pranarama

Join me Feb 16th at the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine for an afternoon of fun and connection with your loved one. Loving Touch – Intro to Thai massage for Partners and Duos is a fantastic way to show someone you care – bring your partner, your parent, your bestie, your workout buddy! Anyone who could benefit from learning a 35-minute massage sequence as good to give as it is to receive (and who couldn’t, really?). It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving – perfect for a creative Valentine’s Day gift, or just to beat those winter doldrums learning a new skill in a warm and welcoming environment. For more info, or to register, head here.

Starting May 24th I’ll be offering Thai Yoga Massage each Friday and Sunday at the Toronto Integrative Medicine Centre, right in the heart of Chinatown. I’ll be joining a team of skillful practitioners in a beautiful healing space, nested inside the Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. For a full menu of treatment offerings, and private instruction offerings, and to book your time, visit our clinic site.

Temple 23      7 Fraser Ave., #2       Toronto

Update: in light of the events and climate of recent weeks, this event is now by-donation with net proceeds going to United Way Centraide to assist with refugee settlement, integration and inclusion. My hope is that this be a fundraiser that also acts as medicine for all of us participants, offered at a price all can afford. So needed right now. I ask for your continued help spreading the word. And encouraging pre-registration as capacity is limited!

Honour yourself this Valentine’s week with a potent act of self-love, deep nourishment and unfettered play. Or share this experience with a loved one. Join in the celebration as JourneyDancers in 36 cities take it to the dance floor Feb 11 to CELEBRATE, ACTIVATE, and ELEVATE!

Part 1 – JourneyDance Embodied Heart, Sensual Soul workshop 10am-1pm

Move into a new story of radical self-acceptance and super-charge your self-love. Explore movement-based ways to re-inhabit your body and awaken to sensation, emotion, inner guidance, powerful connection, and a renewed sense of celebration and fun.

• reanimate your whole person through guided and free movement to evocative music
• actively release judgments, freely express, and reconnect with your body as a source of wisdom and joy
• learn simple techniques to stimulate felt sense, raise energy and heighten awareness
• awaken to yourself as an intuitive sensual being
• give and receive compassionate, heart-centered touch
• experience the healing nourishment of supportive group connection
• create an anchor to take home – a touch stone to your highest self

Part 2- 90 min JourneyDance 2:30pm–4pm

Following on from the workshop, or a la carte, spend 90 minutes celebrating your fine self on the dance floor. Explore free and guided movement to eclectic music as part of a supportive community of soulful revellers.

Register for one or both parts of the day. NOW BY DONATION of your choice.

Reserve your tickets today!

About JourneyDance

JourneyDance is an enlivening movement practice with transformative potential; a chance to connect within and without, to remember the kindling power of music, dance, ritual and community to light a warm and enlightening flame in your heart, and burn away that which no longer serves. Join our vibrant global community and share in this journey of self-exploration, self-acceptance and conscious communion. For more information, visit journeydance.com or for more information about Toronto events visit the JourneyDance Toronto facebook page.

About Robin Elliott

Robin is a certified JourneyDance Guide who plays at the intersection of consciousness exploration and creative expression. As a community artist, improv musician, conscious dance facilitator and yoga educator, Robin relishes exploring the power we wield to craft our own story– to frame our experiences, compassionately conceive of ourselves and others, and vision a future we can’t wait to live into. For nearing three decades she’s been exploring movement, music and mindfulness as gateways to raise energy and change state in service of heightening awareness, altering perspective, connecting with one’s highest self, and relating and creating authentically and joyfully.

FAQs

Do I have to be very physically fit/flexible or have dance experience to participate?

No. JourneyDance is for everyone – whatever your ability, body type, fitness level, or movement/dance experience (or lack thereof), this is for you. Modifications can be suggested for any part of the workshop, as needed. And you are always free to opt out of anything that doesn’t feel right for you.

Can I register for just one part of the programme – e.g. just the workshop or just the dance portion?

Yes. You may register for either one or both. Tickets are available for all of these options.

What can I bring into the event?

Wear comfortable clothes. A long-sleeved shirt layer can be useful for floor work. Some participants like to use knee pads – limited blankets and yoga mats will be available for use at the venue, but bring your own if you’re certain you’ll want it. Bring water, snacks, and a journal/pen. If you are attending the full day, you may wish to bring your lunch (there is a kitchenette on site, and the venue will remain available to you) or take advantage of the many cafes and restos within walking distance. We dance barefoot/without shoes unless there are extenuating circumstances which require the use of footwear.

Accessing the event:

By car: Limited street parking is available on Fraser Ave, in front of the venue. A large “Green P” municipal parking lot is located a block and a half north of the venue at the corner of Fraser and Liberty Streets.

By TTC: Take the Dufferin bus south from Dufferin to Liberty Street. Walk east to Fraser, then south to the venue.

Or

Take the King streetcar to Fraser street and walk south to the venue.

I was delighted to return to the amazing Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health this past weekend to join Shai Plonski in teaching “Loving Touch – Thai Massage for Couples”. Joining forces with my first ever Thai massage teacher and mentor, and returning to Kripalu – the place I affectionately refer to as my spiritual mothership – was a one-two punch I couldn’t pass up. Not to mention the tremendous privilege of guiding 32 engaged and engaging students who provided nothing less than a study in love and generosity in action. I was close to tears many times, as I paced the floor, ready to provide feedback or assistance, and in the process, became fly on the wall to so very many examples of conscious, loving communication, in touch, in word, in glance, in offering of humour or appreciative feedback. I was filled to the brim and then some by the sacred space we all created and contributed to, so love filled. I know this weekend will continue to ripple for all those who participated. And we’ll take the love into all our spheres of influence.

Spring is an excellent time to incorporate bodywork into your regular regimen, or treat yourself to a session or two to help you gently move out any winter stagnation and tune up mind, body and spirit to match the energy of the active season ahead.

To help you kick off some spring cleaning for your bod, throughout the month of April, purchase three one-hour or three 90-minute Thai Yoga Massage sessions for the price of two. Sessions may be used through June 20, 2013, and there is no limit to the number of packages you can buy.

3 x 1hr sessions = REG $225+HST, til April 30 $150+HST

3 x 90-min sessions = REG $330+HST, til April 20 $220+HST

Call 416-710-6370 to book!

Today through Sunday, come visit me as I represent my Thai massage Alma Mater, Toronto’s Still Light Centre, at the much-anticipated Yoga Conference and Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We’ll be offering $1/minute Thai massage all weekend long – a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to this ancient restorative modality,  or to enliven yourself before, during or after an exploratory jaunt through the hundreds of exhibitors who will be on hand, preaching and proferring all things “yoga”. My mat will be open Friday from 4-8pm, Saturday from 10am – 2pm, and Sunday from 2pm-6pm. Come on by, and treat yourself.