Chanting and Meditation

beads

Meditation can be practiced using different modalities. In this gathering we spend an hour exploring sound, chants and silent meditation. The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone does as much as they are ready to do. This gathering is free of charge, donations are accepted and 100 percent of the donations are forwarded to Humane Society.

Hatha Yoga

hatha

Hatha Yoga is the very root of all yogas. Hatha stands for Sun and Moon, and it includes breathwork, heating and cooling sequences, postures that help with developing flexibility and strength. This class aims to assist students with returning to their inner balance, relieving the stress out of mind and out of body. Every class ends with deep relaxation, leaving the students in a refreshed, energized and relaxed state.

Karma Yoga

karma

One of the concepts of Karma Yoga is “giving back”. So the class is only 8 dollars, allowing people with tighter budgets to continue with their yoga practice. Classes are taught by certified teachers, and every teacher teaches in their own style. Karma class is rotated from teacher to teacher, giving students an option to explore different styles of yoga. There is always at least one Karma class a week offered at Shanti Yoga Studio. Half the proceeds go to the teacher and the other half to the Humane Society.

Kripalu Yoga

kripalu

Kripalu is based on Hatha Yoga, but it is a gentler style, allowing oneself to do less than more. Class begins and ends with relaxation. Use of props is encouraged, so that students are supported and assisted in their practice. There is an emphasis on breath though the whole class and the approach is slow and meditative.

Kundalini Yoga

kundalini

Kundalini Yoga is an uplifting blend of spiritual and physical practices, this yoga style incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, relaxation, meditation, and chanting mantras such as Sat Nam ("Truth is my Identity"). The goal is to build physical vitality, defeat stress, and increase consciousness. We do not twist ourselves into challenging positions, rather, we move the body to open the energy centers (chakras), relax the nervous system, normalize the brain chemistry, and massage the organs. The net effect of every class is to create an open flow of energy in the body, gain control of the mind, and to clear out stress.

Meditation

meditation

Take some time in your week to sit quietly, practice meditation and be present with the wonder of yourself. Meditation has been shown to assist in reducing stress, anxiety and depression and to help with an increased sense of well-being. Join in community and experience various meditative techniques to prepare you for the coming week. Beginning and experienced meditators welcome. 

Prenatal

prenatal yoga

These classes are built as individual workshops. Here are a few examples: Building awareness class, Connecting with Belly and Legs class, Intro to Ujjaii and Hips, Moving Inward and Pelvis, Restorative. Classes support women during their pregnancy and prepare them for birthing process. Postures are continuously adjusted and modified for their rapidly changing bodies.

Session # 1
Building Awareness for Pregnancy

Session # 2
Going Deeper: Birth

Week 1
Basic Overview of prenatal yoga.
Emphasis will be on developing a strong breath awareness, its connection to your changing body and growing baby. Yoga postures will be introduced along with the introduction of Ujjayi breath (victorious breath).

Week 1
Visualization and Basic Prenatal Yoga
Meditation: Visualization for a healthy birth 
Asana: Active breathing and basic postures for
pregnancy will be taught. Focus on postural alignment.

Week 2
Shoulder, neck and chest openers.
Pregnancy can create strain on the neck and shoulders as the front of the body tends to pull down on the front of the shoulder girdle. We will introduce poses that will counterbalance this tendency, open the chest and allow for deep breathing to be possible. Introduction of Aum Chanting.

Week 2
Guided Meditation and Pain Management
Meditation: Guided Meditation I 'Wave Breath'.
Asana: Pain in childbirth/standing and balance postures.

Week 3
Pelvic Floor Exercises.
Working with postures that will assist in the of development of strong muscle tone and great mobility in the pelvic floor during pregnancy, childbirth and after birth. Squatting and hip openers will be introduced. 
Introduction to three part breath.

Week 3
Intro to Mantra and Shoulder
Meditation: Mantra Meditation 'sat nam'.
Asana: Shoulder Openers.

Week 4
Hips, thighs and hamstrings.
Incorporating poses that allow the hamstring muscles to release bringing relief and ease to a strained lower back. Strength building postures will also be added to strengthen the legs and to prepare for an active labour. Introduction to alternate nostril breathing.

Week 4
Guided Meditation and Chest Openers
Meditation: Guided Meditation II 'Heart Chakra'.
Asana: Chest Openers.

 

Week 5
Standing postures.
These poses are extremely helpful in developing stability and balance. They also help to establish your connection with the earth bringing your whole body into harmony with the cycle of creativity. Visualization: Mother Earth and the element of earth.

Week 5
Courageous Breath and Birth
Pranayama: Ujjayi Breath.
Asana: Postures for Birth.

Week 6
Upper body twisting poses and kneeling poses.
Some simple yet very stable kneeing poses will be introduced to assist you in breathing, meditation and sitting poses. They will also assist in improving circulation to the legs, extend the ankle and knee joints.

Week 6
Restorative Yoga II
Explore the art of deep relaxation. This class is fully devoted to the practice of restorative yoga.

Week 7
Variation on the sun and moon salutation, a series of postures that assist women to gain more mobility in their joints and continue to build overall strength in their bodies. Introduction of “Mindful Motherhood” practical tools for staying present and “sane” throughout pregnancy and motherhood. Deep Relaxation. Integrating restorative yoga for use during pregnancy, pre-labour and after birth. It will also give students a chance to review any lessons from the previous sessions.

Week 7 Final
This class will provide an opportunity for participants to revisit practices from the previous weeks.

 

Yoga Pholosophy

philosophy

This class introduces concepts from Yoga Philosophy in simple terms. We look at the teachings in a way that can be appropriated to our every day life. Yoga is a vast system that encompasses philosophy, psychology, art, and a holistic system. The class is held in discussion style, not a lecture style and is normally facilitated by Alex. From time to time we have special guests presenting.

 

Creative Writing Workshops

writing

Re-connect to your own voice, your creative source that feeds every part of you and every part of your life. In the writing itself - shows up a great teaching about you. Your story, the story of who you are, lays itself onto an empty page and you see, you understand and you heal these parts of you that hid and hurt and longed and wanted for so long... What happens in the writing is a surprise to you, and freedom. You spread your wings, you soar, you hit a wall and then learn how to rise above it. Highly supportive, non-judgemental, intimate and confidential gatherings. Come and as you are and leave inspired.