Thank you Sylvia Smallman and Yoga Outreach for a wonderful Teaching Chair Yoga workshop yesterday. A large part of the population that can't access yoga in a studio on a mat, can still get huge benefits from Yoga - just sitting on a chair. There were also many gems from Sylvia that don't apply just to chair yoga. For example, 'Your students come to class (or return) not because of the poses you did, or what you said specifically, but because of the feeling of the class. So be yourself, authentic, build a safe space built on respect, language, comfort and humor. Emphasise feeling over form.'
Alan Walford
‘Yoga with Raptors’ 2023 is happening!
Gentle Hatha Yoga with Sylvia Smallman
I am happy to be offering 2 ‘Yoga with Raptors’ sessions at the lovely outdoor setting of OWL - rehabilitation for injured and orphaned raptors - where I have volunteered for many years.
Saturday, July 15, 2023 | 11am - 12:30pm
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 11am - 12:30pm
1 hour outdoor yoga, followed by a 1/2 hour tour of some resident raptors.
All are welcome. No experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat if you have one.
Yoga with Raptors at OWL 2022
Gentle Hatha Yoga with Sylvia Smallman
After 2 years, I am happy to be offering 2 ‘Yoga with Raptors’ sessions at the lovely outdoor setting of OWL - rehabilitation for injured and orphaned raptors - where I have volunteered for many years. Sessions are July 10, and August 6, 11:00 - 12:30.
1 hour outdoor yoga, followed by a 1/2 hour tour of some resident raptors.
All are welcome. No experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat if you have one.
For tickets, please go to:
July 10th: www.eventbrite.ca/e/yoga-with-raptors-tickets-357785916307
August 6th: www.eventbrite.ca/e/yoga-with-raptors-tickets-357789166027
Keep Calm and Carry On
VanGogos presents Keep Calm and Carry On free Yoga session with Sylvia on Zoom.
Donations welcome - all proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 | 1:30pm - 2:45pm PDT
To register please to go www.GreaterVanGogos - Events.
Journey Home to Self
A 1 day yoga retreat at The Well on Bowen
With Sylvia Smallman and Deviki Jennifer Henderson
Sunday October 6, 2019 | 10am - 4pm
Artisan Square, Bowen Island
$150/person – Early Bird by Aug.15 - $135
For info and registration email devikimeditation@gmail.com.
We are looking forward to this Yoga Retreat Day on Bowen Island with great anticipation. We have designed a very interesting day offering a variety of learning, including introducing the Hindu deity, Ganesh, the wonderful story of how he came to be, and how his representation can be applied to our lives….
Save the day!
Download the pdf here.
Yoga With Raptors 2019
Gentle Hatha Yoga
With Sylvia Smallman
Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 11am - 12:30pm
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | 11am - 12:30pm
Owl Orphaned Wildlife, 3800-72nd Street, Delta, BC
$20/person per event (All proceeds go to OWL and the rehabilitation of raptors)
Please go to https://www.owlrehab.org/yoga-2019 to register
Enjoy an outdoor yoga session under the watchful eyes of raptors followed by a guided tour.
Yoga Outreach Workshop
Exploring Chair Yoga
With Sylvia Smallman
Sunday, June 26, 2016 | 3pm - 5:30pm
Stretch Vancouver, 180 E. Pender Street, Vancouver
$45 ($22 for Yoga Outreach volunteers)
Please email sarah@yogaoutreach.com
Chair yoga is an excellent adaptation allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of the practice without getting up and down from the floor. Every body is different and everyone moves within their own comfortable range of motion. Balance and fall prevention may be addressed by some standing work behind the chair. Join us for this opportunity to participate in a chair yoga practice as well as workshop ideas, challenges and applications for integrating chair yoga into your practice, whether you lead a chair yoga class or would like more skills and support around facilitating a mat class with one or more participants in a chair, as is often the case within Yoga Outreach programs.
Foundational to Sylvia Smallman’s yoga teaching philosophy is kripalu (compassion) and sukha (comfort and ease). She is dedicated to making yoga more accessible to more people. Using the therapeutic and restorative wisdom of yoga as a holistic healing practice, Sylvia provides students of all ages, levels and mobility the opportunity to experience the benefits of yoga – physically, mentally and spiritually. Sylvia teaches yoga that ties ancient wisdom to modern times, reminding us that yoga offers practical tools that can help us ride the waves of life.
Later Life Yoga Teacher Training
Vancouver School of Yoga
Regular Program and Foundations of Yoga Therapy Program
Instructor: Sylvia Smallman
For details and registration visit www.vancouverschoolofyoga.com
At this time we have the phenomenon of a large percentage of the population growing into the later stages of life. Concurrently, there is among them the desire to maintain or improve health and quality of life. Many will try yoga.
This course will provide the teacher with skills specific to this interesting and diverse group addressing the issues of growing older in a holistic way, using the tools and wisdom of yogic life. Learn to adapt yoga postures for people with various conditions using the mat, a chair, the wall and restorative principals and postures. This skill set can be applied to many different situations and facilities in the community.
Sylvia is a wise, kind teacher who I'd highly recommend. She not only knows her stuff but she is so clearly passionate, creative and realistic in her approach to yoga for later life. She really inspired me! There was a good balance of theory, experiential opportunities and practice teaching.
Victoria Yoga Conference
Pull up a Chair Yoga Class
Lead by Sylvia Smallman
Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 9.00am
Chair yoga is an excellent adaptation allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of the practice without getting up and down from the floor. Every body is different and everyone moves within their own comfortable range of motion. Moving all the parts of the body slowly with awareness and breath helps us become friends again with our bodies and our Selves. Balance and Fall prevention may be addressed by some standing work behind the chair. Its good for you and its fun!
Langara College:
Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Certificate Program
Later Life Yoga Teacher Training
Intructor: Sylvia Smallman
March 23 – 24 & April 6 – 7, 2013
Unit M11-601 West Broadway
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Photography by Ron King.