The workshops welcome certified instructors. They provide information on the latest developments and training techniques, and enable instructors to enhance their skill set and professionalism all at once.
Our new virtual program allows you to complete your training from the comfort of your home with a live instructor, other students and educational materials on a digital platform.
Workshops - Winter 2023
The Posterior Chain: How to Activate It for Good! (French)
Since the dawn of time, people have written about the best way to activate and reinforce the posterior chain as it is often weak. But is this true?
If it is true, could the cause be that we sit a large part of the day? Is it the fault of an overly tight psoas?
A lively workshop led by a facilitator whose stance is sure to surprise participants and that will encourage participants to see things through a neurological lens.
- Sunday, January 08, 2023 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Instructor: Mathiew Boulé
- In-person Classes, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce YMCA - Gymnase
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Yin Yoga: An Introduction (Bilingual)
Yin yoga poses target deep tissue, fascia, ligaments, and smaller muscles. Incorporating some Yin poses into your practice or your post-workout stretches can improve overall health, breathing, and energy. In this workshop, we will explore the fundamental principles of Yin yoga, and learn some adaptable poses..
- Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Instructor: Maggie McDonnell
- In-person Classes, Cartierville YMCA - Studio 3
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Moving Towards Wellness (French)
Our clients have moved beyond the workouts when it comes to their health, and we are perfectly poised to meet their needs. Gain a clear understanding of the skills needed to tap into the ever-growing wellness market. Confidently choose your path through services including mindfulness, sleep, stress management, mindset coaching, and so much more!
- Saturday, January 28, 2023 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Instructor: Nathalie Lacombe
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
The Core, Inside Out for Older Adults (English)
Your body’s core is often referred to as “the powerhouse of your body.” It is the area around your trunk and pelvis; it is where your centre of gravity is located; and it is where all your energy and movements originate from. The common misconception is that the core is all about abs when in fact it consists of 29 muscles all working in harmony to provide stability to your body and protect you from injury. The core is 60% of your power regardless of age! In this workshop, we will first review the anatomy of the trunk from the inside and outside. We will then address the needs of the young at heart, taking into account the physiological changes that occur during the aging process and how they affect trunk engagement. Finally, we will cover a variety of exercises that engage the core muscles. These include functional movements in different planes of mobility, either sitting, standing or lying down. We will discuss regressions and progressions for different fitness levels, as well as proper techniques and safety factors. Our goal as instructors and coaches is to help our older participants and clients improve their core strength and functional performance in a safe and inclusive manner.
- Sunday, February 05, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Instructor: Helen Neves
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Myths and Facts About Cycling (French)
Cycling is a very popular sport. This workshop will help you better understand the various topics related to the sport. Here are a few topics we will broach that will help you separate myth from fact:
• Cycling causes testicular cancer
• Cycling gives you big thighs
• Losing weight through cycling is no easy task
• Compression gear: it’s just about looks
• Riding against the wind is all about good wheels
• Drafting means you can finally sit back and relax
• Hairy like Chewbaca: not very aerodynamic
• To be a champ you need to be thin as a rake
• Anyone can do the Tour de France
• Cyclists who dope can ride like inexhaustible thoroughbreds
• Cadence: the faster, the better
This workshop is based on the book Mythes et réalités sur le vélo.
- Sunday, February 12, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Instructor: Martin Lussier
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Running After Pregnancy (French)
Running is often not recommended for new moms. What’s the situation with the pelvic floor? Are there steps to complete beforehand? How can new moms do it right? How can you properly support new moms who want to start running? If a woman had a caesarian, can she start running sooner?
In this workshop, Sarah helps separate myth from fact and will share the parameters to consider when the time comes to support and guide new moms in their return to running.
- Thursday, February 16, 2023 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Instructor: Sarah Baribeau
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Pain and Exercise – Corrective Strategies for the Fitness Professional (English)
How often do you hear the following?
“My left knee hurts when I jump—what can I do?”
“My neck bothers me when I do this exercise—what am I doing wrong?”
“I can only do the first part of the class—I have difficulty getting down to the floor”
“My shoulder is sore from playing tennis this past weekend—can you give me alternatives for upper body today?”
This workshop will provide both group fitness instructors and personal trainers with a variety of strategies and alternative exercises for dealing with pain in exercise.
They will include:
1. Identification of common issues encountered in group and personal training sessions
2. Discussion of immediate easy-to-use “on-the-spot” alternatives
3. Discussion of intermediary and long-term strategies and possible solutions
- Saturday, March 04, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Instructor: Louise Malone
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
The ABCs of Squats (French)
In training, there is simply no other exercise, and definitely no machine, that produces the level of nervous system activity, skeletal load, muscular stimulation, and overall systemic conditioning that a well-executed squat does. Just like a deadlift, the squat must be correctly executed and remains one of the fundamental movements every individual who works out should learn.
This practical workshop will cover squat progressions and lead to an understanding of the proper squat technique.
• Technical movement analysis
• How to avoid injuries by doing proper warm-up exercises
• Learn to perfect the movement with a particular focus on progressions
• How to detect and correct mistakes our clients make
• Learn the different types of squats and their characteristics (back, front, overhead, etc.)
- Sunday, March 05, 2023 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Instructor: Luce Boulianne
- In-person Classes, Westmount YMCA - Studio 2
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Fueling for Long distance Events (English)
In the presentation, we will look at how to fuel for any type of long-distance event lasting more than one hour—half marathons, marathons, triathlons, etc. We will go through the fundamentals of carb loading leading up to the event as well as what to eat and drink during and after the event. We will also compare different products on the market such as sports bars, gels, and drinks. Participants will gain more knowledge to be able to make the right choice for them to have more energy during their event and improve their performance.
- Sunday, March 12, 2023 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Instructor: Zeina Khawam
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Training endurance athletes for triathlons (English)
Triathlons (swimming, cycling, running) are booming and growing in popularity every year. This workshop will review the basics for training novice and elite endurance athletes in and outside of the gym. The session will focus on the essentials for swimming, cycling, and running, as well as successfully incorporating strength training into a triathlon-training program. Enrico relies on 15 years of experience in elite competitive endurance sports (triathlon and masters swimming) to inform his instruction. He will share both theoretical and practical knowledge in a lecture format workshop that will leave attendees feeling equipped to introduce endurance sport training for triathlons to clients of all skill levels.
- Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Instructor: Enrico Quilico
- Virtual class
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Recertification and Continuing Education
To maintain valid certification, the YMCAs of Québec’s instructors and trainers are required to participate in continuing education workshops, for a total of 16 hours over a two-year period.
Two of these workshops or six hours must be taken as part of the YMCAs of Québec’s continuing education program.
Please consult the recertification form for full recertification requirements.
General Information
Cancellation
To cancel or reschedule your workshop registration, please notify the supervisor at least 48 hours before the workshop.
Fees
Veuillez consulter la tarification dans le système d'inscription en ligne, en suivant la procédure indiquée plus haut.
Registration
You can register now using our Online Registration system or at one our YMCA centres.