Guiding Statements

SOCIETY PURPOSE

The Yoga by the Sea Wellness Society (YBTSWS) was established to act as a non-profit organization with the purpose to:

• Create and hold sacred space for people to experience living yoga and wellness for personal transformation and healing; to empower people to manifest their highest vision for themselves, their community and the planet.
  
• To create a structure and organization that will support and safekeep YBTSWS into the future, to ensure its health and mission through shared responsibility.  

MISSION

To co-create a heart centered community dedicated to the practice of yoga, meditation, and healing arts, providing a sacred space where individuals can thrive through education, personal growth, transformation, and compassionate connection. 

VISION (forward looking)

To remain committed to evolving and growing alongside the community which includes expanding the range of classes and workshops, enhancing online offerings, and continuing to build partnerships with local organizations. The studio aims to remain a leader in the wellness community, inspiring positive change and supporting the health and well-being of all who walk through its doors. 

VALUES 

The following values act as a compass for our decisions:

Safe space, open heart and kindness, community oriented, teaming, connected and playful, easeful, aligned in purpose, integrity, encouraging of growth and awareness, collaboration, dynamic and evolving.

LIVE: In conscious relationship with all living beings.

EMBODY: Higher states of consciousness.

HONOUR: The wisdom of teachers who guide us on this path.

YOGA BY THE SEA WELLNESS SOCIETY

Yoga by the Sea: A Journey of Community, Practice & Connection

2006–today

For over  two decades, Yoga by the Sea has been part of the heart and spirit of Roberts Creek, British Columbia. What began in 2006 as a small yoga space grew into a vibrant community wellness center a place where people came to practice, learn, heal, connect, celebrate, and share time together.

Rooted in the natural beauty, creativity, and strong community spirit of Roberts Creek and the Sunshine Coast, Yoga by the Sea has always been about more than yoga. It has been a place of belonging, friendship, self-discovery, and shared growth.

Origins and Founding

Yoga by the Sea was founded by Marney Coulter and Lyne Lantaigne in 2006, inspired by a vision to create a welcoming space where people could practice yoga and cultivate physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The doors opened on the first weekend of April 2006 with a drum circle workshop, beginning a journey of practice, learning, healing, friendship, and community building.

In 2009, Marney became the sole owner and proprietor. Over the following years, Yoga by the Sea expanded its space and its offerings. In 2018, it became incorporated, formalizing its commitment to serving the community through yoga, wellness education, healing arts, and community connection.

Growing a community

Over the years, Yoga by the Sea became a beloved gathering place for local residents and visitors to the Sunshine Coast.

Dedicated teachers offered a wide range of practices including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and therapeutic yoga, as well as meditation, Pilates, Tai Chi, bodywork, kirtan, karma yoga, and studies rooted in Self-inquiry and the Classical Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.

The community welcomed people of all ages, bodies, backgrounds, and levels of experience. For some, Yoga by the Sea became a place to deepen their practice and spiritual journey. For others, it was a place to find friendship, support, greater self-awareness, or simply a sense of belonging.

Workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, and special events brought together teachers, wellness practitioners, and students from the local community and beyond, enriching the center’s role as a place of learning and connection.

Community and Resilience

Yoga by the Sea has always been more than a place to attend classes. It has been a gathering place for celebrations, community events, social gatherings, and shared experiences. The heart of Yoga by the Sea has always been its people the teachers, practitioners, wellness practitioners, volunteers, and community members who have contributed their time, energy, knowledge, creativity, and care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the community faced significant challenges. Yoga by the Sea adapted by offering online classes and virtual gatherings, allowing people to continue their practice and remain connected during a time of uncertainty and isolation. This experience demonstrated the resilience of the community while opening new ways of connecting beyond Roberts Creek.

Teacher Training and Education

Yoga by the Sea began offering teacher training programs in 2012, recognizing the importance of developing knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate teachers. Since then, numerous teachers have been trained and have gone on to share their knowledge and passion for yoga locally and around the world. The programs have emphasized yoga philosophy, energy systems, anatomy, therapeutic principles, teaching methodologies, personal practice, and Self-inquiry.

The Wellness Collective

In September 2022, Yoga by the Sea began a new chapter by subletting the smaller Sun Studio space to a group of wellness practitioners. United by a shared vision of offering complementary wellness services, they became known as the Wellness Collective.

As the next lease cycle approached, conversations began about creating a more collaborative and sustainable structure for the future of Yoga by the Sea. A dedicated group came together with the intention of creating a society that could carry forward the values, vision, and community spirit that had guided Yoga by the Sea since its founding.

The Yoga by the Sea Wellness Society

The Yoga by the Sea Wellness Society (YBTSWS) was officially incorporated on May 11, 2024.

On January 24, 2025, the first collective lease agreement was signed, marking an important milestone in the evolution of Yoga by the Sea from an individually owned wellness center toward a community-supported organization dedicated to the well-being of Roberts Creek and the surrounding communities.

The creation of Yoga by the Sea Wellness Society represents the continuation of nearly two decades of dedication, service, friendship, learning, and shared vision. It honors the foundation built since 2006 while creating a pathway for future generations to experience the benefits of yoga, wellness, community, and conscious living.

Board Members

Conclusion

Yoga by the Sea stands as a testament to the power of yoga to create positive change in individuals and communities. Its history is a story of vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to well-being. As it continues to thrive, Yoga by the Sea remains a beloved sanctuary for those seeking peace, health, and connection in the heart of Roberts Creek, BC.