As we enter the final season of our first year at Renaissance: The Montréal Ashtanga Yoga & Martial Arts School & Cultural Centre, we are delighted to share our experience with you, whether you are a member or are yet to discover us.

It truly has been a great blessing to be sharing the joy and benefits of the practice of yoga with our community. One of the main elements of the Renaissance experience that encourages our members’ practice -and consequently life outside the class- to flourish is the simple premise that we offer individualized attention in small classes (typically less than 10 people) structured for the students in the class.

Every day, one to three times a day, we offer our signature Soft Flow class for those beginning their yoga practice, or who prefer to practice at a more measured pace. The flow is deliberate and steady, and instructive; we build a strong foundation centred on intention, attention, deep breathing and techniques to facilitate the safe alignment and effectiveness of the form of the asanas and the movement in between. These classes are a lot of fun and there is much room for modifications to address the specific requirements of the people in the studio so that no-one is rushed or pushed into an uncomfortable place, yet all benefit from the class. 

  

Having built from the ground up two concept studios with a different vibe in each, it is refreshing as our moods change from day to day to vary our time spent in either the space of The Light Studio or The White Room. If you are yet to visit each of these concept studios, we invite you to start with a Soft Flow class in whichever studio feels most like home for you.

To fully round out your well-being, we offer massages & treatments which are ideally received after a yoga class, when the body and mind are most aware, sensitive and receptive. Private yoga classes are also offered, and can be a great complement to both a regular yoga practice, and a beginning one.

As you will see on our web site, at Renaissance we’re also a cultural centre. Although the science of yoga is our core essence, we celebrate the human spirit in other artistic expressions as well. If you feel it’s not the time for you to participate in yoga classes or would simply like to come visit to see our current painting and sculpture exhibitions of Daniel Stanford and Victoria Block, you are most welcome during our daily opening hours.

We also offer a collection of carefully curated films, books and albums. Some are directly related to hatha yoga, others are on topics as diverse as nutrition, photography, poetry, opera and rock ‘n’ roll. We are personally familiar with the entire selection and it gives us great pleasure in taking the time with you to choose the right item for yourself, or to offer as a gift.