What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 11:30am 6:15pm - 7:30pm Wednesday 10am - 11:30am 6:30pm - 8pm Thursday 10am - 11:30am 7:15pm - 8:30pm Friday 10am - 11:30am Saturday 11am - 12:30pm

Institut Yoga Essentiel

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Montreal, QC
Institut Yoga Essentiel

In-person classes are organized in 8 week terms in order to provide a structured and stable learning environment.

Institut Yoga Essentiel offers multi-level alignment based yoga classes to students of all ages and levels of physical ability; certified teacher training programs, and international yoga retreats led by Josephine Vittoria. The classes are presented thematically on a weekly basis, designed to take you through a learning process that explores asana, pranayama and restorative practices; a thorough practice that allows us a deeper insight into our body. The teachings are inspired by the Iyengar method where fundamental postures are taught with attention to alignment and detail, and are catered to each individual's needs and physical abilities. The students will develop strength, endurance and flexibility, in addition to learning the art of relaxation. The goal is for the student to cultivate self-awareness and obtain a solid base of both practice and understanding of yoga. The classes are suitable for all except people with serious medical conditions who may otherwise consider beginning with private yoga sessions. We are now offering livestream online classes, allowing us to keep practicing and stay connected as a community during these times of distancing. At the moment, in-person classes remain suspended.

02/20/2026

Dear Yoga Community :

My dear friends at YOGA YUNI are hosting a beautiful urban retreat right here in Montreal May 2-3, 2026. For those who can’t travel for weekend getaways or international retreats, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy an immersive experience in the city, exploring yoga and Ayurvedic teachings.

If you’ve already had a little glimpse into Ayurveda—or have been curious to go deeper—this weekend will be especially meaningful, with teachings from Vaidya Matheus Macedo, their teacher and the first Ayurvedic doctor in Brazil. A special weekend guided by knowledgeable teachers, right in your own city. ✨

Learn more about Dr. Matheus Macedo: https://www.yogayuni.com/matheus-vidaveda

Learn more about the event: https://www.yogayuni.com/urban-retreat

https://www.yogayuni.com/urban-retreat?pgid=mikm11e6-36fd0d5e-0397-4005-8937-503a049e857c&fbclid=IwY2xjawQEpS5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJTWndVRm9HSmJUOGFidnZDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt6XWgPQ7l7xjQiJqfjeCfZu0FE97YEfZyIiVg_qxZtPLU9w6f-ScRkLrWS7_aem_h4UraEzXr1G8xsUy02pdWA

8:45 – 12:00 | Āhāra — The Art of Nourishing Body and Mind Discover the Ayurvedic principles of diet, digestion, and dosha balance. Learn how food can become medicine and a path to self-knowledge.

01/31/2026

ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT! 👀
Learn more: https://mailchi.mp/3c67b057747e/yogaretreatparos2026

01/12/2026

✨Yoga Studies at Institut Yoga Essentiel✨

All of our courses are open to teachers and dedicated students joining for personal study and exploration. Certified yoga teachers with a minimum 200-hour training may apply for continuing education credits.

⬇️ Upcoming Courses:
Feb 14-15 Prānāyāma and Nāda Yoga with Francois Raoult
Mar 14-15 Energetic Anatomy with Amrita Choudhury
Mar 7-8; 21-22 Yoga Kurunta: Integrating Ropes into Yogāsana with Josephine Vittoria
May 3 & 7 Yoga: A Way of Life & Philosophy in Motion (Part 2: The Bhagavad Gita) with Amrita Choudhury

➡️ To learn more and to register: https://mailchi.mp/cb7ec1794c28/yogastudies2026

01/03/2026

Dear Students of Yoga,

Our classes at Institut Yoga Essentiel resume for the Winter 2026 session on Jan 5, for 8 weeks.

Practicing asana and pranayama allows the possibility to pause, a pause that allows us to reflect and reconnect with the many layers of our being. It realigns breath, mind, and body, guiding us back to our true nature. Through practice, insight becomes clearer, allowing us to better recognize our roles and responsibilities within ourselves and in relationship with others.

I am looking forward to welcoming the new year with all of you in the classroom, sharing in the ongoing journey of learning, growth, and experience through yoga.

