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 (16 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-ins. Credit 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.
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
Hunyuan QiGong
Mondays, October 7, 21, 28 November 4, 11, 18 with Donna Oliver, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, $144/8 classes, $21/class
at the Studio
This is an easy to learn set of 10 meditative movements that uses focus and concentration to awaken and develop the original (Yuan) essential primordial life energy “Hun” contained in the bodies 3 energy centres. Balancing Body, Emotion and Spirit leading to peace and clarity.
Standing or sitting practice as you wish.
Awaken the Shoulder Girdle
Monday, October 7 – Friday, October 11, 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 affect the spine.
“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
“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
Image: Kirsten Flagstad as Brunnhilde
Walking into Winter
Tuesday, October 15 – Friday, October 18, with Della Croteau, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $80/wk, $23/class *no class on Mon Oct 14
on Zoom
Join us for yoga with some winter walking in mind! This series will focus on hip joints, knees, ankles and feet for stable walking and releasing tension in your shoulders, which tend to tighten as the weather gets colder.
Image: A thousand mile journey begins with the first step, Shaolin Temple, Henan, China, 2002
Friday Intensives
October 18, December 13, with Tama Soble, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $30/class, included in unlimited passes, *November 15 will be held in Studio
on Zoom
November 15, with Tama Soble, 1:00pm-3:00pm, $30/class, included in unlimited passes,
In Studio
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
Practising yoga to regulate the nervous system
Monday, October 21–Friday, October 25, with Shirley Roll, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Everything about practising yoga touches our nervous system, from grounding, breathing and even elongating the spine, to interoception, proprioception and our awareness of the world around us. In this series, we will learn how our yoga practice alters the activation of the various pathways of our nervous system – the sympathetic or spinal chain and the dorsal and ventral branches of the vagus nerve. The resulting balance of that activation affects our sense of wellbeing and that of those around us. Let’s practise together, exploring how these elements influence our energy, our resilience, our mood, our thinking and our feelings about ourselves and others.
Exploring Early Developmental Movement Patterns with Body-Mind Centering®
Monday, October 28 – Friday, November 1, with Mariko Tanabe, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
In the womb, our bodies created their primordial form through the dynamic stages of embryological development. It is a potent period of growth and metamorphosis. Structures arise, disappear, or are transformed as we then develop through fetal life. After birth, we pass through the developmental movement patterns that enable us to move upon the earth, to crawl, to stand and walk on our own two feet. These early imprints, and the archaic movement patterns that unfold set the foundational patterns that make up of our movement, our perceptions and primary relationships. Exploring these patterns now can bring greater efficiency, power and joy to your movement.
There will be discussion, directed movement, meditation and time for personal exploration. Everyone is welcome to participate at their own level of comfort and experience.
Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra
Monday, November 4 – Friday, November 8, 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.
Releasing the Spine: Accessing Freedom and Energy
Monday, November 11 – Friday, November 15, with Tama Soble, 8:00am – 9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Lying at the core of the body, the spine is strong, flexible, and at times elusive. Focus on spinal release is a basic principle of our approach to yoga. It is also a moving meditation, an anatomical journey, and a joy. Let’s spend a week exploring the myriad ways we can free the spine, and enjoy the effect on body, mind and spirit.
Exploring our Joints
Monday, November 18 – Friday, November 22, with Della Croteau, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
This week, we will concentrate on yoga postures that enhance ease, comfort and fluid movement throughout all joints of the body, especially those which are stiff and sore in the morning, where osteoarthritis tends to develop – lower back, hip joints, knees, fingers and wrists. Join us! For students of all ages and at any level of practice.
Mudras
Monday, November 25 – Friday, November 29, with Monica Voss, 8:00am-9:15am ET, $100/week, $23/class
on Zoom
Mudra is often translated as ‘seal’ and it manifests when we touch one part of the body literally to another, for example, finger to finger, hand to foot, and also figuratively – mind to breath, breath to spine. The term implies a circle, interconnectedness and interdependence. Practising circulation exercises is life-affirming and offers us again and again, another chance, a new opportunity to become aware.
Image: Some Butterflies, Jack Goldstein, 1975
Wu Xing (5 Elements) Dao Yin QiGong
Mondays, November 25, December 2, 9, 16, with Donna Oliver, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, $72/4 classes, $21/class
at the Studio
Your body has 5 major organs that must function fully for optimum health. These organs have a relationship to 5 earth elements. This beautiful flowing set will open the channels and meridians to invigorate the 5 major organs to achieve optimum health. Dao Yin stretching regulates and encourages the correct movement of energy.
Usually a standing practice, it can be modified in a chair to accommodate physical ability.