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Aug 08
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Yoga Workshops Explained with Benefits

By Workshops

Workshops are a great way to expand and grow your practice with the support of PYC Trained Yoga Teachers. PYC Teacher Haze Schepmeyer shares about the current workshops held out of PYC Oakville.

  • Foundations of Flow every month
  • Inversions and Arm Balances alternate every other month

During Foundations of Flow, you’ll learn how EVERY yoga pose in our flow is Tadasana facing:

  • The front wall
  • The side wall
  • The floor
  • The ceiling
  • Two directions (e.g., Revolved Crescent Lunge and Chair Twist)
Haze’s nickname for this workshop is 50 Ways to Take Tadasana. Whether you’ve been doing yoga for weeks or for years, this workshop will give you access to alignment cues for stacking your bones so that your muscles are doing less work and you can hold each pose longer while truly balancing effort and ease.
During Inversions, you’ll review the 15 instances in the flow where you heart is below your hips and show you how to use the inversions on your hands and feet (e.g., Forward Fold, Ragdoll, Downward-Facing Dog, Standing Split, Pyramid) as the foundation for the inversions on your hands and/or head (e.g., Crow, Handstand, Headstand, Forearm Stand, Scorpion).
During Arm Balances, you’ll learn how each of these poses is 20% strength and 80% balance/stability once you stack your bones, distribute your weight and feel around for your Tadasana. I usually cover:
  • Crow
  • Crane
  • Firefly
  • Side Crow
  • Fallen Angel
  • Knee-to-Elbow hover
  • Flying Half-Pigeon

Here’s what other yogis have to say…

“Haze’s inversion workshop has given me the ability to try new things in my practice by starting with the foundational theory/practice of Tadasana. Going upside down has completely restructured the rest of my practice by giving me a greater understanding of alignment in all postures. It can be easy to overlook the more technical aspects of the practice when going through the flow, but this is in fact where all the fun lies.”

“Haze has legitimately changed the way I view the foundational aspects of yoga and as a side note is an absolute treat to be around. Taking this workshop is the equivalent to breaking through to the next chapter of your practice.”

“Haze’s Foundations of Flow & Inversion Workshops have expanded my practice in ways I never imagined! For the first time in my life, I’m able to play with handstands & headstands. I literally take every opportunity I can to attend Haze’s classes. I always learn something new & have an absolute blast!”

Coming soon! 

  • Saturday, September 10th – Inversions at 1:00 p.m. (Oakville) – Sign up now!
  • Friday, September 16th – Foundations of Flow at 7:30 p.m. (Oakville) – Sign up now!
  • Inversions at PYC Burlington – Sign up coming soon!
Mar 16
Love1

Pauline Caballero

By Community Feature

When the unexplainable happens, you just go with it!

I will never forget trying to explain to potential business investors that we were going to open a yoga studio where you crank up the heat so students sweat profusely and we were not going to build showers. Where we would open with no sign and on the 3rd floor of a very interesting, also referred to as a grungy building.

It was then, November 2009, that the unexplainable began to happen. The profuse amount of sweat turned into a rinse of old energy and a transformation on ones self. The showers were not needed because sweaty hugs became the norm. And the grungy building with drapes to close off the room and retain the heat became cool and a part of our charm. The frustrated yogi calling in would often say, “I can’t find you” to which we would respond – “if you drove past the train tracks, you went to far”. The three flights of stairs and huffing and puffing was welcomed with, “great! Now you are all warmed up”.

It was all in our perspective, and we didn’t even know it. We were just old enough to have a large enough limit on our credit cards and young enough to be willing to max them out over and over again. It was all quite magical when one looks back from this seat. We were courageous when we needed to be and vulnerable before Brene Brown made it cool 🙂 One thing is for sure the sacrifice Kinndli and I made is nothing compared to all the people around us. Our families, my husband, our countless teachers, assistants and energy exchangers have poured all their energy, time and love into PYC!

Power Yoga Canada tore my marriage apart and glued it back together with a bond that will last many lifetimes. The practice on and off the mat is so powerful that it calms my inner critic down, silences my mind and allows me to hear the gentle whispers of my heart. Because of this community, I have gained the ability to challenge everything I know to be true and to play FULL on in my life and for that I am forever grateful. To make mistakes and clean up my messes. To stay and to be patient and to demand miracles over and over again.

