“Learning to be present with yourself and to abide in that which is steady and comfortable does not allow space for self-judgment. When you live this way, you are practicing yoga: you are living fully.”
– Judith Hanson Lasater
We believe that in learning, there is life, and in self-discovery, there is growth which allows us to shed the practices and beliefs that no longer serve us. We aim to offer everyone the opportunity to know themselves better through comprehensive programs that serve the personal journey and the professional one.
We invite you to join us for courses and trainings that are open to practitioners of all levels of experience.
Online Courses & Trainings
Study with us from the comfort of your own home.
Online Community
Join a global community of teachers and students in the exploration of yogic teachings.
In-Person Courses & Trainings
Attend in-person courses and trainings at the PranaShanti Education Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Upcoming COURSES & events
Date / Time: February 27, 2023 to March 20, 2023
Mondays (4): 6 pm ET – 8:30 pm ET
Instructor: Dev Suroop
Mondays (4): 6 pm ET – 8:30 pm ET
Instructor: Dev Suroop
Mantra and the Yoga of Sound
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students! Everyone is welcome – no prior experience required and you certainly do not need a ‘good singing voice’ – if you can breathe and speak you can experience the power of sound and your own voice!
Study the nature and power of sound and mantra, drawing from yoga philosophy, wisdom traditions and science. Explore sound practices from the vedic, tantric, bhakti and nada yoga traditions, to shift and awaken consciousness.
Understand the connection between sound, silence and meditation. The training will cover breath practices and vocal techniques to support the mind-body-connection.
Learn how to begin and/or deepen your own sound and mantra practice. Learn how to teach and integrate sound and mantra practice into yoga classes, workshops and in one-on-one sessions. Practice the pronunciation of mantras from different traditions. There will be opportunities to practice chanting and leading chanting.
This is an experiential training that includes lecture, group discussion and practice. This training is designed for yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, and all those curious about the power of sound for well-being and awakening.
Date / Time: March 3, 2023, to March 5, 2023
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Dr. Nadya Pohran
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Dr. Nadya Pohran
Embodied Emotions: Complementing Mental Meditation Practices with Embodied Practices
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
A lot of people can think that emotions are things that happen in our brains. And, while it is true that the neural pathways in the brain are responsible for transmitting our emotions, emotions actually happen in, and to, our bodies. Research is showing that emotions have beginnings, middles, and ends. This means that our bodies can get “stuck” in cycles of emotions. It’s when we get “stuck” in these emotional cycles (rather than allowing/enabling the emotion to work its way through our body) that we experience things like immense anxiety, intense sadness, or burnout—among other challenging emotional states.
Thus, a first objective of this course is to equip you with an understanding of how emotions work in and through the body, by highlighting some of the most up-to-date research on this topic from philosophers, therapists, and wellbeing practitioners.
But there’s also another takeaway: because emotions are experienced in and by our bodies, this also means that we can use our bodies to navigate our emotional states. Indeed, advice like “sit still and calm your mind”, “focus on peace” is not always helpful when we are addressing intense emotional states. Rather, we can use our bodies to bring about a state of deep peace and contentment (what Hindu texts describe as “samatva” or equanimity.) In fact, a wide variety of cultural and philosophical traditions, over centuries, have developed systems for regulating and processing emotional experiences using the body. While these systems/philosophies are not exactly “immediate fixes” or ready-made solutions, they can offer immense peace and solace, and are a complement to more-still forms of meditation, for individuals who are seeking to quiet their mind and deepen their meditative practice.
With this in mind, the second objective of this course is to introduce you to a selection of these traditions which have developed bodily practices to address emotional states. One example of this is the Jin Shin Jyutsu, which is a Japanese art form where you hold your body in gentle, every-day postures to bring about an emotional release.
Date / Time: March 24, 2023, to March 26, 2023
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 4 pm ET
Instructor: Michael
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 4 pm ET
Instructor: Michael
Yoga for Seniors & Healthy Aging
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
In 2021, Canada’s Seniors officially out numbered children. With no signs of this trend lessening any time soon, learning to teach yoga to our Seniors safely and mindfully is becoming an increasingly important skill in the yoga teaching world. Understanding the common physical and mental issues and having the qualifications to teach yoga to this large segment of our population will provide yoga teachers and care givers with a unique and very rewarding way to serve our communities.
In the training we will address common physical issues that will need accommodation in class, for example: osteoporosis, arthritis, COPD or CAD. Learning to create skillful modifications for older students, some coming to yoga for the first time, will allow for teachers and care givers to offer the gifts of yoga with confidence. Adapting to the needs in the room will allow for a strong, challenging, but equally relaxed and meditative practice.
Business of Yoga
For Yoga Teachers of ALL disciplines and Students interested in Teaching Yoga!
Yoga is growing, evolving and becoming more widely available. Yoga Teachers need to be of service to their communities but also need to navigate the challenges of these times ethically, responsibly and be able to ensure their own sustainability.
In this course, we will explore:
- The key aspects to consider when developing a Yoga Teacher business plan and your approach to teaching
- Tools for the effective day-to-day management of your Yoga Teaching business
- Identifying and articulating your unique offerings as a Yoga Teacher
- How to establish yourself as a professional in field of many Yoga Teachers
- Determining the most practical paths to gain teaching experience and professional development
- Tips and techniques for teaching online and in-person classes
Date / Time: March 31, 2023, to April 2, 2023
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Kathleen
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Kathleen
Trauma-Informed Practice
Everyone has been touched by trauma in some way, and there is a vital need for trauma-sensitive yoga and mindfulness.
