Yoga classes in Edmonton. David Wilson received his 2-year Teacher Training Certificate at the Yoga Centre of Calgary in 1997. He focuses on conscious stretching and somatic breathing to build focus, energy, and good health. Having practiced yoga for over twelve years, David facilitates the awareness needed to release stress stored in the body, breath and mind. As a musician, conductor, and singer, David's classes focus on the breath's ability to intensify the poses, enhancing both core strength and inner tranquility. His classes explore an integrated approach to somatic wellness involving Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, meditation, voice, natural breath techniques, and the luxurious joy of stretching freely!
David offers safe and joyous workshops created for those wishing to explore the scope and potential of the authentic voice, thereby overcoming social, physiological or respiratory challenges associated with speaking or singing. The integration of natural breathing techniques, hatha yoga and vocal play facilitates the discovery of one's "true voice", allowing one to speak, chant or sing with a relaxed and joyful vocal mechanism.
OFFICE YOGA
For a healthier, happier, and more productive office!
According to the 10th Annual Attitudes in the American Workplace poll by Harris Interactive, stress in the workplace has increased greatly in the last 20 years. About 63% claim that the presures of the job interfere with their personal lives, while 60% say that the job is negatively affecting their physical and emotional well-being. Further, over 52% suggest that people in their workplace need help in managing anger and stress, yet at the same time, 55% say their company offers no training whatsoever on how to manage anger or stress.
Office Yoga fills this gap in workplace training. I have designed Four Office Yoga series; each one is designed to be completed in 5 minutes, at your desk, for a healthier, happier, and more productive office.
Office Yoga is: Non-competitive and process-oriented Fun and easy to understand Relaxing and energizing For everyone
Benefits of Office Yoga: Reduced stress and anxiety Increased energy and stamina Decreased muscle tension and pain Increased physical and mental flexibility Improved efficiency and productivity Enhanced concentration, memory, and clarity Heightened sef-esteem Improved mood and enthusiasm Enhanced health and well-being Stronger immune system for a healthier work force
Health for Musicians is designed to assist musicians with the generalized or localized aches and pains associated with playing an instrument. Techniques are drawn from various breathing systems, yoga, and Qi Gong. It is safe, fun, and extremely transformative, as the musician will recieve a concrete "recipe" at the end of the the session. This series will be tailor-made for the individual, stating exactly what to do on a daily basis; this means that the musician not only has physical relief in sight, but gains the awareness of the full body/breath system that comes learning how to help the body help itself.
HEALTH FOR MUSICIANS IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST WITH THE FOLLOWING: Performance Anxiety Repetitive stress syndrome Creative blocks Losing love for the instrument Breathing difficulties General physical disorders that affect your performance
BODY, BREATH AND VOICE WORKSHOPS
Have you ever felt left out during a chanting circle, your throat hurting, running out of breath, or unable to match pitch?
Have you ever had people say to you "I can't hear you"?
Have you ever felt uncomfortable "speaking your mind"?
Do you feel your voice sounds fearful, hidden too far back in your throat? Does the voice sound gravely, or scratchy?
In these workshops we explore the metaphors that the body, breath & voice represent. Inhale, Exhale, Forward bend, Backbend, Inversion, Twist, Standing pose... What happens if we explore the emotional metaphors of these acts in our lives? We search for the source of our true voice, our authentic breath, and our freedom of unhindered movement. David facilitates an exploration of ourselves, incorporating yoga, movement, breath, chanting, and vocal play.
When a man is born, he is soft and flexible; When he dies, he grows hard and rigid. So it is with all things under heaven. Plants and animals are soft and pliant in life, But brittle and dry in death. Truly, to be hard and rigid is the Way of death; To be soft and flexible is the Way of Life. Tao te Ching
The Metaphor of Hatha
Standing poses: Stability, grounding - standing on our own two feet with confidence and joy.
Backbends: Facing our fears, trusting in the universe to be there in times of desperation. Opening, energizing poses for building up energy to face our fears and open our hearts.
Inverts: Keeping centering and stability when life turns "topsy-turvy". How do we handle ourselves when life turns us upside-down? Invites humility.
Forward Bends: Softens the mind, body and spirit. Closes down the body, preparing for rest and recuperation.
Twists: Cleanse the internal organs. How do we handle ourselves when live gets us all twisted up? Do we close our eyes, clench, hold our breath, and take a beating? Or, do we breathe to create space within the difficulty, and as we exhale, move forward into the challenge life has thrown us, thereby discovering the place wasn't as tightly-wound as we thought?
Balancing Poses: Centering, balance in our lives, grounding, safety. Ease while having only one leg to stand on.
Sun Salutations: Coordinates mind, body, and breath for not only a good workout, but an awareness that one can work hard while remaining grounded, centered, and calm.
The Metaphor of Breath
Natural / Inherent Inhale: Strength, joy, beauty, confidence. Taking in and accepting all that life has to offer. Exhale: Surrender, safety, freedom of expression
Normal / Learned Inhale: Fear of living, lack of confidence, bracing for impact, readying for conflict. Exhale: Fear of appearing weak, fear of letting guard down, fear of expression, and fear of self-confidence.
The Metaphors of Breathing Challenges
Depression: Inhale will be truncated (Fear of taking in life), while waiting too long at the end of the exhale (What's the point).
Anxiety: Exhale will be truncated (Don't have time to relax, because I don't feel safe), while hurriedly taking a high, chest breath (I must hurry, I don't have time).
