How to find the right teacher training for you
Yoga Training... Where do you start?
You've been practicing yoga for X amount of time and feel like you want to deepen your journey and perhaps switch up your role in the studio. You like a variety of styles of yoga, love travelling, want to learn it all; you also work a job in the city, have a family or are finishing your degree. There are so many factors that come into play when you start contemplating taking a yoga teacher training. Do you study locally? Do you submerge in India for 6 months? What factors in your life depend on this decision?
I took my first yoga training in 2010 in Edmonton. At the time I had just finished a 2 year program at MacEwan and was plugging away at my student loans, working full-time. Although I lusted over dropping into an intensive month in Costa Rica or some place of the sort, it just wasn't feasible at that time in my life. It takes a lot of planning and freedom in your life to be able to pick up and unplug. To each their own! My training complimented my schedule and needs perfectly; every second weekend, Friday evenings and all day Saturday/Sunday. I was able to let the teachings settle during my time off, catch up on reading and personal practice, and still head to my job every day and spend time with family and friends.
Yoga is about balance, so it's important to make sure that this is maintained in all areas of your life if you're looking to dive in deeper. I took my second training in this same style; weekend modules followed by a delicious retreat in the end. To me, maintaining my responsibilities and general life at home is a big priority. Will I pick up and take off, going off the grid and truly submerging? Yes, one day. It's always been in the plan, it just hasn't quite fit in yet.
Edmonton has an amazing yoga community with teachers offering trainings locally and around the world. The best thing you can do is reach out to them and get to know what they're about. Take their classes, workshops, read their blogs and maybe sit and have a tea with them. Resonating with your guide is a huge part of the experience.
Talk with the people that have taken similar trainings. Someone that has been through a similar process will be able to answer questions and illuminate the process a website or course outline may not.
Investigate the styles of yoga offered. If you like a fiery, flow practice, yin training isn't what you're looking for. What is kundalini? Do you want more meditation-focused training? There are so many options out there, so narrowing down a style can be a good place to start. In that same breath, remember that yoga in general is essentially comprised of universal teachings. Don't limit yourself because you are hooked on one style in this moment. Yoga is yoga, and a teacher training of any sort will teach you far beyond what you thought you were going to get. One of my teachers says "this should be called human training". It really should.
If you're on the fence or want to know more, reach out. We love to talk about this stuff! I personally believe that every human in the world would benefit from taking a yoga training, and it definitely doesn't mean that you have to stand up in front of a class.
We have 4 spots left in our 200 hour Foundational Teacher Training with Sarah Zandbeek (another one of my amazing teachers!). Again, if you're on the fence, get in touch with us and ask all the questions that have been building. This might just be one of the best things you leap into.
- Caitlin, caitlin@yogalifestudios.ca
trainings@yogalifestudios.ca
Holiday Recovery Guide: Ease Into 2016!
8 tips to recover from the holidays
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope 2016 is already feeling bright and beautiful!
Today we're welcoming back Allie White, Transformational Holistic Health Coach and all-around wealth of knowledge in all things healthy and happy. Her mantra is clear: Helping fun-loving women experience a whole new level of energy, beauty, and confidence so they can create the body and life they love with ease.
If you're feeling sluggish from the holiday's remember this - don't beat yourself up!
The holiday season is about celebrating with friends and family and enjoying each moment. It's ok to eat Christmas treats, more potatoes and gravy than you planned, or a little extra booze. Focus on all the connection, joy, and love you experienced, instead of what you "should" have done better.
If you gained a few pounds, feel sluggish, or you're not looking as glowing and vibrant as you'd like that's ok too. Let it go!
You are enough, you are worthy, just as you are.
Eating certain foods doesn't make you a "bad" or "good" person. You can't expect to live on a strict diet your entire life. As women, our bodies fluctuate throughout the month and that's totally normal. No need to panic!
Let the past go and recover with these eight easy tips:
Sleep: Get to bed early and let your body do what it does best - repair, rejuvenate, and heal. If you get to bed between 10-11pm you’re more likely to wake up feeling refreshed. A good night's sleep makes everything easier! When you awake feeling good it's much easier to reach for healthy meals all day long.
Do not eat for 14 hours between dinner and breakfast: Fasting overnight is one of the best things you can do to help your body heal after consuming excess amounts of alcohol, sugar, and processed food. By fasting overnight you’re giving your body a chance to heal (read tip #1) instead of working hard to digest. When you’re digesting, you’re not healing. This mean more sluggishness, under eye bags, weight gain, bloating, etc.
Drink enormous amounts of water: Every cell in your body and the majority of your blood is composed of water. Therefore, you absolutely need water to function properly. Most of us are dehydrated and we don't even know it. On top of that, alcohol and crappy food encourage dehydration. Drinking water encourages the transport of nutrients through the body, cellular healing, removal of toxins, metabolic function, and all bodily processes. Staying hydrated also helps prevent headaches, constipation, cravings, and binge-eating.
Green smoothie for breakfast: After fasting through the night, drink a delicious green smoothie! Smoothies are filled with tons of nutrients that your body is begging for. Plus, it’s already pre-digested, which means you’re body will be able to continue repairing and healing instead of focusing on digestion.
Green powder (bonus points!): For a boost of nutrients, immunity and detoxification, add green powder to your smoothie. You can also mix a scoop in water during the afternoon "3pm slump" for a quick boost of energy. My favourite brands are “Athletic Green” found here (this one tastes delicious!), "Green Vibrance" found here, "Vitamineral Green" found here, and "Tripow" a mix of spirulina and chlorella found locally at the Strathcona Farmer's Market or online here.
Salad and/or soup for lunch and dinner: The point here is to eat light meals for lunch and dinner. Eat until you’re satisfied, there’s no starving here, but keep it simple and easily digestible. At the same time make sure to eliminate all processed food including sugar, dairy, and gluten.
No snacks: This tips plays off #6. If you’re always snacking or grazing, your body is always digesting, which means it’s NOT healing. Stick to three daily meals if you can.
Sweat: Yoga or a hot epsom salt bath should do the trick! There’s no need to do an intense workout here. Working out too hard in this condition can actually have the opposite effect. Keep it gentle or have a bath. If you choose the bath (good choice!), scrub your skin vigorously when you’re done then rinse off. This will help open your pores and dispel toxins.
There you have it! Eight simple tips to recover (heal and detox) from the holidays. Use these tips anytime you drink too much alcohol or consume too much sugar/junk/processed food and you'll be flying!
These tips are a staple in my life - anytime I feel like I’m not in peak health I go through these 8 tips for a couple days until I feel like superwoman.
I hope you find the relief you’re looking for here. One day of this routine might do the trick, or you might want a full week of restoration. Listen to what your body needs.
Connect with Allie on Facebook and find us too!
Thank You For 2015
2015: An Incredible Year. Thank you.
