I’ve often wondered what school would have been like if it prioritized self-knowledge, so that instead of showing up in whatever state you’re in to study math, you first check in with yourself and become aware of what’s going on inside. I didn’t even know what stress was until I was 16 years old and somebody told me I was stressed. I said “What are you talking about? No, I’m not!”. I wasn’t trying to Read more…
Hi yoga friends, I’m pleased to have guest writer Harry Cline share his thoughts on how to use yoga and meditation to slow the effects of aging. Hope you enjoy. How to Use Yoga and Meditation to Slow the Effects of Aging Staying active is one of the biggest challenges seniors face. As muscles naturally weaken and retirement encourages an easy excuse to be lazy, it can be difficult to find an exercise you enjoy Read more…
Pranayama Workshop with Siobhan Sloane-Seale In this 3 hour workshop we’ll spend the first half doing supported yoga postures to prepare ourselves to focus and relax the body before going deeper into breath work. In the second half of the workshop we’ll focus on supine and seated pranayama breathing exercises. Pranayama is the fourth branch of yoga. Prana means breath or vital energy. On subtle levels prana represents the energy responsible for life. “Ayama” means Read more…
Spring yoga sale at Yoga on 7th This Spring sign up with a friend and you’ll both get 20% off the session. Sale ends May 7 for the Sunday 12pm class, and May 10 for the Wednesday 1:30pm class. Contact me at [email protected] or, call me: 604 500 4168.
In researching material for posts in honour of Black History Month, I came across the intriguing idea that the birthplace of yoga was not India, but Africa. The popular understanding is that yoga asana dates back at least 5,000 years and was practiced by ancient Indian ascetics. But some say its earliest documentation is actually 10,000 years ago, depicted on temple walls in Egypt. Adherents often refer to ancient Egypt as Kemet and the practice Read more…
5) Supported Savasana/Supported Salamba Matsyasana is a lovely pose for days you don’t have the energy for anything. Place a bolster across your mat at the base of your shoulder blades. Alternatively, you can use blocks as in this picture: (Source: cynthiabatesyoga.net/practice/2016/2/4/yoga-for-your-heart-savasana) The head support is a good idea, if you’re stiff in your upper back. You can go deeper by gradually lessening the height. If you’re more open in your back and chest, you Read more…
Feeling Bleh? Try this one… 4) If it isn’t already, Viparita Karani will become a heavenly staple in your yoga practice for those times when you’ve been run off your feet and your legs and feet are swollen and sore. Getting the blood rushing out of them and new blood flowing in will remove the pain and reinvigorate you in about 10 minutes. One of the best things about this pose is that you get Read more…
Feeling Bleh? Try this… 4) Baddhakonasana lends itself very well to a lazy day because it’s partially active and involves sitting in a comfortable position. But don’t be fooled — there’s a lot of good happening in this pose. And who doesn’t want lots of benefits without a lot of work? The work you want to be doing in this pose is elongating evenly through the side body, pressing the soles of your feet together, Read more…
Feeling bleh? How about this one…? 3) Paschimottanasana is a wonderful pose for when you have all the time in the world, because it allows you to really deepen into it slowly and gently to an extent you aren’t likely to have time for in class. Be sure to extend towards the computer or television you’re watching as you fold forward. If you can reach your toes, grab them to help pull you a bit Read more…
Feeling Bleh? Try this one… 2) Gomukhasana is a great pose you can do just about anywhere. If you have the space and the inclination, you can sit in the full pose. If not, you can just do the arms while standing in Tadasana (Tadasana Gomukhasana). If you can’t clasp your hands together, hold a belt in your top hand and grasp it with your lower hand, gradually working your way up the belt to Read more…