Intro to Hot power yoga starts Friday 6-7 p.m-Food Bank Class

Join Charlene for this 3 week free session on hot yoga! The studio will be heated to 75F. The heat from hot yoga actually originates within the practitioner.

Practitioners of hot yoga believe the heat extends the ability of the ligaments, tendons and muscles. Immersing yourself in hot yoga practice:

-release toxins
-improve flexibility and range of motion
-increase the chances of weight loss
-develop muscle tone
-build the immune system

Proponents of the practice also believe that hot yoga exercise reduces the symptoms of certain chronic illnesses, such as thyroid disorders, arthritis and circulatory problems.

A basket will be outside the studio for any non-perishable food donations to the local food bank.

This week @ The Studio-April 23

Although April is normally associated with transitioning into lovely warm May-Mother Nature appears to have decided to prolong winter this past week!

I have been receiving updates from Angi, which appear to all start with a reference to weather, the cold or something about winter being stuck in neutral. Interesting as I'd rather be there instead of having hair that hasn't been able to dry in 4 days due to the humidity and a yoga mat that will be left behind cause I can't get the sweat out of it.

Many of us will battle this weekend with a rabbit or egg of chocolate-if you decide to let either of these win (for a moment or two), please join us and we'll help you forget your battle!

This week!

Easter Sunday & Monday- We are closed so we can celebrate with our families.

Kettle Bell Group 1 Monday-We have a make-up class on Wednesday this week from 5:30-6.

TBC-Cut to the Core, Shoulders and Glutes/Legs are our focus this week. Whether you are a gardener, golfer, runnner, cylist, etc. this session is intended to target and strengthen those muscle groups frequentlt engaged during the spring and summer activities.

Yoga-B.K.S. Iyengar describes twists as a "squeeze-and-soak" action: The organs are compressed during a twist, pushing out blood filled with metabolic by-products and toxins. When we release the twist, fresh blood flows in, carrying oxygen and the building blocks for tissue healing. So from the physiological standpoint, twists stimulate circulation and have a cleansing and refreshing effect on the torso organs and associated glands (Yoga Journal)

This week join us in your yoga classes as we "twist it out" to restore balance in your spine and help restore its' full range of motion, cleanse and detoxify the internal organs and increase circulation.

Zumba-Get your dancing shoes on as we are moving and shaking this week to some of the best ZIN music produced by Zumba-there might be a little MJ in there as well!!

Kettle Bell-Sunday's Group-I have left 4 spaces open for anyone (from group 1 or 2 or from last session's Boot Camp) who wants to drop in for the interval/circuit set on Sunday.

May your week be blessed with love, light and peace

Darlene, Angi, Cheryl and Charlene

Yogathon-May 7 for the Smiths Falls Montague Aviation Museum

Men-Want to improve your Golf game? Stop looking as we have the answer!!

It is a well know fact that Tiger Woods meditates and uses yoga. So, we mightn't all be Tiger Woods, but yoga for golfers have been known to improve their symmetry; their stroke; their core; their focus and strength.

The following is a summary of the benefits of yoga to lower your golf score and increase your performance: http://www.golf-mental-game-coach.com/yoga-for-golf.html

Yoga for golf is by far the best method of increasing your flexibility and staying loose.

There aren't many better feelings than making smooth, unrestricted golf swings are there?! Using yoga will make your entire body respond effortlessly to the demands of your golf swing and keep you loose throughout your round. It is one of the fastest growing areas of fitness in golf today.

Staying flexible and loose is an issue for golfers of all ages. This is why yoga and golf are perfect for each other. You can choose the level involvement of yoga stretches you wish to do. As we age our need for flexibility is arguably the #1 issue in playing decent golf.

Yoga allows you to maintain a suppleness in every area you choose to focus on. And what's really great about yoga is the benefits to your mind as well.

From a mental game/peak performance coach's perspective, this is the ultimate combination. In fact, the increased inner calm and peaceful state of mind gained through practicing yoga provides an excellent foundation for every aspect of the program.

Yoga Improves Power-You will get to that wonderful stage of effortless power instead of powerless effort!

Using yoga dramatically improves your overall flexibility, so in those times we rush to the first tee (hey, this is reality for most of us non-competitive golfers) unprepared, we don't have to feel like a piece of rod iron or stiff as a board!

If you like to read more about how yoga can be used to improve your golf game: http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/194


Please join Cheryl on Monday nights from 6;30-7:45 for Yoga For Men and watch your game change!

The last in our meet us series-Darlene

From the boardrooms of her professional career to the wooden floors of the many yoga studios she has seen in her 25 years of practicing yoga, Darlene daily exchanges her business attire for a more grounded approach to life…in bare feet on her mat. Darlene started practicing yoga as a method to cross train while running as a teenager. She soon began to use yoga as a means to “check-out” from her hectic professional life and enjoy the stillness and serenity she found on her mat.