2015 has been an amazing year. We've seen our community expand and thrive and we are so excited to see what's around the corner for our south and north families in the new year. Our 2015 line-up was stacked, from workshops including special guests Suzanne Slocum-Gori and Kevin Naidoo, to another amazing teacher training, to a couple great parties and community events (hello, BLOOM!). Yogalife Studios South turned a whopping 5 YEARS OLD and our north studio celebrated 3 years. Time flies when you're having fun!
Again, none of this would have gone off without the energy and commitment of our community. We are truly grateful for every person that comes through the door and onto their mat, or stops and says hello at a local event. The Edmonton yoga community is rich and inspiring: how fortunate we are to have each other. So let's get excited about another awesome year together and many more to come! And hey, if you want to drop by for your first practice of 2016 tomorrow, we're open!
See you next year!
A Quick How-To: Garland Pose
Garland Pose or Malasana: happy hips, inner peace
Make space in your hips
Garland pose, malasana, or simply "yogi squat" is a wonderful way to open and lengthen your hips. If you sit at work, in your car or at school for long periods, your hip flexibility may suffer; the inner thighs, groin, and hip flexors can shorten and tighten, leading to poor posture and back pain. Use this pose to create more mobility for your daily activities.
Cultivate peace and focus
Malasana can be used to cultivate inner peace; a gathering to centre with prayer mudra creates a calm focus inward. In India, mala beads are used in prayer and meditation as a steadying metronome to count prayers (the sacred cycle is 108 - the number of beads on a mala) and are often used traditionally in rituals offerings and altar decorating.
Benefits of garland pose
Garland pose is the perfect stretch for the groin, thighs, hips, ankles and torso. It increases circulation and blood flow to the pelvis and improves balance, concentration and focus. Garland pose helps to prep the body for for meditation by relaxing the hips and gathering focus, and is the best prep pose for crow, or bakasana. Finally, this pose tones abdominal muscles and helps lengthens the spine.
** If you have complications with your knees or this pose doesn't feel right, don't force it. Always listen to your body and work within the realm of your practice in that moment.
How to get into garland pose
Stand with your feet a little wider than hip-width apart (mat-width usually works!). Turn your toes out slightly, aligned with your knees.
Bend your knees, lower your hips, and come into a squat. It can help to think about sliding your back down an imaginary wall and bringing your weight into your heels.
Gather your hands at centre in prayer mudra and press your elbows into the inner seam of your legs, just above the knee. You may use some slight traction between these two places to open your hips and groin further.
Roll your shoulders onto your back body and lengthen your spine out of your waist.
As you press your palms at centre think about widening your collarbones away from your heart.
Once you’re in malasana, try closing your eyes. See if you can hold the posture for a minute, or maybe even longer. Perhaps you can feel the downward flow of energy moving through your body. Notice, when you come out, if you feel a little more calm and connected. A beautiful counter-pose is forward fold.
If you're interested in learning more about your hips and the poses to open and nourish this area of your body, check out our happy hips hatha class!
New Year Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation
Sound healing meditation to reflect and renew
Many cultures recognize the importance of music and sound as healing power. In the ancient civilizations of India, the Orient, Africa, Europe, and Native Americans, the practice of using sound to heal and achieve balance from within has existed for years. The Tibetans use bells, chimes, bowls and chanting as the foundation for their spiritual practice. In Bali, Indonesia, the echoing, gamelong, gong and drum are used in ceremonies to uplift and send messages. The Australian aboriginals and native shamanists use vocal toning and repetitive sound vibration with instruments created from nature in sacred ceremony to adjust any imbalance of spirit.
We are excited to bring this healing practice to Yogalife Studios this holiday season with a New Year Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation with Neil Haggard.
Celebrate the New Year with an Asana and guided Meditation practice to reflect on the important things in life. Wellness. Peace. Health. Family. Renewal. Movement. Focus.
When we hear inspiring stories and take time to reflect on what is important in our lives, taking stock, we can see our lives in new ways, focus on what is great about life! Taking some time to relax, listen to our hearts, move the body, calm the busy mind, restore the senses and learn to breathe - a sure way to being healthy and a great practice to take into the year to come.
Walk away with a renewed sense of well being and deep commitment to the important things in our lives! Click here to register!
5 Tips To Enjoy Healthy Holidays
Happy, healthy holidays!
Yogalife Studios meet Allie White, Transformational Holistic Health Coach and all-around wealth of knowledge in all things healthy and happy. Her mantra is clear: Helping fun-loving women experience a whole new level of energy, beauty, and confidence so they can create the body and life they love with ease. Allie will be sharing her expertise on the blog; watch for her informative posts.
A check-in on holiday health
You’re trying to stay healthy this holiday season and make all the right choices, but it can get tricky to stay on that health wagon when there are so many gatherings to attend. I get it. Plus, the office is filled with chocolates and shortbread cookies. (It’s almost like someone is trying to secretly sabotage you. It’s not me, promise.)
True story: I used to reaalllly struggle during the holidays. I would tell myself I’ll “just have one” then I’d end up having a “little more” and then feel guilty and go on a screw-it-all binge. Good news -- I don’t do this anymore. And you can totally celebrate the holiday season without falling off track, worrying about your weight, or feeling crappy. All this to say, I’m so excited to bring you these tips for your holiday success.
You need to create a plan in advance because all the gatherings and parties begin this month. My goal is to help you enjoy the festivities to the fullest AND feel and look your best. Crazy? Nope, actually it’s totally possible!
So let’s get started.
You know when you tell yourself you have to stick to your diet and not eat anything “bad”? You convince yourself that “this time is going to be different” and then what happens? Motivation fizzles out and you fall off track. (Or you see your favourite dessert calling your name from across the room.)
Yeah, that’s a bummer.
You really want to make good decisions, be healthy, look amazing, feel energetic and light and yet, when it comes down to it, you don’t always do what you know you should be doing. Instead, excuses, fears, worries, and other fun things pop up and prevent us from making healthy choices.
5 tips to stay healthy during the holidays
Check your bevvies!
Sounds crazy, but most people are severely dehydrated. It’s super important to make water a priority during the holidays when we’re filling up on heavy meals, sugar, and alcohol. Give yourself a head start and give your body the fuel it craves - water!
Bonus tip: If you’ve got the water thing taken care of and you want to take it up a notch, add green juice to your daily regime. It’s full of nutrients that will help keep your body balanced, your immune system strong, and your skin glowing.
Say no to diets Please stop - for real. You have enough to do over the holidays. Instead of worrying about dieting, eat whole foods and spend your time celebrating with loved ones. Eat regular meals to keep your blood sugar balanced all day. Never let yourself get ‘hangry’ (angry and hungry) because that’s when the crazy unleashes. That’s when your ability to make clear decisions vanishes and all you want to do is eat everything in sight. On the other hand, what happens when your blood sugar is happy? Cravings, overeating, binges, and grumpy moods disappear. Yay to that!
Plan ahead I’m sure you're wondering what to do about all the family dinners, parties, and social events that are just around the corner. Prioritizing is key. Eat healthy balanced meals all week - leafy greens, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, organic free-range eggs, organic meats, root veggies, and beans. On the days when you have a dinner or party scheduled, make sure you eat a healthy balanced breakfast and lunch. Load up on veggies and don’t “save calories” for later. The more you starve yourself, or go to any extreme, the more likely it is you’ll end up giving into unhealthy foods, especially if you’re drinking! (Yes, I’ve been there too).
