pose of the week: wide-legged forward bend D

Prasarita Padottanasana D

How to do it:

1. Start with your legs comfortably wide apart, and hands on your hips. On an inhale, open the chest and gaze up.

2. As you exhale, fold over the legs, releasing your hands to grab your big toes with your first and middle finger (you may also hold the back of your legs).
3. Relax your head, roll your shoulders away from the ears and point your elbows out to the sides. Keep your legs active (you may also bend your knees slightly)

Hold for 5-10 breaths then brings your hands onto your hips and slowly come all the way up.

Benefits:

• Strengthens and stretches the inner and back legs and the spine
• Tones the abdominal organs
• Calms the brain
• Relieves mild backache

Ommmmmm

This past weekend, I attended the yoga conference downtown. I really did not know what to expect, except the fact that I will be doing four workshops and practicing A LOT. I’ve heard great things of previous shows, so I went there with an open mind and open heart. All I can say is that it exceeded my expectations! All things yoga and more, the space was surrounded by yogis (whether devout practitioners or curious newbie’s), strolling with their mats on hand waiting to get the latest CD’s, books or just information about health and wellness. I chatted with old friends from trainings, and made new ones. After all, yoga is about union.

What stuck with me the most was my influential class with the great Seane Corn. She has made a name for herself in the yoga world, selling out her class “chakra flow” at the conference. She talked for the first hour about the seven different energy centres in our body (chakras) and the practice of yoga. Different people hold emotions inside, whether unhappiness or joy, and these emotions get released when we do yoga. If we are at a point in our lives when we are happy and fulfilled, our next step is to share that energy with those that need it. On the contrary, the shadows inside of us that create burden need to be released in order to live a more satisfying life. People shared their stories to the group, many tragic, which brought a heavy impact on the other students. Many started to cry, sympathizing for those in pain.

When we brought our practice to the mat that is when all true emotions started to release. Seane made us hold the poses and talked us through the sensations we were feeling in our body and how it related to which chakra. Her words were powerful, motivational and truly cosmic. I had my first “ah-ha” moment in a yoga class. The light was so bright, that I saw my true self, words cannot describe. The air in the room was touched in such a profound way, that everyone started to release tears and screams letting go their own emotions out in public. As the practice came to a close, palms together at our hearts, Seane reminded us what our true purpose in life is: LOVE, to be loved and love others. As the tears came down my face, I thanked God for everything, my family, my friends, health and most importantly life.

Namaste.

pose of the week: child's pose

Balasana
How to do it:

1. Start on your hands and knees. Bring your feet together and separate the knees wider than the hips.

2. Begin to lean your weight back, sitting on your heels.

3. Lengthen the spine as you stretch your arms out in front of you. Relax your head and bring the forehead to the mat.

4. You may also bring your arms along side the body palms facing up. Soften the shoulders.

This is a resting pose. Stay for a minute or longer than slowly come up. 

Benefits:

• Calms the mind and relieves stress
• Gently stretches the hips, thighs and lower back

pick fitness!

I will be teaching two classes at a new studio located in Richmond Hill on May 5th and 7th.

This is an open house for the public so bring the whole family for a FREE trial class.

KIDS YOGA
Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 5:30pm
*A fun, creative and interactive way to introduce yoga to kids using animal poses, breath work, yoga games and basic stretching exercises that promote strength, improve concentration and focus, flexibility and coordination. Children aged 4-12 will also take part in partner poses to connect the group and stimulate their imagination and help to release energy in a fun and non-competitive environment.

FAMILY YOGA
Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 2:30pm
*Parents and children ages 4 and up can finally enjoy yoga together. Similar to the kids class, here participants can notice more of a flow type class with the addition of partner poses to bond parent and child.

Contact the studio or myself for more info and to register.

pose of the week: warrior I

Virabhadrasana I

How to do it:

1. Starting in tadasana (mountain pose) take a wide step back with your left foot. Drop your back heel and check to see that it's aligned with the back of the right foot.

2. Square your hips forward, and push through your back heel as you begin to bend the right knee until it's directly over your ankle.

3. On an inhale, raise your arms overhead, bringing your palms together. Arms are straight and shoulders down and back.

4. You may either keep your head neutral gazing forward or tilt it back and look up at your thumbs.

Keep your back leg strong, torso lifted and draw your side ribs in.

Hold here for 5-10 breaths then repeat on the other side.

Benefits:

• Improves concentration and balance
• Relieves joint stiffness
• Improves breathing and circulation
• Strengthens and stretches the thighs, calves, and ankles