10 Inspiring Quotes When Feeling Uninspired

An excerpt adapted from www.marcandangel.com.

1. Your best music is still inside you. – The only way for us to have long-term happiness and success is to live by our highest principles, to consistently act in accordance with what we believe our life is in fact about.  That music you hear inside you motivating you to take risks and follow your dreams is your instinctive calling to the true purpose in your heart and mind.  Don’t ignore it.  Be enthusiastic about all that you do, and the possibilities that lie ahead.  Have the courage to pursue your calling.  Don’t die with your music still in you.  Read The Power of Intention.
2. It’s never too late to be who you could have been. – It’s a matter of switching gears, never looking back, and BECOMING the person today that you always knew you were capable of being.  Entertain every thought, say every word, and make every decision from their point of view.  Walk the way they would walk, dress the way they would dress, and spend your free time the way they would spend theirs.  Choose the friends they would choose, eat the meals they would eat, and love and appreciate yourself the way they would.  These steps MUST come in order for there to be change.  There’s no other option, no other way.  But since this person is who you REALLY are deep down, that makes this task a bit easier.  You just have to STOP BEING WHO YOU AREN’T. Read The Great Work of Your Life, by Stephen Cope.
3. You are greater than the problems you face. – You are more than what you are going through.  You are not the mistakes you have made.  Let the problems come, and let the problems go.  Whatever the issue may be, engage yourself purposefully and enthusiastically in the goodness that still exists around you.  You may want the hero’s journey to be an easy climb, but it never is.  The rockslides in your life are there for a reason.  They create the stepping stones that guide you deeper into your own heart.
4. Challenges are simply opportunities. – When you encounter resistance, it means you are moving forward.  When you come across a challenge, it means you have reached an opportunity for growth.  Life becomes more rewarding as it becomes more demanding.  Each new challenge is an opportunity to stretch beyond your previous limits.  Most of the advantages you enjoy today were born in the difficulties through which you once traveled.  So revel in the beauty of each challenging effort.  Give your best to life, and life will return the favor many times over.
5. Tough times serve a purpose. – From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story – a story that says, “I learned and I survived.”  There are moments when troubles enter your life and you can do nothing to avoid them, but they are there for a reason.  Only when you have overcome them will you understand why they were there.  So be brave and press forward; you will not see the light at the end of the tunnel until you walk through the darkness. The Universe never gives you something you aren't capable of handling.  Read Awaken the Giant Within.
6. There’s no excuse for giving up on your goals. – Whether a goal is possible or impossible for you depends more on what you do about it than on any other factor.  Your persistent, focused attention is what brings possibilities to life.  Certainly there will be obstacles that stand in your way.  And you can choose to use these obstacles as excuses for giving up – many people do.  But the truth is, if you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.  You just need to find the strength and willpower to keep going.  Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying.
7. You are closer than you were yesterday. – The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before a little miracle of progress happens.  So don’t give up.  You were strong enough to get this far; you are strong enough to take another step.  Even when life issues you a series of roadblocks and disappointments, you can steadily achieve.  Even when you cannot make a lot of progress, you can make a little progress.  And these small steps forward add up, day after day, and ultimately lead to achievements far more impressive than those that are possible from a single effort.
8. Your opinion of YOU is what’s important. – Most of the good things you do will go unnoticed by others.  Do them anyway, because you will notice.  Many of the contributions you make will not be fully realized by others.  Make them anyway, because you realize they are the right things to do.  It’s great when you receive recognition for the things you do, yet even when there is no possibility of recognition, YOU still recognize the reasons you are putting forth the effort.  Your honest, authentic view of yourself influences all that you do.  And that view is formed mainly during times when no one is watching.  Your life is a living expression of who you know yourself to be, regardless of what others think or see. But relinquish the fruits of your labour, and do good for the sake of doing good. Become detached from the outcome to truly be and feel free.
9. It’s OK to let some people walk away. – You don’t have control over the things people say about you, but you do have control over how you decide to internalize it.  Leave people to their opinions and judgments.  Let them love you for who you are, and not for who they want you to be.  Or let them walk away if they choose.  They can’t harm you either way; it’s their understanding that is faulty, not yours.  Read Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
10. There’s a lot to appreciate in this moment. – Your journey will be much lighter and easier if you don’t try to carry your entire past and future around with you.  Take a break.  Let go of your obsession with yesterday’s struggles and tomorrow’s to-do list, and simply enjoy the beauty of what’s right here, right now.  Sometimes you have to stop thinking that some new richness will fulfill you, so you can fully experience the richness that's already yours.

Your PSOAS - What it is and Why You Should Care!

An excerpt adapted from Hope Zvara:

The psoas (SO-az) is a muscle running through the pelvis to the upper part of the femur.

This long, thick, fibrous muscle helps with walking, and is one of the largest muscles in the body.

In yoga the psoas is often overused, usually in place of the core in poses such as Boat (navasana), standing leg extension, and even tree, which can cause a barrel of problems.

And that's just the beginning!

The psoas is also a huge storage depot for fear, trauma, and childhood concerns.

Take, for example, the dreaded potty training stage. Emotional trauma from this stage can get buried in this early childhood developmental muscle, and decades later can become a cause for concern.

That's because the psoas is like a storage depot that never gets emptied: Everything just keeps getting dumped into the psoas.

Pain related to the psoas can easily cause a slew of symptoms such as:

• Back pain
• Hip socket tension
• Leg length discrepancies
• Knee and ankle problems
• Groin pain
• Sleep issues
• Jaw pain
• Shoulder pain
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Excessive muscle tension
• Referred back and sciatic pain

One way the body tries to bring balance and release without us realizing it is by teeth grinding. By grinding our teeth, we allow synovial fluid to keep running through the CNS (central nervous system), helping the body find balance.

