Yoga Classes:

Slow Flow Yoga level 1 (Thurs am)  will provide you with the basic foundation of postures and movements and will help you gain strength, stamina, balance and flexibility.  Coordinating with your breath, you will move through a sequence of yoga poses with modifications for all levels to suit your ability - always striving to find comfort and ease in each pose. Instructor: Suze Willgren(ALL AGES & LEVELS OF FITNESS)

Yoga & Meditation  (Wednesday am) A practice to unite body and mind.   This class offers a yoga practice interspersed with short periods of meditation to release physical tension, enhance flexibility and strength, and promote mental focus to connect with your true Self.   A practice combining asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) with Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation).   No previous experience with meditation is required. (All levels)

Hatha Yoga All  Levels (Tuesdays, Fridays,  & Sunday am, Tues pm)

Stretch, strengthen, breathe & relax: this traditional meditative style of yoga explores hatha yoga postures, breathing & meditation techniques. (ALL LEVELS)

Yoga Flow 2 Vinyasa or flow yoga is a series of postures synchronized with the breath. Postures are sequenced in a fluid order to still the mind, stretch & strengthen the body while using the breath as a tool to deepen the physical practice. This is an all level class which offers the option explore more advanced postures, inversions & arm balances

(drop in) Instructor: Cathy Hanan/Sandy Mouret

Gentle Yoga (Saturday am) Experience  all of the benefits of yoga in a slower, gentler meditative pace. A great introduction to yoga for anyone, as well as for those experiencing stiffness, pain, stress or fatigue recovering from injury or living with chronic illness (B,XB)

Yin Yoga: (Monday pm) involves holding yoga stretches (while seated or lying down)  for a longer period of time, usually around 5 minutes, to stretch connective  tissues such as fascia as well as muscles to increase flexibility. Particularly good for athletes to balance active physical  practices such as running, cycling & power yoga but also to help calm the mind after the multi-tasking nature of a busy life.  (ALL LEVELS) 

Yin Flow Yoga (Saturday am) This class which combines yin yoga postures held for 3 - 5 minutes (seated or lying down) with flowing energizing series of yoga postures. Yin Yoga is wonderful for athletes, those who would like to be more flexible & feel more open to stretch & strenghten the deep connective tissues. The yoga flow series will increase blood flow, warm up the muscles, build flexibility & strength & leave you feeling energized!  (by drop in: all levels)

RestorativeYoga (Monday am)The gentlest of the gentle yogas. Begin with slow movements to explore your range of motion, then settle into longer supported poses to lead you to deep relaxation where your body, mind and spirit take time to renew and restore.   A practice with no standing poses.  Suitable for those recovering  from stress, illness, injury, surgery, those experiencing balance difficulties, and those simply wishing to decompress and unwind.  All levels welcome. (B,XB, I)

Prenatal Yoga: (Sunday pm) Pre-Natal Yoga helps create optimum conditions for physical and emotional health and awareness for you and your baby.

Prepare for labour and childbirth with conscious relaxation through breathe, meditation . Release tension, anxiety and restore energy.  Embrace calm, courage and empowerment in your body’s wisdom!

PILATES &  FUSION  CLASSES

Yoga/ Pilates Fusion (Monday am & pm, Thursday am) Enjoy the best of both worlds – the release &  relaxation of yoga with the strengthening & toning elements of Pilates in this fun & challenging class. (drop in) (B, XB, I)

Yoga Core Fusion (Wed pm) One hour of power yoga-infused sequences to energize you & give you a great work-out! (ALL LEVELS)

Callanetics (Thurs pm & Sunday am)  Callenetics is an exercise program that helps you to look 10 years younger, reshape your body and relieve pain by promoting spinal stabilization, correct alignment, and body shaping.consists of isolating specific muscle groups and using tiny, precise (yet powerful) movements to increase strength and flexibility.

Introduction to Pilates Workshops: (WINTER 2012) these regularly scheduled workshops are a recommended introduction to the principles of Pilates, the finding & effective engagement of the core. Get more from your Pilates, Fusion & Yoga practices! next workshop: COMING SOON!

         DANCE FITNESS

ZUMBA (Mon pm, Wed pm & Sat am) fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms & easy-to-follow moves to create an exciting hour of joyful calorie-burning, body-energizing movements. WEAR RUNNERS drop in) (ALL LEVELS)

GROOVE Fitness (Tues pm) Do you want your workout to feel like a REWARD? Do you want to laugh, smile & celebrate your uniqueness while you move your body?  Do you want to build FUNctional strength, balance & flexibility? Do you want to get your heart pumping because IT FEELS GOOD & not because you think you need to be FIXED? Come see what happens to your workout when you GROOVE it!! (drop in) (ALL LEVELS) BAREFOOT OR WITH RUNNERS if necessary

Women's Meditation & Self-Awareness (Tuesday pm) Join life coach, Carolyn Crow, for this women's group.  We start with a reading on our weekly topic, such as our state of intention, love, connection to divine essence, the pain body, courage, and mind-body-heart connection.  We then enjoy a 20-miniute guided meditation (no experience necessary), followed by sharing with the group around the weekly topic, or any other theme that is currently important in your life.  Sharing is not a discussion group; we let each person express herself fully and really listen to what is said without judgement, interruption or advice-giving. The emphasis is on emotional safety, confidentiality and the freedom of your deepest and most truthful expression.

Our classes are open to everyone, regardless of their level of experience, as we are offering mindful practices which are meant to be experienced on a personal level, within a comfortable physical & mental state. This means that a first time beginner could enter a more advanced class, but would not participate in any exercise that feels uncomfortable but would be encouraged to rest or sit quietly at those times, perhaps visualizing themselves doing the activity.

At the same time, an advanced practitioner could also benefit from a beginner level practice, as we all know that there is always much to learn when one has an open mind & heart, and when the ego is allowed let go!

That being said, a rough guide has been provided

B: beginner    ExB: experienced beginner   I : intermediate    Adv: advanced

Our Studio is located in beautiful Brentwood Bay, in a space occupied for many years by 'The Thought Shop. ' As mind/body practitioners, we find this ironic, as we come to this space to practice 'non-thought'!  We are located in a storefront location in an undivided space, so it is necessary to lock our front door at the beginning of a class to avoid disturbance. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early if at all possible.

Come with an empty or near empty stomach; having a light snack 1-2 hours before class will help control hunger pangs. Having a full meal before class can result in feelings of nausea or discomfort. Drink enough water before & during class to remain hydrated. (dehydration can contribute to muscle cramping & stiffness)

Bring your own sticky mat & blanket if possible. We keep our equipment as clean as possible, but having your own will prevent the spread of germs. We also have high quality items available for sale at very good prices in our retail area. Mats & blankets & other props will be available to borrow if necessary, at no extra charge.

Please clean any borrowed equipment after use & return them as you found them.

Please remove shoes before entering studio space to keep our beautiful cork floor clean & unmarked. If you are wearing shoes for a particular class (such as Zumba), please be sure that the soles are clean and there are no stones embedded

Please refrain from wearing perfume or strongly perfumed products, even 'natural' scents.

When chatting with others before class, please do so quietly to be considerate of others who may prefer to be more introspective or meditative.

** Remember  to  turn  off  cellphones  before  entering  studio! **