The Welcome Mat offers a variety of class styles and levels including both introductory and advanced as well as heated and non-heated classes! Our heated classes have a brand new state of the art system providing infrared heat that is quiet and efficient. This heating system offers waves of energy that penetrate deep into the body, gently elevating the body’s surface temperature detoxifying at a cellular level.
Instructors will provide modifications and instruction in all classes to help beginners and those with injuries, medical conditions or anxieties. Each pose, class and experience is designed with your comfort, growth, health and success in mind!
Learn more about the different types and traditions of our yoga classes below. You can also read specific class descriptions under “details” when you search a class on our schedule page!
“Flow” Classes
These energetic “movement” classes have a strong emphasis on breath and allow beginners, intermediate and advanced students to be challenged in the same class. Flow focuses on movement and will torch calories, tone, strengthen and detox the body, clear your mind and leave you with a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. The dynamic mix of sweat and spirit that is cultivated in a Vinyasa (flow or movement with breath) yoga class will challenge you to step up to your edge, and unlock hidden potential for achieving authentic personal power. Classes will focus on traditional poses enhanced with movement, sun salutations and dynamic breath work. Flow classes are offered in both heated (35°C) and non-heated environments.
Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is often described as the other half of a yoga practice. A yin yoga practice is a slower, deeper practice affecting the connective tissues of the body through deep stretching, helping with flexibility and release. Yin Yoga encourages the body to slowly and mindfully enter yin poses using the breath to stimulate the flow of chi(energy) and remain highly focused on the sensations promoted by the pose. The lengthy posture steadiness and stillness allows one to develop passive yin qualities of surrender, relaxation and the release of tight muscles and busy minds allowing full nourishment to the body’s meridians and joints. Suitable for all levels.
Hot Yoga
In this heated class, we use postures (asana) and conscious breathing (Pranayama) in combination with mental focus to develop awareness, strength & flexibility and relaxation. Hot yoga will bring strength and focus to the body from head to toe and allow for deep muscle work and calorie burning. By combining both flow and longer static holds, emphasis will be on both the pose and on linking movements. The focus will be on foundational postures, however the instructor will provide modifications for every experience level, giving you the chance to expand your practice if you so choose. Because this class is not a set sequence, you can expect to learn something new and different every time. Hot yoga gives a very deep and intense workout with heated muscles and movement and therefore, we recommend beginners become familiar with yoga poses and movements before adding heat to their practice.
Healthy Hips
This class will include Hatha yoga postures, and flows focusing on opening the hips, releasing the psoas tendon (hip flexors). Many of our lifestyles have us sitting for long periods of time which shortens the hip flexors and pull the pelvis forward. This places pressure and stress on the lumbar discs, leading to back pain. Frequent and regular practice of these postures lengthens and opens the hip flexors, improving our posture and back discomfort. This class is excellent for those with tight hips, low back pain and also athletes who use lower body muscles often (runners, hockey players, weightlifting etc.). Suitable for all levels.
Mind Over Muscle (yoga with weights)
Mind over Muscle Yoga is a challenging full body workout incorporating weights and added strength training movements to some of your favourite poses. You’re sure to build muscle, strength and confidence as you up your yoga practice with added weight and balance. Class is suitable for those already comfortable with yoga poses. 1-5 LB weights available.
Drop & Give me Zen (Hot)
This class combines two of your favorite types of yoga bringing together the best of both worlds! We’ll start with a hot, energetic flow, followed by stillness in Yin (flexibility and relaxation). Beginning with an energetic, heated flow class focusing on movement between poses giving you energy and strength as you tone, strengthen and sweat, and finishing with a few relaxing and deep stretches aimed at release and the full nourishment to the body’s meridians and joints. This class will both build confidence and energy and relax tight muscles and busy minds. Suitable for those comfortable with hot yoga.
Hot Mess Mondays
Feeling like a hot mess? Us too! We’ve got just the space for you! Join with us to work some stuff out and let some stuff go in this Monday night hot yoga class. Each week will have a different focus (strength? stretch? stamina?) depending how we’re feeling, and what we all need. No matter the focus, it will feel great to sweat it out and let it go together! This class will leave you feeling confident you can handle the messes of life, and with a few moments of rest and relaxation to help you tackle the rest of your week.
This class is suitable for those comfortable with hot yoga.
Hot Funky Flow
Ready to get your groove on? Music is a great way to lift your spirits and move your mood! Combine it with yoga and we promise you’ll feel fantastic! This fun hot flow class will focus on movement between poses and and a mix of popular music giving you energy and a great mood as you work out the stresses of your week! With a dynamic mix of strengthening poses designed to help you build endurance and tone, we’ll move and sweat to your favorite songs!