Darlene’s journey into yoga naturally progressed to the completion of yoga teacher training at Upward Dog Yoga Centre, Ottawa, as a means to assist others transform their lives. During her journey she has been blessed to have trained nationally and internationally with yoga and ayurveda teachers who have provided various insights and perspectives, which has shaped her approach to yoga and to life in general. This is reflected in her classes which are integrated approach that beautifully combines asanas (poses) and pranayama (breath) with ahimsa (non-harm), music and meditation with warmth and compassion.

Darlene holds certification as a teacher of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga;® Pre and Post-Natal Yoga; Power Yoga, Yin Yoga and has completed her Level I Yoga Therapy (Phoenix Rising). She is a certified Agatsu Kettle Bell Instructor; Zumba/Zumbatomics, YMCA Group Fitness Leader, Fitness Kicking Level II Instructor and CanFit Pro Certified Personal Trainer.

In describing what are the greatest joys she has experienced since the inception of The Yoga & Wellness Studio, Darlene lists: the heightened awareness in the consciousness of the community; the changes, both physically and spiritually she sees in those at the studio; the undeniable beauty of the bliss on the faces of pre-natal yoga students; and giving back to her community through seva restorative classes and the community classes in the summer along the banks of the Unesco designated Rideau Canal.

Favourite quote: “Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked”

Favourite asana (pose) warrior II as no matter how crazy my day is, I feel empowered, centered and strong when I hold this pose.

Latest Core Sequence from Sadie!!

CORE YOGA SEQUENCE: Core Heart-Opening: Seated, then Hands & Knees Cat/Cow, Dog Pose, step R foot up to Low Lunge, hands on thigh w/Cat-Cow x5. Dog Split, swing knee thru Core Plank, then step behind your L leg for Rockstar (lift hips, L leg still straight, arm over ear, heart rolls to sky.) Eventually, take this to Full Wheel if avai...lable. End in Pigeon Pose, arch heart, Child's Pose. Repeat on other side!

Everything you Need to Know About Hormones-Free Seminar with Lorna Vanderhaeghe

New Global Vitamins is proud to present women’s health expert, Lorna Vanderhaeghe, May 5 from 7-9 pm at the Smith Falls Memorial Community Centre. Since there are only 200 seats available, pls visit: http://www.newglobalvitamins.ca/new.html for registration information. Among the topics Lorna will be discussing are: how stress affects your weight; what nutrients you need to sleep better; the secret to beautiful skin; how to get your energy back.....

This Week @ The Studio-April 9

Finally, some reprieve from this seemingly endless winter with fresh, spring-like temperatures and the warm air! Just a quick reminder about some small changes to this last week of our winter schedule! Sunday-April 10-Yoga will be from 0830-0930 and bootcamp is cancelled for this Sunday. Monday early morning yoga & TBC noon class are finished for this schedule.

Wednesday-April 13-Men's conditioning cancelled, but we do have other classes that will inspire you! Last week for winter schedule! This is the last week for the winter schedule and the new one comes into effect on Saturday, April 16th. New class schedule cards (and they look awesome!!) are at the studio for you to keep on your fridge, desk, etc. Please feel free to take a few and distribute to your friends as the word keep growing on what we do at the Studio! Kettle Bell-New schedule...I will post the class lists on the studio door. Currently, the Monday & Tues classes are full and I have contacted everyone in both groups. There is a space or two possibly left in Sunday's circuit class-it will be filled on a first come basis and I will advise if any spots open up. Yoga...Spring Vinyasa Flow! This is our feature class this week (Saturday) as we move from winter to spring with ease and grace. This class is designed to balance balance kapha because kapha accumulates during winter and can create diseases by the time spring arrives. Kick, Kettle Bell, Zumba and Total Body Conditioning, the always amazing Miss Angi has control of the floor this week at the studio and you will see her beautiful face leading all of our specialty classes. She spent last weekend moving and grooving as she completed her Zumba certification. Come out and support her on Thursday as she leads Zumba for the first time-Angi, the floor is yours. Meet our Instructors, Charlene, Yoga Compassionate, intuitive, engaging, fun and innovative are terms often used by students to describe Charlene’s classes. Charlene teaches with sensitivity, honesty, openness, presence and generosity to protect, nurture and re-awaken the body. Her teaching is thorough and clear and reflects the needs of each of her students. Charlene began her yoga journey with Bikram yoga and expanded to explore and incorporate various styles of yoga into her practice. She was drawn to yoga as it provided a practical tool for personal peace and well being, but soon came to see that there was far more to this ancient tradition than she first thought. Charlene completed her yoga teacher training at Rama Lotus, Ottawa. A professional by day, you will find Charlene at the studio teaching all levels of yoga in the evening classes. “in the posture we balance of strength with flexibility, contentment with effort." Have a safe and healthy, happy week The Studio

