Yellow Door Learning Centre
In a community of friends sharing their gifts at 6 St. Joseph House we offer diverse ways for people to learn and grow in a hospitable and industrious community setting with workshops that nurture inspiration and fulfillment in mutual creative growth and giving back to the community.
Each semester, up to forty facilitators lead one or more courses Community; Creativity, Life Skills, Spirituality, Self Help, Yoga
All are welcome to attend any workshop for free. Some programs are pay-what-you-can-afford. The workshops are offered through the generosity of our facilitators, donors and patrons. For more information drop by the House or call us at 416-923-8836 or email ydlc@6stjoseph.ca
Community
Community Meal
Tue, Wed, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, 1st floor
Share conversation and fellowship, make new friends and learn about community opportunities over a nutritious meal.
Documentary Films — Anne Ericksen
Every 1st and 3rd Fri, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, 1st floor
Documentary films and discussions with guest speakers explore issues relating to the economy in the service of society.
Gratitude Hour — Angela Ducharme McMahon & Jeremy Taylor
Tue, 1pm – 2pm, 1st floor
Grateful people are more tolerant, loving and giving. We share our stories & record them in our Book of Gratitude. Gratitude gives us a better life, attitude, health & energy!
Meeting of the Minds — Nick Gurevich
Wed, 1pm – 2:30 pm, 1st floor
Come all ye yearning to be heard and willing to listen. Friendly conversation on various topics of your own choosing,with Nick ensuring equal time.
Movies with a Message — Linda Rowland
Every 2nd and 4th Sunday, 1:00pm – 3:30pm, 1st floor
Bi-weekly movie viewings, followed by group discussion. Popcorn included.
Story Telling — Molly Sutkaitis
Tue, 2:15pm – 3:15pm, 2nd Floor
Learn how to present your stories to one or many! Unleash your creativity, tell your story!
Yellow Door Café — Open Mic
Every 2nd Saturday: Apr 10, May 8, Jun 12, 8:00pm – 11:00pm, 1st floor
A creative evening of live performances with spoken word, music, storytelling and the unexpected. Join us and offer your performance piece!
Creativity
Visual Arts
Breathlines — Laurie Edwards
Fri, Sun 2:00pm – 4:00pm; 2nd floor
Breathlines generates images and stories from lines laid down blindly on paper, based on meditation and mindful breathing. Breathlines manifests primal, spontaneous, brilliant, colourful images. See www.breathlines.org
Clay Sculpture ― Linda Utting
Wed, 10:30am – 12:00pm, 2nd Floor
Build with clay using pinch, coil and slab techniques. Decor techniques include slip, wax resist and imprints. Your final sculptures will be bisque fired with a smoke-fire or transparent glaze finish.
Creating Art — Brenda Coombs
Wed, 3:30 pm – 4:45pm, 1st floor
Let Brenda be your guide as you move through working with different mediums weekly in the artistic process.
The Artist Within — Dan Buckley
Thu, 3:45pm - 5:15pm, 1st floor
This introductory class supports aspiring artists in pursuit of greater technical facility. This is a supportive environment for newcomers and seasoned artists alike. Drop-ins are welcome. All materials are supplied but feel free to bring your own.
The Bead Goes On — Margaret Jackson & Antonio-Alfaro Corona
Thu, 10:30am – 11:30am, 1st floor
Learn how to multi-task with beading, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery work and have fun while you are doing it.
Watercolour Techniques — Bob Allen
Thu, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, 1st floor
Back by popular demand! Using Bob's sketches as a starting point, students will create original art pieces that are ready to be framed. Experiment with different brush styles without apprehension or fear in the comforting guidance of a master artist.
Watercolour with LAVEH — Lindsay Veh
ON SUMMER BREAK
Mon, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, 1st floor
This is a watercolour course designed for maximum delight! We offer artistic freedom and inspiration while you learn watercolour tools and techniques.
Writing
The Writing Seminars — Jeremy Taylor
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00 PM
A Summer Sampler Offering
Beginners Writing Workshop — Allen Sutterfield
ON SUMMER BREAK
Wed, 5pm – 6:30pm, 1st floor
For anyone interested in writing, or already published writers wanting a new approach to writing practice. Get definite guidelines as to how to proceed effectively, no matter what your starting point is. We write during each session, then read and talk about it.
Advanced Writing and Poetry Workshop - Allen Sutterfield
ON SUMMER BREAK
Wed, 7:00pm – 9:30pm, 1st floor
For writers proficient in the basic elements of writing fiction who have a serious interest in poetry. Both prose and poetry is practised as we go through the fundamentals of both genres. The work will be collected in the house publication.
Poetry in Motion — Naomi Hendrickje Laufer
Every 3rd Fri, 11:00am – 1:00pm, 2nd Floor Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18
Creative expression via words and verse in a poetic or narrative form on a given theme, followed by creative movement and exercises to music reflecting this theme. Collectively discover your artistic capacities!
Music & Theatre
Ancient Greek Drama — Ryan Kouroukis
Completed… Will resume
Discovering Your Voice — Heather Davies
Will resume
Sound Garden — Gabriele Grach
Mon, 10:30am – 1:00pm, 1st floor
A fun and informative musical journey with an accomplished musician sharing her expertise with others. Come play, get help with composition, listen and enjoy!
The Art of Clowning — Linda Carter
ON SUMMER BREAK
Thu, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, 2nd Floor
For people who have some experience with the Clown. We will continue to explore and discover different aspects and truths of the Clown characters through improvisational exercises and lots of laughter along the way.
