YOGA & ART THERAPY DROP-INS
After registering, please
to sign your consent form and upload a credit card to your account. This must be done before class!
Payment will be collected 24 hours before the class begins via your credit card on file - if you need to cancel, please email our team at connect@newtides.ca 24 hours before class begins.
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Art Therapy with Hannah
Have you been struggling to release emotion? Struggling to make movement in your life? Feeling trapped behind perfectionism or creative blockages? Maybe you’ve even been in therapy, but you can’t shake that “stuck” feeling?
Perhaps it’s time to try a creative approach - come spend an evening creating and sharing in art therapy with Hannah. Each group will focus on creative processes to help get out of a rut, journey past creative blockages, and create movement when we’re feeling stuck in our lives or in emotions.
No art experience is required, and there is no skill level expectation – everyone's process looks a little bit different! Every group will have a different way to process and experience art (and yourselves)
What to Expect
Each group will begin with an introduction to the group and check-in, in which group members are invited to voice their intentions for the time they spend in this creative space. Next, Hannah will provide a directive (artistic process) for participants to follow and materials for use – whether you chose to follow the directive or follow your own path.
As you create there will be gentle background music, and Hannah will be there alongside you to answer questions, witness and hold space, or guide the process as needed. To conclude, participants will be invited (but never required) to share with one another about their art and process.
While each group may have a creative process attached to it, Hannah welcomes you to take up creative space, whether that means following your own creative spirit or journeying with the group process.
A Bit About Hannah
While art and creative self-expression have been part of Hannah’s personal identity and healing path since she was young, she completed a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and Art Therapy at Adler University.
She has held space in both group and individual settings for 8 years in a wide range of settings, ranging from professional development spaces to residential care and residential addictions treatment facilities.
Hannah finds great joy in witnessing the unique experiences and creations of each individual and group process she facilitates and loves to encourage awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and our physical bodies that creative self-expression can foster.
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced creators as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, you can chat with Hannah prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and an open mind! You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do pay for, or cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Mindful Flow Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed and Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Art Therapy with Hannah
Have you been struggling to release emotion? Struggling to make movement in your life? Feeling trapped behind perfectionism or creative blockages? Maybe you’ve even been in therapy, but you can’t shake that “stuck” feeling?
Perhaps it’s time to try a creative approach - come spend an evening creating and sharing in art therapy with Hannah. Each group will focus on creative processes to help get out of a rut, journey past creative blockages, and create movement when we’re feeling stuck in our lives or in emotions.
No art experience is required, and there is no skill level expectation – everyone's process looks a little bit different! Every group will have a different way to process and experience art (and yourselves)
What to Expect
Each group will begin with an introduction to the group and check-in, in which group members are invited to voice their intentions for the time they spend in this creative space. Next, Hannah will provide a directive (artistic process) for participants to follow and materials for use – whether you chose to follow the directive or follow your own path.
As you create there will be gentle background music, and Hannah will be there alongside you to answer questions, witness and hold space, or guide the process as needed. To conclude, participants will be invited (but never required) to share with one another about their art and process.
While each group may have a creative process attached to it, Hannah welcomes you to take up creative space, whether that means following your own creative spirit or journeying with the group process.
A Bit About Hannah
While art and creative self-expression have been part of Hannah’s personal identity and healing path since she was young, she completed a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and Art Therapy at Adler University.
She has held space in both group and individual settings for 8 years in a wide range of settings, ranging from professional development spaces to residential care and residential addictions treatment facilities.
Hannah finds great joy in witnessing the unique experiences and creations of each individual and group process she facilitates and loves to encourage awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and our physical bodies that creative self-expression can foster.
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced creators as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, you can chat with Hannah prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and an open mind! You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do pay for, or cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, and sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Art Therapy with Hannah
Have you been struggling to release emotion? Struggling to make movement in your life? Feeling trapped behind perfectionism or creative blockages? Maybe you’ve even been in therapy, but you can’t shake that “stuck” feeling?
Perhaps it’s time to try a creative approach - come spend an evening creating and sharing in art therapy with Hannah. Each group will focus on creative processes to help get out of a rut, journey past creative blockages, and create movement when we’re feeling stuck in our lives or in emotions.
No art experience is required, and there is no skill level expectation – everyone's process looks a little bit different! Every group will have a different way to process and experience art (and yourselves)
What to Expect
Each group will begin with an introduction to the group and check-in, in which group members are invited to voice their intentions for the time they spend in this creative space. Next, Hannah will provide a directive (artistic process) for participants to follow and materials for use – whether you chose to follow the directive or follow your own path.
As you create there will be gentle background music, and Hannah will be there alongside you to answer questions, witness and hold space, or guide the process as needed. To conclude, participants will be invited (but never required) to share with one another about their art and process.
While each group may have a creative process attached to it, Hannah welcomes you to take up creative space, whether that means following your own creative spirit or journeying with the group process.
A Bit About Hannah
While art and creative self-expression have been part of Hannah’s personal identity and healing path since she was young, she completed a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and Art Therapy at Adler University.
She has held space in both group and individual settings for 8 years in a wide range of settings, ranging from professional development spaces to residential care and residential addictions treatment facilities.
Hannah finds great joy in witnessing the unique experiences and creations of each individual and group process she facilitates and loves to encourage awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and our physical bodies that creative self-expression can foster.
