“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
Buddhist Meditation for Uncertainty & Change
This 4 session workshop series will focus on two essential practices that are taught in the Buddhist tradition.
The first is “Shamatha” meditation which literally translates as “calm abiding”. The second practice is called “Vipashyana” which translates as insight or clear seeing. Both of these practices form the foundation of all Buddhist meditation techniques and are essential tools to deal with uncertainty and change.
The Pandemic has been challenging and the reality of our current situation feels groundless and unpredictable.
Buddhist practice offers valuable tools to help one deal with the reality of being human and facing uncertainty, suffering and challenges with composure and compassion.
Each session will include mindful movement, guided practices, and time for discussion and questions.
The BIPOC Experience in Western Yoga Spaces
In this session, we will explore the historical lack of representation of Black persons, Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour in the Western yoga sphere and the barriers that affect their access to the yoga practice in general, such as racism, discrimination and implicit bias.
We will connect the social justice movement to the practice of yoga beyond our mats, and the ways we can all actively and intentionally participate in fostering safer spaces for racialized communities.
Session Outline:
- Hindsight is 2020: Racism as a spectrum;
- #RepresentationMatters: Who is not in our Yoga space and why;
- The 5 stages of Grief and Anti-racism;
- The importance of BIPOC-only spaces;
- Allyship as a lifelong journey of continuous learning and growing.
A portion of the proceeds of this event are donated to BIPOC Yogis of Ottawa, https://www.bipocyogisottawa.ca.
The session will be recorded and will be available for replay for 14 days.
Restorative Yoga Training – Foundation
For ALL Yoga Teachers and Students!
Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that makes use of props to fully support the body so that it can naturally relax and let go.
Join Anne Wanda Tessier, an experienced restorative yoga teacher and trainer, for this 30 Hour foundational Restorative Yoga Teacher Training.
In this training, you will learn a variety of restorative poses based on her trainings with Judith Hanson Lasater as well as variations for each pose. We will explore how to use props to fully support the body as well as learn how to sequence a class based on individual health conditions as well as group classes. We will explore various ways to elicit the relaxation response with breathing exercises and guided meditations and learn gentle exercises to include in a restorative yoga practice.
Learn the benefits of restorative yoga on the body, mind and soul, and its effect on the organs and the nervous system. Through direct experience, practice teaching, and feedback, you leave with the ability to confidently teach a restorative class and learn how you can incorporate restorative yoga in your personal practice.
Date / Time: September 30 – October 2, 2022
Friday: 6:30 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am ET – 6 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Friday: 6:30 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am ET – 6 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
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.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program
The program is consists of 26 hours of direct instruction, including a meditation day retreat and daily home practices.
MBSR is an 8-week, once weekly, group program that was developed in 1979, by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and associates at the University of Massachusetts Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society.
The curriculum is based on the emerging field of Mind-Body Medicine and as a result, MBSR is now an internationally acclaimed program with a growing body of research supporting its efficacy and potential benefits for a variety of populations.
Through intentional training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction strategies, participants will learn to mobilize their own inner resources to activate learning, growth and healing while increasing emotional regulation and enhancing self-care and interpersonal relationships.
Date / Time: October 15, 2022
Saturday: 8:00 am ET – 4:00 pm ET
Instructor: Eileen Harris, Ph.D. and Stéphane Ippersiel
Saturday: 8:00 am ET – 4:00 pm ET
Instructor: Eileen Harris, Ph.D. and Stéphane Ippersiel
Your Brain on Yoga: The Neuroscience of Love, Peace and Wellbeing™
Did you know that yoga has the power to change the very structure of your brain? Come discover what happens in your brain during your practice. Learn how to use its abilities more effectively to bring about positive change. Your Brain on Yoga presents current research that demonstrates the physical, physiological and psychological benefits of yoga—benefits that extend beyond our selves to those around us.
For centuries, ancient yogis have observed that yoga improves one’s attitude and outlook on life. Yoga challenges the yogi physically and mentally, nudging to explore what is beyond their comfort zone. We know that yoga improves our physical wellbeing, but does the practice of yoga affect the yogi’s brain? Absolutely!