I can say, I have no idea where I would be had I not stumbled into Kinndli’s class one day many years ago? Where would I be if I had said opening up a studio with someone I barely know is crazy? …but I do know the answers to these questions. I would have missed out on gaining the most amazing best friend, the most wonderful community and the craziest roller coaster ride that continues today.

Thank you – to every single person, student, assistant, teacher, energy exchanger, affiliate owner and PYC supporter off the mat, that took a chance on Power Yoga Canada. We could not have done it without YOU! Acknowledgments would not be complete without a special shout out to the unicorn of PYC herself, Kinndli, I love you and am forever grateful for the chance you took on me. The ease and flow you bestow to PYC is felt always.

May we all be silent enough to hear the gentle whispers of our heart

See you on your MAT!
P

 

Pauline, Kinndli, and families. Co-founders of Power Yoga Canada

Oct 27
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200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Testimonials

By 200 Hour Teacher Training

Are you curious about completing your 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification? It’s important to do your research and to find the best program for you! We’ve put together some videos below so you can hear firsthand from participants of the 200 hour program that we deliver. Power Yoga Canada’s (PYC) 200 hour yoga teacher training program is a dynamic program led by PYC’s Co-Founder, Kinndli McCollum that will immerse you into self-inquiry, practice teaching, asana (practice), meditation and group discussions. You will learn the basics and the fundamental knowledge to go out into the world and to lead a Power Yoga class. You will be engaged from day one and you are able to choose from ONE of TWO options including In-Person & Online or Fully Online. Our 200 hour program is unique in that it attracts both yoga practitioners who are interested in becoming powerful yoga teachers and many people who are interested in self-inquiry and truth-seeking within themselves. Yoga Alliance certified this training will provide participants with the opportunity to teach at other studios across the globe (ensure you review other studio requirements). Click here for all of the program details for the Winter 2024 program!

  • Katya touches on her experience of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  •  Stephanie shares a quick video of her experience with the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  •  Erica shares insight on her experience of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Rechev shares his experience with the Diversity Scholarship offered by PYC and the impact it’s had on him

  • Tim provides an in-depth look at his Yoga Teacher Training experience and the impact it had on him from start to finish

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Kayla’s passion comes through as she dives deep into the impact this program has had on her

  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Graduate Abbey’s feedback of the program is from the heart and touches on how the program helped her come out of her shell

Oct 26
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Your Questions Answered for Yoga Teacher Training

By 200 Hour Teacher Training, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

As Power Yoga Canada (PYC) excitedly prepares to host the hybrid 200 hour Winter 2024 yoga teacher training, a lot of questions come through from potential participants. 

  1. How does an online and in-person program function?
  2. Will I learn everything I need to in order to become a successful yoga teacher?
  3. Can online yoga teacher training be as effective online as it is in person?
  4. What if I don’t want to teach yoga? 

About Power Yoga Canada’s 200 hour Yoga Teaching Training

The PYC 200 hour teacher training is unique as it touches on our culture that has been created and developed since the first doors were opened in 2009. Throughout the training, so much of the culture is brought forth through the methodology, yoga philosophy, the poses, and all of the transformational activities. As we all know, teachers play an integral part in the magic behind what PYC stands for, and therefore in order to ensure our guests experience the magic, it’s important for all teachers to go through the PYC 200 hr training in order to teach at any PYC location or on the PYC at Home Zoom platform. And can we not forget that Kinndli McCollum leads the training? Like, come on. The unicorn of all unicorns! Do not let being tech-savvy stop you from taking this transformational program because we have an amazing team here at PYC who will support you and will ensure you are good to go.

The 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program is the first step in your journey as a yoga teacher so continue reading to find out more!

