Class Locations

Odell Park Lodge is a beautiful location - central, with lots of parking, surrounded by park and trails, and a much appreciated wood stove in winter.

The Marysville Heritage Centre is just down the street from the Cotton Mill. It's a nice space along the river, surrounded by park space for walks before or after and there's lots of parking. Count on 10 minutes from either bridge. 11 McGloin

Aura Natural Foods is on Westmorland and George - a beautiful yoga studio with lots of parking across the street at the church.

Lifesong at Marysville: We've been enjoying the teacher trainings and small classes in the light-filled studio and appreciating what a wonderful location this is. Stop and watch the ever-changing Nashwaak river, or pop down to the walking trail for a walk. Lots of parking. Max class size: 8 so please register early. Please note there are two friendly dogs - their presence can be understated but if you're allergic, they're definitely there!

*Due to significant rental costs elsewhere, if class size is under 9, I may consider moving it to Lifesong rather than canceling. In that case, I would inform all those registered and give them the choice of moving or withdrawing.

Sign up for the next "Preparation for Labour Workshop for Couples" (A Guy's Guide to Labour Support).

As I receive names, I put together classes of 3 or 4 couples, usually once every two months. Location TBA depending on numbers.

This workshop is aimed at couples wishing to increase their chances of a natural birth and who would like to learn how to work together towards their goal. This class does not replace a "full" prep for birth course such as the VON gives. It does not include information on drug choices, but focuses on practical ways the partner can support the woman during labor - including

• what to expect during the different stages of labour and how to work best together as a couple
• how emotions and thoughts play a role in the way the labour progresses (or doesn't) and how "the art of birth" can complement "the medicine of birth"
• how to work "with" the system. The support person as advocate.
• natural pain management and comfort techniques
• physical postures, breath and relaxation techniques for delivery

The cost of the workshop is $80 per couple.

Yoga at the Lighthouse Another Lifesong inspired project (!), you'll find Frederictonians and tourists of all descriptions doing yoga with a different teacher each week on the lighthouse deck overlooking the beautiful St. John river (weather cooperating).

The class is 7-8pm. All welcome! You must bring your own blanket & mat. Donations gratefully accepted ( a yoga class is usually $15-$17 in Fredericton). If the weather looks iffy, call the Lighthouse up to 1hr before for news on cancellations at 460-2939.

This summer's schedule is as follows:

• July 2: Philip Beck, Kripalu Yoga (452-7445)
• July 9: Sue Madigan, Iyengar Yoga (357-0080)
• July 16: Zsuzsa Szabo-Nyarady, Akhanda Hatha (454-0555)
• July 23: Wendy Hamelin: Sivananda Yoga (454-9037)
• July 30: Kate MacKay, Viniyoga for Stress Reduction (474-0066)
• Aug 6: Ruth Merritt, Ashtanga Yoga (363-2371)
• Aug 13: Kathryn Downton: Viniyoga for all Sizes and Shapes (455-3811)
• Aug 20: Irene Brennan, Kripalu Yoga (459-0270)
• Aug 27: Lisa Wilby, Viniyoga for Kids and Families (460-0985)

Kathryn is booking private sessions

As you know, the "Vini" in Viniyoga means to start from where YOU are, In this tradition, group classes have always been considered a convenient way to further the study of technique and philosophy. However, after you've acquired a certain comfort with the practice, and postures, the real pay dirt, if you will, is to be found in private study.

Think of a yoga therapist as a cross between a physiotherapist, a psychologist and a spiritual counselor. Have you found yourself wondering about your alignment, whether certain postures are helping or hindering your current life situations, how to adapt a practice to your own crazy life, what you as a unique individual could be doing to leap ahead with your yoga??? Then join your many Viniyoga colleagues who make an individual appointment from time to time alongside their group class.

The cost of an individual session is $80. It usually lasts one hour. You prepare what you want to talk about, deal with... You'll leave with a practice or practices in hand. Kathryn is booking appointments now. Please contact her directly at info@lifesongyoga.com or 455-3811.

Yoga Teacher Training

Kathryn is the senior teacher in the Maritimes in the Viniyoga tradition and is honouring the request of her teacher, Claude Marechal of Belgium to begin the work of passing on the teachings and philosophy of this depth tradition in the North American context.

The first New Brunswick yoga teacher training began in Sept 07, and seven students graduated in May 08 with specializations in different aspects of stage and age appropriate yoga.

Many North American yoga traditions have focused primarily on the postural aspect of the vast yoga system of knowledge - training teachers to teach rote sequences of preset postures. However, the Viniyoga tradition ambitiously seeks to equip students with the fundamental philosophical concepts of yoga, gleaned directly from the source texts, in order to equip teachers to understand how to create and adapt sequences, and more importantly, mind/body/spirit techniques to unique individuals and their circumstances, as needed.

In Viniyoga, the idea is not to make the student fit what the teacher knows, but rather equip the teacher to serve what the student needs. Although this approach requires a great deal of intellectual curiosity, flexibility and commitment on the part of the student, it is a return to the spiritual roots of yoga. Yoga was never intended to be reduced to a physical activity. As the postures as we know and practice them are less than 100 years old in a 3000 year old tradition, it would seem a gross underestimation of the modern seeker to assume we are capable of learning little more than how to manipulate the physical technique.

The training explores the philosophy of yoga through study of the base texts of yoga, the Yoga Sutras; learning the basic principles of postures/breath and meditation; and exploring how to safely and authentically construct, guide and evaluate appropriate student-centered sessions. The emphasis in Viniyoga is "starting from where you are", as teacher, and as student, therefore an important part of the program is exploring the art of individual adaptation, both for yourself, as seeker, and as teacher.

As a depth tradition, there is nothing "fast" about learning, living with and applying these techniques. This is a standard 200 hour certification but at a stately pace. There are two options for this program. An initial 4 day immersion followed by 7 weekends over 7 months, or 9 weekends over 9 months. There is home study, required reading and the invitation to teach as appropriate in a supervised setting.

Please note: if you are drawn to the philosophy and just want to dive in to the teachings and the practice for yourself, that's wonderful! There is an audit option.

KATHRYN WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW - 9 WEEKENDS OVER 9 MONTHS - TRAINING AUG 22^ND TO 24^TH. (SEE "TEACHER TRAINING" BUTTON ON SIDE BAR OR CLICK HERE)

Please notify us of your interest as there is a screening process and a limited number of students will be accepted. Leave us your full name, some idea of your present yoga experience, a day and an evening contact number, and your e-mail address.

Call 506-455-3811 for more information, or use our convenient online application form.