Not understanding what the body is trying to do, we try to treat the grinding instead of the real issue: the psoas. That's why treatments such as crainosacral therapy work, because in this type of practice, one works to release the pelvis and other connected areas.

The psoas has many other cries for help, too, including menstrual cramps. When the psoas is tight, it pins the uterus down, giving a woman sometimes very painful cramping. Other signs that the psoas needs rehab include insomnia, foot and leg dysfunction, and water retention.

And as I stated before, the psoas holds deep-seated fear and trauma. That's partly the reason why people many times feel uncomfortable in a deep hip release (PIGEON!), getting anxious, angry or sometimes even brought to tears.

Our psoas can additionally cause concerns:

• Prolonged sitting can easily deplete over vital energy as well as tighten up this pesky muscle.
• Cause compression on the intervertebral disc and facet joints leading us to thinner, degenerating disc. (While degeneration is a natural process, we can lessen the effects.)
• Dragging the rib cage forward creating short breathing patterns and limited thoracic breathing.
• Digestive concerns in which the upper portion of the psoas is tight and restrictive.
• Breathing problems, as pressure is put on the diaphragm.

Addressing the psoas in a class can assist students in the true journey to freedom and the body they have been searching for. It's by no means easy, and often uncomfortable and frustrating, but the reward is a more balance body, mind, and spirit.

Rehab your psoas with releasing and toning exercises:

Supine Single Leg Pull

Many focus too much on pulling the leg into the chest and hugging with all their might, but here I want to encourage you to focus on only taking the knee into the chest to the point you feel sensation all the while keeping the pelvis stable (and in neutral) rather than allowing the pelvis to curl along with the leg being hugged.

Focus on extending the lower leg away from the body, feeling a release in the psoas (groin area or lower back) Move slowly and do not force the release.

Do not keep extending the leg or hugging the upper leg if your pelvis is moving with. Work here for one to three minutes or more, moving slowly and mindfully.

Many of our instructors at Yogalife will begin or end with Pavanmuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose) for these reasons.

Supine Single Leg Lift

Lying on you back comfortably bend one knee and place the foot to the floor.

Find neutral pelvis and find comfort lying on the floor.

Extend the opposite leg and actively reach the heel away from the body without arching the back or pelvis.

Inhale and exhale activate the pelvic floor and press through the opposite foot to lift the heel off the floor a few inches.

Mindfully move the leg up and down a few times (a few inches) and then side to side a few inches.

This is an area many teachers are trying to have you move through, when we encourage you to hug your legs into the midline when doing yogi bicycle, boat pose, etc!

Constructive Rest Pose

Lying on your back flat on the floor, widen your feet to the width of the mat and let your knees fall together (if this is difficult place a block or rolled towel between the knees). Rest here for up to five minutes really focusing on softening the inner hips and relaxing your breathing down to the area of focus.

It's no wonder to me that in our fast-paced, all-or-nothing world that we're all in need of a little hip release, a little fear-unlocking, a little psoas rehab.

*** In many, if not all yoga classes at Yogalife, you will engage in some sort of a lunge series. Low lunge or high lunge (anjaneyasana). In this pose (and many others), you may hear an instructor cue you to "tuck your tailbone in" or "draw your pubic bone up towards your sternum). Here, we are tying to help you OPEN up your psoas, so you can work deeper into the pose, and yourself. This mindful alignment will help you to progress through your practice, and though whatever you may be storing in your psoas (and hips) ***If you have any further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask any of our qualified teachers!

New Schedule Changes

We have some new schedule changes for the new year! You can download a PDF for either locations here. Schedule changes will be effective January 7th, 2013.

Here's to an amazing 2013!

To view the South Schedule, click here.

To view the North Schedule, click here.

9 Reasons It's Time to Move On!!!

An excerpt from www.marcandangel.com.  

It happens to you slowly as you grow. You discover more about who you are and what you want, and then you realize that there are changes you need to make. The lifestyle you’ve been living no longer fits. The people you’ve known forever no longer see things the way you do. So you cherish all the great memories, but find yourself moving on. For a large description of this phase of life, you can check out Stephen Cope's Book "Yoga and the Path to the True Self."

