The Art of Touch

Our bodies crave touch like we crave water, and for good reason.

Partner Yoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop

Calm Stress and Anxiety

When we experience the sensation of touch, our brains produce Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone”. Oxytocin helps us to bond with our partners but also: helps to reduce the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, increases the release of endorphins, and optimizes libido.

Boost Immunity

Touch has also been shown to boost our body’s immune system and the body’s natural ability to fight disease. When our body is touched it stimulates the thymus gland, the gland that regulates the immune system. The thymus plays a vital role in producing T-cells, an extremely important type of white blood cells.

It feels amazing

So go ahead, hold a hand, caress someones back, and embrace a loved one.

Come learn the art of touch- Saturday, March 21^st

PartnerYoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop

2-4pm @ West End Community Centre

 Lead by Shawna Philpott

 

Yoga for Change - February 25th - Yin-Yang Fusion

This week Yoga for Change returns with guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon and Brandon City Yoga's own Shawna Philpott to bring you Yin-Yang Fusion. 

Tonight Chelsea will be beginning the class by guiding us through a flowing Yang practice designed to ignite the Manipura Chakra (also known as the solar plexus or navel chakra). The class will conclude with a cooling and restorative Yin yoga practice with Shawna, concluding with a deep relaxation. 

The Manipura chakra is the body's third chakra, according to the Yoga Vedas and the Upanishads. It is the centre for vitality and associated with the digestive track, regulating the functions of the pancreas and the other digestive organs.

When this chakra is blocked we may face many health problems such as digestive disorders, circulatory diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. When we have a strong and active Manipura chakra we are able to overcome many illnesses, the body finds balance and great strength. 

Join us tonight as we collect donations for this month's local charity of the month the Ethan James Wyne Organization. Suggested minimum donation is $5 or pay as you can. Please arrive early to secure your spot in this drop in only class. 

For more information head to our website www.brandoncityyoga.com

Meet this week's Guest Teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

Tomorrow evening we welcome the inspiring Chelsea McCrimmon as our talented local guest teacher for Yoga for Change. 

This is a weekly Karma Yoga event that not only opens up the world of Yoga to the community, but also provides an opportunity for the community to raise awareness and financial support to it's local charities. 

Guest Teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

Chelsea is a certified yoga teacher who completed her training amidst the unrefined beauty on the Big Island of Hawaii. Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, Chelsea worked as a lawyer in British Columbia. It was the high stress environment of law that caused her to turn to yoga as a way of stilling her mind and reconnecting with her spirit.

Chelsea believes in the healing power of yoga for both mind and body. She is grateful to be able to share the gift of yoga with her students, and knows that there is a yoga practice for everybody regardless of age, shape, flexibility or any other perceived obstacle. Chelsea is eager to work with her students to find the practice that is right for them, so that they too can experience the peace of mind and strength of spirit that yoga has to offer.

When she’s not practicing yoga, Chelsea can often be found cheering on the Wheat Kings, or at home practicing “doga” with her dogs. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Brandon Humane Society, and also maintains her status as a lawyer in Manitoba where she conducts legal research for various law firms.

Be sure to join us for this special candlelit Karma Yoga  Class, where we explore both the Yin and Yang aspects of our Yoga practice, all while donating to a worthy local charity. 

Remember: there is no need to pre-register as this is a drop-in only class. In lieu of a class fee we are collecting donations for this month's charity of the month: the Ethan James Wyne Organization. All levels of experience are welcome and no degree of flexibility is required. 

YOGA FOR CHANGE - Yin-Yang Fusion - February 18th

Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion

Yoga for Change returns this Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm at the West End Community Centre.
This week we are featuring guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon alongside Shawna Philpott, as they pair up to guide us through a unique Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion class. 

What is Yin Yoga? In Taoism, Yin is regarded as the feminine principle: dark, passive, receptive, reflective, withdrawn, cool, introspective. Yin yoga is characterized by gentle restorative yoga postures or asanas held for longer periods of time. Yin yoga was developed to penetrate deep into connective tissue expanding flexibility and aiding the bodies ability to heal itself while stimulating the nadis or meridians to loosen energetic blockages and increase energy flow.

