A great introduction to yoga for newbies, or an opportunity to get back to the foundations of yoga!

Are you new to yoga, or getting back into your practice? Are you interested in creating a yoga practice that works in your own body? Do you want to learn about other limbs of yoga, and yogic philosophy?

“Back to Basics” introduces the history of yoga, fundamental principles of alignment, meditation, and breathwork techniques. Students will take an in-depth look at foundational yoga postures through step-by-step verbal description and demonstration. Emphasis is placed on student understanding, safety, and stability within each posture. Students are welcome to join one or both lessons.

2 SATURDAYS:

February 1st & 8th

11am - 1pm

$75 for both sessions, or $40 for a single session

WEEK 1:

This session involves a lot of movement through various standing postures, which can create heat in the body. Bring water and dress in something you can easily move in.

• Introducing the yoga sutra 2:29
• The Eight Limbs of Yoga
• What are Yamas and Niyamas?
• Breaking down Asanas (postures)
• Step-by-step Sun Salutations
• Alignment and variations for Warrior postures
• How to breathe while flowing through the postures

WEEK 2:

This session is slower paced and is a gentle class. We will be spending a lot of time seated or lying on the floor. Dress in warm layers and cozy socks.

• Exploring a meditation and breathwork practice
• What is the difference between meditation and Yoga Nidra?
• Discussing Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana
• Moving inwards to calm the mind with breathing techniques
• Asana (postures) that relax the body and mind

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Sarah Rivest is a trauma-informed yoga teacher who is passionate about helping people feel comfortable in their bodies, and meeting her students where they are in their own individual practice. In 2009, Sarah was injured in a car accident and began practicing yoga to aid her recovery. After noticing improvements in her neck injury and surprisingly her scoliosis, Sarah decided to deepen her practice with a 20hr Yin Yoga teacher training. She continued her training with an intensive 200hr YTT: Art & Sacred Science of Yoga. This intensive training helped her discover her own breath and uncover deeper traumas that her body was holding onto, which led to her passion for trauma-informed and accessible yoga. To find out more about Sarah, visit our About Us page.

Asana & Insights:

An Empowering Movement & Knowledge Workshop Series

Discover the harmony of body and mind in our unique Asana & Insights Sessions.

Embodying the divine feminine calls for fierceness, courage, and open-heartedness; generosity, compassion, and love for all. Learn what it means to embrace the divine feminine in this transformative series, that blends the physical practice of yoga asana with profound philosophical exploration. These sessions are led by Farah Nazarali, a yoga teacher of over 20 years who has built a wealth of knowledge from her experience and studies in Tibetan Buddhism and Lineage-Based Yoga.

Each session begins with a 60-minute yoga practice designed to awaken and align your body. Following this, we'll delve into a 60-minute discussion based on Acharya Shunya's inspiring book, Roar Like A Goddess. Through a study of the Vedic goddess archetypes - Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, we will come together for stories, journaling, guided meditation, and yoga asana. You'll receive a complimentary self-care package designed and put together by Farah herself, during your first session.

What to Expect:

• 60 Minutes of Yoga Asana: Enhance your strength, flexibility, and mindfulness through guided yoga sequences suitable for all levels.
• 60 Minutes of Insightful Discussion: Engage in meaningful conversations about the divine feminine, inspired by Acharya Shunya's writings, and learn how to bring these principles into your daily life.

Why Join Us?

• Holistic Growth: Balance your physical practice with deep mental and emotional insights.
• Community Connection: Share and learn in a supportive, like-minded community.
• Practical Wisdom: Gain tools that empower and embolden your highest self, both on and off the mat.

Apr 5 | Apr 12 | Apr 19 | May 10 | May 31 (5 Saturdays)

5:00pm - 7:00pm

$35 for a single session or $165 for all five!

Join us for an afternoon of Asana & Insights and embark on a journey of physical vitality and mindful connection.

*Please note, while these sessions deal with topics such as the "divine feminine" and/or "femininity", all are welcome to attend regardless of your gender identity.

About Farah:

Farah Nazarali is a yoga teacher of over 20 years who has a wealth of knowledge and experience from her studies in Tibetan Buddhism and lineage-based yoga, along with conflict resolution and non-violent communication.