If you want to resist temptations, make sure to eat a healthy balanced dinner so you can arrive to the party full and satisfied. This makes sure hunger won’t rule your choices. If you want to eat, drink, and be merry, go for it! It’s totally cool to have one or two nights of care free celebration. On these occasions I like to eat lighter during the day. Prioritize fruits and veggies - greens smoothies, chia pudding, salads, and roasted veggies so there’s room for grains, protein, and heavier foods.
Indulge and enjoy it
We all have that one food we love to indulge in during the holidays, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Decide in advance what your indulgence will be and make sure it’s something you love. There’s no point in eating processed food that will make you feel like crap if you don’t absolutely love it. If you want cake, enjoy a small portion. Instead of inhaling it (and pretending like you didn’t just eat that), try to be mindful. Eat slowly, taste and savour each bite, notice the sensations, breathe, and fully enjoy! When your present with your food you’ll feel more satiated and satisfied. Another option is to share with a friend. Sometimes a small taste can satisfy a craving.
Opt for healthy alternatives
Food: Bring your favourite healthy food to the party if you’re able to. There are so many gatherings and we usually can’t control what will be served. Most of the time I eat a full meal before I go and bring fruit, veggies with salsa and hummus, or other whole foods so I have healthy options to snack on.
Drinks: Ditch the soda and juice and go for simple bevvies like vodka soda with lime.
Dessert: So far I have never been to a party that has healthy treats. So what do I do? I carry dark chocolate in my bag. This way I never feel deprived. Instead I look forward to my special treat at the end of the night.
Remember, food is not the enemy. Do your best, let go of self-judgements and perfection, and enjoy the holidays. You’ve got this!
Community Spotlight || Pura Botanicals
Pura Botanicals: In Pure We Trust
This month we're featuring local apothecary and potion professional Pura Botanicals. This green beauty apothecary & natural perfumery boasts a collection of non-toxic, vegan, and eco-friendly skincare and wellness potions centred around the ancient art of the beauty ritual. Pura Botanicals is incredibly conscious; check out their amazing ambassador tribe (which includes the lovely Myrah Penaloza!) and learn about why the founder, Lane, was destined to create this company.
"From an early age, I was fascinated with making potions on a little step at the side of our home. I spent hours concocting healing tinctures for my mother, whom was kind enough to test almost anything I snuck into our home. It was my love for nature and probably her nurturing instinct that guided me down the path to becoming a green beauty skincare alchemist and perfumer."
- an excerpt from Lane's 'Love Letter'
Natural Beauty
Pura Botanicals' collection encompasses skin care, body care, aromatic elixirs and yoga potions. Only the finest, skin-friendly ingredients go into these products, with the intention of unveiling and celebrating natural beauty. At the heart of this process is finding the luxury in nurturing yourself, the planet, and the community. Pura creates with mindfulness and consistency.
Custom Fragrance
Another interesting niche of this company is the Bespoke Perfume program. Pura's extensive library of essential oils offers something for everyone and the intimate process of selecting the right combination for you is truly unique. They conduct an in-depth scent analysis to ensure the most authentic inspiration is arrived at.
"My first memory of perfume comes from my childhood. At night, on the occasion that my mother would go out, she would mist her heart centre and pulse points with her special perfume, and then kiss me goodnight before leaving. Up close, her soft, moist skin and signature scent would enrapture me with her elegance and beauty. Now as a woman and mother, I wear her favorite perfume to remember her by... to savour those bedtime kisses again and again. That's the power of perfume. It can be something dabbed on for an evening outing, never to be repeated again, or it can be an unfading part of one’s identity, recalled decades later with bracing clarity & awe."
- Lane Edwards, Pura’s founder, perfumer & alchemist
We are stocked with our favourites at both studios. Come try a sample and see why we fell in love! To learn more about this amazing company in our community, head to www.purabotanicals.com.
The lovely images featured on this blog were provided by Jenn Crebas Photography. Check out more of her work at www.jenncrebasphotography.wordpress.com, and find her on Facebook and Instagram!
YOGA FOR ANXIETY, FEAR AND STRESS RELIEF
Finding the tools that work for you to manage and overcome anxiety.
Yoga is a practice of many things: self-love, awareness, quiet, patience, balance. We often refer to our mats as a sanctuary where we can escape into peace. For some of us, this may be the only place we feel this relief. Yoga aims to teach us to live our practice off the mat and into the world, but the power of anxiety and stress can overshadow the positive qualities of our practice in our day-to-day lives. Anxiety disorder (and the stuff that comes along with it) is very real for many people - around 12% of Canadians to be exact! This goes beyond pre-exam nerves or date jitters; this form of stress can be debilitating.
Being a human is a work in progress and our yoga practice is just that, a PRACTICE! (not a perfect). Sri Swami reminds us “practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness” in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In other words, keep at it. Sometimes we just need the tools, and then to be reminded of them.
Talk about your anxiety
Anxiety has been a prevalent topic on our blog because it is a very real issue. We believe in the commitment to self through the regular practice of self-love, meditation, asana, pranayama, and whatever else works in YOUR toolbox of life. Above all, it's important to talk about it. If you're feeling alone, know that you don't have to be.
A bit from a past blog:
"The thing that kept me coming back [to my mat] was the knowledge that there was a quiet place within that offered a sensation of control and self-patience I had never quite been able to harness. I guess you could simply say it offered me SOURCE. I found that even when I was off my mat I could slip into this place and enjoy my inner sanctuary. As yoga has become a huge part of my life, it is most certainly a deeply-rooted impulse to honour why I’m here. I absolutely fall off course, have the occasional panic attack and most certainly have bad days, but I know deep down that the place I first fell in love with – that sanctuary in my heart – exists."
Learn more about managing anxiety
If this is something you would life to learn more about join us December 5th for an in-depth offering, Yoga for Anxiety, Fear and Stress Relief with Michelle Chung.
This workshop is specifically designed to help those that suffer from anxiety and stress. Using LifeForce Yoga ® principles and techniques, you will learn to move into more balanced (sattvic) state and move towards positive emotional, mental, physical state of equanimity and self-awareness. You will learn yoga practices that calm feelings of anxiety, which includes asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), relaxation (yoga nidra), yoga chakra sounds and mantras. No previous yoga experience necessary.
LifeForce Yoga is a practice of compassion that creates a big enough container to embrace and accept all the dualities of mood.
Saturday, December 5, 2015 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM Yoga for Anxiety, Fear and Stress Relief with Michelle Chung Yogalife Studios South
Simple, Supple Shoulders
Try these 3 quick and easy yoga poses to relax and soften your shoulders
It's no joke that we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. This area of the body is susceptible to tension and injury simply from how we use it, or misuse it. Whether you carry a bag, sit at a computer, drive, or sleep poorly, chances are you've probably experienced some sort of issue with your shoulders.
