Tash (she/her) is a dedicated, life long yoga philosophy, decolonization and movement student. She uses motion, stillness and an earth-based understanding to realize and embody a human experience from a place of compassion and curiosity. This foundation seeps into her teaching and in all her waking hours.
Who is she?
My chosen name is Tash, my given name is Natasha Griarte. I was born in Metro Manila, I grew up fairly poor, raised by my Lola. She used to sing Twinkle Twinkle because that was the only song I knew and the only one she knew the words to. My Lola travelled from Bicol and came to Manila when she was 12, working as a helper her whole life.
My mother’s family was from Ilocos Sur before they settled into Monumento, just behind the palengke. When times were at their best my mother’s grandparents owned a thriving business that my Chinese grandfather started. My mother lived with her Lola too, she had her sister and they lived in that beautiful house with the long driveway.
Beyond this, I don’t know much about my ancestry and who my elders are. I’m not sure if they were healers, farmers, business-owners, what their struggles and triumphs looked and felt like, but I do know, somewhere down the line I have an auntie that keeps me company. She is the ancestor that was introduced to me a few years ago and her spirit shines brightly in everything I do.
I’m based out of sacred land stewarded by Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples for many generations, more commonly known by the name its settlers chose - Toronto, Ontario.
My name is Tash and I work at resisting the feeling of being displaced, so I've turned to movement to try and understand my place in this world, within myself and those I consider my community. My offering in this lifetime is to be a bridge for understanding and the unknown, seeing and believing, pausing and noticing.
I do this by facilitating pilates, yoga, barre-based movements. Holding events that cultivate community and inclusion.
Permanent classes at Union Yoga and Wellness, Mosaic Yoga and Liberty Yoga and Wellness
Areas of Study
200-Hour Pilates Teacher Training
225-Hour Hatha + Vinya Teacher Training
Barre Teacher Training
Chair Yoga/Accessible Yoga Training with Kass Prus
Reiki Level 1 Attunement with Reiki Master Clare Kenty
in progress
Reiki Level 2 with Reiki Master Clare Kenty
Sanskrit with Hali Schwartz
Reaching in, Reaching Out with New Leaf (best practices for making mindfulness and yoga-based practices accessible and relevant for young people in under-represented spaces)
areas of interest
inclusion
body positive movement
trauma-informed
holistic health