Offering the most comprehensive schedule of classes in yoga, Spinning and Group Fitness (HIIT, BootCamps, TBC, PILOXING, 15-15-15-15)led by internationally and nationally certified qualified instructors and teachers.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday's Flow Class-Yoga Flow to Detox the Body
This Saturday's flow class (July 4th) will focus on flow to detox the body through incorporating pranayama and asanas to help cleanse the body of toxins and invigorate the major organs.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Gayatri Mantra & its meaning
Occasionally I like to play some music with a mantra in it during the more stressful days of my professional career. One of the most beautiful pieces of music using the Gayatri mantra is by Deva Premal (hear it at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfKigD3vY8A&feature=related).
So what is the Gayatri Mantra? Repeating the mantra is said to inspire wisdom, spiritual growth and development-I find it brings peace and can be infectious-the more I start to chant it, the more inspired I become.
Each letter of the mantra and the 14 sounds when spoken all have significance.
The mantra:
AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT.
Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life" - the sun (savitur).
Namaste & looking forward to getting the studio open for the summer session!
So what is the Gayatri Mantra? Repeating the mantra is said to inspire wisdom, spiritual growth and development-I find it brings peace and can be infectious-the more I start to chant it, the more inspired I become.
Each letter of the mantra and the 14 sounds when spoken all have significance.
The mantra:
AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI
DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT.
Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life" - the sun (savitur).
Namaste & looking forward to getting the studio open for the summer session!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Second Chakra-Svadhisthana
The second chakra is located just above the base of the spine around the reproductive organs. This energy center has to do with creativity, specifically around the creation of life. Orange is the color of the 2nd Chakra.
The second chakra builds upon the survival instincts of the 1st chakra, by Desire. The desire to pass along our genetic blue print and produce off spring.
Benefits of a Balanced 2nd Chakra:
Proper flow of energy through reproductive organs
Healthy sex life
Ability to properly focus creative energy
Once one has properly balanced the sacral center they are able to transmute the creative energies of the second chakra into the higher centers and express the divine creativity from within.
Yoga to balance the 2nd chakra:
Cobra
Boat
Seated forward bend
Supine bound angle
Dog
Pranayama: Dirga and Kapalabhati
Mudra: YoniMantra:
VamBandha: Uddiyana Bandha
The second chakra builds upon the survival instincts of the 1st chakra, by Desire. The desire to pass along our genetic blue print and produce off spring.
Benefits of a Balanced 2nd Chakra:
Proper flow of energy through reproductive organs
Healthy sex life
Ability to properly focus creative energy
Once one has properly balanced the sacral center they are able to transmute the creative energies of the second chakra into the higher centers and express the divine creativity from within.
Yoga to balance the 2nd chakra:
Cobra
Boat
Seated forward bend
Supine bound angle
Dog
Pranayama: Dirga and Kapalabhati
Mudra: YoniMantra:
VamBandha: Uddiyana Bandha
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Gluten Free!
Although I tend to be a generalist regarding choices made on nutrition-That is, I don't judge nor emphasis my nutritional choices over someone else's. My motto-what might be right for one person might not necessarily be the same for another.
I, like a huge number of North Americans, have an intolerance to products containing gluten. It's a one way relationship-I love them, but alas, they do not love me.
This was probably the most difficult thing to accept given I was raised in an environment where home-made bread was a staple at every meal (home bread & molasses-how awesome is that!!).
During a recent class, several students raised the issue of having difficulties dealing with recipes with reduced gluten or no gluten and the issues with flavour and texture. I've attached the following link for all of you who wanted to find some decent recipes.
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/09/gluten-free-casein-free-recipe-index.html
I, like a huge number of North Americans, have an intolerance to products containing gluten. It's a one way relationship-I love them, but alas, they do not love me.
This was probably the most difficult thing to accept given I was raised in an environment where home-made bread was a staple at every meal (home bread & molasses-how awesome is that!!).
During a recent class, several students raised the issue of having difficulties dealing with recipes with reduced gluten or no gluten and the issues with flavour and texture. I've attached the following link for all of you who wanted to find some decent recipes.
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/09/gluten-free-casein-free-recipe-index.html
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Yamas, Niyamas & Chakras-First Overview
Ahimsa- Non-violence. Non violence works to properly balance our third chakra because we do not force power over another by practicing. It also inhibits the creation of a certain type of karma that is typically viewed as negative karma.
The third chakra is the navel center, or power center, it works your core. The navel point is the source of our nurishment when we are in the womb of our mothers. In yoga the navel point is the center where a human draws power to be used by the other centers. Located midway between the rib cage and the navel, this is the sense of identity and is associated with the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen, digestive system and nervous system.
It is associated with the fire element because fire provides warmth and comfort, but also can cause fear and terror. This chakra spans a wide emotional area.
Some signs that the Solar Plexus Chakra is out of balance are:
Difficulty concentrating
Poor ability to make decisions or judge a situation accurately
A feeling that you are more important than other people
Trouble taking action or getting things done
Color-The color associated with the third chakra is Yellow. Yellow is the symbol of the mind, intellect, high intelligence and wisdom. It is a positive magnetic vibration that acts as an equalizer for irritable conditions of the nervous system. The 3rd chakra is the organizing brain of the nervous system and as such, is an important power center that should be kept in a perfect equilibrium
Asanas for the third chakra: cobra, Bow, crocodile series, Vajroli Mudra (abdominal strenghtener.
The third chakra is the navel center, or power center, it works your core. The navel point is the source of our nurishment when we are in the womb of our mothers. In yoga the navel point is the center where a human draws power to be used by the other centers. Located midway between the rib cage and the navel, this is the sense of identity and is associated with the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, spleen, digestive system and nervous system.
It is associated with the fire element because fire provides warmth and comfort, but also can cause fear and terror. This chakra spans a wide emotional area.
Some signs that the Solar Plexus Chakra is out of balance are:
Difficulty concentrating
Poor ability to make decisions or judge a situation accurately
A feeling that you are more important than other people
Trouble taking action or getting things done
Color-The color associated with the third chakra is Yellow. Yellow is the symbol of the mind, intellect, high intelligence and wisdom. It is a positive magnetic vibration that acts as an equalizer for irritable conditions of the nervous system. The 3rd chakra is the organizing brain of the nervous system and as such, is an important power center that should be kept in a perfect equilibrium
Asanas for the third chakra: cobra, Bow, crocodile series, Vajroli Mudra (abdominal strenghtener.
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