Yoga Classes and Workshops
Chester Harbour, Nova Scotia

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Leigh Milne RMT, RYT, PFT
Leigh began her journey with Iyengar yoga in the early 1980’s and fell in love with this intelligent approach to body mind awareness; as her practice deepened the spiritual benefits became increasingly important. A massage therapist since 1990, certified Iyengar method yoga instructor and Personal Trainer Leigh has found the combined knowledge of yoga, alternative healing, anatomy of the body and sports physiology to be a rich foundation for her holistic practice. Leigh has traveled to India on three occasions to study yoga at the Iyengar Institute (RIMYI) in Pune, most recently in November 2008, for a combined total of five months. She has studied directly with the Iyengar’s in North America and abroad on several occasions.

Read more about BKS Iyengar Yoga.

John Pece RYT
John first took yoga classes for credit at university; it informed his fitness, strength and focus during an athletic career in team sports that saw him playing at national Ultimate championships in Canada and the US and qualifying for the world competition in 2001. In 1998, he began to focus on Iyengar method yoga, eventually traveling to India in 2003 and 2008 to study yoga at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Institute. In 2005 John became a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.

Iyengar Method Yoga: Based on the teaching of BKS Iyengar of India and the astanga yoga of Patanjali. These classes are lessons in the study of yoga, focusing on form and alignment to improve flexibility and strength to support health and equanimity. Contrary to popular notion, flexibility is not a requirement to practice yoga but may be a consequence!

Foundational: For the absolute beginner new to yoga. This class will teach you the fundamentals of yoga poses and prepare you for level I/II. This is yoga for everybody. All welcome.

Level I/II: For the experienced beginner and those new to the Iyengar method of yoga. Having studied the fundamentals this class will provide you with a moderate-paced weekly yoga session.

Level II/III: For the experienced student. In this class we will practice longer holdings and more advanced inversions. You will be expected to have a home practice and develop familiarity with the Sanskrit names of asana (poses).

Restorative Yoga: Antaratma sadhana (inner atman) is the deepest level of practice. By working with the breath in supported asana the student moves further inward towards the atman and equanimity. Resting poses, which utilise props, are said to decrease stress and boost immune function. Deeply relaxing.

Special Needs Yoga: This is an individualized group class limited to six participants. You will be given a unique program to work with, combining yoga, therapeutic stretch and resistance training. Suitable for those working with recent or chronic injury/pain in muscles or joints, systemic conditions, seniors and pregnancy.

Youth Yoga: Suitable for 13 to 18. A great way to loosen up and develop strength, stamina and co-ordination. Join with a group of friends. Get agile and stealthy!

Gentle Yoga: Like foundational/level I yoga only milder with no inversions taught.

Yoga for Healthy Aging: This class is a wonderful way to stretch and strengthen with a group of your peers. We will make use of chairs and other props to assist in making the yoga poses more approachable. Open to all. Those with chronic injury and health conditions are welcome with physician clearance.

Healthy Aging slideshow

RATES:

Drop-in: $16
Youth: $12 (with student card)
Low-income seniors: sliding scale $5 to $10

8 week session: $104 / 1.5 hr class
8 week level II/III: $120 / 2 hr class
8 week youth yoga: $80 / 1 hr class
8 week Healthy Aging: $80 / 1 hr class

Open Studio: Self-directed practice time (no teacher), registered and member students only: $5 drop-in

Monthly member pass: $125
Up to 3 weekly classes plus open studio time.

8 class card (valid for 3 mths): $125

All fees subject to change

Limited work exchange available, please inquire.

Yoga Class Etiquette:

• Mats and other props are provided but you may bring your own.
• Wear shorts or tights and bare feet.
• Clean Feet are essential, during sandal season- a feet washing area is provided. Please use it.
• Do not eat less than 2 hours before your class.
• Arrive early!

CHESTER

71 Duke St., Chester, NS

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Click Link to download: Class Schedule  Registration Form

• How to register for classes - new students download and submit form
• All students send payment by personal cheque to Leigh Milne PO Box 426, Chester NS B0J1J0

MONDAYS:
No Classes

TUESDAYS:
9:30 to 11:00 am: Gentle Yoga
6 to 7:30 pm: Level I/II

WEDNESDAYS:
12:30-1:30: Special Needs Yoga
5:30 to 7:00 pm: Foundational/Level I

THURSDAYS:
9:30 - 11:00 am: Level I

SUNDAYS:
10:00 - 12:00 pm: Level II/III

YOGA SELF-CARE FOR RMT’S
Take time to take care of yourself. 
This workshop will include a brief overview of common musculoskeletal conditions affecting massage therapists that can benefit from yoga. Key symptoms will be identified. This will be followed by a holistic yoga asana practice targeting relevant muscle groups. This is a practical workshop - come prepared to do yoga. 
Participants will also enjoy a restorative asana pranayama practice to reduce fatigue and increase relaxation. It is also thought to boost the immune system. Deeply relaxing.  Beginners welcome
6 CMTBC, 3 MTANS CEU’s

Workshop Dates and Locations:
TBC

HAVANA YOGA VACATION
March 17th to 21st 2011

Yoga is for all levels of experience. You must bring your own yoga props. I mat, belt, block and 3 firm blankets. Yoga self-care for RMT’s will be incorporated into this weekend. Yoga will be co-taught by Leigh Milne and Havana yoga maestro Eduardo Pimentel. Havana yogis will be participating and yoga will be taught in English and Spanish (and Sanskrit).

