2013 Yoga For Hope Overview

Since the 2006 Yoga For Hope, we have stepped through the Chakras of the body. The theme for 2013 is all Seven Chakras building the class focus from the first to the seventh Chakra over the course of the day. The day will begin with Meditation, at 7:30 a.m. followed by a class for movement of the first, (grounding) Chakra, then second, (reproductive/creative) Chakra and third, (abdominal/self-esteem).

Join us for a day to nourish your Mind, Body and Soul in celebration of Chakras

Schedule for the day

7:30am Connecting the 7 Chakras through Meditation—Sue Child

Meditation is a method for cultivating a stillness of mind and clarity of awareness that allows us to access deeper wisdom. It is a practice to investigate the mind/body process with awareness and to disengage from habitual patterns of thought and emotional reactivity that cause suffering, allowing us to become more at ease in our being. It facilitates healing through all the chakras. It teaches us how to live in the moment, fully experiencing our life. This class will offer an introduction to meditation, and guided meditation instruction.

8:30am First Chakra – Awakening the Sleeping Dragon—Jayelle Lindsay

How the coccyx contributes to spinal alignment and consciousness in the first chakra. Participants will explore yoga poses initiating from the "As" of the Asana, the "seat" of the poses. The workshop will include a brief review of the relevant anatomy.

9:30am Second Chakra – Birthing of Creativity—Leena Miller

The element of the second chakra is water. This chakra relates to finding our passion for life and moving with freedom and creativity in the world. Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water. Our joints, muscles, blood and lymph all depend on circulation and flow. In this gentle flow class focusing on opening the hips we will reclaim our natural fluidity and creatively find ways to increase the ease of movement in our bodies.

10:30am Third Chakra – The Seat of Power—Natasja Payne

Experience a yogic process based in sahaja yoga - the spontaneous awakening - that naturally gets our life force moving to a pulse of music that no body can resist. For soul rebels to the rhythmically challenged, movement is a great vehicle for both change and integration. Allow yourself to become empowered with the beats of the drum and re-ingnite your Solar Plexus….the seat of your will; also known as our 3rd chakra.

11:30am A delicious warm vegetarian lunch: $7.00—From Lotus Tea House and Buddha’s Light Centre

Silent Auction: Irresistible "must have's"—bidding ends at 1:00pm

1:00pm Fourth Chakra – The Power of the Heart—

The Heart chakra anchors the higher spiritual energies into the body.  From embryology to our final breath, the heart brings our divine nature to life.  Yet our hearts are often shielded, closed or scared to open fully to life.  This stops us from both giving and receiving love. In this workshop, we will experience different ways to open the heart and heal its wounds, so Spirit may flow more powerfully through us.  Learn to breathe from the merge of Spirit and form.

2:00pm Fifth Chakra – Healing Sound Vibrations—Kunga/Joshua Webster

Join Kunga for an hour of throat chakra opening exercises, including Tibetan yogic meditation and movements, sacred chanting and vocal drills as well as a talk on connecting our speech and voice with our hearts.  No experience or singing ability necessary.  Join in with your voice or just sit and enjoy the healing sound vibrations.

3:00pm Sixth Chakra – Yoga for Balance and Concentration—Mike Chapman

To maintain muscular function in stabilizers, a balance of strength and flexibility must be managed in opposing muscle groups. Practicing the wide variety of balance postures found in the Breathe Into Motion Yoga System will strengthen weak areas and stretch tight areas at different angles.  Not only will this be better from a physical alignment viewpoint, but the firing patterns for muscle recruitment will improve.  The nervous system's role in training and athletic performance has come to be appreciated much more in recent decades.  Balancing postures utilize slight variances from the body's center of gravity to stimulate motor units in the effort to regain equipoise. The efficiency and speed of recruitment of the motor units, in regards to maintaining balance, improves concentration dramatically.

4:00pm Seventh Chakra – Moving through to the Seventh Chakra—Margaret Russell

Partner Yoga is meant to be playful and fun. It's not how perfectly you execute an asana - it's how much you enjoy the posture.  The poses will cover all seven chakras.  Remember to encourage your inner child to come out and play.  We will end the class with a guided shavasana.

5:00pm Closing with the Traditional Ritual

The Bowl of Hope that sits at the front reception/registration table, is where we invite you to write and enter the name or names of loved ones affected by cancer.  Our closing ritual honours your loved ones by passing the bowl around and reading the names out loud.  We then either read or chant and have a few moments of silence.

Throughout the day, in 15 minute sessions @ $20.00 per session

• 10:30-3:10 Karen Parke—reflexology
• 10:00-3:00 Mary Everett—Thai Massage
•   9:00-4:00 Robin Grant—Shiatsu
•   9:00-4:00 Carol Matheson—Discover Life Coaching

A wonderful treat! Any of the four above or all are highly recommended.

Free Parking

Water supplied by Crystal Clear Water Company

All proceeds go to HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre

Be good to yourself,
The Yoga for Hope Committee looks forward to seeing you!