Here are nine reasons it’s time…

1.  You can learn from your history, but you can’t live in it. – You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present. Sometimes we avoid experiencing where we are because we have developed a belief, based on past experiences, that it is not where we should be or want to be. But the truth is, where you are now is exactly where you need to be to get to where you want to go tomorrow. Read The Power of Now.
2. Some things aren’t meant to be. – Everything from your past does not belong in your present. To hold onto relationships and circumstances that have already moved on without you is to stay stuck in a place and time that no longer exists. Moving on doesn’t mean you completely forget the wonderful things from your past, it just means that you find a positive way of surviving without them in your present. Life is shorter than is often seems. – While you are complaining about all the little problems in your life, somebody is desperately fighting for their right to live. You own every minute that you pass through, and that it is up to you to make the best use of each one of them. Because someday, suddenly, there will be no more minutes.
3. Holding on to pain is self abuse. – Your past has given you the strength and wisdom you have today, so celebrate it. Don’t let it haunt you. Replaying a painful memory over and over in your head is a form of self abuse. Toxic thoughts create a toxic life.
4. Make peace with yourself and your past. When you heal your thoughts, you heal the health of your happiness. So stop focusing on old problems and things you don’t want in your future. The more you think about them, the more you attract what you fear into your everyday experiences – you become your own worst enemy. Read Full Catastrophe Living.
5. Some things are out of your control. – No matter what happens, no matter the outcome, you’re going to be just fine. Let the things you can’t control, happen. Allow the universe to bless you in surprising and joyful ways. What if, instead of pushing so hard to make life happen, you decided to let go a little and allow life to happen to you? What if, instead of trying to always be in control, you sometimes surrendered control to something bigger than yourself? What if, instead of working so hard to figure out every last answer, you allowed yourself to be guided to the solution in perfect timing?
6. The past never changes. – You can spend hours, days, weeks, months, or even years sitting alone in a dark room, over-analyzing a situation from the past, trying to put the pieces together, and justifying what could’ve or sould’ve happened. Or you can just leave the pieces in the dark and walk out the front door into the sunlight to get some fresh air.
7. Moving on creates positive change. – You may blame everyone else and think, “Poor me! Why do all these crappy things keep happening to me?” But the only thing those scenarios all have in common is YOU. And this is good news, because it means YOU alone have the power to change things, or change the way you think about things. There is something very powerful and liberating about surrendering to change and embracing it – this is where personal growth and evolution reside. Read The Noticer.
8. New opportunities are out there waiting for you. – Nobody gets through life without losing someone they love, something they need, or something they thought was meant to be. But it is these losses that make us stronger and eventually move us toward future opportunities. Embrace these opportunities. Enter new relationships and new situations, knowing that you are venturing into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to experience something or meet someone that just might change your life forever.
9. The world needs you to let your light shine. – The powers above added one more day in your life today, not necessarily because you need it, but because the world still needs you to let your light shine. So starting today, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, but with an aim, an ambition, a passion. What would be your reason to wake up every morning with a smile? That’s what you need to start working on today.

"Nothing ever happened in the past that can prevent you from being present now; and if the past cannot prevent you from being present now, what kind of power does it actually have?!"

Yogalife's Staff Christmas Party

Having a good time at our staff Christmas Party. Thanks to Dean for being our resident yogi photographer that evening.

The Hardest Part of Yoga Practice is Letting Go

An excerpt by Rachel Wallmuller:

What is the hardest part of yoga practice? Is it the asana or the breath? Is it the discipline to step on your mat every day? Is it your willingness to try something new? It may be any combination of these things, or it may be one thing. In my experience it is the simple act of letting go.

Let us not get confused here. By letting go, I don’t mean surrendering or giving up, but rather letting go of the stories we tell ourselves that we can’t do something, the expectations and judgments we experience as we move through our practice, and our egos that push us too hard.  So often these judgments and harsh criticisms hold us back, keeping us from our true potential, hiding us from the brilliance within.

One of my yoga teachers says “the strongest yogi in the room is the one that takes child’s pose when they need it.” How true. How many times have you pushed yourself too hard in class only to be left feeling worse than when you walked in or maybe even pushing to injury? Have you been practicing for awhile with little change and feel frustrated? Yes, you show up every day, but you are still as stiff and tense as when you began. You can power through any Vinyasa, but your stress and anxiety levels are through the roof. Kudos to you for coming to class, but have you considered that it’s not the asana you need to master, but the act of listening and letting go instead.

Where to start? First, know that this is a process and as such it can take a long time to learn. In other words, get your Patience hat ready. Next, when the little voice inside tells you to do more, do less and see what happens.  By doing so you learn to question whether your ego is pushing you forward for all of the guts and glory or if you’re really ready to go deeper.

Sometimes that little voice inside isn’t so nice about what is happening on your mat and depending on your life experiences, it can be downright disheartening. In this instance, turn it around by just being kind to yourself and take a break. Hard stuff, I know, but give it a try. The world will not come to an end because you did one less Chaturanga. In fact, you may even find yourself more peaceful when you do stop and listen. This is a huge step in learning to let go. Quieting the stories for even the smallest of moments can allow you to open up in so many ways. Take this experience off of your mat and see how letting go of all the expectations and judgments can help you be more free.

12 Things to Stop Doing in the Next 12 Months (Here's to an Amazing 2013)

An excerpt adapted from www.marcandangel.com:

Let’s fast forward:  You are on your death bed, wondering and imagining what you could have done.  You could have pursued that passion, opened that business, or spent more time with your loved ones.  But that time has long passed, and the only thing you can do now is think about what is done – what is set in stone.  Oh, what you would do to get those moments back and live your life the right way – to repaint the past, take chances, spit in the face of your fears, share your love, and live with no regrets.

Close your eyes and think about it – envision yourself lying there in your final moments feeling like this.  Now open your eyes.  What do you see?  Life and opportunity.  You still have a chance.  What are you waiting for?

Below you will find twelve bad habits to stop in the next twelve months.  Because sometimes the smartest way to get ahead, is to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

