These are the props that I use regularly at home and prefer to have on hand when I am teaching my students:
I have been practicing yoga for over 25 years (teaching for over 18 years) and I have seen the trends come and go. When I was in my early 20s, my first yoga class was in a loud and chilly community recreation centre. It wasn’t very zen-like, but something about the practice had me intrigued. I continued to deepen my knowledge of yoga in small yoga studios.
My home practice started simply. I rolled out my yoga mat and explored some of the poses and ideas that I had learned in class. I explored sitting still in meditation and pranayama. It was challenging to stay committed, but it was essential to a nourishing practice.
The squat is more than just a yoga pose or leg exercise. It is a functional movement that can help with daily living and overall strength. It is easily modified and there are so many variations to add intensity or create more ease.
When I prepare a squat class in advance, I never tell my students where the practice is heading. If I reveal a week in advance that we were going to have a squat class next week, chances are there would be a good percentage of my students would not show up for that particular class.
How does your practice change when you are experiencing a difficult period in your life? Does your practice disappear or do you lean in and become more intentional with when and how you practice?
If you have been a student at Creating Space Yoga Studio over the past 7 months, you will have watched from the front lines how we have had to pivot our business and accommodate the incredible changes that the world has faced together.
Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) originated as a series of prostrations to the sun. Traditionally it was practiced at dawn facing the sun as a way of welcoming the new day. This is still a lovely practice in our modern-day life.
When we closed in March, I had no idea that we would still not be open this summer! For months, we have been anticipating the re-opening of businesses across Canada. I think it is safe to say, that most of us are relieved to see the slow opening across Ontario (especially of hair salons) but, we have yet to hear any news of the re-opening of yoga studios and gyms.
I am beginning to embrace the benefits of online yoga and how it can still be supportive and inspiring to all students. This is my shortlist of benefits that I see for our students…
If you have been struggling or have not yet found consistency in your home practice, here are a few suggestions to explore.
Have you spent long hours sitting at a desk or hunched over a screen? If so, you have probably noticed that over time your muscles feel stiff, your joints ache and your neck and shoulders become filled with tension. Your body is communicating to you through sensation! It may be time to take a short movement break to break the cycle.
Do I have to be flexible to do yoga? What type of yoga is right for me? What are the benefits of yoga? These questions and more…
I am not surprised when I hear from so many students that their favourite yoga pose is Shivasana. I mean, what is not to love about coming to a full stop and finally resting after a busy day or active practice?
When we think of summer, many of us conjure up images of docks and cool lakes, hiking trails and road trips. While most of us enjoy the opportunity that this season provides, sometimes we discover that the other parts of our routines slip for a couple of months.
As a yoga teacher, I often meet people who say they would like to try yoga, but .... they’re a bit overwhelmed by all the different types of yoga (which one should I do?).
Chair Yoga is a class of traditional yoga poses adapted so they can be done while sitting in a chair. It is ideal for people who have trouble standing for long periods, those who have balance issues, or those who find it hard to get up and down off the ground.