Community Education and Training

Saturday, November 1; 9 am to 4 pm

This course is a must for kitchen staff and dining room attendants and is worthwhile for anyone who handles food. You will learn about:

You will learn about:

• illnesses
• personal hygiene and health
• serving food
• food protection and preparation
• receiving and storing food safely
• ware washing and storage methods

You must attend all class hours.

Textbook and certificate are included in the cost of tuition. Certificate issued by Vancouver Coastal Health.

Course code: QFOO 001 F25R70
1 session
$85 + $30 lab fee 
Pre-registration required by Friday, October 17, 2025
Location: on-campus

Register for FoodSafe Level 1

Instructor: Michael Nguyen

Michael is an experienced Environmental Health Officer (EHO) and passionate educator, specializing in food safety and public health. With a deep commitment to ensuring the well-being of communities and the environment, Michael has dedicated his career to promoting safe food handling practices and fostering a culture of health and sustainability. Michael has worked extensively across the qathet region as an EHO.

Thursdays, October 2 to December 18; 6 to 8 pm

Take your Excel skills up a notch. Become the cool kid who can select a range with a single movement, create a custom chart in five clicks and use formulas to analyze data and retrieve specific results that would take hours to find manually. Wow your professor or manager with polished charts that embed flawlessly in Word or PowerPoint and can be updated with a single click. Finally, kick it up to Excel Guru level when you organize huge data sets into pivot tables and write macros to automate your repetitive Excel tasks.

This is a course for administrative and academic professionals who want to take their basic Excel skills to the next level. Recommended for individuals who:

• know the basics but want to know more to get ahead professionally or academically
• use Excel professionally now, but know they can be more efficient with more knowledge
• want to pursue a graduate degree, and need to up their Excel game to do it well
• used to be an Excel Guru back in the day, but need to blow the rust off

Please bring a notebook, binder, report holder, clipboard or other method of keeping handouts together and a thumb drive (minimum 4 GB) for handing in and receiving back assignments.

You will receive a participation statement when you successfully finish the course.

Course code: CMIE 001 F25R70
12 sessions
$370 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Get the Most Out of Excel: Beyond the Basics

Instructor: Kirstie McLeod

Kirstie has been working with Microsoft Office since it was launched back in the 1990s. She has earned two university degrees (English Literature followed by a more practical CMMB/Microbiology degree) and has decades of experience in administration, data analysis and training facilitation. As a result, she has spent extensive time with all applications of MS Office. But Excel is her favourite.

Thursdays, October 16 to December 4; 5 to 8 pm

Acrylic and water-mixable oil paint are versatile mediums with a wide variety of applications. This course is for those who have painting experience and wish to improve their understanding of painting techniques in representational or expressive styles. Examples of the instructor's art and the work of other painters will be discussed. This is a hands-on, technique-driven exploration of the painting process by a teacher who can explain and demonstrate tight, controlled rendering as well as a broader, more painterly approach. While all subject matters are welcome, painters of the landscape will find this class particularly invaluable.

Please bring samples of your work or influences.

A materials list will be available at registration.

Course code: ACRY 004 F25R70
8 sessions
$270 + GST
Seats are limited
Location: on-campus
Register for Intermediate to Advanced Painting

Instructor: Roy Schneider

Roy graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design as a fine art print maker. He went on to work as an award-winning illustrator, creating illustrations for some of the world's largest publishers and design firms. Roy brings his sensibility as a print maker and his intimate knowledge of the landscape to creating paintings with a strong graphic quality and a fresh perspective to Canadian landscape painting. Roy's paintings are of deep and untouched wilderness, highlighted by the amazing beauty and light of the northern boreal and mountains of western Canada. To see Roy's work, visit the Studio Schneider website.

See the Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology page.

