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From Passion to Practice:
My Path as a Retreat Leader
Yoga Instructor
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"Yoga never ceases to amaze me! I’m continually astounded by how a 90-minute practice can bring about a profound transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a joy to witness these shifts within myself and in those I teach.
My teaching style is heart-centered and alignment-based, emphasizing precise physical alignment within the poses to support a safe and transformative experience. I love leading heart-centered classes that deepen body awareness, improve posture and breath, calm the mind, and support overall well-being. My sessions are grounding, gently challenging, and always lead to deep relaxation. I especially enjoy guiding people into Savasana, the final pose of surrender. In this space of stillness, the mind quiets, the body heals, and inspiration flows freely."
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I’m a certified Hatha yoga teacher registered with Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 200 level (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher). I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years and have accumulated more than 800 hours of formal training, including certification in SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) yoga. I completed my first teacher training in 2004, where I experienced a yoga-related injury that opened my eyes to the vital importance of alignment for safe practice. This realization led me to pursue additional training in the alignment-based traditions of Iyengar yoga (in India and France) and Anusara yoga (in Thailand, Indonesia, and Canada).
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With over 2,400 hours of teaching experience, my approach blends anatomical precision with a heart-led philosophy. I’ve taught yoga across Asia, Europe, North and Central America, and now offer transformative retreats at Tambo Ilusión in the Peruvian Amazon.
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In 2010, I founded Studio Maya Yoga, a boutique yoga space in Bromont, Canada, which I ran for two years before following my heart to the jungle. Together with my life partner Armando, I created Tambo Ilusión, a rustic wellness retreat center and recognized private nature reserve.
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This project was born from a desire to create a sacred space for gathering, learning, and healing—through yoga, nature, and sustainable living. Today, Tambo Ilusión is a place where I share my love for yoga, personal growth, and wellness in immersive retreat experiences.
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Mind-Body Nutrition Coach
Johanne is also a certified Eating Psychology and Mind-Body Nutrition Coach, having completed a 250-hour professional training with the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. This in-depth program provided her with the tools and confidence to support others in navigating the most common and complex eating concerns of our time.
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In addition, she holds a plant-based nutrition certification from the Vegetarian Health Institute, further deepening her holistic approach to food, nourishment, and well-being.
Another one of Johanne’s great passions is sharing the healing art of Reiki, a Japanese holistic technique for stress reduction, relaxation, and healing. In today’s world, learning to reduce stress is essential to support our physical and mental well-being—and Johanne is deeply committed to promoting this.
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While in Rishikesh, India, in 2009, she received her Reiki Master/Teacher certification in Dr. Usui's lineage from Reiki Master “Shanti Jee” Rubens. The term “master” doesn’t imply spiritual perfection—it simply means one is able to teach and initiate others to use Reiki for their own journey of healing and self-discovery.
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Over the past decade, Johanne has offered Reiki sessions to many of her guests—often their first experience with energy healing—and they’ve consistently reported feeling grounded, relaxed, and renewed.
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Johanne has enjoyed hosting Reiki Initiation Level 1 retreats for over ten years, having guided participants through more than 30 retreats. Reiki is empowering. Once initiated, there is always something we can do for ourselves (it is a wonderful form of self-care), the people around us, the animals we care for, and situations. It is empowering.
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In 2020, Johanne deepened her practice by earning a certification in Animal Energy Healing & Reiki.
Reiki Master / Teacher
Vegetarian/Vegan cook & Instructor
"I love to cook and eat delicious, healthy food — especially when in good company. For me, healthy cooking and nutrition are at the top of my passions list. Food is powerful medicine, and preparing a nourishing meal to share is one of the most meaningful ways to bond and show we care. One of the best ways to love ourselves is through what we eat."
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As a teenager, one of Johanne’s dreams was to study culinary arts, but she was dissuaded by her mentors. Fortunately, life had other plans — she eventually followed her heart and became a self-taught plant-based chef and cooking instructor.
