Do you experience tightness in your upper back and shoulders?
From our hard-to-avoid modern day seated postures to the repetitive motions we do with our arms, it's easy for the upper back and shoulders to tighten up and crunch, leaving us stiff and achy.
Helping our fascia is the key to freeing up these areas of chronic stuck stress, and the MELT Method is designed to do just that. The MELT Method uses soft foam rollers, soft balls, and a series of techniques to rehydrate fascial tissue for easing pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting optimal joint function. This 1-hour workshop will give full focus to our upper back and shoulders, using multiple techniques to rehydrate the fascial tissue in these regions.
Cost: $40.00 per person in-advance, $45.00 per person day of.
Maximum of 12 participants.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
About Rachel:
Rachel Lipton is a Level 2 MELT Method® Instructor and Registered Acupuncturist.
“I found MELT during the pandemic while trying to find a cost-effective way to manage my posture-based pain and tension areas. After practicing for two years, and using it while training for a short tri-athalon, I decided I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer! As a registered acupuncturist, I found the overlap between fascial function and the ancient Chinese meridians thrilling. I’m delighted to be sharing this method with the Ottawa community.”
At the intersection of Yin Yoga and Gong Meditation is a sweet spot where mind and body are totally relaxed and totally aligned. The Yin Yoga practice lengthens and opens the physical body, massaging deep connective tissue in a most relaxing way.
The gong’s warm vibrations envelop your entire being in wave after wave of preternatural sound that will affect you at the cellular level. Chances are you’ll feel pretty good after this practice.
Come share this experience, every third Saturday at 3:00 pm.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package or Membership.
This class is held in our warmly heated studio, the Body Room, with the lighting dimmed for a restful and restoring experience.
Yoga blocks, blankets and bolsters are available in the studio room. Please bring with you the additional props you require to rest comfortably for the 60 minute session. Dress comfortably.
Move your body, open your heart, and nourish your spirit in this uplifting 75-minute class blending physical fitness with mindful self-compassion.
Lindsay will guide you through a unique combination of:
Cardio and conditioning exercises to get your heart pumping and boost your vitality.
Breathwork and mindful movement to help you tune in to your body and release tension.
Compassion practices that cultivate "loving kindness" toward yourself and others, leaving you feeling grounded and open.
Combining "Loving Kindness" meditation techniques with high intensity exercises, fun music, and cooling yin poses, this workshop will create the perfect arc of energy to act as a reset for your heart, mind, and body. Be prepared to sweat but know that modifications will be offered to ensure an accessible experience for all levels.
You’ll be encouraged to listen to your body, move at your own pace, and explore the powerful connection between physical health and emotional well-being.
You’ll leave feeling energized, empowered, and more deeply connected to yourself and the world around you.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package or Membership.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON. Studio: Body Room.
Ground & Restore: Deep Release Using Yoga Therapy Balls
Sunday, April 12th, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
In-Person Workshop
As the season turns inward, give yourself time to steady your body and mind.
In this workshop, you’ll use gentle movement, restorative postures and yoga therapy balls to release muscular tension, ease stiffness, and invite deep relaxation.
Through mindful breathwork and targeted ball techniques, you’ll stimulate the body’s natural relaxation response, helping to calm the nervous system, restore energy, and create a sense of inner grounding.
Ideal for anyone seeking balance, stress relief, and a deeper sense of ease this fall.
Cost: $40.00 per person in-advance, $45.00 per person day of.
Maximum of 12 participants.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
Spring Renewal | A Guided Ritual: Combining Skincare & Reiki
Monday, April 13th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
In-Person Event
You’re warmly invited into an intimate evening of gentle release, restoration, and renewal combining the power of Reiki and beautiful local skincare.
This seasonal turning point invites us to soften, clear stagnant energy, and create space for new growth — just as the earth awakens beneath the promise of spring.
Together, we’ll move through a mindful, guided skincare ritual featuring the Esau line from Upkeep Shoppe:
A gentle cleanse to soften and purify
An exfoliation to release dull winter skin
A restorative antioxidant serum to nourish and replenish
A deeply hydrating cream to seal and protect
As you move through this ritual, Sarah Higgins will guide a Reiki share to support the release of stagnant energy in the body and mind — helping you feel lighter, clearer, and energetically renewed.
