Nest offers a number of alternative modalities that improve your overall health and wellness. We focus on the whole body by offering treatments from some of the oldest known medical treatments in the world.

yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice with a 5,000-year old history rooted in ancient Indian philosophy. In a yoga class you will combine postures, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation with the intention of achieving optimal health, strength, flexibility and a calm, steady mind.

 

Book a class.

mindful movement meditation in Toronto or Collingwood Ontario
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yoga therapy

Yoga Therapy is the artful application of the tools of yoga (movement, breathwork, meditation, etc.) to address the specific needs of an individual whether they be emotional, physical, or mental. Yoga Therapy is a holistic healing modality that takes an individual’s entire constitution into consideration: while the symptoms of an injury or illness may arise in a specific location, their impacts will affect the whole system.

 

In Yoga Therapy the teacher and student work together to address symptoms that cause suffering and in doing so move the student toward improved health and wellbeing. Yoga Therapy is informed by its sister science, Ayurveda and as such, the Yoga Therapist is also able to offer diet and lifestyle modifications to help address the needs of the student. The efficacy of Yoga Therapy is supported by an increasing body of research evidence. Here is a small archive of some of that research should you be interested in reading further.

what is yoga therapy and how does it work?

Everyone can benefit from a daily yoga practice that has been tailored to their specific needs. People typically seek out therapeutic yoga for relief from the symptoms associated with an injury, illness, or challenging phase in life such as:

 

  • Stress, Sleep, and Anxiety Concerns
  • Physical Injury Recovery
  • Chronic Pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia, low back pain, etc.)
  • Illness Support (cancer, diabetes, long covid, etc.)
  • Times of Transition (menopause, pregnancy, grief, etc.)

As a holistic practitioner, I work with the individual on all levels of their constitution and as such, the tools of our sessions may include lifestyle and diet recommendations (if desired) in addition to physical postures, breathwork, and meditation. One-on-one instruction is at the heart of the Yoga Therapy model and instructing on a private basis allows me to gain a deeper understanding of who you are, which will in turn enable me to plan specifically for your needs. I will develop a personalized home practice that may include some of the following tools:

 

  • conscious and mindful breathing
  • appropriately sequenced and individualized physical movements
  • meditative practices, visualization, and use of sound and mantra
  • guided relaxation & yoga nidra
  • diet & lifestyle recommendations (if desired)

Unlike group yoga classes that tend to prioritize physical postures and require a certain level of physical fitness, Yoga Therapy meets the individual where they are. I am trained in the therapeutic lineage of Sri Krishnamacharya who said “If you can breathe, you can do yoga!” As such you never need to worry about being “well” enough to participate. The whole aim of Yoga Therapy is to support the specific needs of the individual and modify the appropriate tools accordingly.

I teach Yoga as a complementary system of health, not an alternative one. It supports and works in conjunction with your normal medical treatments, and I ask you to continue your personal health routine as suggested by your doctor or medical professional.

To learn more about my lineage and training visit here.

yoga therapists

Julia Ayearst

Qualifying Yoga Therapist

I am a certified yoga instructor in the therapeutic lineage of T. Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, and I am entering the final phase of a 1000-hour Yoga Therapist training at Yoga Therapy Toronto.

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Niya Bajaj

Niya (N-eye-ahh) is a brown, able bodied, female presenting, heterosexual, woman of East Indian ancestry.

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Paula Vital

Paula Vital is an award-winning yoga therapist, coach, speaker, and writer dedicated to helping you move from striving to thriving by accessing the power of the present moment.

reiki

Quiet the mind and the soul will speak. Reiki is an ancient healing modality with roots in Tibet and Japan used to help shift energy in the body. A technique called palm healing or hands-on healing is used by the Reiki practitioner to read, move and heal energy imbalances. 

To book a reiki appointment, contact [email protected] or call

647-348-6378.

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how does reiki work?

Reiki sessions can be scheduled as an in-person or distant session. In-person, the client lays down fully clothed on a comfortable padded table similar to a massage table.  The Reiki practitioner places their hands on (head or arms) or off the client (above the client) to allow for Reiki energy to flow. This promotes deep relaxation, reduces pain, releases emotional blockages, activates the body’s natural healing ability, and supports other medical modalities including traditional therapies. Reiki helps to clear energy blocks leaving the client with an overall sense of greater physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

 

 

What is distant Reiki?

