Recipe Requests

Banana Cran Bread

Wet Ingredients: Mix in large bowl

3 mashed bananas

1 beautiful egg or two egg whites (both opt.)

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 plain greek yogurt (opt. or any kind)

2 tbp cinnamon

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 maple syrup

1/4 cup vanilla soy/almond/rice/coconut milk

1 cup fresh cranberries (Opt.)

1/4 cup raisons (Opt.)

1/4 Walnuts (opt.)

1/4 Cup Pumpkin Seeds (opt.)

1 Chopped Apple or Pear (Opt.)

1/4 Cup (rolled date pieces)

Dry:mix in medium bowl & add to wet ingredients bowl.

1.5 cups flour (your choice, ex: brown rice flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

Combine, spray loaf pan and bake @ 385 degrees for 40-45 mins :)

More recipes on their way!

Yoga Trunks

Attention... attention... this just in... Yoga Trunks exist. What does a Yoga trunk sound like to you? Take a minute.. pause... breathe in and breathe out.

Okay- so the first thing that comes to mind when I hear trunk, is a trunk in an attic filled with my grandparents old and dusty things. Trunks also represent a drinking spout for an elephant. I cannot imagine someone wanted old Yoga clothes from my Grandparents attic that makes them look like an elephant? Picture this, a gentle sun salution dressed up in old elephant clothes. Oh goodness who thought of this title for clothing sales? I hope they are not Canadian.

People shopping for slique yoga gear are looking for something to really help them move through the postures. The latest fad is owning a great pair of Yoga pants. The pants that lift and support your lower physique. It is hard to access these great slacks and it is not going to be obvious when you call your show a Yoga Trunk Show.

This spurred from a random experience. Two Yoga Trunk reps came into the studio where I teach. They barely shared any information and disapeared as soon as the class was complete.

Better Blogs are in the making!!!! namamamamaste

Yoga Introductions

Practicing with a group of Yogis does not require a formal introduction. A group can meet for the same purpose, Yoga, and find harmony through their breath, body and mind. Yoga is a great way to find equality; however, for new Yoga practitioners accepting all aspects of Yoga can be extremely foreign and uncomfortable.

This week I have asked each student to introduce themselves at the beginning of class. The introduction is a simple way to eliminate the discomfort experienced in unfamiliar Yoga territory. Letting each student say their name aloud helps to ease the tense energy brought into the room. Individuals practice for months before they informally speak to the instructor or to the Yogis who inhabit their classes. Human interaction can be extremely awkward and it is important for the instructor to maintain a level of comfort while guiding a group through a Yoga practice.

Instructors can remind students to eliminate judgment from their thoughts. Encourage students to focus on their breath and the benefits from each asana. Using the students’ names and your words of encouragement, always help to brighten the comfort level. Students face challenges when presented a unfamiliar Yoga flow. Stepping out of your comfort zone has the possibility of making the flow competitive or uncomfortable. Humans just want to prove that they are strong enough or smart enough to follow the movement aspect of the class. Reminding the students of the Yoga purpose helps to reduce the competitive energy. Just by saying the students name will help personalize and remind the student that they are hear to practice Yoga, not to compete. Set the tone and try different class introductions.

Each class is composed of different individuals, which require altered introductory approaches. Never give up as a guide because the truth will always reveal itself when you remain present.

No Music, No Problem!

Sometimes as instructors we forget our music, our brains, our yoga mats and/or which left foot we are using during a our Yoga instruction. The idea of a perfect Yoga class does not always match our predictions. Somehow the ancient Yoga Gods come together and create a way for us to find harmonious balance. Most students wandering into a Yoga room are looking for a way to feel good, to get his or her high. The loving Yogis really do not care about the simple imperfections that teachers might see as relevant. Find your heart and soul because that is all you need to guide a Yoga practice.

The art of music complimenting the flow of a Yoga class is amazing; however, the breath can also be of service. The music sometimes prevents us from fluid breath work, so teaching a quiet class every once in a while can be a delicious treat for the body, mind and spirit.

Every couple of months I find myself forgetting my favourite Yoga teaching tool, the ipod. I seriously feel naked without it. When it is lost I begin to realize how much I rely on the music to set the class tone. More recently I have begun to realize that I set the tone of the class. My personal attitude and words are what set the tone for each class I instruct. The loud and wild music might get the students all wound up but if I teach without enthusiasm or excitement than the music will not have much of an impact.

Believe in your teaching purpose. Believe in your teaching abilities. Let your students find the love you present in each Yoga class you guide.

For students reading this just remember your Yoga spirit and you will always be enlightened by the bigger picture a Yoga community presents.

