EAST METHOD - TEACHING FACULTY
CAREN COOPER-BRIDEL, Founder of EAST
Caren Cooper-Bridel received her 200hr Yoga Certification from White Lotus Foundation, California in 2004. After teaching yoga at top studios across Toronto, Caren became Mat Certified by Body Harmonics Toronto, where she worked for 8 years as a Movement and Rehab Specialist, leading group classes and 1:1 clients Caren was also a member of the teaching faculty staff, leading part of the Mat Certification program at Body Harmonics. Caren received her Reformer Certification through Pilates Process, a Stott-based training program.
With 20+ years of teaching experience, hundreds of hours of teacher training programs including pre & post-natal, working with special populations and rehab-specialist, Caren opened EAST Studio in 2021, expanded the brick & mortar studio in 2024 and in 2025. developed a comprehensive Mat & Reformer Teacher Training Program. Caren reached out to local osteopaths and physiotherapists to help design & deliver EAST Method, a contemporary, science-focused Pilates Program designed with experience, knowledge & integrity.
SAMANTHA PETERS. M.OMSc​​
I have always been passionate about health and wellness. Sports and recreation were such a large part of my childhood. This ultimately led me to Nova Scotia, earning myself a Bachelors Degree in Human Kinetics at St. Francis Xavier University. It was here that I earned the opportunity to work with the men’s football team as a student therapist, which is where my passion for rehabilitative therapy began.
I was introduced to Osteopathy in 2018 after being involved in a car accident which ultimately led to receiving osteopathic treatment myself. This form of manual therapy successfully facilitated my own body’s healing providing the relief I was seeking. Osteopathy, and its set of principles aligned with my own beliefs of what manual therapy should be. This ultimately led me to my Osteopathic studies back home in Ontario. Here, I have completed my Masters in the Practice of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc) at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, Ontario.
ERIC LEKUN, M.OMSc
Eric has always had an interest in health and wellness through exercise, sport, nutrition and meditation. Following a competitive career in junior hockey, his focus shifted to his yoga practice. Eric relocated to Canmore, Alberta, where he continued to pursue his interest in yoga and all things outdoors. Inspired by his own benefits from yoga and exercise, he completed a 200hr. Registered Yoga Teacher Training with the intention to help facilitate others along their health and wellness journey.
Through teaching yoga, his understanding of anatomy and the human condition expanded and ignited an interest in discovering more. He chose to pursue Osteopathy in 2019 when he enrolled to complete a four year program through the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, ON. He received a Master in Practice Diploma of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc) in 2023 and is a proud member in good standing with the Ontario Osteopathic Association (OOA).
SHERRY HEENAN,
Grade 10 was the year I made the decision to become a physiotherapist! I graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Degree in Kinesiology, with a minor in Psychology, then went on to receive my Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. But my story doesn't end there….
After working for a few years as an Orthopaedic Physiotherapist in a busy private practice clinic I decided it was time to have a family. After having my own children I encountered the glamourous postpartum changes such as bladder leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, and changes with intercourse. That's when I reached out to a friend and colleague of mine who was a pelvic health physio and my world forever changed.
My symptoms dramatically improved and I wanted to learn more so I dove deeper into pelvic health physiotherapy, with specific focus on pregnancy and postpartum. And ladies....postpartum lasts forever. I am a forever student because when I have a passion for something I am always continuing to learn more and refine my skills. This drive lead me to breathwork which has the power to heal and transform our lives. I now have my own breathwork practice and I infuse it into my practice and life.