Enter, yoga. There are so many ways to restore and relax your shoulders through your yoga practice. Today we're sharing 3 gentle, easy poses that can be done basically anywhere. In any practice of healing, breath and intention are always at the forefront of your approach. Remember to go slow and listen to the feedback your body gives you, especially if you are dealing with injury. Forcing into these gentle areas of the body will only prolong the issue, so remember that love and patience are the keys to freedom.
Reverse Prayer Mudra
Because we inherently spend so much time rolling our shoulders forward, they tend to naturally fall that way after time. It is generally only with conscious effort that we roll them back, lift our heart, and feel open across our chest. Inviting space into the front of your heart will help draw your shoulders onto and down your back. This action helps soften the tissues that connect your shoulders to your chest, and places your shoulders back into proper alignment.
- to modify this pose, try grabbing for opposite elbows behind your back
- to deepen this pose, clasp your hands at your lower back and take a small back bend, lifting your gaze to the sky
- in each variation, invite your shoulders to "kiss" on your back, drawing the blades together and down your back
- breathe into the centre of your heart and visualize the heads (front) of your shoulders melting back
Child's Pose
Balasana is wonderful to soften everything from your hips to your fingertips. And what lives between those? Your shoulders! Again, shoulder softness comes with an open heart, so allow yourself to hang out in this space with the support of your forehead and legs grounding you. If your mat and forehead don't connect, place a block in between so you can really let go. Feel your shoulders spreading wide and moving down your back and focus your breath to the space around your heart and armpits.
Eagle Pose
To reach the back of your heart, that juicy spot between your shoulder blades, try eagle pose. This shape helps to open up and soften your shoulder blades away from one another, moving more into the midline of the back. Once you've wrapped your arms in front of your face (or, try hugging opposite shoulders for a less intense version), you may try squeezing your forearms together, lifting your elbows, and gently tucking your chin. Send your breath BIG into the back of your heart and visualize exhales melting away tension.
Want to get more in-depth on this topic? Join us at Yogalife Studios South on November 28 from 2:30-5:30 Psoas & Supple Shoulders w/ Brea Johnson register now!
Featured Yogi || Amy Stuparyk
Amy Stuparyk came through the doors of Yogalife Studios right when we first opened and has been a part of the family ever since. When she's not gallivanting the world she's teaching nearly everyday at our south location. Amy is sassy and hilarious, something that shines through in her classes. For a spicy practice, check out Amy's 'Arm Balances & Inversions' on Tuesday nights at 8:30! See Amy's full schedule here.
How did you get your yogic start? Who brought you to your first class, what was that like, and where was it?
My very first yoga class was a registered class at the Devon Community Center when I was 14 years old. And I absolutely hated it. It was too quiet, and too slow. I was a dancer so naturally, I wanted to move more. 3 years later, I quit dancing and was looking for something different to use to stay fit because I really disliked the gym. A friend of mine told me about Yogalife opening up and the free week they had, so I came in for their very first class with a few friends. I thought maybe hot yoga would change my perspective of yoga. And it did. It was so much fun. I remember trying to jump to the top of my mat and jumping so far I fell forward like 3 feet of my mat. And the next day, I felt like I got hit by bus! I made myself go everyday the free week and after my third practice at the studio I asked the teacher, “How do I do what you do?”
Share a favourite quote, lesson, or teaching that inspires you.
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body. But rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming .... WOW what a ride.”
“You don’t stop playing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop playing.”
We attract the energy that we put out into the world so I always try to have fun and keep smiling.
What's your favourite music to practice to (or do you prefer silence?)
I like to practice to electronic dance music when I’m doing a faster practice and just playing around, and when I do a yin practice, I find random slow songs on YouTube to throw on quietly in the background, mainly trying to focus on my breath.
Your favourite books, yogi-inspired and fiction.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Fierce Medicine by Ana. T Forrest
Tell us about your first teacher training.
My first teacher training was very interesting. I spent a month in Montezuma, Costa Rica at Anamaya Resort. The resort was beautiful! The staff were amazing, the food was delicious, and the view was epic! The instructor should not have been doing teacher trainings though. There was a complaint put in 2 weeks into the training so for the last 2 weeks they brought in another instructor and we had to choice to learn from her, or from the original. I basically had 200 hrs of training packed into 2 weeks and only learned how to teach because of all the time I put in practicing. Now because my training wasn’t the best, I ended up taking another 200 hr a year and a half later through Gaitri yoga with the amazing Ally Bogard and Jana Derges (now Roemer). This training changed the way I teach and the way I practice. It really made me the teacher I am today.
Where's your favourite vacation spot?
I am happy being anywhere with a beach, but my favourite place I’ve been to so far is Thailand. I cannot wait to make my trek back there.
What is your favourite meal to make and share with friends?
My mom’s homemade potato salad!
What's the coolest experience you've ever had with a student?
Some of my closest friends now, were my students first. I even met my best friend through teaching. She was one of my regulars when I was teaching full time in Leduc. We were chatting one night before class, ended up finding out we had the same birthday, and the rest is history from there!
What's your favourite pose/sequence/area of the body to work on?
I have so many favourites! I always love to play with inversions and arm balances, especially handstands! Dancer's pose has been my favourite poses since the beginning of my yoga journey, and I have come to absolutely love side plank. It would be easier for me to name off the few things I’m not a fan of doing, rather than what my favourites are. I love it all.
Who inspires you?
So many people inspire me. My parents, my best friends, my boyfriend, my brother, my students, and even my dog!
What is your favourite festival to attend?
I haven’t been to many festivals, yoga or music related but I loved Boonstock when it was around.
If you could study with one person who would it be and why?
I would really love to practice with Ana Forrest. I read her autobiography, and she had such an amazing life that made her the yoga teacher she is today. She teaches on how our emotions are connected to tension in the body and uses yoga to help release that emotion which is something I love teaching and learning about! Also, I would love to practice with Paul Grilley. I just love the way that he teaches Yin.
What is the best concert you've ever been to?
I’m not a huge concert goer but the best concert I’ve been to would have to have been the K Rock Bash with my Dad. Trooper, Kim Mitchell and Tom Cochrane.
Where's the next place you want to travel?
South America. Specifically Machu Picchu in Peru
Share your favourite self-healing practice.
Sleep! I have to make sure I always get plenty of sleep. Daily naps are a must! :)
Share one of your life goals.
I want to travel and see the world!
Our Top 5 Favourite Post-Workout Snacks
Yogalife staff shares their favourite post-workout snacks
Every good workout deserves a great snack. Today we're sharing our top 5 go-to favourites, recipes included! From a simple glass of chocolate milk to a savoury simmered Kimchi Ramyeon, these are the dishes that we love after we sweat.
Kimchi Ramyeon, Melissa's favourite
This recipe calls for gochujang and kimchi, which you can find at any Korean market. If you are vegetarian or vegan, Earth's General Store sells Kimchi without fish oil, or you can make it yourself. It is very healthy for the stomach!
