Archive for the Category » Spirit «

Jan
14

60 Houses Going to Haiti… Thanks to the Power of Yoga!

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.

Read on….

Category: Articles, Events, gratitude, news, Practice, Spirit, yoga  Leave a Comment
Sep
14

September: National Yoga Month!

I’m afraid it’s been a busy month in the world of MommyOm… I was under the impression that, as Staples keeps reminding us, “It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeear!” because September means Back to School and thus find myself way behind the 8-ball and totally slow on the uptake in this being National Yoga Month!

For those of you not completely lost in the bliss and sudden abundance of peace and quiet in your lives, perhaps this month might also mean taking advantage of the various specials held at studios around America and getting acquainted with yoga for the first time.  For others, such as myself, it means considering what yoga means in my day-to-day life and perhaps re-committing to a regular practice… or maybe I did that last month?!?!

Whatever.  Whether it’s Back to School or National Yoga Month, do yourself a favour and check out a local yoga class this month.  It might be just what you need to fill up all the time you’ve recently acquired!

Happy Yoga Month!

Category: Class-y, Events, Good Intentions, health, Spirit, yoga  Leave a Comment
Jun
26

Yoga… Not Just For Size 6′s

heavyweight yogaYoga isn’t just for your average Jennifer Aniston type body anymore.  With obesity in North America reaching epidemic proportions it really can’t be.

But when self-loathing is such a fundamental part of day-to-day life, where do the plus-size go to enjoy the effects of yoga but would rather not have to stare into a size-4 behind for 90 minutes?

Unfortunately, there aren’t many choices.  But, seeing the need, and knowing first-hand the difficulty, Texas yoga instructor Abby Lentz came up with a plan.

As an active plus-size woman, Abby knew the importance of not only a safe place in which to allow such physical vulnerability as learning postures in a body that would be perhaps less than receptive, but also founding principles that would facilitate participation.  She refers to them as the Three A’s-  awareness, acceptance and affection.

For people to start the program, and more importantly continue, Abby’s goal is to encourage women to accept and love their bodies NOW, not when they finally manage to lose pounds or shrink jeans sizes.  It’s about influencing the self-loathing before the weight-loss.

Read more….

Category: beauty, gratitude, health, Practice, Spirit, strength, Trends, weight loss, yoga  One Comment
Jun
21

It’s That Time of Year! Wanderlust Festival Squaw Valley

Summer means sunshine, gardening, taking practice outdoors and, come July 29th, the annual Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley!

Yoga. Music. Nature.  That about sums up this amazing combination of landscape, live rock & roll with music greats Moby, Yard Dogs Road Show, Pretty Lights and others providing the soundtrack to the best in yoga led by such names as Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Doug Swenson, Elena Brower and so many more!

Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s best yoga teachers and best performers in rock & roll, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.

It is a place to relax, unwind, bend, dance, revel, and contemplate. It’s a community of like-minded people who share a common set of interests and values.

It’s a chance to escape the mundane and dwell in the extraordinary.

It’s healthy hedonism and spiritual exploration. Most of all, it’s a long weekend of satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs fun.

For families, another unique aspect to this wonderful festival:

The Wanderkind program, presented by Om Kids Yoga, Truckee, will be the number one spot on site for kids to have an exceptionally cool experience, custom tailored to the interests of Wanderlust families.

The program, held on site at Squaw Kids, will run from 9:30am-4pm Friday through Sunday, and include activities like kids’ yoga, music, henna tattoos, hula-hooping and crafts.

Kids and parents will be responsible for their own lunches, but can enjoy samples from kid-friendly snack sponsors and peruse offerings at kids’ vendor booths.

Drop your child off to hang with the other Wander-kids while you hit up yoga class, or stay and enjoy some of the awesome family activities.

Wanderlust/Kind tickets are available now!   Join us.

Category: Destinations, Events, green, Kids, people, Spirit, Trends, yoga  Leave a Comment
Jun
19

Ujjayi… Certainly Easier to Do than Spell!

The foundation of yoga is in the breath…. It’s a fact that we who practice are already well aware.  But are we doing it right?

Here’s a little beginner’s guide to achieving the Ujjayi, more fully realized- read: done correctly- in your practice.

Category: health, instruction, Meditation, Practice, Spirit, strength, surrender, yoga  Leave a Comment
Jun
04

Excavating Etsy: Ms. Yoga from The Willies

Whew… I’m back!  You know life can just take you in all kinds of directions and sometimes… sometimes the things you enjoy end up stuck on the backburner.

But, dear readers, it’s springtime… fresh, bright and inspiring… breathing new life into my yoga practice and into this here ol’ blog, MommyOm.

