Teacher Feature | Keia Dreger
Meet Keia.
This sparkling gem has been a part of the Yogalife family since day one at our North studio. You can find her guiding powerful hot flows and soulful, relaxing yin classes, as well as out and about in the community working her way through a variety of homegrown festivals and her own event, Mythos: A Springtime Fair. She's an adventurer with a passion for community and health, plus she makes a mean raw chocolate bar.
Read on to learn more about our girl Keia!
How did you get your yogic start? Who brought you to your first class, what was that like, and where was it?
My mom. I was probably 10. It was a community hall class just across the street. I remember thinking - that's a whole lot of ladies wiggling their butts in the air. And then I learned what downward dog was. I started really practicing with my sister as a teenage, around when Moksha first opened in Edmonton and you'd have to be there almost an hour early to make sure you got a spot. It was life changing to say the least. I wanted to be a music video director and set designer at the time. After my first few classes I knew I needed to pursue yoga further instead.
Share a favourite quote, lesson, or teaching that inspires you.
You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem;
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly
If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice…
What's your favourite music to practice to (or do you prefer silence!?)
- Downtempo, jazz. No lyrics or as minimal as possible.
Your favourite books, yogi-inspired and fiction.
- Women who run with the wolves - Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes - PURE GOLD!
- If you need a decent yogic read - Do Your Om Thing - Rebecca Pacheco
- The Pursuit of Happiness - Dalai Lama
Tell us about your first teacher training.
I was fresh 19 when I left Canada to travel and study for three months at Pyramid Yoga, on the island of Koh Phanghan is Thailand. It was purely a soul journey, my first time leaving the country on my own, and was probably the happiest memories of my teen life.
Where's your favourite vacation spot?
Oh so many. I love camping and BC as well as snowboarding in The Rockies. But honestly, anywhere with big trees makes me happy. I'd like to live in the jungle, wake up to bird calls and maybe the sound of a running river. Central America has definitely given me that. The ideal is to make that home, not just a vacation.
What is your favourite meal to make and share with friends?
Chocolate. Does that count as a meal? I love making raw healthy chocolate for my friends as well as for my business. If we are talking real food here though, I'd have to say I make a mean veggie poutine.
What's your favourite pose/sequence/area of the body to work on?
I love heart melting pose. Every class it's a given. Nothing else opens your chest and shoulders like it and really creates a space where the only true path is surrender and breath. We spend so much time hunched over, sitting at desk, checking our phone and facebook, driving... nothing like holding ourselves in the exact opposite expression for a while to bring balance to our bodies. I like going into deeper tissue, long holds and breathe. I don't like feeling rushed or like I need to keep pace with someone else. I want to make space for myself and those I teach to have enough time to feel and click into the "ah" moment of every pose.
Who inspires you?
My Dad. Always.
What is your favourite festival to attend?
I love feeling at home at Astral Harvest, as my Edmonton community thrives there. The Field in Winlaw is wonderfully homey as well.
If you could study with one person who would it be and why?
Okay this ones tough. I want to study EVERYTHING.
Hands down I'd love to spend a day picking Nassim Haramein's brain. That is if he could translate Quantum Physics into something digestible for my brain. If not I'll take Patrick Stewart so I can learn the secrets of Star Trek and space. Or maybe Suzuki.... Man there too many brilliant people to study with I literally want to learn all the things!
What is the best concert you've ever been to?
I've always been a pretty big metal-head. Seeing All Shall Perish or Protest the Hero was pretty up there for me. I honestly have such an eclectic taste in music though so it's hard to say which was the "best". I really love going to my room mates dubstep/grime shows. Local stuff is where it's at.
Where's the next place you want to travel?
Ill be in Panama next winter studying business at an Eco Village called Kalu Yala.
Share your favourite self-healing practice.
Trees, fresh air and time to be alone and process. You already are innately designed to heal, your body/mind is doing it all the time whether you are thinking about it or not. Create the space and make the time to allow it to do what it does best. Healing doesn't need anything too fancy, it needs the space, time and priority.
Share one of your life goals.
I dream of homesteading. Growing vegetables. Working with my hands. Going slow and with intention. Making really good soup. Building houses. Creating art for the sake of self expression, Caring for animals. And living right smack dab in the heart of the wilderness.
Stay Healthy, Eat Your Greens!
Mama always said...
When it comes to smoothies and fresh juices, we believe the greener the GREATER! The more plant-based nutrients you can pack into one glass, the better. Think of your fridge or grocery list like your medicine cabinet - achieve wellness by fuelling your body with the right stuff. A simple green smoothie in the morning or packed for later in the day is the perfect 'multivitamin' to boost your immune system and stay on track with your health.
Eat Your Greens!
Leafy greens are packed full of vitamins, minerals and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Try adding kale, spinach, parsley, mint or cilantro to your green concoctions! Green foods are low in sugars and packed with fibre and water, helping to regulate your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Not everything in your green drink has to be green; the higher the green content the more nutritious but sometimes you need a few other flavours to break it up. Here's some other amazing additions that boost flavour and still pack a health punch:
- fresh-squeezed lemon, grapefruit or orange
- honey
- apple
- any berries
- cold tea
- watermelon
Nurtured, Centered, and Relaxed
Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.