Distant Reiki sessions are equally relaxing and beneficial. In a distant Reiki session, the client and practitioner are in different locations on the agreed-upon day and time. The client sits or lays down wherever they feel comfortable,  ready to receive the Reiki energy.  The practitioner sits quietly and then sends the intention of Reiki to flow.

 

Book your Reiki session here!

reiki practitioners

ElenaS

Elena Togias

 

A true explorer at heart, Elena is here to guide your yoga practice with her gentle strength and powerful softness.

chiropractic

Dr. Mike is currently away in Costa Rica and will return in March to see patients

 

NetworkSpinal, sometimes referred to as “Network Chiropractic”, is a chiropractic technique that regards your body as a whole integrated system and not just a bunch of parts. It taps into your unique energetic fields which shape your life and enhance your body’s potential to heal.

 
 
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how does network chiropractic work?

Your spinal cord is your body’s communication hub. It is where the body passes messages between the body and brain. Physical trauma, mental stress, and environmental toxins can throw your whole system into an overwhelmed state of tension. The tension produces neural traffic jams that disrupt communications, alters the normal functioning of your body, and inhibits healing.

 

 

Because your spinal cord is your body’s communication hub, it is also your body’s tension hub. So your spinal cord is the place to look for opportunities to dissipate these neural traffic jams.

 

 

Research suggests that it doesn’t take much to dissipate those traffic jams – just a slight touch to the precise spots, called spinal gateways, where the nerves underneath the skin and connected to the spinal cord trigger a connection with the brain. This touch is called entrainment because its purpose is to synchronize your perception of tension to the actual tension stored in a particular area of your spinal cord and to teach your body new strategies to train itself to respond to tension in healthier ways.

 

Call Dr. Michael Cohen at 416-500-5437  to book your appointment today!

Visit https://michaelcohen.ca/ for more information

 

Please note that there is a 24 hour cancellation policy to change or cancel a booking.
Appointments that are changed or cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are subject to the full appointment fee.

Julia Ayearst

I have trained extensively under the guidance of senior therapists Felicia Pavlovic and Ante Pavlovic. It was my teachers who connected me with Karen and Nest, and I consider myself very privileged to be partnering with a fellow graduate of their training who understands the therapeutic value of this modality.

 

My training has prepared me to work with many illnesses, injuries, and conditions, though I am particularly passionate about postpartum care, cancer support, children’s yoga, and fatigue relief. My dedication to the practice of therapeutic yoga was cemented this past year as I relied on it heavily while going through treatment for breast cancer. My daily yoga practice carried me through diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation and continues to support me as I navigate hormone therapy and life after active treatment.

 

I have been practicing yoga since 2007. Prior to training as a teacher and therapist I worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years and hold a sommelier certification. As the manager of a busy restaurant my personal yoga practice helped balance out long days in a demanding environment. At the heart of my dedication to restaurants was a love of hospitality and taking care of people. Transitioning careers has allowed me to more directly support the health and wellness of others. I am an avid gardener and home cook and I live in the west end of Toronto with my husband Carl and two kids, Theodore and Jane.

Liz Coucean

Liz is a multidisciplinary wellness practitioner, passionate about offering space and guidance for individuals to experience inner peace, healing, a calmer mind, and the opportunity to connect more deeply to themselves and their environment. 

 

Liz currently specializes in yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and she is also a Reiki Master. She received her 300+ hour yoga teacher training and certification within the classical lineage of Sri T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, under Ante and Felicia Pavlovic, mindfulness training with Dr. Shailla Vaidya (MD MPH CCFP(EM) C-IAYT) and reiki certification within the lineage of Mikao Usui.

Paula Vital

Paula is an award-winning yoga therapist, coach, speaker, and writer dedicated to helping you move from striving to thriving by accessing the power of the present moment. 

 

A lawyer by training and civil servant in the Ontario Public Service, Paula is very familiar with the challenges of balancing a stressful work-life with time for family and self-care.

