Inspiration! This is just simply beautiful…….
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Aug
04
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
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Jul
29
Than have I got an idea for you!
I know it’s only the end of July, but winter will be here before you know it… and you’ll be dreaming of frolicking with the kids on white sand and in azure waters.
So, plan ahead and consider combining yoga with your snorkelling this winter. Sivananda Ashram, near Nassau in the Bahamas, offers family options, that keep everybody busy and relaxed, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the usual tropical vacation stuff.
From February 19-25, you and your family can enjoy games, activities, outings and more, along with regular yoga practice for the whole family. Only a half-mile down the shore is the famed Atlantis Resort, where you can grab a snack and enjoy a splash down the 60-foot Mayan-temple slide to boot!
The real beauty of Sivananda Ashram as a family vacation, is that you can enjoy the best in beach vacations, with all you would expect from an island paradise with crystal clear water and pure white sands, for a fraction of what it might cost you to do otherwise. It’s remarkably reasonable, particularly if you choose the tent option, though you can choose from a variety of accommodations, whether you’re into tenting or a beachfront private room with A/C and a view.
Make your plans now! (242/363-2902; www.sivanandabahamas.org; from $79 per adult, including meals, yoga classes, and meditation sessions; children under 12 half-price; children under three free.)
Category: Destinations, family, health, instruction, Kids, Meditation, Spirit, yoga
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Jul
28
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
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May
09
It is festival time folks, and here’s one to kick off the season that is bound to inspire and enlighten while getting you movin’, groovin’ all at the same time. In amongst the music and vendors, yoga, speakers and workshops will be in abundance at the fast approaching and much anticipated 6th annual Lightning in a Bottle Music and Arts Festival 2011, presented by The Do Lab.
Yoga plays an integral role in Lightning In A Bottle, lead by the likes of Shiva Rea and Micheline Berry, but what sets this festival apart are the unique series of workshops to satisfy any number of interests. Want a cool way to make use your old clothes? Check out the Revolutionary Remix Upcycled Fashion and Costuming with artist Sara Rodriguez. Interested in a new way of looking at your connections to yourself, your relationships and your community? You’re bound to find a new perspective with Jessica Viola and The Life Garden. Wanna eat algae? Learn what spirulina can do for you and how to grow it at home.
Lightning In A Bottle is also family friendly where, in addition to the music, food and fun there is also MagiKids Village and Mystic Family Circus. There they’ll find a fun, magical place to experience the festival. From exciting activities and little shows geared towards children, to arts & crafts tables, the Kidz Village is the place for parents to go with their kids. It also provides a safer zone for children to play and roam more freely and playful educational activities to engage in. With arts and crafts, a play area with fun circus props, face painting and more along with entertainment suprises, your kids are sure to have a great time of their own at the festival.
Click HERE to see the multitude of interesting and inspiring workshops available at Lightning In A Bottle in only a couple of weeks!
Get educated, enlightened and inspired this Memorial Day weekend (May 27-30) and will be returning for the 2nd straight year to the beautiful Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine, Ca.
This is a definite must see! Head over to Lightning In A Bottle for more info!
Category: Destinations, Events, green, health, instruction, news, people, Spirit, yoga
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May
06
Mother’s Day is this Sunday and in honour of all of us, I thought I’d post a little valuable information to also honour that which defined many of our early days and nights in those weeks, months, and, in some cases, years when we first became mothers: our breasts! OK… so they may not have defined us exactly, but I know my boobs were being sucked, fondled, bitten, pinched and slapped for more years than I care to think about… and then I had kids!!
Seriously… in the spirit of keeping the jugs healthy, particularly with 1 in 20 women dealing with breast cancer, either in treatment or as survivors, here are some asanas to promote breast care, not to mention just helping the girls feel good day to day!
Breast health is sustained by the body’s lymphatic system. A high functioning lymphatic system cleanses toxins and ensures a clean flow of blood to the breast cells and tissues. Yoga, maintaining coordination between breathing and movements, can help in the circulation of blood and supplying vital energy throughout the lymphatic system.
Diagonal Stretch. Jump start the lymphatic system with some energetic movement and powerful breathing. How to: Sit in a comfortable position and place your thumbs on the palms of the hands, right at the base of your little fingers.
Be sure to rest your fingers in straight line. Now, slowly pull your arms to the sides, making sure they are parallel to the ground. Your palms should face downwards.
Now raise your right arm and bring down the left arm. Breathe in as the right arm goes up and breathe out as the right arm goes down. Continue this exercise for 1 to 2 minutes.
Haiyyyyyy-yah!! This asana feels a little like a martial arts exercise. The ‘snapping back’ movement in the asana helps in activating the lymph and breast tissues. How to: On your mat, sit comfortably on your heels and take the pressure off your knee joints by placing a firm pillow in between your buttocks and legs. Make a fist by tucking the thumb inside. Bring your fists to the level of your chests by pulling your elbows back. Extend one arms fully and forcefully forward as you inhale powerfully. Open your fingers as though you were about to grasp something. Then close them again as you snap the arm back to starting position as you exhale. Do the same with the other arm and continue, alternating arms, for 2 to 3 minutes.
