february pose: wild thing

camatkarasana

How to do it:

1. Starting in downward facing dog, raise your left leg up, bend your knee and open up the hip.
2. Begin to shift your weight onto your right arm and roll onto the outer edge of your right foot.
3. Place your left foot behind you, "flipping your dog", staying on the ball of your left foot and knee bent.
4. Lift the chest, arch your back and reach your left arm up and over.
5. Relax the head back, softening into your throat.

Stay for 5-10 breaths, then come back to downward facing dog. Repeat on the left side.

Benefits:

• Builds strength in your shoulders and upper back
• Opens up the chest and lungs
• Strengthens the legs and back

january pose: locust

Salabhasana

How to do it:

1. Start lying on your belly with your arms along side your body palms facing up and forehead resting on the ground.
2. Bring your legs together, push into the tops of the feet to engage your legs so your knees are off the ground
3. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale lift your chest, arms and legs away from the floor.
4. Keep your gaze down or slightly forward so your neck is long and in line with your spine.

Hold for 5-10 breaths then slowly lower resting your head to one side. Relax your arms and legs.

Benefits: 

• Strengthens the back arms and legs
• Stretches the shoulders, chest, belly and thighs
• Stimulates abdominal organs

Image Source: http://au.thehype.yahoo.com/galleries/g/-/15690672/detox-yoga-poses/15690681/

new year, new YOU! Happy 2014

December was a crazy month - holiday madness in full force...in a good way! I started teaching at a local gym, went home to celebrate my birthday with my near and dearest, worked like crazy and spent our first Christmas together in Montreal. Needless to say, no time for a pose of the month:(

2013 was a great year, and 2014 will be even better. New beginnings, new memories, new adventures. Live your life to the fullest and take action for YOU.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

november pose: hero

Virasana 

How to do it:

1. Start on your hands and knees with the tops of the feet on the floor, bring your legs together and sit back on your heels. For more advance, separate the feet and sit between your heels making sure your ankles are not splaying out to the sides.
2. Maintain a nice flat back reaching up the crown of the head and soften your shoulders.
3. Modification: kneel on a folded blanket or mat to protect your knees and you may sit on a block if your sitting bones aren't evenly aligned.
4. Close your eyes, rest your hands on your thighs and stay here breathing evenly for 30 seconds to a minute.

To come out, slowly life your hips off your heels slightly and shift your weight over to one side. Extend your legs out in front of you to shake it off

Benefits:

• Stretches the thighs, knees and ankles
• Strengthens the arches of the feet
• Improves digestion and calmes the nerves 

october pose: play!

I had the pleasure of trying two new types of yoga during my first three months here in Montreal: Acro and Anti-gravity. Both are very different, yet have the same end results: FUN!

This type of acro was very fluid than traditional acro/partner work. It was a form of dance that made me learn new ways that my body could move. I worked with two incredible artists from the city, Melanie and Costa. Their dynamic form of teaching had me expressing myself and teaching them! Broken toe and all, Costa was my supportive base in this shot ;)

Anti-gravity yoga is done by using silks to help you move in different directions and really get deeper into the stretches and truly find the best expression of yourself. It was a form of fitness, moving to the beat, knowing your limits and allowing yourself to let go! My teachers Suaad and Shana are such strong women and are so inspirational!

The theme for this month, (even though it is coming to an end), is PLAY! Find that inner child in you and let go, set yourself free and be open to new ways of expression. Live, Laugh and Love xo

september pose: legs up the wall

How to do it:
1. Start by sitting next to a wall. Turn your body so your side is facing the wall and bring your seat as close to the wall as possible.
2. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, swing your legs up the wall and bring your shoulders and head softly on the floor.
3. Position your body so your hips come as close to the wall as possible. For more support, you can place a bolster or blanket underneath you.
4. Your arms can stay by your side palms facing up or over your head.

Most importantly, make sure you are comfortable, stay with your breath and relax into this sweet pose for up to 10 minutes. To come out, slowly bend your knees, place your feet flat on the wall and roll over to your right side.

Benefits:

• Mild inversion to help calm your nerves and relaxes the mind
• Relieves mild backache
• Gently stretches the back of the legs 

new journey, new beginnings...

That is the title of my life right now. I recently got married to my high school sweetheart and moved to a different city all in the span of two months! I had many emotions going into the big move, and this is the joy of living..it's unpredictable. When life throws you an opportunity, go for it!

I had to leave a career that I was passionate about, leave the students who I adored and then start all over again. I really could do whatever I wanted...and so here I am. Working at a company who made me find my yoga calling in the first place - lululemon athletica. It seems that I am going backwards, yet I see this as a sign for my future. The goals I had originally, got put on hold because of my teaching and studio career, however I am slowly reliving them (in a different language none the less!). - going back to my French roots ;)

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. This is the journey I have been given, this is the path I am supposed to take. Live, Laugh and Love everyday and the rest will follow naturally

Breathe deeply...