Partner Yoga Pics

A heartfelt thanks to our friends who requested this special partner yoga event last Friday. Lots of laughs, experimentation and true connections.  We look forward to hosting our next partner yoga workshop on September 18th.

Treehouse Yoga Welcomes Fall - New Classes and Courses

Dear Friends of Yoga,

The leaves are turning at Treehouse Yoga bringing both the promise and anticipation of an abundance of harvest, cooler days and the bright colors of fall.

This September, we are excited to bring you our fall schedule enhanced with several new classes + three 8 week pre-registered courses.    To see complete details of our class descriptions and special events, please visit  http://treehouseyoga.weebly.com/. 

The pre-registered 8 week courses are a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge of yogic philosophy, as well as, strengthen and fine tune your asana practice while progressing together as a group.  Sign up today to begin the journey.  Our contact information is below.  Courses start next week on September 8th and September 9th.  

And back by popular demand is our Partner Yoga Workshop on Friday September 18th.  
2 people, 1 mat and lots of fun.
Reserve your space today.

Here’s a preview of what’s new for this fall:

Monday with Lonna:
Vinyasa: 5:30pm - 7:00pm (Drop-in) 

Tuesday with Naomi:
Vinyasa: 8:00am - 9:30am (8 week pre-register course beginning September 8th-October 27th)
Hatha: 5:30pm - 7:00pm (8 week pre-register course beginning September 8th-October 27th)  

Wednesday with Lonna:
Power Yoga: 7:00am - 8:15am (8 week pre-register beginning September 9th-October 28th)
Restorative: 5:30 - 7:00pm (Drop-in)

Thursday with Naomi:
Ashtanga: 8:00am - 9:30am (Drop-in)
Hatha: 5:30pm - 7:00pm (Drop-in)

Friday 
Baby and Me: 9:00am - 10:00am (Drop-in)
Partner Yoga Workshop: 5:30pm - 7:00pm ( September 18th)

Saturday with Lonna:
Hatha: 8:00am - 9:15am (Drop-in) Will move to 9:00am - 10:30am starting September 26th

We look forward to seeing you on the mat and on the move.

Summer Schedule Class Cancellations

It's holiday time for the Yoginis! Please note the Treehouse will be closed on the following dates:

Sunday June 29th
Tuesday June 30th

Thursday July 2nd
Saturday July 4th
Sunday July 5th
Monday July 6th
Tuesday July 7th
Wednesday July 8th
Thursday July 9th
Tuesday July 14th
Thursday July 16th
Sunday July 19th
Tuesday July 21st

Wednesday August 5th
Thursday August 6th
Saturday August 8th
Sunday August 9th
Monday August 10th
Tuesday August 11th
Wednesday August 12th

Baby and Me Yoga Classes

Treehouse Yoga is pleased to offer its first ever Baby and Mommy Yoga Series with Certified Instructor Naomi Gourlay. Strengthen, stretch and tone while bonding with your new baby. Get set for a fun-loving experience that offers modifications to optimize individual results. And Dads you're always welcome to join too!

When: Every other Friday @ 10:30am - 11:30am beginning July 24th (Note: There will be no class on Friday August 7th)
Where: 4535 Greig Ave above Totem Press
Why: Because Yoga is for everyBODY and we love having fun with the little ones

Rapid Evolution - 1 Week

Dear Friends,

The countdown is on to the 'coolest' and 'wildest' event of the summer. That's right folks, Rapid Evolution is happening in ONE WEEK on June 20 & 21 and we want you to be a part of this ground-breaking experience. The planning and preparation is in full motion to ensure that this weekend is jammed packed with healthy and delicious eats, rocky rollin rapids, warm ambiance, an amazing base camp, good vibes, special surprises, groovin' beats and melodic basslines. Get set for an outdoor adventure and dance party like none other ... our priorities are big belly laughs, big fun, big inspiration, big relaxation, big comfort (and of course big safety).

So if you haven't got your pass to this joyride already ... get on it TODAY! Call Hatha at Skeena Valley Expeditions to book your space at (866) 918-RAFT (7238) or email adventure@skeenavalleyexpeditions.com. We need to know you are coming so we can put the finishing touches on the cake. It's the people that make an event unforgettable and we know that the crew who comes together for this weekend will be the most amazing gang of adventure lovers and pleasure seekers.

To learn more visit http://www.svei.ca/ and download the PDF with all the details.

