Meet the Aurora Life Sports Team
At Aurora Life Sports, our instructors don't just teach movement — they live it. Laura and Chris Deimling founded Aurora as a family-run space where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. With decades of combined experience in yoga and CAN-RYU Jiu-Jitsu, our team brings certified expertise and genuine community spirit to every class in North Augusta, ON.
Laura Deimling
Owner, ERYT-500 Yoga Teacher
Laura is the creator and owner of Aurora Life Sports (CYA‑RYS200) and a lead instructor in Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, and Partner Yoga (ERYT‑500). She has been practicing yoga for more than 25 years, weaving it into the rhythm of her daily life—from her early studies with diverse teachers to a transformative year living and practicing in Chai‑Yi, Taiwan.
A lifelong athlete, Laura has moved through seasons of rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, and Ironman racing. Today, she channels that same fire into supporting her active family and friends, and carving out space for her own practice in yoga and aerial arts. Her path has always been one of discipline, devotion, and deep personal integrity.
Laura teaches with the presence of someone who leads quietly but unmistakably—steady, fierce, and principled. She embodies the kind of strength that doesn’t need to announce itself: the strength of someone who stands firm in her values, protects what matters, and moves through the world with purpose. Her classes reflect this grounded clarity, offering a space where students can reconnect with their own resilience, intuition, and inner steadiness.
Chris Deimling
Operations Manager, CAN-RYU Head Instructor
Chris is the head CAN-RYU Jiu-Jitsu (self-defence) instructor (black belt) and is also the right-hand man for all things logistics, business operations, and support in general. He is the genius behind the camera, co-strategist, and brings a unique creativity to the Aurora community that makes the hard work both motivating and engaging. Chris is a lifelong sports enthusiast and athlete. Apart from participation in Aurora activities, he enjoys riding his dirt bike with his family on weekends and is a past multi-time Ironman finisher. His life is ever evolving and he is always up for new adventures.
Veida Deimling
Senpai
Senpai Veida is a Brown Belt in CAN-RYU Jiu-Jitsu and is an assistant instructor at Aurora self-defense classes. She has consistently trained in CAN-RYU since she was 5 years old. Although her demeanor on the mat is gentle and calm, Veida brings an impeccable eye for detail, sound technique and athleticism that sets her apart from other young instructors. She's always eager to learn new things and improve her craft. Veida has regularly traveled with her dojo to World Kobudo and outside training seminars to learn from Master Instructors from around the world.
Aside from her Jiu-Jitsu role, Veida works as support crew for our Yoga program and special Aurora lifestyle events. Veida is also an avid Equestrian and enjoys training and competing in Western Games with her horse Keirin.
Maddie VanBruinessen
Senpai
Bio TBD
Affiliate Instructors
At Aurora Life Sports, we believe in learning from the best across a variety of movement and healing traditions. Our affiliate instructors are trusted masters and specialists who bring their unique expertise, wisdom, and dedicated practices to our community.
Philip Lai
Founder and President of the Philip Lai Qi Gong Association, Master Instructor
Philip Tai-Foo Lai 黎大虎, CPA, CMA, is the founder and president of the Philip Lai Qi Gong Association, Certified Naturotherapist with ACNN, Master Instructor of Qi Gong and Kung Fu, Master of Reiki and Tai Chi, energy healer using various traditional healing systems and expert in acupressure, Chinese massage and 5 elements Feng Shui. He has assembled all his years of knowledge and experience together and developed an effective, powerful and safe system called Master Lai’s Holistic Health Care System. He always knew that helping others and sharing his love of this knowledge would play a major role in his life. He is a kind hearted spirit who can transmit the full benefits of his knowledge and experience through his classes.
He has over 50 years of experience in teaching and healing, and has successfully treated many people with serious conditions such as 11 days in coma, stroke and other brain injuries, severely disabled condition, 8 years paralysis caused by stroke, heart attack, cancer, fibromyalgia, type 1 insulin dependent diabetes, allergies, cognitive problems, kidney disease and high blood pressure, severe pain, anxiety, stress and depression, stopped smoking, severe blood clot, and weight loss.
website: https://philiplaiqigong.ca/index.htm
Alisha Rexford
Founder, Metta Yoga and Massage Therapy
Alisha is an RMT, yoga teacher, and the founder of Metta Yoga and Massage Therapy in Merrickville, ON.
With over 20 years of combined experience in healthcare, mindfulness, and collegiate athletics, she offers a holistic approach to wellness rooted in a trauma-informed lens and deep compassion.
Her signature modality, Seasonal Somatics, integrates massage therapy, yoga, meditation, breathwork, reiki, and cyclical mind/body practices designed to help participants stay grounded through life’s evolving seasons. In her massage practice, Alisha treats a wide range of acute, chronic, and nervous system conditions—ranging from sports injuries and whiplash to nerve impingements and sciatica.
Since completing her RMT requirements with high honors in 2020, Alisha has facilitated over 10,000 hours of public and private classes, workshops, and retreats. A lifelong learner and mom of three, she brings a wealth of lived experience and deep reverence for nature into every offering.
Website: MettaCalm.janeapp.com
Ready to Train With Us?
Whether you're stepping onto the mat for the first time or looking to deepen your practice, Aurora Life Sports welcomes you. Join Laura, Chris, and the Aurora community — your first class is on us.