More than skincare, this is a sacred pause — a moment to reconnect with yourself and step into the new season grounded, refreshed, and softly radiant beneath the energy of the Worm Moon.
Your Registration Includes Exclusive Event Incentives:
$25.00 credit toward any PranaShanti Sound Bath in April (April 18, 25)
$25.00 credit toward select Esau skincare products at Upkeep Shoppe
Additional booking incentives available:
60-minute Reiki session with Sarah at PranaShanti — $110.00
Facial booking incentive at Upkeep Shoppe — $115.00
Please note: All incentives must be booked and purchased on the day of the event.
Date and Timings:
Monday, April 13, 2026.
There are two session times to choose from:
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Cost: $50.00 per person.
Yoga mats and blankets will be provided, and complimentary tea will be available for you to enjoy.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd floor, Ottawa, ON. FREE Parking available!
We look forward to sharing this beautiful evening of renewal with you.
Spring Renewal | A Guided Ritual: Combining Skincare & Reiki
Monday, April 13th, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
In-Person Event
You’re warmly invited into an intimate evening of gentle release, restoration, and renewal combining the power of Reiki and beautiful local skincare.
This seasonal turning point invites us to soften, clear stagnant energy, and create space for new growth — just as the earth awakens beneath the promise of spring.
Together, we’ll move through a mindful, guided skincare ritual featuring the Esau line from Upkeep Shoppe:
A gentle cleanse to soften and purify
An exfoliation to release dull winter skin
A restorative antioxidant serum to nourish and replenish
A deeply hydrating cream to seal and protect
As you move through this ritual, Sarah Higgins will guide a Reiki share to support the release of stagnant energy in the body and mind — helping you feel lighter, clearer, and energetically renewed.
More than skincare, this is a sacred pause — a moment to reconnect with yourself and step into the new season grounded, refreshed, and softly radiant beneath the energy of the Worm Moon.
Your Registration Includes Exclusive Event Incentives:
$25.00 credit toward any PranaShanti Sound Bath in April (April 18, 25)
$25.00 credit toward select Esau skincare products at Upkeep Shoppe
Additional booking incentives available:
60-minute Reiki session with Sarah at PranaShanti — $110.00
Facial booking incentive at Upkeep Shoppe — $115.00
Please note: All incentives must be booked and purchased on the day of the event.
Date and Timings:
Monday, April 13, 2026.
There are two session times to choose from:
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Cost: $50.00 per person.
Yoga mats and blankets will be provided, and complimentary tea will be available for you to enjoy.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd floor, Ottawa, ON. FREE Parking available!
We look forward to sharing this beautiful evening of renewal with you.
Holding space is a continual learning process. 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 to offer yoga in a way that honours the tradition of yoga and celebrates the spectrum of human diversity. By understanding the connections between trauma and yoga, we can take skillful action.
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.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how to design trauma-informed offerings by co-creating spaces and practices that welcome diverse lived experiences.
Gain awareness of social justice and the importance of strengths-based approaches to creating safe and supportive yoga spaces.
Develop an expanded understanding of trauma—including types of trauma and their impact—and critically examine mainstream narratives about healing and resilience.
Connect the teachings of yoga, including the Yoga Sutras and Polyvagal Theory, to trauma-informed and responsive service, supporting healing and growth from a nervous system perspective.
Build care capacities to address issues as they arise and serve in a sustainable, compassionate way.
Practice applying trauma-informed approaches through class sequences and 1:1 sessions using key elements of safety, responsiveness, and empowerment.
Support the well-being of others by fostering resilience and connection within yoga communities.
Competencies: 1.3, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Learning Materials:
PranaShanti Course PowerPoint Slide Package
Film: The Wisdom of Trauma with Gabor Mate (by donation)
Book: Overcoming Trauma through Yoga - Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Practice Teaching with Feedback. Small Group Exercises: Pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Group Project.
SAVE $50.00 when you register on or before February 28, 2026, for $475.00 per person.
$525.00 per person thereafter
Fee includes training, manual, and certificate of completion.
If you're attending from outside Ottawa, Canada, and wish to receive printed training materials by mail, please register at least 10 days before the course start date to ensure delivery. E-documents will be provided otherwise.
Note:
This course is open to the general public. 6 months to 1 year of regular yoga practice is recommended for participation.
