Programs

Introduction to Meditation

July 10th-August 7th, Fridays 6.30pm-7.45pm; $120

Meditation is an invaluable tool for emotional balance and peace of mind . This course will provide step-by-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

-Mechanics of the mind: How the mind works and how meditation helps

-Mantras as tools for meditation

Course includes theory and practice, and is interactive.

Therapeutic Yoga Workshop with Sundari

Saturday, July 11th. 1pm-3pm, $50

Join this Therapeutic Yoga workshop to breathe into deep spaces, release tension, support organ detox, and strengthen the small stabilizing muscles that restore alignment and boost energy flow. Using therapeutic sequences and strategic prop placement tailored to individual needs, we’ll gently work through tightness, stiffness, injuries, and pain.

The practice focuses on shoulders, hips, and spine with gentle rotations, undulations, stretches, and mild strengthening to improve mobility and resilience. These techniques enhance vitality, freedom of movement, and a felt sense of mind–body integration.

Leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and blissful.

Facilitator: Nora Benian (Sundari)  is a multifaceted healer, teacher, and guide dedicated to empowering individuals on their journeys to wellness and self-discovery. A certified Sivananda Yoga teacher, Sundari teaches classes, workshops, and teacher trainings both online and at Sivananda Ashrams worldwide. Nora’s specialties include Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, and Hatha Yoga—each practice tailored to nurture the body, mind, and spirit. Nora is also an author. Her upcoming book, 10 Effective Methods to Heal Yourself, is a practical guide designed to help readers unlock their innate healing potential and cultivate lasting well-being.

Intensive Asana Class with Mayavan

July 12th, Sunday, 8am-11am; $55

(Intensive asana classes are offered once a month. To register for a package of 3 and receive 20% discount please click HERE)

Deepen your practice with an engaging three-hour class that combines practice and theory, taught by special visiting teacher Mayavan. Suitable for intermediate students, this class is an opportunity to challenge yourself and go further in your practice. And don’t worry: the time flies by! You will leave feeling uplifted and full of energy.

This class will allow you to:

• Fine-tune your practice, through personalized corrections
• Strengthen the legs, open the hips and mobilize the spine
• Tap in to more energy through the practice of Sun Salutations and dynamic asanas
• Increase overall strength and stability through standing poses
• Achieve steadiness and comfort in classical asanas
• Gain practical knowledge about the yoga practice and yogic lifestyle

Teacher: Mayavan has devoted his life to learning and teaching the art and science behind yogic practices. He has spent the past three decades in dedicated practice and service to his community. He holds a Masters in Yoga Therapy from Annamalai University in India and has earned the prestigious designations of Yoga Siromani, Yoga Acharya and Yoga Baskara. Mayavan is the director of Yogasalai, a yoga centre in Scarborough.

Pranayama weekend with Mayavan; $55

Pranayama class: July 25th and 26th,  Saturday and Sunday 7-8am (online)

Workshop: July 25th, Saturday, 4 pm-6 pm (at the center or online)

Classes are suitable for beginners, as well as students who would like to return to a steady pranayama practice.

Morning Pranayama classes will begin with gentle stretches and simple movements to help release tension and prepare the body for sitting. We will then do gradual pranayama practice.

We will explore:

• Anuloma Viloma / Nadi Shuddhi – alternate nostril breathing for balance and steadiness
• Bhramari – humming breath to calm the mind
• Ujjayi – to increase awareness of the breath and for inner focus
• Introduction to Kapalabhati – introduced gently and in a beginner-friendly way

We will also introduce simple mudras (hand gestures) and explain how they can support concentration and stillness.

Why practise pranayama?

Pranayama is the yogic practice of working with the breath and prana, or life energy. Regular practice can help steady the mind, improve focus, balance energy, and prepare us for meditation.

Workshop will include:

• individual corrections and guidance
• time for questions and discussion
• practical tips for home practice
• support in developing a simple personal routine

Handouts will be shared before the class. They will include the practices we will cover, their traditional benefits, and suggestions on how to prepare.

