With so much happening on the home front, this years Yoga by the Beach season has definitely snuck up on me. Having been in the midst of selling our home and of course buying another, it feels like I am entering a territory all too familiar to many of my readers! We chose a home located in our same general area of North Vancouver, but it is in need of renovations. As of yet, the anxiety about the renovations and move have not been transformed… Read More
FOUNDATIONS OF YOGA THERAPY
Happy 2017! Last week I graduated from the Foundations of Yoga Therapy Teacher Training. It was an amazing experience that was enjoyed immensely and it provided another period of growth through learning, friendships and professional development. If you have ever been to India, you might understand the feeling I am experiencing. It is like that of returning home, after all the wonderful chaos of the trip has begun to settle. In a good way you are almost dumbfounded at what… Read More
WHY PRACTICE YOGA?
Why Practice Yoga? There are so many reasons to practice yoga and by this time, I am sure you have heard about most of them. Since I only have a few seconds to capture your attention, it is overwhelming to know where to begin! So reason #1 for practicing yoga, ANXIETY. Most everyone has experienced worrisome, fearful or nerve racking sensations which leave us short of breath and unsure of our next move. The fact is, in our Western World… Read More
YOGA BY THE BEACH
Having just completed an intensive yoga teacher training, it is time to gear up for Yoga By The Beach! The classes this summer are sure to be inspired with some Anusara alignment principles, along with elements of staying close to nature in the Andean Way. For more details on these classes, please see the new You Tube Video. Have a fantastic Canada Day weekend and I look forward to seeing you out and about this summer! Mixed Levels Hatha Yoga Tuesdays &… Read More
YOGA PRACTICE OUTDOORS
Yoga practice outdoors has become my absolute favorite thing. This year will be like the rest, where I openly welcome anyone who is keen to explore these flowing Hatha Yoga Classes in West Vancouver. At John Lawson Park, the back drop of the Burrard Inlet, Stanley Park, UBC and Vancouver Island await us, offering the possibility to experience it anew! The amazing feeling of moving peacefully in nature while breathing the fresh air will be one of my highlights this… Read More
HEAVEN ON EARTH
As another chapter in my life comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on things that bring a yearning to stay in this South American country. Pure and simple moments come to mind, like that of the early morning snuggles with a warm, sweet child who climbs into bed and whispers ¨Morning Mama.¨ This is heaven on earth. There is the feeling of the morning sun on my face and the sound of the indigenous birds when hanging towels… Read More
YOGA… A CONSCIOUS EFFORT
Sheer determination. Yoga can get us through some interesting times! The extent to which we really want or desire something is the degree to which we can move through states of discomfort and challenge. However, it is natural to be attracted to a life of comfort. We usually desire to be comfortable with our dwellings, both our place of residence and our human body. As well, we wish to be comfortable with our thoughts. Although the latter is less obvious,… Read More
YOGA MAYA
It is very interesting how there have been two recent releases of yoga documentaries, both of which share a common concern for yoga in the west. Their findings clearly show that for the majority of people, yoga has simply become a series of postures. There is evidently a lack of meditation, breath work, and also depth of morals and disciplines being incorporated into the practice. I very much connected with some of the discussions in the Yoga Maya Movie which… Read More
FOR THE LOVE OF YOGA
I was standing very close to the edge of a cliff, ready to jump but assessing where it was safe. Feeling fear, I mustered up the courage and then remember landing with some discomfort. But I made it! Then, before you know it I was standing up there again. This time, with a small group of people explaining how to clear the obstacles and make the jump. After everyone jumped, even though I had every intention of jumping with them,… Read More
MOTIVATION FOR MACHU PICCHU
I wish for folks to know that I sincerely understand the challenge of motivation, especially with respect to exercise. Along with the decision to put the studio aside for a bit, I needed to know I would continue to take care of my health, for my sake. Not because I needed to teach a class or be an example for everyone else, but because I respected and loved myself enough to do it for my own immediate and long term well-being. Well, recently… Read More