1. Stop settling for the same old routine. – So many people live daily with unhappy circumstances, and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation.  They somehow believe that conforming to their current circumstances will eventually lead to a life of comfort, security, and peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to their spirit.  The very basic core of the human spirit is a natural passion for exploration and growth.  This growth comes directly from our encounters with new experiences; and hence there is no greater destination in life than to have an endlessly changing horizon – for each day to have a new and different sun.  Read A New Earth (it will blow your mind about the new thinking of consciousness, especially as we move through December 21st)
2. Stop ignoring your education. – Love it or hate it, being in school makes personal growth easy.  You learn things that you never would have taught yourself otherwise.  You are put in situations designed specifically to challenge your mind.  But once your school days are over and the assignments have stopped, no one is forcing you to learn anymore.  It is so easy to stall without the rituals of active schooling, and gradually slip into a pattern of educational idleness – many people do.  As adults there is no curriculum to follow, except the goals we set for ourselves.  Even though no one is actively challenging you, you must still choose to challenge yourself EVERY DAY.
3. Stop trying to transform the people around you. – The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated as is.  Sometimes we try to be sculptors, constantly carving out of others the image of what we want them to be – what we think we need, love, or desire.  But these actions and perceptions are against reality, against their benefit and ours, and always end in disappointment – because it does not fit them.  The beginning of love is to let those we care about be perfectly themselves, and not to distort them to fit our own image.  Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
4. Stop numbing yourself. – ‘Numbing’ is any activity that you use to desensitize your feelings so that you don’t experience vulnerability or hurt.  But by numbing yourself to vulnerability, you also numb yourself to love, belonging, creativity, and empathy.  Remember, love is scary.  Love is risky.  Love is unsafe.  Love isn’t for the faint of heart.  Love takes courage.  And most importantly, love and fear can’t coexist.  Love means giving someone the opportunity to break your heart, but trusting them not to.
5. Stop belittling your potential. – You are a victim of the rules and beliefs you live by.  But you are what you choose today, not what you have chosen before.  So let today be the day you love yourself enough to no longer just dream of a better life; let today be the day you create it.  Don’t hope for an easy way out.  Look inside yourself for the strength you need to achieve your dreams, and then take action.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
6. Stop wasting time. – You are customer of bank called TIME.  Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds.  Every night it writes off, as a loss, whatever remainder you have failed to invest to good purpose.  It carries over no balance.  It allows no overdraft.  Each day it opens a new account for you with the same deposit of 86,400 seconds.  Each night it burns the remains of the day.  If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.  There is no going back.  There is no drawing against the tomorrow.  You must live in the present on today’s deposits.  Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success.  You’re making withdrawals right this second; make them count.
7. Stop disregarding your own significance. – You are one person out of seven billion people, on one planet out of eight, in one star system out of a hundred billion, in one galaxy out of another hundred billion.  And you are enormously significant!  Why?  Because out of a hundred billion galaxies existing in a hundred billion star systems, out of seven billion people, you have your own unique genetic makeup.  Your thumbprint and thoughts are yours alone.  You can craft art, solve scientific problems, and create life through your love and passion.  And you are depended on by others who love you.  You are enormously significant.
8. Stop getting sucked into needless drama. – No matter how badly people treat you, never drop down to their level; just know you’re better off without their negativity and walk away.  If you attach yourself to their negative behavior it brings you down to their level.  There honestly comes a time when you have to let go of all the pointless drama and people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you smile so big that you forget the bad, and focus solely on good.  Life truly is too short for anything less.
9. Stop being so quick to judge. – No matter how strong a person is, they have weak points.  And sometimes all they really need is a listening ear from a compassionate friend.  You must consider their circumstances with love rather than judgment.  You must move into the right here, right now, with an open heart and a willingness to be supportive, unconditionally.
10. Stop focusing on the negative. – Anyone can see that it’s imperfect; it takes a wise person to see how it’s perfect.  Anyone can describe how it’s getting worse; it takes a wise person to describe how it can be joyfully improved.  Anyone can feel overwhelmed and give up; it takes a wise person to take compassionate, persistent and committed action every day.  Wisdom is this simple.  So start being wise with your perspective.  Read The Tao of Pooh.
11. Stop treating change as a bad thing. – In life, loss is inevitable.  The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, and so forth, is hard to accept.  But everything around you – your body, your possessions, your relationships – is impermanent.  Everything around you changes, so you must seek an understanding within yourself which remains forever.  You don’t have control over every little thing that happens to you, but you do have control over how you decide to internalize it. One of the keys to happiness is to pay as much attention to the changes that are working positively in your life as you do to those changes that are giving you trouble.
12. Stop stressing over what could have been. – Because the chances are if it should have been, it would have been.  Change happens.  Happiness is about trusting that what has happened has long-term positive rather than negative results.  Trust that life is happening for you, not to you.  This “inverse paranoia” of believing everything is for the greater good helps the human spirit face and welcome life’s changes cheerfully.  Give it a try; it makes all the difference.

Yogitoes!

We have a wide variety of yogitoes (skidless yoga towel) here at Yogalife! They are our number one seller and we have over 20 colors in stock! They are the perfect gift for any yogi in your life. For sale for only $58 (less in one of our aforementioned packages).

The Yogitoes Vision:

With a deep-seated passion for sustainability that influences every aspect of our business practices, yogitoes was referred to by Susy Borlido, Business Greening Program Director for Sustainable Works, as the greenest office on Main Street, the Santa Monica Green Light District.

Committed to using recycled content in 100% of our yoga line by 2013, yogitoes has already rescued nearly 900,000 plastic bottles from our oceans and landfills.  Continuously pushing the creative envelope in sustainability, yogitoes launched rYoga Collection, a full line of yoga tools made with recycled and repurposed materials, such as recycled plastic bottles, recycled rubber and rice husk, a by-product of rice grain production that normally goes to landfills or gets burned.  The "r" stands for recycled and for our collective responsibility to make a difference in the health of our planet.

Less than 10% of recyclable materials actually gets recycled.  It is vital for the health of our planet and our children that we find creative ways to reuse and repurpose these materials, and yogitoes is excited to be part of that solution.

Transcending beyond green product, yogitoes renovated its offices and rExperience Lab to LEED standards, and has Green Business Certification.  rExperience Lab opened as part of yogitoes’ headquarters in August 2012, to engage the community in sustainability of mind, body, spirit and mother earth, and serve as a gallery for mindful organizations.  This creative space also serves as a retail showroom and R&D lab, where we share our products while educating on green living and inspiring involvement.

Yogitoes supports environmental organizations like 5 Gyres and Kurmalliance, along with organizations devoted to human wellness, in giving 1% of annual sales.  The relationship between environmental and human health is deeply linked, and yogitoes’ culture is rooted in helping both to thrive.

