6/20/14 6/20/14

Big Love For Prairie Yogi

Ahhh, sunshine, music, friends, and yoga. What more could you want out of life?! Last week, the elusive Edmonton sun beamed out its welcoming warmth and rays— a wonderful way to greet Prairie Yogi as they stopped over in our city. After reading and loving the online magazine and community they’ve created, we finally had the pleasure of meeting Rachelle and Monique (a.k.a. Prairie Yogi) in-person at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park.

Together, we saluted the beaming sun as Noah Krol of Peg City Yoga guided us through an open-air karma practice, the river and pyramids our drishti. Post-savasana popsicles from our friends at Lululemon made the whole afternoon feel a treat as we sat in the grass to chat.

And as if the daytime yoga wasn’t enough bliss, we stepped into Latitude 53—an art gallery repurposed as practice space—for the official PY YEG Launch Party, the tone set with soft incense and some sweet, funky musical stylings from Robhindra Muse-ic. Our heart-opening practice was guided with the warm hands of Edmonton’s own, with gracious adjustments from Myrah Penaloza and Teresa Byer, as Andrew Misle led us through a strong back body sequence.

We loved practicing alongside familiar faces, and some we haven’t seen before—it was incredible to share space and so much good-hearted energy with all kinds of YEG yogis! Edmonton’s yogis are truly rockin’ their practices—and this whole day of yoga immersion with the community served as such a sweet reminder of all the good vibes floating across our city, within and without our studio walls.

We hope you felt the love too, Prairie Yogi—please come back and hang anytime!

Prairie Yogi toured Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to promote their upcoming Prairie Love festival which takes place in Winnipeg this September. Check it out!

Stay Connected! Join our Facebook Group.

5/29/14 5/29/14

Thank You

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”

William Arthur Ward

We want to send our deepest gratitude to you, our readers, friends and fellow yogis. We love writing for you, sharing our pictures and stories and hearing yours. We are thankful for the opportunity to speak from our hearts to our community.

As we've been discussing in the past weeks, gratitude is something to cultivate, practice and share. Adopting and embodying a new attitude or skill takes practice, so remind yourself to weave these tidbits into the fabric of your life.

Be voracious in your efforts!!

Stand up for that bursting feeling of love and thanks. Spread the word and follow up with those you share with. We truly believe that this attitude of gratitude will elevate our planet to greatness.

Remember, everything starts within; being incredibly kind and gentle with your thoughts and actions towards yourself allows you to shine outward.

Stay tuned to see what's coming up next on our blog.

Looking forward to sharing with you all summer long!

5/26/14 5/26/14

Poses to Inspire Gratitude

Lately we've been sharing how and why we feel thankful. Gratitude is indeed something to practice, just like the different facets of yoga. You can infuse thankfulness into every part of your practice, from meditation and breathwork to asana. Perhaps think of your next sun salutation as a burst of thanks for life or your next balancing pose as an homage to the steady, rooted earth.

The shapes we make with our bodies can reflect a deeper reverence; an offering.

Here's 5 poses you can incorporate on your next visit to your mat. Remember, although you may do these poses every time you practice, it's the intention behind them that creates the power.

1. Balasana/Child's Pose

Balasana is a beautiful pose to not only initiate practice but to continuously come back to throughout. With your forehead rooted into the earth and your arms stretched long, you feel grounded, safe and connected. You can pour your heart into your mat; your thoughts into stillness. Your body is ready to receive and you can allow gratitude to flow through you as you either create or reflect on your intention.

2. Adho Mukha Svanasana/Downward Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Svanasana may be thought of as your home-base posture, allowing you to connect between poses and re-establish your breath and intention. You simultaneously pour your heart down as you breathe into and illuminate your back body. With hands and feet rooted to the earth, you are stable and strong. As strength and serenity play off of each other, you can channel your energy towards gratitude.

3. Virabhadrasana II/Warrior II with Variations

Our warrior postures connect our strength and softness. Whether held for longer periods of time to define and articulate the alignment or used in a radiant, dynamic flow sequence to move energy and open the long lines of your body, warrior poses allow us to swell with gratitude in their nature of balance and beauty.

Acknowledging what you’re thankful for can lead to a happier, healthier life, just like a regular yoga practice can.

Play around with infusing the two and let us know how you feel!

5/21/14 5/21/14

The Attitude of Gratitude

Today, we’ll hear a more personal share on gratitude from one of our Yogalife bloggers, Kasandra Bracken. We’re all about authenticity here, and we sure ain’t perfect—so read on for some real talk.

This weekend, I was feeling some heavy FOMO (read: Fear Of Missing Out) for not going away for the long weekend, for not joining the rest of the world at the campgrounds in the May Long tradition. And though I had plenty of time to relax and kick back, I desperately felt the need to schedule my hours tightly, planning lots of activities so I could maximize my hours of fun and friends. I was fighting so hard to “relax” in an organized, concerted manner (which, if you’ve ever tried, is not relaxing at all) that I could hardly enjoy my time off.

I was even frustrated with my partner for wanting to stay in and, god forbid, just “hang out.” Ego grabbed a hold of me—“what if I don’t do anything fun, or interesting?” I thought. “I’ll have wasted my long weekend.” Or, “there aren’t enough hours—we can’t just sit here together—we need to DO something!”

I had a serious attitude of lack. Try as I did to make up for it with busyness, whatever I did would not have been enough to please me—I had already subconsciously decided, in my mind, that I was missing out on all the fun I could have been having by not going away for the weekend.

My boyfriend may be more gym rat than yogi, but he can still be pretty insightful. Given my poor attitude, he interjected—“Didn’t you just post about gratitude this weekend? What’s wrong with what’s happening right now?”

Why, yes. I had quite literally just posted on this exact same situation. I was feeling miserable, and failing miserably at putting my own advice into practice. But that’s just it—gratitude is a PRACTICE. Just like yoga or meditation.

You may not always wake up and feel excited to get on our mat, just as in the same way you may not naturally look around you and feel showered in blessings with each moment. But gratitude is a choice.

After feeling just a little more self-pity (hey, habits take time to change!), I took a second and turned my eyes to the window. The sun was shining, I had nothing that I had to do, and here was my partner in front of me, doling out advice and hoping only to spend some time together. There was absolutely nothing wrong in that exact moment—in fact, I had plenty to be thankful for.