What is Yang Yoga?  In Taoism, Yang is regarded as the masculine principle: light, active, outward and upward moving, hot, extro-spective. Yang yoga is the more traditional hatha or ashtanga vinyasa based asana practice. Yang yoga is characterized by active dynamic poses that keeps the body's functionality and mobilizes the energy body to refresh the body's vibrancy and maintain health. Yang yoga develops muscular strength, stamina, and flexibility.

What is Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion? Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion is a class that balances the traditional Yang yoga with the newly developed Yin yoga practice. This class provides you with a practice that begins with an energizing and uplifting yoga series followed by a deep, introspective, and quiet yoga to soothe you into the rest of your evening.

Chelsea McCrimmon will be opening this week's class with an energizing Yang series followed by Shawna Philpott balancing the body with a grounding and deep Yin Yoga practice. 

This week's guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

This Karma Yoga class is a drop-in community class that is open to all levels of experience with no degree of flexibility required.

In lieu of a class fee we are collecting donations (suggested minimum donation of $5) for this month's Charity of the Month the Ethan James Wyne Organization. 

Partner Yoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop - February 14th

Connect like never before

Sharing your mat with another is a powerful and playful way to evolve your yoga practice. 

Treat your yoga bestie, lover or fly solo to this special Valentine's Day Partner Yoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop. This Valentines day we will learn Thai Yoga Massage techniques to help your partner alleviate stress and tension throughout the body. Learn how to share your practice through restorative partner yoga poses in order to relax your body and bond with your partner.

 Act fast as tickets are selling quickly and space is limited. 

Secure your tickets here

Yoga for Change - February 11th

At Brandon City Yoga, we believe in giving back to the community and "Being the change we wish to see in the world". By thinking globally but acting locally, Yoga for Change was born.

Reclined Cobbler's pose during last week's Yoga for Change Class with guest teacher Courtney Snider

Every Wednesday we meet for our Charity Karma Yoga class at the West End Community Centre raising positive vibes and funds for the local charity of the month.

This week we host guest teacher Courtney Snider. If you missed Courtney's powerful flow class last week be sure to catch her this week as she guides us through another mindful moving meditation.

Join us tonight at the West End Community Centre (247 23rd Street). Doors open at 5pm and class begins at 5:30pm. This is a drop in only class but due to growing attendance be sure to arrive early to secure your spot in the class.

In lieu of a class fee please bring your donation (minimum $5) to this month's charity of the month The Ethan James Wyne Organization.

Yoga for Change with Courtney Snider- February 4th

Wednesday, February 4th Yoga for Change is back for another Karma Yoga- Community Class. 

We welcome the talented guest teacher Courtney Snider to guide us through a gentle flow yoga series! We are also celebrating our local charity of the month for February, the Ethan James Wyne MCADD Organization. 

Courtney has been practicing yoga since 2012. Her dedication to the art of yoga has allowed her to quickly master many of the fundamental yoga poses in the bikram yoga method as well as the primary ashtanga vinyasa yoga series.
In November of 2014 she attended her first yoga teacher training in Costa Rica, attaining her 200 hour Yoga teacher certification. 

We could not be more excited to enjoy Courtney's contagious smile and genuine presence while she leads us through her flow yoga series. 

The beautiful Courtney Snider

Find Courtney on Instagram @Courtmz 

Class is held at the West End Community Centre - 247 23rd Street, Brandon, MB. Doors open at 5pm, and the one hour class begins at 5:30pm. Be sure to arrive early to ensure your spot in the drop in only class, as space is limited!! 

All levels of experience are welcome and no degree of flexibility is required! Donations for the charity of the month will be collected in lieu of a class fee. The minimum suggested donation is $5 or pay as you can. 

Visit our website for full details!