Mindful Transition

Yoga is different. It is not like baseball practice. It is far from a bike ride down a busy street. the peaceful practice is definitely not like a pick up hockey game. But Yoga can be highly beneficial to people who enjoy these sports. Yoga provides mind and body work that compliments sports. Yoga provides a foundation for life in general. Yoga is something that becomes familiar as you re-introduce yourself to your body.

Open yourself to a new frontier and new ideas. Yoga studios have their own culture and style. Postures are taught differently and not all postures are designed to suit everyone. There are a lot of different ideas and activities happening during a practice. It is important to just take in what you can and not overwhelm yourself. Instructors are constantly encouraging each student to be present. Being present can be as simple as breathing. Just focus on yourself. Being present involves the breath and avoiding the mental fluctuations. Pay attention to your alignment, too. Sometimes the instructions can be overwhelming. Listening to the sequencing and alignment corrections can be a lot to handle. As a student always be satisfied with whatever you can do. As a beginner try not to look for a purpose. Just watch your body move and transition through the practice. Be patient. The Yoga realm will slowly unveil itself and your body will start to crave the practice. Yoga keeps you grounded.

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