Come by to one of our locations to support this creative green movement!

Food Bank Donations

For the entire month of December, Yogalife Studios will be taking food bank donations. Feel free to bring any non-perishable items down to either location! 

---

Edmonton Food Bank Mission:

To be stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community while seeking solutions to the causes of hunger.

Each month, more than 15,000 people receive hampers from Edmonton’s Food Bank or one of the over 190 agencies, churches or food depots with which we are affiliated. The Food Bank also distributes food to more than 300,000 meals and snacks each month. Approximately 40% of clients served are children under 18. When individuals call the Food Bank looking for assistance, they are asked questions about their situation such as their name, address, family size, source of income, and what has happened that has left them short of money and food. During this process, the individual may be provided with information on other helping agencies or groups such as low-cost housing, collective kitchens, free meals, free or low-cost household goods or clothing, a food co-op, employment information (resumes, access to fax and phone), Health For Two (pre-natal health connection), emergency shelters and immigrant services.

Information on Edmonton’s Food Bank

Fast Facts 2011 - Works collaboratively with more than 200 agencies, churches and food depots throughout Edmonton, such as the Salvation Army, Operation Friendship, The Mustard Seed, Our House Addiction Recovery and the George Spady Centre. These agencies receive food from our warehouse to assist their clients. - Serves approximately 15,000 people per month through our hamper programs. - In addition, over 350,000 meals and snacks are provided monthly through our affiliated agencies. - Provides special festive meals to the community. - Supports community events such as Edmonton’s bi-annual Homeless Connect. - More than 1,100 events are coordinated each year in the community to raise food, funds and awareness for the Food Bank. - Collected, sorted, repackaged, and redistributed 3.1 million kilograms of food in 2011. The approximate value of this food is over $17,000,000. - For the last three years, Edmonton’s Food Bank has been named one of Canada’s recommended charities by Charity Intelligence (www.charityintelligence.ca). - Recipient of a Human Rights Award by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights in 2011. Volunteers

In 2011, more than 40,800 volunteer hours were contributed.

- Volunteers assist in warehouse duties such as sorting, repackaging food and packing food hampers. They also act as ambassadors for the Food Bank at special events and fundraisers.We rely on your donations to continue our work.

***Although they are funded through the United Way they do not receive funding from any level of government. SO, you can also donate online, in-person and by mail or phone –780.425.2133.

---

If you can't make it into one of the studios, you do have options to donate!

Client Services: 780.425.4190

Location: 11508 120 ST NW Edmonton, Alberta T5G 2Y2

Administration Line: 780.425.2133 Fax Line: 780.426.1590

Mailing Address PO Box 62061 Edmonton, Alberta T5M 4B5

The warehouse is open Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Thank you for consideration being a part of our cause!

Reasons to Splurge on a Yoga Mat

There's some fitness gear to save money on, but how about yoga mats? You can grab a mat from Target or Walmart or buy a wicked Manduka Pro here at Yogalife. But is it worth it to drop so much cash on a yoga mat? Here are five reasons the answer should be yes.

1. You'll save money: When buying a pricier mat, it costs more upfront, but it's often because they are thicker, durable, and made from better-quality materials. A cheaper mat, in comparison, can begin to flake after less than a year's use. In the end, you'll actually save money since you avoid any replacement fees.

2. For you and the planet: Since expensive mats tend to be made with higher-quality materials that last longer, it means buying one mat instead of five — or more! — in your lifetime. Not only are fewer mats ending up in landfills, but you also cut back on personal consumption.

3.How it feels: When you come into your first Down Dog on a pricier mat, you'll notice the difference in smoothness, stickiness, and how it's more dense. All of these factors contribute to fewer distractions and a safer, more comfortable practice.

4. Meet for class? Sure! Investing in a more expensive mat can inspire you to practice more, not only because it feels more luxurious, but also to get your money's worth. It'd be a shame to have a $70 mat sitting in your closet.

5. Hey, why not? Yoga is a pretty gear-free activity, so besides a mat, there really isn't much else to splurge on (you know, except for incessant amounts of clothes!). So you might as well go for the best.

Pricier mats worth the splurge - in stock now!!!

Manduka Mat Pro - It weighs seven pounds, is 1/4-inch thick, and is backed by a lifetime guarantee. It's made from a blend of polyester and eco-certified PVC, with emissions-free manufacturing. We have it in a variety of colors, especially for the holidays! Manduka PROLite Mat - It weighs four pounds, is 3/16-inches thick, and is also backed by a lifetime guarantee and made from a blend of polyester and eco-certified PVC.

The Beauty of Yoga

An excerpt from Karen Carrasco:  

Yoga is one of the most phenomenal spiritual connections to the self. Some individuals call it exercising, while others simply practice it to relax their body and minds. While it is proven to reduce stress and be an exercise of it’s own, it is something greater than that. Yoga is a union, a more harmonious union of the self, breath, body and soul.

The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be B.K.S. Iyengar to practice yoga well. What makes yoga practice perfect is practicing often and always being willing to learn new things. Being open-minded is a virtue and talent. In addition to that, subconsciously or unconsciously, your chakras and kundalini will be awakened in their due time. Chakras and the kundalini are simply the energy systems for spiritual awareness. Many people worry that yoga is a religion, but it is not. It is just an awareness of yourself and the universe. Whether or not that is your purpose, it brings a calming sensation to your being, physically, mentally and spiritually.

An important lesson to always remember is that one is in control of his or her own body and life. Amazingly enough, yoga falls under the category of Alternative Medicine. This basically means that the practice of yoga has the healing effects of medicine, but in a more natural way. It’s one of those old wives tales that say if you do yoga, you eliminate stress. With stress being one of the major causes of modern medical issues, yoga does a great job in relieving tensions from the everyday obstacles in life. Practicing yoga helps you have a better mood and supplies you with good physical activity, leaving you with a healthier life.

