Our Beautiful Studio

VIYS Logo

Our diverse and inclusive community located in downtown Duncan, BC invites you to the mat, whether you’re new to yoga, returning after a break, or seeking a supportive space to deepen your practice.

From Mysore to Somatics & Chair Yoga, we offer a variety of yoga classes and also other spiritual practices for you to choose from.

Deborah Carruthers, Director

Vancouver Island Yoga School, part of Harmony Yoga & Wellness Center, was founded on the Pillars of the classical Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga tradition.

The other pillars rooted in our evolution are Yin Yoga and Somatic Movement Practices
- grounding and mindfulness yogas.

Our Roots

The tradition of  Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is found in the ritual of early morning practice. There are 6 set series, from a Primary series through an Intermediate and Advanced series. New students learn the foundations of Sun Salutations and standing postures, gradually mastering them before moving on to more complex postures. Breath awareness and focused attention are the key components that support the postures. Students learn discipline and patience and can take their daily practice with them.

Through consistent practice, students gain strength, mobility and flexibility, deeper breathing and a calm and peaceful mind. Daily practice of breathwork, meditation and postures is likened to cleaning and purifying the body and mind, which increases longevity and quality of life.

The Yin and slow-moving classes perfectly complement the more dynamic sessions, offering a focus on body awareness and nervous system regulation. These practices will leave you feeling calmer and help improve your sleep

Research on health tells us that changing our lifestyle and the foods we consume  empowers us to create health and well-being every day. Good sleep, healthy digestion and eating whole, nourishing foods, coupled with yoga, meditation, and walks in nature give us the perfect medicine for a busy, stressful life. Start your healthy new habits today!  

Our Amazing Instructors (minus a few)

Upcoming Workshops, Programs & Retreats

Events

Monthly Kirtan (by donation) – Saturday, June 28th

Saturday, June 28th at 4pm-5:45pm at Centennial Park (Weather Permitting) By Donation to Yoga Gives Back. Join us each month for Kirtan together! No experience or instruments are needed. Our Kirtan is chanting mantras with music in a call and response style – It’s uplifting, joyful, meditative, and grounding. Bring your open heart and join in the community! All are

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Events

Breathwave Circles with Robin

In-person Breathwave Circle – Conscious Breathing is a golden key to observe and manage our life experience. Join us as for the monthly Breathwave Circle facilitated by Robin Clements – June 19th at 7:30pm – Sliding scale $30-$60.

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INSIDE THE STUDIO...

Our Story

A few years ago Vancouver Island Yoga School emerged from the landscape of Duncan’s popular Harmony Yoga and Wellness Center. VIYS is a natural evolution inspired by its founder’s desire to create a spiritual center for the study of Yoga and its sister science Ayurveda. In the last fourteen plus years, we have delivered yoga teacher training, workshops, intensives, and retreats to India. With VIYS, we redefine ourselves and create a new mission and purpose for the years to come.

Our Mission

Our mission is to offer a deeper dive into the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda. Our vision is to share our collective knowledge with you and provide a spiritual sanctuary where you can meditate, join a wellness program, and practice yoga. Our purpose is to create and sustain a healthy community to promote personal and spiritual growth.

In our ever-changing and sometimes challenging world people experience increased anxiety and depression through isolation and disengagement from society. Our programming responds to heal the collective trauma we have experienced – together in community.

Our Lineage

In its truest sense, Yoga is Union with the Divine. The word Yoga has several meanings, such as “union,” “path,” or a type of concentration called Samadhi. Samadhi means absorption and, when directed toward spirituality, the mind stills and leads to insight into the nature of reality, unseen by a mind trapped in discursive thoughts.

About 2000 years ago, the great sage Patanjali collected the existing teachings on Yoga and systemized them into the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras became a road map to higher consciousness. This map is at the base of our teachings. The ancient teachings are as relevant today as they were in ancient India.

Amidst struggle and suffering, human beings look to wisdom teachers, schools, and temples to find sanctuary and spiritual growth. At VIYS, our goal is to provide you the space to commit to strength, wellness, wholeness, and community.

Testimonials

Wonderful and welcoming space. All the staff and teachers I have encountered have been lovely. I came here as a yoga newbie and have been able to develop a practice which has added so much value to my life!
Gabrielle M.
Very welcoming, comfy space, friendly and knowledgable staff. I have always had a well-balanced class with every teacher here. I love the variety of teachers and yoga styles offered. I highly recommend this yoga studio and wellness centre for everyone.