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Meet Your Team

I am a current competitive national powerlifter, an international powerlifting coach, and a strength & conditioning coach. My career beg...

I am a current competitive national powerlifter, an international powerlifting coach, and a strength & conditioning coach. My career began over a decade ago when I discovered my passion for fitness (specifically powerlifting) during undergrad. I got injured while lifting heavy in the gym; the injury was severe enough to change my career path, ultimately motivating me to become a personal trainer and help others navigate similar experiences, especially through pain. Lifting heavy has been a passion since day one. I understand how to guide clients through pain so they can lift heavy again, eventually enabling them to achieve movements they may not have done before and come back even better. I approach clients with a high level of care and quality, finding ways to help them reach their goals while navigating the hardest of challenges along the way.

Lauren Cook is a Contemporary Dance Artist, Artistic Director of Alias Dance Project, Educator, Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor, Pilate...

Lauren Cook is a Contemporary Dance Artist, Artistic Director of Alias Dance Project, Educator, Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and owner of the Cornerstone Studio. Since graduating from Ryerson University’s Dance Performance program in 2005, Lauren has created over 20 unique works with her company Alias and as a commissioned artist. She has performed the work of dozens of Toronto and Montreal’s leading contemporary and street dance artists, and has taught, produced, and curated dance events for both pre-professional and professional dance communities. Lauren is a sought-after educator. Since 2016, she has been teaching her unique contemporary dance practice at Ryerson University’s Dance Performance Program, working with 3rd- and 4th-year students to build strength for generating maximum power and speed. She has also worked as a choreographer and educator for PULSE, CODE, Peel District, TDSB, GMD, George Brown, and various public schools and private pre-professional training programs across Canada. As Director of Alias, Lauren built the Cornerstone Studio to cross-train the company’s dancers. Although Alias’ work is contemporary, it is known for its athleticism. The studio’s programs were curated to support this approach to movement, offering a wide range of classes in strength conditioning, cardiovascular training, mobility, and alternative practices. Lauren has a passion for movement, creativity, and fitness. She believes that strong communities build even stronger people. The Cornerstone Studio is made up of a team of instructors and clients who strive to better themselves and those around them by remaining positive, staying focused, and supporting each other.

Caitlin is a dancer, educator, fitness instructor, personal trainer, and the studio manager of Cornerstone Studio. She was first introduced ...

Caitlin is a dancer, educator, fitness instructor, personal trainer, and the studio manager of Cornerstone Studio. She was first introduced to the fitness industry over a decade ago through her cross-training as a professional dancer. After personally experiencing the positive effects that strength training can bring to an athlete’s performance, she developed a growing passion for sharing her knowledge with others. Caitlin has been a part of the Cornerstone team since day one and is grateful to work in an environment of passionate, creative, and like-minded professionals. Her number one goal is to help clients feel empowered, strong, and confident in their bodies—no matter their movement history or current fitness level.

Originally from Iran, Far moved to Brazil at the age of 15 to pursue his professional soccer career, where he signed a contract with a club ...

Originally from Iran, Far moved to Brazil at the age of 15 to pursue his professional soccer career, where he signed a contract with a club in São Paulo. He went on to play professionally in Iran, Brazil, the Philippines, Europe, Canada, and the USA. Since retiring from soccer, Far has found a new passion in strength and conditioning, as well as athletic performance and development training. He has been working as a personal trainer for the past four years, with a focus on corrective exercise training. Dedicated to lifelong learning, he continues to expand his knowledge and skills as a trainer. Far’s certifications include: BHSc from Queen’s University, NASM Strength & Conditioning Specialist, NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, NASM Sports Nutrition Coach, NASM Fascial Stretch & Flexibility Coach, NSCA Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator, and DTS Certified Kettlebell Coach.

Arash Dusek played professional basketball in Iran and Czech Republic from 2012-2022. After his career as a professional athlete came to an ...

Arash Dusek played professional basketball in Iran and Czech Republic from 2012-2022. After his career as a professional athlete came to an end, he found new passion in helping others achieve their training goals. Using his knowledge and expertise from years of athletic training, he embarked on the journey of certifying as an ISSA personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach. Initially his training career started by working as a coach with young athletes, in sports camps. Alongside his Personal Training career he remains a passionate NCCP basketball coach, focussed on nurturing young basketball athletes. Arash is driven by his desire to continue to grow, develop, gain knowledge and be a part of a team of like minded individuals. Arash has the following certifications: ISSA Personal Trainer ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist ISSA Bodybuilding Specialist ISSA Nutritionist NCCP Basketball Canada

Lisa has been teaching & exploring the medicine of movement for over 20 years. As a Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner, Lisa is passion...

Lisa has been teaching & exploring the medicine of movement for over 20 years. As a Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner, Lisa is passionate about helping others, especially with intentional rest and self-care, which led her to become a Thai Massage Practitioner, Holistic Nutritionist, Holistic Esthetician, Sound Healing Artist, and Energy Healing/Reiki Practitioner. A teacher & student of Yoga & Pilates, Lisa is a sensitive and intuitive guide who creates a supportive environment for mind-body connection, heart expansion, self-observation & healing. She sees mindfulness as a vehicle for transformation & promotes the integration of ancient practices & ritual in modern times to manage mental health, stress, anxiety, depression. She is committed to supporting women, particularly Black, Indigenous & Women of Colour. A woman of Afro-Asian Caribbean descent, she highly values representation & the principles of inclusion, diversity & accessibility. A lover of music, poetry & subversive art, she embraces a lifestyle of balance, encourages play & believes in the importance of (self-)love, compassion & community care.

Amy is a yoga teacher (RYT200), psychotherapist, and professional brain nerd. Drawn particularly to slow flows, yin, meditation, and breathw...

Amy is a yoga teacher (RYT200), psychotherapist, and professional brain nerd. Drawn particularly to slow flows, yin, meditation, and breathwork, Amy sees yoga as an invitation to slow down, soften thoughts, and find your way back into your body. Her teaching weaves somatic awareness and gentle self-reflection with a deep love of music and nostalgia — creating practices that set movement and breath to dreamy songs from the past. Her approach is warm, curious, and a little unconventional. There’s less emphasis on achieving the perfect pose and more on noticing what you feel, following what your body needs, and perhaps remembering a version of yourself you haven’t visited in a while. Expect deep stretches, space to breathe, and permission to simply come as you are.

Sarah has been a member of Cornerstone's community since it's early days. She has been an audience member/dance mom at recitals, helped back...

Sarah has been a member of Cornerstone's community since it's early days. She has been an audience member/dance mom at recitals, helped backstage and taken fitness classes of all kinds - from Bhangra to Boxing, Barre, Lift, Sprint, Yoga, Pilates and more. Inspired and encouraged by Cornerstone instructors, Sarah embarked on teacher training in mat and reformer pilates and is now a certified instructor. She is excited to support Cornerstone's excellent strength and conditioning training by offering pilates cross training.