Greetings!

 The Conscious Relationship Workshop

Create lasting love and take your relationship to a higher level.  Get in touch with some of the common pitfalls that come between you and your loved one, and learn easy and powerful ways to recognize, re-balance and change future behaviour patterns.   Bring back the ease and flow that you once shared if you have lost it, or enhance your good relationship. Come alone or as a couple.

Date: Thursday April 12th
Time: 7:00  - 10:00 pm
Price: $40. ($70. per couple) - registered before April 10th

After April 10th Price: $50. ($90. per couple)

Yin, Yang & Tea Yoga Workshop with Marie

Experience an extended practice that combines the principles of Yang Yoga, (flow yoga), with those of Yin Yoga, (supported and longer held poses) to restore your physical and emotional equilibrium. Tea and snacks to end.

Date: Saturday April 14,

Time: 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Price: $40. - registered before April 12th                

After April 12th Price: $50.

 Mindbody Fitness Course

In eight weeks you can have a personal fitness plan to help you get into shape and stay that way in a fun, safe and inspirational way that is tailored to your interests. Learn how to beome your own personal trainer!

Ian Ramsay - BSc. Trainer/Coach, Retired Teacher, Mind/Body Educational Consultant

Date:  Monday April 16 - June 11 (no class June 4)

Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am

Price: $175.  -  registered before April 14th

 After April 14th Price:  $200. 

 Introduction to MEDITATION /  Breathwork Course (8 weeks)
 Powerful breathing and meditation techniques that you can use daily to reduce stress, anxiety, worry, panic or pain in the body.
 Rukhshana Surty - Director Harmoni, Mind/BodyTherapist, Meditation, Spiritual Healing & Breathwork courses

Date:  Wednesday, April 25-June 13
Time:  6:00-7:15pm (Bring a yoga mat)
Price:  $175.  -  registered before April 23rd

After April 23rd Price: $200.

Chakra Healing and Meditation Course

At first blush this seems to be more than a little counterintuitive. All of us have unconscious commitments that interfere with, or completely override our conscious commitments. Conscious commitments are created by our cognitive brains. Unconscious, ingrained patterns of behavior are hardwired into our reptilian brain. Conscious decisions, (like New Years' resolutions), don't ever reach the reptilian brain which is why changing lifestyle behaviors is so hard to do.

There are several things that we can do differently which create the conditions for successful lifestyle change. Three of these are making intrinsic commitments rather than extrinsic commitments, committing to process rather than outcomes and using whole-body techniques.

There are several different types of goals and the type we choose has a profound effect on our success. A surface goal is what we think we must do in order to get something else. My surface goal might be to lose fifteen pounds. This is an extrinsic goal which can be measured and quantified but lies outside of my ability to control. Other examples of extrinsic goals are getting recognition by pleasing someone else, money rewards or threats of punishment such as fines. Goals predicated on things outside of our control such as losing weight have been found to be very ineffective. Within a year of weight loss over 90% of people regain.

An underlying or intrinsic goal is usually a feeling or state of mind. My underlying goal might be to increase my sense of belonging by being part of a group of friends again. If my friends are playing squash, I may start to play squash with them to be part of the group and I might lose weight by burning more calories and feeling better about myself. It is possible that I could lose weight, (and satisfy my surface goal), even if I didn't join a group but if I have not satisfied my underlying emotional goal I would probably quickly regain the lost weight.

When you choose a goal, it must increase your feeling of personal competence in order to continue to motivate your behavioral change. The first step in choosing a fitness commitment is to identify what really resonates inside of you. When I personal train someone, the first question I ask potential clients is, "What will be different for you when you reach your fitness goal?" An answer like, "I'll be a better role model of active lifestyle for my kids", or "I'll feel more energetic", or "I'll be able to stay independent longer", indicates an individual who will be more likely to stay motivated.

Another limitation with setting goals like weight loss has to do with committing to an outcome rather than a process. This seldom works because you can't control outcomes. It is more effective to commit to processes which we can control. An example is, "I will take a half hour every day to go for a walk." If improving your wellbeing is a strong, heart centered intrinsic goal, you will make choices so that you have time to do things for yourself.

The reptilian brain has a heightened sensitivity to stimuli that fall out of routine patterns such as colours, sounds and behaviours. One way to do this that we've already mentioned in previous newsletters is by use of the yes breath. (See the video link below) Breathing rate is controlled both unconsciously and consciously. While we breathe unconsciously for most of the time, we can also choose to breathe consciously. When we breathe in a slow rhythmic fashion, we can actually create a feeling of relaxation. Conscious, full breathing revitalizes the body, calms the mind and initiates healing processes such as reduction in blood pressure and muscle tension, improved immune response, removal of toxins from the body, better digestion and improved clarity of thought. Conscious breathing gets the attention of the reptilian brain. Thinking of a new commitment while consciously breathing introduces the commitment into the reptilian brain and begins the process of acceptance and adoption. Techniques of whole-body learning involve attaching a memo to an activity that gets the attention of the reptilian brain in order to begin the process of acceptance and adoption of new behaviors.

You can reach the activity and lifestyle goals that you consciously want by changing the way you think and act.

The Mindbody Fitness Course -April 16th - Mondays 9:30-11:30am. Ian will lead you through an 8-week experiential session to help you develop an individaulized optimal wellness program. 

Link to Yes Breath Video Clip

1. Link to Directions to Centennial Park

2. Link to Terra Cotta Website

3. Beaurepaire Pedestrian/Bike Path begins on the corner of Neveu Avenue and Beaconsfield Boulevard.

4. Beaconsfield Pedestrian/Bike Path begins on the corner of St Charles Boulevard and Beaconsfield Boulevard.

5. Lachine Pedestrian/Bike Path near the corner of 56th Avenue and Saint Joseph Boulevard

6. Link to Bois de Liesse Website

7. Link to Ile Bizard Website

8. Link to Cap St Jacques Website