Her professional journey began in 1998 in Costa Rica, where she started working in the kitchen of a charming hostel called Montaña Linda. She quickly became the main cook and developed a reputation as an outstanding chef.
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Since 2011, Johanne has been delighting guests at Tambo Ilusión Retreat Center in the Peruvian Amazon with her vibrant, flavor-packed meals. Even those who were initially skeptical about vegetarian food have returned home inspired to add more plant-based meals to their diets. Her food consistently receives rave reviews, and she takes pride in inspiring others toward healthier, more conscious eating.
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Johanne offers a unique 5-day culinary retreat where participants join her in the kitchen to explore and prepare delicious vegetarian, vegan, and raw recipes — all rated as exquisite by past guests. Retreat participants also receive a copy of her 500+ page recipe book filled with her most loved creations, cooking tips, and nutrition insights.
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Her culinary retreats are a true celebration of health, connection, and flavor — an invitation to learn, nourish, and savor together.
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Retreat Leader & Host
My first experience as a host was working at a hostel in Costa Rica in the late ’90s — and I loved it! That enriching chapter sparked a dream: to one day create my own wellness retreat center. I set off traveling the world in search of the perfect location and the right partner to bring that vision to life. It took over ten years, and it was worth every moment of the journey. Together, Armando and I co-created Tambo Ilusión — a retreat center dedicated to supporting personal healing, growth, and transformation.
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Tambo Ilusión has been honored with numerous TripAdvisor Excellence Awards and continues to be a hidden gem for those seeking meaningful connection, nature, and inner balance.
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I led my first yoga retreat here in May 2013, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Since then, I’ve guided more than 150 wellness retreats, including yoga, detox, Reiki Level 1 initiations, SUP yoga, and vegetarian/vegan cooking retreats. The glowing reviews reflect the depth, care, and authenticity poured into every experience.
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I thrive on connecting with people in meaningful ways and sharing my passion for wellness. I love gently inspiring others to live more fully and mindfully — and these retreats offer a beautiful setting to do just that.
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Helping guests feel at home, even far from home, is something I cherish. Making a positive difference in people’s lives is what motivates me most.
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Spending a week (or more) in retreat creates a powerful opportunity to connect deeply with each participant. It brings me great joy to see guests reconnect with themselves — through movement, breathwork, rest, mindfulness, time in nature, and nourishing food. From that foundation, many return home feeling energized to bring greater balance to other areas of their lives.
Equine-Assisted Learning:
A Natural Evolution of My Work
In 2013, Armando and I adopted our beloved mare, Ayla. For Armando, having a horse was part of his vision for a permaculture project on his land, Tambo Ilusión—horses help keep the grass naturally trimmed, and their manure contributes to fertile, living soil. For me, adopting Ayla was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
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As I began inviting retreat guests to spend quiet time with her, I was deeply touched by the emotional impact she had on people. Many had never touched a horse before, and their connection with Ayla often brought tears, joy, and a sense of peace. This moved me profoundly and sparked a new vision: to give Ayla a meaningful role as a partner in healing work.
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In 2024, I began training in Equine-Assisted Learning with Natural Lifemanship (NL), a trauma-informed approach that uses the powerful bond between horses and humans to support emotional healing, personal growth, and well-being. NL emphasizes building healthy, connected relationships with horses and applying those principles to human relationships.
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Wanting to offer Ayla the best life possible, in 2024, I brought two more horses into our lives—Knight and Sky (Ayla's foal)—so that she could enjoy the companionship that all herd animals need. Today, I care for three horses in a beautiful, natural setting. It is a great responsibility, but also a profound joy. Watching them interact is truly magical, and it reaffirms my commitment to integrating their presence into healing experiences for others.
If my journey speaks to you, I’d love for you to explore the retreats I now share, or simply reach out and connect with me directly.