Workshops

TOPS offers a variety of workshops in Vancouver, on Vancouver Island at OHM Centre, and in various other locations throughout North America and beyond. Our workshops provide a safe, non-judgmental space that is open to everyone. No previous experience is required. In an effort to include all, many of our workshop fees are open to sliding-scale payment based on the participant's need – please contact us about the workshop you're specifically interested in. 

Classes are led by TOPS associates who are experienced working with people with back issues, particularly scoliosis. Our team of associates includes yoga, Pilates and dance instructors, life coaches, physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and Tension and Trauma Release (TRE) providers.

Many of our TOPS classes and workshops are offered in-person while others are online via Zoom. For more information, check out the workshop you are interested in below - and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Interested in our NEW recorded digital class offerings available for purchase/download?
Check out the TOPS Digital Studio here!

Upcoming workshops and classes:

‘SCOLIOSIS SATURDAYS’ -
WITH MARTHA CARTER

On pause for summer break

Email us to be notified when the Fall series is scheduled!

ONLINE

Martha will be teaching ‘Somatic Yoga for Scoliosis and Fusions’, a blend of gentle yet deep foundational movements using Essential Somatics, Yoga for Scoliosis, and more.

Yoga for Scoliosis and Fusions offers a gentle approach for scoliotic spines that helps people breathe into their concavities, decompress their curves, derotate their twists, repattern their imbalances, reinforce new patterns, strengthen and stabilize weak areas, and in general feel better about their backs!

Somatics is a very gentle, and pleasurable approach to movement that leads to pain-free mobility. Based on the teachings of philosopher and movement theorist, Thomas Hanna, Somatics exercises are easy to enjoy for all levels and abilities, and it can be very effective very quickly.

NOTE: Classes will be recorded and available to all registrants for two weeks following each class.

‘Gentle Sunday YOGA’ -
with Martha Carter

On pause for summer break

Email us to be notified when the Fall series is scheduled!

ONLINE only

Join us for these weekend classes with Scoliosis and Spinal Fusion expert, Martha Carter. Open to everyone, at any level.

‘Gentle Sunday Yoga’ is a stimulating Sunday starter! This class is gentle yet just the right amount of challenge for all levels and body types. Each class starts sitting in a chair for some deep breathing and gentle stretching. This is followed by dynamic movement which leads to restorative relaxation on the floor. From there, your Sunday has begun.

Martha loves teaching this weekly class to friends and family around the world. It’s not only a great way to start the day, but also a wonderful way to stay connected regularly while sharing a common quest for health and wellness and fun.

NOTE: This class is by donation.

‘Back in balance SCOLIOSIS RETREAT: Finding physical and mental balance with curves, twists, and fusions’
with Martha Carter

ohm centre, vancouver ISLAND, BC
October 3 - 6, 2025

Have questions? Email us!

This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM) in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP

ABOUT THE RETREAT
Are you interested in learning more about your scoliosis, imbalanced spine, spinal fusion, or related conditions?

Would you like to meet other people with the same condition while learning gentle exercises to help ease the discomfort?

Empower yourself with the gifts of knowledge and new awareness to help you!

This 4-day/3-night weekend is a unique chance to intensively explore your own twisted and curved spine with the guidance of two experienced therapeutic spine specialists. Activities will include gentle scoliosis-focused movement classes, group discussions, and a solo assessment session—along with beach walks and delicious catered meals at charming rustic ocean-side cabins. By the end of the weekend, you will have new tools to support yourself in all your activities as you continue your scoliosis journey. You will come away with the beginnings of a custom-fit personal movement practice tailored to your specific needs for continued exploration at home.

Give yourself a break and join us on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island to explore new things, meet new people, and enjoy the incredible nature.

ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching, surfing, and skiing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, whale-watching, and paddling adventures, there are also old-growth forests, endless beach combing and golfing. The Comox Valley is acclaimed for its incredible array of products harvested and created from its wild oceans and fertile soils, including organic vegetables, wild fish, free-range meats, and local chocolates, baked goods and wines. This workshop will be held at the wonderful new Open Heart Mind Centre (OHM) located in Merville in the Comox Valley. It’s a quick plane trip from Vancouver, or you can arrive via a stunning ferry ride.

ABOUT MARTHA CARTER
Martha is a therapeutic movement specialist for scoliosis and spinal fusions, offering classes, workshops and retreats in Gentle Yoga and Somatics. Synthesizing her knowledge as a dance artist with her love of therapeutic methods, she guides participants to discover increased strength, length, alignment and mindfulness in the whole soma—body, mind and soul. Her welcoming approach is accessible to all levels and abilities. Martha is a certified teacher of both Yoga for Scoliosis based on the teachings of Elise Browning Miller, and Essential Somatics™ based on the work of Thomas Hanna. She has also studied Energy Medicine and Trauma Release techniques, which she weaves into all her classes to help participants with pain relief while enhancing their movement potential. Martha is the founder and director of Twisted Outreach Project for Back Care and Scoliosis (TOPS), a Canadian-based non-profit that provides a range of holistic and creative approaches to working with back care and scoliosis. Martha’s full bio can be found here.

‘Somatics for Asymmetrical Bodies RETREAT: restore intelligence and freedom to Spine, ribs, neck, face, and jaw’

vancouver ISLAND, BC
OCTOBER 17 - 20, 2025

Interested or have questions? Email us!

This workshop will be held at Open Heart Mind (OHM) Centre in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. MAP

ABOUT THE RETREAT
This immersive retreat includes 4 days and 3 nights in oceanside cabin accommodations, wonderful meals, walking paths, and beautiful nature at the shore. 

The retreat will include an intro evening lecture Friday, somatic movement classes Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, and discussions. It is a 'learning laboratory' for improving scoliosis, asymmetrical posture, and the issues that come with it. 

This year's retreat will address the whole torso, deep to the spine, and out to the extremities, and will highlight the upper torso, rib cage, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, facial muscles and jaw. If you have chronic pain or issues in these areas, they will be well addressed with these effective self-care techniques. This retreat is perfect for people wanting an immersion experience in this delicious work, and also for teachers and practitioners interested in learning more. Audio recordings of movement class material, divided into sections, will be included so that you can continue your learning process at home.  

ABOUT THE DESTINATION
Vancouver Island is renowned for wild, untamed beaches that are an idyllic summer sanctuary, and a hub for storm-watching, surfing, and skiing in the winter. In addition to its endless list of hiking, camping, whale-watching, and paddling adventures, there is also old growth forests, endless beach combing and golfing. The local area is acclaimed for its incredible array of products harvested and created from its wild oceans and fertile soils, including organic vegetables, wild fish, free range meats, and local chocolates, baked goods and wines.

Fusion Forum

ONLINE

This (FREE!) online gathering helps to build awareness around how people with fusions can find ways to help themselves as they age. Facilitated by Martha Carter, each Forum features a few ‘fusioneers’ with impactful stories and learning to share, and finishes with a Q&A.

The first Forum recording, Aging with a Spinal Fusion, from December 2024 can be found on the TOPS YouTube channel! Watch it here.

The second Forum, Fusion Surgery Later in Life, was recorded in April 2025 and has just been published! Watch it here.

Forums are recorded and available for replay on the TOPS YouTube page for those who cannot attend 'live'. Email us with any questions!

Other Class Offerings by OUR Tops ASSOCIATES

Enjoy other scoliosis-based classes by some of the TOPS Associates!

We have a wide network of Associates who are experts in their field, are trained in and have a focus on scoliosis, and have a valued relationship with TOPS that has developed over the years.

Please note: Questions and Registrations are handled directly with the TOPS Associate offering the class.