Harumi's Staff Pick

Adapted Yoga Course with Anjaneya: Learn to Teach Gentle and Chair Yoga

Name: Adapted Yoga Course with Anjaneya, Michael Hutkins
Start: 2026-10-23
End: 2026-10-25
Location: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp
Rating: 4.33

4.333 reviews

October 23 - 25, 2026

Retreat Highlights

Learn to adapt hatha yoga for health issues, aging, injuries and other physical or mental limits
Study the philosophy of asanas, joint exercises and how to modify postures safely
Learn to teach a complete class in a chair, standing, or with a wall for support
Learn to teach an adapted classical hatha class (gentle yoga) to a group with mixed needs
Cover the philosophy of aging, common chronic diseases and working with injuries
Counts as 20 hours of continuing education credit with the Yoga Alliance
Taught by Anjaneya (Michael Hutkins), with 25 years of experience in Sivananda yoga

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

This program teaches how to make hatha yoga accessible for people needing a more gentle approach, modifications, or adaptations, due to health issues, aging, injuries, or other physical or mental limitations. You will learn how to adapt asanas and asana choices to offer the same benefits in a way that can be tailored to individuals, or a groups’ special needs.

You will study:

Philosophy of asanas
Joint exercises
How to safely modify asanas while maintaining their benefits
Teaching philosophy for a gentle/accessible class
Philosophy of ageing
How to adapt to common chronic diseases
Working with injuries
Learn to teach a complete class in a chair and standing for those who can not access the floor.
Learn to teach a class using a chair or wall for support when necessary.
Learn to teach an adapted classical hatha yoga class (Gentle yoga)
Learn to teach seamlessly to a group of individuals that might be in all the above categories

The course will count as 20 hrs credit for continuing education with the Yoga Alliance.

Tuition Fee: $ 375 plus 2 nights of accommodation
Program Schedule
Friday

3:00pm Check-in
4:00pm Hatha Yoga Class
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Satsang (silent practice, mantra chanting, talk) *
10:00pm Lights Out

Saturday

5:30am Wake Up Bell
6:00am Satsang* or Silent Walk
8:00am Hatha Yoga Class
10:00am Brunch
10:45am Karma Yoga
12:00pm Adapted yoga workshop: Practice and theory
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Satsang*
10:00pm Lights Out

Sunday

5:30am Wake Up Bell
6:00am Satsang* or Silent Walk
8:00am Adapted yoga workshop: Practice and theory
10:00am Brunch
12:00am – 3:00pm Adapted yoga workshop: Practice and theory
3:00pm Room Check-Out

Anjaneya (Michael Hutkins) is a yoga teacher and yoga therapist with 25 years of experience in Sivananda yoga. He teaches and offers yoga therapy in Gatineau/Ottawa as well as sharing courses in Canada and the USA.

Cours de Yoga Adapté

Ce programme enseigne comment rendre le hatha yoga accessible aux personnes ayant besoin d’une approche plus douce, de modifications ou d’adaptations, en raison de problèmes de santé, du vieillissement, de blessures ou d’autres limitations physiques ou mentales. Vous apprendrez comment adapter les asanas et les choix d’asana pour offrir les mêmes avantages d’une manière qui peut être adaptée aux besoins particuliers des individus ou d’un groupe.

Vous étudierez :

Philosophie des asanas
Exercices conjoints
Comment modifier les asanas en toute sécurité tout en conservant leurs bienfaits
Enseigner la philosophie pour une classe douce/accessible
Philosophie du vieillissement
Comment s’adapter aux maladies chroniques courantes
Travailler avec des blessures
Apprendre à enseigner une classe complète sur une chaise et debout pour ceux qui ne peuvent pas accéder au sol.
Apprenez à enseigner une classe en utilisant une chaise ou un mur pour le soutien lorsque nécessaire.
Apprendre à enseigner un cours de hatha yoga classique adapté (Yoga doux)
Apprenez à enseigner de manière transparente à un groupe d’individus qui pourrait être dans toutes les catégories ci-dessus

Le cours comptera comme un crédit de 20 heures pour la formation continue avec l’alliance du yoga.

