There are a few things I kind of wish I’d known when I set up my first yoga mat. I purchased it proudly from Winners for $16.99, it’s bright orange colour soon to be made into a soft, muted brownish tone from all the times my hands and feet would meet the mat. I learned the following things eventually, and like most lessons in life, I learned them precisely at the time I was ready to hear and slowly receive them. But just in case, if you are starting out on your yoga journey, or you are seeking ...
Confession: I’ve Always Been Able To Touch My Toes
Genetics play a huge role in our bodies and their natural abilities. We can diet, exercise, use as many Instagram filters as we desire, but ultimately we have to work with what our mama gave us. It’s encouraging to note that we can somewhat alter our genes through diet and lifestyle. Scientific research is proving this to be so. I learned this fun fact through a friend of mine who is married to a geneticist, a doctor, and an author. No, she’s not having an affair with three different men, she’s ...
Rogue Yogis — PLEASE READ
We all know them. That one person who comes to a yoga class and does their own thing. Seemingly oblivious to the world around them, they roll out their mat and start doing their own interpretive dance-like moves, marching to the beat of their own drum. Disregarding anything the teacher is saying these “rogue yogis” tend to baffle those around them, and frustrate teachers trying to offer them guidance. They distract people close to them and confuse others who may be new to the yoga world. ...
Mother Nature Will F*ck You Up
Why am I pensively holding a rock in this picture? What possessed me to hold it Shakespearean 'Yorick' style and then bring it back from Beautiful B.C. to Ontario? This stone was my saviour. Yes my rock solid answer to anxiety. The kind of anxiety you experience when you stumble across black bears whilst blissfully hiking on your birthday. Well, at least I thought it was. Now granted, if you know a bit about bears, you may know the phrase used when referring to a black bear siting -- ...
The Stress of Mindfulness
This August, I've been following the #yearofcalm calendar - each day gives the participant a new mindfulness task to focus on. In all honesty? It was helpful some days. Other days it was a bit much. It became another "thing to do" another “task to accomplish”. I think it's noteworthy that the way some mindfulness tactics are offered can sometimes induce rather than reduce stress. When the significantly overbearing western mindset of "achieve!" "believe!" "do all the things!" seeps into ...
Canned Heat In My Heels
I went to a contemporary dance class this past Sunday. I am tall, lanky and very desirous of slow movements planned out within an inch of their life. I was made for yoga. Throw dance into the mix, and it's like asking a sloth to run the 100m dash. Hilarity ensued. I showed up just in time. Running a bit behind, I entered an already filled room of different body types, age groups and ethnicities. The only thing this group of keen, yet quiet dancers had in common? They were all younger ...
Trust Your Gut
(Originally Published December 21st 2016) Happy Winter Solstice! It is currently the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In honour of this, I will keep this blog short and sweet. I would like to share a straightforward message. One that has been resonating in my head and heart these past few weeks; Trust your gut. You know that feeling you get upon first meeting a person? Where you are immediately drawn to them, or immediately wary? Remember the sensation that travels ...
