Axel's students say, "There's nobody like Axel".
In the late 1960's, Axel was one of a handful of people teaching yoga in Toronto. Forty four years later, he is still going strong.
Always an athlete, Axel stopped to watch an incredibly fit man in his fifties practicing yoga in a park at Spadina and St. Clair. After introducing himself, Axel chatted with Charles Kastely, who referred him to a lecture by Swami Vishnudevananda. After the lecture, Axel met teachers Helene and Franz Achatz who had opened the first studio in Toronto and began teacher training. Axel studied with them for four years and completed his teacher training. Rather than creating his own studio, Axel chose to bring yoga to various locations throughout the GTA including community centres, dance and gymnastics studios, churches, and university and college athletic clubs. Teaching yoga has been Axel's full-time career ever since. Axel has taught at York University and University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital and Seneca College.
Axel is known for his athletic workouts and his focus on postures which have the most therapeutic effects. Rare among yoga teachers, Axel enjoys teaching hatha yoga within the context of yoga and Buddhist philosophy. He introduces students to the philosophy of yoga in an engaging and accessible way that can be practically applied to stress management and personal development. Students make use of the concepts and practices they find meaningful for their own lives. Although the simple practice of yoga postures and breathing techniques can make a life changing difference in a student's life, Axel encourages his students to deepen their exploration of yoga to develop their minds, calm their emotions and enhance their spiritual growth.
Axel has a very strong connection to nature and enjoys, biking, running, swimming and kayaking in addition to his yoga practice. Part of yoga is living a healthy lifestyle beyond the yoga mat. Axel lectures on a variety of topics including diet, healing and home practice.
Since the beginning of his career, Axel has aligned his work with the teachings of Swami Sivananda, who founded the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India. Axel studied with teachers from this organization lecturing and working in Canada, including Swami Vishnudevananda and Swami Chidananda. Since that time, Axel's work has been influenced by the teachings and of many teachers, primarily H.H. The Dalai Lama, Paramahamsa Yogananda and Thich Nhat Hanh.