Pregnancy yoga incorporates safe and effective movements and stretches for the body, breathing exercises to increase focus and balance, and relaxation techniques to release deeply held tensions. Maxine Munro from Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio (TAYS) will be offering a weekend training program to help prepare Yoga teachers to teach safe yoga to pregnant women. The practice of pregnancy yoga can help your students meet the challenges and transformations of pregnancy and birth.

Postnatal core and pelvis re-strengthening will be addressed. Additionally beneficial poses to improve posture and well being after the birth and baby massage will be covered. Breathing techniques and labouring positions will be explored. Please bring a yoga mat, pen and paper, a baby doll (yes a baby doll) for massage therapy techniques practice.

Curriculum:

• Beneficial asanas for pregnancy during the 3 trimesters
• Normal anatomy physiology with pregnancy
• Conditions/medical restrictions and guidelines for higher risk pregnancies
• Pranayama for pregnancy, labour, and delivery
• Integrating pregnant students into general classes
• Proper client screening with pre-natal yoga
• Post-partum guidelines for practice

Prerequisite:
*The course is a certification course in prenatal yoga for participants who have obtained or are enrolled in a 200-hour yoga certification program.
Additionally: midwives, doulas, nurses, doctors, childbirth educators, who have an interest in the benefits of yoga for pregnancy are welcome to join, however will not be a "certified prenatal yoga teacher". A certificate of hours can be provided for all participants upon request.

Each day will begin with an asana flow class then ayurveda lecture to determine your specific dosha constitution. There will be a cooking class learning how to prepare the foods for your constitution (and eating!) followed by learning the specific Yoga poses most beneficial for you. Sat evening will include Yoga Nidra. The entire weekend is suitable for all levels. The Mackinnon-Cann Inn is offering a discount on rooms for those wishing to stay at the Inn.

A day with Yogendra Mishra will include discussion of Patanjali's 8 Limbss of Yoga, asana , pranayama, meditation and Yoga Nidra. As space is limited, please pre-register

The course is 13 weekends plus Doug Keller weekend workshop.  It is organized to span 13 months.  No classes in the summer or winter.

The 550 Hour course is a 300 hour continuation of Yoga Ink's 220+ hour program.  Graduates of other 200 hour programs are welcome to apply.

The program explores in depth all aspects of teaching Yoga: different levels of asana practice; assists and adjustments; different styles; the chakras and asana; the doshas and asana. Also, how to teach meditation, chanting, and pranayama. Ethics, Yoga Business including how to organize workshops.  

A wonderful collection of Yoga texts will be given out to support the subjects discussed.

All of the requirements of Yoga Alliance will be met or exceeded. 

10 -1 2 hours of Yoga Therapy will be taught by Doug Keller, well-known authour of the two volume set "Yoga Therapy" amongst other titles.  

Yoga Asana and Anatomy will be taught by Pierre Bachand, Doctor of Osteopathy. 

For more information go to www.yogaink.com and email ruth [at] yogaink [dot] com for brochure.

 Independent yoga studio space, close to downtown Halifax, available for rent.

Partner Yoga Workshop

Partner Yoga can be a natural extension of our individual practice.

When we share a yoga practice, uniting in breathing and postures, we develop a deeper awareness of ourselves, our inner rhythms and patterns, and a sensitivity to others. We build an ability to relate on a more than superficial level and are encouraged to place trust in others, to communicate with them and to listen. A sense of interdependency is created and we reach out in understanding and support.

Partner Yoga is a safe, powerful, and fun, way to go deeper into postures, to explore new postures, and find new ways of attaining and maintaining them.

As we move through our day of Partner Yoga we will apply all we have learned on, and off, our yoga mats, discovering an ocean of limitless possibilities. We may take down walls and build bridges of togetherness.  Using my love and study of dance I will encourage you to create dance-like flows and sequences, to express joy in moving your body in natural harmony. We will encounter a joyful place that allows your heart space to expand and connect.

Bring a sense of curiosity, wonder and an open heart to this shared practice.

Joanna Manning initially studied classical, traditional Hatha yoga. She describes her teaching as ‘’eclectic and integrated’, drawing additionally from Yin yoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow yoga and her dance background.  She brings these to her teaching knowing every body is different and has individual needs, so she can offer students these alternatives to assist them in their practice. 

“I integrate spirituality and gentleness with the physicality of the postures combined with meditation, to create a holistic approach.  I teach with humour and hope everyone leaves a class refreshed, having found benefits and joy for body, mind, heart and spirit and are encouraged to take their yoga ‘off the mat’ and into their everyday lives”.

Joanna’s yoga studies began in Britain, followed by two years certified teacher training with the Ontario Yoga Association (now the Yoga Network). She is a fully registered and insured member of that organization and of Yoga Atlantic, the region’s professional association, and edits its newsletter.

“Discovering yoga was one of the biggest joys of my life. After almost 20 years I continue to teach with passion and feel honoured to bring the benefits to people”.