Have you ever heard the phrase “attitude of gratitude”? It really is just that—a mindset, a way of thinking. Gratitude doesn’t mean you need to buy a new shirt, plan an extravagant vacation, or go to a yoga class so that you have something to be thankful for (although you can certainly be thankful for those things!)—gratitude simply means making the choice to take a look around and genuinely appreciate what’s already there.

No matter how much or what we have, we can always feel in a state of lack if we are constantly focusing on our needs and wants. Rather than feeling lack, or that you need something else to make any moment complete, accept what already is with gratitude.

And maybe, with this outlook, you’ll be better equipped to relax and enjoy exactly where you are at right now. Shifting your perception from “lack” to “abundance” is a powerful way to soften yourself into the present—just in the way I was eventually able to accept and enjoy my long weekend for what it was.

If you’re feeling a sense of lack in your life, or feeling unwilling to accept gratitude, try this affirmation:

“Gratitude turns what I have into enough.”

Look around, or close your eyes and think of five things you can be grateful for, right now. Often even this subtle exercise can make a significant shift in your outlook. Give it a try!

What makes it easy for you to feel gratitude? When is it tough? Let us know by sharing on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

5/19/14 5/19/14

YEG Highlight: Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

We've probably all been lapping up the sunshine in the past few weeks, and rightfully so! Whether it's a stroll in the river valley or a good stretch or book read in the park, Edmontonians get right to it when the opportunity presents. Over the summer on the Yogalife Studios blog we will be sharing our favourite outdoor hotspots. Patios, outdoor yoga spots, art and culture showcases and festivals - all things summer YEG!

Follow along and get involved outside the studio as we soak up our community all summer long.

All photos by Paul Swanson

http://www.paulswanson.me/

Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

As soon as the snow melts, it seems that this place is constantly buzzing with Edmontonians getting their outdoor fix. Revered as the gateway park to the rest of the park system, Louise McKinney Park is a hub to connect through our beautiful river valley. The amenities within the park are perfect. Loads of benches, stairs, and grass to read a book, stretch, conduct a bootcamp or acro yoga session. Maybe hula hooping is your thing! Or just tossing a frisbee after a picnic lunch.

The Chinese Garden is beautiful to walk through or maybe pose for some cool pictures! Hang out on the bridge, rub the stone lions, or meditate in the surrounding grass. It is a truly serene place, right near the water. The gazebo has power outlets and is available for event rentals. You can find dance and music events hosted here throughout the summer.

"This park is the front door to the river valley parks system and a gateway to trails throughout the city. It is a vibrant venue for special events and river-based activities."

- www.edmonton.ca

The promenade along the river hosts a floating dock for small boats and canoes and there is a cafe and activity-rental place to maximize adventures through the trails. You can find washrooms and water fountains down here as well.

Take your next free afternoon down to the heart of YEG at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. We love hanging out down there and practicing yoga all over every bit this beautiful place has to offer! Learn more about the park on the City of Edmonton website and stay connected with us through the blog to see more updates on our city.

Share your outdoor yoga photos with us on Facebook and Instagram (yogalifestudios) and you could be featured on our blog! We love yoga photos and YOU!

5/9/14 5/9/14

5 Reasons Why Gratitude Is Good For Your Health

Adapted from MindBodyGreen

Gratitude: An intentional appreciation of what and who you have; an acceptance and explicit acknowledgment of what life brings you.

When the power of the mind and the power of the heart join forces, the positive results are inevitable. This is gratitude. Using your love and intention to simply acknowledge your abundance. Not only does it feel good to express gratitude, scientific studies show the emotional and physical benefits of adopting the attitude of gratitude. Everybody wins!

The following is a list written by Dr. Lawrence Rosen sharing the health benefits you can experience from practicing gratitude. The original article includes links to all the studies that back up these facts. Pretty amazing stuff. Enjoy!

1. Gratitude reduces depression.

In eight different studies, gratitude was shown to reduce feelings of depression. It worked best when people chose to think optimistically and reframe events and situations in a positive way.

2. Gratitude can help you feel peaceful.

It lessens anxiety, and can be helpful for those suffering from severe conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

3. Gratitude can help you get your zzzs.

It improves sleep, which in turn has a positive impact on mood. And anxiety. And just about everything.

4. Gratitude is great for your heart.

It improves overall cardiac health, both indirectly through improving mood and attention to positive health behaviours like fitness and nutrition, as well as directly through reduction in inflammation.

5. Gratitude is a brain booster.

It strengthens memory. For elderly adults, practicing gratitude was shown to improve their overall sense of well-being and quality of life.

How do you practice gratitude? Connect with us on Facebook!

5/7/14 5/7/14

Featured Yogi Of The Month: Brandon Jacobs

This month we're sharing a slice of Brandon Jacobs' life. You can find this guy leading classes, helping with the upcoming Yogalife Studios teacher training, facilitating Warriors of Change and The Art of Yoga and Massage workshops, and writing for our blog. Whew! Oh, and he's a massage therapist and was recently published in Elephant Journal.

To keep up with Brandon, follow his Facebook page!

I was basically pulled in and drawn to come to Yogalife. I had practiced at a couple of different studios in the city, but in all reality, had been searching for a "home." Yogalife has become just that for me.

My normal schedule is:

Mondays - SOUTH STUDIO - 12:00pm Hot Flow, 1:30pm Warm Flow, 5:00pm Hot Flow, 7:00pm Mindful Vinyasa Flow

Saturdays - SOUTH STUDIO - 7:30am Hot Flow, 9:00am Hot Flow, 10:30am Beginner's Hot Flow

I have been a part of Yogalife since September 2012. I finished my Teacher Training at Yogalife in August of 2012, and started out writing blogs and helping with the media team. And it eventually transformed into what it is now!

Share a favourite quote, lesson, or teaching that inspires you.

- I have just too any quotes to pick just one. That would be impossible! One of the greatest lessons I learned was from Patrick Creelman. He once said that if you truly want to become innately aware of your body and truly transform it, you need to find teachers who cue very succinctly and precisely, and then do absolutely everything they say, without compromise. This has helped me not only as a practitioner, but also as a teacher.

What's your favourite music to practice to (or do you prefer silence!?)

- I practice to a lot of different music, so I definitely cannot pick anything in particular. Mostly electronic, if I had to put it into a genre! I steal a lot of people's music! It's really just anything with a pretty solid beat. I rarely notice words!

Biggie or Tupac? haha

- Tupac

Your favourite books, yogi-inspired and fiction.

- Yoga and the Path to the True Self, The Great Work of Your Life, Way of the Superior Man. I would say that those three have influenced me the most.