Theatre for Social Change — Christine Mayor
Wed, 1:00pm – 2:30pm, 2nd Floor
Experience change in action! This workshop uses drama exercises to help identify, act out and rehearse solutions to real life issues. No acting experience needed.
Life Skills
Intuitive Literacy — Angelo Corriero
Every 4th Sat, Apr 24, May 22, Jun 26, 10am – 12:30pm
Discover simple ways to amplify your own intuitive senses. Learn how to read the human energy system, understand symbolic sight, and explore the language of your body. Open to all skill levels. Advance registration is encouraged. See www.angelocorriero.com
Medcentration — Bahman Jazdanfar
Every 2nd and 4th Fri, 7:00pm –10:00 pm, 1st floor, Apr 16, 30; May 14, 28; Jun 11, 25.
An intellectual discipline technique, an active mind is the foundation of tranquility. Achieve awareness by concentrating on the mind’s thinking process.
Visioneering — Art Blomme
2nd and 4th Thu, 7:00pm – 9:30pm, 3rd Floor
Integral Visioneering: Series of presentations, training workshops and discussions for cultivating traditional wisdom, evolutionary understanding and strategic collaboration. Contact art@integralshift.ca.
Spirituality
Benedictine Meditation
Tue, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, ongoing, 1st floor
Benedictine Meditation is a contemplative tradition that calms minds & improves our grasp of reality around and within us. It opens our higher mind & our intuition. Become more aware of who we truly are. www.wccm.org.
Introduction to Victor Frankl‘s Logotherapy — Brian Deery
Every 3rd Sun, Apr.18, May 16, Jun 20, 7:00pm – 9:00 pm, 1st floor
Logotherapy strengthens trust in the unconditional meaningfulness of life and the dignity of the person. Find meaning in existence & become aware of the full spectrum of personal meanings and values.
Lamrim Group — David Gluck & Anita Soutendam
Thu, 3:45pm - 5:15pm, 2nd Floor
Study session of a text of Tibetan Buddhism. Prerequisite is required. Please see Anita at yoga class.
Native Perspectives on Environmental Protection & Spiritual Values — Danny Beaton
Mon, 4:30pm – 6:30 pm, 1st floor
Native environmental activist Danny Beaton is a Mohawk and shares his insight of 20 years studying with aboriginal elders throughout North America. www.dannybeaton.ca
Self-Transformation from A to Z — Stephen D’Amico
Sun, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, 3rd floor
Each week we focus on cultivating a specific spiritual quality, using a combination of inquiry into personal experience and the practice of traditional spiritual methods. Each meeting begins with a meditation followed by a group discussion. (formerly The Cosmic Circuit)
Self Help
ACA – Steps to Serenity
Sun, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, 1st floor, Starts Apr 25
One-hour screenings of ACA topics from PBS, spirituality, and other 12-step related video resources. Sharing and discussion will follow after the video.
Adult Children of Alcoholics — Steps To Recovery
Thu, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, 1st floor
Twelve-Step program for adult children of alcoholics and other dysfunctional families.
Double Recovery — Kathryn Eve, Chris Crumb
Tue, 2:15pm – 3:15pm –ongoing, 1st floor
A self-help meeting that supports the needs of individuals with chemical addictions and mental health concerns sponsored by Progress Place.
Active Cancer Survivors Group — Daniela Knezevic
Every 4th Sat, 11:30am – 3:00pm, 1st floor Apr 24, May 22
Meditation or Qigong practice, followed by discussion on diet, healing and improving immune system by natural means, film or discussion.
SWIFT Self Help Support Group — Michael Long
Mon, 8:00pm – 10:00pm, 1st floor
Provides support, validation, improved self image & counters depression. Engage in human interaction; restore good feelings! www.swiftselfhelpgroups.org
Tools to Release Stress — Robert Harris
Wed, Apr.21, May 26, 1:00pm – 2:30pm, 3rd Floor
Learn how to ‘STILLPOINT’. Enter zones of absolute calm. Gain benefits like deep inner release, restoration, & rejuvenation. Robert Harris is co-director of The Cranial Therapy Centre in Toronto. www.becalm.ca
Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga — Anita Soutendam
Thu, 6:00pm - 6:45pm, 2nd Floor
Cost $12. Start your yoga practice, or fine-tune the foundations of an existing practice, with practical, hands-on assistance to access the poses. Anita Soutendam is a certified Jivamukti Yoga instructor and a student of the Tibetan Heart Yoga and Anusara traditions.
Kundalini Yoga — Jai Jot Lafayette
Mon, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – ongoing, 2nd Floor
Kundalini Yoga – a physical & meditative discipline – a set of simple movements that use your mind, senses and body. Exercise, stretch and de-stress. Your body will thank you!
Kundalini Yoga for Life — Melanie Woolsey
Tue, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Apr 6 – Jun 22, 2nd Floor
Designed for people looking for alternative ways to cope with the curve balls thrown by living. Learn exercise, breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques. Weekly discussions to track your progress and meet new friends who "get it"! Drop-Ins welcome. Donations appreciated. ur@urbanrootsyoga.net
Yoga - Liberation through Movement — Jeremy Taylor
Mon, 4:30pm – 5:45pm, ongoing, 2nd Floor
Energize your body with the ancient practice of yoga. Refresh your mind and experience more pleasure in your life. Feel the peace of mind from finding yourself!