I love it. I hate it. I love it. I hate it. I love it. Standing Forward Bend-ish. This asana enhances the flow of energy to all parts of the body. How to: Stand in a comfortable position and place your heels together. Now squat down comfortably and keep your heels off the ground. Reach with your finger tips, stretching to the ground and straightening your spine as much as possible. Inhale and straighten the legs and bring the head close to the knees. The finger tips should continue to touch the ground. Exhale and return to the squatting position. Perform this asana for one minute comfortably, and gradually increase the minutes.
Happy boobies… Happy Mother’s Day!!
Category: Articles, health, instruction, Kids, Postures, Practice, yoga
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Apr
20
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chair Pose: You’ll only pretend to be sitting in your chair as you do this pose, which strengthens your thighs, hips and hamstrings.
- Neck stretch: Another technique to immediately release tension and help yourself relax is this neck stretch.
- 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.
- 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.
- Big Mind Meditation: Sit comfortably on the floor in this pose to quiet your mind.
- 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.
- Chair Twist: Your back will get a good, strong stretch with this pose you can do in your office chair.
- Warrior II Pose: Get a good stretch while strengthening your arms, thighs and legs at the same time.
Category: Articles, Blog, Features, health, instruction, Postures, Practice, strength, yoga
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Jan
18
Time spent in meditation is, by far, one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
Many of us as parents, even those of us who appreciate meditation in our own lives, are hesitant to introduce it to our children.
We are intimidated by the prospect, knowing how difficult it is ourselves to find that often illusive place of quiet. ’If I struggle in quieting my own monkey mind, how can I possibly help my child do it?’
In truth, it can actually be easier. Consider how rapt your child is during story time. In that spirit, children are remarkably receptive to sitting in quiet and in peaceful attention. The perfect beginning.
Through guided meditation to start with, the child is better able to connect with that peaceful place within, losing themselves in the comfort of your voice or that of a recording, and the urgings of gentle instruction.
The benefits of meditation are immeasurable. As with adults, meditation is shown to reduce stress while enhancing self-esteem. It also offers a healthy means of relaxation during doctor’s visits, exams and in preparation for various sports events and performances.
According to Sarah Wood, a facilitator in child meditation, and author of the book Sensational Meditation for Children, teachers who build meditation into lesson plans report their classroom environments being more peaceful and attribute this to their students’ ability to express compassion to each other.
To help you get started with your own child, have a listen: childrengettingstarted
While it may take several sessions, any practitioner of meditation will agree that there can be no down-side to offering a child such an experience and the knowledge of how to acheive it themselves. Any time, any where. There is such valuable power in that.
For more ideas and resources, please visit Children’s Meditation.
For more information, read more at Suite101: The Benefits of Child Meditation: Giving Children Tools to Nurture Their Bodies, Minds and Spirits http://www.suite101.com/content/the-benefits-of-child-meditation-a22687#ixzz1BOorGkMd
Category: gratitude, health, instruction, Kids, Meditation, Spirit, strength, surrender
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Nov
21
Wanderlust is a retreat unlike any other… and it ain’t just for California gurls anymore.
The two-year-old yoga-slash-concert extravaganza will offer two locations for the summer of 2011, appealing to the green-, yogi-, and folk- hearted on both coasts. If you can’t make it out to California, maybe you’ve a hankerin’ for maple syrup and an extra excuse to get to Vermont is in order! An added bonus, they are a month apart, so you’ve plenty of time to save your pennies not missing one in favour of the other.
The details, instructors and musicians, are still to be announced next month, but if last year’s line-up is any indication (the likes of Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Doug Swenson and Moby, Bassnectar, Brazilian Girls, respectively) then these retreats will be sure NOT to disappoint.
The beautiful thing about Wanderlust, it isn’t just a retreat for yoga-loving singles. Families are welcome and encouraged, with the Wanderkind Kids Program, presented last year by Om Kids Yoga, Truckee. It was the number one spot on site for kids to have an exceptionally cool experience, custom tailored to the interests of Wanderlust families.
Category: Destinations, Events, green, health, instruction, Kids, news, people, yoga
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Nov
09
Look… there’s very little else I can say to encourage those who haven’t yet made their way onto the mat, and until now, I wouldn’t have thought of this one, but if a chicken can freaking do it then, really…
As you’ve probably guessed, this won’t be your yogi’s yoga manual.
In this clever and fowl take on the practice, not only has Lynn Brunelle, one of the creative minds behind the TV show Bill Nye the Science Guy and the board game, Cranium, offered yoga from one of the most unique perspectives in print, she’s provided just that little extra encouragement in the form of an eagerly game, albeit slightly harried, model to guide you through the poses.
Written and illustrated by the talented Brunelle, Yoga for Chickens is geared to “lead you along the poultry path of self-awareness” and if you are interested- and who wouldn’t be- ponder along with you, your “being and chickenness.”
There is practical instruction, though brief, introducing readers to poses they might not be familiar with, such as “Wingstand,” “Rooster’s Sunrise Salutation,” and “Boneless Chicken Pose” (more commonly known as Corpse Pose). But what is most charming about the book is the tidbits of wisdom, the things we likely have already heard, but could use perhaps another reminder, in a unique and memorable way.
As you might rightly assume, your average chicken is probably a little ruffled trying yoga for the first time. But, as with anything, if a chicken can transcend her fears and give it a go… what are you waiting for?
Category: health, instruction, Just Crazy... In A Good Way, Postures, Practice, reading, yoga
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