Frais de cours : 375 $ plus 2 nuits d’hébergement
Horaire du programme

Vendredi
15h Enregistrement
16h cours de Hatha Yoga
18h Dîner
19h30 Satsang (pratique silencieuse, chant de mantra, conférence) *
22h Lumières éteintes

Samedi
5h30 Réveil
6h Satsang* ou Marche silencieuse
8h Cours de Hatha Yoga
10h Brunch
10h45 Karma Yoga
12h Atelier de yoga pratique et théorique
18h Dîner
19h30 Satsang*
22h Lumières éteintes

Dimanche
5h30 Réveil
6h Satsang* ou Marche silencieuse
8h Atelier de yoga adapté pratique et théorique
10h Brunch
12h – 15h Atelier de yoga adapté pratique et théorique
15h départ

Anjaneya (Michael Hutkins) est professeur de yoga et thérapeute en yoga avec 25 ans d’expérience dans le yoga Sivananda. Il enseigne et offre de la thérapie par le yoga à Gatineau/Ottawa ainsi que des cours partagés au Canada et aux USA.

Schedule

Friday 3:00 pm Check-in
Friday 4:00 pm Hatha yoga class
Friday 6:00 pm Dinner
Friday 7:30 pm Satsang (silent practice, mantra chanting, talk)
Friday 10:00 pm Lights out
Saturday 5:30 am Wake-up bell
Saturday 6:00 am Satsang or silent walk
Saturday 8:00 am Hatha yoga class
Saturday 10:00 am Brunch
Saturday 10:45 am Karma yoga (selfless service)
Saturday 12:00 pm Adapted yoga workshop: practice and theory
Saturday 6:00 pm Dinner
Saturday 7:30 pm Satsang
Saturday 10:00 pm Lights out
Sunday 5:30 am Wake-up bell
Sunday 6:00 am Satsang or silent walk
Sunday 8:00 am Adapted yoga workshop: practice and theory
Sunday 10:00 am Brunch
Sunday 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Adapted yoga workshop: practice and theory
Sunday 3:00 pm Room check-out

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp

Directions

By car: take Route 15 North from Montreal to Exit 76 (Val-David, Val-Morin), then Route 117 North for 200 metres and turn right toward Val-Morin. Follow the blue road signs for "Camp Yoga Sivananda".
From Montreal-Trudeau airport (YUL), the drive takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
By bus: take the 747 bus from the airport to downtown Montreal, then Autobus Galland from the Montreal bus terminal Berri-UQAM to Val-Morin.
Reception can pick you up at the Val-Morin bus station: call 819-322-3226 ext 314 or write to yogacampreception@sivananda.org.

Accommodation

Single rooms in the Lodge have a bed, a chair, shelving and a private bathroom, or a shared bathroom at a lower price. Double rooms have an armoire and a private bathroom with a shower. We also have shared rooms with 3 to 4 beds and, from June to September, a dormitory with curtained cubicles. In summer you can pitch your own tent on the wooded grounds. Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out at 11 am.

Lodge Single plus

Les chambres de cette catégorie sont dotées d'une salle de bain privée, d'un lit simple, d'un bureau et d'une chaise ainsi que d'une grande armoire. Elles sont spacieuses, douillettes et confortables. Elles sont situées dans le Lodge, où se trouvent également la réception, la bibliothèque, la salle à dîner et la boutique ainsi que les 15 autres chambres que nous offrons dans ce bâtiment. Le bâtiment principal a été conçu dans le respect de l’écologie pour un confort optimal : murs de paille crépis, chauffage radiant au plancher, mezzanine ensoleillée, terrasses extérieures avec vue sur les jardins. The rooms in this category have a private bathroom, a single bed, a desk and a chair as well as a large wardrobe. They are spacious, cozy and comfortable. These rooms are located in the main LODGE, where you can find the reception, the library, the dining room and the shop as well as the other 15 rooms we offer in this building. It is a comfortable ecological building made of straw bales. The underfloor heating system diffuses heat evenly throughout. The building has a comfortable seating area and roof terraces overlooking the gardens where guests can enjoy the outdoors when the weather permits.