Tuesdays, October 7 to December 2; 4:30 to 6 pm
No class Tuesday, November 11

This course is for those who understand basic notation and rhythm and want to build on their introductory music reading knowledge and delve deeper into the elements of music. Participants need to be able to:

• read pitches, basic note and rest values
• understand the difference between a tone and a semitone
• recognize sharp and flat signs

If you are not sure if you should register for this course, you may contact the instructor for guidance.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• recognize the difference between simple and compound time signatures
• name scale degrees
• identify selected major and minor scales and corresponding key signatures
• identify selected major and minor triads
• identify selected intervals
• identify letter names of notes on bass and treble clefs accurately including accidentals
• tap/clap a range of rhythms accurately at sight
• sing/play a range of melodies at sight
• understand a range of common musical terms, symbols, and markings

Course code: REMU 002 F25R70
8 sessions
Fee: $100 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Music Theory Level 1

Instructor: Susan Lines

Susan has been a facilitator of community music education for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Leicester University, a Bachelor of Music from Ulster University and a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Queen's University, Belfast. Susan was a lecturer in Performing Arts in Belfast prior to immigrating to Canada. She worked as a church soloist, voice teacher and recitalist in Ottawa. Now in Powell River, Susan continues to teach voice privately and offers group vocal training through the Sing Outside the Shower courses (a model she developed in Ottawa). Susan is an active vocalist and sings with Vox Madrigal.

Tuesdays, October 21 to November 4; 5 to 8 pm

The Neuroscience of Manifestation is a three-part workshop that explores how neuroscience supports manifestation by rewiring thought patterns, emotions, and habits to achieve goals. Led by Dr. Jaspreet Soor, this course combines practical exercises, guided reflections, and evidence-based techniques to harness the power of the mind and manifest success.

Participants in this workshop will:

• understand the scientific principles behind manifestation, including key brain systems such as the Reticular Activating System (RAS), prefrontal cortex, mirror neurons, amygdala and neuroplasticity
• learn how positive thought patterns and emotional alignment contribute to effective manifestation
• practice powerful neuroscience-based tools such as visualization, affirmations, mindfulness, and habit creation
• begin to identify and overcome limiting beliefs and mental barriers to amplify manifesting power

Course code: NEMA 001 F25R70
3 sessions
$200 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for The Neuroscience of Manifestation

Instructor: Dr. Jaspreet Soor

Dr. Jaspreet (MBChB) is an experienced family health practitioner, certified Reiki practitioner and life coach with a background in neuroscience and holistic wellness practices. Dr. Soor brings a unique blend of medical expertise, coaching skills and a deep understanding of habit transformation to empower individuals in achieving their fullest potential. She has been supporting individuals for about two decades, steeping her work in a philosophy of holistic wellness with a No Shame, No Blame, No Guilt approach, giving clients a safe space to explore their health and wellness needs.

Thursdays, October 9 to November 13; 5:30 to 7 pm

Liberate your inner writer in this welcoming, all-levels poetry workshop designed to inspire and nurture your creative voice. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just beginning to explore the world of poetry, this workshop offers a supportive space to experiment with language, imagery and form. Through engaging prompts, group discussions and the exploration of inventive styles, you'll find ways to free your expression, get words down on the page and tune into your own personal style choices.

No prior experience is necessary—just bring an open mind and a desire to explore the power of words. By the end of the workshop, you'll have crafted original poems and gained the confidence to continue writing and sharing your work. Join us for a journey of self-expression, connection, and creativity!

Course code: PTWR 001 F25R70    
6 sessions
Fee: $115 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for The Open Poem: Exploring Style & Form

Instructor: Shauna Andrews

Shauna (she/her) is a freelance writer and workshop facilitator with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. She has been longlisted for the CBC Poetry Prize and published in literary periodicals including The Malahat Review, Maisonneuve, The Humber Literary Review, Petal Projections, Portal and Incline. For more about Shauna, visit Cowgirl Grammar.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 18 to December 4; 10 am to 12 pm

This course is for experienced pickleball players who want to add the soft game to their hard-hitting game or add the hard-hitting game to their soft game.

Have you been watching the pros and wondering where your soft game is? Where your hard game is? Now is the time to move up the rating ranks by acquiring the all-round game of pickleball.

The Dinker-Banger Fusion teaches you the difference between both styles and how to fuse the two together with the motto "Play smarter, not harder."

After this three-week course that consists of 12 hours of on-court instruction/play, you will have a far greater knowledge of this higher level of play. Both during and after the course, you will have access to the VIU–tiwšɛmawtxʷ gym on a drop-in basis to practice, play and continue your pickleball endeavors.