Where's your favourite vacation spot?

- It's really anywhere my wife is, but we seem to lead towards Nicaragua.

What is your favourite meal to make and share with friends?

- Anywhere where good friends are where we can have a real conversation. Without cell phones. If I had to choose food, it would be sushi. Every time.

What's your favourite pose/sequence/area of the body to work on?

- Ustrasana (camel) is one of my favorite postures, simply based on the fact that it can be very emotionally opening. I suppose that makes me a bit crazy. I am a sucker for any inversions or arm balances and am constantly in search of new transitions. It's pretty amazing what our bodies are capable of once we figure it out!

Who inspires you?

- My mom and dad have always inspired me. Always. I have always looked at my dad as my hero. My wife inspires me to continually just be authentic. She believes in me even when I doubt myself, and it's truly the greatest gift. Her desire to learn anything and everything is something I greatly admire.

Share your favourite self-healing practice.

- Honestly, it's just yoga. Yoga is what has always helped me to heal and it continues to do so. It's my calm in any storm. It is one place where I can shut off everything and just breathe. I can't remember the last time I practiced and noticed much of anything besides my own mat and sweat.

Share one of your life goals.

- I simply just want to leave some sort of legacy. I understand that isn't necessarily "simple" but I believe that we all have the power to affect some sort of change. That we can help and influence people, even when we don't think people are listening or watching. We don't ever really know the ripple effect we may put into motion by the way we act, the words we say, or the thoughts we consciously or unconsciously think. I don't know where or what this legacy looks like, and it's not something I will "try" to do. I just think that by being real, honest, authentic, and loving, that I am somehow capable to doing that.

Do you have a favourite teacher you'd like to see featured on here? Let us know at info@yogalifestudios.ca or connect with us on Facebook!

5/2/14 5/2/14

May: Sharing Gratitude

As we move into May, the team at Yogalife Studios is focusing on the ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!

We will share tips on bringing gratitude into your life, sharing it with others, using a gratitude practice to deepen your connection with yourself and your community, and simply living happier! As yogis, we understand the importance and nourishing qualities of being grateful, so let's allow this month to serve as a beautiful reminder!

We look forward to sharing our thoughts with you and are grateful for your attention and feedback. Stay tuned!

Thank you and Namaste!

4/30/14 4/30/14

Step Into Spring With a Clean Mind

We’ve been talking quite a bit about spring cleaning up here on the Yogalife Studios Blog. Clearing and cleaning out the old to gently make space for the fresh and new. So far we’ve talked about cleaning out the body with yoga and nutrition. Today, we’ll move on to clearing room in our headspace. While cleaning out our bodies with regular yoga practice and proper nutrition will help prepare our heads to be clear and calm, we should also be aware of what thoughts we are bringing into our mind.

There is a great quote Yogalife instructor Brandon Jacobs likes to share—“Be careful how you are talking to yourself, because you are listening” (originally by Lisa M. Hayes).

Have you ever felt “sick to your stomach” with worry, or had your “tummy tied in knots” with anxiety over an upcoming event? Our thought processes are so powerful—they have the ability to make us feel healthy or sick, regardless of what state our physical body is in. In the same way that continually telling ourselves that we are beautiful, healthy, and strong helps us to adopt that belief, when we feed ourselves with negative thoughts of criticism, self-doubt, and fear, those ideas may very well come true.

The majority of the thoughts we have each day are the same ones we had yesterday.

Some of those thoughts will serve you, like giving yourself a mental pat on the back for something good you’ve done, or feeling content in a moment. But at the same time, maybe you repeatedly think to yourself “I hate my stomach,” or “I’m so bad at this pose,” or “I’ll be single forever.”

Negative thoughts—especially those ones that arise day after day—sap our energy and distract us from the present moment—other than the conscious moments of pointed reflection and constructive self-criticism, these cyclical thoughts don’t serve us—they don’t make us better, they make us worse.

So help yourself get out of the habit by spring-cleaning your brain— try consciously stepping out of the cycle of the “monkey mind.” For three days, keep a simple thoughts journal. Notice what negative thoughts pop into your mind throughout the day, and each hour, try to jot them down. It’s not important that you get every single thought—but try to make note of the reoccurring themes. By the end of the three days it’s likely that you’ll see a pattern—perhaps there’s a trigger that sends your thoughts spiralling into negativity, or maybe your days are more affected by a certain fixation than you’d previously realized.

Of the reoccurring negative thoughts, pick one that you truly and sincerely want to erase from your life, and try your darndest to catch yourself each time that thought pops up. And then, rather than judging yourself for thinking that same thought again, replace the negative thought with a positive affirmation.

So, instead of “I wish I was more _______,” try “I accept myself exactly as I am.” Replace “my life sucks right now” with “I’m learning and growing so much from this current challenge.” It doesn’t matter if you believe it yet, but the age-old adage holds true—you can fake it ‘till you make it.

We absorb what we tell ourselves we are, and eventually that is what we become.

So why not become something more positive? Try trading in your thoughts for one month—the amount of time it takes to create a habit—and see how greatly this one small change can change your outlook on life.

What negative thought pattern do you want to clean out this spring? Let us know on Facebook or chat with your instructors in the studios. We love to hear from you!

4/28/14 4/28/14

Yogalife Family Story: Emerald Lutz

The following is a post from Yogalife Studios member Emerald Lutz. When she came to us with the following words and the hopes we would share it was an obvious choice to do just that! We are truly grateful and honoured to be a part of Emerald's journey. Thank you for sharing! Namaste.

I am a firm believer that life has a way of giving you exactly what you need and when you need it. This belief is only emphasized by my journey into yoga.

When I was fifteen years old, I was in a very difficult place in my life. I had spent the last two years struggling with anorexia. My desperate need to be perfect had literally begun to control my life, my eating and exercise habits and even the way I saw myself. My self-esteem was at an all-time low. When I found out a new yoga studio had opened in town, I decided to give it a try.

Hot yoga seemed like an excellent way to burn some calories. And so I went optimistically into my first class, ready to exercise and maybe even relax a bit. What I found was just so much more.

Four years later, I am practicing yoga every day, if not more. Yoga has become my passion in life, my guiding light, my inspiration. Yoga has taught me that a body’s beauty is not measured by its size, shape or appearance.

A body is beautiful because of the miracles it preforms everyday – breathing, moving, growing, living. My self-esteem issues are deep rooted and may never completely fade, but each day, through yoga, I am able to prove to myself that I AM beautiful.

