Self-Care Summer!

Hi ya yoga pals,

This summer I am planning some holiday time, as well as some coop time at an organic farm in Prince Edward County, which means a reduction in yoga offerings.  I've decided to jazz things up a bit and offer a few special yoga nights while I am in town, and I really hope you can join me!  As always, these classes are LGBTQ positive spaces.  The Queer & Trans weekly yoga classes will return September 15th (more on that soon).  Happy pride, and happy summer to you all!

Summer Self-Care (yoga) Sessions

Treat yourself to one or both of these self-care-tastic yoga nights in August.

Sessions will include restorative yoga, self-foot massage, and yoga nidra. Each of the practices are explained below. Space is limited to 8 students per night.

Dates: Thursdays August 6^th and 13^th

Time: 6:30-8p.m

Location: The Centering Space, 59 Cambridge Avenue (Broadview & Danforth)

Cost: $22.50 each or $40 for both, sliding scale spots available

Registration: email me yoga_hd@hotmail.com to reserve a spot. Payment is due upon registration via e-transfer or cheque.

Restorative Yoga Practice – Yoga poses (laying or seated) that are held for 5-15 minutes and are supported by blocks, blankets, bolsters and other props. Designed to maximize comfort and allow practitioners to fully let go. Poses help to stimulate reflexes that quiet the brain and heart and encourage mindfulness.

Self Massage (Abhyanga) – We will focus on the feet. Oils provided, use optional. Benefits include:

• increases circulation
• calming for the nerves
• lubrication of the joints
• softer, smoother skin
• deeper sleep at night (when done at bedtime)

Yoga Nidra (sleep of integration) – A guided meditation, all you need to do is get comfortable and listen. Benefits include:

• reduces effects of stress on the body-mind
• induces the body's relaxation response
• teaches us to focus and quiet the mind through attention, concentration and intention
• restoration and integration of the body-mind and spirit
• improves the quality or our sleep

Spring is in the air though my mattress springs ain't feeling so airy

Thawing out of the winter-cold-snow-monochrome. Recovering from cabin fever, and the bed that feels like it's taken a beating from hibernation 2015.  I didn't realize how frozen up I'd become, just like the land, until the great thaw started…..Don't get me wrong, I love all seasons including winter; will miss skating, icicle formations, bufflehead ducks, and the glee with which my dogs whip through a fresh snowfall until next winter rolls around.

But soon the small ray of sun that breaks into the house each afternoon will be enough to cover all of us.  It's time for colour, and smells, and plants growing outdoors!  Time to unfurl and soften. Last Tuesday I saw a small V formation  of geese returning with style.  My yoga students had to endure many "ruddy goose" poses that night!  There's a new excitement and hope in the air, isn't there?

My spring cleaning has taken on the air of someone who studied netflix and online articles during those long dark days.  Specifically the "Tiny" documentary about wee homes, and Marie Kondo's approach to de-cluttering your house by only keeping items that are in use and bring you joy presently.

Other spring-like things I've noticed: creativity level in the household is on the rise, longer walks are pleasurable, red-wing blackbird are back in town, seed sales are on, food cravings are shifting.  Spring sprung from my hands in this last week as a stack of bright new dish towels, and a bevy of homemade body products to slough off winter with.  Spring I welcome you with open arms!

Spring Yoga

Come and plant the seeds of your yoga practice with us this spring

Queer & Trans Yoga  

Come and explore yoga in this comfortable community space. This is a mindful practice that explores awareness and breath as we flow through meditative, dynamic, and restorative postures. Beginners and allies are welcome!

Dates: April 7th - June 30th 2015 (no class May 19th)

Time: Tuesdays 6 p.m - 7:15 p.m

Cost: $168 ($14/class x 12 weeks) *sliding scale available

Spots available: 1!

Location: The Centering Space, 59 Cambridge Avenue (Broadview & Danforth)

How to Register: Email yoga_hd@hotmail.com to confirm your spot.  Fee due by April 1st.  Cash, cheque, or online transfer accepted. 

Donations from Drop-Ins

Happily our Queer & Trans yoga class is fully booked for the Jan-March 2015 session! A benefit of this is that whenever a registered student is absent we can open up their spot to drop-in students and donate their class fee.  All funds donated by drop-in students (pwyc donation of $5-$20) will be shared at the end of the term between these 2 awesome organizations:
Wishing Well Sanctuary  (pictured here) and Supporting Our Youth / SOY 

Thank you for your support!

Back By Popular Demand!

New time and place, same delicious class!

Restorative Yoga with Massage A therapeutic and relaxing yoga practice accompanied by mini-massages of the head, neck, back, and limbs (based on Indian Head Massage techniques).  Unwind, releasing stress and tension from body, mind and spirit while being supported by props, breath, and meditation practices.  Essential oils used (nut-free carrier oils).  

Dates: Thursdays Nov 6 & Dec 4th (1st Thursday of the month)

Time: 7:15 p.m-8:30 p.m

Cost: $25

Spots Available: 6 

Location: Ankh Yoga, 2017 Danforth (Woodbine & Danforth)

How to Register: Pre-registration required: click on the date you want to register for and sign up

For more info about Ankh Yoga visit their website

Meditative Moves

I've just done a mindfulness practice a la ironing(!!) and replacing the freshly washed bolster and eye pillow covers.  Straps, balls, and blankets are clean and packed up to go.  This coming Tuesday Sept.16th we embark on a new term of Queer & Trans yoga.  It's pretty especially awesome to spend 14 weeks with the same folks getting into our groove individually and collectively and I'm really looking forward to it. 

Although the class is pre-registered, when ever space allows I offer an open invitation to come and do a drop-in class.  The proceeds of these drop-ins from now until the end of the term (Dec.16) will contribute to the "Next Up" project at Helping Our Northern Neighbours.  Here is a link to their Facebook page if you would like to know more.

Snails In The Mails

Who loves good old fashioned snail mail? I love to write, draw, and send mail while I'm holidaying. If you'd like to receive a postcard with either a mini yoga practice, plant medicine info, or some wildlife facts (avec my childlike illustrations) please share my Facebook page  or follow my blog (option to do so on the right hand column of this page)

 If you would like to receive a letter with pressed flower + mini yoga practice + wildlife tidbit please send me a testimonial that I can add to my blog (provided of course you've done yoga with me!) Please private message yoga_hd@hotmail.com with your address by Aug.20th and mail will be heading your way by the time September rolls around.