Themed Yoga Classes

Saturdays, November 2 – 23, with Janice Meilach
3:00pm-4:15pm, $80/series of 4 classes
 limited enrolment, pre-registration required

The effects of trauma can leave one feeling disconnected from and/or betrayed by the body.

Healing from trauma involves resetting the nervous system and becoming less reactive to your environment. This series of 4 trauma-sensitive classes will offer choices and emphasize self acceptance. You will learn to gradually reclaim your body through breathing, mindful movement and physical postures that can be practised in the safety of your own home.

Tuesdays, November 5 – 26, with John Campbell
8:15pm-9:30pm, $80/4weeks

Yoga nidra is a meditation practice with roots reaching back to the time of the Upanishads. Today, Yoga Nidra is widely used both as a meditation practice and as a therapeutic tool for psychological trauma and distress. Yoga Nidra produces a state of deep relaxation similar to sleep, but in which we remain aware. From this place of stillness, we notice and welcome the comings and goings of different aspects and layers of the self. These aspects/layers (referred to as the “koshas”) include physical sensations in the body, the breath, feelings, emotions, thoughts, beliefs and the sense of the self as separate. Each class in the series will touch on most, if not all, of the koshas; however, there will be an emphasis on a different kosha each week.

Sorry, this series with Shari Stein has been postponed.

From about age 30 onwards, our bones tend to become thinner as a natural result of getting older. Exciting new research shows that yoga is a very effective tool for offsetting some of the potentially negative consequences of this process. This series will focus on particular elements in yoga practice that empower us to maintain and build bone health. Balance, stability, range of movement and awareness will be emphasized, and written handouts summarizing relevant science provided.

Tuesdays, November 12 – December 3, with Della Croteau
4:45pm-6:00pm , $80/series of 4 classes

Learn yoga postures to enhance ease, comfort and fluid movement through all joints of the body, especially those which are stiff and sore. We will concentrate on mobilizing joints where osteoarthritis tends to develop – hips, lower back, knees, fingers and wrists. We will discuss why movement is essential for both healthy and arthritic joints from medical and yoga perspectives. For students of all ages and at any level of practice.

Mondays, November 18 – December 9, with Donna Oliver
5:00pm–6:00pm, $64/series of 4 classes, $20/class

Wuxing Qigong is a beautifully flowing 5 movement set that energizes the five major organ systems via channel stretching so they can retain or regain optimal function. It is a short set, and can be practised daily for health maintenance or self healing.

December 6, January 24, February 28, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 19 with Tama Soble
12:30pm-3:00pm, $35/class

Enjoy the pleasure of deepening your practice by taking time at the end of the week to unwind and revitalize. For students and teachers at every level.

Dec 6 $35.00 CADJan 24 $35.00 CADFeb 28 $35.00 CADMar 27 $35.00 CADApr 24 $35.00 CADMay 29 $35.00 CADJune 19 $35.00 CAD

Sundays, December 15, January 26, March 15, April 26, May 24 with Jigna Fadia
4:15pm-5:15pm, PWYC, $10 minimum donation

Chanting is an integral part of Indian culture and daily chanting is a common practice used to enhance energy and mental focus. In this series we will explore the meaning of each of 14 chants and how they can support us in our daily lives, encouraging relaxation and vitality in body and mind.

Wednesday, January 1 – Friday, January 3, 2020, with Susan Young
11:00am-1:00pm, $65/series of 3 classes or $25/day

Bring in the New Year with a 3-day series combining asana, breath work and meditative practice to prompt deep reflection and inspire positive intentions for the year ahead. Drawing from “The Radiance Sutras” as inspiration for our practice, we will focus on the principles of grounding, breath and elongation of the spine to explore new gateways into the “yoga of wonder and delight”. Open to all levels.

Mondays, January 6 – February 10, with Donna Oliver
5:00pm-6:00pm, $96/series of 6 classes

This lovely set is an old Qigong style from the Wudang Mountains. We will focus on the first 5 moves of the 12 move set, gently stretching and strengthening the tissues and channels for health maintenance, deeper breath, a calm mind and stress reduction. This set can be done sitting or standing.