When I have my moments of doubt now, of crisis where I think I’m not good enough, I just think back to the improvements I’ve made in my practice, and even to poses that I never thought I’d ever be able to do. I remember how strong and capable I am, and it helps me immensely.

Yoga has taught me that there is no such thing as “perfect” – something I tried so hard for so long to achieve.

No matter how much you practice, how good you are at one pose, there is always something new that will come along and knock you back to ground level. It has also shown me to let go of my ego, to simply enjoy the practice without comparing myself to others around me.

Because of the amazing impact yoga has had on me over the last few years, I have signed aboard Yogalife’s teacher training this year. My hope, by intensifying my practice and learning to teach, is to be able to spread my love of yoga to all. I truly believe that yoga gives its practitioners exactly what they’re looking for, and for that reason, it can and should be practiced by all.

Yoga changed my life. I only hope that by sharing my story, my journey and my love that it can change a few more lives around me.

Namaste and much love,

Emerald

Share your yoga journey with us at info@yogalifestudios.ca

4/23/14 4/23/14

5 Tips To Survive Your Juice Cleanse

You may have noticed a bit of a theme on the Yogalife blog this season—this spring is all about cleansing, detoxifying, and removing what no longer serves you to make way for what does. Spring cleaning might take place in your home, your heart, or, as we’re focusing on today—your body.

Juice cleanses are an especially great way to scrub your insides clean, scouring out all the heaviness from winter and making room for the lightness of the coming summer.

That said, they’re not always a piece of cake (wait, cake? Where’s the cake?!)—so here are our tips and tricks to peacefully get you through your juice fast, from the brain of one of our elixir-sipping yogis.

Avoid a feast before the fast

Many of us may feel the need to have a grandiose “last supper” before starting a cleanse—reveling in a plate of nachos, wine, or chocolate at 11:59 p.m. the day prior. Although it may be tempting, a night of negligent noshing sets us up for a rough day ahead—there’s more to cleanse! Think of quitting smoking—a gradual wean off is far more attainable than going cold turkey—it’s much easier on the body to make a slight transition and avoid throwing your body into shock. If you can make time, try to focus on smoothies and salads—especially those including lots of raw fruits and veggies—the day or two prior, likewise for the day or two after. The cleaner your diet is already, the easier the transition will generally be.

Plan, plan, plan

Avoid scheduling your juice cleanse on a night where you’ll be out socializing at an event with food—or worse—when you have dinner plans. You’ll spend all of your time gazily hangrily at your friends’ or colleagues’ plates rather than their faces. See if you can instead set aside some time to relax and read a book, go for a gentle walk, or spend a few hours curled up with Netflix. Better yet, find a buddy to juice with—you can support each other and maybe even go out for the wholesome kind of liquid lunch. At all costs, avoid hanging out in the kitchen (unless you have a padlock handy for your fridge).

Arm yourself

Spend time in the morning prepping all of your precious nectars, and have them on hand throughout the day if you can. Keep a cooler in your car or carry a few juices in your purse with an ice pack—plans can change, meetings can be delayed, traffic might have you sitting with nothing to think about but your rumbly tummy. When hunger strikes (and it will—oh, it will), it’s best to find yourself prepared with a healthy beverage in hand—not running to the nearest all-you-can-eat buffet.

4. Sip mindfully

Though midway through the day you may be tempted to start chugging back your liquid goods like it’s college all over again, remember that our bodies digest and absorb best when we take things slow. So prepare your body for the meal it’s about to take in—sit down, take a few deep breaths, and sip. You can even “chew” your juice to get your salivary amylase (that’s your mouth’s own digestive juice) going. Just like you might bless a meal, appreciate and be grateful for the liquid provisions you’ve had rather than cursing yourself—and your body—for signing up for this in the first place.

5. Know when to stop

You there. Yes, you—the one with the eyes and the nose and stuff. Is this your first juice cleanse? Well first off, hat’s off to ya—we love that you’re working on you! But a thought, if we may. If this is your first liquid rodeo, you don’t have to do a 3, 5, 7-day or longer juice cleanse. Try a day. See how you feel. Maybe try incorporating some raw foods (they’ll taste like heaven) or a simple smoothie—after all, we’re here to make positive changes in our lifestyles, not restrict to the extent that all we want to do is lay in bed hugging a tray of lasagna for dear life. A few days of clean eating in addition to juices is going to help you feel great, too.

Your body is a powerful teacher—so listen up!

We hope our humble advice can help have you feeling light all the way through your juice cleansing-experience. So what about you—have you done a juice fast? What was your experience? Do you have any tips or suggestions for newbies?

4/18/14 4/18/14

I AM.

Written by Brandon Jacobs for Elephant Journal

I have always tried to fit into a mold of expectations and perceived perfectionism.

I have lived in a world of judgment and criticism. I suppose I still do. A life of caring what others thought of me, and feeling crippled by not being everything to everyone. I struggled in silence for too many years. I have since reached out, but I know there are people out there who haven’t.

We feel alone. We hide behind masks. Behind fear. Behind our truths. But we are not alone. The words, “me too” have become extremely comforting to many people struggling to open up.

Then there are the two words, “I am.” Those words are very powerful. They may be the most influential and important words you can put together, because there is this massive, powerful, conscious choice of what we choose to put after them.

I run a workshop series called Warriors of Change. It is based on healing from the inside out. It is about not feeling victimized. The studio I teach at has us write out our intentions and visions for each workshop. Here is a bit of what mine looks like:

“I was inspired to create this workshop series to help people find empowerment in their past experiences, struggles, and wounds. We are not victims, and we are not alone. I am passionate about creating an extremely safe space and environment to allow people to move through whatever they may need. Small or big steps, we are all here together, in support of one another.”

“My attempt is to aid people in opening to the possibility of moving towards a higher version of themselves. Through the power of asana, and deep self-awareness, we can become raw and unmasked. We can truly see ourselves, forgive ourselves, and learn to love ourselves. Through acceptance, transformation becomes possible.”

But, I am only able to share such a workshop due to some very significant occurrences in my life. Very vivid moments helped to create this. My “I am” used to be very different.

To back up. I am 34. I guide yoga classes and workshops. I am a co-facilitator of a Teacher Training school. I also work as a massage therapist (which is really more like a body-work healer in my eyes), as well as a personal trainer. Prior to all of that, I was a K-12 Physical Education and Health teacher. I hold Bachelors in both Education and Physical Education.

