Weaving energy into something good…

Here is another article I wrote for the Valley Voice... enjoy!

I found a wonderful quote.

When I read it,

my heart swelled with love...

“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that- it lights the whole world. “ –Hafiz

Everything we do can bring positive or negative energy back into our lives and into the lives of others.

Everyday we are faced with decisions that can make life better; for us and others. Simple acts such as holding a door open for someone to smiling when making eye contact can cause a chain reaction of bliss that will come back to you. Sending the positive action or energy into the world not only fills the world with love, but rights the wrongs of others and ourselves. The laws of karma are taught in different ways to all of us at some time. The hard part is doing good things while expecting nothing in return. This does not mean that the goodness does not return, it means that we do not tag the good act before we send it out.

To turn inwards, grab bliss and send it out into the world can be hard. A simple yoga pose to help us approach this action is Ardha Chandasana or Half Moon pose. Start in standing Mountain Pose and move into Triangle pose. From here, with one hand on the floor or a block, lift your top hand to the sky and then lift your top leg, opening your hip. While in this pose, your chest is open, your top arm and leg reach out. Send the energy and bliss through your arm and out the tips of your fingers into the world. This pose will open your heart and soul.

march article for the valley voice

Here is the article that I wrote for the valley voice for the march publication...

the magazine is growing more and more every month and I am so proud of my good friend for single handedly developing this great mag! She is expecting twins in a month so it is a great feat indeed! She inspired me to write this one...

A new beginning

As the day grow longer and the weather gets warmer, spring brings signs of new life and a chance to start anew.

When we practise yoga, every pose can represent a new beginning. Every time we move into a pose, the body and mind responds and remembers the pose. As well, we have a chance to move further into the physical and mental aspects of the pose.

New beginnings include bringing new life into the world. Specialized prenatal yoga is a wonderful way to increase flexibility, help to control stress and strengthen focus during pregnancy. Certain poses are best during certain trimesters. Overall, a pregnant student should only do poses that feel good because intuition is the best indicator for any student. Not only physically beneficial, yoga can be a good way for an expecting mother to connect with her child while in the womb.

A basic prenatal yoga exercise is as simple as sitting in a quiet and comfortable place while breathing deeply. Make sure that the breath is long and steady. As you begin to relax, turn your mind inwards towards the baby. With each inhale, visualize strong love and warm light filling your body. As you exhale, move the warm love down to the baby. Feel connected to your breath and the baby. Imagine the baby feeling the love and becoming enclosed in the warmth and light. Continue as long as you feel comfortable. This exercise can be beneficial to all yoga practitioners and can be used to create a connection with your inner self instead.
Here’s to a new beginning this spring!

the nights are long...

So. They say that February can be the darkest and most depressing month for many people. I personally don't feel more depressed in February, but I do grow tired of the dark mornings and the cold.
I wanted to post my January/February article for the Voice. It speaks to the fact that yoga can help us feel better when we feel down and dark. It can lift your spirits and lighten your mood!

Yoga during the dark days or happy new year

During the darker months at the beginning of the year, some of us feel like we have the blues. During this time, we need to stay positive and light hearted. Yoga can help us do this. Among the many poses in yoga, my favourite Standing Forward Bend or Uttanasana, can help to calm us, relieve stress, reduce depression and improve sleep. Stand tall in Mountain Pose or Tadasana, arms at your sides; chin level with the floor, straight spine. Once you feel centered, inhale through your nose and reach your hands up to the sky. Turn your gaze upward, lift your heart and smile! Exhale, hinge at your hips and fold forward. As you fold, reach away; engage your legs for strength and support. As you move further, allow your back to release. Lower your head and allow your arms to hang towards the floor. If you feel tightness in the back of your legs, bend your knees slightly. Those with back injury can walk hands down a wall for support, only until arms are parallel with the floor. Become aware of your body releasing during the exhale. Hold the pose for 10 breaths. When you are ready, it is important to come out very slowly. Place your hands on your hips and start to inhale up. Keep your legs strong to support your lower back. Close your eyes and take a few moments to regulate your breathing. Please refrain from practising the Standing Forward Bend if you suffer from irregular blood pressure. By practising Utanasana, we can start the new year off by reaching for the stars, opening our hearts and letting go!

"the breath" - December Article for the Voice

Breathing is something we share with the earth. Trees, oceans and all living things on the earth breathe.
When I was a child, I would spend long periods of time trying to hold my breath. Through my yoga practice I learned to breathe again. From this renewed discovery, I learned that I could control my life if I could control my breathing. If anxiety gripped me, it was the breath that got me through. While learning to speak in front of a large group, it was the breath that kept me focused. Learning to control your breath not only causes a distraction, but also allows the body to regain composure and to relax. I welcome breath, I love it. It can take me where I need to go and is a constant comfort to me.
Fighting the need to breathe is something that we do everyday. The body reacts to stresses in life and we find our selves shortened on breath, while some of us do not breathe at all. Let’s look at the breath of a child. You will usually see a breath that is deep, a belly that moves to the breath and a fearless and primitive reaction in the need to feed the body oxygen.
The next time you are faced with a difficult situation, stop and take a moment to tune into your breath. Is it rapid? Erratic? Retained? Forget your situation and start from the basic inhale. Take your awareness to the depth of your belly and down into the root. Begin a deep inhale through your nose, imagining the breath filling your belly with calm and strength. Continue your inhale, slowly filling your belly and then your lungs with air. Once you have a full breath, begin the exhalation. As you exhale through your nose, become aware of the anxiety and the stress leaving your body. Watch it go. Continue this breathing until you feel a greater feeling of calm.
I use this technique almost everyday, effective at work or in my personal life.
When visiting the ocean, I am reminded that my breath is one with nature and the earth. A very simple way to see this clearly is to listen to the ebb and flow of the ocean. Become aware of the movement and match your own breath to that of the ocean. As the tide retreats, you inhale. As the tide moves into shore, you exhale. The tide’s repetitive movement is mesmerizing and relaxing, the awareness of the constant ebb and flow of your own breath can be relaxing as well.

Great news.....

Well. The best thing has happened! A friend of mine has started a local mag and she has asked me to write a monthly yoga article. I have called the article 'the yoga of everyday life'. I will be posting the articles here on the blog and once the mag website is up and running, will post a link. The mag is called the Cowichan Valley Voice or 'the Voice' for short.
The Voice was literally started one day by someone with a passion for the Cowichan Valley in British Columbia. The Voice is driven by love and contains wonderful articles and ads that showcase the beautiful Cowichan Valley area. Not just for locals, the Voice is a great read for anyone!
http://www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com/