Winter 2012 Classes

This page lists weekly classes at Healing Connections Wellness Centre. For workshops, click here.

Click on a class for more information:

• Yoga for Grief Support with Sandy Ayre
• Yin/Yang Yoga with Karen Cuthbert and Jennifer Hu
• Yin Yoga with Audra Pankiw
• Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Eileen Chan
• Kundalini Yoga and Meditation with Jackie Deley
• Hatha Yoga with Lauren Thomas
• Yoga for Students with Lauren Thomas
• Couples Massage Classes with Katharine Hansen

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation with Jackie Deley, Monday, January 23-February 27, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Stimulate creativity, increase mental energy and focus, experience greater joy.

Kundalini Yoga is for Everyone
It is practical but also very powerful.  It works quickly to give you grace, balance, and most of all, the ability to remain calm, centered, and clear through life’s challenges. As you practice Kundalini Yoga you will grow.  You will gain new perspectives and capacities, as well as habits that support a healthy lifestyle. The best part is, you don’t need any previous experience in yoga in order to achieve results with your very first class.

What to Expect in a Kundalini Yoga Class:

Tuning In: When we practice Kundalini Yoga, we tune in by chanting ‘Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo,’ calling on our Creator and connecting us to the teacher within.

Breath: Breath is life energy itself. When we learn how to breathe consciously, we can calm our minds and master all aspects of our lives.

Kriya: A Kriya is an exact, dynamic combination of postures, breathing and sound—a complete system that balances body, mind, and soul, and increases mental clarity and physical vitality.

Meditation: Meditation brings awareness and control of our thoughts. Using mantra (sacred sound currents repeated aloud or silently) and mudra (sacred gestures) we can clear negative patterns and connect with our higher consciousness.

The Five Sutras of the Aquarian Age:

• Recognize that the other person is you.
• There is a way through every block.
• When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off.
• Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times.
• Vibrate the Cosmos. The Cosmos shall clear the path. Yogi Bhajan

No previous experience necessary. Please bring yoga mat, blanket and water bottle.
6 weeks for $75.00

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Yoga for Grief Support with Sandy Ayre, Wednesday, Wednesday, January 4 – Februry 15, 2012, 7:30 – 9:00 pm.

with Sandy Ayre

Cost is $105 for 7 class set

Grief and bereavement are natural and universal human experiences which have a profound effect on the mind, body and spirit. We experience physical symptoms of grief (insomnia, aches and pains, headaches, heaviness in the limbs, fatigue), mental symptoms (difficulty focusing and concentrating, short term memory loss), emotional symptoms (sorrow, anguish, anxiety, depression, relief), and spiritual symptoms (loss of meaning, purpose).

These internal feelings we experience after the death of a loved one is grief. How we express and externalize this grief is called mourning. In order to mourn fully we must move through the center of our pain, move to the heart of our grief, instead of skirting around the edges. This process is intensely personal and unique but is vital to journey through. This journey through grief is a journey through the heart, and cannot be processed with rational thought alone.

Yoga invites us to move into our bodies in a deeply compassionate way, so we can begin to experience our grief in a way that is self-supportive and nurturing.

Yoga for Grief Support combines the ancient practice of yoga with a model of bereavement support, which “companions” the bereaved through their journey. Yoga for Grief Support creates a safe and sacred space to begin to process and explore sensations, thoughts, and emotions in both the mind and body. The physical postures of hatha yoga (asana) will be taught to nurture the heart and relieve the physical manifestations of grief. Students will be guided through breathing techniques (pranayama) to enhance the mind-body connection, and to induce a calm state of mind. Guided meditation and relaxation will be used to encourage students to journey and explore their grief in a supportive environment. Students will be taught empowering techniques to cope with their grief, find compassion for their journey, and honour their loss.

Yoga for Grief Support is appropriate for all levels of yoga practitioners – no prior experience necessary.

This class is an 7-week pre registered session. No drop-ins allowed, ensuring the comfort and security of those students registered. Registration for future sessions ongoing.

Everyone’s grief journey is individual, but the nature of grief is universal. Regardless of where you are in your journey, this class will be of benefit.

Dates for next series:
Wed, Mar 14 – Apr 25, 2012 $105.00 for a 7 class set
Wed, May 9 – Jun 20, 2012 $105.00 for a 7 class set

If you have questions about if this class is right for you, or to register, please contact Sandy at info@sandyayre.ca or call 780-474-4536.

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 Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Eileen Chan, Wednesday, January 11 for 8 weeks from 5:45 – 7:00 pm

 

Vinyasa Flow Yoga, sometimes referred to as power yoga, is designed to stimulate the cardiovascular system as well as incorporating a variety of postures, which target the various parts of the body. During each class, we will flow between static postures and different Vinyasa sequences, creating heat in our bodies, awareness thru breath, while encouraging calmness in the mind. Modifications are provided to all levels.

Eileen’s infatuation with yoga began in 2003 while living in the Cayman Islands. Attracted initially to the physical benefits, she quickly realized yoga had much more to offer. She comments, “Building the relationship between our breath and our bodies is a main focus of my practice and teachings.”

“Yoga has brought joy and fulfillment into my life. The ability to share and educate others on their journey through yoga continues to educate and enlighten me in a way I never thought possible. I teach with compassion and enthusiasm, hoping to inspire as many people to start their own journey of self-exploration.”

“As my passion for Yoga continued to grow I found myself searching for things I could do to expand my knowledge. In 2007 I ventured to Nosara Costa Rica. I studied under Don and Amba Stapleton and I received my teaching certification in November of 2007.  Since 2007, I have returned to Nosara many times, and I currently hold my Advanced Teacher Training Certification and Pranassage Practioner Certification. In my most recent trip to Nosara, in January 2011 I assisted the Teacher Training program.”

Dates of classes:
Wednesday, Jan 11 – Feb 29, 5:45 – 7:00 pm (8 week series for $100.00)
Wednesday, Mar 7 – Apr 25, 5:45 – 7:00 pm (8 week series for $100.00)

Drop-in price: $15.00

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The 3 Y’s – Yin/Yang Yoga with Karen Cuthbert and Jennifer Hutton, Fridays, January 6 – April 27, 2012 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Drop Ins Welcome. $15.00 per class or 5 class pass for $65.00.

Yin/Yang yoga is a balance between the yin (slow and sustained passive stretching) and yang (active and strong muscular moving) to realize a balance of relaxation and energy.

The yin component challenges the strength of the mind during the stillness of the yin release that targets the connective tissue.  The yang component challenges the strength of the body during the active power flow leaving you feeling radiant and centered.  People with tight hip flexors, hamstrings and lower back issues will benefit greatly.  Practicing yin yoga will improve your yang yoga practice.

Please note the following changes to the class schedule:

Friday Mar 9 class re-scheduled to Thursday, Mar 8
Friday Apr 13 class re-scheduled to Thursday, Apr 12

 

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Yin Yoga with Audra Pankiw, Thursdays at 9:30 pm

A late Yin class is very relaxing, and always makes for a wonderful night’s sleep. Highly recommended.

Passes may be purchased with cash, cheque, or debit. Class prices are as follows:
Drop-in                            $15
Student Drop-in             $12
5 Class Pass                  $65
Student 5 Class Pass   $55

For more information, email Audra at easternelementsacupuncture@gmail.com or call  780-399-7702 with any questions.

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