Due to the high demand for this course with a long waiting list, please ensure you are able to commit to all six (6) sessions.

Remember to bring your court shoes, pickleball paddle and water bottle—we'll provide the rest.

VIU–tiwšɛmawtxʷ would like to thank The Odd Squad as they are volunteering some hours in order for us to charge only a nominal $55 fee.

Course code: PCKB 002 F25R70    
6 sessions
Fee: $55 + GST
Seats limited to 8 participants
Location: Gym on-campus

To register, call 604.485.2878.

Instructors: The Odd Squad

Barb Struch, Lina Vallée and Vernon Currie

Thursday, October 2; 9 am to 4:30 pm

Reiki is an ancient technique that increases energy levels within the body. This promotes relaxation and stimulates your body's natural ability to heal on all levels. Reiki improves sleep, increases intuition, boosts your overall feeling of wellbeing and much more! Reiki is practiced world-wide in:

• hospitals
• wellness centres
• spas
• offices
• homes

You will receive the Reiki Level 1 attunement and learn:

• the history of Reiki
• the fundamental concepts such as principles and guidelines
• the techniques of the traditional Usui style of Reiki
• how to perform a Reiki session on yourself and others

This enjoyable class is a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice time. Manual and certificate approved by the Canadian Reiki Association are included in the cost of tuition.

Course code: REIK 001 F25R70    
1 session
Fee: $200 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Reiki Level 1

Instructor: Bonnie Harrison

Bonnie is a Reiki Master teacher and a member of the Canadian Reiki Association. Bonnie is passionate about empowering others to create an abundance of greater health and wellbeing through Reiki. She teaches Usui Reiki techniques that increase energy levels within the body, bringing relaxation and healing on all levels. Bonnie has a fun, easy-to-understand and effective teaching approach. Her courses and certificates are approved by the Canadian Reiki Association. You can visit Heron Reiki and Wellness.

Thursday, October 16; 9 am to 4:30 pm

This course is for Reiki First Degree practitioners who want to increase their Reiki skills and abilities. Reiki can:

• address unwanted habits and patterns
• provide mental/emotional healing
• be sent long-distance

You will learn these and other advanced techniques, receive a Level 2 Reiki attunement and use two additional symbols that will enhance your ability to channel Reiki energy for various healing purposes.

This enjoyable class is a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice time. Manual and certificate approved by the Canadian Reiki Association are included in the cost of tuition.

Course code: REIK 002 F25R70    
1 session
Fee: $225 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Reiki Level 2

Instructor: Bonnie Harrison

Bonnie is a Reiki Master teacher and a member of the Canadian Reiki Association. Bonnie is passionate about empowering others to create an abundance of greater health and wellbeing through Reiki. She teaches Usui Reiki techniques that increase energy levels within the body, bringing relaxation and healing on all levels. Bonnie has a fun, easy-to-understand and effective teaching approach. Her courses and certificates are approved by the Canadian Reiki Association. You can visit Heron Reiki and Wellness.

Thursday, October 30; 9 am to 4:30 pm

This class is for Reiki Second Degree practitioners who want to learn advanced skills and increase the strength of their Reiki energy. Reiki can:

• clear energetic blockages within the body
• help you overcome challenges in your life
• help you reach your goals

In this advanced course you'll learn how crystals and crystal grids can amplify Reiki energy. You will:

• receive the Reiki Master Practitioner attunement
• acquire skills to provide in-depth Reiki sessions to yourself and others
• learn about crystals to complement your abilities

This enjoyable class is a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice time. Manual and certificate approved by the Canadian Reiki Association are included in the cost of tuition.

Course code: REIK 003 F25R70    
1 session
Fee: $250 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Reiki Level 3

Instructor: Bonnie Harrison

Bonnie is a Reiki Master teacher and a member of the Canadian Reiki Association. Bonnie is passionate about empowering others to create an abundance of greater health and wellbeing through Reiki. She teaches Usui Reiki techniques that increase energy levels within the body, bringing relaxation and healing on all levels. Bonnie has a fun, easy-to-understand and effective teaching approach. Her courses and certificates are approved by the Canadian Reiki Association. You can visit Heron Reiki and Wellness.