Within all of this, I developed exercise anorexia. Moving from 195 pounds to 125 pounds in less than a year was viewed as “looking healthy.” I suffered alone from the devastating three words uttered to me: ”You got fat.” Death. That is how I felt in that moment. A long road ahead from that day in 1998.

But as a man, we are often told not to let things like this bother us. We are still trained not to show emotion. If we are, we are probably gay. If we are sensitive, we are probably the same. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but still, why the label? Who cares what I am if I am sensitive?

I can tell you, I enjoy a good cry. I have a lot of emotions. I just do. I care. And I love. And I want the best for people. Has that made me “weird” in the eyes of others? Always. Have I been called a few other choice words? Absolutely. I have honed it in, in order to be very stoic for my students, but that has come with very conscious choices.

Aside from an eating disorder, I come from two abusive relationships and one abusive and demeaning business partnership. Amidst all of this, I felt like I was a “victim.” Belittled, tormented, spoken down to, hit, sworn at, etc. I have also been recently diagnosed with an extremely rare digestive disorder. No need to get deep into that yet, but it’s been a 20-year battle to have just one person believe me. One person to listen to me and believe me.

Within all of this, I found yoga. Or yoga found me. Or both. What matters is this—yoga saved me. Well, that’s what I used to say. And think. Yoga saved me. But the more I started to say that, the more I realized (and was reminded by a very smart person), that “I” saved me.

Me. I did that. I used yoga, but I saved me. This is not an egocentric statement. Not in the least.

The point is that I did the work. Me. The deep, hard, gritty, shitty, raw work.

Many of us are told to watch our thoughts, for they become words, and these words become actions. Which is not true. It is a very conscious choice to act on your thoughts and words. I chose not to be a victim. I chose to be strong and do the work.

My amazing and supportive wife has always told me, “Feel free to use yoga as much as you need. But promise me, once it has opened you up enough, that you will deal with your shit.” Brilliant.

The other gift she gave me? She didn’t try to fix me. Not at all. Did she push me? Yes. Too far, too soon? Almost. But she didn’t try to fix me. She gave me something much more powerful. She loved me while I fixed myself. Or rather, loves me, while I continue to do the work.

I saved me. How truly powerful is that? Me. I did that. I read, meditate, practice, guide, study, and work, work, work on myself. I feel a duty to give back to yoga what it has helped me to find. It has helped me to find me.

I am most free when practicing all alone to whatever music is moving me at the time. I am more open and raw when I practice than any other time. I have spent many an hour crying on my mat, sometimes for no reason, sometimes uncontrollably. But it has helped me to be real. Completely real. Uncomfortably authentic. It has helped me to be better. Better at everything. I am simply better. I. Am. Better.

So, there are these two words, “I am.” What you put after them shapes your reality and empowers you. Me? I am a lot of things. But what I am not is a victim.

One of my brilliant teachers always reminded me that the phrase, “this too shall pass” isn’t necessarily true. It’s more like, “this is passing.” You may never really forget, but you have a choice as to how much your past controls you.

We are powerful, conscious, creating beings.

So, what am I? Simply and humbly, I am me.

3/21/14 3/21/14

Inner Glow Nutrition: Your "Self-Realization" Diet

We are really excited to announce our new guest blogger,

Nutritionista and Natural Foods Chef - Kristin Fraser!

Kristin, a former mechanical engineer, took the plunge and trained in New York City at the Natural Gourmet Institute as a Natural Foods Chef. She is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist as well as Living Foods Instructor and is here to share recipes, education and fun around health and nutrition. Check out her website www.innerglownutrition.ca for more wholesome goodness and to download her free recipe package.

Here she shares one of her favourite cookbooks and some insights on how food can affect your own self realization.

Your “Self-Realization Diet”

“Food is a mirror: Look into the mirror of what you eat, and you will learn to see yourself.”

– Unknown.

It’s not easy being a health nut – you know, staying on track, avoiding all those temptations you used to love, working at dealing with stress in different ways than you are used to. Slug back a beer or go to yoga… hmmmm… But it sure isn’t easy NOT being one either - having to deal with excess weight creep back or digestive disturbances from poor food choices, or getting what I call “food hangovers” from eating too much sugar, consuming too much caffeine or just eating straight up too much junk.

I am consistently humbled by the social workings of the world and how choosing health still seems to be outside of the “norm”. It’s much more normal to fry up the bacon, drink a beer, eat a bunch of cupcakes and puff back a cigarette than to engage in all these healthful activities like eating fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding sugar and alcohol and practicing yoga or meditation.

It can all seem so boring to some. Well – some more so than others I suppose. But all these negative eating habits can also go hand in hand with emotions like irritability, anxiousness, complacency, or moodiness. When you eat clean, yoga it up, drink lots of fresh water, and spend time in nature you feel amazing, positive and content. Less complaining and more time to self reflect and ask “What can I offer this world?”

In Caroline Marie Dupont’s book “Enlightened Eating” (one of my staple fave recipe books) she goes into not only some delicious ways to prepare whole plant based foods, including desserts and treats but shares a much bigger aspect of what food can bring to your life… what she calls a “Self-Realization Diet”. I love her story because I can completely relate. She writes:

“In our shift to a vegetarian whole foods diet, we received many benefits such as increased energy, better digestion and elimination, and improved health in general. However, other unexpected transformations occurred for me – I connected with a deep longing for meaning and authenticity in my life. I seemed to be more aware, more alive, more curious about who I was and how I could fulfill my purpose here.”

Not that everyone needs to be a vegetarian to be healthy or experience the shift, but having the awareness that food not just affects energy but how your choices affect your emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well is an important and ongoing step.

When you cut out sugar and refined foods you start dealing with the real emotions behind why they were consumed in the first place. There’s a whole lot of self love that needs to come into play and when they break through that – the real glow starts to shine through.

And not from a buzz from a few beers or a high from sugar, but from the pure essence of your “true self”. Think about some dietary changes that you could make to stay on your true path. Are you experiencing your self realization diet?

3/7/14 3/7/14

Getting Rooted with Muladhara

Our thoughts and emotions are vibrations that move like a current through our subtle body. Think of the physical body as what you can touch and see and your energy body as your subtle body: your vibration. Chakras are points along the subtle body located at the physical counterparts of the major arteries, veins and nerves. The Sanskrit word chakra means "wheel" or "turning" and the yogic concept refers to a vortex or whirlpool of energy. There are seven main chakras in the body, each governing a different host of connections to one's health and harmony with self and environment.

