Courses

All courses require pre-registration.

Our Hatha yoga courses are designed to educate the body and mind through basic movement principles while developing the vital breath in preparation for the deeper methods of yoga practice.

Great emphasis is placed on the groundwork and preparation necessary before entering the practices of Asana (postures), Bandhas (locks), Mudras (seals) and Pranayama (breath work). These tools are then used as means of getting the body prepared for the even more advanced stages of Pratyahara (non-distraction of the senses), Dharana (concentration), and Dhyana (meditation).

Course content is delivered progressively, in stages that lay the foundation for the next. To rush or skip stages out of impatience or misunderstanding creates difficulties and setbacks in the student's development. Therefore, patience, faith and steady practice are required on the part of the student.

The Introduction to Shadow Yoga Course covers essential theoretical and practical material, which should be understood before taking on this style of practice. The complete Shadow Yoga forms can take anywhere from 3 - 7 years to master depending on the student's capabilities.

The material presented is intended for daily practice, twice daily if so inspired. Rest is taken one day a week. Students are expected to practice their course material at home. Without this level of commitment the benefits spoken of in Hatha yoga will be superficial and temporary.

2010 Dates

6 Week - Fall Session:

SY I - Sundays @ 10:30 – 11:45am .......................... September 19 - October 24 .... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY I - Mondays @ 5:45 – 7:00pm ............................. September 20 - October 25 .... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY II - Tuesdays @ 10:00 - 11:15am ....................... September 21 - October 26 .... (5555 De Gaspé #115)

SY II - Wednesdays @ 5:45 – 7:00pm ..................... September 22 - October 27 .... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY I - Thursdays @ 10:00 - 11:15am ....................... September 23 - October 28 .... (5555 De Gaspé #115)

6 Week - Late Fall Session:

SY I - Sundays @ 10:30 – 11:45am ........................... October 31 - December 5 ...... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY I - Mondays @ 5:45 – 7:00pm .............................. November 1 - December 6 ..... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY II - Tuesdays @ 10:00 - 11:15am ........................ November 2 - December 7 ..... (5555 De Gaspé #115)

SY II - Wednesdays @ 5:45 – 7:00pm ...................... November 3 - December 8 ..... (136 Av. Fairmount O.)

SY I - Thursdays @ 10:00 - 11:15am ........................ November 4 - December 9 ..... (5555 De Gaspé #115)

Prices

$108 - 1 day per week in 6 week session - New Students

$90 - 1 day per week in 6 week session - Returning Students

$20 - 1 drop-in trial class

$160 - 2 days per week in same session

$210 - 3 days per week in same session

Prices include taxes.

Location:

MORNINGS: EVENINGS & SUNDAY:

5555 De Gaspé Avenue, Suite #115                           136 Avenue Fairmount Ouest
Mile End                                                                       Mile End
Montréal, Québec                                                        Montréal, Québec

SHADOW YOGA I (SY I)

This preliminary course emphasizes primal and essential movements to free up the joints in the body in order to release muscular tension and encourage the proper flow of energy. It builds knowledge of the physical structure and prepares the ground for the practitioner to learn the various Shadow Yoga forms. This work is based on preparatory exercises (vyayamas), which have the specific purpose of correcting imbalances in the feet and legs and reducing what is in excess in the body and mind, while strengthening the muscular skeletal structure and breathing mechanism.

This course acts as the introduction to and the first stage of entering Shadow Yoga forms. A must for all those new to this unique style of Hatha yoga.

Suitable for: Open to All. Mandatory for beginners and highly suggested for students coming from other disciplines of yoga regardless of previous experience, as it forms the basis for the next levels.

SHADOW YOGA II (SY II)

This Course builds from SY I and begins to introduce the student to the Shadow Yoga prelude forms.

Suitable for: Students who completed SY I and those with a minimum of 1 year yoga experience.

"Yoga is a system of education that imparts the secrets of controlling the complex energy fields of the human form. Through the dissolving and merging of these opposing energies into one whole, the body is made fit for the journey of life. It is not a fancy exercise programme dressed in spiritual clothes, as many of its present day practitioners view it. Yoga is a spiritual science of practical living. It is imparted by teachers who have encountered this wisdom. Their love of this knowledge provides the spark that lights the torch of wisdom for the student.

The mastery of yoga has always been achieved through the combination of three sciences. From the knowledge of Marma sthana (the 108 vital points of the body), one gains control over the bodily functions through the practice of asanas (bodily positions). Mastery of the science of Nadis (subtle channels) gives rise to inner light through the practice of pranayama (breath control). The science of Vayus (internal currents of wind) enables the practitioner to hear the quiet whispers from within that teach the secret names of the one who is the source and support of everything in this world.

These three sciences have, since time immemorial, been revealed to students through a series of uncomplicated body movements. Their simplicity allows the natural responses of the body's hidden intelligence to surface without the excitement triggered by excessive muscular effort. Excessive muscular action induces vata (disturbed wind), a condition that manifests as structural and psycho-emotional instability. This leads to kapha (mucus) which causes heaviness and depression. This in turn will disturb the element of fire, giving rise to obsessive and ultimately destructive behaviour.

Unless the sciences of marmas, nadis and vayus have been communicated well by the teacher and correctly applied, the student will start off in the wrong direction and move inexorably towards a state of profound disharmony. The outcome of correct practice is harmony, which is the true state of wisdom called Yoga.

The teacher only exists to prepare the student so that the steady light of the student's own wisdom will illuminate his own path. There are no guides to the path of life and the same path can never be walked twice since it is personal and unique. The laws of this journey are that each step is unrepeatable and unforeseen. One has no option but to respond to the demands of this real adventure. Everything is constantly moving and changing as one stage dissolves into the next to reveal new configurations, climates and landscapes."


	about us • profiles • courses • workshops • calendar • registration • contact