That’s the beauty of yoga.

Holiday Package Specials!!!

For the month of December, Yogalife has 5 premium packages for purchase for yourself or for a loved one (or both) for the holiday season! Purchase any one at our South or North location! All of these packages are offered at a 15% discount! Just in time for the holiday season.

1. Holiday 10-Session Pass and Mat - Regular - $183.00 - Holiday Special! - $155.55

2. Holiday Mat and Towel Package - Regular - $143.00 - Holiday Special! - $121.55

3. Holiday PROLite and Seeker Package - Regular $181.00 - Holiday Special! - $153.85

4. Holiday Restore Package- Regular - $163.00 - Holiday Special! - $138.55 - includes Halfmoon eye pillow, Love Stone Mala Beads, and Rectangular Bolster Deluxe

5. Holiday Yoga Kit - Regular - $117.00 - Holiday Special! - $99.45 - includes Manduka foam block, Manduka PROlite mat, and 10 foot Manduka yoga strap

***All mat packages include a Manduka PROlite mat***

30% OFF Session Passes ends December 24th!

 If you haven't checked out our passes that on sale. Here's your chance! We've only got a few days left before the end of our Promotion! Be prepared for the New Year! Or give someone a Holiday Pass as a gift this Xmas!  

30% OFF on all of our Regular Session Passes

Our PLUS Session Packages are also available to be purchased with a 30% discount.

5 Class Pass = $75 now $52.50

10 Class Pass = $140 now $98

20 Class Pass = $240 now $168

50 Class Pass = $550 now $385

Replenish your account: 

PURCHASE A Pass for You.

Select Classes in the first drop down menu then find Holiday Passes in the second drop down menu.

PURCHASE A Gift E-Card

November's Karma Classes - A Better World

A Better World Foundation believes...

We all have an inherent need for a central role in the direction of our life, and to make valuable and impactful contributions to our lives and to something greater than ourselves.

However, meeting these needs requires inspiration and encouragement, as well as further engagement and connection, to support that direction of our life as we move forward.

As this occurs, we explore who we are, can be, and want to be. We begin to recognize that how we think and our actions affect our results, and we begin to examine our choices.

Inevitably our perspectives, approaches, and our decisions shift, moving us ever closer toward our objectives. Every shift, no matter the size, benefits us all, and inspires others.

ABWF is a catalyst… inspiring, encouraging, and accelerating individual direction and impact; supporting the opportunities you choose to positively impact your life, and, in turn, the world.

“In every moment is an opportunity… a better world begins with you”

You are essential to what happens next. Your actions and interactions affect everyone connected to you, even people you will never meet. As you value how you think and focus what you do, your impact will become profound and inspire others. We are a catalyst… inspiring, encouraging, and accelerating this process, affecting and benefiting everyone. If you want a central role in the direction and impact of your life, and our world, we will show you how.

A Better World is a Central Alberta based international development organization that is dedicated to improving the lives in developing countries. Their five main areas they strive to improve upon include education, health, water, agriculture, and income generation.

Members of the Faculty of Education at the UofA are planning various fundraisers to help support A Better World's efforts in Afghanistan and Kenya. They are planning to fundraise to purchase desks for schools in Afghanistan (each desk is $50 and seats three students), and to purchase bunk beds for a girls' dorm at a school in Kenya (70 bunk beds are needed at $200 each). These dorms in Masai Mara are incredibly important, because parents rarely allow girls to attend school beyond the eighth grade unless they have a safe place to stay near the school.

The long term goal of the program is a trip to Kenya in May where the organization is hoping to do some professional development for Kenyan teachers.

If you would like to get involved or donate, come to any of our Karma classes! Our North studio hosts a 60 minute Karma hatha class from 11-12 and our South studio hosts a 60 minute Karma hot flow from 1:30-2:30.

10 Actions That Always Bring Happiness

An excerpt from www.marcandangel.com.

It’s important to make someone happy, and it’s important to start with yourself.  Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design into the present. 

Starting today…

1. Appreciate what you have. – If we counted our blessings instead of our money, we would all be a lot richer.  Happiness is there if you want it to be.  You just have to see that it’s wrapped in beauty and hidden delicately between the seconds of your life.  If you never stop for a minute to notice, you might miss it.  Read The Happiness Project.
2. Focus on things that truly matter. – The simple fact that you are even here, alive, on this planet is a divine miracle, and you should not spend the time you have being busy, being miserable.  Every moment you get is a gift, so stop focusing on unhappy things, and spend your moments on things that truly matter to your heart.
3. Define your own meaning of life, and pursue it. – What is the meaning of life?  Whatever you want it to be.  Don’t fear failure; fear alifetime of mediocrity due to lack of effort and commitment.  There are so many people out there who will tell you that you CAN’T.  What you need to do is turn around and say, “Watch me!”
4. Embrace life’s challenges. – You may think that taking a detour in life is a waste of time and energy, but you can also see the detour as a means of learning more about who you are and where you are heading in your life.  Being off the beaten path may be disorienting and confusing at times, yet it challenges your creative spirit to discover new ways to build a stronger YOU.  In the end, it’s usually the tough situations that feel like your tomb that actually become your cocoon.  Hang in there.  You’re coming out of this stronger and wiser.
5. Find the balance that allows you to be who you truly are. – Your worst battle is between what you know and what you feel.  One of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make is when to stay put and try harder or when to just take your memories and move on.  Sometimes you have to step outside of the person you’ve been, and remember the person you were meant to be, the person you are capable of being, and the person you truly are.
6. Love your body enough to take care of it. – You’re beautiful; but keep in mind that not everyone is going to see that.  Never be ashamed of yourself because you are born into one skin.  You can scar it, stretch it, burn it, mark it, tan it, and peel it.  But you are always in it, so you might as well take care of it and learn to love it.  Read The 4-Hour Body.
7. Limit your time with negative people. – You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.  So protect your spirit and potential from contamination by limiting your time with negative people.
8. Treat others the way you want to be treated. – Be conscious of your attitude and your actions.  You may be on top of the world right now – feeling untouchable.  You may have all the tools at your disposal to do and say whatever you want.  But remember, life is a circle – what goes around, comes around eventually.
9. Set a good example. – If you want to empower others in your life, you need to start living the most empowered version of yourself first.  You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.  Believe in what you want so much that it has no choice but to become your reality.  And don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else; stay focused on your own journey and leave footprints behind.  Read The Four Agreements.
10. Accept what is, and live for the possibilities that lie ahead. – Never waste your time wondering about what might have been.  Get busy thinking about what still might be, and trusting that however it plays out, it will leave you glad that what might have been, never came to be.