Makes 2 bowls
for soup 3 cups veggie stock or mushroom stock 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon Korean chili flakes ) 1 teaspoon Korean chili paste 2 shiitake mushrooms sliced 2 cloves of garlic finely grated
for kimchi stir fry 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1/2 cup well-fermented kimchi, chopped 2 handful bean spouts 2 teaspoons gochujang 1 teaspoon soy sauce
for serving 1 teaspoon crispy shallots (deep fried minced shallots)
To make the ramyeon soup, add veggie stock, soy sauce, chili flakes, gochujang, shitake mushrooms and garlic into a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Aside from the mushrooms, you don’t really need cook anything in the soup, so after it comes to a simmer, turn down the heat until the noodles and kimchi stir-fry are ready.
Heat a frying pan over medium high heat. Add the sesame oil. Add the kimchi and bean sprouts and stir-fry until the bean sprouts are cooked and the kimchi is heated through. Add the gochujang and soy sauce and continue frying until the sauce has coated the kimchi. To serve, put a serving of cooked noodles into 2 bowls. Split the soup between the two bowls. Sprinkle each bowl of ramyeon with the crispy shallots. Top with the kimchi stir-fry. Put a mound of shredded scallions on top, and drizzle a teaspoon of sesame onto each bowl. Eat immediately or the noodles will get soft.
Chocolate Milk, Suzi's favourite
Simple and delicious, this classic favourite hits the spot!
1 cup Whole Milk (or use any dairy-free alternative you wish) 2 tsp Organic Unsweetened Cocoa powder, or to taste 2 tsp Vanilla Sugar, or to taste
You can mix all the components in a blender or simply shake them up in a jar with a secure lid! Recipe borrowed from www.chefinyou.com
Root Vegetable Medley w Quinoa and Pumpkin Seeds, Caitlin's Favourite
This dish is healthy, hearty and colourful. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and is one of only a few plant foods that is considered a complete protein. High in iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber, this makes a great meal to balance out a workout.
makes 2-4 servings
3 beets, cubed 1 zucchini, chopped 1/2-whole onion, diced 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds 2 cloves garlic, minced coconut oil 1 cup quinoa, cooked
Sautee everything in a pan and serve over quinoa. You may choose to cook the beets a little longer, or blanche them first for tenderness. The pumpkin seeds may be thrown on raw or fried first for extra crispiness, depending on your preference. Add an extra protein such as tofu or chicken to round out the dish.
Fruit with Nut Butter, Jessica's Favourite
This snack is super quick and easy for post-workout munchies. Bananas and apples pair especially well with a scoop of organic peanut/almond/cashew butter. Jess also loves a good smoothie with banana and spinach post-workout. Learn 25 powerful reasons to eat bananas here!
Popcorn, Jane's Favourite
There are so many ways to enjoy popcorn! Jane uses an air popper and drizzles avocado oil and some Herbamare, a healthier/less salty choice for seasoning. She may choose between brewers nutritional yeast (vitamin Bs!) or black pepper, or Mrs. Dash or whatever strikes her fancy. Not craving savoury? Try brown sugar and cinnamon!
Thanks to our friends at www.nuts.com for starting the conversation for this post. Check out their 'healthy snacks' page for more information. https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks
Yoga For Trauma and PTSD
The following is a guest post from Yogalife instructor Gabi Weaver. Gabi brings a special element to our team with her experience in Therapeutic Yoga and her involvement with helping at-risk groups begin to stabilize and heal.
Gabi is excited to share a special 3-hour workshop with the community October 31 at Yogalife Studios North.
My name is Gabriela Weaver, RYT, RHN, YoR. I am a practicing Yoga therapist. I have used Yoga’s many tools to heal and support others with anxiety and depression, alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders and PTSD. I have worked with people who have cancer, fibromyalgia, HIV, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and neurological and neuromuscular diseases. I have used Yoga countless times to support and strengthen thousands of practitioners, and lead them back to better lives, happier lives, with better health, and a new vitality for living that is so exciting and wonderful to see.
I’m going to ask you to think of yoga as medicine - a concept which may be new to you. You have probably seen many pictures of yoga practitioners in very advanced postures and have heard about the sauna-like conditions that accompany many modern yoga practices. This has convinced many people that yoga isn’t something that could possibly be for them. But take a closer look; you will find yoga being used in ways you may have never thought of before. Yoga is now being used in many capacities to heal both body and mind.
Yoga may be the most powerful overall system for healing ever discovered. The relief of suffering has been the central aim of yoga for thousands of years. Part of the reason that yoga is so effective is that it aims to heal the mind, body and spirit together. Yoga not only addresses the symptoms of PTSD, but has the tools to do it. A number of yoga practices, starting with simple breathing exercises that almost anyone can do, can reliably shift the body from the flight-or-fight response to relaxation (Colonel David Grossman -Tactical Breathing author of ‘On Combat’). It is even possible, using yogic tools, to shift your mind and body into a relaxed state when you are experiencing PTSD symptoms. Keep in mind though, that while powerful, yoga isn’t a quick fix. Yoga becomes more and more effective over weeks, months, and years of practice.
Therapeutic yoga awakens in you the ability to heal yourself. Therapeutic yoga is supported by psychology and neuroscience. It is brought to life by my students who share their stories of struggle and healing. By connecting with your mind and body, you’ll gain a glimpse of what lies beyond the emotional pain of PTSD, trauma, and heightened states of anxiety. Yoga opens a window to a new world. This includes a connection to a deeper part of you that lives within and also transcends your mind and body: your spirit or vital essence.
Yoga For Trauma and PTSD w/ Gabi Weaver Yogalife Studios North Saturday, October 31 || 2:30-5:30pm
The Yogalife App Is LIVE!
We like to consider ourselves somewhat tech-savvy and are always looking for ways to make your lives a bit easier. Behold, the newest edition to the Yogalife Studios collection of things digital: our very own app!
APP /ap/ noun a self-contained program or piece of software designed to fulfill a particular purpose; an application, especially as downloaded by a user to a mobile device.
Now you can book your classes, find out who's teaching, learn about new workshops and all things related to the studio from anywhere.
Find us in the app store:
3 Reasons To Take A Beginner Yoga Class
Beginner yoga, a very good place to start!
When you first decide to unroll a mat and try this yoga thing, it can be daunting to figure out exactly where to start. With so many classes, teachers and styles, it is nice to learn about the foundations of the practice to assist the navigation. As you go through this journey it becomes more clear that it really is about YOU, so why not start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, and allow yourself to truly find YOUR path. Here's 3 reasons to hit up a beginners yoga class, regardless of where you're at in your practice.
Get Acquainted with the System
Yoga is an ancient system comprised of asana (physical movement), meditation and pranayama (breathwork), amongst other things. Any of these facets may arise in a public class and work in unison to create this holistic practice. When you first start out, getting the sense of all these elements in unison may feel a little misaligned. The instructor may guide you to empty your mind, but your mind is trying to figure out what the heck to focus on. A beginner class will break down why and how we breathe the way we do in yoga, the most important piece of the puzzle. Once you harness this breath, the movement and meditation come with more ease.
