Programs

Introduction to Raja Yoga

(in person and online)

August 26th Tuesday; 6.30-8.30pm; cost: $35

Raja Yoga is a branch of yoga often referred to as the psychology of yoga. It focuses on how the mind works and offers a psychological framework rooted in the broader Vedantic tradition. It combines body and mind practices that provide different pathways for enhancing well-being. Topics in Raja Yoga include: What is the mind? What is a thought? How do behaviour, mental attitude, the senses, and breath influence thought processes? How can acceptance and change serve as two pathways toward a peaceful mind? The goal is not to control the mind in a rigid way, but to cultivate awareness that fosters greater self-understanding and a more balanced way of living

Teacher: Saraswati is the director of the yoga center and a senior staff member of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta organization. She has been teaching yoga, meditation and philosophy for many years and is happy to share the knowledge.

September 4th – October 2nd, Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm. $120

This course builds on the foundation laid in our Yoga 1 course and gives the opportunity to build up a solid practice, including all the basic postures and breathing exercises.

Emphasis is placed on holding postures longer and making smooth transitions between postures. You will also discover some variations of the basic Yoga postures.

This is an ideal refresher course for those who have lapsed in their practice. It is also suitable for experienced practitioners who are new to Sivananda Yoga Center.

Introduction to Meditation

September 5th-October 3rd , Fridays 6.30pm-7.45pm; $85

In person and Online

Meditation is an invaluable tool for emotional balance and peace of mind. This course will provide step to step guidance for starting a meditation practice. It is helpful for those who are just starting  as well as those who would like to renew their commitment to this practice.

Topics covered  include:

-What is meditation and what are the benefits?

-How to start a meditation practice: The three fundamentals.

-Meditation for beginners and tips for those who are returning practitioners

THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA with Padmini

September 10th, Wednesday 6.30pm-8.30pm, $38

This workshop will provide an introduction to the Four Paths of Yoga and their benefits as well as the benefits of integrating the four paths to achieve balanced, holistic development of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of life.

Karma Yoga (Path of Action)
focuses on performing one’s duties with integrity and dedication for the greater good, without expectation of reward.
Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion)
is a way to connect with the divine through love and devotion practices include chanting, prayer, and rituals.
Raja Yoga (Path of Body and Mind Control)
is a psychological approach that emphasizes discipline through practices that control the body, prana (vital energy), and the mind.
Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge and Inquiry)
follows the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and involves self-reflection, contemplation, and study in order to understand the true nature of the Self.

Teacher: Padmini is an experienced Sivananda Yoga teacher who has been practising and teaching at the Yoga Centre for many years and is dedicated to supporting students in their practice by offering her knowledge and guidance.

Weekend Yoga Retreat at Mansfield

Sept 19th-21st, 2025 (Fri-Sun)

Cost: $325  ($100 non-refundable deposit)

The retreat is held at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre, near Barrie, 1 1/2 hours north of Toronto, Ontario. Join us to experience the harmony, peace, and balance that yoga brings in a setting that invigorates the body and calms the mind. No previous yoga experience is required. The Center will organize a carpool. Everyone is welcome! The accommodation is at the main Field Center, in rooms with four beds. Below is the option for accommodation with cabins with ensuite bathrooms.

• Day program  (Saturday) $100    For the day program please register here
• Weekend program fee $200 (witout accommodation)    For the weekend program please register here

Accommodation (cabins with ensuite bathroom ) can also be booked directly with the Mansfield Outdoor  Center  (please check their website: https://mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca/accommodation). The fee of $200 for the Yoga Retreat program is paid directly to the Yoga  Center.

For full SCHEDULE please check Retreat page:  https://sivanandacanada.org/toronto/weekend-yoga-retreat-ontario/

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.

Teen Meditation

(ages 14-17)

September 27th – October 25th; Saturdays 11am-12 noon

Cost: by donation

The Teen Meditation Course helps teenagers learn how to manage their thoughts and emotions and introduces basic techniques for finding inner calm. The course includes simple meditation practices, and teens are encouraged to continue practicing at home. There will also be time for questions and open discussions about mental health topics that interest the group. No prior meditation experience is required. The course is open to all and offers a safe, supportive space to explore practical ways to improve and maintain mental well-being .

Teacher: Saraswati has been a long-time staff member of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta organization and is the director of the Toronto Yoga Centre. She has led children’s and teen yoga camps and taught yoga and meditation to youth in various Toronto settings, including community agencies, schools, and youth detention facilities. Saraswati has a background in child and youth counselling and a long-standing interest in mental health support for children and adolescents.

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 Managing Stress and Anxiety with Saraswati

Saturday, October 4th 1pm-4pm; $55

This workshop explores the sources of stress and suffering from both Western and Yogic perspectives. Topics will include the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours; common mind traps from both Western psychological and yogic perspectives; and how to recognize, understand, and begin to change deeply ingrained thought patterns that no longer serve us. Through reflection exercises and guided practices, we will focus on practical skills that can be used in daily life to build a more supportive connection with yourself and others. No prior yoga experience is required.

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.

Meditation level 2

October 17th-November 14th; Fridays 6.30pm-7.45pm;  $85

Meditation is considered the most important of all the Yoga techniques and is an invaluable tool for emotional balance and peace of mind.

In this course you will continue to be guided in your meditation practice and in creating a lifestyle conducive for successful meditation. You will thus be encouraged to bring your meditation practice in more areas of your life in order to build greater resilience, inner peace and focus, specially in these challenging times.

With Meditation 2:

• Learn how to better integrate meditation into your life
• Deepen your understanding of the nature of mind and thoughts
• Discover and overcome the various obstacles to meditation
• Mantra practice and how to find suitable mantra for personal practice

Suitable for students who have completed our Introduction to Meditation, or who are intermediate meditation practitioners.

The course is offered online and in person. Online students will receive Zoom link two days before the course.

Yoga for Fascia Stretch and Release with Padmini

November 8th,  Saturday: 1pm – 3pm

Cost: $38

Fascia is connective tissue in the body that supports muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones,
organs, blood vessels, and nerves. It plays a key role in flexibility, mobility, and posture.

In this workshop, yoga poses (asanas) will be held in a yielding and meditative manner for longer periods in order to stretch and loosen fascia in selected areas of the body. To enhance the benefits of the asanas, breathing exercises and a short meditation will also be included.

Benefits:
. improved mobility and range of motion
. improved flexibility
. improved circulation
. removal of blockages, which allows Prana, the vital energy, to flow more freely
. deep relaxation and inner stillness
. reduction in stress and tension

This workshop is suitable for yoga students of all levels.
Please feel free to bring your own blocks, cushions, belts, bolsters, and/or blankets.

Teacher: Padmini is an experienced Sivananda Yoga teacher with a special interest in Hatha Yoga. Padmini has been practising and teaching at the Yoga Centre for many years and is dedicated to supporting students in their practice by offering her knowledge and guidance.

Urban Hatha Yoga Retreat with Mayavan

November 23rd , Sunday 7 am-4.30 pm; $108