Nurtured, Centered, and Relaxed: A Restorative Yoga and Meditation Workshop with Emily McNicoll
Life can be busy. Culturally we have a tendency to be action orientated. Our to-do lists seem long, thoughts abundant, and our ability to truly connect to the present moment may be lacking. It is in the present moment however, we can begin to connect with a patient, beautiful, quiet sense of being. Within that sense of being we can return our nervous systems to a place of ease, our minds to a place of peace, and our hearts to a place of thankfulness and celebration.
Benefits of Restorative Yoga
- Balances your nervous system
- Help to heal pain and emotional injuries
- Quiets your mind
- Boosts your immune system
- Enhances flexibility and opens the body
- Gives you a deeper understanding of how and where you carry stress
Please join Emily this Saturday, November 5th in this three hour exploration of nurturing restorative yoga, simple pranayama (breathing exercises) and centering, guided meditation. Your body is sure to feel relaxed, your mind to feel at ease, and your whole being tenderly cared for. No previous experience needed.
Nurtured, Centered, and Relaxed: A Restorative Yoga and Meditation Workshop with Emily McNicoll
- Saturday, November 5 || 2:30-5:30pm
- Yogalife Studios North
A bit about your instructor, Emily McNicoll
Yoga has introduced me to a better version of myself. I've met a kinder, more loving, less reactive, compassionate human. It has gifted me with stronger boundaries yet softer edges. I've uncovered a grace, a greater thirst for adventure, and better sense of humour, thank God. The practice has helped to widen my heart, humble my head, and thankfully introduced me to a woman who believes in herself.
Teaching yoga allows me to create an inclusive environment in which humans can foster a relationship with the best version of themselves. I hold a sacred space for people to celebrate what makes them unique, beautiful, and authentic. My hope is that my students feel empowered, fall deeply in love with themselves, and inevitably know the gift of helping other humans celebrate their own lives.
Perhaps most important of all: I have been shown that I am in no way entitled to this breath, this Earth, or this body. Everyday it is my responsibility to pause, bow my head, and say "thank you" for all that I have been gifted. Our planet has graciously shared her space with me and I am forever grateful.
MONTHLY BEATS • Sunday Love
For our November playlist, we made a mix for you to enjoy on a Sunday. To sing to, to relax to, to dance to...
Check it out. Sip on your coffee, tea or mimosa.
Put together by C Hui.
Yoga for Athletes
Yoga for Athletes by guest blogger, Carolyn Fallon.
Throughout most of my life I have been an athlete of some kind – whether it was participating in various sports in school or playing recreationally on different club and intramural teams in and after college. As an avid athlete, I find that there are other aspects that are part of being an athlete than just the physical skill that each particular sport calls for. There is a need for various characteristics personality-wise, but what I find is extremely important no matter what sport I am playing is the need to be fit and in shape in every way possible. As I have (yes, I will admit I have been out of college for a few years…) gotten a bit older, I have come to find that yoga is a great activity that allows me to be fit regardless if I am playing sports still, and also helps me have an edge over all the athletes out there that believe there is no “real use” for yoga!
Of all the workout styles, yoga is the oldest and most comprehensive practice combining weight-bearing exercise, cardiovascular endurance and meditation. Many people associate yoga with general fitness or just for people who “aren’t athletic”, but a growing body of literature on the effects of yoga on athletic training is changing this. Researchers have found a number of unique and positive results that have come from athletes adopting a regular yoga routine.
Yoga begins with a focus on increasing self-awareness. It starts with the control of breath. Once the individual has learned the use of different breathing styles effectively, these are incorporated into both static poses and dynamic movements that differ based on the particular school of yoga. Once these beginning aspects of yoga have been mastered, athletes can begin to use yoga to propel themselves past the workout plateau by increasing athletic strength and flexibility, while also protecting themselves from various injuries.
Yoga and Strength There are all kinds of ways that yoga can increase an athlete’s strength, training potential and even their recovery time. Just from the practice of controlling one’s breathing, results have been found in the increased strength of people’s grips. Additionally, as athletes become more practiced in yoga they will begin to move in to more vigorous types of yoga, such as power yoga and ashtanga, which will demand more exertion from them physically, and in turn improve their strength over time. Furthermore, because specific sports tend to emphasize certain muscle groups at the expense of others, yoga allows athletes to increase their core strength (and seriously, who doesn’t want that?!) and ultimately optimize their overall training efficiency!
Yoga and Flexibility Athletes have more to worry about than just muscle strength. The tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues of the joints must be trained to handle the extra work of the muscles. Unfortunately, athletes often face the reality of compromised joint health after only one or two decades of training! This problem is largely preventable with the practice of yoga. In fact, many orthopedic surgeons attest that yoga is excellent for strengthening both flexibility and balance. I think we can all agree that these are both pretty important aspects for any type of athlete!
Yoga as Injury Prevention
No matter what sport is involved, the constant movement and exertion that is expected of an athlete’s body can be exhausting. Exercising in general can make one’s legs, back, shoulders, and many other body parts feel sore and tight. Restorative yoga can help athletes to get back to their normal range of motion, which prevents future problems from occurring the next time they are active. Another benefit of yoga in injury prevention is the effect of increased circulation and reduced swelling which allows athletes to return to normal training without a hitch.
