Montreal Open Day — January 2026 — Elementor Template Copy (Reference)
Archived reference. Full-page copy as it ran on the live Elementor template for the January 2026 Montreal Open Day (two sessions: Jan 10 and Jan 13, 2026, at Circuit-Est). This event was free. Kept here as the closest prior structural template for the paid September 2026 Open Day — see 2026-09-montreal-open-day for what needs to change (venue, duration, pricing, funnel target). Not to be reused as-is.
Open Day: Montreal
Section titled “Open Day: Montreal”Experience a Different Approach to Movement and Awareness
Section titled “Experience a Different Approach to Movement and Awareness”Jan 10, 2026 (Sat) | 14:45–16:15
Section titled “Jan 10, 2026 (Sat) | 14:45–16:15”Jan 13, 2026 (Tue) | 18:15-19:45
Circuit-Est: 1881 Rue Saint-André, Montréal H2L 3T9 (See Map)
- No cost to attend, but registration is required
Baseworks Open Day: This 90-minute event introduces the Baseworks Method through direct movement practice. We will work with everyday movements—standing, transitioning to the floor, controlled position shifts—approached with systematic attention to how you move.
The Baseworks Method isn’t fitness training or therapy. It’s an educational method for developing body awareness and motor control as transferable skills. If you’re curious about the relationship between movement and cognition, this session offers hands-on experience with our approach.
What to Expect
Section titled “What to Expect”Movement Practice (60 minutes)
Guided practice introducing core principles: distributed activation, micromovements, and intensity modification. You’ll work with specific forms that serve as reference points for investigating your own novement patterns.
Context & Questions (25 minutes)
Discussion of how the method works, what makes it distinct, and how you can continue through our Winter Study Group program. Direct conversation with the developers.
Schedule
- Brief Orientation (5 min)
- Movement Practice (60 min)
- Context & Q&A (25 min)
Who This Is For
Section titled “Who This Is For”This session is relevant if you work in cognitively demanding fields, have explored other movement or mindfulness practices but want something more systematic, deal with minor chronic tension or discomfort, or are curious about how physical awareness affects mental performance.
Prerequisites: ability to stand without support and get up from the floor independently. No previous movement experience required.
See detailed FAQ below for specific questions about health conditions, age, experience level, and how this differs from other practices.
Why Attend
Section titled “Why Attend”Experience the practice
90 minutes will give you a great introduction to the method.
Receive reduced tuition for our winter Montreal Study Cohort
Continue immediately with our program (January 24–March 1, 2026) combining in-person practice with online coursework.
**Meet the developers
**Work directly with Asia Shcherbakova (neuroscientist, co-developer) and Patrick Oancia (founder), who have decades of experience refining this systematic approach to movement education.
What Learners Say
Section titled “What Learners Say”What I appreciate about Baseworks is how its methodology resonates logically with me, promoting a sense of autonomy in my practice that I find deeply satisfying. There’s a distinct sense of professionalism. Everything feels polished and well-designed. / Hirotaka, Entrepreneur | Japan
I feel like I’m learning something new in every session. I get so many more dimensions in every exercise that we do. Sometimes, it’s really the small movements that make the difference. And that feeling of realizing something is very good! / Mirjana, Change & Leadership Manager, IKEA | Sweden
The Baseworks principle of managing intensity with its practical application can help entrepreneurs in life and other domains. I was fascinated by this transference. / Gustavo, Professor of Ethical Entrepreneurship | Colombia
From athletic performance to workplace interactions and stress management—the importance of understanding personal limits and intention has improved my physical awareness and mental well-being. / Krister, Strategic Manager, Ericsson | Sweden
*+ video testimonials *
On body awareness, focus, and learning to effectively relieve tension and sciatica / Althea (Canada | coder, videographer, skateboarder)
On adopting a holistic, long-term approach to physical well-being, enhancing comfort, and opening the mind to sustainable practices / Morten (Denmark | Google Cloud project manager, former professional footballer)
On the impact of developing body-awareness through embracing gradual progress, accepting limitations, and maintaining patience while learning and growing at one’s own natural pace. / Daria (United Kingdom | Journalist, Digital Producer)
Facilitators
Section titled “Facilitators”Asia Ksenia Shcherbakova
Section titled “Asia Ksenia Shcherbakova”Neuroscientist, educator, and co-developer of the Baseworks Method. Asia specializes in translating complex interdisciplinary concepts into practical learning experiences, bridging neuroscience research with embodied practice.