Learn To Listen
Yoga can seem like a gymnastics routine. Any given class can and will have all levels of yogis there to do their thing, and it is your job as the ultimate teacher to choose YOUR practice for that moment. Whether you modify, rest or go deeper depends on what YOU need, not your acrobatic neighbour! A beginner class offers a pace that facilitates this learning to listen. You will spend more time breaking down poses and figuring out alignment so that you feel empowered to choose what works for you and what doesn't.
Reconnect Your Roots
The phrase "approach your practice with a beginner's mind" is heard often in a yoga class. If you are serving yourself for that exact moment in your day, then nothing you've done before on your mat and nothing that's to come really matters. Yes, your experiences are in your fibres and lend to how you operate, but when you cross the threshold to your mat it can feel like the first time, every time. Revisiting a beginner class can be a good reminder of this very foundation; to start fresh and reconnect with those original roots. Humility is one of the most tender offerings of yoga.
Yogalife Studios offers a variety of classes suitable for beginners. Check out Warm Foundation Flow, Beginner's Hot Flow, or Hatha Foundations to get a good base to move from.
We are also offering a 5-week registered Beginner Yoga course with Michelle Chung. This course is for those that have little or no experience to the practice of yoga. The registered classes will introduce you to fundamental postures (asana), breath work (pranayama) and the connection of breath and movement together (vinyasa), in a comfortable atmosphere with new yogis alike. Each week will be a progression in order to safely open up the body and build a solid foundation in the practice of yoga. Props will be used to help create space in the body, postures will be broken down to show proper alignment in order to prevent injury and emphasis will be given on breath and core control to help strengthen the body. Space will be limited so that new students will get the attention they need. Students should be able to easily go from standing to sitting on the floor and from sitting to standing.
Beginner Yoga - 5 Week Course with Michelle Chung Yogalife Studios South November 1 - December 6 || 2:30-3:45pm register here!
3 Tips For Your Psoas & Happy Hips
Psoas & Happy Hips
Tight hips? Work on your psoas. Tight psoas? Work on your hips. The psoas are the only muscles in your body that connects the spine to the legs. As a result, if your psoas are tight and stressed, many different parts of your body will be affected from the neck, down to the feet and everywhere in between.
We are so excited to welcome back Brea Johnson to Yogalife Studios South for the second instalment of Psoas & Happy Hips.
As an extension of the Psoas Part 1, we will explore the relationship that the psoas has with the rest of the body, specifically focusing on the hips. Whether you attended Part 1 or are completely new, you will gain new insight and understanding of your psoas in a tangible and hands-on way. Traverse all the nooks and crannies in your hips and legs to increase range of motion and build structural stability. When your hips have more freedom, then the psoas can stay supple and happy.
Gain a wide variety of self-care tools that you can integrate into your everyday life to maintain the health of your psoas. You will be able to better understand, manage and prevent back pain, pelvic floor issues, sleep, posture, flexibility, digestion, immune, adrenal & hormonal function just to name a few. The workshop is movement-based so that we can integrate intellectual understanding of the biomechanics of our body with the tangible experience of healthy alignment and movement.
Psoas Releases
Psoas Release on Block
Place block (or bolster) underneath your pelvis. You want to have the block fairly low down, toward your tailbone to allow your pubic bone to lengthen toward the ceiling.
This tilt will allow your low back and ribcage to move towards the ground. Start to feel the back of your ribcage soften down and the belly relax completely. If you have the habit of thrusting your ribs, then you can place your hands on the front of your ribcage to remind yourself to relax toward the floor. Stay for 5-10 mins. Psoas Release with Bolster Under Shoulders
Place one edge of your bolster between your shoulder blades. The rest of your spine and ribcage will be off of the bolster and relaxing towards the ground. If your psoas is really tight, the front of your ribcage will be lifted and most of your back will be off the floor. Over time, the psoas will relax enough that most of the back softens down and connects more on the floor. This isn’t something that you can force, you just have to hang out and allow your psoas and muscles to relax. Stay 5-10 mins or as long as it feels comfortable. You can also place a blanket over your body for more warmth and grounding. Stack your bones, not your psoas
One very simple cue that you can remind yourself of all day long while you are standing, is to back your hips over your heels. Most of us have the habit of thrusting our hips forward which places strain on your back, knees and feet. Just by backing your pelvis so it is lined right over your heels, your bones get to do the weight bearing that they are designed to do and your psoas doesn’t have to hold you up.
Yoga and the Psoas with Brea Johnson Saturday, October 24 || 2:30-5:30 Yogalife Studios South
It's (almost!) Time To Bloom
BLOOM 2015. A 2 DAY RETREAT & CELEBRATION OCTOBER 3-4TH WINSPEAR CENTER EDMONTON, ALBERTA
www.itstimetobloom.com
The third annual Bloom is right around the corner and for the YEG yogi community this is like Christmas (plus there really is something for everyone at Bloom)! Yogalife Studios is so thrilled to be on the supporting team for this amazing event again this year and we simply can't wait to experience Bloom 2015's offerings.
The line-up this year is incredible: music, yoga, knowledge, inspiration.
Keynote speaker Marianne Williamson is a pioneer of a worldwide spiritual movement. She has written four #1 New York Times Best Sellers and her teachings have influenced millions around the world to lead happier and more fulfilled lives. In 2014, Marianne ran for US Congress in an attempt to start a bold new conversation in politics. She is the founder of Project Angel Food that serves over 1,000 meals per day for people suffering with AIDS in Los Angeles. Marianne co-founded the Peace Alliance and sits on the board of RESULTS that works to end hunger and poverty throughout the world.
Marianne offers a free weekly talk via live stream on her website!
The concert series showcases some of the world's finest, most inspiring artists. If you were a part of Bloom 2.0 you know how fun this portion of the weekend is. This year Bloom has invited back favourites DJ Drez, Marti Nikko, and Sheela Bringi for musical stylings and workshop offerings.
New to the bill this year is Grammy-nominated musician Jai Uttal. He'll be sharing a concert and workshop: Awakening Bhakti on Saturday and a workshop talk on the Ramayana on Sunday. Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic east meets-west sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement; his musical roots embrace a rich variety of cultures and traditions that span the globe and the centuries.
From the hillbilly music of the Appalachian Mountains to the passionate strains of Bengali street singers, from the haunting rhythms and melodies of ancient India to contemporary electric rock sounds, Jai’s music distills the essence of diverse musical forms.
Explore the full musical line-up here!
Be sure to say hi at our Yogalife Studios homebase in the marketplace!
Grab your tickets to Bloom 2015 HERE.
Our Latest Offerings For Yogi Mamas
Check out the latest pre and post-natal registered classes coming up at Yogalife Studios South with Dawn McCorry!