COST for accommodation, breakfast, Yoga and one group dinner at a restaurant (in Canadian $$) see below rates:

Hotel Conde de Villanueva (location of yoga) or Hotel Valencia:

Four night’s $978 single or $718 per person double occupancy, +15% HST.
This is a modest to mid range hotel. The Hotel Rachel a higher end lovely boutique hotel is available for a higher rate. All are older converted casa/mansion boutique style and walking distance to one another. Old town is stunning but can be noisy at night; expect this and bring ear plugs.

Prices do not include gratuities, taxes, entertainment, ground or air transport.

To register $200 non-refundable deposit payable now and the remainder is payable in Full by November 15th. Otherwise rate increases to $1078 single and $818 double after Nov. 15th payable in full at time of registration.

ANATOMY AND YOGASANA For YOGA TEACHERS And MASSAGE THERAPISTS I & II

Register: To register, contact Leigh

• Explore the anatomy, anatomical terms and landmarks for major bones, joints and muscles.
• Identify common observable problems that you would see in class.
• Make corrections using adjustments in yoga poses.
• RYT; ABMP; CMTO; CMTBC, MTANS recognizes this course for CEU's

Here is what some of the participants have said about this workshop:

"[This workshop] fully integrated the intellectual understanding with the physical one. This was thorough, indepthful, precise, useful" Regina W. yoga teacher

"Gave me some added knowledge about homecare and exercises for all ages and ability" Franz S. RMT

"I feel like I can better answer my clients questions and I have reached a deeper level in my own yoga practice" Leanne R. RMT

ANATOMY AND YOGASANA I:
Study the body through yoga from the foundation up

Annamaya Kosa; Patanjali states pratyaksa (direct experience) is the path to knowledge. During this weekend we will review joints, muscles and fascia and observe how any one factor can affect the whole being. Learn the application of anatomical terms like prime mover, synergist and antagonist and reciprocal inhibition theory as it applies to yoga. This workshop will help you identify the cause and to correct common imbalance you experience or see in a yoga pose. Extensive handouts, power point tools and hands on. We will be doing plenty of yoga to let the intelligence of the mind learn from the body’s wisdom. All yoga styles are honoured in this workshop.

1. Lower body, Foundation poses - 3 hrs
2. Pelvic girdle & Hip Openers - 3 hrs
3. Supple spine, Backbends & twists -3hrs
4. Shoulder girdle & Inversions - 3 hrs
Total: 12 hours

ANATOMY AND YOGASANA II Anatomy of the Breath

Pranamaya Kosa and the anatomy of the breath; Patanjali states pratyaksa (direct experience) is the path to knowledge. During this weekend we will study from both eastern and western perspectives. We will also explore the pelvic floor and core pelvic musculature and how to strengthen with yoga. You will learn about breathing techniques, pelvic floor practices and current research on yoga therapy. Extensive handouts, power point tools and hands on. We will be doing plenty of yoga to let the intelligence of the mind learn from the body’s wisdom. All yoga styles are honoured in this workshop.

Must have taken A&Y I or be an experienced yoga teacher combined with another health profession.

Location and Dates:

Maui Retreat - March 19-26, 2012 - Download Brochure

Chester - TBA - Download Brochure

Cost:

Please refer to brochures above for details.

Registration:

Please download, complete and submit the registration form.

*Pre-registration is up to four weeks prior to the scheduled workshop date.

Recommended reading: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga by Ray Long, MD.

SHORT WORKSHOP INFORMATION:

• Cost: $35 (unless otherwise stated).
• Most workshops run from 9:30am - 12:30pm.
• Advance registration required for ALL workshops by phone: 902-273-YOGA or email.
• Mail payment to: Leigh Milne, 71 Duke St. Chester, NS B0J 1J0 Canada.
• All workshops have a theoretical as well as practical component.
• Locations vary, please see individual workshops.

Leigh Milne is an IDEAfit Advanced Personal Fitness Trainer, Registered Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. With this background, Leigh enjoys leading yoga workshops that specialize in sports and rehabilitation, where she can utilize her skills to the student's benefit.