Victoria Yoga Conference 2016: Full Schedule

8:00am PST

When Tinder Meets Yoga

Yoga and relationships, relationships and yoga...Suddenly single and tossed into the world of Plenty of Fish, Tinder, and Eharmony at the age of 40, I made an alarming and exciting discovery: dating was a powerful path for spiritual evolution! Who knew that a Starbucks coffee date could be so revelatory? Whether you're single, committed, or somewhere in between, this workshop will be an opportunity to tenderly explore the mysteries of both the mat and the human heart. Asana (heart-openers, naturally) and meditation.

Speakers

Rachel Scott

Rachel helps yoga teachers and studios around the world create transformational education experiences so that they can thrive in their business, share their passion, and inspire more people to practice yoga. As a trainer and mentor, she loves helping teachers develop their passion... Read More →

Saturday February 6, 2016 8:00am - 9:30am PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

All Levels

12:00pm PST

An Introduction to Trauma Informed Yoga

Limited Capacity filling up

Traumatic events happen to everyone and can range from a distressing childhood to singular, painful disruptive events. Such common events can result in isolation and feelings of helplessness. Traumatic stressors can result in chronic pain, disordered eating, addiction, anxiety and depression. Trauma informed Yoga can help by introducing better coping skills, and helping to connect to the present moment. In this introductory workshop participants will learn more about how yoga can be used to empower us to live connected and embodied lives.

Speakers

Nicole Marcia

Fine Balance yoga

Nicole has been a yoga teacher, therapist and trainer since 2004. In 2009, she was awarded a master’s degree with a specialization in yoga therapy from Lesley University in Boston, MA. She is the yoga therapist at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions, where she works... Read More →

Saturday February 6, 2016 12:00pm - 3:30pm PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Teachers

4:00pm PST

Theme Like Monet

Great art may look effortless... But don't be fooled! That magical "effortlessness" is the result of patient practice and care. Creating beautiful class themes is the same. While great theming may look improvised, the best storytelling is plotted, practiced, and performed. In this workshop, you'll learn the practical steps that will support you to create unique and inspirational moments - and help you to become a theming artist.

Speakers

Rachel Scott

Saturday February 6, 2016 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Teachers

8:00am PST

Fly to the Roar

Through movement and activities carried out within the safe, open, accountable space created by working with a trusted partner, participants will confidently examine how our fears and inhibitions both impede and illuminate the things from which we derive the most meaning in our lives. The workshop will open with a series of opening and trust-building exercises including an introduction to acroyoga led by Katie Thacker and Brandon Sherbrook. From that space of connection we’ll delve in the heart of our exploration, working to identify our fears, the meaning-making pursuits they cloud, and how to work through towards towards greater clarity and self-actualization.

This workshop is designed to be attended (in yogawear - we’re gonna move!) with a partner, someone with whom you can share your trust and fears, and who will support and hold you accountable in the weeks and months following the workshop. Friend, lover or family member - definition doesn’t matter, strength of relationship does.

Speakers

Rumon Carter

Rumon will be familiar to attendees of Illuminate at the 2015 Victoria Yoga Conference, where he led off the evening with a talk called “Run to the Roar,” challenging the audience - and himself - to identify meaning in life through the things that we fear. The basis of this workshop... Read More →

Jennie Sprigings

Jennie is driven by a desire to make meaning in this short life; to make it count. A natural helper, she thrives on finding connection with others over things that matter, and firmly believes that by exposing and mastering our fears we can move beyond them. Jennie’s undying... Read More →

Katie Thacker

I am a yoga teacher - plant eater - nature appreciator. Yoga came into my life in 2007. After my very first class I knew I would eventually teach. Most of my youth was spent as a competitive gymnast, so my body was craving to be healed and nourished. Something kept calling me back... Read More →

Sunday February 7, 2016 8:00am - 9:30am PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

All Levels

10:00am PST

Using Yoga in Your Work™skills development for support professionals

Research shows that yoga used with complementary therapies offers effective stress reduction techniques for populations with mental health challenges, addictions, incarceration, and trauma-related obstacles. A non-invasive, therapeutic method, yoga has been used for centuries to address a variety of health conditions. Workshop will include an introduction to trauma-sensitive yoga techniques: therapeutic breathing, grounding techniques, chair yoga and meditation to help address various symptoms associated with trauma including emotional and physical self regulation.

Speakers

Sarah Homes de Castro

Yoga Outreach

Sarah Holmes de Castro MA, ERYT200, RYT500, PYT is the Program Coordinator for Yoga Outreach, working with volunteer yoga teachers and facility staff to deliver trauma-informed yoga programs. Sarah has been practicing yoga for over 14 years and teaching for 11. She began volunteering... Read More →

Sunday February 7, 2016 10:00am - 11:30am PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Teachers

12:00pm PST

Connecting Through Story

Don't believe what you read on Facebook: the most effective technology for connecting with others will always be story. But what is a story? A story is a carefully constructed relationship between you, your content and your audience.

In this engaging, interactive and intimate workshop, you will play with new ways to construct and tell your story. As you experimenting with your story, you'll come to see it, yourself and others in a new light. A fun, creative, insightful and deep workshop. Bring an open heart and a desire to get more deeply connected.

Speakers

Jordan Bower

Founder, Transformational Storytelling

Ever since he first spoke at Social Media Camp way back in 2015, Jordan Bower has been on a mission to help business people find the soul in their professional messaging. Today, as the founder of a business called Transformational Storytelling, Jordan leads storytelling trainings... Read More →

Sunday February 7, 2016 12:00pm - 1:30pm PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Workshop

2:00pm PST

Sequencing Alchemy

Ever wondered how to spice up your sequencing while keeping your students safe? Join Director of the YYoga Teachers' College Rachel Scott and learn the cardinal rule for creating safe, kick ass sequences for your hatha, power, and vinyasa flow classes.

Speakers

Rachel Scott

Sunday February 7, 2016 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Teachers

4:00pm PST

Learn to Ferment: Sauerkraut & Kombucha

Learn the ancient practice of fermentation. This rich, nutritious and beneficial tradition has incredible healing capacities. Alexandra Pony will guide you through the history, the benefits and the how-to on a couple fermented favourites.

Speakers

Alexandra Pony

The founder of Alexandra Pony Healing & co-founder of Lifeology, Alexandra leads yoga, nutrition, & fermentation workshops around North America. Her unique & multi-faceted approach to healing fuses yoga, food, energy & massage into a form that is specific to each individual. With... Read More →

Sunday February 7, 2016 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST
Studio 4 (View Royal Room) 720 Douglas St, Victoria BC

Workshop