Yoga has so much to offer the modern athlete! It combines a body-focused meditation with complete joint and muscle workout, and has proven results that include better muscle coordination, faster recovery times, reduced fatigue due to efficient oxygen use, improvement to long-term joint stability and a reduction in athletic injuries. With so many benefits coming from the practice of yoga, what athlete wouldn’t want to try it out?!
Hone Your Happiest Heart: 3 Poses to Experience Your HeartSpace
The heart is a beautiful place for space.
Our yoga practice reminds us constantly to make space: make space in our life from what doesn't serve us; make space in our tissues through asana, breath and awareness; make space in our mind by quieting our thoughts and focusing on a single intention. We can let this idea of 'making space' influence more areas of our life as we clarify and simplify our surroundings, our things, our schedules. When we look at all the areas we could, in fact, make space - clear out and refresh - the opportunities are endless. May we suggest starting with the space of your heart, your centre, as a beautiful place for space.
Only one book is worth reading: the heart.
~Ajahn Chah
The heart is a 3D organ (like all organs!) and should be regarded as such when we think about creating space. Translation: we're not just opening the front line! Eagle arms are an amazing way to bring space into the heartspace that lives in the back body. Invite your breath into the back of your heart; visualize the expansion along the skin of the posterior wall of your heart and experience the sensation of stretching from this place.
Backbends are a beautiful way to move into your heartspace. If you are moving from a standing position, start in your feet, grounding into the earth to create clear stability. Backbends require trust, a quality that the heart certainly appreciates. When you are grounded and aware you are able to move more safely and freely into this sometimes vulnerable place: the front of your heart.
Lift the front seam of your chest, roll your shoulders down your back and create length up and out of your waist as you gently press your hips forward. Enjoy freedom around your collarbones and ribs as your breath flows into these spaces. Ahhhh!
Give your heart the space to radiate.
An energetic quality of the heart is that it radiates. You can feel warmth in your chest when you experience feelings of love and joy; you can also feel a withdrawal of space or tightening in times of stress or emotional pain. If we come back to the 360 degree visualization of the heart we can relate to how beneficial child's pose is to create space all around the heart - to let it radiate.
Radiate Love.
Draw your hands to the top of your mat and relax into your elbows as you sink your forehead into the earth and relax your belly through your knees. As your hips sink back to your heels, invite your breath to wash down your spine into your tailbone, encouraging the heart to radiate outward in all directions with this breath. Breathe to expand your ribs wide, to draw your shoulders down your back. Creating this physical space with breath will let the heartspace soften and radiate in all directions.
All yoga can be heart-focused. There are certainly shapes you can make to target this space physically, but you can hold intention and awareness in your heart always, directing your breath into the centre of your heart and radiating out from that place.
Wishing you a happy, spacious heart 💖💖💖
MONTHLY BEATS • love us some deep practice beats
Check out our little monthly mix for October. Practice a full deep flow with this movement provoking playlist. Love yourself, set up your mat, your music and get your sun salutations on.
This playlist is curated by Yogalife's own Caren Hui - studio owner.
BLOOM Festival 2016 October 13 -16th
Photos by Des Iles Photography
It's that time again! The time to BLOOM together with our amazing and vibrant YEG (and beyond!) yoga community. We are counting down the days til this treasured local event kicks off; 4 days of yoga, workshops, keynote speakers, concerts, celebrations alongside lifestyle, wellness and entrepreneurial workshops in the heart of Edmonton's Rivervalley at Fort Edmonton Park, Alfred Savage Centre and other local venues.
BLOOM 2016 is a 4 day immersion of yoga, music, meditation and inspirational keynote speakers designed to make your LIFE BLOOM.
Be ready to MOVE and BE MOVED.
Myrah & Robindra, the beautiful humans that bring us Bloom!
This year's Bloom Festival headliners are world renowned Yoga instructors Janet Stone and Nicki Doane alongside an incredible array of local favourites including Sarah Zandbeek, Michele Theoret and Cole Williston (to name a few). Not into the physical practice of yoga? That's ok! The keynote talks and experiences don't require a sticky mat or yoga pants so if you are into living the life of your dreams, meeting inspiring people and building the Edmonton Community, JOIN US!
The Bloom Celebration Gala (not to miss) takes place Saturday, October 15th and features the musical stylings of Dj Drez, Sheela Bringi, Poirier, Marti Nikko, Waymatea Ellis, Vik Maraj and more guests. The Bloom Celebration Gala is included in the 4 day, 3 day and 2 day passes.
Find your Yogalife Studios team throughout the weekend and be sure to come get a hug!
Raw, Vegan and Packed With Energy
Superfood snacks for the go go yogi
su·per·food
ˈso͞opərˌfo͞od/
noun
a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.
One of our favourite tools in the kitchen has to be the food processor, that instrument that allows you to throw it all in, mash it up, keep it raw and get creative. Superfood energy balls are one of the easiest, tastiest and healthiest snacks out there - the more you add to them the better for you they become!
We had a gander through our cupboards and found the following to create these raw, vegan (and mostly organic!) treats:
- cacao nibs
- shredded coconut
- gogi berries
- leftover trail mix
- pitted dates
- pumpkin seed butter
- raw pumpkin seeds
- hemp hearts
- ground chia seeds
The glory of keeping your cupboards stocked with some of these suggestions is that not only do they mash up beautifully into little energy ball snacks, they double as smoothie additions, salad toppings or an extra flare to your stir fry! Here' some other suggestions for a superfood-stocked kitchen. Keep in mind, some work better in energy balls than others! We're just trying to get the wheels turning.
