We host regular workshops, specialty classes, and events to deepen your practice in a community setting. Payment is required at the time of registration and GST will be added to the price. We often require a minimum number of participants to run a workshop, so if you are considering attending, please register one week prior to avoid disappointment.
Yoga for Sleep – 6 week series
with Cedar Sorensen
Tuesdays at 7:45-9:00pm
September 26th – October 31st
*New dates – postponed by one week*
This therapeutic yoga program will introduce participants to an approach to yoga that is specifically aimed at creating a sense of calm, ease, relaxation, and well-being to support better sleep; and will provide resources, such as written descriptions of short practices that can be utilized at home in a self-practice. These “take-home” practices can be used at bedtime to create the conditions to support better sleep, or anytime one needs more calm and peace.
Each weekly class is 75 minutes, and provides the experience of a deeply restful & soothing yoga practice. We will practice asana (postures), and demonstrations will be provided on the use of “props” to create maximum comfort & support for restful restorative postures. You will learn mindful breathing, visualization & guided imagery, and guided relaxation techniques. Interwoven with the physical practice, will be practical information on the benefits of certain postures, natural ways to support sleep, meditative readings, and several special guided relaxation practices.
Investment: $80-$100 Sliding Scale
Yoga for Back Pain – 6 Week Series
With Nyk Danu
Thursdays at 7:45-9pm
September 21st – October 26th
Got Back Pain? I’ve got your back! Experience the benefits of Yoga with a focus on the back, neck and shoulders. Whether you sit at a desk all day or are generally sore and tight, this class is for you. Special attention will be given to stretching and strengthening all the muscles that support the back including the core.
This class starts off with flowing poses (Yang) to increase circulation, create warmth, detoxify the body and build strength in the muscles needed to support a healthy back. Then it shifts gears, moving into the relaxed practice of floor poses (Yin), using the support of props when needed, for three to five minutes at a time. Yin yoga postures gently stretch and rehabilitate the connective tissues that form our joints, allowing us to maintain and restore joint and muscle flexibility.
Investment: $80-$100
Friday Night Kirtan!
With Kelly, Tia and Damian
September 22nd @ 7:30-9:00pm
Kirtan is Back! Kirtan is a form of Bhakti (devotional) Yoga where community gathers to share in call-and-response chanting, therein discovering that which unites us to each other. Most of the chants are in the ancient but timeless Sanskrit language. These sounds vibrate within the physical and subtle body, quieting the mind and purifying the heart. No experience is necessary, and song sheets are provided.
Investment: $5-$20 Sliding Scale
Bowspring Basics: Intro to Bowspring Practice & Principles
With Karin Sarnblom
September 23rd at 1:00-3:00pm
Come and learn about the transformative posture of Bowspring and how to apply it to everyday life. In this workshop you will learn:
•About the 10 key areas of the body using the Bowspring method
•How to optimize this universal postural template for any functional movement throughout your daily life, be that yoga, walking, sitting
•More insight into the awareness of your habitual body language so that you can choose to consciously shift what you are communicating to yourself and to others
Learn more about Bowspring at GlobalBowspring.com
All levels of experience welcome!
Investment: $25 Before September 18th / $35 After
Teacher Developement Series
with Jonathan Boyd
September 29th – October 1st
Are you a new teacher or a seasoned instructor who is looking to sharpen their teaching skills? Join Jonathan Boyd for three Yoga Teacher Development sessions this September at Hemma. Each session will focus on a specific teaching skill (voice/language, observation, teaching mixed levels). It will be feature both lecture & practice, and include relevant handouts and exercises. The sessions are designed for yoga teachers but can be applied to other fitness modalities like pilates, barre or bowspring.
Session 1
Activate your Voice Clearly
Friday September 29th at 7:00-9:00pm
Take your yoga teaching to the next level by becoming precise and concise. Let go of the dreaded Yoga Teacher Voice, and discover your Authentic Voice. This intelligent and humorous session will sharpen your language, broaden your vocabulary, and provide you with clear & direct cues to gradually sequence instructions. Become the confident teacher that commands presence and articulates the practice without performing the poses. Discover common tendencies to avoid like using dis-empowering language, plural instructions and “-ing” endings.