Patrick Oancia
Section titled “Patrick Oancia”Founder of the Baseworks Method. With a background spanning athletics, music, visual arts, and education, Patrick has developed an approach to training physical and perceptual skills that has influenced practitioners across diverse fields.
Next Steps: Montreal Study Group
Section titled “Next Steps: Montreal Study Group”If the Open Day resonates with you, continue your learning through our Smart Movement Study Group, a program combining:
- 7 in-person practice sessions (January 24–March 1)
- 12-hour, 79-lesson online course for complementary conceptual study at your own pace
Open Day participants qualify for introductory tuition rates.
Register to Join
Section titled “Register to Join”- Choose from two available sessions—no cost to attend.
- Registration closes when capacity is reached for each session.
- We are not accepting walk-in registrations on the day of the event.
- By registering, you agree to our participation terms. We do not share your information.
booking form
Circuit-Est | 1881 Rue Saint-André, Montréal
A space dedicated to movement research and artistic exploration for over 35 years. In line with our work, Circuit-Est values accessibility and meaningful learning experiences in movement education.
About The Method
Section titled “About The Method”How is Baseworks different from fitness training, yoga or Pilates?
Section titled “How is Baseworks different from fitness training, yoga or Pilates?”Most movement practices—whether yoga, Pilates, fitness training, or dance—focus on achieving specific physical results: flexibility, strength, mastery of particular techniques, or body composition changes. These are valid goals, and many people find meaningful insights through them.
Baseworks inverts this priority. We focus on developing awareness and understanding of movement first. Physical capabilities improve as a byproduct, but they’re not the primary target.
- Fitness training optimizes for measurable physical outcomes: strength gains, cardiovascular capacity, weight management. We’re not trying to make you fitter, though regular practice often leads to those outcomes. We’re teaching you to recognize and work with your own movement patterns.
- Yoga typically emphasizes specific forms or sequences, often with philosophical or spiritual frameworks. We don’t teach poses. We teach principles that apply across any movement context.
- Pilates focuses on core strength, alignment, and controlled movement patterns, often using specialized equipment. While there are similarities in attention to precision, Baseworks is designed specifically as an educational system for developing perceptual skills that transfer beyond the practice itself.
If you currently practice any of these, many people find Baseworks enhances what they already do by developing more refined body awareness and control. But it’s not a style or variation of these practices—it’s a different framework entirely.
How is this different from physical therapy?
Section titled “How is this different from physical therapy?”Physical therapy treats injuries or conditions, typically with prescribed exercises targeting specific issues. Therapists diagnose problems and design interventions to address them.
We don’t treat conditions. We teach skills. The distinction matters:
A physical therapist might give you exercises to strengthen a weak hip or mobilize a stiff shoulder. We teach you to recognize how you organize movement throughout your entire system—how compensation patterns develop, how you distribute effort, how attention affects motor control.
Many people dealing with chronic tension or old injuries find the method helpful, but that’s because they’re developing better movement strategies, not because we’re providing therapy. The skill development often leads to relief, but relief isn’t the primary goal.
If you have acute injuries or medical conditions requiring treatment, address those with appropriate healthcare providers first. Our approach is educational, not therapeutic. Once you have medical clearance to move, this systematic approach often helps you develop sustainable strategies that complement whatever treatment you’ve received.
What does “systematic” mean in this context?
Section titled “What does “systematic” mean in this context?”We teach through a defined set of principles and concepts that apply consistently across all movements: distributed activation (engaging multiple body parts simultaneously), micromovements (working with minimal displacement to develop precision), fixing-separating-isolating (distinguishing types of muscular engagement), intensity management (modulating effort based on capacity), and several others.
These aren’t metaphors or vague guidelines. They’re specific, observable aspects of how movement works that you can learn to recognize and apply. The method is systematic because these principles connect logically and build on each other—there’s a clear pedagogical progression rather than a random collection of exercises.
How is this related to neuroscience?
Section titled “How is this related to neuroscience?”Movement is fundamentally a brain function—perception and action are inseparable. How you train movement affects how you process information, make decisions, and manage attention.
Co-developer Asia (Ksenia) Shcherbakova’s neuroscience background informs how we think about motor learning, neuroplasticity, and sensorimotor integration. We draw on research about how movement affects cognitive function, but we don’t make exaggerated claims about “rewiring your brain.”
The method develops more refined spatial awareness, proprioception (sense of body position), and interoception (sense of internal state), which are fundamental to how you interact with the world. Many practitioners notice effects beyond just physical coordination—improved focus, better stress regulation, enhanced decision-making under uncertainty.
What is “physical intelligence”?
Section titled “What is “physical intelligence”?”In our formulation, physical intelligence is the capacity to perceive, process, and act on information from your body. It includes awareness of position and movement (proprioception), internal states like tension or fatigue (interoception), and the ability to organize movement efficiently for different contexts.
Like other forms of intelligence, it can be systematically developed through appropriate training. The Baseworks Method is designed specifically for this—training perception and motor control as learnable skills rather than innate qualities.
Practical Questions
Section titled “Practical Questions”Do I need previous movement experience?
Section titled “Do I need previous movement experience?”No. We work with people across a wide range of physical backgrounds—former athletes, people who’ve never been particularly active, dancers, yoga practitioners, complete beginners.
The method adapts to your current capacity. You need to be able to stand without support and get up from the floor independently, but beyond that, your starting point is your starting point. We’re not trying to get you to achieve predetermined forms.
We’re teaching you to work intelligently with whatever capacity you currently have.
What if I have chronic pain or old injuries?
Section titled “What if I have chronic pain or old injuries?”Many people who practice with us are dealing with chronic issues—desk-related tension, old sports injuries, postural problems. Many find improvement. But we’re not treating conditions. We’re teaching awareness and control.
If you have acute injuries or conditions requiring medical attention, address those first. If you have chronic issues and medical clearance to move, this approach often helps people develop better strategies for managing discomfort.
If you have specific concerns, contact us before the session so we can discuss whether the Open Day is appropriate for your situation.
Is this suitable for older adults?
Section titled “Is this suitable for older adults?”Yes. We work with practitioners from their teens through their 80s.
Age is less relevant than current capacity and willingness to work with attention and precision.
The practice adapts to whatever mobility, strength, and flexibility you currently have. Some older practitioners find it more accessible than conventional fitness approaches because we don’t require you to achieve predetermined ranges of motion or hold positions that might be uncomfortable or risky.
If you can stand without support and get up from the floor independently, the basic requirements are met.
What should I wear and bring?
Section titled “What should I wear and bring?”Comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely and get down to the floor—athletic wear or loose-fitting clothes work well. We practice barefoot or in socks (your choice).
Bring water.
You don’t need an exercise mat—the studio has appropriate flooring.
Don’t bring expectations about what movement practice should look or feel like.
Can I just observe rather than participate?
Section titled “Can I just observe rather than participate?”No. The method requires direct experience—watching doesn’t convey what the practice involves or whether it will work for you.
You’re never expected to perform movements that cause unbearable pain or discomfort. However, learning to adapt movements to your physical condition is a core part of the study group. We strongly encourage participating to your capacity and using the virtual office hours, Q&A sessions, posting in the cohort group/forum or asking questions during practice to understand effective modifications.
We use partner work occasionally (tactile feedback while someone performs a movement), so you’ll be in close proximity with other practitioners at times. If this format is uncomfortable for you, or if you have specific mobility concerns, contact us before the session so we can discuss.
What happens if I’m late for any of the in-prison sessions? ?
Section titled “What happens if I’m late for any of the in-prison sessions? ?”The session is designed as a complete experience. Arriving late or leaving early disrupts both your learning and the group dynamic. We generally ask that everyone arrive at least 5-10 minutes early. But in the case that you may be a few minutes late on any day, send us a message to let us know.