Each of the seven chakras are governed by spiritual laws, principles of consciousness that we can use to cultivate greater harmony, happiness, and wellbeing in our lives and in the world.

- Deepak Chopra

Chopra shares the following information on our first chakra:

The First Center: The Root Chakra

The root chakra, known in Sanskrit as muladhara, is located at the base of the spine. It governs your most basic survival needs. When this chakra is clear and energy flows through it freely, we feel secure and confident that we can easily fulfill our needs. However, blockage in this area can cause us to feel anxious and worried.

The spiritual Law of Karma governs the first energy center. On the physical plane, every action you perform results in a corresponding reaction. To maximize the possibility that your actions generate evolutionary reactions, you can use your body as a choice determining instrument.

Consider the possibilities in front of you and listen to signals from your body. These sensations generating from the root chakra are either comfortable or uncomfortable. Your body evaluates every possible decision in terms of its likelihood to meet your needs for safety or increase the level of threat you experience.

The first chakra, which connects you with the earth, provides essential information as to the potential nourishment or toxicity that is available to you as a result of the actions you are taking.

If you are interested in chakra work and knowing more about these energy systems in the body, join us tomorrow, March 8th, at Yogalife Studios South for the first session of Asana & Acupuncture: The Root Chakra. We will draw awareness to the energy center, move through a stimulating practice, and rebalance with acupuncture.

Muladhara Chakra is the most instinctual of all the chakras and our survival center, and the center that connects us to the earth and to our ancestral past. When excessive, we often feel egotistical, a need to be in control, and a need to possess. When blocked, often a lack of confidence is present, or feelings of no direction or purpose.

Through an asana practice, we will move through postures that directly stimulate and work to balance out our root chakra. After finding a deep awareness of that energy center, we will settle into an extended savsana, where acupuncture points directly linked to our first chakra, namely the conception vessels, governing vessel, and kidney & bladder meridians will be administered.

2/26/14 2/26/14

5 Energizing Pranayama Techniques

"Each breath in is a new chance to let Life flow through you, to let go of resistance to the moment, to cultivate compassion for yourself and others."

Adapted from Michelle Margaret at Elephant Journal

A few months ago we filled you in on the point of pranayama, the beautiful practice of breathwork. Pranayama is a sanskrit word meaning extension of breath or life force. It is broken down into prana, meaning life force or vital energy, and yama, meaning control. Breathing is the essential key to yoga and even five minutes of pranayama creates immense focus and centering. Here are five energizing pranayama techniques!

1. Alternate Nostril Breath

Alternate Nostril Breathing is traditionally done in a seated, cross-legged meditation posture, though it’s fine to sit in a chair if you’re not comfortable on the floor. In either case, sit up with a tall spine and relaxed face and shoulders.

The mudra (hand position) is done with the right hand. Fold the index finger and middle finger down to touch the palm. Begin with the thumb lightly closing your right nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, to the count of four, six or eight. Hold the breath in for four, six or eight seconds. Then, lightly close your left nostril with your ring finger and release the thumb from your right nostril. Exhale through the right side. Inhale again through the right side. Retain the breath here in the middle only if you feel comfortable doing so. Exhale through the left.

That is one cycle.

To summarize: inhale left, exhale right, inhale right, exhale left. Optionally retain the inbreath in and the outbreath out. Continue for five cycles or more. You can work up to doing this breath exercise for five or more minutes at a time.

Alternate Nostril Breathing works like a charm to clear and calm the mind. It’s a terrific technique to incorporate at the beginning and/or end of your yoga session.

2. Bumblebee Breath

Use your fingertips to lightly cover your closed eyelids. Using your thumbs, close your ears. Inhale deeply through the nose and as you exhale, let out a long, low humming sound. With the eyes and ears closed, the hum will reverberate in your head and sound like a buzzing bee. Repeat three, four, or more times.

As you do this breath exercise, bring your inner gaze to the third eye, the point between your eyebrows. The Bumblebee Breath is purported to calm the mind and inspire new creative ideas. Next time you are feeling overstimulated or uninspired, give it a shot.

3. Dog Breath (a.k.a. Breath of Fire)

You need to get in touch with your inner child for this one. (It’s great for kids yoga, as is Bumblebee Breath.) For Dog Breath, pant like a dog, first through the open mouth. Then, close your mouth and continue the panting breath through the nose. Do two sets of thirty seconds each, pausing between the sets and taking deep breaths.

This technique brings oxygen to the brain and help you wake up and feel more alert.

4. Ocean Breath

“You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.”

~ Alan Watts

Ocean breath is super simple and calming yet energizing. Take deep, slow, long, active inhales and let the exhale out naturally and passively. Close your eyes and notice how this creates a sound like the waves in the ocean.

5. Just Sit

“There is no success or failure, no great place you are going. You are “just sitting.” To wander, to obsess, to lust—you get a flavor of the mind, a direct meeting. Without acting on any of the thoughts, you get to see how they rise up and—if you’re lucky–pass away. Sometimes we get stuck. You get to observe the nature of being stuck.”

~ Natalie Goldberg

Simple breath awareness is an excellent meditation technique. As you breathe consciously through the nose, recall that this magnificent function has been with you since the moment of your birth and will be with you until your final exhale of this precious life.

Have any questions about Pranayama or all things “breath?” Feel free to contact us at info@yogalifestudios, or get in contact with our Exquisite Breath expert, Brittany Rudyck!

Mathew Janzen 2/23/14 Mathew Janzen 2/23/14

We Are Not Here to "Fix" Each Other

Adapted from Kate Bartolotaon

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” ~ E.B. White

Most mornings as I wake up, a large part of my heart longs to save the world, to heal hurts, to fix people where they are broken.

Maybe I'm too sensitive. I think I was absent the day they taught how to do that whole “close your heart off” thing because I don’t seem to be able to do it.

When I was a child, I hated being in crowded places; being near so many people dealing with difficult emotions overwhelmed me. I was much happier curled up with a book.

As I got older, I found ways to deal with it, to deal with all of the emotions bouncing around from people, to deal with all of the anger, the sadness, the pain in the world. I drank. Experimented with drugs. And even used simpler things to push it away, to distance myself, to not feel all of the world’s pain. I needed to stop seeing it because the fact that I couldn't fix it hurt so much.

As I grew up, I sought out careers instinctively that afforded me the opportunity to help others. I taught. Volunteered in an AIDS hospice. Worked with Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam, Foodshare. Used my spare time from my jobs that paid the bills to do work that made a difference. Yet, it never seemed like enough; that drive to fix things was still there like a permanent ache in my chest.