Session 2
See What You Teach & Teach What You See
Saturday September 30th at 1:00 – 4:00pm
Develop eyes like a hawk. Building upon on the language skills, this session will sharpen your observation skills by providing useful tips for:
– Positioning mats in a room
– Choosing Home Base
– Adjusting students from across the room with just your voice.
– Providing positive, specific feedback.
– Observing for shape, safety and refinements.
– Common misalignments in postures
Session 3
Mixed Levels to Maximize Attendance
Sunday October 1st at 2:00-4:00pm
The better you get at teaching mixed level classes, the harder it is to teach. Learn techniques to offer modifications and enhancements for various postures. Give your students the choice in measurable postural progressions and empower them to practice at their current capacity, whether that is more advanced or more conservative.
Investment:
Session 1 $50
Session 2 $60
Session 3 $50
All 3 Sessions $120
Hemma’s 10th Birthday!!!!!!!!!!
October 15th
A decade of serving YOU, our vibrant community, with Yoga and Acupuncture deserves a celebration! We wouldn’t be here without you and your dedication to practice and self-care. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm.
OCTOBER 15th – Celebrate!
FREE Yoga classes (view schedule)
FREE Acupuncture (book online)
Prizes, Cake, and a whole lotta fun!
OCTOBER 10th-15th – Sales!
$85 for 5 Acupuncture Treatments
$100 for 10 Yoga Class Pass
10% off everything in the store
Stay tuned for other great sales and fun games in October to celebrate this milestone!
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Workshop
20 Hours with Facilitator Nicola Mosley, MSW, E-RYT 200 and assistance from Sarah Kinsley MEd (C. Psych), E-RYT 500, RCYT
October 20th, 21st, 22nd, 2017
This is designed for yoga teachers, practitioners and professionals working with trauma survivors. It focuses on understanding the foundations of trauma theory, the principles that inform trauma sensitive yoga, and provides specific tools to support serving anyone who has experienced trauma within a public yoga class or professional clinical setting. This applied skill development opportunity will strengthen an understanding of resilience within the body and brain, and what supports creating a trauma-informed practice and space. The program is designed for professionals and practitioners who are looking to expand their practice to include treatment of the body, as well as the mind.
Trauma Center-Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) is registered with NREPP as an evidence-based adjunct technique for clinical treatment supporting healing from complex trauma or chronic, treatment-resistant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). TCTSY has foundations in Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, Neuroscience, and Hatha Yoga practice with an emphasis on body-based yoga forms and breathing practices.
Schedule:
Friday October 20th at 12:30-4:30pm & 7:00-9:30pm
Saturday October 21st at 12:30-4:00pm & 6:30-9:30pm
Sunday October 22nd at 2:00-4:00pm
(20-hours includes 15-contact hrs, with 5-hrs of pre-course reading and homework)
Investment: $370 before October 2nd / $395 After
*Note: Participants DO NOT need to be certified yoga teachers to attend the training and this workshop is a pre-requisite for the 300-hr TCTSY certification program out of the Trauma Center. Read more about the workshop.
Chair Yoga – 6 Week Series
With Cara Calibaba
Thursdays at 2:00-3:00pm
October 26th to November 30th
Yoga is for everyBODY! In this gentle, fluid and empowering class, you will practice yoga poses with the support of a chair. The chair allows you to explore the mind, body and spirit connection in a slow-paced, balanced and mindful way. Together we will learn how to use our breath to increase flexibility and strength, while decreasing tension and stress.
Investment: $80-$100 Sliding Scale
Dreaming In The Dark 
with Natalie Rousseau
October 28th at 1:00-4:00pm
In this workshop we will explore teachings and practices inspired by the dark season and the threshold space of Samhain or Halloween, a potent time of year for inner exploration and subtle practice. This event will include an all levels yoga & meditation practice, mantra work, simple ritual, group discussion, and personal reflection. You will be invited to take place in the creation of an ancestors altar if you choose, and it is recommended that you bring a journal.
