Conflicting messages on ways to live our lives flood our devices daily. Our minds are constantly sifting through an onslaught of inspirational quotes, some telling us to "live out loud" or "splash more color on the canvas of life". These are countered by messages of "seek peace" or "calm is best" -- a whole meditation corporation is based on the word 'Calm'.   In practice, one way is not more legitimate or effective or "right". The combination of both in the day to day can elicit well ...Read More

I'm sure we've all heard the phrase "stereotypes exist for a reason". There is usually an iota of truth in them. The same can be said for clichés. Although it is good to challenge the status quo, sometimes the tried and tested phrases we hear day in and day out are useful and worth applying   1) You are exactly where you need to be   This phrase is particularly helpful when you are caught in a comparative mindset. When you notice you are measuring yourself against another ...Read More

There is a beautiful labyrinth just outside of the Eaton's Centre. Right in the middle of the rush and din of downtown Toronto in a sheltered courtyard. A tiny place of respite where you can walk relatively undisturbed.....and with absolutely no creepy puppets anywhere to be seen.   If you've never experienced a labyrinth, it's a very soothing and meditative creation. The idea; after having chosen a prayer, a beneficial thought, a mental task of sorts, you enter a serpentine path and ...Read More

As the year and decade come to a close I feel a strong pull to hibernate and reflect. Holiday season is hard. I watch myself and others as we move through December. A confusing season filled with short, dark days pushing us into melancholy, bright twinkly lights that remind us of our social obligation to smile and be grateful. It's a juxtaposition of our bodies saying "Go inside, eat, sleep" while the world says "Get out there! Buy a dress, some booze and hit up that holiday party!!"  Mixed ...Read More

Adjustments are a powerful tool in the hands of a well informed teacher.  They are a way in which teachers can assist and guide practitioners into a better awareness of safe asana shapes and better body awareness.    If you’ve ever received a good adjustment, you know it’s downright therapeutic. Some might say revelatory. The first time someone pulled my hips back in downward dog it was nothing short of an Oprah “AHA” moment.    Even so, the culture of yoga adjustments is ...Read More

Hot Yoga. For a lot of yogis, it's a polarizing topic.   Some people swear by it. They will only step into a yoga studio if it's heated and ready to make attendees feel like they’re practicing in a hermetically sealed version of the amazon forest. Sweating what feels like their entire body weight in one hour. They adore the intensity and seek out that excessive, monsoon-like sweat.   Some people won’t go near it. Interestingly, the people who would rather sit through a ...Read More

Language -- It's important, and there are a few words thrown about in the online world that have leaked into the yoga world that I see as questionable in their application. I'd like to take a closer look at them;   As yoga teachers, I don't see us as having 'FOLLOWINGS'. We exist in community -- A community that can and should question and correct us when we step out of bounds. Nowhere in the yoga sutras does it recommend we follow someone blindly.   I don't see us as ...Read More