The Studio is open for in-person classes. Enrolment is limited to 12 participants with online advanced bookings only. Registration is required. Sorry, we cannot accept drop-ins or provide refunds or credit.
In light of the province’s most recent announcements regarding proof of vaccination and mask mandates, the Studio plans to proceed with caution and monitor the recommendations of medical and scientific experts throughout the month of May and reassess in June. We will continue to require proof of vaccination and the wearing of masks while at the Studio.
If you are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, take care of yourself and come back to the Studio when you are recovered. If you are not fully vaccinated, for everyone’s safety, join us for online classes.
We will continue to offer a range of online classes, workshops, and Teacher Training on Zoom. And we hope you use and enjoy our pre-recorded Home Practice audios and videos.
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.
Themed Classes explore unique topics through yoga, meditation, qi gong, and other creative offerings over a single class, a week or a few weeks on Zoom or at our Studio in downtown Toronto.
Themed Yoga Classes Online and In Person
Tiger Qi Gong
Mondays, April 4 – May 30, with Donna Oliver, 5:00pm-6:00pm, $128/series of 8 classes, $20/class
at the Studio
Four Tiger Movements to loosen the body, massage the internal organs and keep the Qi flowing. Very good workout for the whole body and mind.
Exploring the Vitality and Flow of your Muscles
Monday, May 16 – Friday, May 20, with Mariko Tanabe, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Discover how your muscles create your postural tone and function as a sense organ through all your actions. Explore your muscles through the framework of fascia, ligaments, tendons and bones and the underpinnings of their embryological development to find more ease through your whole body. Through gravity, space, and the inner realms of your movement, we will explore how muscles work, empowering us and expressing our aspirations each moment. All are welcome to participate at their own level of comfort and experience.
Photo by Tabitha Turner
Mariko Tanabe is a Certified Teacher of Body-Mind Centering® and the director of the licensed BMCsm training program in Montreal.
Hips are Key!
Monday, May 23 – Friday May 27, with Della Croteau, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/wk, $23/class
on Zoom
As summer approaches, we look forward to more and more activity, and healthy hips are key to our mobility and ease of movement. We will practise and explore hip openers as well as yoga postures which relieve tension in the lower back and legs. Whether you are walking, gardening, riding your bike (or sitting at your desk), your hip joints will love this morning series!
photo by Jasmin Chew
Balancing Movement and Stillness
Monday, May 30 – Friday, June 3, with Tama Soble, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
As human beings we need both movement and stillness to balance body, mind and soul. We will use movement sequences, familiar and new to energize, ease and nurture. After each movement exploration we will rest in stillness and awareness. The temporal balance between these two states is different for each individual. There will be the opportunity to explore our personal relationship between activity and quiet, exuberance and rest, reaching outward and inward throughout the week.
painting by Matthew Wong
Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra
Monday, June 6 – Friday, June 10, with John Campbell, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
A morning practice – pranayama, guided and silent sitting meditation, finishing with yoga nidra. Start your day here, right here. Energized, grounded, present, free, easy, infinite capacity. Everyone is welcome – both those new to meditation and experienced meditators.
Contemplation image courtesy of Sarah Hunter
Animal Frolic Qi Gong
Mondays, June 6 – July 25, with Donna Oliver, 5:00pm-6:00pm, $128/series of 8 classes, $20/class
at the Studio
The Tiger, Bear, Deer, Monkey and Crane have ways of moving that can benefit humans! Your Kidneys, Spleen, Liver and Heart will love you for learning this set that can add some fun to your day. It’s a great workout too!
Image by Katie Jung
Friday Intensives
June 10, July 8 with Tama Soble, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $30/class, included in unlimited passes
on Zoom
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.
“I really enjoyed your Friday Intensive yesterday. I look forward to your monthly classes and love the way you lead up to the theme, gradually encouraging us to open our rib cage as yesterday. I always leave inspired and encouraged in my ability to move into poses with more ease and comfort.” SM
Awaken the Shoulder Girdle
Monday, June 13 – Friday, June 17, with Julia Juhas, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Although the shoulder girdle is brilliantly designed to be extremely mobile, more often than not, it feels the opposite due to the weight of the world we carry on our shoulders. Why not lighten the load? Let’s rediscover shoulder mobility through the exploration of movement of the bones and soft tissue that make up the shoulder girdle and how these movements impact the spine.