Thursdays, January 23 – February 13, with Tama Soble
6:15pm-7:30pm, $80/series of 4 classes, pre-registration required

Practise and discuss asana and pranayama techniques that you can use at home or at work to help manage anxiety. Understand the basis for each practice and how it helps re-awaken and re-energize the natural relaxation response moving you toward health and balance.

Mondays, March 2 –April 20, with Donna Oliver
5:00pm-6:00pm, $128/series of 8 classes

Incense Qigong is a 15 movement form that is reported to have tremendous health benefits. This form is a very rare form and superior to the standard forms that are more popular. As the name suggests, some may experience fragrant odours while practicing but not always. Our focus will be on correct body movement and health benefits. There is no use of incense in the class.

Tuesdays, March 3 – 24, with Julia Juhas
8:30am – 9:45am, $80/series of 4 classes

Are your hips and low back stiff from gripping while walking over icy patches and trekking your way through heaps of snow? Then this Hip Releasing Series might be just what you need. In these classes we will focus on releasing tension in and around the hip joints which can help alleviate low back pain, improve range of motion in the hips and pelvis, and give you more confidence in your winter stride.

Rediscover mobility and freedom in the shoulder, neck and thorax

Thursdays, March 5 – 26 with Julia Juhas
6:15pm-7:30pm, $80/series of 4 classes

In the colder months we tend to inadvertently raise the shoulders and squeeze into the upper body to keep ourselves warm. Unfortunately these actions can create tension which restricts blood flow. In this series we’ll explore movements to help increase circulation bringing awareness, release and energy to the shoulder, neck and thorax, and warming us up in the chillier weather.

Thursdays, March 5 – 26, with Julia Juhas
7:45pm-9:00pm, $80/series of 4 classes, $23/class

Practising relaxation, breathing and simple stretches late in the evening can help release tension accumulated over the day or week and result in a peaceful refreshing sleep. Join us for some good nights of yoga.

Saturdays, March 7 – 21, with Shirley Roll
3:00pm-4:15pm, $60/3weeks

Based on mindfulness and the work of Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon, this class series invites you to explore the fun and freeing world of improvisation, incorporating both voice and movement. Come hone your listening skills, your spontaneity and your creativity in supportive and joyous vocal community!  No formal vocal training necessary.

Tuesdays, March 31 – April 21, with Julia Juhas
8:30am-9:45am, $80/series of 4 classes

The Sun is returning! Let’s invigorate the spine as we gently explore and weave together the breath with the movements within Sun Salutation. We’ll take our time basking in the different asanas that create this vitalizing sequence, every week adding a new element. This series is not about how many rounds we do –  rather how we move mindfully from one asana to the next. 

Thursdays, April 16 – May 7, with Monica Voss
6:15pm-7:30pm, $80/series of 4 classes

Inversions are grounding, challenging, and releasing. Touching upon headstand, handstand, forearm balance and shoulder stand, we’ll focus on building our inverted postures from the ground up to stabilize, understand and enjoy the experience of being upside down. Bring your questions. Open to all!

Thursdays, April 16 – May 7 , with Monica Voss
7:45pm – 9:00pm, $80/series of 4 classes

Take time just to breathe. These classes include basic breathing exercises (pranayama) and a variety of breath awareness, relaxation and meditation techniques as well as Q&A and discussion. All are welcome.

Tuesdays, March 10 – 31, with Janice Meilach
8:15pm – 9:30pm, $80/series of 4 classes, limited enrolment, pre-registration required

The effects of trauma can leave one feeling disconnected from and/or betrayed by the body.

Healing from trauma involves resetting the nervous system and becoming less reactive to your environment. This series of 4 trauma-sensitive classes will offer choices and emphasize self acceptance. You will learn to gradually reclaim your body through breathing, mindful movement and physical postures that can be practised in the safety of your own home.