Yoga Workshops for Everyone

Friday, July 30, with Peter Blackaby
1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $45

It is a truism that we are creatures of habit. It is estimated that almost 95 percent of our everyday behaviour is automated and this is for a very good reason – it is economical. The ability to form habits is deeply helpful whether it be habits of the body or habits of behaviour – having to think of everything as though it were the first time, every time, would be exhausting.

There is a problem, however, and it is this: Habits form in particular settings, and settings tend to change over time, and we change over time so habits can become out of date. When this occurs, they no longer serve us as they once did and as a result, we may feel either physically or emotionally unwell.

Peter Blackaby is a yoga teacher and osteopath based in Brighton, UK, and the author of the book, Intelligent Yoga…

Friday, June 18, with Tama Soble
9:00am-11:30am, PWYC

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

Registration is limited to 9 students.

Saturday, June 19 – Sunday, June 20 with Monica Voss and Tama Soble
Saturday, 1:30pm-4:00pm ET, Sunday, 10:00am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4:00pm ET
$165/full workshop, $60/per session

Spend a weekend 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 of the three segments of the workshop will focus on a particular neurological movement of the spine and the yoga postures that pertain to and illustrate it, as follows:

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

To tease out our previous knowledge of the spine and assimilate new ideas, we’ll use lecture, asana, discussion, breathing practice, relaxation techniques and meditation. 

Saturday, June 19, with Julia Juhas
7:00pm-8:30pm ET, $30

Welcome summer and rejuvenate your yoga practice with a little music. Relax, go deep and soak up the sounds of a singer’s voice as you ground, breathe and elongate the spine. Take your time, gently move and, heck, why not hum or sing along if you wish? Any song requests, please email Julia directly at juliajuhas@gmail.com and she will do her best to accommodate.

Sunday, June 27, with Ana Bodnar 
11:00am – 12:15pm ET, $25

Peace in ourselves, the natural world, peace for all is our hope, is our goal. Shanti Mantras calm the mind of the reciter and the environment around them. Reciting the mantras is also believed to help remove obstacles for any project being started. This workshop will involve breathwork, guided meditation and a deep exploration of the meaning and practice of the mantra for peace, and how to incorporate it into your life. Knowledge of Sanskrit is not required. All welcome.

Sunday, July 4, with Mar Jean Olson
10:00am-11:30am, ET, $30

Join us in exploring groupings of poses inspired by breath movement. Starting as small as one pairing of poses, we will then progressively develop the vinyasa. 

Saturday, July 10, with Donna Oliver
1:00pm – 2:30pm ET, $30

This Qi Gong exercise set is named for the serpentine movement of the body which resembles a Dragon swimming.

It is very effective for stimulating the free flow of energy and blood throughout the body while breaking up any stagnation that might be present. It helps maintain the strength and flexibility of all the joints including the spine and regulates the endocrine system. In addition, practising these exercises help to strengthen all the internal organs and benefit the Kidney energy. This practice requires standing but short sitting breaks can be provided.

Sunday, July 11, with Mariko Tanabe
10:00am-12:30pm, 2:00pm-4:30pm ET, $125/day, $65/session, sliding scale available.

Learn ways to energize and balance your fluid body in order to support your immune system through movement, breath, meditation and touch. 

In the morning we will explore the process of cellular breathing and different cellular activities that occur constantly in our bodies. This will include the functions of our blood and different immune system cells as they travel and interact within the  environment of the fluid body.

In the afternoon we will explore the endocrine function of the immune system and learn ways to use touch and movement to support the flow of the lymphatic system.

Aspects of this work when applied can support your yoga practice and other physical activities, but no previous experience is necessary.  All are welcome.

Mariko Tanabe is a Certified Teacher of Body-Mind Centering^® and the director of the licensed BMC^sm training program in Montreal.

Saturday, July 17, with Susan Young
1:00pm-3:00pm ET,  $40

A workshop encompassing asana, breath work and meditative practice to prompt deep reflection and positive intentions for the day ahead. Drawing from verses in “The Radiance Sutras” 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.

Susan Young has over 25 years’ experience teaching hatha and vinyasa flow yoga classes to students ranging from beginners to advanced…

Sunday, July 18, with Kathy Felkai
11:00am-12:30pm, ET, $30

An interactive workshop for students living with chronic pain and for yoga teachers who would like to learn to guide their students toward management and recovery. We will explore gentle yoga postures and breathing exercises to help relieve pain, improve mobility, reduce anxiety, lift mood and rediscover the joy of movement.

Kathy Felkai began practising yoga when she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia. She …

Saturday, July 24, with Maria Meindl
1:00pm-3:00pm ET, $40

A lot of us are feeling glued to our chairs these days. These Feldenkrais lessons are a gentle reminder that the spine and ribs can support the hips in fluid movement, at the desk, or wherever we want to be.

Feldenkrais^® and Awareness Through Movement® are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild^® of North America.

Maria Meindl became fascinated by the simplicity and power of The Feldenkrais Method in the early 1980s.

Sunday, July 25, with Paola di Paolo
10:00am-12:00pm ET, $40

Summer is a time of growth and fruition when the natural world is flourishing. Experience your own energy and allow yourself to blossom and thrive. We will begin with warm-ups followed by a Kundalini yoga set devoted to summertime brightness. We will finish with a meditation practice to inspire us.

Sunday, August 8, 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

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.