Nanaimo Yoga Classes
Let me help you choose the style that’s right for you: Hatha, Vinyasa/Flow, Yin, Power, Mobility, Flexibility, Interval, Therapy, and more.
“Yoga” means the union of body, mind, and spirit. The best way to achieve this union and be in the present moment is to connect with your breath. It helps you self-center and experiences a deep personal inward journey; it cultivates awareness of the breath and the body, equanimity of the mind, by observing your thoughts without judgment and fostering love and compassion.
Vinyasa Yoga also called Flow
What is Flow or Vinyasa Yoga ?
This style of Yoga connect breath and movement, moving fluidly from one pose to the next while cultivating equanimity and awareness. It incorporates strength, flexibility, balance, cardio, stamina. Benefits including building internal heat, increased stamina, strength, and flexibility, as well as stress reduction. One of the most famous Vinyasa is the Sun Salutation.
What can you expect from a class?
When I teach a class, I usually start with some sun salutations to warm up the body. Then I will review different poses/asanas to be sure we have proper alignment, then we will perform theses poses into a flow. Of course we will do Shavasana at the end. Expect the unexpected in a fun and welcoming environment.
An example of a yoga intervals class.
Yin Yoga
What is Yin Yoga ?
Sink into stillness and slow down your body & mind. This class will help you increase flexibility and range of motion, will calm your mind and release stress. We will use gravity to get deeper into poses and the poses are held for a longer period of time than usual, usually around 3 minutes. This style of Yoga is suitable to everyone.
What can you expect from a class?
This style of class is a really slow pace as we hold poses for around 3 minutes per poses. I encourage you to bring warmer clothes, maybe even a blanket to get as comfortable as possible and sink into stillness.
Mobility and Flexibility Yoga
What is Mobility and Flexibility Yoga?
This class is designed to improve range of motion and release tension using different exercises and stretches. Participants will learn Self Myofascia release (like a massage to yourself with props) to help release tension from the body and improve body function. Theses techniques (MFR) are designed to go in and smooth out those hard knots, returning the fascia to its normal fluid and adaptable self. In this class we will be using foam roller, balls and yoga straps. This style of Yoga is suitable to everyone.
What can you expect from a class?
Come with an open mind in this class and be ready to face some uncomfortable moments while foam rolling but also a great release of tension from it. You will leave this class feeling looser and lighter.
Yoga Intervals
What is Yoga Interval?
It’s new, its a fusion of Yoga with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). Because it’s so new, I think it can be really different from one teacher to another. I see it as where Bootcamp meets Vinyasa Flow. It’s athletic and fat-busting. HIIT is a superior method for fat loss than steady-state exercise training. It can improve cardiovascular capacity better in far less time. This style will also build strength, core stability, increase flexibility, balance, relaxation while cultivating the quality of Yoga like awareness and equanimity.
What can you expect from a class?
When I teach a class, I usually start with a Vinyasa Flow and some sun salutations to warm up the body. Then I will review different poses/asanas to be sure we have proper alignment, then we will perform theses poses using HIIT training. We will end the class with some low impact and relaxing stretches. Of course we will do Shavasana at the end.
Yoga Interval suits my needs. I love Yoga and strength training, so it brings the best of both worlds together.
An example of a yoga intervals class.
Yoga Therapy
As an experienced yoga teacher and therapist, I’ve started offering yoga therapy as an option, which is, as you might have guessed, a brilliant combination of yoga and therapy.
These are one-to-one counselling sessions, in-person or online, that make use of the tools of counselling while incorporating some movement as well. If you feel that regular counselling sessions are missing the physical aspect, yoga therapy might be for you!
What can you expect from a class?
With one of my regular clients, I typically go to her place (this could also be done online). We start by sitting on yoga mats or on chairs. She talks to me about what’s going on in her life for a while, and I listen. Our session unfolds in its own way, and we usually incorporate some yoga.
Basically, we take yogic philosophies and apply them on the mat. We spend some of our time sitting and talking, and we spend some time on the mat, trying different yoga positions, doing some breathing practices. It’s really fluid.
In these sessions, we’re focusing on her condition and how we can help her feel better, rather than on the techniques or methods of yoga practice. My job is to understand why my client asked to see me, and determine how I can support her.
I’m trained to assess clients through listening, questioning, observing, and appropriately touching. I’m looking for ways to help my clients reduce or manage their symptoms, improve their function, and help with their attitude in relation to their health condition.
Although all yoga can be therapeutic and healing, yoga therapy is the application of yogic tools — postures, exercises, breathwork, meditation techniques, and more — to address an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.
Rainbow Kids Yoga in Nanaimo
It’s a great way for kids to increase awareness of themselves, others, and the world, while having fun, because I believe that kids learn best when they’re having fun! Yoga is a wonderful way for children to stay (or become) confident, strong, balanced, and healthy. Yoga engages a child’s natural, boundless energy, and conveys valuable lessons in positive thinking, body and mind awareness. Each class is alive with magical journeys where we meet animals, fly an airplane or drive a car, grow into a tree, or imitate the ocean waves, all in the form of dynamic poses. We use music and song, silly props, games, stories, relaxation, visualization and meditation.