For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is also part of our Yoga Alliance 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Practice postures that encourage a healthy, happy pregnancy and birth. Connect with other as you move your body in ways that feel good and help alleviate some of the common effects of pregnancy.
You will learn breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as simple postures that can be beneficial for your pregnancy, labour and motherhood!
Each class we will discuss topics such as pelvic health, incl. pelvic floor and pelvic stability, diastasis prevention, pain management and birth positions.
Cost: $35.00 per person Drop-In Fee.
No previous yoga experience is required.
A birthing partner is welcome to attend at no additional cost.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON.
Inner Stillness: Monthly Meditation Group | In-Person
Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
In-Person Class
Join Devinder each month for a meditation gathering designed to nourish your inner life and support a consistent, grounded practice. Each month explores a different theme or aspect of meditation—such as breath awareness, mantra, mindfulness, visualization, or working with the mind.
The evening begins with a short session of mindful movement to prepare the body, followed by an insightful discussion topic, a meditation, and a period of deep relaxation to integrate the experience.
This welcoming space offers the opportunity to explore meditation in community, ask questions, and reconnect with your inner stillness.
Open to all levels. Bring a cushion, notebook, and your curiosity.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In, Class Package or Membership.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON.
Inner Stillness: Monthly Meditation Group | Online
Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Online Class
Join Devinder each month for a meditation gathering designed to nourish your inner life and support a consistent, grounded practice. Each month explores a different theme or aspect of meditation—such as breath awareness, mantra, mindfulness, visualization, or working with the mind.
The evening begins with a short session of mindful movement to prepare the body, followed by an insightful topic, a meditation, and a period of deep relaxation to integrate the experience.
This welcoming space offers the opportunity to explore meditation in community, ask questions, and reconnect with your inner stillness.
Open to all levels. Bring a cushion, notebook, and your curiosity.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In, Class Package or Membership.
Gently stretch, strengthen and relax areas of the body affected by parenthood, meet other parents & bond with your baby using songs, physical movements and simple infant massage. Focus is on proper breathing & posture and poses that safely rebuild the core. This class is beneficial for anyone with diastasis recti or c-section scars.
We will discuss pelvic health, diastasis recti, c-section care, proper sitting & standing posture plus lifting & carrying baby. Class is designed for all levels and stages of the postpartum period.
Cost: $130.00 per person for the 4 week series. $35.00 per person Drop-In.
Enjoy tea and community time after class!
This class is open to all parents and caregivers! No previous yoga experience is required.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
The practice of yoga dates back at least 1,000 years and continues to this day to be an experiential path to spiritual enlightenment.
Understanding the history and evolution of this practice can shed more light on its current iteration and allow us to explore its various aspects in more depth, as yoga was meant to be much more than exercise.
This training will explore central themes in some of the most significant historical texts on yoga and yoga practice such as the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in order to gain a better understanding of yoga’s beginnings and cultural roots.
We will examine in more detail the larger context of yoga practice beyond asana and pranayama, as well as the origins of the physical practice of yoga postures and its evolution as the central focus in the West’s adoption of yoga.
This training is designed for yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, and all those wanting to learn more about the origins of yoga, its historical and cultural context, and philosophical underpinnings.
Learning Objectives:
A better understanding of the cultural context of yoga’s origins and its overall aims.
A clearer picture of how yoga has evolved to what it is today, especially in the West.
How we can apply classical yoga philosophy concepts to modern-day practice to enrich our experience and that of our students.
Dates and Times:
Friday, April 17, 2026, to Sunday, April 19, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026 - 6 pm ET to 9 pm ET;
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 10 am ET to 5 pm ET;
Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 10 am ET to 5 pm ET.
Breaks will be provided.
Cost: SAVE $30.00 by registering on or before February 28, 2026, for $495.00 per person. $525.00 per person thereafter.
Fee includes the training, manual and certificate.
This course is open to the general public. 6 months to 1 year of regular yoga practice is recommended for participation.
For 200 Hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance. This course is also part of our Yoga Alliance 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.
Join Anne Wanda Tessier for a special 90-minute Restorative Yoga practice combined with the use hot stones and aromatherapy!
In this all-levels yoga practice, Anne will begin with aromatherapy and a meditation to calm the mind and allow you to drop in to the experience.
