Yang to Yin & Sound Bath at Rennie Park
Summer Series
Surround yourself with the elements of nature, harmonize the yang and yin energies within, and become immersed in the vibration of healing sound with me at Rennie Park in beautiful Port Dalhousie.
This class is a true Yoga by Abbey tradition. Rennie Park the very place where I first began offering my own classes during the pandemic. There is something so special about practicing together beneath the willow trees overlooking the water, held by the beauty and serenity of Mother Earth.
Yang to Yin is a balanced practice that begins with a gentle yet energizing Vinyasa flow, connecting movement with breath to awaken strength, vitality, and presence within the body. About halfway through class, we gradually soften into our yin energy, holding grounding postures closer to the earth for longer periods of time to encourage deep release and stillness.
During the yin portion of practice and as we settle into Savasana, you will be bathed in the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls and other sound healing instruments. The frequencies of the bowls help guide the body and mind into a deeply meditative state, offering profound nourishment for the nervous system and an opportunity for deep rest.
Modifications and variations are always offered to support all levels of experience and ability. Please bring a yoga mat, water bottle, and a blanket for Savasana.
To find us: from the parking lot beside Rennie Park where Thistle Bookshop & Lokanta Café are located, walk straight toward the water’s edge in the direction of the grandstands.
Begins Saturday May 30th
See below for available dates & to register!
Investment: $24.00
*Included in Yoga by Abbey Class Packages
Autumn Equinox Ceremony
The word "equinox" is a latin word meaning "equal night".
The Autumn Equinox is when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in an equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.
This is a powerful time where there is a balance of masculine and feminine energy, or yang and yin. This harmony provides for a time of great clarity and is a beautiful opportunity to go within and plant new seeds of intention to nurture as we embrace the introspective nature of the fall and winter seasons.
Join us in embracing this sacred shift in nature at the Yoga by Abbey studio for an evening of grounding, ritual and ceremony. Together we journey inward to set intentions that will carry us through this next season through cacao ceremony, yin yoga, a yoga nidra and sound healing journey, and self-reflection.
Our session will begin with a cacao ceremony. Cacao is symbolic of our sacred connection with mother earth, drinking the cacao allows us to acknowledge and honour our connection with nature. Cacao helps to open the heart and find greater clarity, preparing us for the introspective practices of yin yoga and sound healing.
The session will then move into a tranquil yin yoga and sound healing journey. Yin yoga is a passive practice where postures on the earth are held for 3-5 minutes per side, providing a deep stretch and rich moments of introspection on your mat. I (Abbey) will come around and provide loving hands-on adjustments throughout your practice.
Towards the end of the sequence, I will begin to incorporate the healing vibration of sound with the crystal singing bowls, seamlessly leading us into a Savasana pose, comfortable and supported by props to immerse ourselves into our transformative yoga nidra and sound healing journey.
As you rest in Savasana, allow the frequency of the sacred sound healing instruments to guide you into a hypnagogic state, sometimes referred to as a dream like state. In this state we become much more open and receptive to the power of our own intentions, allowing us to make shifts at the subconscious level. While embracing theta and delta brain waves, allow the vibrations to bring harmony to the chakra system, deeply relax the nervous system, and bring healing to your entire being physically & energetically.
During our sound bath, we will embrace the transformative journey of Yoga Nidra together. Yoga nidra is a guided meditative journey through the five "koshas" or layers of the being, also intended to help us drop into the hypnagogic state. In this journey, we plant the seed of our Sankalpa, our deepest heartfelt intention, at the core of our being. This is an ancient practice that allows us to make shifts at the subconscious level. The affects are amplified by the healing vibration of sound from the crystal singing bowls.
After our sound journey, reflect in a journal on your Autumn Equinox intentions. Past participants experience great clarity in reflection after their sound bath. A truly powerful experience surrounded by likeminded community.
There is no experience necessary to participate in this sacred ceremony honouring the Autumn Equinox!
Wednesday September 23rd from 7:00-9:00pm
at Yoga by Abbey
Investment: $60.00
Full Moon Astrology Circle & Gong Bath with Nancy
Join Astrology Expert Nancy Drope for an immersive evening of insight, reflection, and sacred self-care in honour of the transformative Full Moon in Aries.
This powerful lunar phase invites us into depth, a time of release, renewal, and honest self-inquiry.
The evening will begin with personalized astrological insights based on your unique birth chart, including a look into how this particular full moon may influence you.
Nancy will gently guide you through the themes of this lunation, offering a deeper understanding of what is ready to be seen, felt, and transformed.
From this place of awareness, you will be invited to work with oracle cards and guided reflection to clarify what you are ready to release, and what intentions you wish to carry forward in your personal evolution.
The session will then transition into a deeply restorative gong bath. Supported comfortably on your mat with props, you will be guided into a meditative state as the healing vibrations of the gong and other instruments wash over you, calming the nervous system and restoring balance to the mind, body, and spirit.
To close, you will be invited to embrace a simple yet powerful fire ritual, symbolically releasing what no longer serves you and creating space for what is to come.
Come as you are, and leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more deeply connected within.
Saturday September 26th from 6:30-8:30pm
at Nancy's private residence on the Niagara Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake
**Detailed directions will be sent to all registered participants.
Investment: $60.00
Yoga Nidra & Sound Bath
This session combines the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra with the healing vibrations of sound healing instruments for the ultimate tranquil journey within.
Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice that translates to "yogic sleep". Similar to meditation, it is tremendously relaxing for the nervous system and healing for the mind body and spirit. Yoga Nidra takes us on a journey through the koshas (layers) of our being to the eternal unchanging self, or the soul, where we plant the seed of our Sankalpa, or deepest heartfelt desire.
Participants lay down comfortably to receive this practice, while supported by props and blankets if desired. There is no movement, it is similar to a guided meditation.
This session pairs this powerful practice with the healing vibrations of the sound healing instruments, allowing us to drop into a deeply restful state with ease and invite the sound to bring healing to our mind, body and spirit.
You will be provided with a blanket, yoga bolster and yoga blocks to make yourself comfortable. Please bring a yoga mat or comfortable surface to lay on and anything else you might like to be comfortable (ex a head pillow or an eye pillow).
Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00pm
at Yoga by Abbey
(subbed by Jeremiah Honsberger while Abbey is away training in India)
Investment: $27.00
*Included in Yoga by Abbey class packages
Mini Facial & Sound Bath
I am thrilled to be joined by the Calm Down Club's very own Cassandra Bradshaw in this unique holistic experience at Yoga by Abbey.
Using the healing power of touch, scent, sound and stillness, we will float into the hypnagogic state together.
hyp•na•gog•ic (adj.) hypnagogia is the transitional state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep.
Enjoy a blissful mini facial experience with Certified aromatherapist and holistic skin therapist Cassandra Bradshaw (she/her) while I guide us through tranquil journey of healing sound. You will be invited to lay comfortably on your back using the support of the yoga props for ultimate relaxation.
The sacred sounds of the crystal sining bowls have a frequency that alter the brain wave state. It is possible through sound healing to reach the same brain wave state as REM sleep. This is extremely relaxing for the nervous system. The vibration of these sounds can help to clear energetic blocks and provide healing throughout the entire body.
Throughout our sound journey together, Cassandra will be able to spend time with each person to provide the wonderful gift of healing hands on touch.
Breathe in an organic blend of therapeutic essential oils and carrier oils that are chosen to support your skin’s natural ability to heal and thrive. Intentional acupressure points on the face will be stimulated to encourage flow and chi— our life force energy—to decrease congestion and impart a radiant, healthy glow. An intuitive facial massage will support this restorative experience. Using natural face-lifting techniques, working with the fascia and tense muscular tissue, you'll feel bright and rejuvenated.
We invite you to arrive with a clean, product-free face.
Enjoy herbal tea upon arrival to warm up and settle in to the space.
There are only 8 spots available per session.
Wednesday October 21st from 7:30-9:00pm
at Yoga by Abbey
Investment: $70.00
Introduction to Tarot Part 2 with Roberta
Continue your exploration of Tarot in this engaging, hands-on two-hour workshop with Roberta.
While Introduction to Tarot Part 2 builds upon themes explored in Part 1, attendance at Part 1 is not required. Whether you joined us for the first workshop or not, you are warmly welcome. No previous card-reading experience is necessary.
In Part 2, we will combine intuition with traditional Tarot teachings as we deepen our understanding of the cards and begin putting that knowledge into practice.
This workshop will focus primarily on the Major Arcana—the 22 cards within the Tarot that speak to significant life experiences, archetypes, transitions, and themes. Together, we will explore the traditional meanings and rich symbolism of each card through the teachings of Arthur Edward Waite, creator of the system behind the widely used Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll move beyond studying individual cards and begin learning how to weave their meanings together. By the end of our time together, you will have the opportunity to practice giving a 10-card Tarot reading, allowing you to experience firsthand how knowledge, symbolism, and intuition can work together in a reading.
Students will also have access during the workshop to Roberta’s vintage hardcover copy of A.E. Waite’s classic, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot.
What to Bring:
Please bring a 78-card Tarot deck. A Rider-Waite or Waite-style deck is ideal, although many traditional 78-card decks will also work well as they are derived from the same system.
You are also welcome to bring a notebook and pen to record information, personal insights, and discoveries along the way.
Come with curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to trust your intuition. You may just surprise yourself with what you discover and we’ll have plenty of fun along the way!
Saturday October 24th from 11:00am-1:00pm
at Yoga by Abbey
Investment: $60.00
Full Moon in Taurus Circle
Join myself and Nancy Drope in this popular monthly experience tuning into the energy of the Full Moon at the Yoga by Abbey studio in St. Catharines.
This powerful full moon is in the earthy sign of Taurus!
This experience begins with an engaging astrology discussion with Nancy Drope, helping you to understand and integrate the themes of the full moon into your being.
You will receive your personal horoscope for this full moon based on your rising sign in astrology and get to interact with the oracle cards to help you set your intention for the evening.
I (Abbey) will then guide us through an intentional full moon Yoga practice, exploring the themes of this full moon through movement breath and awareness. Together we will shift and move stagnant energy and release all that no longer serves our highest good!
Our yoga practice will lead us into a restful Savasana pose, prepared to immerse ourselves in the healing vibration of sound. With the crystal singing bowls and the gong, Nancy and I will take you on a blissful sound healing journey, rejuvenating your mind body and spirit.
Conclude the evening by burning away what no longer serves you into the ceremonial burning pot.
A truly empowering and transformative experience, all are welcome!
Sunday October 25th from 11:00am-1:00pm
at Yoga by Abbey
Investment: $60.00