Saturday, November 1; 1 to 3:30 pm

This practice session offers an enjoyable opportunity to increase your Reiki skills and knowledge. Build your confidence in providing sessions to others. You will be giving and receiving Reiki in a supportive environment. No matter how little or how much experience you have, there's always more to learn.

Course code: REIK 005 I25R70 
1 session
Fee: $20 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Reiki Practice Session

Instructor: Bonnie Harrison

Bonnie is a Reiki Master teacher and a member of the Canadian Reiki Association. Bonnie is passionate about empowering others to create an abundance of greater health and wellbeing through Reiki. She teaches Usui Reiki techniques that increase energy levels within the body, bringing relaxation and healing on all levels. Bonnie has a fun, easy-to-understand and effective teaching approach. Her courses and certificates are approved by the Canadian Reiki Association. You can visit Heron Reiki and Wellness.

Tuesdays, October 7 to December 2; 6:30 to 8 pm
No class Tuesday, November 11 

This course is for those interested in learning more about basic vocal techniques including:

• tuning
• breath support
• range
• flexibility
• singing in harmony

This course is suitable for singers who are new to singing or who have completed a Sing Outside the Shower course before but still need to improve their knowledge of basic vocal techniques and confidence in singing.

You do not need to be able to read music to take this course. If you are not sure if you should register for this course, you can contact the instructor for guidance.

Course code: SING 002 F25R70     
8 sessions
Fee: $100 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Sing Outside the Shower Vocal Techniques

Instructor: Susan Lines

Susan has been a facilitator of community music education for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Leicester University, a Bachelor of Music from Ulster University, and a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Queen's University, Belfast. Susan was a lecturer in Performing Arts in Belfast prior to immigrating to Canada. She worked as a church soloist, voice teacher and recitalist in Ottawa. Now in Powell River, she continues to teach voice privately and offers group vocal training through the Sing Outside the Shower courses (a model she developed in Ottawa). Susan is an active vocalist and sings with Vox Madrigal.
 

Mondays, September 29 to November 24; 5 to 6:30 pm
No class Monday, October 13

This course is for you if you sing in the treble range and have prior singing experience as well as an understanding of basic vocal techniques. You will need to practice your part between classes.

You should have completed a Sing Outside the Shower course or equivalent and be able to sing your own part with some confidence. Some ability to read music is necessary. If you are not sure if you should register for this course, you can contact the instructor for guidance.

By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following in selected works:

• sing two vocal works in harmony
• sing without looking at the words or music all the time
• improve your ability to sing with vowel uniformity
• blend your voice with others by listening to those singing around you
• learn and practice staggered breathing
• sing with appropriate dynamics and tempi
• feel more confident about hearing your voice resonate more
• watch the conductor and respond to their musical direction while you are singing

Course code: ENSG 003 F25R70     
8 sessions
Fee: $100 + GST
Location: on-campus

Register for Treble Ensemble Singing

Instructor: Susan Lines

Susan has been a facilitator of community music education for over 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Leicester University, a Bachelor of Music from Ulster University, and a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Queen's University, Belfast. Susan was a lecturer in Performing Arts in Belfast prior to immigrating to Canada. She worked as a church soloist, voice teacher, and recitalist in Ottawa. Now in Powell River, she continues to teach voice privately and offers group vocal training through the Sing Outside the Shower courses (a model she developed in Ottawa). Susan is an active vocalist and sings with Vox Madrigal. 

Tuesdays, October 7 to December 16; 6 to 7 pm
No class Tuesday, November 11

This all-level yoga class is open to beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, offering a balanced practice that cultivates strength, flexibility and mindfulness. Each session will guide you through a series of asana, breath work and relaxation techniques aimed at enhancing overall well-being. Whether you are looking to build physical fitness, reduce stress or find inner calm, this class will provide modifications and variations to suit your individual needs. You will leave feeling more centered, rejuvenated and connected to your body and breath. Just bring your yoga mat and props, comfortable clothing and an open mind.