You will then be guided in a restorative yoga practice, which will be enhanced with essential oils and the use of hot stones. The heat and weight from the stones will help ground the body and assist is releasing muscle tension while we explore various supported poses.
Relax, restore and renew the body, and soothe the mind and nervous system with this unique yoga experience.
Cost: $65.00 per person in advance, $75.00 per person, day of.
Maximum 12 participants, so sign up early!
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
At the intersection of Yin Yoga and Gong Meditation is a sweet spot where mind and body are totally relaxed and totally aligned. The Yin Yoga practice lengthens and opens the physical body, massaging deep connective tissue in a most relaxing way.
The gong’s warm vibrations envelop your entire being in wave after wave of preternatural sound that will affect you at the cellular level. Chances are you’ll feel pretty good after this practice.
Come share this experience, every third Saturday at 3:00 pm.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package or Membership.
This class is held in our warmly heated studio, the Body Room, with the lighting dimmed for a restful and restoring experience.
Yoga blocks, blankets and bolsters are available in the studio room. Please bring with you the additional props you require to rest comfortably for the 60 minute session. Dress comfortably.
An extraordinary journey where every breath becomes a rebirth and live rhythm fuels transformation.
Join us for an immersive group breathwork experience designed to release stagnant energy, quiet the mind, and open the heart to the present moment.
This powerful practice is interwoven with live hand drumming and carefully curated music, creating a sonic landscape that deepens self-connection and expands awareness. The primal rhythm of the drums synchronizes with the breath, guiding participants into a state of deep relaxation, insight, and emotional release.
In this supportive space, you're invited to surrender to the rhythm of renewal—and experience the profound peace and vitality that comes with every conscious breath.
Cost: $40.00 per person in advance, $45.00 per person day of.
“Saman’s Breathwork + Drumbeats experience is deeply powerful and beautifully guided—his intuitive live drumming woven with a curated playlist feels like breathing to the heartbeat of the Universe itself. The breath suspensions toward the end add a magical element at exactly the right moments, and the spacious, open-ended closing (no sharing circle) allows you to remain inward or connect with others over tea. Truly a magical inner journey.” - KD
Holding space is a continual learning process. 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 to offer yoga in a way that honours the tradition of yoga and celebrates the spectrum of human diversity. By understanding the connections between trauma and yoga, we can take skillful action.
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.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how to design trauma-informed offerings by co-creating spaces and practices that welcome diverse lived experiences.
Gain awareness of social justice and the importance of strengths-based approaches to creating safe and supportive yoga spaces.
Develop an expanded understanding of trauma—including types of trauma and their impact—and critically examine mainstream narratives about healing and resilience.
Connect the teachings of yoga, including the Yoga Sutras and Polyvagal Theory, to trauma-informed and responsive service, supporting healing and growth from a nervous system perspective.
Build care capacities to address issues as they arise and serve in a sustainable, compassionate way.
Practice applying trauma-informed approaches through class sequences and 1:1 sessions using key elements of safety, responsiveness, and empowerment.
Support the well-being of others by fostering resilience and connection within yoga communities.
Competencies: 1.3, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Learning Materials:
PranaShanti Course PowerPoint Slide Package
Film: The Wisdom of Trauma with Gabor Mate (by donation)
Book: Overcoming Trauma through Yoga - Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Practice Teaching with Feedback. Small Group Exercises: Pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Group Project.
SAVE $50.00 when you register on or before February 28, 2026, for $475.00 per person.
$525.00 per person thereafter
Fee includes training, manual, and certificate of completion.
If you're attending from outside Ottawa, Canada, and wish to receive printed training materials by mail, please register at least 10 days before the course start date to ensure delivery. E-documents will be provided otherwise.
Note:
This course is open to the general public. 6 months to 1 year of regular yoga practice is recommended for participation.
For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is also part of our Yoga Alliance 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
At the intersection of Yin Yoga and Gong Meditation is a sweet spot where mind and body are totally relaxed and totally aligned. The Yin Yoga practice lengthens and opens the physical body, massaging deep connective tissue in a most relaxing way.
The gong’s warm vibrations envelop your entire being in wave after wave of preternatural sound that will affect you at the cellular level. Chances are you’ll feel pretty good after this practice.
Come share this experience, every third Saturday at 3:00 pm.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package or Membership.
This class is held in our warmly heated studio, the Body Room, with the lighting dimmed for a restful and restoring experience.