When my vocation shifted toward health and healing and I entered massage school, I realized something striking and nearly quit. As I would touch people, I’d feel where they were hurting and it took my breath away. I could feel their brokenness stuck in their elbows that wanted to hug tightly to their sides. I could feel the shame in the small of their backs. I could feel the profound sadness stuck in their shoulders, tears that needed to melt away and be shed.

I didn’t think I could take it. How could I work on people day in and day out and feel their pain, yet live with the fact that I could never completely fix it?

It’s taken me years to realize this one true thing: We are not here to fix each other.

Recently, I was giving a friend an impromptu acupressure session. I would get to a spot on each of his arms, and the deep sadness I felt there made me get choked up and want to pull away. At the same time, it made me want to solve it, fix it, tell him why life was beautiful. Tell him not to be so sad. We talked about it, and he acknowledged what I noticed. I fumbled for something to say or do that would make it go away. Seeing someone I care about experience pain ripped me up inside, and I wanted to make it better.

But I couldn’t. I can’t. And more importantly, I shouldn’t. It isn’t for me to do.

We look at the drive to save the world as something noble or heroic, and maybe it is to a certain extent. We look at the idea of Tikkun Olam, or healing the world, and set out on a quest to save the world, but I think we often get it wrong.

I’ve been getting it wrong for years.

If I look at you and see your sadness, I can’t cover it or make it go away. I cannot fix you. There is no magical Utopia where everyone is happy and whole. But that isn’t the end of the story. This is the place where cynics give up hope and decide that all is futile.

But I’m not a cynic. I believe we are hard-wired to care for each other. It’s why we are here: If there was a place to get to where everyone was happy and whole, we’d stop making art. There would be no music. There would be nothing left to write about. It would be a flat, expressionless existence instead of the one precious life we have.

The struggle is where we find the beauty.

People aren’t problems to solve. It’s not my job to fix anyone, but to love them. The heart can stretch to hold all things - even the difficult things. When it breaks, the point is not to reach out to each other and patch it closed again, but instead to fill each other. We don’t need to pretend each other’s darkness doesn’t exist or push it away.

And so I’m done. I surrender. I’ll say to the world:

I am not a hero; I cannot fix you. I am not strong; I cannot save you. I am weak; I cannot melt the frozen, broken places in you. I am insufficient; I cannot heal your pain. But I have hope, because I can do much more than that.

I can love you.

We need to seek out people who do not want to fix us. We need to seek out those who want to love us unconditionally while we fix ourselves.

2/19/14 2/19/14

The Only 10 Guidelines You Need to Practice Yoga

Adapted from Hilary Phelps, MindBodyGreen

Whether you're just starting into your yoga practice or a seasoned veteran, it's nice to check in with a simple set of guidelines to remind yourself why you're practicing. Personally, I always like to remind my students that we call it just that: a PRACTICE! It is truly meant to be fun and simple and by no means perfect or stressful. Here's a list of guidelines to ensure the most enjoyable experience your mat can provide.

1. Arrive a few minutes before the start of class.

Give yourself enough time to select your space and get settled on your mat. If you're feeling rushed or stressed as you come into the studio just bring awareness to that and take some extra deep breaths.

2. Listen to your body.

Each and every yoga class is yours. The person on the next mat has a different life story, so make sure you do your class and not theirs. Beware of judgement and comparison, your practice will go exactly the way it was intended to!

3. Remember that every class is different & you're different in every class.

Every practice will be different and each time you arrive on your mat there will be new opportunities and challenges! That practice you had yesterday or last week is not the practice you may have today. I often find my mat is an indication of where I am in my day. If I'm scattered and distracted, it will show up in my practice.

4. Be present.

No phone, no computer, no mental grocery list making. This is your time. Enjoy it.

5. If you're new or have an injury, let the teacher know.

This awareness helps them teach as much as it helps you practice. Know your limits and stay within them. NEVER practice from a place of physical pain.

6. Have fun. It's just yoga!

Who cares if you fall? It makes no difference if you choose child's pose over downward dog. (Also, see #2 above.) Many poses share similar benefits so you don't need to force yourself into anything. By engaging in mindful breathing you are practicing yoga!

7. Smile.

This is your time. That's a really good feeling.

8. Focus on calming breaths.

There are some days where I lay down for the final relaxation and my mind is still racing. When this happens, I don’t get up and leave. Instead, I count my breaths in and my breaths out, each to a count of six. My mind isn’t completely still, but it’s better to focus on calming breaths than remind myself, over and over, of a task I have to complete later in the day.

9. Find a yoga style that you enjoy.

There are different types of yoga: heated, traditional, vigorous, and restorative. One class will hold a pose longer, building strength, while others flow through a sequence quickly, elevating your heart rate. Find one that you enjoy or that perfect weekly mix. It's about consistency, not style.

10. If you don't like one style of yoga or you don't click with a certain teacher, find another one.

There truly is a practice for everyone. Each teacher is unique, with a distinct teaching style, voice and practice. For me, yoga channels my busy mind and allows me to tap in under my skin. I leave feeling renewed, inspired and connected. When I practice with my regular teachers these outcomes are the most apparent because they guide me so effortlessly.

From contentment unsurpassed happiness is obtained.

Patanjali's Sutra 2.42

Keep practicing, keep smiling, keep ON!

2/9/14 2/9/14

35 Day Yoga Tour Challenge: Tips and Tricks

With our next 35 Day Yoga Tour Challenge kicking off on February 17, we wanted to share some tips and tricks to not only ready you for this amazing undertaking, but to ensure you get the most out of it! You can learn all about the challenge here but essentially by signing up at Yogalife Studios South or North you are committing to completing 30 classes in 35 days. 10 out of 30 classes have to be Non-Hot Flow style classes and workshops count for 2 (there's your first hot tip!)

We want you to see what we have to offer; to get out of your comfort zone... or maybe more in it with a restore and renew class; to explore different styles and teachers while submerging yourself in your practice.

If you've never done a yoga challenge before it can seem a little daunting but it's all about intention and integrity (and maybe a little time management!) Know that you deserve a daily practice and the benefits show up almost immediately. It becomes this thing that you crave... you NEED! To commit an hour to yourself (almost) every day is a simple, beautiful gift.

TIP 1: SET AN INTENTION FOR YOUR CHALLENGE:

Know why you're on your mat.

Connect with that purpose every time you arrive.

Mindfully choose how you are using your energy.