Really wild ginger girl : )

Cold Yoga Rooms

Morning Yoga practice is a wonderful experience. Waking up and moving your body is a great way to start your day. Practicing within a yoga community is energizing when our bodies are stiff and tired. There are only a few things that I enjoy more than waking up and practicing Yoga.

However, morning Yoga practice in a freezing cold room is not a wonderful experience. Fortunately, Yoga practitioners of all kinds know how to work with what they have present. Yogis are magical beings. We have no negative thoughts and can overcome everything. No student or practitioner troubles their thoughts with frustration or anger while practicing in the cold. A perfect setting is not what the Yoga people are really searching for during their 30-120 minutes of practice. The Yoga mind turns on and the cold dissipates. Yoga can see the clear picture:) That's right our bodies turn into Yoga. Yoga is our body even in extreme cold temperatures. Mental Yogic state over powers any scientific matter or fact. Up dogs, down dogs and even cold dogs help Yogis focus. The cold is simple and we can all over power our physical symptoms. The chattering teeth, the shaking body, the goose bumps and the numb fingers + toes are not real when we are Yoga. Remember it is mind over body?

For the less empowered Yoga practitioners, practicing in the cold can be miserable. Cold can be damaging for our precious muscles and tendons. Wearing lots of layers to overcome uncomfortably chilly temperatures is the key to success. I am sorry that you cannot overcome the cold temperatures but preparing for the worst will only help to enlighten or even start your practice.

Finally, for the people who are controlling the heater in the studio we are sorry and we want our heat turned back on. I am not sure what we did to deserve the cold damp temperatures but we are really sorry and will be on our best behavior if you will just turn the temperature back up : )

For the love of Yoga.

yours gingerly,

Wild Ginger

Do we practice Yoga because we are not interested in Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll!?

I suppose my yoga interests are similar to things like Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll. My Yoga practices consist of having fun with my body, relaxing my mind, flowing through postures while listening to exciting music and having a refreshing Kombucha after practice. My Kombucha and Yoga high really set the mood and make me want to go back and enjoy it over and over again.


Growing up I listened to Kim Mitchell, Guns'n Roses + fluttered around to Beauty + the Beast Music. I enjoyed the fun music and grooving to the tunes with my sassy little sister. The moves and passion for our musical rituals, really helped give us a daily high. We were fearless singers and dancers. The same pleasure and freedom is found when I practice/instructor yoga.

I think the idea behind Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll is the relationship between personal pleasure, freedom + thrill. Wild and loud music can really rev up ones engine. The thrill and danger of taking drugs can release any personal restraint or tension. The idea of leaving home and heading to University lets us all break free into the world. Whether or not it is legal to consume certain substances certain free-birds enjoy the experimentation. The same concepts can be discovered through the practice of Yoga.

It is liberating to move your body in a non-judgmental environment. A nice stretch and relaxation can bring new birth to your physical and emotional state. You can even practice asanas to loud music. I personally prefer the practice of Yoga + Sex over the drugs. The Rock’n Roll is something that can always be encorporated in my life.

Namaste sugar bullets

Yoga-tude

Yoga rooms are always filled with excitement and new experiences. So much energy is ready to be exchanged. Sometimes negative energy finds its way into class. Individuals get frustrated or appear to be frustrated with something within the room.

Whether it is a personal practice, a community practice or guiding a practice the mood can change quickly when I allow negative energy to enter my mind. The mood can be easily uncomfortable if I bring in my personal issues. It is always a challenge to leave those at the door when you are really feeling down. An instructor can also make an assumption that the participants are not appreciating or choosing to judge the Yoga provided. There are numerous reasons for a bad yoga-tude but it is important to brush them off. Certain Yoga students have instruction preference, a specific style, or an instructor. Some really do not know how they ended up in a yoga practice and just feel completely uncomfortable. Before rushing to conclusions do you best to communicate with the apparent frustrated students. With out interrupting the entire class just giving personal attention to new students or uncomfortable students can really relieve the energy. Try your best not to give into the yoga-tude.

Do not give up on the people who enter your Yoga room for class. Some where deep down they wish to practice and his or her body is saying let me practice! The experience you provide to them may change his or her yoga-tude. If that uncomfortable students finds some benefit there is a high possibility that they shall return and find more peace within his or her own practice.

Try not to get caught up in your own yoga-tude and open yourself to the student who is struggling the most in class. If they look miserable- it does not hurt to just ask or help them out. Opening yourself to the student will make you more vulnerable. This may help open the communication lines and bring the student to a more comfortable level.

Good and bad experiences have come my way. One time I helped a student because I noticed he was very uncomfortable and he rolled up his mat and left. Other times students have approached me after class and thanked me for my guidance. It is somewhat unpredictable how people will react but giving your whole heart can only make you feel like you made an effort.

Say good-bye to your yoga-tude and hello to just plain old Yoga. much love. peace love + fangs. xx