Our mission is to alleviate suffering and improve health outcomes through heartfelt connection and the exchange of learning, practice and insight.
At Garuda we focus on the integration of behavioral medicine, evidence-based modalities and ancient wisdom traditions. We do not subscribe to celebrity medical advice nor do we dismiss the value of mantra + meditation as medicine.
We are an eclectic team of medical doctors, naturopathic physicians and counsellors. Most of us also teach yoga, breath work and meditation in addition to our chosen professions.
Each facilitator has created a group program around a topic that they not only have expertise in but is their favorite way to serve others.
Our group facilitation experience and certification in group psychotherapy (CGP) gives us the ability to give health professionals the tools and guidance to create something truly special that lights them up and makes them feel fulfilled.
We support physicians, nurse practitioners and clinics by providing their patients with an additional healthcare resource. We are not a primary care facility, we only offer what we do the best and that is groups!
Group Medical Visits (GMV) are covered by your provincial health insurance (MSP) if you have a relevant medical diagnosis, clinical counselling groups are eligible to be covered by most extended health insurance plans and the Kundalini Insight® groups we have developed help motivated participants transform their suffering into lasting change and insight.
Our programs are available both in-person in the Old City Quarter of Nanaimo and online to people across Canada.
Wondering what a group medical visit is? Check out this BC Medical Journal article.
- Expertise + Experience
- Humour + Laughter
- Ahimsa + Respect
- Truth + Wisdom
- Culture + Context
- Mud + Shadow
- Poke, Provoke, Confront + Elevate
To alleviate suffering through heartfelt connection and the exchange of learning, practice and insight.
We are all guests, living on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nations. We are proud to be connected to the First Nations Health Authority and serve Indigenous people both in-person and online.
We value depth, quality, education and experience. Our team members are all passionate, inspired professionals and life-long learners.
Garuda Centre was born from a dream. A place of transformation where Knowledge + Knowing come together at the highest level to bring profound insight in a grounded and heartfelt way.
Mythologically the Garuda is a divine, eagle-like sun bird that has many far-reaching parallels across traditions from the Vedic/Hindu + Buddhist to the First Nation Supernatural Eagle/Thunderbird as well as the Phoenix of Greek mythology. It is the personification of courage and a metaphor for the Atman (Self, deepest level of consciousness) and has the universal attributes of bringing Heaven to Earth, Renewal of the Spirit, Protector of the Dharma (Truth/Nature) and Remover of Toxins.