About Me

Early on in life I was taught the game of achievement and success and was able to find my way to top positions in law and government, to travel the world and find all kinds of experiences, and diet and exercise my way to thin.

The gift in being able to “have it all” in this way and still being unhappy taught me that I was missing something!

I realized then that I was chasing after validation and worthiness through the portal of achievement, and it wore me out.

That's when I sought out a new way. I found mindfulness, and the rest is history.

Finding the gift of mindfulness helped me recognize that contentment is not something that can be gained through outer achievements, but by instead going within and uncovering our innate clarity, strength and goodness.

I have applied mindfulness and yoga therapy principles to maintain focus, clarity and balance in high-stakes, high-stress environments and taught it to thousands of people doing the same.

I currently lead the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Mindfulness Program serving 60,000+ civil servants and the OPS Mindfulness for Leaders Certificate Program. I have taught at large organizations including the Ontario Bar Association, Bell Legal Department, Scotiabank, and the Toronto Stock Exchange, and have been a Partner and Director at MTMindfulness Consulting.

I have spoken at TEDx ideas worth spreading, and written on mindfulness and resilience for the Huffington Post, Elephant Journal, Apolitical, Tiny Buddha, Personal Growth among other publications.

I know what it is like to work tirelessly to achieve external success and still feel depleted, lost, alone and sad.

Finding meaning, purpose, ease and clarity through mindfulness can help you align with your Zone of Genius and do so sustainably, or without burnout.

Why I do what I do

I have lived life from the outside-in, trying to achieve things externally that would give me the success, love and connection I was seeking, and then from the inside-out, learning to connect to the power within and get clear about my unique inner compass and the direction it was connecting me to. In to out is so much better and I am so committed to helping others find their way on this path!

From the time I was little I was obsessed with trying to understand why people fought, why there were wars, and I also felt a deep sense of lack within. I thought if I just worked really hard and did things in the world to help solve problems, this would be the answer. Through political science, law and policy I tried to find solutions to difficult problems, but all the solutions would eventually break down.

Ultimately, I realized that if I want to create a peaceful world, the only way to do that is to create peace within myself. The more we can live from this place of peace within ourselves, we bring that peace to each and every person we encounter, and we create a more peaceful and loving world with each and every breath.

Facts About Me

I am passionate about finding joy and balance in all aspects of my life and helping others to do the

I am an award-winning yoga therapist, mindfulness coach, speaker and author dedicated to helping you move from striving to thriving by accessing the power of the present moment.
I have been featured at TEDx “ideas worth spreading” and contributed articles on mindfulness, wellness and resilience to the Huffington Post, Elephant Journal, Tiny Buddha, and Personal Growth.
As a trained lawyer, senior advisor at the Ontario government, and mother of two, I am uniquely able to help busy professionals apply powerful mindfulness and yoga therapy principles to everyday life.

I have over 20 years of experience in the field of mindful leadership and health

I am a Certified Yoga Therapist and Mindfulness Coach (Level 2 Unified Mindfulness).
I have completed Levels I and II of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training, have two additional yoga certifications (Classical Hatha and Vinyasa), attended numerous silent meditation retreats, and studied with world-renowned yoga and meditation teachers such as Shinzen Young, Maria Gonzalez, Felicia and Ante Pavlovic, and David Robson.
I lead the Mindfulness for Leaders certificate program in the Ontario government, and have provided mindfulness training to clients such as the Ontario Bar Association, Bell Legal Department, and TMX Legal.

I love to work!

A lawyer by training and senior advisor in the Ontario Public Service, I am very familiar with the challenges of balancing a stressful work-life with time for family and self-care.
For some time, I saw work and a rich family and personal life as mutually exclusive. Now, I know that I can value my work, make a meaningful contribution, and still have loving, supportive relationships with friends and family, as well as time for self care.
My endeavor today is to help people engage their love of work (and the purpose that gives them) while also bringing it into balance with wellbeing and health.
I have worked as a lawyer in Toronto, Montreal and Spain, provided advice to government on Justice, Labour, Indigenous and Intergovernmental issues, managed Emergency Health Services during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and even worked from 7 am-2 am as the sole fitness instructor at the Club Med Dominican Republic!

I help individuals and organizations navigate uncertainty and change

While change and uncertainty have always been a part of life, today we are facing unprecedented levels of change that are inherently difficult to cope with.
It is natural for professionals to feel depleted and overwhelmed by the ever increasing speed of work and life. Our nervous systems suffer, and we need powerful tools to keep our systems in balance and expand our capacity and resilience to deal with the high emotions that come hand in hand with these changing times.
I offer yoga therapy, mindfulness coaching and resilience at work seminars to individuals and groups and speak regularly at corporate events on the power of mindfulness.
I have launched the award-winning Ontario Cabinet Office and Premier's Office Healthy Workplace, Healthy Mind initiative as well as the Ontario Public Service Mindfulness Program, providing daily mindfulness to 60,000+ public servants.
As a member of the Ontario Public Service Culture of Care and Compassion committee, I provide leadership on creating a workplace culture that supports innovation, creativity, authenticity and open conversations about stress and mental health.

MEET PAULA