PanchaKarma Single Plus

Les chambres de cette catégorie sont dotées d’une salle de bain privée, d’un lit simple, d’un bureau et d’une chaise ainsi que d’une grande armoire. Elles sont spacieuses, douillettes et confortables. Ces chambres sont situées à la clinique ayurvédique Panchakarma qui est un peu plus loin, près de la forêt et l’espace est partagé avec seulement 4 autres chambres qui offre plus de tranquillité. The rooms in this category have a private bathroom, a single bed, a desk and a chair as well as a large wardrobe. They are spacious, cozy and comfortable. These rooms are located the Ayurvedic Panchakarma clinic which is a little further back, near the forest and the space is shared with only 4 other rooms which offers more tranquility.

Chambre privée (salle de bain partagée) / Single room (shared bathroom)

Les 4 chambres sont confortables et accueillantes avec une armoire. La salle de bain est partagée sur l'étage avec un maximum de 4 personnes. La bâtiment Ayurvédique située un peu plus loin, près de la forêt et l’espace est partagé avec seulement 4 autres chambres qui offre plus de tranquillité. The 4 rooms are cosy and warm, with an armoire. The bathroom and shower are shared with a maximum of 4 people. These rooms are located the Ayurvedic clinic whisch is a little further back, near the forest and the space is shared with only 4 other rooms which offers more tranquility.

Chambre privée / Single

Les chambres de cette catégories sont comfortables et accueillantes avec une armoire et une salle de bain privée. Elles comprennent 2 lits simples mais peuvent être réservées en occupation simple. Elles se situent dans le Lodge principal. Dans ce pavillon se trouvent aussi la réception, le sauna, la bilbiothèque, la boutique et la salle à manger. Le bâtiment principal a été conçu dans le respect de l’écologie pour un confort optimal : murs de paille crépis, chauffage radiant au plancher, mezzanine ensoleillée, terrasses extérieures avec vue sur les jardins. The rooms are cosy and warm, with an armoire, private bathroom and shower. They have 2 beds but can be booked in single occupancy. There are in the Main Lodge. The Lodge is in the same building as the reception, the sauna, the library, the boutique and the dining room. It is a comfortable ecological building made of straw bales. The underfloor heating system diffuses heat evenly throughout. The building has a comfortable seating area and roof terraces overlooking the gardens where guests can enjoy the outdoors when the weather permits.

Chambre partagée (2 lits) / Double room (2 beds)

Dans ce pavillon se trouvent aussi la réception, le sauna et la salle à manger. Le bâtiment a été conçu dans le respect de l’écologie pour un confort optimal : murs de paille crépis, chauffage radiant au plancher, mezzanine ensoleillée, terrasses extérieures avec vue sur les jardins. Les chambres doubles de la Lodge se partagent à deux et sont douillettes. Chacune d’entre elle comprend 2 lits simples, une armoire et une salle de bain privée. The Lodge is in the same building as the Reception, the sauna and the dining room. It is a comfortable ecological building made of straw bales. The underfloor heating system diffuses heat evenly throughout. The building has a comfortable seating area and roof terraces overlooking the gardens where guests can enjoy the outdoors when the weather permits. The double rooms in the Lodge are each shared by two people. Each room has two single beds, armoire and a private bathroom.

Chambre partagée (4 lits) / Quad (4 beds) - MINIMUM 2 P./ RESERVATION

Dans une chambre partagée au lodge, il y a deux lits à deux étages, pour un total de 4 personnes du même sexe. Les chambres sont comfortables et accueillantes avec une armoire et une salle de bain privée. Réservations disponibles seulement pour un groupe de 2 personnes au minimum participant au même programme. Dans ce pavillon se trouvent aussi la réception, le sauna, la bibliothèque, la boutique et la salle à manger. Le bâtiment a été conçu dans le respect de l’écologie pour un confort optimal : murs de paille crépis, chauffage radiant au plancher, mezzanine ensoleillée, terrasses extérieures avec vue sur les jardins. The shared rooms in the lodge consist of two sets of bunk beds, and can be filled with up to four people (same sex accommodation). The rooms are cosy and warm, with an armoire, private bathroom and shower. Booking available only for a minimum of 2 people group coming for the same program. The Lodge is in the same building as the reception, the sauna, the library, the boutique and the dining room. It is a comfortable ecological building made of straw bales. The underfloor heating system diffuses heat evenly throughout. The building has a comfortable seating area and roof terraces overlooking the gardens where guests can enjoy the outdoors when the weather permits.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

