Yoga brings together body, mind and spirit

Published Thursday May 28th, 2009

Drop-ins

If you're from out of town, already have the level of yoga experience needed, and want a taste of another yoga tradition... welcome. No need to call ahead - there's room in the classes. Please be aware classes are progressing on a teaching theme so you'll be receiving "a slice" of a topic. $20 exact cash or cheque made out to the instructor.

Book a Private Session...

and begin moving towards your own unique goals now!

Whether you are

•     facing immediate health challenges or a life transition
•     looking for new tools to deal with stress and the realities of how things actually are in your day-to-day reality
•     thinking there may be a better way to find balance, meaning AND enjoyment in your life
•     wondering how to take what you’ve learned in Viniyoga so far to begin practicing a “just right for you, right now” practice...
•     coming from another yoga tradition - wanting to deepen from a mainly postural practice of yoga to begin going further with its many different facets

private sessions are the way to go for those new to yoga, or students who have been in Viniyoga group classes, or who are coming from other yoga traditions.

Think of yoga therapy as a cross between counseling, spiritual guidance and physio. For about the same cost as a one hour massage, take home a written/drawn session with a balance of posture, breathwork, meditation/ relaxation, mindfulness techniques and lifestyle pointers that is uniquely designed for you at this time in your life. A massage is over in an hour, but a private session is a powerful tool within your control no matter what else is going on. It’s something you can do for your self - when and where you choose, as you move gently, intelligently, and purposefully toward your dreams.

Kathryn is booking appointments now. Please contact her directly at info@lifesongyoga.com or 455-3811.

Class Locations

Odell Park Lodge is a beautiful location - central, with lots of parking, surrounded by park and trails, and a much appreciated wood stove in winter. Just off Wagonners Lane, across from the southside SuperStore.

Charlotte Street Arts School: Tuesday is Viniyoga night with multiple stage and age appropriate classes on offer. Enjoy the beautiful natural lighting and hardwood floors of the spacious "auditorium" 732 Charlotte Street (southside). Lots of free parking.

Lifesong at Marysville: We've been enjoying the teacher trainings and small classes in the light-filled studio and appreciating what a wonderful location this is. Stop and watch the ever-changing Nashwaak river, or pop down to the walking trail for a walk. Lots of parking. Max class size: 8 so please register early. Please note there are two friendly dogs - their presence can be understated but if you're allergic, they're definitely there!

*Due to significant rental costs elsewhere, if class size is under 9, I may consider moving it to Lifesong rather than canceling. In that case, I would inform all those registered and give them the choice of moving or withdrawing.

Autoimmune Support

Autoimmune diseases affect 1 in 9 women and 1 in 12 men, higher than heart disease or cancer rates. Usually, the immune system protects the body from harm but sometimes the body mistakes friend for foe and turns on its own cells & tissues. Autoimmune diseases are poorly understood, chronic & worsening, controlled not cured & medicated at long-term cost to other systems. Autoimmune Diseases include: asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Chrohn’s, colitis, Type1 diabetes, lupus, thyroid & adrenal disorders, chronic fatigue.

If you're suffering from an autoimmune disease, consider yoga therapy - one on one help to get you back on track.

• Learn about environmental triggers and the role of stress & lifestyle
• Be guided through body/mind practices to help “re-program” the immune system
• Take home a session of gentle movement, breath & relaxation you can do for yourself.

Preparation for Labour Workshop for Couples

This workshop is based on my years of experience as a birth coach or doula (see Birth Services). It’s for couples wishing to increase chances of a natural birth and who would like to learn how to work together towards their goal.

