Inspiration! This is just simply beautiful…….
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Nov
18
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Lest I overstate how I feel about my first four days, I have to stress that my ADHD, crack addicted orangutan- I mean monkey- of a mind still prevails. My early morning thirty minutes is a virtual cluster f*# of to-do’s, did-do’s, oh sh*t’s, oh-god-i-forgot-to-do’s, WTF’s, and so many more wonderful distractions.
And I indulge.
But I still sit. I redirect. I bring my attention to my breath.
Over and over and over again.
While it sounds tedious, it has been a most pleasant space early in the quiet of the morning. Before the emails, the work, the kids, the noise… the chaos.
And somehow I’m energized first thing, better preparing me for the day.
And the nagging headache I’ve been waking up with? Blissfully diminished at the end of the half hour… despite the orangutan.
Category: 365 day meditation, gratitude, health, maybe, Meditation, Practice, Spirit, strength, surrender
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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
20
Over these past several years, I’ve dedicated more than one post to the wonders of Baptiste. I’ve read and followed his books, been to a Bootcamp (which I loved!) and generally, let the Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga dictate my practice for the better part of a decade… and love it!
However, recently, I’ve let myself succumb to the charms of another… whose methodology has opened a new door into a whole new way of practicing yoga.
Yes, I’d heard of him. I’ve even written about him here.
But… I’ll be honest, I never really took him seriously. What with the yoga competitions and all… he just seemed like just another egomaniacal one-named guru cashing in on the trend.
I mean, really.
But then, thanks to an extended trip to the city and the modern wonders of the Groupon… I received an offer I couldn’t refuse. An inexpensive opportunity to experience that known simply as Bikram…
And, lo and behold, I’m hooked.
The first class nearly killed me… sending me into a claustrophobic anxiety attack, gasping desperately for fresh breath in the suffocating heat- never has savasana been so welcome. But damn! Even after that first class I felt transformed.
Cleaned, pulled and emerged, not unlike the slimy pupa freeing itself from the restriction of her shell.
And sweat?! Holy moly… I felt purged from the inside out. All the yuck seeping out through my pores. Not to mention the 600 calories I supposedly burned!
And more wondrous, throughout the rest of the day, the experience stayed with me, so much so that I enjoyed a heightened consciousness and deliberateness in everything I chose to put back in, from food to media. Weird.
Everything about my day felt different… true renewal. A feeling I want everyday.
But alas… my return to the sticks. And trying to recreate Bikram on my own.
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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Feb
03
A yoga mat is a very personal thing. It’s covered in your sweat, your smell, your belly button lint and toe jam, your cleaner… it doesn’t get any more “yours”. Tried explaining this to hubby to no avail… thinks we just have a collection of random, interchangeable yoga mats and just grabs ‘em willy nilly. Argh!
I’ve since removed mine from the collection!
Also hiding from indiscriminate hubby is my Yogamatic Travel Mat/Yoga Towel, which I received a couple of months ago and fell in love with immediately. It’s surprisingly light and thin, with a towel-ly soft top layer, complete with a design that I love, and a sticky rubber bottom that grips the floor.
I sometimes use it on top of my usual yoga mat for a little extra padding and absorption, but what I really love is how convenient and perfect it is for travel. It folds up light and compact in a convenient little envelope, easily sliding into a carry-on. No more packing around bulky yoga mats for me! It could even fit in my purse, for Christmas sake!
As wonderful as the versatile Yoga Towel is, what makes Yogamatic truly unique is that they are all about making your yoga mat all that much more yours.
Whether you choose from their huge selection of wonderful designs or upload your own image or graphic, it’s all about suiting your practice, your personality and your passion for yoga and beyond.
Perhaps you’ve already heard about Jennifer Anniston recently gifting Oprah a puppified Yogamatic of her own!
Whether your after a handy-dandy Towel or customizing a for real, thick and cushion-y mat, Yogamatic is doing it best!
Jan
26
With New Years resolutions already falling by the wayside, yoga studios all over are capitalizing on the lack of resolve by offering another chance for instituting change.
To get your sorry butt off the sofa stir the embers of motivation, perhaps a little challenge might be in order. The 30 Day Yoga Challenge might be what you- and I, Buddha knows!- need to be finding our way to the mat more regularly.
Beginning February 1st, we shall all commit to practicing every day. Every day. If you miss a day, it’s to be made up on the following.
Remember, it’s a Challenge.
Perhaps you find it easier participating with a class, such as that at Vancouver’s Yogapod, as many studios are offering such programs. The beauty of this is, of course, you can always do it on your own.
Choose your venue. Choose your style… and for heaven’s sake, feel free to choose the time of day and the length of practice that works best for your schedule. Keep in mind that this has less to do with the 30 days you’ve committed than to instituting real change in your life and health.
As I consider my own commitment, I know that here in the sticks I don’t have the benefit of a studio that can provide me with such a program. I’m on my own. With no one but my lone reader many readers to keep me honest.
30 days? Dare I say… I’m in?!
Category: 10 minutes to glory!, Events, Good Intentions, health, Practice, Spirit, strength, Trends, yoga
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Jan
14
You wouldn’t think of the tiny province of Nova Scotia as being a hotbed of activism, but it’s amazing what can happen when you combine the spirit of yoga and, well, the spirit of people.
With the help of his staff, Jeff MacKinnnon, of Breathing Space Yoga Studio, and his Yoga 11 class partnered with Ian MacHattie and fotocan.org to raise the money for 60 houses, costing $500 each. The 60 houses will make their way to the devastated and struggling country, hit by a 7.0 earthquake a year ago, killing 220,000 and leaving 1.8 million homeless.
Part of the fundraiser featured a class of 94 students at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College on Monday, which is the largest ever in the region. MacKinnon was trying to break that number Thursday at Cobequid Educational Centre which was also the culmination of the CEC’s first semester of Yoga 11, and featured 86 participants. To meet the 60-house goal, the last $775 was raised through the class.
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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