Dawn is Certified Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Instructor as well as Certified Birth Doula through DONA. She has also had the honour of carrying and bringing into this world 3 amazing sons. Dawn’s open approach to yoga encourages students to be guided by their own inner wisdom. She can’t wait to share all the benefits yoga has to offer to new parents.
The morning sickness, achy lower back, and fatigue of pregnancy have passed. But for new mamas, a whole other different set of physical conditions often accompanies the bliss of loving your little creation. Luckily, yoga can help address the most common concerns after having your little one. And moms aren't the only ones who can benefit from yoga; a few basic moves for the wee one can make your infant more comfortable and calm.
Mom and Baby Six Weeks Pre-Registered with Dawn McCorry Yogalife Studios South || September 15-October 20, 11:00-12:00
Prenatal yoga is designed to prepare expectant mothers for labour, and focuses on increasing flexibility, strength, circulation and balance, to help support both mom and baby during this time. Through the six weeks, you will be guided through meditations, pranayama (breath exercises), and postures to help adapt to the changes happening in your body through each trimester, and to connect deeper with the self, and the life growing within.
Prenatal 6 weeks Pre-Registered with Dawn McCorry Yogalife Studios South || September 15-October 20, 12:15-1:15
Kari Edwards at MindBodyGreen offers these tips for new yogi mamas:
1. Focus on breathing.
In the first few weeks after birth your body needs time to recover so the best thing you can do is put your asana practice aside and focus on pranayama and meditation. When you're feeding your baby or in need of a boost after a long sleepless night, practice breathing deep into your belly long and slow through your nose.
Close your eyes and focus on the feeling of the breath as it moves in and out of your body. Even if you only manage one deep breath, your body and mind will thank you. Do this as often as you need throughout the day and it will help focus and calm your mind and enjoy these special early moments.
2. Ease into your practice with forward bends.
Provided you are recovering well and had a normal birth, beginning to include a few forward bends around two weeks or so post birth can help to compress your belly and aid in returning your uterus to its pre-pregnancy position. Check with your midwife if it's OK before you begin.
Sit with your legs together straight out in front of you. (You can lie your baby on your legs or beside you if you wish.) Bend forward from the hips, remembering not to push yourself, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths here.
3. Before you begin to include asana in your daily yoga practice, wait until six weeks postnatal or until you have the OK from your doctor or midwife.
If your baby allows you to put her down, you can begin with a few rounds (or just one round) of Sun Salutations to get your body moving and stretching again. Include chest and shoulder stretches such as eagle arms to stretch out a sore back from holding the baby and nursing. If your baby just needs to be held, you can practice a few gentle lunges or some standing hip rotations while you soothe your baby.
If you are feeling steady, you can include balancing asana like tree pose while you hold your baby but remember to take things slow and not to push yourself.
The key to transitioning from a prenatal to a post natal yoga practice is to take things slow. Listen to what your body needs as it changes and remember that you don’t need to be on the mat for a 60-minute period to benefit from yoga. Little bite-sized bits of yoga in your day will help to keep you calm and centered and to enjoy the many benefits of yoga.
'Smitten With Life' Nicaragua Retreat || Destination Feature
Breathe In Life Destination Feature Playa Escameca, Nicaragua
Yogalife Studios and Breathe In Life travel/adventure/yoga/all-around amazing company are teaming up to bring you a special offering in a beautiful corner of the world. The following is a feature on Playa Escameca, the breathtaking area of Nicaragua that Yogalifers Caitlin Varrin and Graham Parsons are taking yogis to get a little more smitten with life. You can find more destination features on the Breathe In Life blog, alongside tons of cool yogi/yoga features, recipes, festival reviews and more.
In the deep south of Nicaragua, just a stone’s throw from Costa Rica, there is a special beach you can only hope to stumble upon while traveling – Playa Escameca. Arguably one of the nicest beaches in Central America, you won’t find Playa Escameca in any travel books and that’s because this spot is unique. This incredible stretch of beach presently only has 1 eco-resort where we will be staying named ‘Costa Dulce’ which means ‘Fresh Coast’. It boasts not only gorgeous scenery but some seriously gnarly surfing conditions that you can enjoy all to yourself. You are about as far away from honking horns, pesky sales people, crowded waves and booming late-night parties as you can get. That’s why Free & Easy Traveler (Breathe in Life’s sister company) jumped all over the opportunity to start building our own little sanctuary for the travellers we know are out there looking for something peaceful and off-the-beaten-path. Many of you actually may have seen it before and not known it; Playa Escameca was the setting for the TV show Survivor Nicaragua! You know this show always finds the most beautiful, remote paradise locations so this says a lot about this special spot.
At the beach-house we stay in you will experience resort living in an ecological reserve teeming with wildlife and natural beauty. This private villa has been custom designed using green building concepts, native hardwoods and stones. High ceilings and large overhangs provide shade from sun and rain showers. Boundaries between indoors and outdoors blur when sliding walls open kitchen and bedrooms to large decks overlooking the beach. The yoga studio has a stunning view as soothing sounds of jungle and ocean intermingle. Monkeys sometimes even make an appearance at our sessions!
We can't wait to practice with you, laugh & co-create with you, root down & uplift with you. Come partake of something special, and re-acquaint yourself with the wonder that's always quietly humming in the world around us. All we need to do is listen. And get smitten.
SMITTEN WITH LIFE with Graham Parsons and Caitlin Varrin November 13th – November 23rd, 2015 Playa Escameca, Nicaragua Click here for more information on this retreat!
Featured Yogi || Gabi Weaver
Gabi joined the Yogalife Studios family in November 2014. She's brought along an awesome, bright energy and a unique skillset with her training in therapeutic yoga. Her classes are fun, energetic, and informative. You can check out her class schedule here and read more about her therapeutic yoga classes here.
How did you get your yogic start? Who brought you to your first class, what was that like, and where was it?
I took my first Yoga classes in Vancouver from a pretty woman named Susan, in 1997. I took the class at the advice of the personal trainer at the gym where I went to work out. The class was in a beautiful spare room, and luckily, Susan was an excellent teacher, so I kept going. From the very first class, I knew I wanted to become a Yoga teacher. I felt the power of yoga coursing through my veins, my heart, my soul. The great tragedy of this moment was that I was in my mid-twenties, had a lot of student loan debt, and was just starting my career in Marketing. I knew that yoga would be in my future, but at that time, I could not afford to pursue it. It was difficult to find yoga classes, never mind a teacher training. Thankfully, that has all changed. Almost 10 years after my first Yoga class, in 2006, I became a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. It was a life-changing moment in every way. I do not know of any other job that could bring me as much joy and contentment and gratitude. I absolutely LOVE teaching Yoga, and I love everything about our field. I think it is the best job in the world!!
Share a favourite quote, lesson, or teaching that inspires you.
My own beliefs about life are to: “Treat everyone you meet with love and respect, we are all equal.” “Be humble, be kind, be open, be soft, be sincere”. “Make goals, write them down, and never, ever give up.” “Do less, live more, breathe, stop and smell the roses.” “The way you treat those closest to you, says everything about you.” “ When you start living your truest life, the people and circumstances to help you make your goals and dreams come true will magically appear. “ Learn from your mistakes and past, only you can decide to treat them as lessons, and the reasons for your success, rather than reasons for your failure.”