See you on the river.

Naomi, Bobby and Mark

Treehouse Studios

Rapid Evolution - June 20/21 2009

Skeena Valley Expeditions and Treehouse Studios present:

RAPID EVOLUTION: A whitewater rafting adventure and outdoor dance extravaganza

This summer solstice join the wildlife for a multi-sensory weekend of thrills, chills, warm vibes, gourmet food and good friends. Prepare for an outdoor weekend adventure with a twist. We're set to take you on the ride of a lifetime.

Featuring DJs

Dionysus, Vancouver, BC
melody driven liquid d n b, progressive, house

Mark Leung, Toronto, ON
funk/soul tech + electro house, minimal techno

RaJah, Terrace, BC
reggae/dub

BOOK TODAY: The first 10 people to book with SVE receive a free yoga class with Naomi
$185 + gst
Limited Space
866-918-7238
adventure@skeenavalleyexpeditions.com
For more details visit www.svei.ca

Figure Drawing Workshop - Wednesday April 15th

Our instructor for the workshop is Greg Gourlay, an artist, an art teacher, a visionary, and yes – my dad. He’s visiting Terrace from Grand Prairie for a week of fun and creativity. We’re excited to have him be part of the endeavors that Treehouse has to offer. This will be a single 2 ½ hour workshop exploring some of the fundamental techniques of figure drawing.

We’ve been talking about hosting a bi-weekly figure drawing event without instruction. The bi-weekly drawing is being organized separately from this workshop. However, this workshop will be a good introduction to figure drawing that will give you some techniques to work on if you want to come to the bi-weekly events.

Where: Treehouse Studio 4535 Greig Ave.

When: Wednesday, April 15; 7:30pm-10:00pm

What is needed: drawing utensils of your choice (dark pencils, pen, or charcoal etc), large drawing pad. We have easels.

Cost: $25

Please sign up in advance by emailing Mark at marksleung@gmail.com

Space is limited.

Figure Drawing Workshops

Treehouse Studio offers

FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOPS

Figure drawing is the exercise of drawing the human body from a nude model in various poses. It is traditionally a key aspect to artistic training and is a excellent way to express creativity and learn drawing techniques. Drawing the human form offers excellent possibilities of artistic expression not found in other forms of drawing. Approaches that we will focus on range from quick 10 second gesture sketches to detailed 30 minute drawing.

This will be the first workshop held at the Treehouse Studio. If there is lots of interest we will hold classes on a regular basis and build on the scope of instruction.

Location: Treehouse Studio (above Totem Press) 4535 Greig Ave.

When: Tentatively Tuesday 8-10pm. Starting date to be announced.

What is needed: drawing utensils of your choice, large drawing pad. We have easels.

Cost: to be determined, depending on number of attendants and payment to model.

We are looking for models and teachers.

Anyone interested in attending a figure drawing workshop please contact Mark for more information. marksleung@gmail.com 250-635-7412

Capoeira Classes - Sundays

Treehouse Studio offers

Capoeira Workshops

Capoeira is a physical art-form combining aspects of music, dance, game and martial arts. It was developed in Brazil sometime after 1600 by African and indigenous slaves. Capoeira was practiced in secrecy and was even banned until the 1930’s. Today it is a celebrated part of Brazilian culture and has spread worldwide. We will be practicing Capoeira Angola, a style that focuses on control, balance and grace as opposed to Capoeira Regional, a style which is very fast moving and acrobatic.

Traditionally, Capoeira schools are taught by Mestres (teachers) with decades of experience having a lineage connecting them to the great Mestres of Brazil ensuring purity of technique and philosophy. Traditionally, every member makes and learns to play every instrument and sing the poetic and enchanting songs in Portuguese. This is not a traditional school! The instructor, Mark, has studied Capoeira Angola intensively on a daily basis for only two months in Salvador Brazil under Mestre Lua de Bobo and Nagote Negaca. He has merely tasted a drop on the tip of an iceberg. We don’t claim to be a proper school but we aim to have a fun workout while learning some of the basics and listening to the music. No experience is necessary. Just come in loose clothing and bare feet or indoor runners.

Location: Treehouse Studio (above Totem Press) 4535 Greig Ave.