- dried blueberries, cranberries or apricots
- maca powder
- flax seeds
- seaweed
- kale
- mangosteens
- black garlic
- nutritional yeast
Keep this list on hand as you cruise through the grocery store, adding a few of these nutrient-packed options to your cart each time you shop. Growing the collection is fun and really good for you. Win win!
Empowered Body Book Launch
Yoga Night in Edmonton!
Last week a bunch of beautiful friends from the Edmonton Yoga Community and beyond gathered to celebrate the launch of Michele Theoret's new book, 'Empowered Body'. Michele is the creator and primary facilitator of Empowered Yoga and Lifestyle, an organization that "empower[s] students through experience, movement, meditation, and education to become more engaged in their moment-to-moment experiences, transforming the way they show up in their bodies and life" - www.micheletheoretyoga.ca
The event was hosted at the Mosaic Centre in south Edmonton, an amazing net-zero building that is home to some really neat spaces, including Workshop Eatery who supplied the yummy snacks for the evening! With tons of natural light, earth elements and glowing yogis, this night was simply divine.
The Event
Aside from the awesome snacks, space and company, we were all really there for one reason - Michele! She took her time to reconnect and give personal thanks for the support, greeting each and every one of us at the door with a huge smile and hug! The highlight of the whole event was the speech Michele delivered, drawing on her work over the past 20 plus years. Many of the Edmonton yoga teachers in the room were nodding along as she shared anecdotes of her own learnings, reminiscent of trainings past they had shared with Michele.
The Message
Transform the way you show up in your body and life. Connect to your inner compass. make empowered choices. live on purpose. Lasting health and vitality is a result of awareness, alignment and integrity.
As yogis, these are words we can get behind. Michele, we are SO proud of you and cannot wait to dive into 'Empowered Body'. Thank you for showing up in our lives, in your life, and for bringing us all together to celebrate! From our family to yours, namaste.
Purchase your copy of Empowered Body by Michele Theoret here!
Edmonton Hot Yoga Community, We Love You!
The Edmonton hot yoga family is strong
Let's face it, Edmonton has had an interesting summer for weather this year. We've been subject to some scorching hot days, crazy thunder storms and humidity like never before! As yeggers, we know this all over weather is par for the course, so it doesn't shock us over here at Yogalife Studios when we see your shining faces come through the door multiple times a week to get your hot yoga fix. We love providing you humidity addicts with another hour in the heat to stretch out and relax from your day. The Edmonton hot yoga community is unstoppable!
Here's a few reasons why WE love hot yoga as much as you do - a reminder to why we continue coming back to our mats even on the hottest, sweatiest days in Edmonton. Check out our full list of yoga benefits here!
Detoxification
All yoga is cleansing, but hot yoga allows our body to flush out toxins through the skin because, well, things get SWEATY! Detoxification year round is important and summer is no exception. Weddings, parties, barbecues and all sorts of other fun, food-and-drink-filled festivities call for a few hot yoga classes a week to keep our systems in balance.
Going Deeper
When we feel safe we feel open; the heat of the hot yoga room warms us to the core and allows us to begin opening up deeper, safely. When our muscles are genuinely warm, we can approach the postures from a safer place. With the body feeling more limber, we can try to go for that bind, or deepen that back bend. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with the willingness our bodies take on in the heat! In the same breath, it is incredibly important to always listen to your body and beware of going past the "edge" of your pose. Know that your body is more open in the heat and respect your boundaries.
Letting Go
The heat of the room can be overwhelming at times, and the amount we sweat can be even more alarming. When we embrace the sweat and settle in with the heat, the practice becomes that much more enjoyable. We are the Edmonton hot yoga community for a reason - we love to sweat and we love being in the heat! If you are newer to the practice, don't stress if you don't let go and love these things right away. It often takes a little while to become comfortable with the inevitabilities of hot yoga - keep coming back to your breath, take breaks, and reach for that water bottle whenever you need! Chances are, you're going to feel amazing at the end of the class, especially if you listen to yourself and take those breaks when you need them. In this practice we not only let go of the "omg it's way too hot" or "wow I'm sweating so much, this is gross" - we let go of needing to be something, or "keeping up", and we embrace exactly where we're at. We let go of the ego, we embrace ourselves.
Thank you for creating this Edmonton hot yoga community, for continuing to make it to your mat to sweat it out, connecting with yourself and everyone in the room. Keep it up!
The Relaxed Yogi Evening Guide
This pre-snooze routine is the perfect wind down to transition into dreamland.
Settling down in the evening can be a task, especially if the daytime was demanding and your internal pilot is stuck on GO! Often we will come home from a crazy day and make choices that may not be the most mindful; our evening 'routine' may look more like 'fall onto couch until I slink into bed' or 'let the wired-ness from my day spill all over my home time'. With a few simple steps, the evening can be one of the most sacred times for self-care. There's something very comforting about prepping your nest: consciously winding down and reflecting from your day, giving your body a few gentle reminders to soften and release the tensions of hours past and even adding a few gentle herbs to assist the regime.
