Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we have learned here. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into our hearts.
Remember, we are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we're so deeply interconnected with one another. Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is the supreme creative act. 
It is love alone that leads to right action. What brings order in the world is to love and let love do what it will. 
The desire for truth is the highest of all desires, yet, it is still a desire. All desires must be given up for the real to be.....When all search ceases, it is the Supreme State. 
At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it. 
There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts. 
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. 
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. 
Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them. You will want to change them when you realize that each thought creates according to its own nature. Remember that the law works at all times and that you are always demonstrating according to the kind of thoughts you habitually entertain. Therefore, start now to think only those thoughts that will bring you health and happiness. 
There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. 
The mistake people make is to wait for something to happen to them before they begin searching. They want the voice of God, or something, to tell them to get started. Or maybe they know they should be doing something but they procrastinate, hoping that tomorrow they'll have more conviction and be more determined. What they forget is there may be no tomorrow for them. 
To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a certain way, good or bad. It seems almost paradoxical, yet when your inner dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of your life, the outer forms, tend to improve greatly. Things, people, or conditions that you thought you needed for your happiness now come to you with no struggle or effort on your part, and you are free to enjoy and appreciate them - while they last. All those things, of course, will still pass away, cycles will come and go, but with dependency gone there is no fear of loss anymore. Life flows with ease. 
So the first step in seeking happiness is learning. We first have to learn how negative emotions and behaviors are harmful to us and how positive emotions are helpful.
When we harbor negative emotions toward others or toward ourselves,
or when we intentionally create pain for others,
we poison our own physical and spiritual systems.
By far the strongest poison to the human spirit
is the inability to forgive oneself or another person.
It disables a person's emotional resources.
The challenge is to refine our capacity to love others as well as ourselves
and to develop the power of forgiveness. 
Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know. Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity. Be like the Tao. It can't be approached or withdrawn from, benefited or harmed, honored or brought into disgrace. It gives itself up continually. That is why it endures. Programs: 2009-2010
Meditation Programs |
Yoga Programs Agama Yoga |
Healing Programs For details see the Other Programs |
Check our Schedule for program dates and times.
Agama Yoga
is a new style of yoga in its rational approach and its application of modern principles to ancient teachings, revealing to us esoteric knowledge and connecting us with the mysterious life force of the Universe. Agama is traditional in its focus on yoga postures, chakras, energy flow and meditation. Agama yoga increases our ability to attract more energy to ourselves as we increase our flexibility, and improve our health and self-confidence. We become empowered to understand ourselves and our place in the Universe. It enhances our ability to concentrate and helps us relax into the present moment. Agama students of all ages express a vibrant love of life, compassion, purpose and joy. Please visit www.agamayoga.com or contact maureen@centredelapaix.com. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Kripalu Yoga,
like most yoga styles and traditions, uses classic asanas (though not a particular set or routine), pranayama (breathwork), development of a quiet mind, and the practice of relaxation. What defines Kripalu Yoga is its emphasis: following the flow of prana (life-force energy), practicing compassionate self-acceptance, developing witness consciousness (observing the activity of the mind without judgment), and taking what is learned “off the mat” and into daily life.
One reason Kripalu Yoga has been embraced by so many people is that it is designed to adapt to all body types, ages, fitness levels, and interests.
“Kripalu Yoga classes take into account people’s individuality and personal expression,” says Devarshi Steven Hartman, Director of Kripalu’s Professional Training programs. “Kripalu Yoga teachers are trained to recognize that we are multidimensional beings, not just physical, and that creativity and spirituality are intricately linked.”
As with other styles of yoga, students notice the effects of practice from the first time they step onto their mats. “Kripalu Yoga begins to bear fruit from the very beginning,” says Stephen Cope, Director of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living and author of ‘The Wisdom of Yoga’. “You don’t have to master asanas to feel the peaceful connection to your inner self.” See our Schedule for dates and times. Contact owen@centredelapaix for more information.
Laughter Yoga:
Whether laughter is fake or real, it reduces stress, reinforces the immune system, improves cognitive function, increases energy and lifts the spirit. Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing which brings more oxygen to the body and brain. Started with just five people in 1995 in India, today it is a global phenomenon with over 6,000 clubs of Laughter Yoga in 60 countries.
During a laughter session, you will realize that you don’t need a good sense of humour, you don’t need to be happy and you don’t need a reason to laugh. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Yoga du rire - aucune expérience requise!
Chassez votre stress en riant avec nous!
Que le rire soit simulé ou réel, il réduit le stress en augmentant le taux de sérotonine dans le sang; il renforce le système immunitaire; il améliore les fonctions cognitives, il augmente l'énergie et améliore l'humeur. Le yoga du rire est une combinaison de respirations profondes, d'étirements et d'exercices amusants qui stimulent le rire, augmentant ainsi l'apport d'oxygène dans le corps et au cerveau. Le yoga du rire a vu le jour en Inde en 1995. Aujourd'hui, il existe plus de 6 000 clubs de yoga du rire dans plus de 60 pays.
Lors d’une séance de rire, vous réaliserez que :
-vous n’avez pas besoin d’avoir le sens de l’humour pour rire.
-vous n’avez pas besoin d’être heureux pour rire.
-vous n’avez pas besoin d’avoir une raison de rire.
