Yoga & Concerts in the Park!

Join me as I guide you through a yoga class to the music of QUEEN! Come celebrate Vaughan Concerts in the Park July 10th at 6pm! Enjoy this complimentary class followed by a special rock concert to tribute Queen. See you there :)

Chancellor District Park
430 Chancellor Drive in Woodbridge

the seven steps to happiness

apply this to life & yoga...

1. THINK LESS, FEEL MORE

2. FROWN LESS, SMILE MORE

3. TALK LESS, LISTEN MORE

4. JUDGE LESS, ACCEPT MORE

5. WATCH LESS, DO MORE

6. COMPLAIN LESS, APPRECIATE MORE

7. FEAR LESS, LOVE MORE

source: http://beyondtheopposites.com/2012/03/24/7-steps-to-happiness/

pose of the week: camel

Ustrasana 

How to do it:

1. Start kneeling on your mat with your knees hip width apart, and tops of your feet on the floor.

2. Bring your hands onto your lower back, fingers pointing down and elbows drawing in.

3. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, start to lean back, open the chest, drawing your front thighs back. For beginners, stay here with your gaze up.

*To go deeper, reach back with your hands to hold your ankles, keeping your thighs perpendicular to the floor. If you feel any compression in your lower back, curl your toes under so your heels are elevated.  You may release the head back, but if there’s too much pressure in your neck keep your gaze forward.

Stay for 10-15 breaths then slowly bring your hands onto your lower back. Inhale and lift the head and torso up towards the floor. If your head is back, lead with your heart to come up, then slowly rest in child’s pose. 

Benefits:

• Stretches the entire front of the body
• Strengthens the back
• Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck 

home is where the heart is

Stratusphere Kids! 

It was that time of year again, when the Yoga Conference made its annual return to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.  Body, mind and spirit all united as one in a big way! For me, it was pure bliss walking the event floor, seeing familiar faces, and immersing myself in the many wonders of yoga. Laughter, joy and tears were all around me once again!

I had the pleasure this time to work with Tamika and Carolyn from Deva Tree in a special kids yoga training presented by HeartRise Yoga for Children. It was inspiring in so many ways! The tools I learned were endless and I can’t wait to share them with all the lovely children of this world! I had another ah-ha moment, just like my experience with Seane Corn last year. It gave me some new insight as to where I want to go in life and how the beauty of yoga can change the world to our little yogis and future role models.

From the moment I came to my mat to when it all ended, Tamika and Carolyn reinforced the beauty in each one of us: “Home is where the heart is” – our soul, our passion, our life.

Namaste.  

pose of the week: warrior III

Virabhadrasana III

How to do it:

1. Starting in mountain pose with your hand on your hips, begin to shift your weight onto your left foot and bring your right knee up into your chest.

2. Steady your balance then flex your right foot.

3. Inhale raise the arms up over your head and then as you exhale start to shift your weight forward extending your right heel back

4. Strengthen your standing leg, keep you hips leveled, and make sure your arms, torso and back leg are parallel to the floor.

Stay for 5-10 breaths then slowly rise up and repeat on the left side

Benefits:

• Strengthens the ankles and legs
• Tones the abdomen
• Improves balance and posture

pose of the week: plow

Halasana

How to do it:

1. Start lying down on your back with your legs extended up in the air and your arms by your side.

2. Take a deep breath in and as you breath out, lift your hips up bringing your legs over your head.

3. If your feet don’t touch the ground, bring your hands onto your lower back for support. If they do, roll onto your shoulder blades and interlace your hands behind your back.

4. Draw your chin away from the chest, engage your thighs and breathe deeply. If you feel any pressure in your neck, stay with Step 1.

Hold for 10 deep breaths then slowly roll back down. 

Benefits:

• Calms the mind
• Stimulates the abdominal organs and thyroid glands
• Stretches the shoulders and spine
• Reduces stress and fatigue 

pose of the week: half moon

Ardha Chandrasana

How to do it:

1. Start in a runner's lunge with your right knee bent directly over your ankle. On an inhale, come high onto your fingertips, then as you exhale kick off your back leg and raise it up so it's parallel to your mat, then work to straighten your left leg (may also use blocks as a support)
2. With your gaze down, begin to shift your weight over to your left hand, then bring your right hand to your right hip. Press strongly into your right heel.
3. Rotate your torso and open the chest towards the right, by opening the hip and extending your right heel back
4. Once you feel stable, raise your right arm up to the sky and begin to shift your gaze up to your hand.

Standing leg is strong. Hold for 10 deep breaths then repeat on the other side. 

Benefits:

• Stretches the groins, hamstrings and calves, shoulders, chest, and spine 
•  Improves coordination, focus and sense of balance
• Helps relieve stress