It is true that our morning routine sets the tone for our day - but our evening sets the tone for our morning! Plus, a good sleep is unparalleled.
It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it. – John Steinbeck
Step One: Forward Fold
This is the perfect place to hang out after any sort of day - to find space and quiet the mind. Ground your feet, pour your heart out and breathe. This shape allows your spine to decompress; it sinks you into the structure of your feet and automatically grounds you to the earth. Forward fold calms the mind and quells anxiety as the stress of your day drips off your back. Spend at least a minute here, adding some weight to the pose by grabbing opposite elbows and swaying gently through your spine. Find more details on modifications for this luxurious pose here.
Step Two: Supported Recline: Gentle Supine Heart Opener
It's not uncommon for us to spend the majority of our day favouring the frontline - a nice way of saying rounding forward or hunching. Freeing up our heartspace before bed is not only relaxing and restoring to the body but helps us land from our day mentally and emotionally as well. This is generally best achieved by using a firm bolster, but you can create the same effect with pillows or rolled up blankets if that's what is available. Place your prop at the base of your spine and lay back, resting your head at the top or even letting it drape off the end if your neck agrees. Drape your arms open in a T and relax your legs in a butterfly shape, extended straight or with props underneath your knees for extra support. Breath is your masseuse here - focus entirely on the rhythm of your inhale and exhale as a means to soften you entirely. Enjoy the gentle stretch of your inhale and the full release of your exhale, giving into the shape that your body melts to. Hold your shape for at least 3 minutes, staying anywhere up to 20 if you're loving it! Learn more about yin yoga postures here.
Step Three: Meditation
Our poses always prep us to sit quietly, and although these last two shapes are most certainly meditative, it is always nice to continue with the cultivated silence and seal off your day. With spine softened and heart opened, connected to breath and intention of relaxation set, sitting for even 5-10 minutes is a natural step in your evening routine. Remember, it's ok if your busy mind has followed you into your evening, you are simply taking the steps to wind down, whatever that means for you. Come back to the intntion of relaxation and continue to indulge in your breath for as long as you can. Check out our "Busy Person's Guide to Meditation" for more tips towards your seated practice.
Don't forget the tea!
Anything herbal will be soothing and relaxing to accompany your evening routine, but if you're looking for an extra (un)boost, try a blend with valerian root, passionflower herb and lemon balm leaf. Share your favourite evening routines with us! We'd love to hear what winds you down. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or never hesitate to say hello, caitlin@yogalifestudios.ca.
Namaste and sweet dreams! xo
Living Balanced, Living Fully
Living balanced is the key to living fully
At Yogalife Studios the question "what does living fully mean to you" comes up frequently in our discussions. When we boil down everything that we're passionate about - health, fitness, family, friends, art, creating, breathing, music, travel, career, reading, writing, cooking... - it all ties into the "live fully" lifestyle. There's a difference between living fully and burning yourself out though, the central theme in the following guest post from Allie White. We must live balanced to live fully.
Allie White, creator of Allie White Wellness, is a Transformational Holistic Health Coach and all-around wealth of knowledge in all things healthy and happy. Her mantra is clear: Helping fun-loving women experience a whole new level of energy, beauty, and confidence so they can create the body and life they love with ease. Read on!
Are you living a balanced lifestyle?
My goal is to help you create a more balanced lifestyle so that you can shine, not just in one area of your life, but in ALL areas of your life! But first, why am I talking about living a more balanced lifestyle?
We spend a lot of time compartmentalizing the various areas of our lives: relationships, career, money, exercise, health… but we all know that if one area is out of whack, our WHOLE life is affected. Imagine making tons of money AND being in a loving, happy marriage BUT you have no time to exercise. Pretty soon you will appreciate your flow of money and love less simply because your body is not getting the exercise it needs to feel alive and energized.
That’s why it’s so important to think of your life as one holistic pie and to make the decision to put your energy into making every piece of that pie as yummy as possible!
So what would creating a more balanced lifestyle look like? Great question! Creating a more balanced lifestyle would mean taking a really good look at all areas of your life: relationships, career, money, exercise, health, spirituality, creativity…and making decisions about what is and isn’t working in each area. In the area of health, balance might look like clean eating (I’m talking real, whole foods not dieting!), plenty of veggies, eating organic as much as possible, drinking clean water, getting outdoors, plenty of sleep, exercise, meditation, deep breathing, cleansing, smiling more, laughing, more yoga, self care, joy, and gratitude.
Sometimes the reason we stay stuck in unhealthy or unhappy areas of our lives is because it’s easier, in a way, to stay stuck in the familiarity than to find the creativity and energy to make the changes needed to improve our quality of life and move into the unknown.
Change can be scary!
But don’t worry, I am here to help you begin to IMAGINE what your life in balance would look and feel like…you are not alone! But first...
How will I know if my current lifestyle is unbalanced?
● Are you used to getting things done on your own, but could use a little support? ● Do you want to build a healthier relationship to food? ● Do you eat when you are bored, angry, sad, or stressed out? ● Do you want to develop a deeper connection to yourself and others? ● Do you want to be empowered to be your own health expert? ● Do you want to be inspired about healthy cooking? ● Do you want to discover optimal eating for your unique body? ● Do you want more confidence, energy, and self-acceptance? ● Do you want to be challenged in new ways? ● Do you want to be held accountable to show up for yourself?