Asthma: Many symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of Asthma are often misleading; the patient does not have true asthma. This is especially true if one has developed the symtoms later in life. What they actually are dealing with is something I call Congested Tension. This is a buildup of phlegm in the lungs and sinuses due to unreleased, or un-dealt-with, stress and anxiety. When the reservoire is full, there is nowhere to go, and people often find their "sensitivities" appears as allergies, heart problems, or digestions difficulties.
Sinusitis: Similar to asthma; if it develops after childhood, it is usually and emotional response to external stimuli. In this case, it can be the feeling of being trapped in some situation in your life, or annoyance at someone close to you. Also can be a sign of fears of allowing oneself to access one's higher purpose, or 'resonance'.
PARTNER YOGA WORKSHOPS These are fun workshops designed for partners, friends and family. We will play with poses that require two people, as we learn from each other's bodies.
ONE-ON-ONE David also offers one-on-one sessions, where he will facilitate the accessing of one's own vocal joy, confidence and freedom to transform one's inner and outer world. Inherent in this process is the centering and integrating of the breath and voice to the body. Through yoga, toning, and intuitively-guided meditation, he will offer tools to access the cellular memory of the challenge affecting the breath, body, or voice, thereby creating a permanent somatic change.
Good posture is the absence of excess effort. Moise Feldenkrais
Inhale, create the space, exhale, move into the space. unknown
Yoga is high-tech Space Science. B.K.S. Karendikar
We do not sit in meditation to become good meditators. We sit in meditation so that we will be more awake in our lives. Pema Chodron
Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul creates the symphony of life. Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar
Feb ???, 2008 The Shared Breath: Partner Yoga for Two. Re-connect with your partner, relative or friend for Valentine's Day. 7-9:30 $50.00 per couple Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna: 421-9444
Oct 14, 2006
Yoga for Body, Breath & Voice with David Wilson 1-4pm. $45. Shanti Yoga Studio 10026-102 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna at (780) 421-9444.
Oct 8, 2005
Partner Yoga with David Wilson Couples, partners and friends welcome! 1:30-4:30 $50 per couple Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St. Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna:421-9444
Nov 5, 2005
The Authentic Voice: Yoga for Chanting with David Wilson An integration of natural breathing techniques, hatha yoga, drumming, and vocal exploration. 1:30-4:30 $40 Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna: 421-9444
Jan 14, 2006
The Authentic Voice: Yoga for Chanting with David Wilson An integration of natural breathing techniques, hatha yoga, drumming, and vocal exploration. 1:30-4:30 $40 Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna: 421-9444
Feb 10, 2006 The Shared Breath: Partner & Tantric Yoga for couples. Re-connect with your partner in a deep and loving fashion for Valentine's Day. 7-9:30 $50.00 per couple Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna: 421-9444
Feb 11, 2006
The Shared Breath: Partner & Tantric Yoga for couples. Re-connect with your partner in a deep and loving fashion for Valentine's Day. 7-9:30 $50.00 per couple Shanti Yoga Studio: 10026-102 St Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Call Breanna: 421-9444
ODE TO YOGA EQUIPMENT
My bolster is my loving friend I hug it everyday. It really helps release my pain, and gently, I must say.
My mat it lies there on the floor so that I may pose. It cushions my body when erect, and in savasan I then doze.
My blocks adjust and yes, support, the body to help it out. Relax and smile, and ground and breathe, release will follow, no doubt.
My strap it holds a part of me away, or to and fro but if my hamstrings don't release, a gasket I will blow.
The bender is for your back, they say it stretches out my spine. I'm sure if I did this everyday, then all would be just fine.
Yoga makes my body expand, and keeps my mind at ease I do it almost everyday to free me from dis-ease.
David Wilson 1996
It is well-known that our go-go, mentally-driven lifestyles require us to do things that brings back into our bodies. Deep breathing, voiceplay, and stretching all assist toward this goal.
Yoga classes in Edmonton. David Wilson received his 2-year Teacher Training Certificate at the Yoga Centre of Calgary in 1997. He focuses on conscious stretching and somatic breathing to build focus, energy, and good health. Having practiced yoga for over twelve years, David facilitates the awareness needed to release stress stored in the body, breath and mind. As a musician, conductor, and singer, David's classes focus on the breath's ability to intensify the poses, enhancing both core strength and inner tranquility. His classes explore an integrated approach to somatic wellness involving Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, meditation, voice, natural breath techniques, and the luxurious joy of stretching freely!
According to the 10th Annual Attitudes in the American Workplace poll by Harris Interactive, stress in the workplace has increased greatly in the last 20 years. About 63% claim that the presures of the job interfere with their personal lives, while 60% say that the job is negatively affecting their physical and emotional well-being. Further, over 52% suggest that people in their workplace need help in managing anger and stress, yet at the same time, 55% say their company offers no training whatsoever on how to manage anger or stress.
Health for Musicians is designed to assist musicians with the generalized or localized aches and pains associated with playing an instrument. Techniques are drawn from various breathing systems, yoga, and Qi Gong. It is safe, fun, and extremely transformative, as the musician will recieve a concrete "recipe" at the end of the the session. This series will be tailor-made for the individual, stating exactly what to do on a daily basis; this means that the musician not only has physical relief in sight, but gains the awareness of the full body/breath system that comes learning how to help the body help itself. 
Have you ever felt left out during a chanting circle, your throat hurting, running out of breath, or unable to match pitch?
When a man is born, he is soft and flexible;
Good posture is the absence of excess effort.
Yoga is like music.
