Course Information

Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir courses in Toronto are held at the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (SVBF) every Saturday morning from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. SVBF is located at 80/84 Brydon Drive in Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, M9W 4N2. The beginners’ course is held three times a year and is 16 weeks in duration. The course is essentially the same as the one conducted in India at the Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir facilities and which was designed and taught by Shri Nikam Guruji.

Please note: Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir courses are also conducted in Kitchener, Ontario at the residence of Mr. Ravi Sharma. This course is run on Sunday mornings from 7:15 A.M. to 9:15 A.M. and is essentially the same as the one conducted at the SVBF facility. For further information on this course, please contact us.

The beginners' course covers the following:

  • Shudhi kriyas or cleansing exercises
  • Breathing exercises
  • Asanas or physical postures
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Concentration/meditation techniques

Prayers and a mantra are chanted at the start of each class, and the Shanti path (another prayer) is chanted at the end of the class. After the prayer and the mantra, approximately 30 minutes are spent each class on Yoga theory topics and demonstrations of shudhi kriyas and/or asanas. After that the sadhaks (students) are separated into smaller groups i.e. beginner men and beginner women to enable them to practice the shudhi kriyas and asanas that have been taught up to that point.

In addition, the repeaters (those sadhaks that have completed the beginners’ course successfully) also attend the theory part of the class and then practise yoga in their smaller breakout group. There are two repeaters groups – one for first time repeaters and one for more advanced practitioners. The first time repeaters are given the opportunity to fine tune and improve their yoga practice; whereas in the advanced class, the repeaters are taught additional breathing exercises and asanas.

The course is conducted by a team of experienced sevaks (teachers) who give their time on a volunteer basis and make every effort to give personal guidance to each sadhak. During the course, at different points in time, sadhaks may purchase theory and asana books and a Neti pot for nasal cleansing. The course is offered on a no charge basis.

At the end of the course, the sadhaks who have successfully completed the course are awarded a certificate from Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir. On the certificate distribution day, the graduating sadhaks will also get an opportunity to demonstrate the various asanas they have learnt, to the sadhaks who have signed up for the next course.

Course Schedule - SVBF

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2025
Trimester Registration Date* Start Date Certificate Distribution Date Registration Site
Jan-April 2025 Dec 21st, 2024 Jan 4th, 2025 April 26th, 2025 SVBF
May-August 2025 April 26th, 2025 May 3rd, 2025 August 23rd, 2025 SVBF
Sept-Dec 2025 August 23rd, 2025 Sept 6th, 2025 Dec 20th, 2025 SVBF

*Students must register in person and only on the designated date at 6:30 AM sharp. Admittance to the course is on a first-come-first-served basis..

Yoga Class

General Information

  1. There will be sixteen classes, one every Saturday in this program. Each class will build on the previous one. So it is critical that you commit to attend all sixteen classes and be prepared to practice what you learn.
  2. This course is designed for consistent practice. It is not a casual drop in class.
  3. The first five classes are very important to learn the foundation of yoga. If you do not attend all of the first 5 classes, you will be asked to discontinue further classes. Please do not enroll now if you cannot attend all of the first five classes.
  4. You will qualify to receive a “Certificate of Completion” only upon attending 13 or more of the 16 classes.
  5. You are advised not to teach yoga to any friends/relatives/others or practise it in advance as you may cause harm.
  6. You must be at least 14 years of age. Proof of Age may be requested.

House Rules for the Class

  1. Remove shoes and line them up neatly, just outside the Yoga room.
  2. Use of cellular phones is prohibited … please turn it off if you have it with you.
  3. Sit as close to the front as possible to facilitate seating for later arrivals.
  4. Coming on time is critical … class is from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00A.M.; so arrive at least five minutes before 7:00 A.M. and maintain silence to allow the mind to calm down in preparation for Yoga practice.
  5. Arriving late may distract the concentration of other sadhaks; your timely arrival is in the best interest of your practice and that of all the sadhaks.
  6. If late, due to unavoidable circumstances, please wait in the adjacent room until completion of recitation of Prayer and Gayatri Mantra.
  7. Medium of Instruction is English. However, certain Sanskrit words will be used and explained.
  8. Comfortable clothing is to be worn. Shorts are NOT to be worn. In the interest of modesty, refrain from clothing which would expose the midriff.
  9. No eating is allowed during the classes. Also, it is recommended that Yoga be performed on an empty stomach.
  10. No handouts, other than the prayer sheet will be given till the last week of the course. It is recommended that each sadhak (student) takes notes during the classes.
  11. No solicitations, distribution of flyers, etc. is allowed in the course.
  12. Please refrain from wearing strong perfumes. Please use a deodorant as a consideration to the other sadhaks (students).
  13. Please bring your own Yoga mat.
  14. Obey the rules of the Sringeri Vidya Bharathi Foundation (SVBF) Canada.
  15. Shri Ambika Yoag Kutir will send e-mail communications to sadhaks related to its activities or announcements e.g. changes to time/day for the course, future courses, etc.

Sadhak’s (Student’s) Declaration

AS WITH ANY PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAM, I UNDERSTAND THAT I MUST SEEK SUITABLE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FROM MY FAMILY PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM. I HEREBY WILLINGLY ASSUME ANY RISK OF INJURY OR HEALTH RISK FOR MYSELF AND/OR ANY OF MY DEPENDANTS WHO HAVE BEEN ENROLLED IN THIS YOGA CLASS FOR WHOM I AM, BY LAW, RESPONSIBLE AND ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR, DURING AND AFTER MY AND/OR HIS/HER PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM. SHRI AMBIKA YOGA KUTIR, ITS TEACHERS OR HELPERS AND THE SRINGERI VIDYA BHARATI FOUNDATION (SVBF) CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RISK WILLINGLY ASSUMED, AND I THEREFORE HEREBY HOLD HARMLESS, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE SHRI AMBIKA YOGA KUTIR, ITS TEACHERS AND HELPERS AND THE SRINGERI VIDYA BHARATI FOUNDATION (SVBF) OF ALL ACTIONS, DAMAGES, CLAIMS AND DEMANDS WHATSOEVER ARISING BY REASON OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM OR ANY OF THEIR ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. I HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS CONSENT IN ITS ENTIRETY.