When: Drop-in every Sunday 6pm-7:30pm

Cost: FREE or donation

For more information talk to Mark Leung marksleung@gmail.com 250-635-7412

Open Treehouse - Come One Come All - Feb. 27th

New Class Schedule - Double the fun

Dear Yogis and Yoginis,

We are excited to announce the new Treehouse class schedule. More variety and times to suit your mood and schedule. A warm welcome to Lonna Sheen of Luna Yoga to the space. Visit Lonna's BLOG to learn more and stay tuned for details on our upcoming 'Open Treehouse'.

Monday with Lonna
5:30 PM Hatha Flow

Tuesday with Naomi
9:00 AM Hatha
5:30 PM Vinyasa Flow

Wednesday with Lonna
5:30 PM Restorative

Thursday with Naomi
9:00 AM Vinyasa Flow
5:30 PM Hatha

Saturday with Lonna
9:00 AM Hatha Flow

Sunday with Naomi
4:00 PM Restorative

Avalanche Awareness Day

When the temperatures drop, our apartment above Totem Press is freezing. It's an old building with lots of cracks and holes where the bitter cold mysteriously finds its way into our living space. You can hear the wind howl taking shingles from our roof as gifts to the Gods. The only cover is beneath the warmth of our down duvet. Mornings are particularly torturous, letting go of the cozy covers and making the way across the cold linoleum to get ready for the day. Yesterday morning with teeth chattering away, Mark and I got ourselves together, packed the Outback with ski gear and headed to the hill for Avalanche Awareness Day. With the heat cranked and the seat warmers nestling our fannies our spirits immediately lifted. It was a totally clear day with mountain vistas towering above the Skeena River in all directions ... a feast for the eyes and an injection of inspiration for the soul.

The itinerary started with our buddy Hatha from Northern Escapes Heli-Skiing and Skeena Valley Expeditions giving an informative presentation on the importance of snow conditions, reading terrain, evaluating hazards, risks and lots more nail-biting nuggets of the reality of avalanches. A good resource for those venturing into the backcountry with region-specific bulletins is the Canadian Avalanche site.

Later that afternoon we watched a field demonstration of new testing techniques that involve building rouge blocks and examining the layers of the snow pack. There was a lot of talk about propensity and propogation which I must admit flew right over my head. What I did gather though were that these tests are not fool-proof. Backcountry skiing is serious business and one must have the knowledge and experience to safely navigate their way to the start zone and get down without encountering or causing a slide ... both an art and a science.
The backcountry is a big reason why many of the locals live in Terrace ... powder days and fresh lines is where its at! I am just starting to comprehend that feeling of flying within such a vast expanse. Last season I took the Avalanche Skills Training level one workshop. Here's an example of the curriculum overview. I realize now that I need a serious refresher course before I head out comfortably into the unknown. I also realize how lucky I am to be here experiencing bluebird days, the mountain culture and fun with so many amazing friends. Go figure the day ended with the 'Shred the Gnar' Women's Snowboard Team selling baked goods at the base of the hill. They are fundraising for their upcoming tour of northwestern BC ski hills. Those sweets sure tasted good after soaking up the sun and snow on a bunch of groomer runs.

Special Bulletin: I am happy to report that on our way home from the hill we stopped at Canadian Tire and bought four more power heaters. They are now installed and we are all snug as a bug in a rug. Oh, how I appreciate the luxury of heat. Thank you for this soothing pleasure.

New Years News

The Loft:

Happy new year everyone. It's been a tremendous ride thus far ... the elves have been hard at work renovating the loft space above Totem Press. Now it's almost time to unveil our re-vamped 1700 sqaure foot multi-purpose studio. Art workshops, music, special events, the Om Gym and yoga classes galore. Check out the new class schedule for 2009. And here's a sneak peak of the space.

Ms.Fitz Arrives in Terrace:

“On the Mat & On the Move”

A micro collection of limited edition designs inspired by the eastern philosophy of Kaivalya, a state of inner freedom.

Available Exclusively at Ella.

#4 4736 Lakelse Ave
Terrace BC V8G 1R6
T: 250-615-3211
F: 250-615-3121

About Ms.Fitz

Naomi Gourlay, Designer and Certified Yoga Instructor is realizing her dream of creating a health and wellness centre, Treehouse Studios in the natural environment of north-western BC. Her inspiration stems from a variety of sources including travel and culture, a passion for nature and the environment, and most of all her friends and family.

Model: Mrs. Karolina Klein

Visit www.msfitz.ca to check out other designs