And some famous quotes that have inspired me:
“If you judge someone, you have no time to love them.” Mother Theresa “The meaning of Life is to find your gift. The Purpose of Life is to give it away”. African Proverb “Live as if you were to die tomorrow” Learn as though you were to live forever” Mahatma Ghandi
What's your favourite music to practice to (or do you prefer silence?)
I love to practice to great music, and my tastes run all over the place- world music, Afro-cuban, Latin jazz, Bohemian ethnic music, Canadian alternative, instrumental, singer/songwriter,etc. One of my secret disappointments is not being a musician myself. I must content myself with being able to make a great playlist, and being able to use music to inspire, energize, and relax students in my Yoga classes. That said, I think the best yoga practice is when there is no music, but the steady and sweet sound of my own Ujjayi breath.
Your favourite books, yogi-inspired and fiction.
I read voraciously, and always have. I like to read about Yoga, Travel, Cooking, Nutrition, Food, Farming, and Healing. I tend to choose books that are funny, wise, and inspiring. I enjoy memoirs, some of my favorites were Mahatma Ghandi, The Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, and Nelson Mandela. I have read some great Yoga memoirs: Yoga Bitch, by Susan Morrison, May I be Happy, by Cyndi Lee, Warrior Pose, by Brad Willis, Do your OM thing, by Rebecca Pacheco, Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, by Stephen Cope, and Hell-Bent, by Benjamin Lorr.
Tell us about your first teacher training.
I was lucky enough to study with a true Yoga master, Karen Claffey, in Montreal. She had certifications in practically everything, and was very wise, thoughtful, and supportive. She taught us more than just yoga, but a way of life, as she lived and breathed the teachings and philosophies of Yoga. It was a life-changing experience, and I feel very blessed to have had Karen as my first teacher.
Where's your favourite vacation spot?
Every year, I travel to Sivananda Ashram, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It is very different from staying in a resort. It is incredibly beautiful, and rustic. I go alone, stay in a tent, connect to nature, meet amazing new people who become life-long friends and enjoy the healthiest vegetarian food. I take programs and spend my days learning. Everyone at the ashram must attend the two daily Satsangs, which are made up of meditation, Kirtan, (group singing in Sanskrit) and presentations from the many visiting program teachers and spiritual leaders at the ashram. Our days start at 5:30 am, and are busy until 10pm. I always make time for a couple of daily swims in the breathtakingly clear turquoise ocean, and walks on the pristine fine white sand beaches. My yearly trips to the ashram are completely rejuvenating, nourishing and life-changing, both mentally and spiritually.
What is your favourite meal to make and share with friends?
I am a huge foodie, and love to cook many ethnic foods that require hunting for exotic spices and ingredients. I love Vietnamese, African, Japanese, Brazilian, Indian, Mediterranean, French, Turkish, Lebanese, and Czech cooking. My meals can best be described as simple, very fresh, well-seasoned, very tasty and healthy. I could easily be a Chef, if my own Mom (herself a European-trained Chef) did not constantly dissuade me from a life of cruel hours and intense pressure.
What's the coolest experience you've ever had with a student?
I have been lucky enough to have formed some strong and very honest friendships with some of my yoga students. Many of my students have hugged me and told me that I had changed their lives. I am grateful to be able to teach Yoga therapeutically for people in recovery in treatment centers and people suffering from eating disorders, severe PTSD, and intense anxiety and depression. I have been lucky enough to have influenced many people on their path in life. Each of these experiences has taught me about the real meaning of life, how to love, how to forgive, how to heal, how to overcome great tragedy, and become all that you are capable of.
What's your favourite pose/sequence/area of the body to work on?
I could never just pick one! But, I do love inversions, and I’m pretty sure I spent more time upside down than right side up as a child.
Who inspires you?
I find inspiration everywhere, in my closest family and friends, complete strangers, and even in a bad situation, I try and see what I am meant to learn from it. I think it is so important to live consciously, mindfully, and to surround yourself with inspiring influences and people, and to constantly step outside your comfort zone and grow into the person you are meant to be.
If you could study with one person who would it be and why?
Hmmm…that’s a tough one. There are so many wonderful and talented teachers. I would have loved to have studied with the great masters of Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar and Sri K. Pattabi Jois. However, I would love to study with Kathryn Budig, and Kino Macgregor. They have qualities as teachers that I greatly admire. Tenacity, kindness, honesty, acceptance, humor and how to be humble. I would also love to study with some well-known Therapeutic Yoga teachers, Bo Forbes, Amy Weintraub, Timothy McCall, and Kelly McGonigal, among many others.
What is the best concert you've ever been to?
Jake Bugg, who is an almost unknown but very gifted and dynamic singer/songwriter from the U.K.
Where's the next place you want to travel?
Hawaii!!
Share your favourite self-healing practice.
Yoga, meditation and pranayama has always been my way to heal, whether it is body, mind or spirit.
Share one of your life goals.
To consistently make the goals and choices that will lead me to living the life that I have always dreamed of. To live consciously, simply, and from the heart.
Inner Glow Nutrition Recipe || Raw 'Tuna' Salad
Kristin Fraser, the guru behind Inner Glow Nutrition, is back with another delicious recipe, perfect for summer potlucks and picnics!
Summer is here and it’s time for renewed commitment to your health. Winter comfort food cravings start to subside and fresh, lighter foods are where it’s at. A perfect recipe to add to your mix is the sunflower “tuna” salad below. Perfect for topping on rice crackers, cucumber slices or lettuce wraps with the recommended goodies. Go to http://www.innerglownutrition.ca/something-to-chew-on to read up on more health benefits of sunflower seeds and be sure to check out this month's Chew Tube Video as well! Just 2 minutes! http://www.innerglownutrition.ca/chew-tube
Raw "Tuna" Salad Wrap
Serves 2
This Delicious faux “Tuna Salad” is a huge hit. Enjoy on top of crackers, (rice crackers or raw), with just cucumber slices or as a wrap as per below. 2 Cups Sunflower Seeds, soaked 12-24hrs 1/2 Cup pickle Juice (Bubbies Brand is best for some fermented goodness!) ¼ Cup Lemon Juice ½ Cup White Onion, minced ½ Cup Celery, minced ¼ Cup Red Pepper, minced ¼ Cup Parsley, minced ¼ Cup Dill, minced 2 Tbsp Dulse Flakes (or ground fresh dulse) *Optional toppings: vegan mayo, cucumber, tomatoes, pickles, sprouts
1. Process sunflower seeds with pickle juice and lemon juice. 2. Mix in remaining Ingredients. 3. Place in Wrap of choice: Collards, lettuce or sprouted grain tortilla with fresh sliced cucumber, vegan mayo if desired, fresh pickles, chopped fresh cherry tomatoes, mixed sprout mix.
Send us your favourite recipes to be featured on the blog!
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