➡️ Winter 2026 Class Registration : https://mailchi.mp/d4f69676baa1/winter2026

Om Tat Sat,
Josephine Vittoria

"When we have done all we can, we are ready to face the future fearlessly, and we are able to handle whatever it may bring. We can also control the dualities and conflicts within ourselves. This allows us to reserve all our energies for dealing with life's inevitable challenges, its ups and downs, and its sorrows and joys, with increasing equanimity and less and less emotional upheaval." - B.K.S. Iyengar

01/02/2026

This Sunday, Jan 4, 2:00-5:00 PM
The Yoga Chair Part 4 (continued) : Restorative and Adaptive Yoga

In our modern world and fast paced society, we often forget to rest. Restorative Yoga, with the help of the chair(s) and other yoga props, allows the student to feel supported, remain stable and at ease in a reflective, recuperative, and introspective state. The props support and allow us to expand and soften the body. Longer holds in these powerful poses allows the mind and body to rest deeply. In this class we will focus on a selection of restorative poses with the yoga chair, with attention on how to set up the props , and how to modify/teach the poses according to particular needs.

Info and Registration: https://mailchi.mp/49d762b6f738/theyogachair2025part4cont

10/21/2025

Spent a lovely weekend sharing the Light of Yoga, in good company and laughter with a lovely group of BE-ERS! 🍂🧡🙏🏼

Our 6th edition of our annual Autumn Yoga Retreat in the ♥️ of the Laurentians.

Until next time !

09/23/2025

Do you wish to further your knowledge of Yoga and share this knowledge with others?

Our 200h Yoga Teacher Training Program: Foundation is open all curious seekers and students of Yoga & Life who are looking to dive into the Self, and explore yogic studies to deepen their own understanding and practice of Yoga.

Institut Yoga Essentiel offers an authentic and immersive program to help you connect more deeply with the practice of living Yoga. Directed by Josephine Vittoria and a leading faculty with over 20 years of expertise.

✨ Begins October 3, 2025
✨ Only a few spots left
✨ Info and Registration: yogaessentiel.com/yogateachertraining
✨ Contact: info@yogaessentiel.com

09/09/2025

Back to (yoga) school!
Fall session 2025 : Sept 8 - Nov 2
It's not too late to join the session, or drop in to a class!

Discover our teachers Josephine Vittoria, Andrea Shepherd, Shelley Ruth Butler and classes at Institut Yoga Essentiel :
https://mailchi.mp/b0c3a971433a/fall2025

Address

2215 Av Beaconsfield, Suite 105
Montreal, QC
H4A 2G9

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 11:30am
	6:15pm - 7:30pm
Wednesday	10am - 11:30am
	6:30pm - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 11:30am
	7:15pm - 8:30pm
Friday	10am - 11:30am
Saturday	11am - 12:30pm

Website

http://yogaessentiel.com/

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Teacher & Founder of Yoga Essentiel

Josephine Vittoria

My interest in yoga was ignited in 2009, the year of many travels and the practice of Svadhyaya: Self Study. Following the teachings of the Iyengar and Satyananda tradition, I studied under the guidance of my mentor Hervé Blondon, founder of École Satyam in Montreal, Quebec. I was certified and began teaching in 2012. The training challenged me to immerse myself more fully in the practice and resulted in a lifelong process of self-discovery. As a result, I have become more aware of every aspect of my life: how I carry myself and how my actions reflect my values and affect my surroundings in the long term.

In 2015, I completed a second extensive training program with my teacher Francois Raoult, director of Open Sky Yoga Center in Rochester, New York, and student of Sri B.K.S. Iyengar. I am very grateful for both their contributions, as they have enabled a journey of teachings and practices that are strengthened by dedication, integrity, and compassion.

I continue pursuing my yoga studies through a dedicated practice and various trainings with senior Iyengar teachers including Judith Lasater (Restorative Yoga) and Bobby Clennell (author of The Woman’s Yoga Book), amongst other trainings including Back Care Therapy and Essential Pranayama with Francois Raoult; Yoga Kurunta with Hervé Blondon, and Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga with Lidija Segon.