What do I do now?
Dive deeper into the questions above instead of answering yes or no. Take out your journal and be as honest and detailed as possible. You may be surprised at what emerges that may have previously been unexpressed. Next, make a list of what is working and what is not working for you under each of the following categories: relationships, career, money, exercise, health, spirituality, joy, and creativity.
What does a balanced lifestyle mean to you? What will having more balance in these areas look like for you? How can you create this on your terms? Imagine your dream lifestyle. What does that look like? What would an ideal day look like to you? What do you want more of? How do you want to feel? What’s important about that? Where in life are you settling? What are you no longer willing to tolerate?
Honesty plays a big part here. Don’t be tempted to create a life based on what you think you should be doing or what other people in your life think you should be doing. What does YOUR dream life look like? Know the difference. Trust your inner wisdom.
The goal here is to feel more fulfilled in all areas of your life. Remember this isn’t about perfection based on expectations it’s about meaningful progress and creating a magnificent life on your terms. A life that allows you to express the best version of who you are.
If you are ready to embrace the best version of your life possible, I'd love to assist and support your journey. Click here to schedule a time to talk with me about the important steps to take to make changes in your lifestyle that will help you CREATE your DREAM life!
To your vibrant health! Allie
Check out Allie's
and get in touch with her at
So Fresh | Basil Strawberry Lemonade
Freshen up with this simple Basil Strawberry Lemonade
It's summer and fresh, tasty drinks are essential. What's fresher than lemon? Maybe lemon and strawberry. What's tastier than strawberry and lemon? Lemon, strawberry and basil, of course!
Making infused lemonade is what we like to call "easy fancy", especially when thrown in a wine glass. Even fancier? Sparkling water! For our variation we chose orange Perrier, which may have broken the fancy meter. Be careful, but DO try this at home.
Basil Strawberry Lemonade
Fresh Basil
Strawberries, sliced (ours were frozen for extra chill)
Fresh squeezed lemon
Water, sparkling or still
Variety is the spice of life; perhaps you add some agave syrup, coconut water, mint, blueberries... the possibilities are endless. Enjoy fresh, light drinks all summer long!
It's Better Together: a story of friendship
Yoga and Friendship
At a recent photo shoot for the upcoming quarter at Yogalife Studios, our photographer/writer/instructor, Caitlin Varrin, brought along her friend Tasha to the south studio to hang out and enjoy the afternoon - snap some photos, have some laughs. This was the place they met - Yogalife Studios South - both no strangers to hanging out together in that tea lounge. We got to talking about how their friendship grew from Yogalife and thought it would be a nice story to share! Please enjoy this write-up from our student Tasha Molly, Yogalifer and friend.
Yoga has changed my life in more ways than one. It's helped keep me sane; it's been an outlet for emotions I didn't even know I had; it's taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things in life - because if you blink, they'll pass you by without you even noticing.
Yes, yoga has taught me to wake up and smell the roses, but one of the most important things it has brought me is the most beautiful people: one of my nearest and dearest friends in the form of a pint-sized but also larger than life, dancing jumping bean with brown hair, glasses and huge beautiful eyes that see through all the junk. Caitlin. I wouldn't trade that friendship for anything - it's priceless.
Rewind 5 years ago. I had been going to Yogalife South for about 6 months. I walk into my regular 8:30 hot flow class, lay down on my mat and close my eyes. A few minutes later I hear this girl's voice - "wait a minute, that's not Graham!" (I always get a little wigged out when there's a sub for one of my favourite teachers because sometimes it's not quite the same.)
But to my surprise, this girl had THE most amazing taste in music and was always cracking jokes, laughing at herself if she stumbled over her sequence. It was just so so easy to be around her and to feel instantly comfortable. Our closing song in savasana was one of my all time favourites by Bon Iver, 'Skinny Love'. As it started to play, I laid there with a huge grin on my face; as soon as I got up, I knew I had to speak to this person. So without even going into the change room, I sprinted out to the tea lounge and there she was, looking like a drowned rat just like me, smiling.
One huge, sweaty hug later and we both knew that the person standing before us was one that we wanted to keep for life. We would hang out before class, after class and basically whenever we had a spare second. No matter how much we saw each other - or didn't see each other - it was always the same. We never skipped a beat.
The bond that her and I have is palpable - you can touch it, you can see it, you can feel it. We are always there for each other for a good laugh, cry and otherwise. When things aren't going right and neither of us can find the strength and energy to be positive, we are there to pick each other up, to listen, to learn, to grow. We allow the other room to be sad and angry, and then dust the other off to keep on going. There has never been a time where Caitlin hasn't been there to keep me honest and accountable; love me through all of my ups and downs - really high highs and really low lows.
I feel so grateful every single day that I have been blessed with such an amazing, grounding, hilarious, inspirational and real friend - a partner in crime. I really don't know what I would do without her!
