I always like to pass along information on what my fellow Halcyon Health practitioners are doing, so here’s an update for you all.

Melissa Melnitzer, our physician who specializes in psychotherapy, has started a new blog called Oprah and Beyond. She was inspired by both O Magazine and Oprah’s announced departure from television, and wanted to have a place to post light and fun reflections with a bit of a pop culture twist, complementing the concept she has developed with her 15 minute beginnings blog.

Tiina Veer, our yoga instructor and fellow RMT, will be continuing to teach her Yoga for Round Bodies class in the new year. She is likely going to offer it as a weekly class starting in January. All the details will be available on Halcyon’s website in the new year.

Tiina and Melissa will also be doing a one day self-care retreat on Saturday, January 30th. This workshop involves both reflective writing and guided relaxation and helps you work towards personal well-being for 2010! All the details are available here.

And finally, Halcyon now has a variety of yoga classes available to you, including Iyengar and Restorative.

Hope you all enjoy your New Year’s holiday plans and hope to see you in 2010!

Here are the details on the first infant massage class of 2010! Hope to see some of you there.

Date: Thursday, January 14th
Time: 11am. Class will be 1-1.5 hours in length, depending on the number of registrants and the mood of the babies.
Location: Right here at Halcyon Health, 677 Dupont, 2nd Floor.
Cost: $45 per family (baby plus up to two adults)*.
Supplies you’ll need: Just your standard ‘out and about with baby’ stuff – extra diapers, a changing pad, receiving blankets if you use them, etc. Comfortable mats, pillows, oil (canola) and sheets will be provided. You may wish to bring clothing/blankets for your baby that you don’t mind getting a little oil on.
Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 12th.

This is a great class for parents and their baby (aged newborn to crawling), but it’s also fun for other caregivers – grandparents, aunts and uncles, close friends, etc. If you are a single parent or your partner doesn’t want to attend, you are welcome to bring one other adult who is important in your baby’s life!

Benefits of massage for infants and children include increased bonding, reducing stress and increasing relaxation, stimulation of the systems of the body, helping with colic and gas, and helping regulate sleeping patterns.

If you are currently pregnant and would like to take the class before having your baby, that is possible too – we’ll just teach you using a doll or a teddy bear. Just let me know when you register so I can make sure I have a doll for you (or you can bring you own if you prefer).

The cost includes the price of an infant massage booklet, which is yours to keep and refer to at home. Payment must be sent at the time of registration in order to hold your spot in the class. You can either arrange a time with me to pay in person (Visa, Mastercard, Debit, cash or cheque are all ok), mail me a cheque, or send me an Interac email money transfer for the class fee.

To register, either email me, or self-register with my online booking. Please click here to access my online booking, then click on ‘Event’ in the top menu, then click the arrow to choose ‘January’ (if needed), then click on the ‘Infant Massage Class’ link that appears on the 14th.

Please note: Due to space limitations, we cannot accommodate large strollers. Because the clinic is located up a flight of stairs, I recommend just bringing your car seat, or a sling or other ‘baby wearing’ device.

If you have questions about this class, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

This class requires a minimum of 2 registrations, maximum of 6. If the minimum is not met by the registration deadline, the class will be cancelled, and anyone who has registered will receive a full refund.

*If you have twins, please contact me for class cost details.

Edit as of December 18th: There are no appointments left for the remainder of 2009. However, I am taking a waiting list – if interested, please email candice@candicermt.ca or call 416-828-7647 and let me know what days and times you would be interested in. I will contact you if something opens up. Thanks!

Now that we’re only a month away from the holidays, I thought I should post what my office hours will be like during late December and early January.

My office will be closed the following days:

December 24, 25, 26 & 27
December 31 & January 1st

I am available for appointments the following days and times during the week between Christmas and New Year’s:

Monday December 28th: 1 – 5:30pm
Tuesday December 29th: 1 – 7pm
Wednesday December 30th: 1 – 7pm

For those looking to book appointments during that week, I advise you to book early – that week tends to be very popular for bookings!