Meditation with Nathan:
Nathan offers weekly meditation sessions on a donation basis. The sessions are open to new or experienced meditators, on Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm. You are welcome to come once or each week. Nathan communicates the essence of his 30 years of study and experience in his classes and books, building a bridge between India and Canada, the Himalayas and the Gatineau Hills, the transitory and the eternal. Without dwelling on mysticism, Nathan's focus is on helping people live a more relaxed life with a greater sense of well-being. He teaches the ancient technique of meditation in a down to earth, practical fashion. hansraj@centredelapaix.com. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Pilates Workshop:
Ursula offers a weekend workshop that introduces a basic Pilates method following a step-by-step process. At the end of these two days, you will be able to practice on your own. Handouts will be provided. After practicing for 10 weeks, you will be ready to enter a level I Pilates course at corps.esprit in Hull or elsewhere. ursula@centredelapaix.com. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Somayog:
There’s a lot to be said about Somayog. Google it and see! Even better, join one of our classes here or in Chelsea, Hull or Ottawa. Better still, treat yourself to a personal programme (Your Yoga) and receive your own routine! madhurta@centredelapaix.com. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Somayog Teacher Training
Somayog is a style that folks come to love practicing as it addresses the nourishment of the nervous system whilst maintaining the outer body in a space of aligned flexibility.
If you are already a yoga teacher and you think this may be a good addition to your repertoire, please give me a call. Some details are in the brochure on my site, and I can answer questions by phone or email. We give trainings every summer in Wakefield, and will be at the Sahayoga Retreat Centre in Prince Edward County in April 2010. madhurta@centredelapaix.com
Thai Yoga Massage
is a unique form of Bodywork that incorporates hatha yoga, acupressure and reflexology. It is a combination of several eastern healing traditions and unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of Western massage, uses point pressure, muscle stretching and compression.
In Thai massage it is not just the hands that are used to free tension from the recipient's body, but the therapist’s feet, forearms, knees, and elbows as well. Thai massage is applied on a mat on the floor; the work is done fully clothed, no oils are required. For more information: owen@centredelapaix.com.
The Lowdown on Yoga:
Sharman teaches this 90-minute workshop for newbies where you can safely explore the new territory of yoga. Become familiar with the 5 elemental poses of hatha yoga. After this session, you will be ready for a beginner's class at any studio. sharman@centredelapaix.com. See our Schedule for dates and times.
Transformation Meditation
with Madhurta/Susan is the wisdom of yoga presented in a contemporary context. It is a time-proven method of stress management that unfolds focus, happiness and joy in the process. Studies of meditation have shown that it reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, reduces chronic pain and improves health, vitality and self-esteem. Meditation also gives you the opportunity to be alone and become familiar with your inner self. Knowledge of this kind connects you to the vast reservoir of your own peace, wisdom and delight. We offer programs for your personal and professional development. See our Schedule for dates and times. madhurta@centredelapaix.com
Foundation Meditation: If you have never meditated, or if you have tried and found it difficult to continue your practice, this course is for you! Just try it! You will feel brighter, more alive; worries and doubts will fade in the strengthening of your ability to connect with your own self. The Foundation Course includes a manual, the theory of meditation, effective techniques and practice time. Meditation cannot be learned from a book or a tape. It requires an experienced teacher who can guide you in your progress. madhurta@centredelapaix.com
Intermediate Meditation: We offer 3 courses to enhance your understanding of yoga philosophy and to develop your meditation muscle. Our Bhagavad Geeta series introduces you to the 7 most important verses from this text. Learning to chant them in the original Sanskrit takes you to another level of consciousness. Our Patanjali Yog Darshan series involves study of several of the most important sutras from this text, again learning them in the way they were intended to be transmitted, via sound. The satsang programme develops your ability to talk about consciousness and the application and relevance of meditation in our daily lives. All 3 courses prepare you for the Meditation Teacher Training program. madhurta@centredelapaix.com
Meditation Teacher Training: Here we follow the accredited Transformation Meditation Course and take 30 hours over an 8 week period. It is suitable for yoga and wellness instructors, mental health counsellors, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other health care professionals. You will receive a manual and a certificate of achievement. The Foundation and Intermediate Courses are a pre-requisite. For more information, visit the transformation web site or email madhurta@centredelapaix.com
View from the Hills Book Club:
A book club with a difference. We meet every 6 weeks or so to discuss life, practice, awakening, spirit, andconsciousness through the medium of a book already written in that vein. So far we have read: ‘Feel the Fear and do it Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers and ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle. Next comes Pema Chodron. Let us know if you wish to join. There’s always room for one more! Contact us at info@centredelapaix.com .
Yoga Treat Days:
These are scheduled throughout the year for the general population on a consecutive monthly basis. There are 4 in the series – Yoga Body, Yoga Mind, Yoga Heart and Yoga Soul. The day’s program runs from 10:00-16:00, with the mornings devoted to some hatha yoga practice for balance and rejuvenation. Following a vegan lunch, the afternoon allows the theme of the day; for example, Yoga Body will offer self or partner massage techniques, Yoga Mind will have a meditation session at this time – a chance for questions and practice. Yoga Treat Days can also be adapted for corporate team building sessions; for example the afternoon could include team-building exercises, some Laughter Yoga and an opportunity for quiet reflective and communicative time away from our busy schedules and cell phones. We can provide just what you want and need. Contact us at info@centredelapaix to create a custom made Treat for your group.
Your Yoga:
Create a personal program based on yoga lifestyle practices. We offer two approaches: Your Yoga and Initiation into Meditation; the choice is yours, dependent upon your current lifestyle.
With Your Yoga, you will discover how to incorporate yoga philosophy and practice into all the nooks and crannies of daily life, from the kitchen to the sacred space. Your Yoga is a series of 3 private classes over a period of 5-6 weeks that provides the shift needed for your next level of growth, offering knowledge, skills and support. Initiation into Meditation provides you with all the tools you need to begin and sustain a meditation practice.
Please see attached brochure for more information, or better still, write me at: madhurta@centredelapaix.com