Happiness. What an idea!

VINYASA!!!

The term vinyasa may be broken down into its Sanskritic roots to assist in decoding its meaning. Nyasa denotes "to place" and vi denotes "in a special way." Like many Sanskrit words, vinyasa is a term that has many meanings, such as "breath synchronized movement."

There are four basic definitions of vinyasa: 1) the linking of body movement with breath; 2) a specific sequence of breath-synchronized movements used to transition between sustained postures; 3) setting an intention for one's personal yoga practice and taking the necessary steps toward reaching that goal; and 4) a type of yoga class.

Vinyasa is also employed as a noun to describe the sequence of poses that are performed between Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog as part of a Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation sequence. Though this is more correctly termed half-vinyasa as full-vinyasa returns to complete standing asana or positions.

The term vinyāsa refers to the alignment of movement and breath, a method which turns static asanas into a dynamic flow. The length of one inhale or one exhale dictates the length of time spent transitioning between asanas. Asanas are then held for a predefined number of breaths. In effect, attention is placed on the breath and the journey between the asanas rather than solely on achieving perfect body alignment in an asana, as is emphasized in Hatha Yoga.

A standard vinyāsa consists (for example) of the flow from chaturaṅga, or plank, to chaturaṅga daṇḍāsana, or low plank, to ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana or upward-facing dog, to Adho Mukha Svanasana, or downward-facing dog.

The breathing style used in Vinyasa Yoga is Ujjayi which is a relaxed diaphragmatic style of breathing, characterized by an ocean sound which resonates in the practitioner's throat. Throughout a practice, this specific breathing style is maintained in alignment with movements. The steady cycle of inhales and exhales provides the practitioner with a calming, mental focal point. Additionally, viṅyāsa and Ujjayi together create internal heat, which leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating.

This style is sometimes also called flow yoga, because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance. The breath becomes an important component because the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. Vinyasa is literally translated from Sanskrit as meaning "connection," and In terms of yoga asana, we can interpret this as a connection between movement and breath.Vinyasa Flow began as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by a Yogi named Sri Tirumala Krishnamacharya. He was given a place to teach yoga and eventually taught a young boy named Parrabhi Jois his learnings on the power of breathing. Jois then established an institute for practicing the specific form of Vinyasa yoga. Like all styles of yoga, Vinyasa has both mental and physical benefits. Physically, sweat expels toxins and re-energizes your body. Mentally, the synchronized breathing relaxes your mind and helps to release any blockage of energy flow throughout your body.

Vinyasa yoga offers much diversity. The pace can vary and there is no one particular sequence that instructors must follow. In fact, the name vinyasa can also be translated as "variations within parameters." This flexibility allows the teacher to tailor the sequences to their own philosophy. So, if one class doesn’t work for you, try another, until you find one that you are comfortable with.

It is important to remember a vinyasa is not just any sequence of actions: It is one that awakens and sustains consciousness. In this way vinyasa connects with the meditative practice of nyasa within the Tantric Yoga traditions. In nyasa practice, which is designed to awaken our inherent divine energy, practitioners bring awareness to different parts of the body and then, through mantra and visualization, awaken the inner pathways for shakti (divine force) to flow through the entire field of their being. As we bring the techniques of vinyasa to bear throughout our lives, we open similar pathways of transformation, inner and outer-step by step and breath by breath.

Here's a simple description of a vinyasa and how the breath is connected to each movement:

1. Inhale - LIFT your feet and hips off the ground (moving to high plank/high push up)
2. Exhale - 4-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga)
3. Inhale - Cobra or Upward Facing Dog
4. Exhale - Downward Facing Dog

Vinyasa! Now you know. Namaste.

Yogalife's Second Retreat!

 

From April 11th-15th, 2013, Yogalife will be hosting it's second retreat! This year it will be at the Salt Spring Centre for Yoga, located on Salt Spring Island, BC. This incredible location is a cozy turn-of-the-century farmhouse and studio building and sits amid 70 acres of meadows, forest and organic gardens.

The retreat will be led by two of Yogalife's incredible instructors (yet to be announced), and will consist of two yoga classes a day, three fresh, organic meals a day, as well as a silent meditation walk, Kirtan, spa treatments, and an amazing sauna experience.

The gardens not only yield healthy, organic, nutritious fruit, vegetables and herbs, but also provide an inspiring and restful place to sit quietly or stroll amid the flowers. There is also a scenic woodland trail that runs along Blackburn Creek as it winds down the west side of the valley to Blackburn Lake. Bordered by majestic cedars, firs and maples, the Centre land is strikingly beautiful in all seasons.

