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About us

About Vipassana.ca

We are Artem Rusinov and Valerii Bandurko, two yoga and meditation teachers in Alberta. Through Vipassana.ca we lead one-day retreats in Edmonton and Calgary, 3-day silent retreats in a monastery, a 10-day Vipassana course online and free yoga days, along with many other events throughout the year, from yoga nidra evenings to yoga classes.

  • 10+years of practice
  • 60+retreats held
  • 520+participants
  • 33Google reviews ★5.0
Artem Rusinov with a Tibetan singing bowl and Valerii Bandurko with a yoga mat, the teachers of Vipassana.ca, outdoors in Alberta
Artem and Valerii

Our story

Two teachers, one simple practice

Both of us came to Vipassana after years of looking elsewhere: books, breathwork, ceremonies, success at work. What finally held was the simplest thing: sitting still and observing the breath and the body exactly as they are.

Artem found it during a ten-day Vipassana course and began teaching yoga and meditation in Edmonton. Valerii came through yoga, then 3-day and 10-day retreats, and after a one-day retreat with Artem in the fall of 2024 started teaching alongside him in Calgary. Vipassana.ca grew out of that partnership: a place in Alberta to learn this practice properly, close to home.

Valerii Bandurko and Artem Rusinov leading a sound bath: singing bowls played around a participant standing in a large bowl
Artem and Valerii during a sound bath at one of our events

How we teach

Vipassana, taught simply and properly

Mahāsi Sayadaw tradition

We teach Vipassana by noting what arises as it arises, combined with gentle hatha yoga, Kriya yoga, pranayama and sound.

Every session guided aloud

You are never left to figure it out alone: each practice is guided out loud, step by step.

Small groups, no experience needed

Groups stay small so the teachers can see everyone. Complete beginners are welcome.

Attention, not religion

Vipassana is a technique of attention, not a religion. People of every background practise with us.

Who guides you

The teachers

Artem Rusinov, founder of Vipassana.ca, yoga and meditation teacher in Edmonton

“Something that cannot be taken away but can always be developed.”

Artem

Artem Rusinov

Yogi · Meditator · Founder

From the special forces and top management to the meditation cushion: on a ten-day Vipassana course Artem found what he had been searching for his entire life.

I am from Ukraine and grew up in an ordinary family: my father was a musician in a symphony orchestra, my mother an educator. Spiritual questions were around me from an early age. I met many traditions, from Krishnaism to Orthodox Christianity, and visited many temples without paying them much attention. Yet deep inside I always sensed there was something more to discover.

Read Artem’s full story

School, sports, music school, pedagogical and economic institutes and an MBA. After my studies I served in the special forces, which taught me discipline, resilience and inner strength. Later I worked as a top manager in some of the largest companies in Ukraine and Central Asia. It brought external success, and the clear understanding that material success is not the true source of happiness. During one of my ten-day Vipassana courses I found what I had been searching for my entire life: something that cannot be taken away but can always be developed.

For me, yoga is not just physical exercise. It is the path to unity with existence, to seeing reality as it truly is. Today I lead Vipassana retreats and teach the path of deep inner transformation, and I invite you to explore it with me.

Credentials · tap a certificate to enlarge itCertified yoga instructor · registered with Yoga Alliance · member of the International Yoga Federation · meditation teacher certificate

Valerii Bandurko, co-founder of Vipassana.ca, yoga and meditation teacher in Calgary

“Seemingly simple, yet incredibly deep, it helped me discover silence and the centre within.”

Valerii

Valerii Bandurko

Co-founder · Retreat coordinator

Came to yoga through back pain and to Vipassana through 3-day and 10-day retreats; teaching alongside Artem since the fall of 2024: the one-day retreat in Calgary and the 3-day silent retreats.

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 realised yoga is much deeper: a path to oneself, to inner peace, and to understanding who we truly are. Alongside it, meditation became part of my daily life and taught me presence, patience and balance.

Read Valerii’s full story

I explored many 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 centre within. I began with 3-day retreats and eventually attended 10-day immersions.

I never planned to become a teacher. After a one-day retreat with Artem in the fall of 2024 everything changed, and I am deeply grateful to him for that step. Today I lead the one-day retreat in Calgary and, together with Artem, the 3-day silent retreats at Gull Lake and Mount St. Francis, help grow the Vipassana.ca community and write for our blog.

Credentials · tap a certificate to enlarge itCertified yoga instructor · registered with Yoga Alliance · member of the International Yoga Federation · Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED level C

Real voices

What participants say about the teachers

Rated 5.0 on Google
★★★★★

Wonderful experience

“I had a wonderful experience during the 3-day Vipassana retreat with teachers Artem Rusinov and Valerii Bandurko. The retreat was peaceful, well organized, and very meaningful. Both teachers explained the practices clearly and guided us with patience and kindness. I really appreciated their knowledge, support, and calm approach throughout the retreat. The combination of meditation, silence, yoga, and mindfulness gave me a chance to disconnect from daily life and spend time focusing on myself. I’m very grateful to Artem and Valerii for their guidance and to everyone involved in organizing the retreat. I would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone who wants to learn meditation, find inner peace, and take some time for themselves. Thank you for such a beautiful experience! 🙏”
Sourav K. 3-day Vipassana retreat · Google review
★★★★★

Life changing!

“Meditating and practicing yoga every day. Mindful eating and vegetarian meals on a daily basis. Artem and Valeri are amazing, thank you so much!”
Woo H. Silent retreat · Google review
★★★★★

Incredibly rewarding

“The 3 day Vipassana retreats I have attended have been incredibly rewarding. Artem and Valerii are highly skilled facilitators. They have helped me elevate my yoga practice and tap into an inner power I was not aware of. I look forward to attending many more retreats in the future.”
Mitchell G. 3-day Vipassana retreats · Google review

Moments

What our retreats look like

Participants wrapped in blankets for the evening sit at Mount St. Francis
Artem setting up the singing bowls for the sound bath
Sunset through the pines at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre
Shared vegetarian meal in silence during the retreat

Common questions

Questions

Who runs Vipassana.ca?

Two teachers: Artem Rusinov, the founder, who teaches in Edmonton, and Valerii Bandurko, co-founder and retreat coordinator, who leads the one-day retreat in Calgary and co-leads the 3-day silent retreats. Together they lead every retreat and course.

Are the teachers certified?

Yes. Both are certified yoga instructors registered with Yoga Alliance and members of the International Yoga Federation. Artem also holds a meditation teacher certificate, and Valerii holds a Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED level C certificate. The certificates are shown with each teacher above.

Is this the Goenka course (dhamma.org)?

No. Vipassana.ca is an independent community. We teach Vipassana in the Mahāsi Sayadaw tradition, and our retreats are our own programmes, shorter and more gently paced than the 10-day Goenka courses.

I have never meditated. Where should I start?

Most people start with the one-day retreat in Edmonton or Calgary and go home the same evening. If you are unsure, write to life@vipassana.ca and we will tell you honestly which format fits.