Yoga blocks, blankets and bolsters are available in the studio room. Please bring with you the additional props you require to rest comfortably for the 60 minute session. Dress comfortably.
Gently stretch, strengthen and relax areas of the body affected by parenthood, meet other parents & bond with your baby using songs, physical movements and simple infant massage. Focus is on proper breathing & posture and poses that safely rebuild the core. This class is beneficial for anyone with diastasis recti or c-section scars.
We will discuss pelvic health, diastasis recti, c-section care, proper sitting & standing posture plus lifting & carrying baby. Class is designed for all levels and stages of the postpartum period.
Cost: $130.00 per person for the 4 week series. $35.00 per person Drop-In.
Enjoy tea and community time after class!
This class is open to all parents and caregivers! No previous yoga experience is required.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave. Ottawa, ON. Studio: Soul Room.
Join us for an uplifting evening of Kirtan — the joyful practice of call-and-response chanting.
Guided by Michael Hutkins, we’ll come together in sound, devotion, and community to raise our collective vibration and open the heart.
No experience is needed — simply come as you are. Feel free to bring an instrument if you wish, or just your voice and presence. Together, we’ll chant, uplift, and share in community spirit, all while supporting our neighbours through the Parkdale Food Centre.
Come sing, connect, and be nourished — body, heart, and soul.
Cost: $11.00 per person donation with the proceeds in support of the Parkdale Food Centre.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd floor, Ottawa, ON.
Immerse yourself in a deeply soothing experience that combines gentle yoga and a live harmonic sound relaxation.
You’ll be supported in releasing stress and tension through gentle yoga postures. As your body settles, you’ll be enveloped in the healing vibrations of crystal and metal singing bowls, chimes, Gong, and other meditative instruments—designed to quiet the mind and restore your energy.
Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, this class is a beautiful way to reset and recharge.
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package, or Membership.
You’re welcome to bring an eye pillow or anything that adds to your comfort. This class is held in our warmly heated studio, the Body Room, with the lighting dimmed for a restful and restoring experience.
Location: PranaShanti Yoga Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., Ottawa, ON. Studio: Body Room (warm).
200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training FREE Info. Session
Sunday, April 26th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Online Info. Session
Interested in deepening your yoga practice on and off the mat? Interested in taking your experience to the next level by becoming a Yoga Teacher?
To find out more about our upcoming Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, please join us and bring your questions!
This will be an online session. In advance of the session, everyone signed up will be emailed the meeting link and access code.
PranaShanti Yoga Centre offers internationally recognized Yoga Teacher Training programs in Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. We are an approved 200-hour and 300-hour Registered Yoga School (RYS) through Yoga Alliance.
Join us for our Karma Community Flow, a weekly donation-based class that blends the power of yoga with the spirit of giving. This inspiring community offering is open to all levels and led by a rotating team of skilled teachers—graduates of our Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program.
Each quarter, we partner with a local organization to donate class proceeds and raise awareness for important causes in our city. This quarter, your donations will support the Parkdale Food Centre, working to address food insecurity in Ottawa.
This is more than just a yoga class—it’s a chance to connect, practice, and give back. Your $11 minimum donation carries special meaning in yoga philosophy, symbolizing spiritual growth and collective upliftment.
Whether you're a regular or new to our community, we invite you to show up, move your body, and help make a positive impact—one breath at a time.
Donation: $11.00 per person for the Parkdale Food Centre.
Holding space is a continual learning process. 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 to offer yoga in a way that honours the tradition of yoga and celebrates the spectrum of human diversity. By understanding the connections between trauma and yoga, we can take skillful action.
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.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how to design trauma-informed offerings by co-creating spaces and practices that welcome diverse lived experiences.
Gain awareness of social justice and the importance of strengths-based approaches to creating safe and supportive yoga spaces.
Develop an expanded understanding of trauma—including types of trauma and their impact—and critically examine mainstream narratives about healing and resilience.
Connect the teachings of yoga, including the Yoga Sutras and Polyvagal Theory, to trauma-informed and responsive service, supporting healing and growth from a nervous system perspective.
Build care capacities to address issues as they arise and serve in a sustainable, compassionate way.
Practice applying trauma-informed approaches through class sequences and 1:1 sessions using key elements of safety, responsiveness, and empowerment.