“I enjoyed ‘Awaken the Shoulder Girdle’ with Julia Juhas. I learned a lot about shoulders and mine have never felt so released and relaxed! The class was a perfect blend of information, instruction, and helpful feedback in a safe and friendly space. ” Jan Fleming
“If, like me, you’re recovering from the fatigue of a respiratory infection, attend (Awaken the Shoulder Girdle) with Julia Juhas. The focus on the shoulder blades, especially, helped open my torso and I have been able to breathe more deeply and come off the mat more energized as a result.” Candace S
The Upper Part: an exploration of the thoracic spine and neck and their response to gravity
Monday, June 20 – Friday, June 24, with Monica Voss, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Many of us have spent years releasing the lower spine, pelvis, legs and feet onto, then into the ground, learning to go with the pull of gravity towards the centre of the earth and accept support. Gravity is unconditional, continuous and unchanging, as far as we know.
Gravity is also pulsating – like the universe itself – and acts in an upward surge, causing an updraft, upswing, rebound, or simply the other half of the downward force. This is the energy that holds the earth in its orbit. The opposite movement, away from the ground when we’re vertical is a little more difficult to access, yet it is tangible, visible and palpable.
We’ll use relaxation, breathing practice, stretching and yoga postures to release, warm, stimulate and experience not only rooting the lower body, but expanding and blossoming through the upper part.
Image: Small Yellow by Wassily Kandinsky
Yoga Exercises for Our Brains
Monday, June 27 – Friday, July 1, with Mar Jean Olson, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Let’s help our brains stay healthy. In this series, we’ll begin with a brief diagnostic tool, followed by some simple stretches, and then proceed to brain training exercises. We’ll all benefit from incorporating these into our yoga practice and our daily lives.
Walking the High Park Labyrinth
Wednesday, June 29 and Thursday, August 11, with Monica Voss, 10:00am-11:30am, no charge
field trips
Walking a labyrinth increases focus and concentration. As we walk in contemplation, we pay more attention to our breathing and our thoughts and sometimes the less helpful thoughts decrease and by the end, the mind feels refreshed.
Those taking public transit will meet outside the High Park Subway Station (toward High Park Av.) at 9:30am and walk to the Labyrinth together. If you are travelling by car enter the park from Bloor Street West (not the Queensway) and follow the road to the Grenadier Restaurant parking lot. Let’s convene just outside the entrance to the Restaurant at 10:00am.
Please register for this event. You will be contacted by email by 8:30am should we have to cancel due to inclement weather.
Releasing into Supple Stability
Monday, July 4 – Friday, July 8, with Dawn Barratt, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
This series will set a resilient tone for each day by generating supple bodily stability through practice of grounding, breathing, and ease while stretching, moving, and strengthening. Students will nurture ease and breath in practices that release and stabilize the body and thus support a resilient spine throughout the day.
Finding balance between movement and stillness
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15, with Paola di Paolo, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Inspired by this time of year when nature’s energy is cresting, we will explore a sense of suspension in yoga postures where we find balance between movement and stillness. While we practise yoga together, we are invited to embody the postures in our own way through our connection to the ground and our breath.
Paola di Paolo is certified through Esther Myers Yoga Studio and 3HO. She teaches Kundalini yoga and Hatha yoga.
Yoga and Ravine Hikes
Monday, July 11 and Friday, August 5, with Tama Soble
9:00am-11:30am, PWYC
field trips
Take your yoga outdoors. Feel the ground underneath your feet and allow nature to enliven your practice. Please pack a water bottle and bring a yoga mat.
We will meet outside the Heath Street exit of the St. Clair West Subway Station at 8:45am.
For more information email: tama@estheryoga.com
You will be contacted by email by 7:15am should we have to cancel due to inclement weather.
Breath Essentials
Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29, with Monica Voss, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
There are only four breath essentials: inhale, exhale, pause, and repeat. Breath practice is healthy; it’s a technique for focusing the mind; and it helps us adult humans feel, understand and accept that everything’s in continual flux.
Over the week, we’ll explore relaxation, a bit about how and where we breathe, gentle movement and hands-on, stretching, posture, pranayama, bandhas, mudras, and sound.
Perfect for midsummer mornings! Please bring your questions. All welcome.
Image: Summer Clouds by Tom Thomson
A Summer Day of Yoga
Sunday, August 7, with Monica Voss, 10:30am–3:00pm ET, $60/full day, $30/half day, sliding scale available, included in your unlimited at the Studio.
morning only: 10:30am-12:30pm, afternoon only: 1:30pm-3:00pm
on Zoom
Take a day to celebrate breath, relaxation and natural movement as the sun glows warm, the gardens ripen and the crickets begin their evening chirruping. Bring shiny summer freshness into your body and heart with yoga. Everyone is welcome.