Ron Stewart is a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor who has been practicing various styles of yoga since 1998. His teaching and physical knowledge is informed by a 25 year career as a dance artist which has included training and experience in Pilates, Gyrotonics, Mitzvah, Body Mind Centring, Qi Gong, Laban Movement Analysis and Martial arts as well as traditional dance forms. As a body worker Ron is a certified Thai Massage Practitioner. He has studied with Jospeh Kramer (The Body Electric and The New School of Erotic Touch) completing certification in Sexological Bodywork in the Fall 2011. He has been offering massage and body work for the past 20 years.

Class Description

Our desire is to create Vinyasa Flow yoga classes that allow people with varying yoga experience to come together and practice naked (skyclad), building community through physicality, consciousness and awareness.

We aim to create classes that offer challenges to practitioners regardless of their level of ability. In these “Vinyasa Flow”( merging breath to movement) classes, emphasis is placed on participants working at a level that is suitable for them in that moment. Adaptations are encouraged and offered, both to go deeper as well as to back off and find a more easeful practice. All classes will focus on calming and strengthening the body/mind, bringing awareness to correct alignment, while working with muscular ease. The classes will progress through: body awareness, Pranayama (breath work), Asanas (postures), Savasana (relaxation) and meditation.

Why “skyclad”? Following the traditions of Jainism are two sects known as Shvetambara or “white clad” and Digambaras which is translated as “clothed in the quarters of the sky” or “Skyclad” . We like the expression, it speaks of lightness and potential and feels limitless. We believe it makes complete sense to have a physical, spiritual practice in the nude, a returning to the source, celebrating our bodies and humanity while building conscious community.

Naked is natural. Face it, clothes get in the way! For those curious there is a unique freedom comparable to skinny-dipping. Skyclad Yoga allows the practitioner to better feel the subtler external and internal sensations and energies: air on skin, feet on floor, heart beating, engaged core, dropped shoulders, muscles stretch, releasing and breathing, the body expands into its kinesphere.

I’m nervous. What about erections? Most of us were nervous for our first class but the atmosphere we are creating is one of acceptance and non-judgment, it’s surprising how quickly we forget we’re nude. Erections are not an issue and in fact should be celebrated as part of our manhood, although to be honest, you’ll probably be working too hard to get hard but in the event that you experience an erection enjoy the sensation, but breathe and continue with your practice.

Practitioners should bring a yoga mat, water and a towel or light blanket. Beginner’s in at least moderate physical shape are welcome.

Studio Locations:

Vancouver
The Scotiabank Dance Centre
677 Davie St. (at Granville)
Vancouver B.C.

Victoria
The Yoga Shala
1322 Broad St. (at Johnson) Buzz #27
Victoria BC

Victoria/ Metchosin Studio
709 Pears Rd (in Metchosin)
Victoria BC

ron@skycladyoga.com

“Thank you so very much. Got home, felt lighter and elevated unlike I’ve felt in a long time………. Slept all through the night till 7! That’s a lie in for me. Thank you…the BEST. I’ll be back.”  DD

Please “Like” Skyclad Yoga on Facebook and find information and images of our Metchosin studio.