Saturday, August 28, 2010

Gary Smith


Gary Smith has been teaching yoga for 25 years. He is certified through Yoga Alliance (500 hour) and has also studied yoga in India. Gary is comfortable working with all levels of students. Come as you are, and progress at your own pace.

Gary currently offers classes through the REC Center. Call 428-7127 for more info.

Cathleen

Cathleen offers a simple, eclectic approach to Hatha Yoga for anyone wanting gentle, meditative guidance into self-exploration and healing. Her inspirations come from the non-dual teachings of Yoga as presented my Adyashanti and Richard Miller. Cathleen is certified through the Yoga Associations of B.C. and Alberta.

Cathleen can be reached at 250-402-6799 for information regarding classes.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Yoga at Home

Looking to build your home yoga practice but dont know where to start?
Check out YogaJournal's sequence builder for inspiration!
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/sequence_builder

Monday, August 23, 2010

Lucka



Lucka took her first yoga class 10 years ago and was hooked. In 2006 she spent a year in Europe where she took part in a yoga teacher training and certification course to learn more about the art of teaching yoga. After completion of the course she continued dedicating her time to attending yoga classes and workshops during her travels.

Lucka has open Motion Yoga Center in hopes to create a vibrant yoga community where all yoga teachers and students in the Creston Valley can come to practice under one roof.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Lone Wolf


Being me is really easy when I am by myself.

Sometimes I feel the most connection with the world when I am just walking alone. The same feeling comes over me no matter where I am walking in the world; a sense of calm, openness, awareness and gratitude for the moment are all common themes.

I remember in Prague after my evening shifts at work I would go to the store and buy a nice Czech beer to drink as I would walk around the city, marveling at the intricate architecture and striking up meaningful conversations with random people.

Or in Tofino, when I lived there I would often walk the long hidden coastal jungle trail between home and the town, often getting lost in the thick forest, but always enjoying the adventure. I think that this path made me a stronger person, to know that I was ok in the forest even if I temporarily a bit lost.

In the Slocan Valley I lived up a 5km driveway that I walked every morning to get to the road where I would the hitchhike to and from work. I met many a bear on those walks, even witnessed cubs climb up a tree to get away from me. It was a bit nerve wracking at first, but I learned that singing really loud helped me feel pretty comfortable. I love looking back at that time in my life, what a trip!

During a winter in Quebec city I took a weekly yoga class with one of my favorite Iyengar teachers. But it was a arduous journey to get to the evening class. First a half hour walk to the ferry to cross the St. Laurence then another half hour walk through the city center to catch the bus. It was a 5 hour round trip (including the yoga class), and I loved every minute.

Taking this weekly journey by myself gave me lots of time to really see Quebec city from many vantage points. We became good friends. And the walk home off of the ferry always involved a stop at the dépanneur (corner store) for a nice Quebecois beer (must be the slavic in me ;) and a bar of chocolate to warm me up on the cold, dark and beautiful walk home through the snow.

Walking as a lone wolf is really a treat sometimes. You might just get to know yourself and the world around you a little better. I highly recommend it!

Until next time,
Lucka

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Gail


Gail Thompson discovered and fell in love with yoga in 1999 and began teaching in 2004. Gail is certified through the SOYA Yoga Teacher Training. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance (ERYT) and the International Yoga Teachers’ Association. She has explored a variety of yoga styles with teachers including Erich Schiffmann, Marion McConnell, Doug Swenson and Friedal Khattab, and most recently a 10-day teacher training retreat with Erich Schiffmann. Gail enjoys sharing what she learns with students and exploring the joys of yoga with them in her classes and workshops.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

What would I do if I could not fail?

Tonight has been one of those introspective 'what am I doing with my life?' evenings. One of my roommates is inspiring me to think about dreaming big with my life.

We have to know WHAT we want before going out and getting it. I am surprised by the fact that my mind seems muddled these days...what DO I want? What is it in my life that turns me from lazy and complacent to driven, motivated, enthused? What do I want to do in which I am willing to put 100% of my focus and love into to make it happen?