Calling all Kind Monthly Members and Supporters! Join Meg Fyfe Watkins (Kind's Founder) for refreshments at the studio. An opportunity to visit with others in our member community, and to "AMA" (ask Meg anything!) about yoga, movement, nervous system regulation, Kind's mission & philosophy, or anything else you're curious about!

Join Lisa Murphy for this series of beginner-friendly Yin & Mindfulness classes. In Mindful Yin, you'll journey through relaxing and longer-held Yin postures, which help to cultivate inner stillness and relaxation. Yin yoga is helpful for muscle tightness, chronic holding and stiffness and for stress management. Lisa will weave lessons about Mindfulness throughout the practice, giving you tools to reduce stress and bring calm to every moment of your day.

What is Yin Yoga?
Yin yoga is a slow-paced, meditative style of yoga that focuses on longer-held postures to target the deeper connective tissues, such as fascia, ligaments, and joints. By softening into poses and staying still, yin yoga invites a sense of surrender, cultivating patience and mindfulness. It’s a practice that balances the body’s energy and fosters a sense of inner calm, making it accessible and beneficial for all levels of yoga experience.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the simple act of noticing what is happening in the present moment, in your body, in the environment around you, and in your mind. Creating this space for your awareness in the present moment then provides you the opportunity to step back and notice unhelpful thoughts, disruptive feelings, or problematic situations, and the presence to let go of whatever isn't serving you, and ground into a greater sense of calm and balance. Practicing mindfulness on your mat in a group class format will help you cultivate mindfulness in other areas of your life, helping to calm anxiety, release stress, and promote a greater sense of ease and presence.

About the Series
This series of three hour-long classes is perfect for beginners exploring yin for the first time or for experienced practitioners looking to deepen their connection to the practice.

3 Fridays - May 5th, 12th, and 26th
7:30pm - 8:30pm

$30 for the series, or $12 drop in for a single session.

Each class is designed to be a complete experience, so you can join for one, two, or all three sessions.

Come with an open heart and mind, and leave feeling more balanced, grounded, and ready to embrace the energy of spring.

Learn to nourish, strengthen and soothe your spine in this 75 minute yoga therapy class. Julia Brobbel, an enthusiastic Yoga Therapist and RYT-500, leads this 6-week series all about back care! Each week you'll be guided through a practice that consists of gentle movement, strengthening work, knowledge about the spine and common issues, and breathwork to support you physically.

Areas of focus:

- Pelvic floor stabilization

- Relaxing hips flexors

- Sciatic pain relief 

- SI joint stabilization

- Managing arthritic conditions that affect the spine

- Strengthening back and core 

- Addressing scoliosis

Yoga therapy is for every body & Julia's teachings are accessible and trauma-informed. Postures are always choice-based; you may challenge your edges or choose to sink into what feels good on any given day. These classes are open to everyone regardless of experience level and/or physical ability.

About Julia:

Julia's lively and spontaneous energy as a 500-hr Yoga Teacher is highly infectious and inspiring! Julia's over two decades of experience in working with the body finds her forging her own unique way of zeroing in on how and what it takes to experience freedom through mindful meditation and movement.  Balancing a spirited, stream-of-consciousness teaching style with her grounded and focused presence, Julia empowers her students to practice in the way that resonates most with their own unique bodies. Julia is also working to complete her three year Yoga Therapy diploma (C-IAYT) journey by spring of 2025, and is excited to share her new wealth of knowledge with the Kind community!

Join Natalie Fay for a transformative 4-week Chakra Journey! Each week, we will focus on specific energy centers, guiding you to reconnect with your body and unlock a deeper sense of mindfulness and balance. Through meditation, vinyasa flow, and intentional movement, we’ll explore how to open and align each of the seven chakras, promoting vibrant well-being in mind, body, and spirit.

Classes are suitable for all levels and will include:

• Vinyasa Flow Practice to move and energize
• A guided meditation to center your mind
• An optional assisted savasana to deepen your relaxation

Let’s journey together toward balance and alignment!

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Schedule:

• Week 1: Root & Sacral Chakras
• Week 2: Solar Plexus & Heart Chakras
• Week 3: Heart & Throat Chakras
• Week 4: Third Eye & Crown Chakras

Instructor: Natalie Fay

Natalie is a passionate yoga teacher who believes in the transformative power of mindfulness and self-awareness. Her experience of practicing yoga with a focus on chakras has helped her cultivate balance, energy flow, and inner peace. Through exploring each of the seven Chakras, Natalie has found that both physical and spiritual practices offer personal growth and emotional healing. Whether on or off the mat, she is dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their true selves and live with intention.