1. How does an online and in-person program function?

Power Yoga Canada is providing multiple options for guests to engage in the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program for Winter 2024 to make it accessible and to provide guests with the ability to take part in-person or online from anywhere in the world. With the use of technology and facilitation tools, we ensure that all guests, whether they are fully online or in-person and online, will have an engaging and transformational experience. Take a look below to understand what each option entails:

  1. In-Person and Online- participants choosing this option will be fully engaged with participants online and in-person. They will start online on Zoom Saturday morning for a few hours before heading to the PYC Oakville Studio in the afternoon and evening (all participants are given 90 minutes to head to the PYC Oakville Studio). On Sunday, participants will once again start on Zoom in the morning for a few hours before heading to the PYC Oakville Studio in the afternoon. On Wednesday, all participants are fully online from 6 pm – 9 pm EST.
  2. Online- participants choosing this option will be online for the full duration of the program interacting with people in person and on Zoom provided with the same experience and level of care.

It is important to us that all participants have a fantastic experience so if you have any hesitation for either of the options please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate for you.

2. Will I learn everything I need to in order to become a successful yoga teacher?

Yes, you most certainly will! All of the content is delivered to help ensure you are putting what you learn right to practice! There is LABBING where you go through each and every pose of the yoga sequence known as the Power Yoga Canada Flow and you will dissect the poses with all of your peers. Furthermore, you are engaged in experiential learning throughout the entire program by teaching yoga to your fellow peers. There are presentations on the history of yoga, the anatomy of yoga, the Hindu gods, and much more! Another important aspect of yoga teacher training is the self-inquiry work and activities that you take part in. The work and activities that you go through allow you to discover your true, authentic voice and help you find the confidence you had in you all along. We’ve received great feedback about the content of the program including two comments from recent graduates: 

“The content was fantastic. I really enjoyed all the topics we covered. I liked that every day had a theme and a quote. I also really enjoyed hearing others speak and spending time discussing our learnings in small groups. This helped me understand the content on a deeper level.”

“I honestly couldn’t believe how thorough this program was, to be honest. Even with the steps, we could take after the program! This program was so humbling because of the amount of trust PYC puts in their students and I felt the sincerity of wanting to support us after we come out of our cocoons. I wouldn’t change a thing (and I’m so grateful for all of it)!”

3. Can online yoga teacher training be as effective online as it is in person?

Before our first 200 hour Online Yoga Teacher Training took place in May 2020, we had no expectations going in. We hadn’t run one before and Power Yoga Canada is known for providing transformational, high-quality training so we had a lot on the line. We took the leap of faith just a month before the program began and put all of our focus on how it would be delivered. Weeks leading up to the program we had many people interested and kicked off the program with 37 eager yogi’s ready to take on a new journey. A transformational journey.  Below are a couple of comments from graduates of the program:

“The facilitation was amazing, I know it was a group program, but there were so many different times where I felt like the program facilitators were talking directly to me. This really enhanced my experience and was very stimulating. It opened me up to participate in ways I never thought I would.”

“I loved the online aspect! I thought I would miss out on taking the program online, but I don’t think I did at all! I feel like I made genuine connections, made new friends, and I was still able to hear others speak to the group and have small group discussions. I liked that there was no commute to and from training and that I didn’t have to pack everything. It was really nice to have the training in the comfort of my own home. I was very pleasantly surprised!”

4. What if I don’t want to teach yoga? 

PYC has had many individuals take part in our Yoga Teacher Training who simply want to learn more about their own yoga practice and have come out of the training with great knowledge and insight. The self-inquiry aspect is also proven extremely beneficial to all graduates who leave with more clarity in their life’s purpose and have become more self-aware in all areas of their lives. We have seen genuine connections and lifelong friendships created through the programs and we are extremely honoured to be able to lead such a transformative program online to people around the entire globe.

I want to leave you with one personal experience that was shared with us from a graduate of the Summer 2023 training:

“PYC Teacher Training has been pivotal in my own personal and professional transformation. I came to this program with zero expectations but fully submerged myself within the program and community. This program put me through many uncomfortable situations but soon these situations became more comfortable. I then began realizing my potential and possibilities are limitless. In turn, I have a new perspective of who I am. One that is closer to my core values. This new awareness helps me take pride in my attributes, loving what I have, and just being myself. I know If I’m faking it I can never be happy. With this perspective, I live with a new Mantra, “Now everything I do I do it with my heart and I do it so well.” Thank you PYC and the tools you have provided me to better myself and those around me.”

If you have any questions at all please feel free to reach out to PYC’s Director of Growth, Nick Vetro, any time at nick@poweryogacanada.com or by text/call at 905-808-3330.