Love you too, Tasha! xo
Get To Know Our Favourite Yoga Jams
Tunes to make you move
Sometimes there's nothing like an awesome playlist to sink you into your practice. Music can stir emotion, transporting you upward and inward. The style of yoga often reflects the style of music that accompanies; some practices are better left silent, some feel SO good with bangin' tunes. Whether you prefer "yoga" music - mantra inspired and calming - or something a little more unconventional, building your perfect playlist to take you through your practice can be a practice in itself! Here's a few suggestions to get you started. Follow us on Soundcloud as we continue to build our list of favourites!
If you practice at our studios regularly, you've probably heard this beautiful, soothing track floating around the room. We're still waiting for it to get old... we know it won't. Check out everything ever put out by Alina Baraz & Galimatias, you won't be disappointed!
When we heard "Could" last year, we immediately wanted to dance and stretch simultaneously. This is the mark of a good "yoga tune" - one that invokes playfulness and warmth.
Of course this list wouldn't be complete without a DJ Drez tune. Blending rich dub vibes and loving lyrics, any Drez track sounds good in a yoga room.
RY X's "Berlin" is hauntingly beautiful, the perfect addition to savasana or sprinkled into a softer practice. It speaks for itself.
We could go on for days; there's so much good music out there that makes us want to move (or be very, very still)! Are you a music junkie too? Send us your favourites! caitlin@yogalifestudios.ca
4 Poses to Embrace the Radiant Energy of the Full Moon
The full moon is a time to express, play, create and ignite! At this phase in the lunar cycle we can check in with intentions set at the new moon, summoning the full expansion and expression of these goals. We can stoke the fires of our potential and play with endless possibility. Everything is intensified during a full moon, so creating a calm internal landscape and feeling grounded in your space will help to channel this powerful energy. Today we are sharing 4 poses with variations to ground into your body and earth while embracing the radiance of Luna's sweet energy!
Downward Dog
A staple in most asana practices, Downward Dog brings us through our whole body. This shape connects us to the earth and the sky as we cultivate a full body stretch and awakening. In your full moon flow, think of grounding your hands through your mat and into the earth to anchor and stabilize you. Breathe into the back of your heart, feel a full expansion through your belly and torso and imagine the energy of the moon bathing over your back and absorbing into your spine.
Playful variations on downward dog can manifest as simple, gentle movement to lifting a leg and finding more space through your side body. Let this expression come from a place of sensation - moving because it feels good. You may choose to flip your dog over into wild thing if you're feeling spicy, shining your heart straight up to the full moon! Make sure you are warm before adding this back bend into the equation.
Bridge, Wheel or Standing Back Bend
Back bends create space in the front energy line of the body, opening us up to receive in our heart centre. As you come into your pose, feel a deep connection through your roots: the parts of you touching the earth. Again, any variations within this asana will create grounding, connection and expansion, so whether you are pressing into your hands and feet for wheel, your shoulders and feet for bridge, or simply your feet for a standing variation, visualize a strong connection earthward. From here you are drawing your heart towards the sky, absorbing the energy from above through your front body.
Back bends are energizing as it is, so take time to restore and sit with the sensations of the opening after each round in your practice. Breath is the key tool for expanding deeper within each variation, breathing into the back of your heart so soften and create buoyancy.
Warrior 3 with Half Moon Variation
Balancing poses allow us to liven up our entire system; we draw energy from the earth and connect with our core to stabilize, we find the meditative "sweet spot" as we gracefully suspend our bodies in space. Warrior 3 channels our visual awareness down into the earth, growing invisible roots from our eyes into the ground. We feel that same awareness radiating up through our back body as if the back of our heart was staring at the moon. It is from this pairing of deep connection both earthbound and to the sky that we can then expand and deepen into the pose.
With hips squared down to the earth we can play around with variations in our arms: arms in a T shape to expand beyond our mat; hands clasped behind our tailbone to bring space to the front of our heart and shoulders. Invite radiant breath to expand and micro adjust in your shape. To transition into half moon pose, reach a hand towards the earth to stabilize, steadying your gaze down first, then invite the opposite hip to stack, opening your pelvis to the long edge of your mat and bringing your arms, shoulders and ribs to stack as well. Gaze may follow towards the moon, continuing to receive the energy from above and within.
Child's Pose
With the electricity of full moon energy it is important to ground into yourself - to rest and relax. If you are creating a high energy full moon flow, you may choose to invite a nice long child's pose towards the end of your practice as you start to bring the energy down. If you are focusing on a more slow, steadying and grounding practice, you may come to this asana frequently throughout your practice. Feel your breath wash over your back body, ride the natural wave of your spine, and feel that space absorbing the radiant energy of the full moon!
What are your favourite full moon poses? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook, or IRL at Yogalife Studios North or South!
Festival Season Kicks Off With A Pre-Stretch!
Once Summer hits, there is no lack of amazing events around our city and beyond! Music festivals are growing beyond just music and there is an integration and overlap into many other offerings. Yoga has become a huge part of the festival community, and every year you can find a few Yogalife Studios instructors heading up workshops and related local events.
Astral Harvest is a celebration of music, art, knowledge, community and the human experience.
We are just under a month away from Astral Harvest Music and Arts Festival, a 4-day gathering in Driftpile, Alberta that boasts international musical acts, yoga and movement workshops, art, seminars and beyond. This family friendly event is in its 9th season, running from June 30 - July 3. The Astral Harvest crew hosts an assortment of pre-festival events throughout the summer; this year you can find a "Pre-Stretch" series added to that line-up!