Join Angeles David (they/them) in a joyful session of Laughter Yoga! Angeles follows the Larajii method, a powerful tool that you can use every morning to reduce fatigue and stress, increase energy, and activate joy... in just one minute!

Angeles is a certified leader from Laughter Yoga International, an organization founded by Dr. Madan Kataria in India. Their practice blends intentional laughter with yoga breathing techniques and mindfulness meditation, fostering well-being, joy, and a playful approach to life.

Laughter Yoga will be offered as a karma class on the last Sunday of every month, with admission by donation.

Join us for a by-donation yoga and meditation class in support of humanitarian aid in Gaza through World Central Kitchen. This gentle, grounding practice invites us to come together in compassion and care — embodying the yogic principle of ahimsa, or non-harming.

All levels welcome, and all bodies welcome; space and variations/modifications will be provided for anyone who would like to practice in a chair or whose mobility is limited.

DATE: Sunday, August 24

TIME: 5:00–6:15 PM

COST: By donation (all proceeds to WCK)

Join Taylor Iverson in this special workshop to mark the autumn equinox—a time of balance, transition, and renewal. As the days shorten and the air begins to cool, we’re invited to gather our energy, evaluate our routines, and align with the wisdom of the season. This workshop is designed to help you do just that: ground into your body, connect with the rhythms of nature, and carry supportive practices into the months ahead.

This workshop will begin with an all-levels yoga practice to gently release what no longer serves you and create spaciousness for what’s to come. From there, we’ll gather in circle to explore the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda:

• Ayurveda 101: Understand the basics of this ancient science and its perspective on autumn.
• Seasonal Balance: Discover daily routines to support your body and mind during this transitional time.
• Practical Nourishment: Take home simple tips for fall foods, teas, and self-care rituals to help you stay rooted and energized.
  

We’ll close with a guided meditation to realign with your inner rhythm and the earth’s natural cycles—leaving you feeling grounded, nourished, and inspired as you step into a new season.

This workshop is open to all levels and abilities of practitioner, and all bodies will be accommodated at the level you are comfortable participating. Please bring a journal for reflection and your favourite mug—we’ll share grounding teas together as part of our circle.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Originally from the shores of Lake of the Woods in Northwestern Ontario, Taylor grew up immersed in nature—an influence that continues to shape her teaching today. Her journey through yoga and healing arts has taken her across four continents and over 1000 hours of yoga teacher training in different styles. She is now rooted on Vancouver Island where she teaches yoga, explores mountains, and works in Supportive Housing.

Taylor's passion for knowledge and understanding has led her through a degree in creative writing, a certification in Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coaching, and she is currently working towards her Diploma in Yoga Therapy. Taylor integrates elements of these additional trainings, especially Ayurveda, into her classes to support balance, self-awareness, and a deeper connection to the rhythms of the natural world. Her teaching is trauma-informed and emphasizes exploration over perfection, inviting students to attune to their body’s own story rather than a perfect shape.

Atha Yoga Anushasanam: Now, the practice of yoga begins.

- Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 1:1

Yoga, at its core, is about being fully present, fully connected to the energy of life that is available to us in each moment. The above sutra is an invitation into the present moment - an opening to arrive fully, exactly as you are.

A sound bath is one pathway into that state of presence.

Through the frequency of crystal singing bowls and other instruments, sound becomes a mirror for awareness. The resonance works on a cellular and energetic level to quiet the fluctuations of the mind (chitta vritti), and guide us into deeper alignment with our authentic self.

This experience is not only about relaxation, it is about being in the moment. Because it is in the present that we find true clarity, stillness, and connection to our true nature. This is yoga in its truest sense. 

Sound invites you to release what is no longer serving, to rest in stillness, and to experience the nowness of our being. Each sound bath session can leave you feeling clearer, lighter, and more connected to yourself. When experienced regularly, sound baths can become a grounding practice for nervous system regulation, emotional balance, and spiritual growth - a way to continually return to presence and deepen your inner practice of yoga.