Investment: $40 Before October 23rd / $50 After
Yoga 4 Youth- All Genders aged 10-15
8 Week Series with Cara Calibaba
Wednesdays at 3:45-4:45pm
November 1st – December 20th
Yoga 4 Youth is a flowing, heart-centered class which encourages tweens to develop strength, flexibility, focus and a sense of oneness. Our peaceful studio setting will allow participants to feel nourished and supported by the use of a variety of yoga props. Each youth participant will explore breath work, mindfulness techniques, and basic Yoga Philosophy. This practice is perfect for young individuals that are looking to release stress and improve physical wellness. We look forward to sharing the sacred science of yoga with youth. *Beginners welcome, no prior yoga experience necessary*
About Cara: Cara Calibaba is a BC certified teacher and graduate from the University of Regina’s Arts Education program where she studied dance education. As a former school teacher, she has developed a passion for creating cathartic and grounding experiences for children of all ages and abilities. Now based in Victoria, she is the creator and founder of Enlighten. Learn more about Cara and The Enlight 10 Educator Scholarship www.enlight10.info
Investment: $100-$135 Sliding Scale
The Yamas and Niyamas: Living your Yoga
With Kristen Gilbert and Toni Dunnes
Novemeber 4th at 12:30-4:00pm
This offering will examine (through both lecture and asana) the first two limbs of Patanjali’s 8 limbed yoga system. The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical precepts that guide our relationships to ourselves, each other and to the earth. The first asana portion will be a flowing vinyasa practice, and the later asana practice will be restorative. Join Toni and Kristen from the Doghouse (Comox Valley) for a profound and playful afternoon fusing ancient principles with modern actions.
Investment: $55 Before October 30th / $65 After
Meditate & Educate: Introduction to Sharing Meditation with Kids & Teens
With Cara Calibaba
November 18th at 1:00-4:00pm
In this adult workshop you will learn how the heart-based wisdom of meditation can empower the children & teens in your life!
• Discover how modelling mindfulness techniques can support youth to embody a regular stillness practice.
• Investigate how meditation can help children cope with everyday stressors.
• Explore meditation techniques combined with breathwork and movement.
• Receive resources to support a practice for kids and teens.
This adult workshop is great for school teachers, yoga teachers, parents, grandparents and anyone who works with kids & teens. No prior meditation experience necessary. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal, pen, yoga mat and meditation cushion if you have one. Bolsters, blockers and blankets will be provided.
Investment: $50 Before November 13th / $60 After
Restorative Yoga & Thai Massage
Facilitated by Cedar Sorensen, Thai Massage with Coralie Charland
December 17th at 2:00-4:00pm
Cultivate deep relaxation through the combined therapeutic power of Restorative Yoga, Thai massage & a Loving-Kindness practice. During this special 2-hour class, while being guided through a series of relaxing, restorative yoga poses, you will receive Thai massage therapy. The combination of yoga and massage allows you to let go of deep tension, breathe more deeply, and almost effortlessly flow into bliss. The loving-kindness practice offers us a chance for deep self-nurturing and supports our subtle body. This combination will open the practitioner to experience benefits on a physical, mental and energetic level.
Wear comfortable, layered clothing and leave all your cares at the door. Class size is limited to ensure quality massage time. This event usually sells out, so be sure to pre-register!
Investment: $50 before December 11th / $60 after
Refund Policy:
– If you cancel 7 days prior to the event, we can offer you a full refund or credit at Hemma.
– If you cancel within the week prior to the event, we can offer you a credit at hemma, minus a $5 administration fee.
– If you cancel the day of the event, or don’t show up for it, no refund or credit will be offered.
– It is rare that we cancel a workshop, but if we do we will give you 24 hours notice and offer you a full refund or credit at Hemma.
Thank you for your understanding.