Yoga Workshops for Everyone

We’ll offer a range of classes, workshops, and Teacher Training and special events on Zoom in 2024 as well as teaching live in the Studio (14 participants). Practising online and in person is meaningful in different ways and we hope you’ll enjoy either or both. Thank you for your continuing support in these uncertain times. And we hope you use and enjoy our pre-recorded Home Practice audios and videos.

The Studio is open for in-person classes with online advanced bookings and payment in advance only.  The preferred payment method is by e-transfer to info@estheryoga.com. Sorry, we cannot accept drop-insCredit is available with 24 hours cancellation ONLY.

Please check this space for updates or send us an email if you have questions. Take good care – we look forward to welcoming you back to the Studio.

Esther Myers Yoga Studio offers yoga workshops in Toronto. Each workshop is unique and allows you to focus on a specific theme. Please register in advance.

Toronto Workshops at Esther Myers Yoga Studio

Liberation on the Spot

Liberation on the Spot

Friday, March 22, with Edward Brown, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $45, sliding scale available
on Zoom

‘You’re perfect just the way you are.’   – Suzuki Roshi

Growing up in our culture, we have learned to sit still, be quiet, listen to what we’re told and follow directions. Has it been any different with spiritual practice, meditation or yoga?

Have you heard any of these instructions? ‘If you meditate the way we say, you’ll become more relaxed, aware, and loving.’ Or, ‘You’ll handle things more successfully if you’re not so stressed.’  Or, ‘Learn better ways to manage your mind and life will turn out more to your liking!’  

Buddhist teaching forthrightly points out that ‘you’ are not the problem – things are like this. It’s called the First Noble Truth: Phenomena cannot be controlled or managed. It’s not your fault.

Now what?  If we are not in the Mind Management business of becoming more spiritual, what else is there?

Liberation! And what would that be like? In this workshop, let’s look into opening intuition, acknowledging the inmost request, expanding poetic imagination.

In the context of sitting meditation, chi gong, talks, poetry, Q & A, we’ll be in-formed from within, instead of instructed from outside.

Open House for Yoga in Eastern Algarve, Portugal, October 15-23, 2024

Open House for Yoga in Eastern Algarve, Portugal, October 15-23, 2024

Saturday, March 23, with Monica Voss, 1:00pm, ET, RSVP
on Zoom

Portugal is a very attractive and accessible European destination – it’s a friendly society with a love of beauty, and a wide range of geography, historical sites, art, music and cultural festivities. The weather in October is usually warm and sunny and the food is simple and fresh.

Our retreat will take place in Olhao (pronounced Olneow), a lively fishing town in the eastern Algarve. With its white, white walls against the pure blue sky, Convento is a little bit of Casablanca. It’s magical, a Moorish-style house with airy bedrooms fitted out in local marble set around a courtyard. There are shady indoor terraces, a library, a small pool and two miradouros (lookouts) on the roof.

Ferries, water taxis and a little train are available to take us to the glorious long empty island beaches of Culatra, Armona and Ilha Deserta. We’ll swim in the Atlantic, stroll the seafront, poke around the little streets and thriving markets and visit the historic towns of Faro to the west and Tavira to the east.

* The retreat begins on Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00pm.

Visit www.conventoolhao.com for more information and photos.

ALL WELCOME! RSVP. For more information check our website: https://www.estheryoga.com/events/yoga-in-portugal/ or contact Monica Voss: monica@estheryoga.com.

Awakening the Spine

Awakening the Spine

Sunday, March 24, with Monica Voss,
10:00am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:00pm ET, Full day/$90, Half day/$50
on Zoom

Spend a full day exploring all aspects of the spine – its anatomy, connection to the breath, energy, movement and texture and the imagery that has traditionally supported it. Each segment of the workshop will focus on two neurological movements of the spine and the yoga postures that pertain to and illustrate it, as follows:

Sunday am, Flexion and extension/Backbends and Forward bends
Sunday pm, Spinal rotation and lateral bending/Twists and Side stretching

Image: Plant detail by Sonya Noskowiak

Waiting for Spring: a Day of Yoga

Waiting for Spring: a Day of Yoga

Sunday, April 7, with Monica Voss, 10:30am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-3:00pm ET, $60/full day, $30/half day, included in your unlimited at the Studio, sliding scale available
on Zoom

Together, let’s ready ourselves for spring. We’ll prepare our mind garden with relaxation and visualization, pranayama and meditation; nourish roots with foot and leg stretches; begin to open shoulder and arm branches to the sunlight; and blossom with hopes and plans while freeing the spine. Our energy, like Nature’s yearly miracle, will return!

Teacher trainees, teachers, experienced practitioners, interested beginners – all are welcome. Bring your questions and reflections.

Image: Gardening, Natalia Goncharova, 1908

The quality of steadiness

The quality of steadiness

Friday, April 12, with Peter Blackaby, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $45
on Zoom

There is a lot of talk about strength these days particularly as we age.  It is true that without enough strength we cannot carry out our tasks. But beyond that, there is the question of how we steady ourselves in life. This is more than brawn, it is about how we become steadfast when we need to be – not to buckle but also not to stiffen. 

This class will look at what we actually need muscle for. We will explore function and, importantly, how we become steady in life.

Image: Dorothea Lange, Man Stepping from Cable Car, 1956

Peter Blackaby

Pete Blackaby is a yoga teacher and osteopath based in Brighton, UK, and the author of the book, Intelligent Yoga. His outlook and approach encompass the complex relationship among things and the way perception influences everything.

Return to Inversions

Return to Inversions

Sunday, April 14, with Monica Voss, 2:30pm-4:30pm, $40
at the Studio

Returning to inverted postures after the pandemic requires time and patience and moral and physical support. It will be easier with a repertoire of preparatory stretches and active breathing techniques. But better still, if we practise in person together. 

Please join this session – even if inversions are beyond your grasp at the moment – to increase upper body fluidity and gain confidence weight bearing through your wrists, arms and shoulders. This workshop will include spinal release, breath practice and relaxation. All are welcome!

Image: Headstand:1912 Scott Antarctic expedition, Herbert Ponting

Introduction to the Yamas and Niyamas

Introduction to the Yamas and Niyamas

Sunday, April 21, with Ana Bodnar, 11:00am-1:00pm ET, $40
on Zoom

In this workshop, we will review the Yamas and Niyamas as they are outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and then reflect on them using various translations, including a commentary from a women’s, heart-centred perspective. We will discuss how the Yamas and Niyamas continue to be vibrant and relevant in our current times, and how importantly they apply as guidelines for our teaching and our lives.

Please bring your translation to class along with a pen and notebook.

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