This class does not replace a "full" prep for birth course such as the VON gives. It focuses on practical ways to support a woman during labor - including

• what to expect during the different stages of labour and how to work best together as a couple
• how emotions and thoughts play a role in the way the labour progresses (or doesn't) and how "the art of birth" can complement "the medicine of birth"
• how to work "with" the system. The support person as advocate.
• natural pain management and comfort techniques
• how to throw your plan out the window if needed including making informed drug choices
• physical postures, breath and relaxation techniques for delivery

Atlantic Yoga Teacher & Seekers Training

200 Hour Teacher Certification
300 Hour Program Leading to 500 Hour Certification
Personal Interest/Audit Option

Kathryn is the senior teacher in the Maritimes in the Viniyoga tradition and is honouring the request of her teacher, Claude Marechal of Belgium to begin the work of passing on the teachings and philosophy of this depth tradition in the North American context.

The first Atlantic yoga teacher/advanced student training began in Sept 07 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Seven students graduated in May 08 with five specializing in different aspects of stage and age appropriate yoga, and two choosing to deepen their personal study.

Many North American yoga traditions have focused primarily on the postural aspect of the vast yoga system of knowledge - training teachers to teach rote sequences of preset postures. However, as the postures as we know them are less than 100 years old in a 3000 year old tradition, it would seem a gross underestimation of the modern seeker to assume we are capable of learning little more than how to manipulate the physical technique.

In Viniyoga, the idea is not to make the student fit what the teacher knows, but rather equip the teacher to serve what the student needs. Although this approach requires a great deal of intellectual curiosity, flexibility and commitment on the part of the student, it is a return to the spiritual roots of yoga. Yoga was never intended to be reduced to a physical activity. As the postures as we know and practice them are less than 100 years old in a 3000 year old tradition, it would seem a gross underestimation of the modern seeker to assume we are capable of learning little more than how to manipulate the physical technique.

The Viniyoga tradition ambitiously seeks to equip students with the fundamental philosophical concepts of yoga, gleaned directly from the source texts, in order to equip practitioners to understand how to create and adapt sequences, and more importantly, mind/body/spirit techniques to unique individuals and their circumstances, as needed. (See Viniyoga: Adapting Yoga to the Individual, An Interview with British Senior Teacher, Paul Harvey.) In Viniyoga, the idea is not to make the student fit what the teacher knows, but rather equip the teacher to serve what the student needs.

Although this approach requires a great deal of intellectual curiosity, flexibility and commitment on the part of the student, it is a return to the roots of yoga as a “whole-person” methodology. In the training, students learn:

• Yoga philosophy/methodology through study of the Yoga Sutras

• the basic principles of postures/breath and meditation

• the art of individual adaptation – to safely and authentically construct, guide and evaluate appropriate individual-centered sessions

• to adapt and apply this vast knowledge-system to achieve better balance, meaning and enjoyment in one’s own ever-changing life

• (if applicable) the nuts and bolts of the “business” of yoga

As a depth tradition, there is nothing "fast" about learning, living with and applying these techniques. Viniyoga trainings tend to proceed at a stately pace – with a weekend or week-long workshop followed by time for integration. For those desiring certification, there is home study, required reading and the invitation to teach as appropriate in a supervised setting. Remember, if you are drawn to the philosophy and just want to dive in to the teachings and the practice for yourself, that's wonderful! There is an audit option.

Current Training Options:

200 Hour Viniyoga Teacher Certification: Yoga Alliance Standard: 9 weekends over 9 months. Other format may be available in 09. Would-be teachers and curious seekers welcome. Space available. (SEE "TEACHER TRAINING" BUTTON ON SIDE BAR OR CLICK HERE)

300 Hour Viniyoga Certification: (leading to a 500 Hour Teaching Certificate, Yoga Alliance Standards) (Note: this will be the new base standard for yoga teachers in 5 years). Prerequisite: 200 hour Viniyoga or teaching certification from another tradition. A combination of weekend and weeklong trainings. Under construction: please inquire.

Interested? Send an e-mail to info@lifesongyoga.com with your full name, some idea of your present yoga experience, a day and an evening contact number, and your e-mail address. Please note there is a screening process and a limited number of students will be accepted in each training.

Call 506-455-3811 for more information, or use our convenient online application form.