"Astral Harvest offers so much more than music - yoga is such a big part of the festival and our community. This year we wanted to showcase this in our pre-festival series to give that part of the festival the same exposure."
- Jordan Smoliak, Festival Director and Founder
With over 100 different "Experience" workshops, ranging from Crochet 101 to Psychedelic Light Meditation, Astral Harvest really has something for everyone. Peruse the full line-up of unique offerings here!
Astral Harvest Pre-Stretch #2
The next event in the pre-festival series is coming up this Friday, June 10 with Caitlin Varrin and Jen Maio at Be Hot Yoga Wellness. The evening kicks off at 7pm with practice casually commencing around 7:20. Expect a live DJ, snacks and treats and the chance to win a weekend pass to Astral Harvest!
Astral Harvest Music and Arts Festival 2016 ticket winner!
Find Your Yogalife Instructors at Astral Harvest
Graham Parsons | Laughter Yoga: Re-Igniting Your Joy Circuitry
This workshop is an opportunity to learn how to employ laughter the same way we employ breath in a yoga practice: to enliven, to harmonize, to clarify. Through interactive laughter exercises, we can play off of one another to unearth a plethora of benefits. Laughter sends strong signals of well-being throughout the body & mind, nurturing our respiratory, immune & endocrine systems, to name but a few.
Myrah Penaloza & Robindra Mohar | Align To Your Source: Deep House Nada Yoga
Join Myrah & Robindra for an immersive journey through Kundalini & Sattva Yoga set to the sounds of a Global Journey of Deep House, Tribal and Bedoiun sounds taking you from Alberta to the moon, India and back.
The experience will begin with talks by Myrah & Robindra about aligning your life to the source of your joy. We talk about alignment in the physical practises of yoga for a reason. The body, breath and mind share the same space and when we learn to use the concept of alignment in all areas of our lives we will find ourselves awakening to the life of our dreams much faster than any 5 or 10 year plan you might have.
We will explore the astrology of the time/day that this experience begins together, we will practise activating kundalini yoga kriyas, we will DANCE like no one is watching and we will end the class with a grounding & deeply healing Gong Meditation.
We are so excited to connect with our community on the dance floor and on our mats/in the grass, under the sunshine and stars. Find tickets to Astral Harvest Season 9
VIRYA CHALLENGE
Virya means diligence, effort and enthusiasm
Yoga is an inward journey for all of us so allow yourself the time and space to develop your own personal practice.
VIRYA CHALLENGE
USE EXISTING MONTHLY PASS OR SIGN UP FOR $99 PER MONTH COMPLETION OF CHALLENGE GIVES YOU 15% OFF THE $99 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP VALIANT EFFORT & PARTICIPATION GIVES YOU 10% OFF THE $99 MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP
FOR OUR ORIGINAL REGULAR MONTHLY MEMBERS WE HAVE PRIZES FOR YOU FOR COMPLETING THE CHALLENGE
WRAP UP PARTY SWAG FROM OUR AWESOME PARTNERS PRIZES TO DRAW
BUY MONTHLY PASS
You can sign up at the studio. Find the board and put your name on it. Start counting on July 1st.
Yoga Ed. Kids Yoga Teacher Training at Yogalife Studios
Yoga Ed. is an educational program dedicated to changing education through the practice of yoga. Their mission is to empower school communities with yoga to cultivate health and wellness in children and teens.
Through evidence-based Professional Institutes, Professional Development, and Educational Resources, Yoga Ed. equips educators with yoga tools to integrate yoga for children and teens into academic environments.
We are so excited to offer this amazing training to our community at Yogalife through the Yoga Ed. training program. To gain a little more insight on the benefits of kids yoga and the training itself, we caught up with yoga educator and Yoga Ed. trainer, Akiko McLeod. Akiko is facilitating the upcoming training at Yogalife Studios South on June 9-12.
Yogalife and Akiko McLeod: a conversation about Yoga Ed. and kids yoga.
My name is Akiko McLeod. I am a yoga educator, Yoga Ed. Trainer and a mother of two. I always wanted to do yoga with my own children so right after my first one was born, I researched kids yoga training and then I met Yoga Ed.. I started as an educator as I have been working closely with Yoga Ed. and decided to take this role to the next level to become a Trainer.
What's a notable experience or memorable situation you have seen in a classroom or with a child that has really stuck with you as a facilitator? One of my students told me, "Mrs. Akiko, I do ocean breath in bed before I go to sleep because this makes me feel calm and relaxed...I love it.". When children bring yoga into their daily life (outside of yoga classes), it makes this all worth while.
In your opinion, what are the best benefits for children in yoga? Self-awareness and self-regulation. Yoga supports children in observing their emotions and feelings. They use yoga tools to manage and shift their emotions and feelings.
Who is this training for and what can we expect? This training is for anybody who is eager to support children's health and wellness, whether you are a yoga instructor, a classroom teacher, a parent or a health practitioner. You will gain a deeper understanding of children physically, emotionally and developmentally with specific yoga techniques which will allow you to maximize support of your children. The Yoga Ed. program is evidence-based and also aligned with Alberta's PE standard.
If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation. — Dalai Lama
Join us June 9-12 at Yogalife Studios South for this opportunity to learn to connect with children through yoga~
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