Feel guided by your own fire.

find more info on intention here!

Every Yogalifer wants to support you in this journey. We have all completed challenges of our own and thrive off seeing others come down this path. You will get to know us from our classes, workshops and interactions around the studio. In yoga we call this KULA... community!

TIP TWO: LET EVERYONE AROUND YOU KNOW YOUR GOALS

Reach out to your instructors and fellow yogis.

Share your intention and goals for the challenge.

Connect with fellow yogis to make yoga dates.

Celebrate your excitement with EVERYONE!

As you get into the groove of this near-daily commitment, make sure you are taking the proper steps to stay healthy, rested and hydrated. We are offering a juice cleanse option along with the challenge; an amazing way to compliment your practice and heighten your health. In general, staying hydrated and choosing to practice without pain are two of the most important things you can do... always!

TIP THREE: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT

Always listen to your body and choose rest (in your practice AND life) when you need it.

Drink water like it's going out of style.

Eat clean! Honour your body and give yourself the upper hand for this challenge.

Educate yourself on your options: juicing, vitamins, cleanses.

I'll never forget my first 30 day hot yoga challenge... there were days that I couldn't fathom leaving my bed, let alone PRACTICING! So those days I would take all the child's poses I needed, an early savasana, and made sure I communicated to my instructor that I would be that girl who looked half asleep but was definitely breathing. I was forced out of my comfort zone because I had made a commitment to myself. There was no bowing out for me and holy heck did it pay off. I think it was around day 9 that I actually saw colours brighter... stuff tasted better, sounded better, made more sense and fed me in ways I never knew imaginable. The best part of the whole thing...? I DID IT!

Once you're in it, you're IN IT.

We can't wait to see all your beautiful faces in our classes, filling up our hallways and our ears with your excitement and intention. If you have any questions or hesitations around this commitment, drop us a line! info@yogalifestudios.ca

“Be a lamp to yourself. Be your own confidence. Hold on to the truth within yourself as to the only truth.” ~ Buddha

Mathew Janzen 2/7/14 Mathew Janzen 2/7/14

Self-Love Revolution!!! Eliminate This Word From Your Vocbulary!

Adapted from Sheryl Paul:

These are statements we often hear throughout the year from friends and family:

I should attend that function tonight.

I should feel more excited to see my partner.

I should feel happier over the holidays.

I should spend more time practicing mindfulness.

I should eat better foods.

You can probably discern the common word: should. As soon as a "should statement," is made, it signals that someone is suffering from an externally imposed expectation, and inevitably comparing her or himself to a cultural ideal of "good" or "right" behavior.

Let's take the statement: I should feel more excited to see my partner. We carry a cultural idea that says that if you're away from your partner and not pining for him or her, it's an indication that something is wrong or missing from the relationship. Our minds then go to: I'm not in love enough, or I'm with the wrong person, and the anxious spiral begins.

But you can see that the anxiety originates from a "should" statement, which, again, in an indicator that you're holding yourself to an external standard of "right" feelings or behaviour. There are no right feelings in relationships; there is only what works for the two of you.

Let's explore another "should" statement: I should spend more time practicing mindfulness. While mindfulness is proven to increase well-being, if you're practicing mindfulness because you "should" do it and not because you truly want to do it, you'll quickly find the practice dwindling away into a sea of self-created resentment as you resist what's good for you because you now feel controlled by your own externally imposed requirements for being a "better" person!

Since so many people grew up listening to a litany of rules, when the word "should" infiltrates into your own running commentary, you will likely respond to yourself the same way you responded to your well-meaning caregivers and authority figures: with resistance (since no one want to feel controlled).

And yet another "should" statement: I should attend that function tonight. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was invited to a holiday function at her husband's company. She hadn't had a day off from work in weeks and she was exhausted, but she felt obligated to attend because she knew it was expected and her husband would feel disappointed if she declined. "I just want to go home and have a hot bath," she told me. "

So why don't you?" I asked. "That's clearly what you really want to do."

But her sense of should-derived guilt overrode her heart's desire and she ended up attending the event, then picking a fight with her husband on the way home (I imagine this sounds familiar to many of you). Since she wasn't able to find a way to attend with true good will, I'm sure her husband would have preferred to deal with his own disappointment rather than spend the evening with a wife who didn't want to be there.

Can you imagine how much more lovingly she would have received her husband when he returned home had she spent the evening lovingly attending to her own needs?

What's essential to understand is that actions derived from "shoulds" aren't loving to anyone.

Since my friend attended the function because she was trying to be a "good" wife, she was betraying not only herself but also her partner. Now, this isn't to say that there aren't times when we do need to assess the greater good and put our individual needs aside—especially in marriage—but when we repeatedly ignore our "inner no" to please others, the results are ultimately disastrous.

To heal from the addiction to should, start to notice how often the word populates your self-talk, and then notice how you feel inside when you fall prey to believing the should statement. When you hear the word should, ask, What would be most loving to myself and others right now?

Then listen closely for the answer.

2/1/14 2/1/14

Featured Yogi of the Month: Krishnamacharya

It's time for a little history lesson as we highlight the life and work of the man referred to as "the father of modern yoga", Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Credited with the revival of hatha yoga and the constructor of vinyasa (combining breath with movement), Krishnamacharya is one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century.

As you deepen into the origins and philosophy of yoga it is likely you may become a bit obsessed with Krishnamacharya. Not only could he stop his own heartbeat (a real crowd favourite), but he held degrees in all six darśanas, or Indian philosophies. What may resonate most with yogis is his underlying principle of teaching:

“Teach what is appropriate for an individual.”

Although known worldwide for his contributions as a yogi, Krishnamacharya was known in India mainly as a healer. He combined knowledge from Ayurvedic and yogic traditions with the common goal of restoring health and wellness. He travelled around India promoting yoga through demonstrations and transferring knowledge through lectures. Through all of his teachings, Krishnamacharya held true to his philosophy of making the practice unique and accessible for the student's capacity.

Some of Krishnamacharya's students include B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois, two of the most renowned and influential teachers in the world. Let that sink in... he taught the some of the world's best teachers! These guys invented this stuff.

It is amazing to be connected to the history of this practice, regardless of where you're at in your yoga journey.

Stay tuned for more featured yogis. Our goal is to educate you on those who inspire us, whether they hail from India, L.A. or YEG. Namaste!

"Each breath in is a new chance to let Life flow through you, to let go of resistance to the moment, to cultivate compassion for yourself and others."

GET SOCIAL