pose of the week: headstand

Salamba Sirsasana 

*If you have not done a headstand before, please do it in the presence of a certified instructor, or practice against a wall*

How to do it:

1. Kneel on the floor and come onto your forearms. Grab opposite elbows to measure up the distance then interlace your hand out in front of you (keeping your elbows shoulder width apart at all times)

2. Come onto the crown of the head, resting the back of your head in your palms. Keep your arms and hands strong and roll your shoulders away from the ears.

3. On an inhale, curl your toes under and lift your knees off the floor (this is the prep version, you may stay here). Carefully start to walk your feet towards you, firming your shoulder blades against your back.

4. As you exhale, lift your feet of the floor, keeping your core engaged. You may bend your knees towards your chest first then work to straighten your legs, extending your heels up towards the sky.

Keep the weight evenly balanced on your forearms. Hold for 15 breaths, working your way up to a minute. Slowly lower your legs down and rest in child’s pose. 

Benefits:

• Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
• Stimulates your nervous system
• Ensures healthier and more effective lung tissue
• Improves digestion 

do you hear a calling?

I’ve been MIA for the last few weeks, and I apologize. This blog has been my release to express myself weekly to all of you, and I’ve been slacking. A trip down south and now battling the flu, gave me no motivation to start typing. With all the downtime I’ve been getting, either laying in bed or watching countless hours of talk shows, the term or expression “calling” has been presented. Are we put on this Earth for a specific purpose? Is everyone born with a calling? Some say yes, and others may disagree. I believe that we all have a calling. It may not be apparent at first, but it can hit you when you least expect it. Callings can me multiple, careers may come and go, but deep down every individual is destined to BE something. You may take this however you may wish, but embrace the life that is your calling, and share that calling with the world. 

As the last Oprah show came to an end, the talk show host summed this up very well: “Nobody is responsible for your life, except you”. She knew all along that she would create greatness. Her calling was to share with the world, and they responded in kindness, as in Karma (she is the most loved and influential woman in television history). The energy that you create for yourself, share that with those around you. Let your vision be heard and make a difference in this world one calling at a time. 

pose of the week: upward facing dog

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

How to do it:

1. Start lying on your stomach. Bring your hands by your side ribs, pull your shoulders back and draw your elbows in.

2. Press onto the tops on the feet to bring your knees off the mat to engage your legs.

3. On an inhale, press into your hands to lift your upper body off the mat. Open the chest and keep your thighs active. Release your head back and gaze up.

Hold for 5-10 breaths then slowly lower down. 

Benefits:

• Great for relieving sciatica pain
• Strengthens arms and chest
• Loosens stiff shoulders
• Stimulates abdominal organs

community classes for all!

I will be teaching three complimentary classes at lululemon athletica Vaughan Mills for the month of May.

Sunday, May 8th at 10am:

mama and me: a special kids class for ages 4 and up with their moms for Mother's Day!

Monday, May. 9th and Wednesday, May. 25th at 9:15pm:

power vinyasa yoga: An energizing blend of yoga styles designed to work every part of the body, and get you working from start to finish. Moving with your breath at a constant flow from one pose to the next, your body will thank you later!

See you @ the store!