The Birthplace of Ashtanga
Mysore Style is the traditional way of teaching the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga once the student has familiarity with the Sun Salutations and primary series. In this practice you will receive personal attention from Andrea Gracia, an Authorized Level 1 Ashtanga Yoga Teacher who travels to Mysore (India) every year to study with her teacher Saraswathi Jois. Throughout the years she has benefited from this practice in many ways and is eager to share its benefits with her students here in Halifax.
This is a series of classes that will take place each Thursday at Shanti Bedford between January 2 - February 7 at 6pm.
Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal Yoga is an incredible way to tune into your body in an intimate way as it undergoes a very challenging and magical transformation. Prenatal Yoga will help strengthen both the body and mind during your pregnancy and in preparation for labour while connecting you to a like-minded group. With everyone at a different stage of pregnancy, the community building aspect can be extremely valuable, while at the same time, building a closer connection to the little one in your belly!
Shanti Bedford | January 8 - February 13th, 2025
Shanti Dartmouth | January 9th - February 14, 2025
Yoga for Youth Program
Kids ages 8-12 will explore movement through yoga postures, experiment with calming breathing exercises and more tools to move through each day with courage, flexibility and empathy. Each class will help our youth to build valuable life skills such as compassion, resilience, and self-awareness.
Next Program Date TBD
New Year’s Day Special Class
Join your yoga community and start the 1st day of 2025 with intention and heart. This 90mins yin/yang practice will be an opportunity to reflect, feel, move and create intention for the next year ahead. This will be a full rounded practice starting slower with the yin style of yoga and then, once more space has opened, we will move into fluidity that will invite connection to your deeper inner strength. The practice will end in meditation, allowing time to ground before moving forward into the new year ahead!
Winter Solstice Sound Bath
A meditative and celebratory experience that honours the winter solstice—the longest night and the turning point toward increasing light in the year. This sound bath will include crystal singing bowls, koshi chimes, and a wave drum to create a relaxing and immersive soundscape that encourages introspection, renewal, and release.
Participants lie down and are “bathed” in sound while being guided through a series of tones and vibrations, reflecting the themes of the solstice: letting go of the old, embracing stillness, and setting intentions for the return of light. The experience is designed to promote a sense of peace, grounding, and alignment, aligning participants with the rhythms of nature and marking a meaningful transition into the next phase of the year.
December 21st, 5-6:30pm | Shanti Bedford
Ashtanga: Deconstructing The Primary Series
Whether you are already an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner or not, this course will shed some light over the key elements to focus on while learning the Primary Series. It is ideal for people who are interested in building a sustainable personal practice or returning to it. This course counts as 10 Hours CE credits with the Yoga Alliance.
This course will cover:
• The Practice - Historical and philosophical context
• Basic Concepts
• Understanding the Ashtanga Vinyāsa System • Foundations - Alignment
• Understanding the use of bandha during the practice
• Learn to lift in arm balances and transitions
Backbending - importance of a strong foundation
• Drills - Shoulder openers
• Lead Primary Series
• Basic Pranayama Practice
This course will be offered at our Bedford studio from January 24-26
Joy of Movement
There is one thing that will challenge all of us throughout our lifetime; the challenge to keep moving. As we get older, there are countless events that can break your habit of regular movement and exercise, such as injuries and health setbacks. Joy of Movement is designed to work with and around your needs and keep you moving freely. Maintaining the range of motion in our muscles and joints as we age is essential to a healthy state of mind, feeling comfortable in our own bodies and ultimately a joyful life experience.
Next Program Date TBD