Programs

Intensive Asana Class with Mayavan

October 18th, 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.

Bhagavad Gita Course with Maheswari (ONLINE)

October 22nd – November 19th; Thursdays 5pm- 6.15pm $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.

Participants will receive the Zoom link a few days before the course.

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.

Introduction to Meditation

October 23rd- November 20th, Fridays 6:30pm – 7:45pm; $120

As a token of our gratitude for your participation, enjoy a special Thanksgiving discount!

Use coupon code THANKSGIVING by October 13 to receive your 15% discount.

Thank you for being part of our community!

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

Clay Workshop: Lotus Incense Holders

Saturday, October 24, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm; $35
Join us for a creative gathering as we make clay lotus incense holders to take home. Tea, snacks, and good company included 🙂

Facilitator:
Nibi has been part of the Sivananda family since she was a child. She is excited to share her love of art and crafts with the community.

Yoga for Deep Release
with Padmini

Saturday , October 24th, 1pm-3pm, $38

In this workshop, you will move slowly through more relaxed, longer-held yoga postures (asanas) to allow fascia, the deep and less flexible connective tissues, time to stretch. You will also practice breathing exercises, and a short meditation.
Goals:
. release physical and mental tension
. improve flexibility, mobility, and range of motion
. support bone and joint health
. develop ease in the body
. unblock stagnant energy in the body
. cultivate mental focus
. bring a sense of equanimity

Teacher:  Padmini has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation at the Toronto Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre for many years. She teaches with ease, precision, and dedication. She aims to inspire students to attain and maintain health, well-being,
and inner peace.

October 24th – November 21st, 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.

Community meals
Monday, October 26, 6:30 pm
$12

We’ll be hosting community meals every few weeks! Join us for a nutritious and yogic vegetarian dinner and an opportunity to come together as a community.

Take-away is also an option—bring your own Tupperware!

Upcoming:
Monday, November 9, 6:30 p.m.

Bhagavad Gita , level 2

October 28th – November 25th, Wednesdays, 5pm-6.15pm; $120

Deepen your knowledge and yoga practice through the study of the Bhagavad-Gita, one of the core scriptures of Yoga.

The Bhagavad-Gita is a conversation between Arjuna and his teacher Krishna on a variety of philosophical themes. We will read and discuss selected verses from the Bhagavad-Gita, taking inspiration and connecting them to the situations we face in our daily lives.

This course will explore the second part of the Gita. It is open to students who have completed the first course or have studied the text before.

Participants will receive the Zoom link a few days before the course.

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.

November 5th – December 3rd,  Thursdays, 5 pm $120

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register by October 25 to receive 10% off with code EARLYBIRD.

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.

Intensive Asana Class with Mayavan

November 8th, Sunday, 8 am-11 am; $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.

5Day Morning Pranayama practice

November 16th – 20th, 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.

November 17th – December 15th, Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm. $120

Register by November 8 to receive 10% off with code EARLYBIRD10

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.

Ayurvedic Nutrition and Cooking Course with Dr. Sonal Bhatt

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

November 28th and 29th, Saturday and Sunday: 1pm – 6pm) ; Cost $385

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.

Teacher: Anantya has been teaching yoga classes and workshops at the Sivananda Yoga Centre and in the Toronto community for many years. He is an experienced and dedicated teacher who guides students with clarity, care, and attention to individual needs, helping them develop a safe and meaningful yoga practice. Anantya is an E-RYT 500 and a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP).