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Aug
04

Paddle Board Yoga- Trend… Really?

It wasn’t too long ago that I wrote about another trend in yoga that involved smoking pot… and I sort of thought that was a little out there.

But there’s another trend making its way through the yogic ranks and, as someone who lives near a lake, while I love the idea of it, I’m really not sure how, at $2000 bucks a pop just in equipment alone, it could really even catch on.

Yoga atop a paddle board on the water.  Everything about it sounds wonderfully peaceful with the additional benefit of really targeting the core, as you work to keep yourself steady and not flipped over into the water.

Again, the heat of the sun on your body… sitting only centimetres above the cool water… the gentle lapping of the waves… seagulls…. It really sounds idyllic. 

According to the instructor in the video below as well as others who are leading the trend, while balancing on the board helps you achieve a much more thorough workout for the core, it is really the connection to nature that is the biggest draw.  As you quietly practice, there is a whole other world of aquatic flora and fauna just beneath you.

Currently, I think it has grown popular in places like Florida, though more and more they seem to be cropping up all around the U.S.  It’s definitely made my list to try… though, given the outlay for a paddle board, I only have an old windsurfer at my disposal.

I’ll let you know how it goes…..

 

Category: Blog, green, health, instruction, Just Crazy... In A Good Way, Practice, Spirit, Trends, WTF, yoga  One Comment
Jul
28

Get the Kids Saluting the Sun… The Sundance!

My seven-year-old loves dance, she loves music and she jumps at the chance to practice yoga with me.

So, without a doubt when I came across this lively combination that introduces the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara) to little ones I put it to her for review. She’s on the older side for this presentation, as, like I said, she’s going on seventeen seven and she’s already pretty familiar with both Sun Salutes, but even despite her previous experience, she still found this a lot of fun and said she “would toooootally do this all the time!”

Certainly for tots who are a little younger, this is sure to be a winner!

The Sun Dance Kids Yoga/Music Video by Bari Koral Family Rock Band

Category: Blog, health, instruction, Kids, Postures, yoga  One Comment
Apr
28

Happy Thursday!

A little bit of unadulterated playfulness in anticipation of the weekend:

Category: Blog, gratitude, green, Spirit  Leave a Comment
Apr
22

Happy Earth Day… Get Your Yoga On!

Happy Earth Day, all!

In honour of all things earth, lets talk what we can do to combine our love of yoga with our love of this wondrous host that sustains us.

1. Get outside with your mat.  OK, so it still might only be slightly above freezing in some parts (ahem. mine.), but I bet it warms up some by this afternoon.  Even if it’s just a quick sun salute out on the lawn… bring your practice closer to the soil on this special day!

2. Walking meditation. Find a favourite spot outside, take off your shoes, and walk it.  Back and forth, with method and deliberation.  Feel the sensations in your feet: every grab of your toes, the pressure in your heels.  Breathe deeply. Welcome thoughts as you patiently dismiss them. Yes, to your neighbours, you’ll sort of look like a victim of the bodysnatchers, but who cares?!  They’ll have no idea what they’re missing and you’ll feel invigorated by the experience!

3. Sitting meditation.  Again… find a favourite spot outdoors, arrange your preferred seat, and sit. Be. ‘Nuff said.

4. Get outside with the kids. There is nothing to ground you to our Mother, like fully embracing that within yourself. Even with the screaming, crying and whining… OK, maybe that’s just my brood.

5. Unplug for mercy’s sake.  Turn off the God-awful tube, X-Box, PS, wii, computer (… yeah. right.) Nothing says we love you Earth, like conserving a little energy and getting people away from screens gets everybody expending a little for a change.

6.  Today… water is for drinking.  Take a break from flushing, washing, watering.

7.  Sit down with your family and make a “Conservation Commitment”.  Talk about some ways you all can impact the Earth less, why it’s so important and sign a contract that seals the deal.

8.  For this day, as you move about your daily lives, keep conservation in your consciousness.  When I approach the fridge and grab for something, I like to ask, “does this really nourish me?”  Same goes for your activities today, “Does this help or hurt?”

It’s a beautiful, wonderful day.  Thank Earth.

Category: Blog, Events, Good Intentions, gratitude, green, health, yoga  One Comment
Apr
21

Has It Really Come to This?! Patenting Asanas

With yoga having become the big business that it has, I guess it should come as no surprise that the nation that brung it should take steps to preserve at least a little of the ancient art’s integrity.

According to the Times of India, India has made available a list of 1,300 newly registered yoga poses, compiled to prevent the ancient postures from being exploited for commercial purposes by patent pirates.

Scouring 16 ancient texts, including the Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Bhagwat Gita, scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research ( CSIR) have compiled a database of asanas consisting of video and text records in order to protect them from being patented elsewhere.  Already in the United States, the patent authorities have issued more than 130 yoga-related patents, 150 copyrights and 2,300 trademarks related to the ancient practice.

These asanas will all be included in the digitalised Traditional Knowledge Library (TKDL), set up by the council to collect and record traditional treatment therapy knowledge. Medicines and yoga asanas registered with it enjoy the status of being patented.  ”How can someone else patent these asanas which are a part of our traditional treatment therapy knowledge? They should not be allowed to use them for commercial purposes,” said Dr Gupta, of the TKDL.