200 hour Yoga Teacher Training-September 2011

We are so thrilled to announce the next dates for th 200 Hour Yoga Alliance approved Yoga teacher training. The next start date: September 10, 2011 Our training program is designed to incorporate the philosphical and physical aspsects of yoga in a manner that instill knowledge and evoke confidence in all of our certified teachers and licensed professionals, who contribute to special topics such as advanced anatomy. Our mission is to help people awaken their own divine light within. We strive to support and encourage our teacher trainees with compassion and humor. And finally, to demonstrate that with steadfast honest hard work of a consistent Yoga practice, unification of the body, mind and spirit will manifest perfect health-our teachers brings these qualities to their classes from our training. It will include the following (Total 225.5 hours): Twelve weekends, Saturday and Sunday from 1200 pm – 7 PM (contact hours) 10 practices at The yoga and Wellness Studio and private sessions with director Assisting, Observing, or Participating in a variety of classes at the Yoga and Wellness Studio 30 hours will include independent reading and writing assignments, journals, student teaching, and written final exam. Community Classes lead by Teachers in Training throughout training, beginning in February (20 hours) First aid & CPR certification (8 hours) More information is on our sister website at: http://www.theyogaandwellnessstudio.com/ There are several workshops being planned for October and November: October: Advanced Anatomy for Yoga Teachers, Students and Fitness Professionals November: The Pre-Natal Student in Your Yoga Class

The 2011 Mitsubishi City Chase-Sponsor Cheryl in Right to Play

For everyone who has met the fabulous Cheryl, you know she's an avid volunteer and supporter of humanitarian causes. Please consider sponsoring Cheryl as she raises money for "Right to Play." Right To Play is committed to every child’s right to play. We give children a chance to become constructive participants in society, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, social background or religion. Through games and sports, we help create social change in communities affected by war, poverty and disease. A team of top athletes from more than 40 countries support Right to Play. As role models, these athletes inspire children and raise awareness about Right To Play internationally. Our aim is to engage key decision-makers from the development, sport, business, media and government sectors and further ensure every child benefits from the positive power of sport and play. Cheryl's personal pledge page is at: http://righttoplay.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=3715&mid=9&pid=478607

Kettle Bell Workshops: April 4, 6 & 9th

Whether you're new to our kettle bell classes or would like to refine your technique, we have 3 kettle bell workshops planned before the new schedule starts. Monday, April 4th: 4:30-5 p.m Wednesday, April 6th: 5-5:30 pm Saturday, April 9th: 1045-115 am Please register by sending us an email: macdean@sympatico.ca indicating which workshop you are attending.

This week @ The Studio-April 2

As we begin to wind down the winter schedule and move towards the invigorating spring schedule, I thought is appropriate to acknowledge all of you (there is too many to start naming individually) that has made the studio such a success. When I began this journey 3 years ago, all I envisioned was running a few yoga classes a week in my new community as a way of offering a service and a place for yoga practitioners that really didn't exist. From my perspective, if other communities could have a yoga studio, why couldn't one exist in Smiths Falls? 3 years later and many lesson learned we have grown from a few classes a week to certification as a 200 hour teacher training studio; have expanded our programs to offer some unique and custom classes; have shared in the joy of 34 babies who have entered the world with moms who were balanced and calm; have witnessed so many physical and spiritual transformatons that despite how many times a week we may see your beaming faces, it still lifts our hearts. So thank you-it is you that has made this all possible. This week at the Studio: Yoga: Cultivating the Breathe & Cleansing The Body At its' essence, yoga promotes focus and calmness in your body and mind. This concept is spelled out in the yoga sutras, an ancient text of wisdom that yoga practices are based on, as "stirum and sukham". The postures on the mat are only the beginning of this practice. During classes we encourage you to focus on your breath and make it long, slow and steady. This is designed to focus and calm your mind at the same time. This encourages a mind body connection. Off the mat is even more important. Cultivating a sense of focus and calmness in your relationships, in your work and in your life, is the ultimate goal of a yoga practice. This week we continue our journey into cleansing and detoxifying the body using asanas and pranyama that will stimulate and activate the digestive system and rid the body of toxins we may have built up in the internal organs such as the liver. These classes will make you will great and we promise your digestive system will feel alive and function much more effectively for you. Fitness Classes Kettlebell-Since we do not want to disappoint anyone-there is a need to pre-register for the Kettlebell sessions that start with the new schedule. The Tuesday night class has 1 place left, Monday has 3. Sunday has 4. Zumba is a new set that started March 31 with a few oldies thrown in there. New Schedule...should be on the web this week. There have been a few minor changes to reflect preferences for class start times. -NATAL Yoga 5 WEEK CLASS Due to demand we wil be hosting a 5 week pre-natal yoga class session on Wednesdays from 5-6 pm starting April 27th. Have a safe and healthy week Darlene M, Charlene, Angi, Cheryl