Welcome to spring and the spring term of classes, workshops and retreats running between Monday, April 1 - Friday, June 28. Contact us for information at or 416 944 0838. Now you can check us out on Facebook, too!
At Esther Myers Yoga Studio, you may drop into any class at any time or attend a specific class for the term. We offer a wide range of classes, workshops and intensives in Toronto, as well as teacher development and yoga retreats in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and the U.S. We organize international yoga retreats with a TICO-registered travel agent to locations in the U.K., Tobago, Mexico, Italy, Iceland, and India. Everyone is welcome!
Our Approach to Yoga
Our approach to yoga is deeply reflective and student centred. We describe it as Thinking Body Yoga: yoga that is practised slowly, intelligently and safely with the guidance of highly trained teachers who have a thorough understanding of anatomy and natural movement potential. As you explore, you will experience greater independence, pleasure and ease in the body, and the joy of discovering how you can move toward a healthy, relaxed and energetic state of body and mind by yourself, anytime, anywhere.
Mark Your Calendars
Heart and Stroke Heartsaver AED CPR Level C with Vera Stambolic, May 31, 12pm-3:30pm
The Power of Touch, a Hands-on Assisting Weekend for Yoga Teachers with Tama Soble and Monica Voss, June 8-9
Annual Book, CD and DVD Sale, June 9, 9am-3pm, in the parking lot of 390 Dupont St. Proceeds to Sistering.
Open House for the 750 Hour Teacher Training Programme with Monica Voss and Tama Soble, June 12, 6pm-7:30pm
Yoga Teacher Training in Toronto
Our highly regarded 750-hour Yoga Teacher Training Programme in Toronto is appropriate for individuals interested in becoming yoga teachers, for teachers wishing to upgrade their skills, and for students looking to expand and deepen their understanding and practice. A new group will form in October, 2013. For full information read about our Teacher Training. Long distance study is possible. Please direct enquiries to Tama Soble, , 416 944 0838 x1.
Open House for the Teacher Training Programme, Wednesday, June 12, 6pm-7:30pm. All welcome.
Esther Myers Yoga Studio is a Registered Educational Institution. Students enrolled in our Teacher Training Programme receive an official tuition fee receipt (T2202A) which can be used when filing personal income taxes.
NEW! A 250-hour Graduate Teacher Training Programme, launched in 2011 is for teachers interested in deepening their understanding of a chosen aspect of yoga or a particular student population through independent research and study. Begin the mentored programme when you are ready. Contact Monica Voss, , 416 944 0838 x2 for more information.
Yoga Retreats
Retreats away from home become an important entry into a regular yoga practice for some and a consolidation of experience for others.
In July of 2011, Monica Voss and Tama Soble embarked on a new adventure – a first yoga retreat in Europe – and Tama returned last May! A third Italian adventure with Tama is scheduled for May 21-28. Dates for 2014 are May 11-18. Please enquire for details. Puglia (southern Italy near Brindisi) is a relatively little known area, culturally unique with wonderful food and unusual architecture (www.larosadei4venti.org). Excursions to the stunning white hillside town of Ostuni, to Lecce with its romanesque architecture, and to the Unesco World Heritage site of Matera are part of the cultural experience. Italy is a destination steeped in history and sensory pleasures.
This summer, Monica will be returning to Iceland, a country sometimes described as “other-worldly”. Experience geysers, waterfalls, treeless mountains, hot springs, and lava fields. In Iceland, a troll or elf sighting is a real possibility. Prepare to be entranced! (Sold out in 2012.) Dates are July 2-10 (www.frostogfuni.is).
If you are looking ahead to a November destination, Monica is planning a two week trip to Northern India. Dates are November 12-26 and location is Basunti Lodge located south of Dharamsala/McLeod Ganj, and east of Amritsar (www.basunti.com). You can easily expand your time before and/or after the scheduled retreat.
Embedded in the middle of winter is the annual yoga holiday in Tobago, mellow and gorgeous, with yoga practice taking place on a teak-floored ajoupa inaugurated by H H the Dalai Lama in 2001. Consider joining Monica Voss next year for the 13th anniversary of this wonderful event over the week of February 15-23, 2014 (www.kariwak.com).
Looking further ahead to fall, 2014, consider a visit to the ancient valley of Oaxaca and steep yourself in the creative, joyous environment that exists in central Mexico, far away from the tourist beaches. Join Monica Voss on her tenth retreat to the lovely colonial city of Oaxaca (www.hotelazucenas.com) and its beautiful surroundings, for yoga, hiking, horse-back riding, market-going, museum-hopping and immersion in a varied and fascinating culture! Dates TBA.
Come along on an adventure, challenge your views of yourself and the world and enjoy the tremendous pleasure of practising yoga in some of the most beautiful and stimulating destinations on our wonderful planet (click on Retreats).
Community Events and Fundraising
Our annual fund-raising event - a Used Book, CD, and DVD Sale – will be held Sunday, June 9. We will be accepting books, CDs and DVDs beginning the week of May 27. Proceeds will go to Sistering, a local charity supporting immigrant women. Last year, with tremendous help from the community, we gathered almost $1500 for The Willow Centre Child and Family Foundation which helps make it possible for children and families to access needed psychological care (www.thewillowcentre.com/foundation). Thank you for your generous contributions.
We hosted our first annual Holiday Art and Craft Group Show and Sale on Saturday, December 8. As we entered the colder and darker months and headed into the holiday season, it was uplifting and enjoyable to view, discuss and purchase art work in a relaxed venue with local artists present. There were paintings, jewellery, textile art, handcrafted meditation cushions, ceramics and multi-media creations. Henna tattoos, too! 10% of proceeds went to Second Harvest (secondharvest.ca), approximately $650. To be repeated…Thank you, all!
Amnesty International holds an annual Yoga Day. Proceeds from all three classes that day will benefit Amnesty. We were pleased to be able to contribute almost $750 this year on Saturday, April 27.
Thank you for helping raise funds for this important organization in their work supporting and promoting human rights (www.amnesty.ca/yogaday).
Our History
March 2009 marked the 30th anniversary of Esther Myers Yoga Studio! We are grateful for the ongoing commitment of our vibrant community of students and teachers as we enter our 35th year. Deep heartfelt thanks to Esther Myers (1947-2004) for the intelligent compassionate path of enquiry she blazed for us all.