Support the well-being of others by fostering resilience and connection within yoga communities.
Competencies: 1.3, 2.3, 2.5, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4
Learning Materials:
PranaShanti Course PowerPoint Slide Package
Film: The Wisdom of Trauma with Gabor Mate (by donation)
Book: Overcoming Trauma through Yoga - Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson
There are no additional fees, books, supply costs or other additional expenses beyond the course fee for this course.
Assessment:
Pre-course reading assignment that is discussed during course. Informal Observation: In-session. Open-ended Questions: In-session. Practice Teaching with Feedback. Small Group Exercises: Pairs and triads reporting back to full group. Group Project.
SAVE $50.00 when you register on or before February 28, 2026, for $475.00 per person.
$525.00 per person thereafter
Fee includes training, manual, and certificate of completion.
If you're attending from outside Ottawa, Canada, and wish to receive printed training materials by mail, please register at least 10 days before the course start date to ensure delivery. E-documents will be provided otherwise.
Note:
This course is open to the general public. 6 months to 1 year of regular yoga practice is recommended for participation.
For 200 hour certified Yoga Teachers this course provides CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
This course is also part of our Yoga Alliance 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and our 800 Hour Yoga Therapy Training.
Our 3,000 square foot Education Centre offers a large open concept training area with high ceilings and an abundance of natural light and excellent ventilation. There is a kitchen with fridge, microwave, kettle and dishware. We have a dining area with tables and chairs, 2 gender neutral bathrooms, and our Administration Office.
Practice postures that encourage a healthy, happy pregnancy and birth. Connect with other as you move your body in ways that feel good and help alleviate some of the common effects of pregnancy.
You will learn breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as simple postures that can be beneficial for your pregnancy, labour and motherhood!
Each week we will discuss topics such as pelvic health, incl. pelvic floor and pelvic stability, diastasis prevention, pain management and birth positions.
These classes are perfect for every stage of pregnancy. In fact, many women stay from beginning thru to their due dates!
Dates and Times:
6-week series
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm each evening
Cost: $180.00 per person for the 6 week series.
$35.00 per person Drop-In Fee.
No previous yoga experience is required.
A birthing partner is welcome to attend at no additional cost.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON.
Discover the nourishing power of Ayurvedic self-massage (Abhyanga) in this experiential workshop designed to support radiant skin, inner balance, and deep relaxation.
You will begin by learning to identify your unique Dosha and will create a personalized massage oil blend to take home and use in your daily self-care routine.
Through guided, hands-on practice, you will learn the full Abhyanga routine (performed over clothing during the workshop). Led by a Registered Massage Therapist, this session goes beyond basic self-massage and introduces therapeutic techniques you can integrate into your home practice, including:
Specific stroke directions to support healthy energy flow
Gentle lymphatic drainage techniques to assist detoxification
Pressure point awareness to help soothe and regulate the nervous system
Learn to nourish your body and calm your mind, creating a simple yet profound self-care ritual for your daily life.
In Sanskrit, the word for oil is Sneha, which also translates to love.
To practice Abhyanga is to perform Snehana—the act of saturating the self with affection.
This workshop is led by Amelia, a Registered Massage Therapist with specialized training in Ayurvedic Massage.
Cost: $60.00 per person in advance. $65.00 per person on the day of the workshop
Welcome to our Intro to Yoga class, the perfect way to get started or ease back into your yoga practice!
Whether you're new to yoga or returning after some time away, this class is designed to gently guide you through the essentials and prepare you to join our full schedule of 70+ weekly classes.
In this introductory class, we focus on building a strong foundation with key poses and simple breathing techniques. You'll learn how to align your body safely, connect with your breath, and find relaxation—all in a supportive and welcoming environment.
We'll cover foundational poses such as Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), and Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana I and II), which are great for developing strength, flexibility, and balance. Each movement is explained with care, ensuring you feel confident and prepared as you continue your yoga journey.
Beyond the poses, you'll get a taste of the broader benefits of yoga, including mindfulness and the sense of calm it can bring into your life.
This Intro to Yoga class is your first step towards exploring everything we offer—join us and get ready to dive into our vibrant community of 70+ classes each week!
Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee, Class Package, or Membership.
Location: PranaShanti Education Centre, 950 Gladstone Ave., 2nd Floor, Ottawa, ON.
