Joelle Akl: ERYT 500- Retreat Creator & Facilitator

Young woman with dark hair in a ponytail, smiling at the camera, standing on a beach with blue sky and ocean in the background.

Joelle’s journey into yoga began over a decade ago, driven by her deep love for movement and self-discovery. She was captivated by yoga’s ability to quiet the mind and connect to the true self in a profound way.

After completing 500+ hours of Yoga Alliance-certified training in India, Joelle returned to her hometown of Beirut, where she opened one of the city’s earliest yoga studios in 2015. Her vision was simple yet powerful: to create a sanctuary where individuals could grow, heal, and connect through yoga.

With over 3,000 hours of teaching experience and having guided more than 500 students, Joelle’s approach is rooted in fostering self-trust, mindfulness, and inner transformation. In 2017, she established her Yoga Alliance-certified school, empowering aspiring teachers to find their unique voices and approach.

In 2023, Joelle opened Studio Sukun in Montreal, a sanctuary for movement and mindfulness where she co-leads Sukun’s signature Aerial Yoga teacher trainings. She also obtained her BARRE certification in that same year.

Her teaching style is a blend of Yoga, breathing and fitness married in a creative and sometimes challenging flow.

Her philosophy is to approach life with the curiosity of a student, always keeping her cup empty and open to new experiences

Her special interests include nature, cats, neuroscience and psychology.

  • "I started my yoga journey with Joelle in 2019, beginning with her group classes and later private ones. Her vibrant energy, calming presence, and deep knowledge made every class enjoyable. Before meeting her, I found yoga boring, but she made me fall in love with it from the first session. I later completed my 200-hour teacher training with her, which was incredibly enriching, empowering, and packed with valuable knowledge. Joelle has a deep understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and pranayama, delivering the course in an engaging and accessible way. She continues to support me even to this day. I highly recommend her teacher training course!"

    Lea, F

  • "Great classes and a wonderful experience. The overall atmosphere was both gentle and encouraging, allowing me to go at my own rhythm while learning the basics. Joelle is so patient and understanding, she gives attention to the whole group and guides us in a way that really helps! I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back."

    Tracy

  • "An amazing teacher, outstanding every time. Joelle really teaches us to trust ourselves and is very clear with instructions. She is extremely knowledgeable about the effects of every posture on the body. Her classes are by far one of my favorites in Montreal."

    Guilaine