Scarborough based Yoga Studio.

3/7/2019

Foot function in golf

When it comes to golf performance, one important aspect that is too often overlooked is the foot function. It may not be a sexy topic, but one that I hope will resonate with some of you. For example, if you have flat feet, or have simply never really paid attention to how your feet can affect your golf performance, I encourage you to continue reading and watch the video listed at the end of this article.

1/30/2019

Have a seat!

Easy Pose (Credit: Pixabay)

One important lesson that a regular yoga practice offers is the realization and eventually the acceptance that we are all unique; every person is different, and an asana (yoga posture) that “seems easy” to one person may be a real challenge to another individual. Therefore, as there are many valid factors that affect the ease of a yoga posture, comparing your yoga practice to someone else’s is irrelevant. For example, the natural abilities and anatomy of a person can deeply determine if he or she will be able to sit comfortably cross legged, in what we call “Easy Pose”, the subject of our blog today.

1/7/2019

Before you roll up your mat...

Before you roll up your mat, always make sure you allocate some time for corpse pose, otherwise known as savasana in Sanskrit. For some students, it is exactly like the t-shirt says, “I’m just here for the savasana”. For others…not so much. So, what is savasana? Why do we do it? Why do some of us struggle with it? And how can we make it easier and more comfortable? We will cover these topics in today’s blog post.

12/21/2018

You shine!

Happy Winter Solstice! For thousands of years, the shortest and darkest day of the year (today!) has been a time of celebration. Back then, it was a time to rest, a time to rejuvenate yourself, mind and body. For a few minutes today (or more if you can!) allow yourself to stop, breathe, and appreciate the darkness, and find your light using this simple meditation technique:

12/12/2018

Slow down...

Many of us struggle with finding balance and joy during the holidays. The shorter days combined with the preparation and anticipation of celebrating with friends and family can make us feel depleted. That we stress or not, everything will get done so here are a few tips that may help you glide thru the holiday season with ease!

10/31/2018

Cat pose

Cat pose offers a multitude of benefits. Primarily, it strengthens and stretches the spine and neck, as well as massaging the internal organs located in the belly. It is also known to develop coordination, emotional balance, while calming the mind.

9/24/2018

Maintenance is the key!

Tension in the upper back (thoracic spine) can significantly limit your movements and eventually affect other areas of your body. Remember, everything is connected! Over time, the body adapts and if not addressed, a tension we may consider trivial at first, can develop into a chronic one. Today, I am sharing with you a sequence that is part of my personal daily maintenance program, the key to keeping accumulated tensions at bay.

8/20/2018

Dharana, the art of focused concentration

I was recently reminded, by a wise teacher, that yoga is not just about stretching our hamstrings. Unifying mind, body and breath, yoga is indeed a refined system that extends far beyond yoga postures. It is a way of life that is supported by what is referred to as the 8 limbs of yoga, each step preparing us for the next one, while offering guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. The 6th limb of yoga, Dharana, refers to focused concentration. It teaches us how to slow down the thinking process (our monkey mind!) by concentrating on a single mental object.

2/16/2018

Ignite your inner Warrior!

Very rarely will you attend a yoga class where there are no Warrior posture introduced in the practice. One of the reasons is that they are achievable by most people, and they provide a multitude of physical, emotional, and mental benefits.

1/22/2018

Me first...

We all know it; exercising regularly, eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep, and engaging in social interactions, are crucial self-care components to stay healthy. Over the years, thru my personal yoga practice, it's become a little easier to put myself first, and to fight the temptations of taking care of other people or things, before getting on my mat or going for a run. As I get older, I realize that these self-care moments feed my ability to stay focused, energized, and "perform well on the job." When 2018 came around, I felt I needed an added motivation, something different!

10/20/2017

The sound of silence

Many years ago, I was an accomplished "multi-tasker". Combined with a couple of destructive personal traits and overwhelming losses, (which I won’t go into here,) I multitasked myself into a burn-out and a full-blown depression. Yoga and meditation, combined with regular counselling, played a huge part in my slow, but steady recovery.

9/11/2017

Mind Full or Mindful?

"I can't meditate, my mind is too busy..." If this sounds familiar, you are not alone! Although we are very conscious of the wonderful benefits of meditation, many of us shy away from it. Here are a few tips that will hopefully help you develop a meditation practice of your own.

6/10/2017

Start small and make it your own

Incorporating yoga on a daily basis has many positive effects on one's body and mind. Yet, with life's multiple demands, it can be a real challenge to find the time for this important practice. What I discovered over the last few years is that a short yoga practice is better then none. My level of energy, my geographical location, and the time that I have, dictate my yoga practice, not the other way around.

5/13/2017

Under pressure?

