The Vipassana.ca Team
Yogi. Meditator. Founder.
Artem Rusinov
My name is Artem Rusinov, and I am from Ukraine. I grew up in an ordinary family: my father was a musician in a symphonic orchestra, and my mother was an educator. It may seem simple, but my life was filled with spiritual quests from an early age. I encountered various beliefs, from Krishnaism to Orthodox traditions, and I visited temples, but I didn’t pay much attention to these events at that time. However, deep inside, I always sensed that there was something more, something to be discovered. This feeling constantly urged me towards growth, seeking new knowledge and experiences.
My education began in school, where I participated in sports and attended many clubs. My next step was a music school, followed by studies at pedagogical and economic institutes. I also earned an MBA. All of these stages were important for my development, but at the same time, I felt a need for something more: a deeper understanding of life and the world.
After finishing my studies, I decided to serve in the special forces. This experience helped me develop discipline, resilience, and inner strength. Afterward, I worked as a top manager in the largest companies in Ukraine and Central Asiа, which brought me external success. However, despite these achievements, I realized that material success is not the true source of happiness. During one of my ten-day Vipassana, I found what I had been searching for my entire life. It was something indestructible, something that cannot be taken away but can always be developed.
For me, yoga is not just physical exercises or poses. It is the path to unity with existence, a state of experience where you see reality as it truly is. The word “yoga” literally means “union,” reflecting the connection of all things: what we inhale and exhale is part of an ongoing exchange with the world around us. Modern science confirms that every particle of our body interacts with everything in the world. Yoga allows us to feel this unity on a deeply personal level.
Today, I am a certified yoga instructor and a member of the International Yoga Federation and the American Yoga Alliance.
I conduct retreats in Vipassana and teach people the path to deep inner transformation. My journey invites me to discover myself and the world beyond material boundaries. I invite you to explore this path with me, where yoga becomes more than just a practice — it becomes a way of seeing and experiencing the unity of all existence.
Yogi & Meditator
Valerii Bandurko
Yoga entered my life about eight years ago through back pain. At first, it was simply a physical practice that helped me support my body, but over time, I realized that yoga is something much deeper. It’s a path to oneself, to inner peace, and to understanding who we truly are.
Alongside yoga, meditation gradually became an essential part of my daily life. Through consistent practice, I discovered how awareness and silence can transform not only the mind but also the way we experience every moment. Meditation teaches me presence, patience, and the ability to meet life’s challenges with balance and clarity.
I explored many different practices — from holotropic breathwork to shamanic rituals — but the most profound impact came from Vipassana. Seemingly simple, yet incredibly deep, it helped me discover silence and the center within. I began with 3-day retreats and eventually attended 10-day immersions.
I never planned to become a teacher, but after a one-day retreat with Artem in the fall of 2024, everything changed. Artem inspired me to take a new step (for which I’m deeply grateful). Today, I am a certified yoga instructor and help develop the Vipassana.ca community.
Yogi & Sound Healing Meditator
Julia Milway
My yoga journey began five years ago, and over time it grew into a deeper exploration of body, breath, and energy. Later, I trained in therapeutic sound healing with Anastasiia Shtulnikova in Ukraine, learning how vibration and frequency can support emotional release and inner harmony.
In my practice, I combine mindful awareness, conscious breathing, and sound — using Tibetan singing bowls and other instruments — to help clear heaviness, elevate energy, and activate the body’s natural healing process.
I love creating calm, grounded spaces where people can reconnect with stillness and presence. At Vipassana.ca, I guide sound meditations and support our Vipassana-inspired retreats.
For me, each session is a journey — from sound to silence, from movement to stillness, from outer awareness to the quiet space within
Certificates
Have any questions?
Feel free to contact us! We’re here to answer your questions about Vipassana meditation, upcoming courses, or how to start your journey. Contact us for guidance, support, or to learn more about how Vipassana can bring peace and clarity to your life.