Esperanza “Espe” – Founder & Senior Yoga Instructor
Esperanza, known as Espe, began teaching yoga in November 2011 in Hanover, Ontario. With no studio nearby and few connections in town, she started leading classes in the basement of Rosemary and Wayne Dupuis at 131 Lake Rosalind Road #1. Today, the Yoga Barn operates as a boutique, eco-friendly studio, offering small classes (10 students) and standing as the only hot yoga studio in the Grey Bruce area.
Espe holds a 500-hour yoga teacher certification (Moksha/Modo Yoga) and an MS degree in Marketing. Her approach emphasizes fun, dynamic, and accessible yoga, with a strong priority on student safety—modifications are always offered during asana practice. She also completed Vipassana Meditation (2011) and Reiki (2016) and Pilates Training (2023). She is currently finishing her Ayurveda Wellness Coach training.
Teaching & Retreat Experience
Espe has 14 years of teaching experience and has practiced yoga since age 17. She has led international retreats for a decade. A few of them are listed below:
Multiple local day retreats in Canada
Two Ayurvedic Yoga Retreats in Mexico (2015 & 2017)
A 7-day retreat in Italy (Spring 2019) on “The Art of Doing Nothing”
11-day yoga retreat in India (Fall 2019)
Portugal Retreat at Ericeira ( 2024) and Duro Valley (2025), make sure you follow this link for the next one in 2026: MAY RETREAT
Her mission extends beyond teaching: she offers mentoring programs to young entrepreneurs and yoga instructors, helping them find their voice and feel confident in the classroom.
Private Yoga Sessions
Espe offers private yoga sessions at the studio on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and travels to teach locally (e.g., Walkerton: Chair Yoga at the Library on Tuesdays; PH Centre in Hanover: Mondays & Thursdays).
Your private session includes:
Consultation to tailor your yoga practice to your mind, body, and personal goals
Energetic recalibration (aromatherapy + sound healing)
Personalized yoga sequence (asanas) with handout
Meditation, Yoga Nidra, or breathwork to relax and reset the nervous system
Fees:
Single private session (80 min): $135
Three private sessions (90 min each): $285
Private group session (75 min, max 8 people): $175
Espe guides every class from a place of service, carefully crafting the practice to meet each student’s needs and abilities.