This Master Class combines science with practical, insightful exercises and mindful movement. Experience how yoga as mindful meditation can lead to a fuller life and greater happiness.
The Energetic Anatomy of Yoga
As yoga practitioners, we can explore, become familiar with and have an immediate impact on our energetic or subtle body through various techniques such as asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), mudras (hand gestures), mantras (repetition of sacred sounds or words) and meditation.The state of our energy or subtle body affects everything from our physical health to our emotional and mental well-being, our sense of connection with others and the clarity (or lack thereof) of our purpose in life. In this course, we will examine the main yogic concepts of the subtle body: the koshas, prana vayus, nadis, chakras and five elements. We will explore these topics with a combination of practical exercises, discussion and theory.
This training is designed for yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, and all those wanting to learn more about the subtle body and its important role in physical, mental and emotional health, and as a powerful tool for spiritual evolution.
Mindful Awakening Day Retreat
The Mindful Awakening Day Retreat is a day of practice devoted to YOU in the soft, soothing and welcoming environment of PranaShanti Education Centre.
Join Carole Trepanier for a day of nourishing mindfulness practices aimed at improving one’s relationship with oneself, others, as well as with the moments in one’s life.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program graduates and general public are welcome to attend.
Fall 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.
Pathways to the Pose: Advanced Poses Made Accessible
Discover the depth – and delight – of exploring complex and intricate asanas as a framework for self-exploration and personal growth.
You’ll learn:
- How to make complex and challenging poses accessible to all levels of students through smart preparatory work, prop variations, and creative adaptations.
- How to work toward challenging poses safely and effectively by applying biomechanical principles of healthy, functional movement to explore key actions and alignments.
- Progressive sequencing strategies to safely prepare to work toward more complex and challenging poses.
- How to deconstruct complex poses to explore each of their component parts, and then bring it all together for a richer, more integrated experience.
- The most essential and empowering concepts from yoga philosophy to inspire you to approach postural practice as an opportunity for greater self-knowledge, refined awareness and sensitivity, and expansive inner discovery.
Date / Time: November 25-27, 2022
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 6 pm ET
Instructor: Sonia
Friday: 6 pm ET – 9 pm ET
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am ET – 6 pm ET
Instructor: Sonia
Principles of Ayurveda
Learn the core concepts of Ayurveda, an ancient tradition of healing, to enhance well-being and energy for the mind, body and soul.
Join Sonia for a 20-hour course to learn how to achieve personal and professional balance and unlock your true potential and purpose, through integrating modern science and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga.
If you want to understand and learn how Ayurveda and Yoga can be integrated at a practical level for your constitution, in your modern and fast-paced life, then this training is for you. You will learn how to attain peace, calm, and cultivate self-development in your professional life, in your relationships and in your lifestyle, using the basic principles of Yoga, Ayurveda and modern science.
By the end of this course, you will have your personalized wellness plan, based on your own unique constitution. You will be equipped with all the tools and understand how to bring balance to yourself based on your unique diet, lifestyle, and specific stress management techniques.
Date / Time: December 2-4, 2022
Friday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Saturday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Sunday: 11:30 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Friday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Saturday: 9 am ET – 5 pm ET
Sunday: 11:30 am ET – 5 pm ET
Instructor: Devinder
Meditation Training
“Meditation: Because some answers can only be found on the Inner net.” – Shira Tamir
Meditation is one of the most natural and rewarding of all human activities. It brings balance, rest, and a growing inner peace.
While its highest and original purpose is to help us awaken our inner, spiritual nature, the benefits to body and mind are well established by medical research.
Practiced on a daily basis, meditation produces profound results on all levels of your being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It connects you with your own inner powers of vitality, clarity, and peace.
Join, PranaShanti Yoga Centre Director, Devinder Kaur, for a pragmatic introductory course to learn more about the powerful affects of meditation and how to teach simple and effective meditation techniques to others.