This location has an absolutely INCREDIBLE diet based on their organic farm. They follow the sattvic diet advised for yoga practitioners which consists of pure foods that are calming to the mind and body, and avoids stimulating foods. This aids meditation by reducing mental and emotional disturbances of the mind. In keeping with these principles, their diet is lacto-vegetarian; they incorporate dairy products in moderate amounts, but do not use eggs, fish or meat of any kind. Also, in keeping with the yogic prescription for a sattvic diet that does not overstimulate the mind, they avoid onions and garlic. The staff are often told that their meals are the highlight of guests' stays!

The Centre also offers many massage and spa treatments (extra charge). There are massages, facials, reiki, as well as a herbal steam (different from the sauna experience that is included). They also offer a variety of Ayurvedic treatments (more information on that to come as well).

Registration, pricing, and other further details will be available soon! Please contact Yogalife Studios directly for booking and check the blog over the next 10 days for all of the other information!

Consultations

New to yoga? Come in for a one-on-one consultation with one of our extremely qualified instructors. This session will include the experience you can expect from our yoga studio, as well as an in depth look at what you are seeking from yoga as a whole. You will be taken through some basic poses, focusing on foundational cues, to ensure that you start off on the right foot. A solid foundation is at the heart of any yoga practitioner.

We will cover any and all questions that you have, as well as discuss modifications if you come with injuries or imbalances. These are available at both of our locations, so to book an appointment, look online, or call us! You can get any and all information you need at www.yogalifestudios.ca.

Consultations | 30 minutes booking time | $15.00 | Subject to Availability

Post Natal Yoga

The focus in a post-natal yoga class is not only to bond with other new mothers, but also to create a supportive, encouraging and non-judgemental environment where babies can thrive in unfamiliar surroudings and connect to each other through yoga asana (postures) pranayama (breathing) and mantras (healing sounds). This is an incredible environment for mothers to bond in a new way with their babies.

New mothers can be plagued with tightness and lack of strength in the lower back and abdominal region as well, stiffness in the shoulders, upper back and chest from nursing.  Overall fatigue and weakness is still prevalent at 6 weeks so it's important to locate an instructor who has the appropriate training in post-natal yoga for a safe practice.  Classes are designed to go deeper into the healing and recovery process for women after delivery. The class focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor, the transverse abdominals, and the lower back as well as providing release to the shoulders, neck and chest.

Benefits of post-natal Yoga:

• Strenghtens the abdominal muscles.
• Helps the uterus to return to it's normal size.
• Releases tension in the shoulders.
• Balances hormonal levels.
• Promotes better and deeper sleep.
• Reduces stress, anxiety and fears of being a new mother.
• Creates a healthy and supported environment.
• Strenghtens the pelvic floor muscles.
• Bonding and connecting with babies.

Common Questions:

Q:  When can I start post-natal yoga?

A:  When you're received the ok from your OBGYN, usually after the 6th week (vaginal birth) or 12th week (cesasean birth).  12 weeks post-partum is generally recommended as mothers are usually more rested and babies have a bit more of a routine.

Q:  What do I need to bring to class?

A:  Your yoga mat, a water bottle, a blanket for baby and small hand toys.  You may wish to bring a baby carrier for some standing poses.

Q:  What age are the babies?

A:  The ages are 6 weeks up to a crawling age.

Norman Marcelino: A Life Changing Experience

A former coworker and now friend introduced me to Yoga. At work, he demonstrated a pose that he learned but it didn't spark my interest. Why, you ask? Well, picture a man wearing a crisp dress shirt, slick dress pants and polished dress shoes positioning into a Warrior II stance! If this so-called "Yoga Practice" would make me look as foolish as he did, I was definitely making it my last priority to try it out.

When I finally decided to attend my first class, I was oozing out with confidence because I instantly felt like a true Yogi after getting a glimpse of myself in the huge mirrors as I swaggered with my matching Lululemon outfit. Since I was the only male in the studio, my ego level was off the charts! Before my head got any bigger, the confidence wore off when I noticed that I had difficulty following (mentally and physically) the flow. I learned my first lesson when the Instructor advised us to leave our egos outside the studio and only focus on what our own bodies were doing. As the Instructor commanded, I focused on my Ujjayi breath and immediately noticed a change in my state of mind and physical abilities. The advice shifted a disappointing start to an exhilarating end!

It's been a year and half since I attended my first class. I incorporate the Ujjayi breath to help me stay calm during difficult situations at work and in my personal life. Also, being aware of my ego is allowing me to think more clearly and rationally when realizing whether it's my "ego-self" or my "true-self" that's making daily decisions. Most importantly, I'm more connected to my spiritual being in a way that opens my heart and mind to seek a deeper purpose in life.

Last week, a profound moment occurred in Yoga class when an epiphany helped me see the difficult poses I avoided (because of how uncomfortable my mind and body felt), were metaphors in my life for the challenges I avoided to face and the changes I resisted to accept! My little arm hairs stood up and I felt chills running up my spine because of that moment. I truly appreciate that even after attending more than 200 hours of class, I can still learn new things from the thoughts and emotions that I experience during a Yoga practice. I recommend all types of Yoga to everyone who is looking for a new way to workout, explore their mental capabilities and connect with their spirituality. For me, it helps to have an open mind/heart because sometimes, unexpected thoughts/emotions reveal itself to allow me to have an awakening. Other times, I only feel the heat, humidity and sore muscles but that's a cool feeling too!

We are all students of life. When we accept that all the trials and triumphs we face on a daily basis are lessons to teach us how to become better people, the energy we exude into the Universe and the energy returned to us will be that much stronger!

Namaste.