 

Paula is an Internationally Accredited Yoga Therapist (IAYT), has completed Levels I and II of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training, has two additional yoga certifications (Classical Hatha and Vinyasa), attended numerous silent meditation retreats, and studied with world-renowned yoga and meditation teachers. She is committed to finding joy and balance in her own life and helping others to do the same.

Elena Togias

A true explorer at heart, Elena is here to guide you with her gentle strength and powerful softness. Combining intuition, knowledge, and physicality, she’ll take you through a unique movement practice that invites you to listen to your own inner guide and develop a deeper connection to yourself.

Elena is a designated E-RYT 200, RYT 500, Yin Yoga teacher, and Reiki Master, and she’s currently working on her Personal Training Specialist certification. Although she loves a good challenge, she’s not a competitor. In fact, it’s primarily when she’s encouraging others to reach their highest potential that she feels like she’s winning the game.

Dr. Michael Cohen

I offer sessions named SoulField Healing with Dr. Mike ;). Over the course of the past 25 years, I’ve worked intimately with thousands of people in my private practice, helping individuals navigate the ups and downs of their healing journeys. I’ve worked with babies still in the womb, as well as those ready to transition, and everyone in between. For those of you familiar with it, my work is known as Network Spinal, or NSA. I wish to bring this work to those who are called. For those of you on your soul’s path, I offer you an opportunity to discover, transform, awaken, and expand.

How to stream your virtual class through MindBodyOnline

You can join us online for one of our movement classes from the comfort of your home using your computer, tablet or smartphone. Once you register for your class you will receive an email confirmation 30 minutes prior to the start of class with a link to access the class.  If you register less than 30 minutes before the class, you will receive the link right away. 

 

Click on the link in the email that says “Click here to join”.

 

Turn on your camera and mic to say hello if you wish, and then we’ll get started!

Nikki Leith

Nikki has more than 20-years of experience in customer service within the retail environment. She always found herself drawn towards administrative tasks as she enjoys them immensely.

 

Through a serendipitous encounter, she is now joining the Nest team and can’t wait to make a positive impact. 

  

Nikki lives in Owen Sound with her husband, daughter, son, and dog. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school and with the Optimist Club.

Lindsay Boyd

Lindsay is a passionate yogi who loves the freedom that comes with getting into her body and out of her head. She has a Masters degree in International Social Development and 15 years experience working as a marketing and communications professional in the sustainability field. Her commitment to healthy living is both personal and extends outward to the planet. She is active in her community leading the West Toronto Kids Run for Nature in support of WWF-Canada for the past 5 years for which she won the David Lin Memorial Award for volunteerism in 2019. After leaving her corporate job for more flexibility and to pursue her passion for wellness, Lindsay successfully completed her training in kids yoga, her 200hr yoga teacher training with Power Yoga Canada in 2019 and her Pilates Mat certification through Equinox in 2020. Since then, she has been building her own business sharing her love of and curiosity about movement and mindfulness for all bodies of all ages at all stages.

Jan Jahed

Jan was trained through the Traditional Thai Massage Association of Ontario adding this offering to his vast bodywork practice. His other specialty areas include Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology, Herbal Compress, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head & Neck Massage, Trigger Point Release, Swedish Massage and Aromatherapy.

 

Jan’s goal is to provide every client with a personalized massage therapy experience that focuses on their unique conditions, needs and goals. He encourages involvement from his clients, and values their feedback in order to offer the best client service.

 

Jan is a life-long learner and speaks several languages including English, French, Russian, Persian-Dari, Pashto, Uzbeki and some Spanish. He values open mindedness and compassion for others: whole-hearted listening and connecting through empathy and understanding. He is an avid sportsman, loves classical music, reads literature, Philosophy, poetry and is a loyal lover of the great Canadian outdoors.

Karen Steele

Thank you Nest Community for all of your support of my work as a Registered Massage Therapist over the last few years. It has been such an honour to work with you, see your growth and support your commitment to self-care.
 
I am so excited to be launching in Collingwood and The Blue Mountains. After many years of dedicated personal and professional work, I feel that I am landing in a place that is very aligned with my free spirit.
 
There is an amazing team in Nest Toronto who are committed to offering you all the best possible care. And if you find yourself up north, please feel free to come find me at either location.
 
Many blessings to you all! One breath at a time, one step at a time …