Yoga Workshops for Everyone

Saturday, September 10, with Monica Voss, 1:00 pm ET, RSVP
on Zoom

I visited Turkey in 1973 and felt so welcome, I stayed for 6 months. I have been back since, but not to the south-west, an area full of memories of authentic hospitality, curious open-hearted, generous people, delicious food and unspoilt forests and seashore. Join me on a sentimental return to a kind, ancient place.

On our trip to Turkiye (new spelling for Turkey), we will be visiting the small town of Dalyan, a busy tourist destination for many years catering to international travellers, primarily those from the UK. Dalyan is situated on a river connecting a large lake to the Mediterranean Sea. Government and private boats are available to take us on a variety of very enjoyable excursions, such as the carefully preserved Iztuzu beach, an important turtle sanctuary; Kaunos, a small Greek archeological site; thermal mud baths, swimming in the sea and a weekly market.

The Arp Hotel, where we’ll stay and practise, is not luxury accommodation nor a yoga retreat centre. It’s a small, clean, modern, 15-room family-run hotel with air-conditioning offering breakfast, a pool and space for our twice daily sessions. (https://en.arpdalyan.com)

September 14, 7:00pm ET, on Zoom
RSVP to receive the link.

Everyone welcome, please enquire. Long distance learning is possible.
Ongoing intake throughout 2022/2023.

For those interested in becoming a yoga teacher, enhancing a previous training or simply expanding their own practice and knowledge.

We offer a uniquely organic approach to yoga practice and teaching. Our programme combines asana, pranayama and meditation with lecture, discussion, and practicum to create a balanced outlook that will enliven all aspects of your teaching and your approach to the body/mind. You are supported, encouraged, and empowered to question and explore, to find your own path and voice. 

There is a new non-academic option for those not intending to teach.

Meet the faculty and learn the details of this comprehensive training. Bring your questions.
Contact Tama Soble for more information or to make a private phone or Zoom appointment, tama@estheryoga.com

Sunday, September 18, with Lauren Anastasi
11:00am-12:30pm ET, 3 sessions/$75, $30 per class
on Zoom

Enjoy a gentle guided walking meditation. This can be done in your home, around your neighbourhood or in a park nearby. As you walk, you will be given suggestions for how to connect to your breath, to your stride and to your senses. We will explore gathas, hand mudras and practising with a soft smile.  The teachings are inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh. There will be time to pause, ask questions and make observations along the way.

If you are walking with us away from your home, you will need a cellular device with data and possibly headphones to free up your hands and arms.)

Lauren Anastasi has been teaching yoga and meditation for almost 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from York University and has a keen interest in the relationship between mind and body…

Sunday, October 2, with Mar Jean Olson, 3:30pm-5:00pm, $30
at the Studio

Increase the range of motion in your neck, shoulders, arms and upper back with numerous and enjoyable exercises and sequences. Experience an enhanced sense of lightness and freedom.

Monday, October 3, with Tama Soble, 7:00pm-8:30pm ET, PWYC
$10 minimum donation will go to Eva’s Initiatives
on Zoom

The Jewish High Holidays offer an annual opportunity for reflection on the themes of forgiveness, renewal, repentance and rebirth, ideas that have relevance to all individuals from any background.

Join us for an evening of gentle meditation and conversation. For anyone preparing for Yom Kippur or simply interested in these universal human issues.
Image: Knitted stained glass by Kirk Dun

Sunday, October 30, with Donna Oliver, 2:30pm-4:30pm, $40
at the Studio

An ancient popular Qigong set to help rectify health disorders. Gentle stretching of the Energetic Meridians will leave you feeling energized and centred. It may be practised sitting in a chair.

Sunday, November 6, with Ana Bodnar, 11:00am-12:15pm ET, $25
on Zoom

The Yoga of Sound is based on Nad Yoga, an ancient and powerful meditation practice bringing inner connection and expansion of the heart and mind. In this workshop, we will explore the Gayatri mantra, which brings light to our being, a Vedic prayer for peace, as well as the beloved Metta practice for deepening our compassion for self and others. Contemporary neuroscience research has shown the positive effect of these practices on our being. Participants will learn mantras that they can take with them to illuminate their daily lives. No prior musical experience of knowledge of Sanskrit needed.

Mezzo Goddess by Emily Balivet

Sunday, November 6, with Mar Jean Olson, 3:30pm-5:00pm, $30
at the Studio

In this workshop we will focus on the lower body from the lumbar spine, through the pelvis, to the legs and feet. With stretching and strengthening for stability, we’ll learn about joints, muscles, alignment, and gait.

“A very big thank you to Mar Jean for … Yoga for your Hip Joints… filled with lots of useful information and practice for me both personally and as a teacher.  I felt more in my body afterwards, my hips were moving, my walking lighter… All of this put a smile on my face.” Jeanette Slinger

Sunday, November 13, with Monica Voss, 2:00pm-4:30pm ET, $50
on Zoom

Practising yoga at home can be a refuge and a way of reconnecting to ourselves. In this workshop we will design themes for home practice, explore sequences of yoga postures, the rationale behind them and our personal responses to them. We will discuss the challenges and the joys of our time alone with yoga. Teachers and interested students of yoga are welcome to attend.

Sunday, November 27, with Donna Oliver, 2:30pm-4:30pm, $40
at the Studio

As we approach the end of Year of the Tiger, its seems appropriate to dedicate this workshop to Tiger movement that can keep the spine flexible and increase the fragile Kidney energy as winter approaches. Requires standing and stepping and is not suitable for practising in a chair.

Saturday, December 3, with Tama Soble, 1:00pm-3:00pm and 3:30pm-5:30pm, $100
at the Studio

Learn how to adapt yoga poses to the precise needs of your body or those of your students by applying basic anatomical principles. Reconnect with body and breath using gentle practices that acknowledge the relationship between functional anatomy and the unique nature of each body. This workshop is open to students and teachers at all levels of experience.

Sunday, December 4, with Sandie Collins, 11:00am-12:30pm ET, $30
on Zoom

Derived from Zen Buddhism, the Enso circle symbolizes many things: strength, the circle of life, connection, letting go of expectations, the beauty in imperfection and simply a circle or circle of togetherness.  

We will begin with yoga including circular movements. Focusing on breath and awareness of thought and feeling, we’ll draw or paint and meditate on the process and the product. The very imperfections are what make the Enso so beautiful.

Materials needed :
– pencil, marker, brush any size or a large round brush, if you have one or are willing to invest in one
– paper: cartridge paper, any size newsprint or bond paper (18” x 24” suggested)
– black watercolour or tempera paint or acrylic or ink
– bowl of water, paper towel for clean up
– paper weight or stone to hold paper in place

Check out  The Zen Circles of Kazuaki Tanahashi

Enso/Zen Circle image by Sandie Collins

Sunday, December 4, with Mar Jean Olson, 3:30pm-5:00pm, $30
at the Studio

Practise beneficial exercises for strength, flexibility, movement awareness, injury prevention and rehabilitation.