Aug 04
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300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Testimonials

By 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Are you curious about completing your 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification? It’s important to do your research and to find the best program for you! We’ve put together some videos below so you can hear firsthand from participants of the 300 hour program that we deliver. Power Yoga Canada’s 300 hour yoga teacher training program will help you take your Yoga Teaching to the next level! You will learn advanced techniques, further develop your leadership skills and build on the foundation you already have with your 200 hour Yoga Teacher certification. Deepen your understanding of how to use yoga as a healing modality and utilize powerful tools for personal transformation. Yoga Alliance certified, this training will provide participants with the opportunity to participate either in-person & online, or fully online! Click here for all of the program details for the Fall 2021 program!

  • Anathèle Zamor shares her experience during the Fall 2020 program that was fully online! She also went on to state that “Doing the 300 hours program has launched my career in yoga in a way I didn’t imagine could be possible! It’s been really amazing!”

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Vicki Fiddler touches on the impact that the 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training program had on her including discovering her voice and making lifelong friends!

Dec 30
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Power Yoga Canada Community Lead & Learn

By Uncategorized

 

Power Yoga Canada is excited to announce a brand new initiative called The Power Yoga Canada Community Lead & Learn which is a “how to” or educational presentation led by a PYC volunteer or staff member! On a monthly basis Energy Exchange members, Assistants, Teachers, Studio Managers and Studio Owners will come together to connect & learn in order to build a stronger, more versatile community! The Lead & Learn is designed so that community members listed above are the ones leading the presentation! Do you have a topic that you are passionate about and would like to share it with your PYC community? From sewing to social media to arts & crafts, if you want to lead a 30 minute – 1 hour session to help spread joy, now is your chance! The Lead & Learn has been created to empower the PYC community into action through belonging, passion & education while bringing forth the core values of PYC into the community including Being for Each Other, Acknowledgments & Appreciation and Diversity & Belonging.

The intention of the topic should be chosen in order to help educate and help better the lives of the Power Yoga Canada community, such as :

  • How to sew/knit
  • Creating a resume/cover letter
  • Steps to healthy eating
  • DIY at the home
  • Arts and Crafts
  • 3 Facts about weight training
  • iPhone/Android phone tutorials
  • Social media tips

The Lead & Learn has been created to empower the PYC community into action through engagement, education and belonging while bringing forth the core values of PYC into the community including Being for Each Other, Acknowledgments & Appreciation and Diversity & Belonging. This monthly gathering over Zoom will empower members to come out of their comfort zone and lead a session about a topic they are passionate about.

Do you have a topic that you are passionate about and would like to share it with your PYC community? From sewing to social media to arts & crafts to technology, if you want to lead a 30 minute – 1 hour session to help spread joy, now is your chance! The Lead & Learn has been created to empower the PYC community into action through belonging, passion & education while bringing forth the core values of PYC into the community including Being for Each Other, Acknowledgments & Appreciation and Diversity & Belonging. For any member interested in presenting at a Lead & Learn, please fill out a form by clicking here.

 

Jun 23
Love0

2020 Spring Online 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Video Testimonials

By 200 Hour Teacher Training, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Uncategorized
May 19
Love0

Community & Conversation

By Events

– A day of Acknowledgement & Appreciation –

We had originally earmarked this weekend as an Energy Exchange Summit – a moment to acknowledge and appreciate our team members cross regionally. We couldn’t come together as a community without acknowledgement of what is occurring in the present moment as the world makes powerful shifts towards a new future. When we thought about bringing our community together in conversation, we wanted to open it up to you. All of you.

We are pivoting to meet the change ahead of us – and we do that by navigating from our core values and coming together as a community. Saturday morning will look like group meditation, bigger thinking through self inquiry, and flowing together.

If reading this you felt a spark, we encourage you to follow your curiosity. Save your spot this Saturday morning by signing up below.

Be ready to CONNECT, ENGAGE and TRANSFORM together.

WHEN:  Saturday, June 6

TIME:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Online using the Zoom application

WHO:  The entire PYC Community

WHAT TO PREPARE:  Clothes for a yoga practice, yoga mat, water bottle and a journal & pen.