Teacher: Mayavan is a Sivananda Yoga teacher and director of Yoga Salai, a community-based yoga center in Scarborough. He holds a Master’s in Yoga Therapy from Annamalai University, India, where he serves as a faculty member. Mayavan has been practicing and teaching Yoga since childhood.

Pranayama Workshop with Mayavan

July 25th , Saturday 4pm-6pm; $38 (at the center or online)

This workshop is part of our Pranayama Weekend and can be taken individually or as part of the full package, which also includes the online morning practice sessions.

This workshop offers an opportunity to deepen your pranayama practice with individual guidance and corrections. Pranayama can support steadiness of mind, balance of energy, concentration, and a deeper connection to the inner practice of yoga.

Often, students learn the techniques but rush through the process or miss important details, which can reduce the benefits of the practice. In this workshop, we will slow down and explore techniques such as Kapalabhati, Anuloma Viloma, Bhramari, and Ujjayi with more care and attention.

We will also discuss how to choose the right pranayama for different situations. While a regular practice may include the traditional foundational techniques, at times we may need a different approach depending on the state of our mind and energy, the demands of the day, or the particular stage and circumstances of life.

The workshop will include time for questions, discussion, practical tips for home practice, and support in developing a simple personal routine.

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.

August 8th – September 5th, Saturdays 1:00pm – 2:30pm, $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.

An Evening of Kirtan with Shell and Anton

August 17th, Monday 7pm-9pm. $50

Step into a warm, welcoming space and discover the heart-opening practice of Kirtan with Shell and Anton, who are on their Canadian Kirtan Tour and are coming to our Yoga Center as one of their stops to share in this Bhakti Yoga practice.
Kirtan is a simple, joyful form of group meditation that blends live music with call-and-response Mantra chanting. You don’t need any singing experience, just a willingness to listen, repeat, and be part of the shared sound. There’s no pressure to perform. We repeat the mantras to express, not to impress.

With the musical guidance of harmonium and percussion, Shell and Anton will lead us through each mantra at a relaxed pace. They will share short stories and clear explanations so you can understand the meaning and intention behind what you’re chanting. You are always welcome to join in, listen quietly, dance, or simply soak in the atmosphere.

Whether you are  completely new to Kirtan or returning to a beloved practice, this is a space to unwind, connect, and experience the calming, uplifting power of chanting together. Come as you are – your voice and your presence are enough.

Facilitators: Shell and Anton are Yoga Educators and international touring Kirtan artists who walk the joyful path of Bhakti Yoga. With over 35 years of combined practice, they have found their deepest inspiration in Kirtan – musical Mantra chanting that both soothes the mind and lifts the spirit. Feeling called to share the transformative power of Mantra with others, they blend tradition,
music, and heartfelt explanation with warmth and devotion, so communities feel at home in the Kirtan experience to sing, connect, and open their hearts. They have deepened their studies on several spiritual journeys through India guided by their beloved Guru and teacher, Sri Prasad Rangnekar based in Mumbai.

You can learn more about Shell and Anton at the links below:
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shellandreayogakirtan
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyogakirtan/
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellyogakirtan
 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shell_and_anton
 Website: https://www.shellandreayoga.com/

Ayurvedic Nutrition and Cooking Course with Dr. Sonal Bhatt

(A 10-hour certificate of completion is awarded after successful attendance)

September 26th & September 27th (Saturday and Sunday: 1pm – 6pm) ; Cost $275

Schedule:  1pm-2.,30 pm Theory;  3pm-6pm cooking session (followed by meal!)

This course is designed to provide students with a basic 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.

The 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):

• 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 proteins 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 and healthy hot and cold drinks.

AYURVEDIC YOGA RETREAT at the Sivananda Yoga Center

Sunday, October 4th: $108; 10am-4.30pm