In India, the centuries-old tradition is still being taught free in public parks and it comes as an outrage to Indians to see these ancient poses, marketed by “gurus” for commercial purposes, alleviating everything from back pain to stress to sexual dysfunction.

30-40 of the most popular asanas will remain in the public domain but poses from another 20 ancient texts will be added to the protected database.

Read more…

 

Category: Articles, Blog, news, yoga  Leave a Comment
Apr
20

From RN Central: 28 Great Yoga Moves in the Office

My office chair is HORRIBLE!  It’s not unusual for me to hobble away from my desk, bent over like an old woman crawling out of a shoe.

Courtesy of RN Central, here are a whole bunch of great moves to keep you walking, straight and narrow, that you can do easily at your desk or in the office:

Even if you don’t think of yourself as a typical yogi, yoga can be a very beneficial addition to your day. Taking breaks at the office is integral to staying flexible and healthy during the day, and you can supplement your normal stair climbs or walk around the building with these yoga poses. Whether or not you’ve tried yoga before or have studied the health benefits of yoga, try to find a peaceful spot in your office to stretch, strengthen your muscles, and regain your composure.

  1. Side benders: The first pose on this video will stretch out your neck, core and back. Just remember to keep your shoulders back and chest open.
  2. Shoulder rolls: Even if you don’t think you’re particularly stressed at work, you probably hold a lot of tension in your shoulders. Roll them out with this pose.
  3. Chair Pose: You’ll only pretend to be sitting in your chair as you do this pose, which strengthens your thighs, hips and hamstrings.
  4. Neck stretch: Another technique to immediately release tension and help yourself relax is this neck stretch.
  5. Tadasana: One of the most basic yoga poses, all you really have to do is stand with your feet together, practicing good posture and relieving back pain.
  6. Triangle pose: Anyone can do this pose, and as you become more advanced, you can focus on opening and stretching your hips and looking up to your other hand.
  7. Big Mind Meditation: Sit comfortably on the floor in this pose to quiet your mind.
  8. Standing tree pose: This is a great pose to do at work because it centers your mind and body while calming your nerves and helping you de-stress.
  9. Chair Twist: Your back will get a good, strong stretch with this pose you can do in your office chair.
  10. Warrior II Pose: Get a good stretch while strengthening your arms, thighs and legs at the same time.

Read more….

Category: Articles, Blog, Features, health, instruction, Postures, Practice, strength, yoga  One Comment
Apr
19

Get Rid of the Smellies: Love My Mat!

I have two favourite yoga mats that I routinely use… interchangeably.

They each have things I love about them and depending on my mood, it’s one or the other I rely on to provide my early morning flop practice pad.  For hungover achey, sluggish mornings, one is soft and gishy, offering me some much needed sinkage, but requires a towel for grip (I have a dandy one I’ll be sure to post about in the coming days!;)) and the other, for more energetic mornings, is thinner, made out of recycled tires, I think, and grips like a sonofagun!  Oh… I forgot to add my favourite go-to mat for travel: my recently acquired YogaMatic- which I so very much LOVE!

As I like my yoga hot, things can get a little funky. And since I practice primarily in the privacy of my own hovel, I am not under any pressure to keep up any pretence of mat hygiene and the funkiness can tend to grow and grow until I can’t stand the smell of myself oozing out of the polluted pores of my mats.  Until… Love My Mat!

I know, there are all kinds of home-made solutions to take care of mat smelliness.  But, after the first cleanse to wash away the factory smell and enhance the grab of a new mat, I’ve just never been bothered- judge not, por favor!- and the mats get put away with a new layer of me to infuse their every fibre.  Actually, I have to come clean… I have tried to mix up my own solutions, but I’ve always had trouble finding the right combination of scents that don’t leave me nauseous.  At the very least I’m used to the smell of me.   Again, until… Love My Mat!

Love My Mat offers the perfect fusion of fresh scented essential oils that leave your mat smelling clean and effectively disinfected.  More importantly, it’s a scent that doesn’t offend with daily use, in fact laying face-down on any of my mats is that much more pleasant because of it!  Love My Mat is also completely organic and so very easy!  And for the me, the quick spritz, wipe and go is essential to maintaining a habit of (almost;)) daily mat hygiene.

Another treat… Love My Mat isn’t just for yoga mats, it’s also a wonderful linen and upholstery spray too.  If my office chair could speak, it would certainly thank me… or Love My Mat!

Category: Blog, green, health, Products  Leave a Comment
Feb
19

There is Nothing As Funny As a Drunk Baby!

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Aug
09

If You Knew the Power of Your Thoughts….

…. perhaps you’d never again have a negative one!!

positive

What does it mean to your success?  To your relationships?  To your health?

Anthony Robbins – …

more »

Category: Articles, Blog, Spirit  Leave a Comment
Jun
04

Yoga For Kids? You Bet!

Those of us who know, understand and feel what yoga does for our own mental and physical health certainly agree that yoga can do the same for our kids… maybe more.

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