Philosophy Courses

5Day Morning Pranayama practice

September 8th – 12th, 6am-7am, $55 (online)

Here are some of the benefits of pranayama:
-Optimal gas exchange (O2 and CO2)
-Oxygenation of tissues thanks to breath retention
-Harmonization of metabolic rates and chemical balance of the body
-Clearness of mind and stimulation of the parasympathetic system
-Improvement of digestion and fortification of the immune system

In order to benefit from this program, it is important to participate in all 5 sessions.

Teacher: Mayavan has been a dedicated yoga practitioner since childhood. He holds a Master’s degree in yoga therapy and is the director of Yoga Salai, a community-based yoga center in Scarborough.

Ayurvedic Nutrition and Cooking Course with Dr. Sonal Bhatt

(Certificate of completion is awarded after successful attendance)

September 25th – November 16th ; Cost : $950  (24 teaching hours and 10 class Yoga pass)

Theory: Thursdays 6.30pm-8.30pm (25th Sept; 2nd Oct; 9th Oct; 16th Oct)
Cooking workshops: Saturdays or Sundays 1.30-4.30pm (26th Oct, 2ndNov, 8th Nov, 16th Nov)

We will meet each Thursday, 6.30-8.30 pm to learn theory and then each Saturday or Sunday, 1.30-4.30pm for cooking sessions.

This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Ayurvedic nutrition and food combinations that promote health and digestion. Students will learn how to plan well-balanced, nutritious vegetarian meals made from grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. dairy products, fat, spices and herbs, based on Ayurvedic principles.
Ayurveda, a traditional holistic, natural healing science of health from India, has been practiced for over 5,000 years and teaches us how to live a healthy, balanced life. Ayurveda emphasizes diet as the most essential part of a healthy life.

This course is open to everyone, including yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, and individuals seeking to adopt a healthy vegetarian lifestyle and learn about balanced food according to the principles of Ayurveda.

Course overview (theory):

• Learn a balanced diet based on Ayurvedic principles.
• The twelve Ayurvedic food groups.
• Sources and balance of the six tastes (shad rasa).
• Food combinations using Ayurvedic principles.

• Understanding of vegetarian proteins for the maintenance of
essential protein in the diet.
• Use of Ayurvedic herbs and spices to enhance and regulate
digestion.
• Importance of the concepts of Agni and Ama.
• Concept of fasting (Upvasa).
• Planning well-balanced, nutritious meals.

Cooking workshops overview:
• Menus will cover Tri-Doshic recipes for all body types.
• Recipes will be cooked using healing herbs and spices.
• Proper food combinations used to enhance the digestion.
• Preparation of nutritious sweets.

Bhagavad Gita Course with Maheswari (ONLINE)

September 27th- November 15th (8 classes) ; Saturdays 1pm-2.15pm $120

Explore the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, a foundational scripture of Vedanta philosophy, and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Together, we will discuss selected verses, drawing inspiration to apply their timeless teachings on life, duty, devotion, and self-realization in our daily experiences. All levels are welcome to enrich their understanding of Yoga as a holistic way of life, finding clarity, purpose, and inner peace. Join us as ancient wisdom meets modern life, unveiling timeless truths for a more fulfilling existence.

Students will receive Zoom link for this course two days before the course start date.

Teacher: Maheswari has been teaching yoga and philosophy at the Sivananda Yoga Center and ashram for over twenty years . She is an experienced and compassionate teacher who connects with students of all levels.

Integrative Approach to Fear and Anxiety with Saraswati

Saturday, October 4th 1pm-4pm; $50

Many of the challenges we face in daily life come from the way our minds interpret and react to experience. Both Yogic philosophy and modern psychology describe how unhelpful patterns of thinking can create suffering, and how we can learn to shift them.

In this workshop, we will:

• Practice simple breathing and meditation to calm and focus the mind, and explore why these tools help with inner transformation.

• Reflect on common patterns of distorted thinking, drawing from both Yogic wisdom and psychology, and examine how they contribute to fear, stress and disconnection.

• Learn the “cognitive triangle” – the interplay of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors – as a practical path for change.

• Practice reflections and exercises from both traditions to begin reshaping old patterns into more helpful ways of relating to ourselves and others.

Teacher: Saraswati has been a long-time staff member of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta organization and is the director of the Toronto Yoga Center. She has taught Yoga to students of all ages for many years.  Saraswati also has a background in social work and psychotherapy, and she is happy to facilitate workshops focused on supporting mental well-being.

Headstand Workshop with Anantya

October 18th, Saturday, 1pm-2:30pm; $35

Headstand is the first of the 12 yoga poses practiced in our open class sequence.

This posture benefits the brain, spinal cord, and sympathetic nervous system, and strengthens the circulatory and respiratory systems.

If you are struggling with this pose, come for this workshop and receive additional assistance and support. We will review the eight steps for coming in and out of the pose safely and systematically and how to overcome common mistakes.

Teacher: Anantya has been a long time teacher who teaches regularly at Sivananda Yoga Center. He is able to connect with students of all levels and assist them in their yoga journey.