Course code: PYOG 003 F25R70    
10 sessions
Fee: $97 + GST 
Location: on-campus

Register for Yoga for All

Instructor: Jennifer Robison

Jennifer is a lifelong yoga practitioner and has practiced in Nepal, Panama, and Mexico. She trained as a yoga teacher in a mountain top ashram in Rishikesh, India and was able to integrate the historical cultural influences of the philosophy of yoga into her teaching and practice. Jennifer is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a RYT 200. She is also a Registered Nurse and professor at Vancouver Island University in both the Practical Nursing and Bachelor of Science Nursing programs.

In her spare time, Jennifer is the caregiver to a super senior Miniature Schnauzer and enjoys paddle boarding and touring around the coast in her vintage camper van. She also has a keen interest in midlife women’s health and empowering people to live their best lives through healthy lifestyle initiatives.

Wednesdays, October 1 to October 22 (lessons); 10 am–12 pm
Fridays, October 3 to October 24 (game days); 10 am–12 pm

This course has been created to encourage activity for those 50+ while having a lot of fun.

Please be advised that even though we teach the soft game, pickleball requires a lot of mobility and repetitive shoulder use.

Pickleball is a very "active" sport that requires quick movements during both a soft- and a hard-hitting game.

Who is this course for?

• those who want to try pickleball for the very first time

Why do we teach only the soft game?

• Gherkin Pickleball's motto - "Placement Over Power" - is the basis for this course. When players have control with well-placed shots, it minimizes the risk of injury when play speeds up.

Bring your court shoes and water bottle—we'll provide the rest.

Game days on Fridays

Game days are part of the course and start in week one. Game days bring the Wednesday lessons to life! A mini-tournament may take place on the last Friday (October 24) as a way to end the course.

VIU–tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus would like to thank the Gherkins as they are not only volunteering their time but also supplying the paddles to help subsidize the cost of this course.

Course code: ELDP 001 F25R70     
8 sessions (4 lessons and 4 game days)
$31 + GST for the lessons and a $2 drop-in fee for each game day
Seats limited to eight participants
Location: Gym on campus

To register, call 604.485.2878.

Instructor: The Gherkins

Wednesdays, October 15 to November 19; 9:30 am to 11 am

Memoirs tell personal life stories focused on a specific theme or period in life rather than a whole life story like in an autobiography. Spiritual life writing is a way to record personal stories of great meaning. Often considered taboo subjects for public conversation, stories of faith, religion, wonder, doubt and spirit have the power to strengthen our core identities and connect us with others. For those of us who are older and who wish to share our legacy with others, memoirs are ideal.

If you have been putting off writing because you don't know where to start or feel lost when it comes to writing, join author Lana Cullis for 10 senior-friendly sessions about how to take your story ideas and develop them into a complete work or even a book.

No writing experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. All you need to bring is personal writing materials like notebooks or journals and pens, or writing devices like laptops or tablets.

A textbook titled The Spiritual Life Writing Workbook: From Concept to Bookshelf by Susan Scott, Lana Cullis and Sharon Hines is optional. The instructor will have it available for purchase.

Course code: LFLL 003 F25R70     
6 sessions
Fee: $48 + GST
Location: on-campus
Those under 50 can register for an additional fee of $20 + GST to attend this class

Register for Spiritual Life Writing: Memoirs for Seniors

Instructor: Lana Cullis

Lana’s writing draws on waking dreams, voices, and visions that reveal the tender places where human truth, individuality, and courage intersect. She co-authored The Spiritual Life Writing Workbook: From Concept to Bookshelf released in 2025. In 2024, her essay “Scar Tissue” was published in Dorothy Parker’s Ashes (a New York Literary magazine). In 2023 and 2024, her narratives appeared in The Globe and Mail and CBC First Person columns. Lana is a regular contributor to The Powell River Peak and qathet Living Magazine. She is committed to creating kinship between writers of all levels and offers Writing into the Sacred spiritual life writing sessions to diverse community groups. Lana lives, writes, and plays in the city of Powell River, q̓at ̓ᶿət (qathet Regional District) on lands traditionally stewarded by the Tla’amin First Nation on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. You can visit Lana Cullis' website or find her on Instagram @writerlanacullis.