Holding space is a continual learning process, and an environment is not a “safe space” just because a facilitator says so. Although teachers and other wellness practitioners show up with positive intent, offerings may have an unexpected impact. Many folks do not feel welcome, face obstacles of all kinds, and are sometimes adversely affected by what happens in yoga and mindfulness classes.
Through discussion about the dynamics of power and privilege, participants will learn more about systems of oppression and pathways to collective liberation to offer yoga in a way that honours the tradition and celebrates the full spectrum of human diversity. By understanding the connections between social justice, trauma and yoga, we can take skillful action.
This course explores trauma in a comprehensive way to understand the impacts and healing potentials. A wide variety of best practices and protocols are shared to create spaces that are genuinely inclusive and supportive. These trauma-sensitive tools for self-regulation and resiliency can be applied to any style of practice.
Participants will develop a trauma-informed lens and come away with resources to integrate into their own lives and to support the well-being of others. This course is an experiential learning opportunity designed to build on current capacities and empower sustainable service.
Date / Time: April 11, 2023, to May 30, 2023
Tuesday: 6 pm ET – 8:30 pm ET
Saturday: May 13, 2023, 10 am ET – 3 pm ET
Instructor: Dr. Steven Hick and Dr. Jason Bailey
Tuesday: 6 pm ET – 8:30 pm ET
Saturday: May 13, 2023, 10 am ET – 3 pm ET
Instructor: Dr. Steven Hick and Dr. Jason Bailey
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
An 8-week course in Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a way of being in our lives as it is right now. Often we are not focused on the now and spend much of our energy anxiously anticipating the future or chronically stuck in the past.
Mindfulness is an approach to self care that encourages us to connect more fully with our mind, body, and spirit. The course involves a commitment to daily meditation practices.
What are the benefits of Mindfulness?
Research has shown that mindfulness practices have a multitude of benefits including ability to respond more effectively to stress and pain, ability to make choices with greater clarity and awareness, and increased sense of well-being and appreciation for life.
Who is this course for?
This course is open to anybody interested in exploring Mindfulness as a way of reducing stress, developing greater balance and control, and participating more fully in life. It is suitable for people of all experience levels. This course will be offered to participants both online through Zoom and in-person.
Spring Yoga & Meditation Retreat
Connect with nature and unplug!
Absorb yourself in daily yoga practice and dive within through meditation, movement and healing sound vibrations.
Join, PranaShanti Yoga Centre Director, Devinder, for a weekend that includes healthy meals, cozy accommodations, saunas, walks in nature, yoga, meditation and evening symphonic sound immersions.
Our location is Northern Edge Algonquin Nature Retreat & Wellness Centre where we will explore Mother Natures finest beauty, Algonquin Park, just a few hours north of the city of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. Escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday life to find peace and tranquility on a weekend yoga and meditation getaway.
Introduction to Sanskrit: The Sacred Language of Yoga
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
The Sanskrit language has a power like no other. Each word creates a specific vibration in the mind which is the essence of that word. Using Sanskrit terms in your class will resonate directly with the students on a level that is beyond the physical senses. Incorporating Sanskrit into your classes can be as simple as adding the names of a few postures to exploring philosophy with several terms.
In this course you will gain familiarity with the Sanskrit language through study of common words, pronunciations and common mispronunciations. Learn how to use potentially unfamiliar words with grace and smoothness to help students gain further understanding of the practice. We will explore the alphabet, its design and how it is written in the roman alphabet. Like this it will be easier to create the proper pronunciation as you read words and texts in transliterated Sanskrit.
The course will explore how to incorporate Sanskrit words into the theme of your class. This allows students to learn more words and also concepts that can deepen their practice. For example, how to use ahimsa or viveka as a theme that can carry through a class. Sanskrit Mantras: Om and beyond. We will learn several mantras, their meanings, stories and how to incorporate them into a class.
Date / Time: June 9, 2023 to June 11, 2023
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 4 pm ET
Instructor: Michael
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 4 pm ET
Instructor: Michael
Chair Yoga Training
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
Chair Yoga adapts traditional yoga poses so that they can be done with a chair for support, making yoga more accessible for all people.
Our society is aging and there are many people unable to practice a standard yoga class. Chair yoga also provides a gentle but effective practice for those with mobility or disability issues.
The chair takes the place of the yoga mat, and poses are seated or supported by the chair. You get a warm-up, stretching and strengthening, whether you’re coming off a sports injury, challenged by the physical limits of aging, or have been sitting for too many hours at your desk.
Date / Time: September 15, 2023 to September 17, 2023
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Melissa
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Melissa
Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Training
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
Yoga can offer amazing benefits for pregnancy, labour and parenthood; however, there are things that teachers and practitioners need to know!
This interactive course is designed for anyone keen to learn more about Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga, including yoga teachers, fitness instructors, doulas and other health professionals as well as parents to be.
This course will share practices for each stage of the journey from yoga support for conception to partner yoga for pregnancy and labour to yogic recommendations for postpartum recovery to parent/baby yoga poses for bonding. Resources will also be provided to comfort women in the event of pregnancy loss.
Date / Time: October 13, 2023 to October 15, 2023
Friday: 6:30 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Friday: 6:30 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Yoga Nidra Training
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep, is a type of meditation based on the ancient yogic anatomy of the Koshas, the 5 subtle bodies. Sometimes described as a long savasana, it is actually a combination of deep body relaxation and mental awareness.
Yoga Nidra is a quiet journey inward to stillness that transforms and releases old habits, fatigue, worry, and stress. Yoga Nidra is a technique for physical rejuvenation, mental relaxation, spiritual growth, and overall wellness.
This training is for those who would like to offer students the opportunity to experience a systematic method of conscious relaxation. Yoga Nidra has been found to be effective in treating many of the physical symptoms of stress, including insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It is also helpful in the treatment of PTSD and addictions.