I will also be off on vacation the first week of January: from January 4th to January 10th inclusive.

Have a wonderful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate!

I’m excited to announce an Iyengar yoga teacher has been added to the list of practitioners at Halcyon Health. She’s starting a 6-week intro course this upcoming Tuesday night!

6-week introductory course with Kari Romaniuk

Tuesdays, 6:15-7:30pm
November 3 – December 8
$90 for the 6-class series

“Iyengar Yoga is a precise, systematic method of Yoga as developed by BKS Iyengar of Pune, India. The primary focus is on concentrated movements to fine tune the body and to increase mobility, stability, strength and alignment. The intense concentration draws the attention inward, quieting and integrating the mind and body. Iyengar Yoga is yoga for health. It involves techniques for the well-being of both body and mind.”
~Yoga Centre Toronto, www.yogacentretoronto.ca

“Iyengar Yoga is characterized by great attention to detail and precise focus on body alignment. [B.K.S.] Iyengar pioneered the use of “props” such as cushions, benches, blocks, straps, and even sand bags, which function as aids allowing beginners to experience asanas more easily and fully than might otherwise be possible without several years of practice… Standing poses are emphasized in Iyengar Yoga. They are said to build strong legs, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination and balance… Iyengar teachers complete at least two years of rigorous training for the introductory certificate. They may complete subsequent… levels of certification, potentially entailing a decade or more of training.”
~www.wikipedia.org

Come and experience Iyengar yoga for your health and well-being, and welcome Kari to Halcyon!

Click here to register – choose ‘Classes and workshops’, go to the November calendar, then choose ‘Iyengar Yoga – 6 week intro – KARI’.

This class has been cancelled, but the next class will take place Thursday, January 14th at 11am. Further details will be posted later. If you are interested in the January date, please do let me know!

I will be offering my Infant Massage class one last time for 2009. Please note there will be a slight price increase for 2010, so this is the last chance to take this class at the current rate.

Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Time: 10:30am. Class will be 1-1.5 hours in length, depending on the number of registrants and the mood of the babies.
Location: Right here at Halcyon Health, 677 Dupont, 2nd Floor.
Cost: $35 per family (baby plus up to two adults)*.
Supplies you’ll need: Just your standard ‘out and about with baby’ stuff – extra diapers, a changing pad, receiving blankets if you use them, etc. Comfortable mats, pillows, oil (canola) and sheets will be provided. You may wish to bring clothing/blankets for your baby that you don’t mind getting a little oil on.
Registration deadline: Friday, November 13, 2009.

This is a great class for parents and their baby (aged newborn to crawling), but it’s also fun for other caregivers – grandparents, aunts and uncles, close friends, etc. If you are a single parent or your partner doesn’t want to attend, you are welcome to bring one other adult who is important in your baby’s life!

Benefits of massage for infants and children include increased bonding, reducing stress and increasing relaxation, stimulation of the systems of the body, helping with colic and gas, and helping regulate sleeping patterns.

If you are currently pregnant and would like to take the class before having your baby, that is possible too – we’ll just teach you using a doll or a teddy bear. Just let me know when you register so I can make sure I have a doll for you (or you can bring you own if you prefer).

The cost includes the price of an infant massage booklet, which is yours to keep and refer to at home. Payment must be sent at the time of registration in order to hold your spot in the class. You can either arrange a time with me to pay in person (Visa, Mastercard, Debit, cash or cheque are all ok), mail me a cheque, or send me an Interac email money transfer for the class fee.

To register, either email me, or self-register with my online booking. Please click here to access my online booking for this class.

Please note: Due to space limitations, we cannot accommodate large strollers. Because the clinic is located up a flight of stairs, I recommend just bringing your car seat, or a sling or other ‘baby wearing’ device.

If you have questions about this class, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

This class requires a minimum of 2 registrations, maximum of 6. If the minimum is not met by the registration deadline, the class will be cancelled, and anyone who has registered will receive a full refund.

*If you have twins, please contact me for class cost details.