be. It helped me so much mentally as I navigated pregnancy through the pandemic.
Fast forward, I started teaching a Mama & Baby yoga class in the park and that eventually turned into several classes a week, strolls and lots of social hangs + events. I have built a career that I absolutely love and care about deeply, I’ve made forever friends and forever shoulders I can lean on when motherhood becomes tough. My daughters have made forever friends.
A bit about my background - as a former competitive gymnast and gymnastics coach, and general manager of an event/catering company, I feel I offer a combination of the ability to teach and guide students through unique sequencing and the ability to put on a great event. After becoming pregnant with my first child and deciding I needed a change from my busy career planning weddings, I completed the Yoga Teacher Training program at 889 Community.
Thank you to my community that has helped me get to this point!Let’s continue to be there for each other and lift each other up, one person at a time.
Meet the Team
Years of experience, a passion for community and movement have brought the team at Moai together
Kasey Maguire
Hamilton
Pilates
Sweat
Hi there, I’m Kasey. I started teaching Pilates over 10 years ago and became a Mom just over 6. In those 6 years I did my first 200 hrs. yoga teacher training, as well as received my barre and CrossFit Level 1 certifications. I think movement is some of the best medicine we can give ourselves as humans and especially as Moms to babies and young children. When I teach I not only want you to feel good in your body but also strong as hell, because you are.
Stephanie DeBou
Hamilton
Yoga
Meditation
Barre
Stephanie DeBou, now a full time Yoga and Meditation Teacher, is a former Advertising Executive and Entrepreneur of 15+ years. Her own personal Yoga journey spans a much larger time frame over decades and several countries, but it wasn't until 2017 that she finally gave up her corporate high heels, board rooms and ergonomic chairs in favour of bare feet, yoga mats and meditative cushions. Stephanie has received 500 hours of Formal Training in Yoga and Meditation, and hundreds more as she pursued her studies that lead her into additional training, retreats and workshops for Reiki, Restorative Yoga, Pre and Post Natal Yoga, Functional Movement, Rope Wall, and Barre. She has also recently completed her Holistic Doula training. It was in her latest training however, to become a Fertility Yoga Specialist, that she encountered the wisdom of Energy Medicine under a Master Teacher. It was the perfect compliment to her Yin yoga and more meditative practices, helping her dive deeper into the Subtle Body, Energetics, and our connection to Self and Spirit. Now her classes are a unique combination of her varied background, all infused with the healing effects of quite literally "tapping" into our energy bodies. Stephanie teaches yoga and meditation to all levels, in studio, in private, online, on retreat, and in corporate settings. Stephanie's unique blend of Yoga and Meditation are woven together with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Energy Medicine, in classes that are thoughtfully crafted, elegantly and compassionately delivered, and profoundly transformative.
Hope Jessup-Ramsay
Hey Mamas! My name is Hope. I’m a relatively new resident to Hamilton and a mom to my 1 year old daughter. I am thrilled to be joining the Moai Movement team and to introduce myself to you.
My background is dance. Teaching, choreographing, programming, studio management you name it. It’s what I love to do and I can’t wait to dance with you and your babes. I truly believe movement is the greatest gift you can give yourself, especially during these first few months postpartum. Your babes deserve a happy, well taken care of Mama!
My goal is to inspire and cultivate a fun and supportive space for our community to move their bodies in a new way and make some friends. Being a new mom can be lonely at times, so let’s get together. See you in the studio!
Hamilton
Dancing Babies
Creative Little Dancer
Victoria Johnson
Brantford & Hamilton
Babes & Barbells
Sweat
Hello Mamas!
I am a coach and a mom to three incredible children who are ages 5, 3, and 1.5 years old. Outside of my important roles of mother and coach, I am a registered nurse, currently working in homecare here in Hamilton.
I first started coaching after getting certified as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and spin class instructor while completing my nursing degree at McMaster University in 2008. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work with a diverse population including those living with disabilities, athletes, the elderly and lots of moms! Also while at MAC, I played for their varsity rugby team and that’s where I was exposed to Olympic lifting and women being
encouraged to lift HEAVY for the first time. I later found Alchemy Crossfit in 2015 and this is where I have trained and been supported through all three of my pregnancies.
While trying to educate myself on pregnancy and postpartum training, I saw a huge need for coaches with this expertise and an even bigger need for moms to feel heard and supported through their motherhood transition. This need urged me to search out and get certified as a coach in Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism. I am so excited to work with local moms and my goal for all my classes is for you to leave feeling supported and more empowered than when you came in. Let me help you find out just how strong your postpartum self can be!
Brittany Rose
Hamilton
Prenatal Pilates
Cheeky and intuitive, Britt has always been a passionate mover having spent years as a classically trained dancer.
Her teaching journey began at GOODBODYFEEL in 2018. She has since completed Yoga Detour 200hr, Pilates Reformer and Meditation trainings. She is passionate about music, community and connection. You can expect a playful class that helps you tap into your inner space. Classes flow through a ritual opening, targeted build up and full body work followed by an ooey gooey cool down. Together we can ground ourselves and grow with the magic of mindful movement!
Emily McDowall
Full time mom and full time mover, Emily has been teaching a wide range of artistic and fitness techniques from ballet to barre to pilates and more. She has been found instilling a love of dance for small children as well as rekindling joy in motion for folks over fifty. Emily is a certified pilates instructor with a specialization in core confidence and post natal recovery. She is dedicated to form and function, and endeavours to put the fun in fundamentals.
Hamilton
Baby & Me Pilates
Babes on the Move Pilates
Janet Ratcliff
I have 2 children, Jayden 31 and Deion 29, and began personal training in 2008. I became a crossfit coach in 2012, and amongst too many online courses to list, I am also qualified with my Can fit pro personal training, Crossfit level 1 and 2, NCCP Olympic Weightlifting, and have completed my Bird Box Coaching Development Course.
I love to improve people's lives no matter where they are in their fitness journey, as I realize physical fitness improves one’s physical and mental health, leading to a more fulfilling life. Innovation and adaptability are enjoyable to me, challenging myself to make each workout the best it can be for each individual. I also enjoy refining movement to improve each individual’s fitness.
I am really looking forward to working with Moms and am excited to improve their well being! I love working with new clients and forming a better relationship with those I already know. I worked in daycare for many years and do miss it, so look forward to seeing babies at the classes.
Hamilton
Babes & Barbells