Mindfulness, Meditation and Yoga Calendar
The Body, Mind and Spirit Retreat
Sep 23, 2023 10:00 AM
to
02:30 PM
Koffler House, 569 Spadina Ave
Registration Deadline: Sep 23, 2023 10:00 AM
*Registration opens September 1st!*
Join us for a half-day retreat, centered around the body, mind, and spirit. Discover a world of global spiritual traditions as we guide you through practices like yoga, qigong, meditation, and reflective writing. Our keynote speaker will share their knowledge and introduce you to Indigenous spiritual practices. Immerse yourself in new learning experiences, no prior knowledge needed.
Light vegetarian lunch will be served.
Please bring your TCard for ID
Dress in clothing you can comfortably move in.
Dress in layers - room temperature can fluctuate.
Yoga mats provided, bring your own if you prefer.
Please note - there are no lockers available and large bags cannot be accommodated in our space.
Dr. Henry Shiu
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Henry Shiu has a keen interest in the study of Mahayana Buddhism in India, China, and Tibet, particularly in the historical and doctrinal studies of the Madhyamaka and Yogacara traditions. His area of research specialization lies in the theory of the tathagatagarbha or Buddha nature. He also has a research interest in contemporary Buddhist movements, Buddhist Chaplaincy, and the development of Buddhism in Canada. He has been teaching at New College for many years, offering a variety of courses from Engaged Buddhism to Buddhist Psychology. In recent years, Shiu has taught courses at Emmanuel College, including Buddhist Contemplative Care, Buddhist Ethics, and Buddhist Meditative Traditions. His recent publication includes an in-depth examination and Chinese translation of the hymns of Nagarjuna.
Master Dao Shi
Master Dao Shi is a 35th generation traditional Shaolin disciple with a verifiable lineage that goes back over 1,500 years. For many years Master Dao trained under the careful guidance of Master Shi Guo Song, an authentic and famous Shaolin Monk from Shaolin Temple, China. One day his master accepted him as a disciple and supported his venture to help spread Shaolin arts and culture for the benefit of others. Master Dao opened his own school in the downtown Toronto area in 2007 and has had the privilege to teach Shaolin philosophy and martial arts to thousands of people across various disciplines including Meditation, Chan/Zen Philosophy, Shaolin Qigong, Shaolin Kung Fu, Shaolin Tai Chi / Gentle Fist, Shaolin style sanda /Chinese boxing, and self-defense. Master Dao's vision is to "help alleviate and prevent suffering for all by teaching others how to improve their mental and physical health, and by making these Shaolin arts and philosophy accessible to the masses."
Jeanette Unger
Jeanette Unger, M.T.S., is a campus chaplain with the Ecumenical Chaplaincy at U of T (www.ecut.ca) and provides spiritual and religious care for students. In this reflective writing workshop, we will explore writing as a tool for gratitude and connection to the earth. What words/stories/poems can we write that allow us to appreciate nature? How does our spirituality/deepest self connect to the natural world around us?
Brenda Wastasecoot
Brenda Wastasecoot is Cree from Churchill, Manitoba. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-great Aunt of the Wastasecoot and Brightnose family. Their roots begin from the York Factory fur trading post, flowing south along the Hudson Bay railway to Winnipeg. Currently, Dr. Wastasecoot teaches at the University of Toronto, where she resides in Toronto. She consults with the Arts & Science Faculty members to better reflect the historic truth and to open doors to reconciliation. Dr. Wastasecoot's doctoral dissertation is title: "Showing and Telling the Story of Nikis: Arts Based Auto-ethnographic Journeying of a Cree Adult Educator." In telling the stories from a memory map of her childhood home in the 1960's she exposes the impacts of the Residential School policy.
Fay Sicinski
Fay has practiced yoga for twenty-five years. She discovered Hatha yoga in her mid-twenties when working in residential homes for the elderly. She now practices Hatha and Kundalini yoga. Fay recognized the grounding benefits of mindfulness when helping her own children cope with the stressors in their lives. The emotional, mental, and physical awareness a yoga practice teaches has improved her life. Fay believes in making yoga accessible to anyone who would like to practice. Fay completed her RCYT in 2019 and RYT200 training in 2020. She pursued additional training in chair and restorative yoga in 2023. Fay currently lives in Toronto with her husband and two teenage sons. She teaches adult yoga in her local community and children's yoga in daycares and schools.