Stress is part of life! We can’t get away from it. However, learning to reduce its undesirable effects is accessible, and essential to our overall well-being. By consciously controlling the rhythm of our breath, we alter our state of mind and become more focused, calm, and coherent. The most important aspect of yoga, in my opinion, is the conscious control of our breathing which we do when we perform specific yogic breaths, also known as Pranayamas. By taking smooth, rhythmic breaths, we can transform a chaotic mind into a peaceful one.

4/1/2017

Post-run yoga with Geisha!

Practicing yoga when you own a couple of cats can be a tricky situation. Unless I am conducting a private yoga session with a client, my cats, Geisha and Tigger, have access to my yoga space. When one of them decides to join me on the mat, I simply slow down, transitioning from one posture to the next, hoping that I won't inadvertently step on a paw, especially when I step back in Downward Dog! I

3/13/2017

What is Restorative Yoga and do I need it?

Reclined Bound Angle Pose

Allowing ourselves to pause, even for a brief moment, can be challenging and yet, so rewarding. Restorative Yoga offers a passive way to recharge our batteries, to unplug. It allows us to stop "doing" and simply start "being". The challenge is that those who have trouble slowing down and sitting still could benefit the most from restorative yoga. I know as I am one of them!

2/16/2017

The power of mindfulness

This morning, braving the strong north-west winds, I headed to the lake for my daily walk. The sun was gloriously warm on my face, as I sat on a log to admire the view. At that point, all I had in front of me was the vastness of Lake Ontario. It was so peaceful that I decided to close my eyes and meditate. After a few minutes, I realized that, even though my intent was to clear my mind, I was thinking of my afternoon projects and everything I needed to accomplish before the weekend.

1/4/2017

I don't have time!

Fast track to December 31st, 2017... What does your year look like? What have you accomplished in 2017 that makes it the best year ever professionally and personally? If you find yourself frequently saying "I don't have time" for things that truly matter to you, what follows may be helpful (and an eye opener!)

11/5/2016

Comfort zone, out you go!

Time for confession. I am a fundamentally shy and private person. I am most comfortable behind the scenes. And yet, when I look at my life, there have been numerous times where I found myself on small stages, figuratively and literally speaking.

A friend asked me recently what I would be doing if I had no fears. “Broadway!” I spontaneously exclaimed, with jazz hands. A surprising statement based on my confession of the day.

9/23/2016

Balancing seasonal shifts

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Autumn has arrived! A time of transition, this season will eventually bring colder weather, higher winds, and shorter days. These unavoidable changes can subtly affect our level of energy and overall wellbeing. In the Ayuverdic medicine, autumn is the Vata season. To maintain balance and counteract the windy, erratic and cool qualities of Vata, it is best to direct our efforts towards grounding ourselves and creating warmth in our lives. Here are a few tips on how to maintain balance during this wonderful seasonal shift.

8/1/2016

Embracing Downward-Facing Dog

I recently asked my friend Lisa what she considers to be her favorite asana. With no hesitation, she answered Downward-Facing Dog! Here is her take on this foundational yoga posture that people either love or loathe! "It’s one of my favorite “go to” yoga postures for many reasons.

7/14/2016

The subtle goals of yoga

The virtues of yoga for improving strength and flexibility, as well as cultivating a sense of overall wellbeing are well known. For me, my yoga practice varies based on my mood, on how my mind and body feel on that day. One constant remains though, every time I step onto my yoga mat; the desire to create space in my body, in my busy mind. To release tension as opposed to build more. I recently came across this short text written by Rachel Brathen, an international yoga teacher, whom, I believe, captured in words the subtle goals of yoga.

6/24/2016

Backbending on Saint-Jean Baptiste Day!

Source: Pixabay

It wasn’t always the case but, as I grow older, I love travelling. It gives me a sense of freedom. I realize that taking myself out of my routine is good for my soul (even if I don’t go very far!) During my travels, I try to visit new yoga studios and attend new yoga classes. It allows me to refresh my practice, to get inspired, and to experience surprises on the mat! Visiting Montreal for a few days, I attended a yoga class for the first time at Yoga Bhavana this morning, where I was immediately confronted with my nemesis of yoga postures: backbends!

5/23/2016

Strength training rocks!

Fifteen months ago, at the suggestion of a friend, I found myself in the office of Ken Sylvan, a personal trainer and owner of B Elite. Recovering from an injury, I had trouble sleeping because of the pain, and I had no energy. My own yoga practice was far from being satisfying, and teaching was becoming taxing. I was also about to turn 50. To prevent osteoporosis, improving bone density had been on my radar for a while. However, strength training was at the top of my procrastination list. Not anymore. I now crave it! And here’s why.

11/21/2015

Imagine...

Peace Goddess

"Imagine all the people, living life in peace..." (John Lennon)

I often find myself saddened by the acts of violence perpetrated by mankind. I can't help but wonder what I could do to make our world a better one.

One thing that keeps me grounded and hopeful in times like these is my yoga practice, on and off the mat. Continuing to develop body, breath and thought awareness anchors me into the present.

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