889 Introduces our Living Yoga Program!

You may have been feeling the buzz in the past few weeks as we prepared to officially launch our 889 Living Yoga Program.  Well the time is here! 

The 889 Living Yoga Program is a flexible and comprehensive opportunity for you to study the deep roots of yoga and their modern applications.    The Living Yoga Program will be a life changing experience, as you start to integrate ever subtler practices of this ancient science to improve your vitality, and deep understanding of life – how to embrace it, embody it and thrive.   For some people it may be the catalyst to move towards a livelihood more aligned with your deep values.  For others it will be an opportunity to realize that inner calling – to go DEEP inside, to do that hard inner work and reveal the truth. 

The pace and structure of the 200-hour course is spread out over almost 5 months from September 2012 to Jan 2013, making it manageable to complete it whilst not neglecting the many other important areas of your life.  What makes this program even more unique, is that students or teachers who want to further their interest in one particular area of yoga, are able to hand-pick modules and take one or all of our seven ‘Living Yoga Modules' These modules are 10 – 35 hour mini bites of our Living Yoga Program - Ayurveda, or Philosophy, or Restorative Yoga among others for the joy and pleasure of learning.

889 Yoga is now fully accredited as a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Training School.  Our curriculum exceeds the minimum requirements for receiving a 200 hour Teacher Certification.  This qualification is recognized extensively around the world, and often a pre-requisite for finding a teaching job.   Whilst most programs across North America offer the bare minimum 180 contact hours of study, the 889 Living Yoga Program is over 250 hours in direct contact with your primary teachers.  At 889 we don't settle at minimums … we are committed to offering the highest quality experience for all of our guests and students. 

Our faculty is utterly stellar.  Every single one of our Living Yoga Program faculty are teachers and mentors of mine whom I hold in the highest regard (and just for the record, I am taking the entire course, and honestly can’t wait).  I have selected experts to lead each segment of the training.  Through decades of refining their craft and knowledge, (years of study in the Himalaya, and postgraduate degrees among other things) these individuals have selected an area of the yogic arts in which to specialize, so you can be well assured you are learning from those whose depth of knowledge is unsurpassed in this city, and indeed the whole country. 

Matthew Remski, an Ayurvedic therapist will share a weekly course on Ayurveda – Yoga’s sister science.  The study of Ayurveda is a hugely overlooked aspect of Indian Philosophy that complements and enhances your awareness of yoga as a living, changing art form.   

Scott Petrie will be leading a modern, interactive interpretation of the ancient yoga texts.  His knowledge and ability to communicate this ancient wisdom is unsurpassed in Toronto.   Scott is funny too.  (One needs a good sense of humor when reading the yoga sutras!)

Matthew and Scott (co-founders of the Yoga Festival Toronto) are also bringing their passion and experience into a unique activism module, empowering graduates how to take their yoga into communities that require them.

Marla Joy, one of our most beloved yoga teachers, (who quite honestly is a humble expert in almost everything) and leads teacher trainings around the globe, will be introducing us to Sanskrit and Chanting.  She will also be guiding us in a Restorative Yoga module. 

Riki Richter, the founder of Synergy Sports Medicine clinic, yoga teacher and Osteopath will be sharing three weekends on anatomy.  In-depth and rigorous, but not overwhelming even if this is your first look at your own bones and joints.  Riki has taught on teacher trainings for over a decade, and we are thrilled to have her committed to us here at 889. 

Christine Russell, co-founder of 889, will be talking with students about being an 'Innerpreneur' and the business of yoga – extremely important if you want to transition the art of yoga to being an ethical part of your livelihood. 

Josh Cohen, ‘zen master zen’, and avid yogi, will be teaching us sustainable seated meditation practices from the Vipassana tradition. 

And last but certainly not least, we are thrilled to be bringing back Simon Park from Philadelphia to lead two teaching modules of asana, and hands on assisting for which he is world renowned.  These modules are core modules from Shiva Rea’s Prana Flow foundational teacher training program which are exceptionally well balanced, well organized and well supported with fantastic manuals and materials.  I have completed them both several times, and am excited to be assisting Simon in them once again. 

I will be teaching a few hours on the chakras, teaching beginners, and classroom dynamics and sequencing.   As mentioned I will be taking the entire program, so you will always have a stable point of reference for feedback, support and questions for the duration of the program.   I will also be overseeing the mentorship program where all students will be paired with one of our fabulous 889 teachers for support and guidance.  There will be ample opportunities for all teacher training students to practice teaching classes here at 889, and to receive encouraging and productive feedback to further enhance your skills.  And to satisfy my inner yoga nerd, I will be marking your exams, too.

Please reach out to us with any questions you have at livingyoga@889yonge.com.  Feel free to make an appointment with me to discuss your options, or catch me before or after class.  I am always so happy to talk to you about this wonderful life changing program.
 
xx Nicky

Hip Release Party with Natasha 3 Thursdays April 9 – May 3 from 7:15 – 8:45PM	Yoga for the Seasons - Spring! With Kim April 21 from 1:00 – 3:00PM
Restorative Yoga with Hot Rocks With Nicky and Justin April 28 from 1:15 – 2:45PM	Chakra Journey – A Journey of Eternal Proportions With Darren Hall May 4 from 7:30 – 9:30PM
Awakening the Chakras With Kim 7 Thursdays May 5 – June 21 from 6:30 – 8:30PM	Good Mood Food With Joyous Health May 12 from 1:30 – 2:45PM

Wednesday May 9, 6:00 - 7:15pm
Saturday May 26, 12:00 - 1:15pm
Wednesday June 6, 6:00 - 7:15pm
Saturday June 23, 12:00 -1:15pm

Thompson Hotel
Start Dates x 4 weeks

Saturday May 12, 12:00 - 1:15pm
Saturday June 9, 12:00 - 1:15pm

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Bellies, Birth + Babies

Be prepared for any emergency. Join us for the upcoming Baby and Child First Aid Workshop on May 20th.
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Pauline Bakowski, Holistic Esthetician
The 889 Wellness Spa is NOW open at the Thompson Hotel.
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 Kim McBean, Yoga Therapist
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Shalini Rampersand, RMT
We're excited to welcome the newest members of our 889 Wellness Spa team.