Do you offer accommodations for learning differences or attention deficits?
Section titled “Do you offer accommodations for learning differences or attention deficits?”We’ve observed that Baseworks can improve attention span and help mitigate symptoms related to learning deficits and attention-based conditions, including autism spectrum differences.
However, group programs like the Montreal Study Group may not be suitable for all conditions depending on their severity. We do also offer specialized group and private sessions that can be adapted to address specific learning needs.
Please contact us before registering to discuss whether the Study Group format or a private session would be the best fit for your situation.
About the Study Group
Section titled “About the Study Group”Do I need to attend the Open Day to join the Study Group?
Section titled “Do I need to attend the Open Day to join the Study Group?”It’s not mandatory, but we encourage it. The Open Day gives you enough direct experience to know whether you want to commit to a multi-week program.
If you can’t make the Open Day, contact us to discuss whether you should join the Study Group directly or wait for the next cohort.
What’s the time commitment for the Study Group?
Section titled “What’s the time commitment for the Study Group?”Overview:
- In-person practice: 12 hours total (across seven sessions , Jan 24-Mar 1)
- Online course: Approximately 12 hours of content broken into 79 lessons, accessible anytimeThe online course is self-paced. Most people complete it alongside the in-person sessions, fitting it around work and other commitments.
45% of the course is theoretical and can be watched in a public space/during commute.
55% of the course is practical.
The first 5 hours of the course are aligned with the content of the study group, 30-60 min per week.
Can I take the online course without the in-person Study Group?
Section titled “Can I take the online course without the in-person Study Group?”Yes, the online course is available separately and can be purchased here any time.
However, the in-person sessions provide hands-on feedback and correction that significantly accelerates learning. The combination is more effective than either component alone. The course is included with the Study Group tuition.
Open Day participants who want to continue can choose either the full Study Group (in-person + online) or the online course only.
We recommend the full program if your schedule allows.
What happens after the Study Group?
Section titled “What happens after the Study Group?”You’ll have developed enough familiarity with the method to practice independently using our online platform.
Many practitioners continue with platform subscriptions, join periodic workshops, or progress to more advanced programs in other locations.
The Study Group is designed to give you a solid foundation—enough understanding to apply the principles in your own practice and life. What you do with that foundation is up to you.
Logistics
Section titled “Logistics”Where exactly is Circuit-Est?
Section titled “Where exactly is Circuit-Est?”1881 Rue Saint-André, Montréal, H2L 3T9
View on Google Maps
Accessible by metro (Sherbrooke station on the orange line, about a 10-minute walk). Street parking available nearby.
What are the COVID-19 protocols?
Section titled “What are the COVID-19 protocols?”We follow current Quebec public health guidelines. If you’re feeling unwell, please don’t attend—we can discuss options for joining a future session. Given that we work in close proximity and occasionally use partner work, please be considerate of others’ comfort levels regarding physical distance.
Is the session taught in English or French?
Section titled “Is the session taught in English or French?”The session will be conducted in English. If you need clarification on specific points in French, we can accommodate that during the Q&A portion.
What is the minimum age to attend?
Section titled “What is the minimum age to attend?”In Quebec: Participants aged 14-17 require parental consent. Participants 18 and older can register independently.
If you’re between 14 and 17, please indicate your age in the registration notes at checkout. We’ll follow up directly to confirm your age and obtain official parental permission.
For parents considering registration: Our programming requires sustained attention span and focus. While parts of the practice are dynamic and engaging, the work involves concentration and repetition. Please consider whether this format suits your child’s learning style.
You’re welcome to contact us before registering if you have questions about age requirements, the confirmation process, or whether the program is appropriate for your situation.
This requirement may vary by country and region for events held outside Quebec.
What’s your cancellation policy?
Section titled “What’s your cancellation policy?”There is no cost to attend this event. If you register and can’t attend, please cancel your registration by responding to the email you receive upon registration so we can offer the spot to someone else. We keep a waitlist when the session fills up.
I have a question that’s not answered here. How do I reach you?
Section titled “I have a question that’s not answered here. How do I reach you?”Send us a message here.