I found a blog post called 7 Simple Ways to Unblock Your Life and my mission for the evening is write out a list of "what would I do if I could not fail." Dream big and see where it takes me! What are your dreams? Leave me a comment :)

*Lucka*

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Listen To Your Body


I was a strict vegetarian for many years for health and moral reasons, but as the years went on I started to crave meat. But I though that because I was a yogi, and because I was known as a vegetarian amongst my family and peers, that I would be judged if I had some chicken in my salad.

Eventually I broke through that because I realized that my body was telling me something and that I should listen. If there is anything that I have learned from yoga, its to listen to my body.

So many of us have lost connection with this inner voice due to all the things that we feel we need to get done in our daily lives. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect today on what does your body crave? Is it really a that bag of chips that your body craves? Or is it something more substantial? Take time to eat what you REALLY need and your body will reward you with real satisfaction and boundless energy!

My energy meal today is this greek salad with quinoa and salmon. Leave me a comment to share your favorite summer meals, maybe you will inspire someone to make better food choices today :)

Namaste,
Lucka

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Kootenay Business Magazine

A new article written for the Kootenay Business Magazine is here!
And another one written in the I Love Creston magazine can be found here :)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register for classes?

Some classes are available to registered students only due to space limitations. Please look at our schedule to see if the class you are interested in is specifically for registered students or if you can drop in.

How do I get ready for a class?

Come to class 5 minutes early to settle in. It is best wait at least 1 hour after you have eaten before doing yoga, but if you need a snack try something light like fruit or yogurt. Wear loose fitting clothing and note that yoga is practiced in bare feet.
I am an total beginner. Do I need to be in really good shape to do yoga?
Beginners Classes are great for those who are new to yoga, out of shape or just plain inflexible. These classes are gentle enough for anyone to do and will help you gain a basic understanding of yoga in a safe and non judgmental environment.

Do I need to bring a yoga mat?

We encourage people to bring their own mats, however we do have some at the studio that can be used by students.

Is Yoga a religion?

No. Yoga is a system of techniques that can be used for a number of goals, from simply managing stress better, learning to relax, and increasing limberness all the way to becoming more self-aware and acquiring the deepest knowledge of one’s own self. The practice of Yoga will not interfere with any religion.

Is there anything else I should know?

Before attending yoga classes there are a few things to be aware of.
· Let your teacher know of any health issues or injuries so that he/she can give you relevant instructions during the class.
· Pregnant woman must be sure to inform their instructor and let them know which trimester they are in.

Benefits of Yoga

Improve muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
Reduce stress and tension
Boost self esteem
Improve concentration and creativity
Improve circulation
Improve posture
Stimulate the immune system
Create sense of well being and calm
Helps manage or control anxiety, blood pressure, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, arthritis and other conditions and diseases.

What is Yoga?

What is yoga?

Yoga is among the oldest known systems of health practiced in the world today. Research into Yoga practices has had a strong impact on the fields of stress reduction, mind/body awareness and various health benefits. The physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation practices of Yoga have been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, regulate heart rate and even slow the aging process.

Sam's Classes

$10 Drop In

Sam is certified through the SOYA Yoga Teacher Training with 200 hours. Sam is 19 years old and new to teaching yoga but is very passionate about yoga and excited to teach her knowledge of what she has learned. Her classes are beginner friendly with some toning and strengthening as well as gentle and relaxing. Sam will be taking training in the fall to become a prenatal teacher and is excited to offer yoga for pregnant women. She loves meeting new people and is very excited to start her teaching.

Sam


Sam is certified through the SOYA Yoga Teacher Training with 200 hours. Sam is 19 years old and new to teaching yoga but is very passionate about yoga and excited to teach her knowledge of what she has learned. Her classes are beginner friendly with some toning and strengthening as well as gentle and relaxing. Sam will be taking training in the fall to become a prenatal teacher and is excited to offer yoga for pregnant women. She loves meeting new people and is very excited to start her teaching.

Yana


Yana has been hooked on yoga since her first class in 1998 with Yoga Master Zena Ursuliak. In the last decade, Yana trained for four years with the wonderful variety and intensity of teachers which the Yoga Association of Alberta offers, and has been teaching in mainly small rural towns. Yana has an eight year old daughter, a phytotherapy business (herbs and aromatherapy) through which she offers workshops on natural products and mindfull living.