The ashram sits on wooded land in the Laurentian Mountains, about an hour from Montreal, with forest trails down to the lake, a wood-fired sauna and an outdoor pool in summer. When the weather allows, yoga classes are held outdoors on the platform by the pond, otherwise in the Mataji Hall or the Annapoorna Building. The Lodge, an ecological straw-bale building with underfloor heating, holds the reception, the library, the sauna and the dining room.

Daily schedule
06:00am Satsang (Meditation, Kirtan Chanting, Lecture, or Silent Walk)
08:00am Asanas and Pranayama (All-Lervels Yoga Class)
10:00am Vegetarian Brunch
11:00am Karma Yoga (Selfless Service)
04:00pm Asanas and Pranayama (All-Levels Yoga Class)
06:00pm Vegetarian Dinner
07:30pm Satsang (Meditation, Kirtan chanting and Lecture)

Programs are subject to change or cancellation.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

We serve two vegetarian meals a day, brunch at 10 am and dinner at 6 pm, balanced and nourishing with plenty of local vegetables. Following yogic tradition, our kitchen does not use meat, fish, eggs, garlic or onions. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs are not allowed at the ashram.

What's Included

2 nights of accommodation in the room type you choose
Vegetarian meals: dinner on Friday, brunch and dinner on Saturday, brunch on Sunday
Course tuition with Anjaneya (Michael Hutkins)
Adapted yoga workshops (practice and theory) and hatha yoga classes
Satsangs (meditation, chanting, talk) listed in the schedule
Yoga Alliance continuing education credit for the course (20 hours, as stated in the program)
Use of the grounds, the trails and the wood-fired sauna

What's Not Included

Transport to the ashram
Shuttle from the Val-Morin bus station (arrange it with reception)
Massages and Ayurveda treatments booked at reception
Laundry (coin-operated)
Boutique purchases
A yoga mat (please bring your own)

Customer Reviews

4.33 out of 5.0 average rating

Harsh • Jan 05, 2025

5.0

Verified

Great

It was great experience at Yoga camp.I would revisit again.

Anonymous • Feb 17, 2023

3.0

Verified

Love the yoga, the food and the people I meet.... But please :

The Sivananda Val-Morin Center is well located, surrounded by plenty of land to roam and meditate. The yoga sessions are good, but repetitive and that is the Sivananda way. The Satsang is good and the speeches are interesting / informative. The food is GENEROUS and usually quite tasty ! But venerating of ''Vishnu''devananda should be removed from the beginning and ending of each yoga session. it is disturbing to me. His pictures should be removed from everywhere. There should be a sign outdoors to warn that Vishnu devananda's pictures still are hanging on the walls that is a big NO NO for anybody looking for inner peace, which is the sole purpose of yoga. Feeling safe and I think more respect should be shown towards the victims. Nobody wants to venerate ''JAI'' a predator. So very sad because I love the place but it's hard to dissociate the negative from the positive.

Doug • Sep 19, 2021

5.0

Verified

The Gift

At first I found the routine quite difficult, but like other retreats, I was settled in by day two. Fairly repetitive which is no coincidence. I was lucky enough to have 5 days there and even though the huge hours put in daily and the five thirty wake up, I had far more energy than usual. Call it prana? The food was excellent and the small group of friends I made had our daily ritual of a noon sauna. The staff were focused and open, some more than others but on the whole, a good team. The last Friday morning yoga class was devine in the fall air and first rays of sunshine. I intend to make this a yearly event. Nameste. 🙏

Adapted Yoga Course with Anjaneya: Learn to Teach Gentle and Chair Yoga

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions