Yoga with Lilian emphasizes the connection of Body, Mind, and Spirit. Students are encouraged to understand their body at an energetic level, exploring the inter-correlation between body language and emotional states.
Awareness of breath is central to Lilian's approach. As awareness of body and breath grows, students develop a closer relationship to their own inner centre or spiritual essence, from which they can receive guidance and nurturing. This process brings healing, integration, and personal growth.
Classes:
The Introductory Level
This class teaches you the foundation and proper alignment for a healthy practice. Through stretches and beginning yoga postures (asanas), emphasis will be placed on developing body awareness, breath awareness, and relaxation.
The Intermediate Level
Building on the introductory program, this course teaches you new postures and simple breathing practices that will further develop your flexibility, strength, stamina, and fluidity of movement.
The Ongoing Level
The Ongoing Level is for those with previous and consistent yoga experience who wish to deepen and refine their practice. This class will introduce more advanced postures such as inversions and backbends.
Prenatal Yoga
A nurturing preparation for childbirth through breath awareness, relaxation, and postures designed for all stages of pregnancy. This class will empower women to meet the special moment of birth with confidence, strength, and trust.
Postnatal Yoga
A nurturing and playful class for moms and their new babies (ages 1 to 6 months). We will explore interactive ways of moving, breathing, and relaxing with your baby.
Yoga for Teens
A class for teenagers to nurture a healthy relationship to their body. The practices will help teens to develop body awareness, breath awareness, relaxation and connection to their own center.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors (on the floor)
Postures will be adapted to the needs of seniors. Enhance your breathing capacity and ability to relax as you enjoy this gentle yet invigoration class.
Yoga on Chairs
For seniors and adults with limited mobility, this class can be easily done while sitting on a chair. Its consists of energy activating massage, movements, stretches, deep breathing, and relaxation. Standing postures will be included according to each individual's ability.
Sound, Breath, and Meditation
This class focuses on the practice of pranayama (expansive breathing), toning (releasing the power of one's own voice through sound), chanting of mantras (sacred sound), and sitting meditation.
Restorative Yoga
In these classes you will practice passive supported poses, using bolsters, chairs, blankets and cushions. Each pose is held comfortably for a few minutes, with awareness of breath. Highly nourishing and restorative for the nervous system, this practice is conducive to a state of deep relaxation and connection to Self. Inspirational readings and sound healing (toning) will be included. All levels welcome.
New Classes
Yoga for Kids - with Jodi Strom
Children’s yoga offers a joyful, playful exploration of the relationship between movement and stillness and between body, breath and mind. We’ll have fun with
yoga postures, games, breathing and relaxation, helping to improve flexibility, strength and concentration.
About Jodi: Jodi has been an appreciative student of Lilian Bianchi’s for 12 years and completed yoga teacher’s training at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga in 2003. She’s been teaching yoga in the Cowichan Valley since 2003 and trained to teach prenatal yoga and kid’s yoga in 2004. She incorporates her respect for the Hatha yoga tradition and it’s rejuvenating power with a gentle, open, and compassionate approach to body, mind, and spirit.
Meditation - with Edith Goss
In these sessions techniques and instructions will be provided on How to Meditate for Personal Benefits and Spiritual Growth.
About Edith: Edith has been initiated into the Kriya Yoga in 1996 by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda. Edith has completed a course for Meditation Group leaders at CSA (Center for Spiritual Awareness) as well as a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program with Lilian Bianchi.
Yoga and Ayurveda with Mara Narbutas
The sister science of yoga is ayurveda~ the art of living well. In this coarse we will learn how to bring balance to our unique constitution of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas. We can use this awareness to enhance our asana, pranayama, and meditation practices and other lifestyle choices. Classes will combine asana practice with some theory and discussion.
About Mara: Mara has been teaching yoga for 7 years. She studied and apprenticed with Lilian Bianchi and also did yoga teacher training at The Salt Spring Centre of Yoga. Mara is also a Reiki Master and is certified with the Lotus Palm school in Thai Yoga Massage and Ayurveda.
Note: Some classes may not be offered during the current schedule period.