Hot 26
This heated class consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Hot 26 repeats the same sequence of breathing exercises and postures each week, helping to build confidence and strength, working from the inside out. The 26 yoga poses invigorate by stimulating the organs, glands, and nerves; each pose helping to move fresh oxygen through the body and building strength of both mind and body. Continued practice of the Hot 26 poses strengthens, heals, and balances the human body while preventing future illness and injury. Suitable for those comfortable with yoga postures and a heated environment.
Feel Good Flow
Enjoy a light and lively vinyasa flow class with a strong emphasis on breath and movement, and the ebb and flow between poses. The flow encourages strengthening and stretching, while inspiring the mind-body connection. This class will provide a physical practice to boost your energy and leave you with feel good vibes. Suitable for all levels.
Renew & Restore
This class will begin with a few gentle, active postures to warm the body followed by a restorative practice using the poses and the support of blocks, bolsters and blankets to help participants find deep rest and recovery. This class is ideal for those seeking ease of muscle tension, calming of the nervous system and removal of fatigue as restorative yoga is known for its relaxing, calming and healing effect and is often recommended for those recovering from illness, injuries and/ or or stressful physical or emotional events. Suitable for all levels.
Rise ‘n’ Shine Hot Flow
Welcome the morning with this powerful, energetic hot vinyasa flow class to awaken your energy and greet the day! This class has a strong emphasis on breath and allows beginners, intermediate and advanced students to be challenged in the same class. Vinyasa flow classes will tone, strengthen and detox the body, clear your mind and leave you with a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. The dynamic mix of movement and spirit that is cultivated in a Vinyasa Flow Yoga class will challenge you to step up to your edge, and unlock hidden potential for achieving authentic personal power.
Pilates/ Hot Pilates
Feel the burn and see results with a Pilates class! Pilates is a method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Pilates emphasizes proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. In this class you will work to build strength throughout your core muscles, increase flexibility, tone muscles and become mindful of alignment and posture! Expect to sweat as you feel your muscles and feel fantastic!
Movement & Meditation
This class is integrates both movement and meditation though gentle hatha yoga poses, breathwork and meditation designed to not only build strength, balance and flexibility in the body, but also create resilience, serenity and concentration in the mind. Class will include yoga postures, breathwork and a mindful meditation leaving yogis filled with a sense of strength and peace. Suitable for all levels.
Core Flow
Core flow integrates a variety of poses, movements and breath toward one goal: strengthening the core and back. You will build heat in the body as you move through poses and flows to build strength, flexibility, balance and confidence through your centre and core muscles. This class will enhance posture, stability, definition and strength, and allow you to focus on this key area for both performance and daily activities.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world. Hatha Yoga uses postures (asana) and conscious breathing (Pranayama) in combination with mental focus to develop awareness, strength & flexibility and relaxation. Hatha Yoga will bring strength and focus to the body from head to toe. By removing the flow and focusing on longer static holds, emphasis is placed on the pose itself rather than linking movements. Beginners can use this time to build up to our “flow” classes, while more advanced students can work on precision and alignment. The focus will be on foundational postures, however the instructor will provide modifications for every experience level, giving you the chance to expand your practice if you so choose. Because this class is not a set sequence, you can expect to learn something new and different every time. This is a great class for all levels.
Yoga 101/ Beginners
Join with us in a slower paced, more gentle Hatha (traditional poses) yoga class designed for anyone new to yoga or those wanting to get back to the basics! Learn and practice the more common poses and build your strength, flexibility and confidence in this traditional Hatha Yoga class. Hatha is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the world, and uses postures (asana) and conscious breathing (Pranayama) in combination with mental focus to develop awareness, strength & flexibility and relaxation. The focus will be on foundational postures, however the instructor will provide modifications for every experience level, giving you the chance to expand your practice if you so choose. Because this class is not a set sequence, you can expect to learn something new and different every time. This class is perfect for beginners!
Private/ Beginner/ Group bookings
Private Yoga Classes offer clients or groups a personal one-on-one yoga session to fit your needs. These classes are to help clients with specific needs such as healing old or new injuries or wanting to learn yoga basics on an individual basis. Group sessions can be anywhere from individual groups to corporations to athletic teams. Please see our private/ group private policy and inquire at info@welcomematyoga.com learn more or book your private yoga session.
Specialty Classes & Events
In these classes, our instructors will use their areas of expertise and passion to design classes specific to certain needs and populations using the best pose and breath combinations for success in these areas! Classes focusing on various areas of the body (hips, core, etc.), various sports (running, dancing, hockey, golf, etc.), or levels of ability (beginner, advanced, balance poses etc.) will be offered depending on need/ request!
Flow, Hatha, Yin & Specialty classes will be offered in both heated (35°C) and non-heated formats