ZOOM LINK: All participants who register using the link below will receive a Zoom link via email on the evening of Friday, June 5th at approximately 9:00pm

RSVP by clicking here!

– Thank you to all our thoughtful Sponsors –

Click Here to see the Energy Exchange Raffle Winners

COMPANY NAME INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT PRIZE WINNER
bluboho bluboho $100 online gift card Renata Fonseca
Buddha Pants buddha_pants A pair of Buddha Pants Rebecca Thompson
Crisp Produce crispproduce Promo Version of fruits and vegetables kit Ewa Zelechowski
evive smoothie evivesmoothine 24 smoothie wheels Natali Rybalov
Fit Organix fitorganix Three winners – Each winner will receive 3 days delivery of food Ula Muran, Hailey Galloway & Lindsay Halliday
Jax McCauley jaxxmccauley Reiki Session Jennifer Seaton
Lexicon Clothing & Design lexiconclothing 3 Home made headbands Pauline Wong
lovebitesbyles lovebitesbyles Variety pack of love bites Carmela Reyes
Makesscents makesscentsca 2 Packages of Soap/Bath Bombs Elham Haddadi & Andrea Linhares
Plant Collective plantcollectiveca Pack of Bath Bombs Alyssa Hurst
Queen Hippie Jewelry i_am_the_influencer Two winners – Each winner will receive a bracelet Marni Weiner
Refillery Market refillerymrkt Kitchen essential kit – dish washing block, wooden dish brush, wooden pot scrubber, dishwasher tabs. Honey Wahi
Ryeka Sport ryeka_sport One winner – 3 prizes (1 x water bottle (Black or Pink) & 1lb bag of Skratch Labs (Strawberry Lemonade) NEW Flavour $ 40 value) Zach Scott
Styled Lounge styled.lounge $25 gift card and eyes masks Ellen Oatmeyer
Your Tan yourtan.ca Spray Tan valued at $65 Gabrielle Forget

 

 

 

Oct 03
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Community Feature : October 2019

By Uncategorized

Author : Susan Wilvert

When I was asked to share my story, I was initially hesitant.  Being from a broken home and the events in my life that occurred because of this, I thought through the WHY of sharing my story. I realized that there may be someone else out there who needs to hear this, so I decided to bare my soul in hopes this may be the message that inspires one person from “I can’t” to “I will”. 

When I started practicing at PYC I had no idea it would help me to overcome my personal struggles with addiction and give me the strength to see it through.  A little bit about myself;  I come from an abusive childhood and alcoholism runs deep in the veins of my family. I never knew my father or grandfather but from what I understand they both passed of cirrhosis of the liver.

Yoga Community Feature - October 2019

 

I lost my brother, Ross, 3 years ago. He had been sober for 10 years with the help of AA but sadly passed due to a stroke at 52 years of age. Since my brother’s passing, my mother has moved in with us.  Although things have settled down now, initially the memories from my childhood weighed heavily on me and I was unwilling to forgive. Looking back, I can now see that I have actually survived the horrors, and with the help of this practice, I am gaining more and more courage, clarity and confidence. Power Yoga has been instrumental in giving me the strength I need to carry on mentally, emotionally and physically. It has also given me a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose and validates all that I wholeheartedly believe in.  

 

One of the most impressive ways in which the practice on my mat has reflected in my personal life has simply been, “letting go”. I am leaning into what is scary, uncomfortable and “hard” and practicing the art of surrender. This journey is one I am willing to take, due to the sense of empowerment, peace and spirituality I acquire in each and every class.

 

The physical practice, the asana of yoga, seems to calm my central nervous system and get rid of the residual angst I carry around with me. The sense of equilibrium it gives me is euphoric, unshakeable – really! I am also grateful for the relationships I am forming with some of my instructors, whose encouragement, love and support means the world me. 

 

I’ve recently become a part of the Energy Exchange program and aspire to teach one day, but for now I am enjoying getting to know the team and members of PYC in a more intimate way.  Like everyone, I am a work in progress and fully appreciate the guidance, support and positive reinforcement from PYC & the Leaside community. I will continue to pursue this incredible passion as long as I possibly can and will relish it for the gift that it truly is. I am eternally grateful for Power Yoga Canada. Thank you.