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced creators as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, you can chat with Hannah prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and an open mind! You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do pay for, or cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Hatha Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Make it stand out
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Hatha Yoga with Mercedes: Trauma Informed & Low Sensory Yoga for All (Free Week!)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or overstimulated in a yoga class, or worried about even showing up in the first place? A lot of us have had experiences of feeling VERY uncomfortable and out of place in yoga. As the teacher paces around behind, you glance at the person next to you, trying to figure out where your feet are supposed to go next - (what was it that the teacher just said?) while feeling hyper aware of the fact that no one else is in child’s pose, though that seems like a really nice place to be at the moment…. thinking “I don’t feel great in this position but don’t really know what else to do and even if I did, then I would be the odd one out…. I thought I came here to relax, but I can’t get out of my head….”
If ANY of this sounds familiar, we hope this will be the place for you to develop a different relationship with yoga, or expand the relationship you already have!
-——-
In a trauma-informed, low sensory hatha yoga class with Mercedes, you can expect to start with a grounding practice, shift into a gentle flow, and end with a breathing practice and savasana. There will be soft music playing, low lights, no scents or smells, and no hands-on assists. The class will always have an invitational nature to it - you can choose what forms you do, you might choose pause, or move a different way, and you’ll be offered lots of different options for forms and for movement or stillness. You’ll be invited to slow down and get curious about how different forms and different types of movement feel in your body, and invited to check-in with your emotional and physical experiences throughout the class. Yoga’s roots will be named and acknowledged throughout the class. There will be room for moments of levity, joy, and laughter, as well as moments of stillness and calm.
Mercedes’ intention is that you leave the class feeling even a little bit more connected with yourself, your body, and with others.
Yoga with Mercedes
Mercedes was trained in trauma-informed yoga through Yoga Outreach and has been teaching yoga for two years.
She has taught at women’s recovery centers and at complex care sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
She appreciates yoga’s roots and loves learning more about yoga’s history and its journey to how it is being practiced today. She believes that spending time with what feels good in our bodies and minds is just as important as focusing on what feels tense, sticky, or difficult - and she likes to highlight and resource what is feeling good for you throughout her class.
Mercedes is one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors - more about Mercedes and her work as a counsellor HERE.
FAQ
What does trauma informed and low sensory look like?
Anyone is welcome - this class still has all the good feels of a typical yoga class! Movement, breath, mindfulness and a solid relaxation at the end
LOTS of space for invitation and choice - this is the priority! Want to lay on the floor for an hour, or halfway through ? Come on in.
Soft music, and minimal/no scents
No hands on assists
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced movers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Mercedes prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
Candlelit Yin Yoga with Morgan (Free Week!)
Come lay on the ground and relax for an hour. This class is all about creating space to slow down, tune in, and connect to yourself. During this slow, candlelit class, Morgan will guide you in and out of stretchy, low energy shapes, weaving in invitations to breathe, tune into your nervous system and your body.
Occasionally there will be moments where we move into something more active or ‘challenging’, but the intention, slowness and breath will remain the same: to find a steady, relaxed place within where knowing yourself , your experience and who you are can feel good.
This class combines little therapeutic moments of connection and introspection combined with slow yoga shapes and movements that are held anywhere from 1 to 5 ish minutes with a long restful savasana (laying on the ground, doing nothing!) at the end… designed specifically to develop a deeper connection to all parts of you: your body, heart, mind ,energy (and sense of soul/spirit for those that want it!)
This class includes soft, but sometimes emotional music choices with lyrics, candlelight and occasional options for hands on assists ( consent is given ahead of time - no surprises! ), and lots of silent moments to reflect.
Yoga with Morgan
Morgan jokes about being a reformed type A personality and perfectionist, which was slowly destroyed during the exhaustion she experienced during her Masters program, and the flexibility she had to engage while teaching kids yoga!
Learning to teach yoga almost a decade ago was how Morgan first formed any type of real connection to her body, and forever changed how she related to herself, and how she wanted to show up as a counsellor. The role yoga holds and what ‘yoga’ looks like her her life has changed drastically through periods of burnout, joy, and periods of deep challenge and pain.
In class, she strives to create a slow, steady environment where you can drop in, connect to whats going on inside, listen deeply to yourself and make choices based on what you find. Don’t be surprised if you laugh, cry, fall asleep… or perhaps all three!
FAQ
Is this class beginner friendly? What if i have an injury?
This class is ABSOLUTELY beginner friendly, but has much to offer for experienced mindfulness seekers as well. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, including injuries, you can chat with Morgan prior to class, or send us an email ahead of time at connect@newtides.ca
What do i bring?
Bring yourself, and a water bottle! If you have your own yoga mat, blocks, or bolsters (or even cozies/pillows/whatever makes you feel like comfy for relaxation at the end of the class!), bring them along! We have yoga mats available if needed, but no props, as we are a small, multi-functional space with no storage.
You are also welcome to bring a journal if you like to reflect during or at the end of class.
How do i sign up?
Since we are a counselling clinic with no reception, things will be a little different than a regular studio! You can still sign up on Jane (as you do for counselling) - just find the date on our online calendar HERE and make sure you sign our informed consent and put a credit card on file before you come to class.
We are a small, cozy studio - registration is required to ensure everyone has a spot!
How do i cancel my class?
Your credit card will be charged 24 hrs before class, but you can cancel anytime before then by emailing our front desk (connect@newtides.ca)