And so, in the spirit of fresh and new… have you considered your yoga space?  Perhaps it needs a little pick-me-up and, through the wonders of Etsy, I have a unique idea to spruce up your walls with a little yoga folk art.

The Willies offer the cutest, most folksie and interesting yoga themed prints to dress up your walls and offer a little hand-made inspiration.  Aptly named Ms. Yoga, these prints “are the whimsical, handmade creation of Sam Willoughby. Each Willie has its own character and no two are the same.”

“The Willies like being around nature therefore, many accompanying objects of art have been created: flowers, trees, birds, rabbits and such. Many of the smaller pieces could sit on a table top and perhaps brighten up a small space in your home or office.”

Ms. Yoga would love to be a part of your inspirational space just as I am happy to be back as part of your yoga surfing!

Category: etsy, green, Products, Spirit, yoga  Leave a Comment
Mar
25

I Hate Yoga: 10.5 Reasons NOT to Hit the Mat!

drunk10. I LOVE the tension through my neck and shoulders… it’s what holds my head up after another night of not sleeping!

9. The fog in my head that lasts till my second cup of coffee is all comfy-cozy… like one of those Snuggies they advertise on TV.

8. My stiff joints mean I can stay home and watch sports on the tube… I don’t actually have to DO them.

7. I’ve been breathing since birth, thank you very much… like I need to LEARN how!

6. Tranquility is over-rated.  How would my kids possibly get anything done if I wasn’t yelling at them?

5. My extra body fat keeps me warm in winter.

4. I don’t do any heavy lifting… that’s why I have kids.

3. Stress gets me to work in the morning… without it, I don’t know that I’d be motivated to get out of bed.

2. Counting the days until my next poop is my new hobby.

1.5 There’s no bigger compliment than when people mistake me for my mother.

1. Do you think I’m even going to think of putting another dime in the pockets of those glorified pyjama jockeys?

Category: Anti-aging, health, Spirit, strength, weight loss, yoga  2 Comments
Mar
24

Yoga For Teens… And Credit!

teenFinally… a school district that has actually taken on the “higher” in higher learning!

A British Columbia school district has approved, among other courses such as Musical Theatre and Outdoor Pursuits, yoga in an effort to address kids’ interest and demand.

According to Superintendent Jan Unwin, “the wide variety of courses is intended to keep kids in school by offering them something they will be interested in.”

This marks a new era in education (finally!?) as those interests that were once considered ‘alternative’, particularly given the spiritual component to something like yoga, are now seen as so positive and constructive as to be considered part of a public school curriculum.

Yoga has proven benefits in the areas of self-esteem and healthy body image, two critical aspects of children’s development, particularly for girls.

Introducing adolescents to the power and beauty of yoga really only introduces and reinforces the power and beauty in themselves…

which is something everyone needs!

Good on School District No. 42 for recognizing it!

Category: Articles, health, Kids, Spirit, yoga  Leave a Comment
Feb
25

A Little Late for the Official Yoga Challenge…

But I’m considering issuing my own, to myself, sometime… soon.  Though in the meantime I will sign up with Power of Movement for a little valuable inspiration.

A great concept and I’m sorry I only just found out about it!  It began earlier this month on February 6th, when Power of Movement issued the challenge:

All of Canada will join together for a virtual 30 Day Challenge for Power of Movement!
February 6th – March 7th, 2010, we’ll send you a daily challenge, bringing yoga and mindfulness into each day. Activities will include yoga, stretching, good deeds and more!

Very cool!  And it’s not too late.  On March 7th you can participate in the finale, either at one of the Power of Movement Mega-Sessions or virtually,  for a really good cause.

Category: Events, health, Spirit, yoga  One Comment
Dec
06

Breakfast… And Yoga. The Keys to Success

We’ve all known for ever the importance of a healthy breakfast to children’s learning, but one British primary school is also recognizing the benefits of incorporating yoga and meditation into education.

Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe

Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe

According to a recent article in The London Evening Standard, the children of Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe were provided with not only a proper breakfast heading into their primary SAT’s but also,  under the guidance of a local yoga instructor, exercises in breathing and yoga.

The results astounded as the school, serving an area of considerable social disadvantage, found themselves ranked top of the Evening Standard’s league tables today, helping pupils soar more than a year ahead of their peers between the ages of seven and 11.

While the school made a concerted effort not to merely teach to the controversial tests, contributing to the remarkable results, the additional support in the form of healthy breakfast and relaxation exercises without doubt paid off this year.

Category: health, Kids, Meditation, Spirit, yoga  2 Comments
« Previous Entries
Next Entries »