Return of the Kirtan
Posted by Brian on June 8, 2009
Lila was back on May 29th to bring their magical music to our ears. The last time this intrepid group graced the studio was back in November. This time around was a great evening of song, chanting and the warm personalities of the Robertson sisters.
Safely suggesting that chanting goes back “over 2,000 years,” the types of rituals really helped foster a sense of community that seems to be lacking in the depersonalizing metropolis of Toronto. It’s the self-stated aim of the group to bring people closer together– something you could really feel at the end of their performance.
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Glad to be a Grad
Posted by Brian on May 24, 2009
It’s hard for me to speak for others– but I’ll try to do the best job that I can in summarizing the consensus of our graduating YTT group: I use the words “sad” and “happy” in the same breath when I describe how it feels to be faced with leaving the program behind for new horizons.
We were excited to be given our 250 hour certificates– an enduring symbol of our dedication and hard work over the preceeding eight months. The knowledge of what each and every student put into the program resonated throughout the room in mutual admiration and applause for our achievement.
After a Puja run by Anna, we were eager to enjoy the potluck items brought in. This was a time for socializing, dishing on various plans and saying goodbye (but not farewell) to the friends made throughout the school year. No matter what lies in store for us in the future, be it good or bad, the memory of our YTT year is in the bank.
To my fellow yoga teachers, all I can do is repeat what our head teacher, Cynthia, said at the beginning of the year, “You are your own guru.” We can now bring our talents to others during the rest of our lives through the power of yoga.
***SPECIAL THANKS FROM ALL THE YTT GROUP TO Cynthia, Kimberly, Karusia, Karen, Jair, Jenny, Jill, Ann Green, Kaelyn, Sue, Cora Wen, Amy, Josh, Sher, Tracy, Rosie, Charm and anyone else that I’ve forgotten who contributed to the program!***
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Yoga in Motion — Congrats to Team Kikhasana!
Posted by Brian on May 20, 2009
On Sunday, May 3rd 2009, hundreds of participants and volunteers took part in Yoga in Motion at Downsview Park to help support life-saving breast cancer research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital.
In addition to having Cynthia Funk teach during a portion of the event, Team Kikhasana, comprised of several members from The Yoga Sanctuary managed to place third overall by raising $5244. Member Lesley Letofsky was seventh overall among individual fundraisers.
Thanks to Shannan Grant for the lovely photos:
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Sri K Pattabhi Jois, 1915-2009
Posted by Brian on May 19, 2009
It is with great sadness that we wish to inform you about the passing of Guruji Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Following a battle with ailing health, he passed on May 18, 2009, afternoon India time. He was 93.
Guruji, as he was fondly know all over the world, was one of Sri T Krishnamacharya’s earlier students in Mysore. He has been instrumental in spreading one of Krishnamcharya’s methods, which is now popularly known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. He has been one of the most influential teachers of our time.
The Yoga Sanctuary will be holding a Primary Series Ashtanga class in his honour on Wednesday, May 20 from 1:15 to 3:15pm at the College Studio. This class is free and we invite everyone to come and participate.
EDIT: Please find a link to a tribute of Jois containing sounds and images at this link
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Bhakti Yoga Images
Posted by Brian on May 14, 2009
On Sunday May the 3rd, The Yoga Sanctuary played host to a number of visitors from the Hare Krishna temple. Members of the 2008-2009 Yoga Teacher Training class were on hand to enjoy the dancing, food and festivities.
Thanks to Lori Newby for these great professional shots!
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Yoga Show Snaps
Posted by Brian on April 6, 2009
Nischala Joy Devi & the YTT gals. Devi wrote the text we study in class.
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“Doga” comes to TYS!
Posted by Brian on April 1, 2009
I’m pleased to announce that there is a new meditation class at The Yoga Sanctuary that will be led by Conan, a black-and-white Chihuahua. Conan comes to the studio all the way from Japan.
Also, in lieu of payment or a class pass, Conan requests that you bring doggy treats. You can find all the details on the first class online here.
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For Kicks
Posted by Brian on March 25, 2009
Yoga Journal TV has a little comedy series about “Ogden, The Inappropriate Yoga Guy.” It’s kind of funny, I guess there will be a new episode every week or each month. Check it out if you want a good laugh.
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YTT Barrie
Posted by Brian on
With ESPN.com, I interview many professional athletes. People who have achieved the pinnacle of success in sports that are so demanding, their bodies get torn apart in the process. I always wonder what happens after the big show is over– where do these athletes go?
It was interesting when I found out that Ann Green, one of our YTT assistant teachers, was a former Olympian. She managed to make two teams and competed in the heptathlon at the 1992 Barcelona Games. From dealing with the rigours of training to a knee injury and all the other emotions that come with competition, Green has relied on yoga all the way.
What engaged Green was the amount of freedom and individualism allowed in the activity, “I first got into yoga for myself as a world-level athlete– and to be able to do something where no one else could tell me what to do or how to do it.”
There were also benefits to yoga in terms of injury prevention. Stretching is a great way to protect yourself from sprains while doing other sports, and it allows you to improve strength and flexibility.
What motivates and drives Ann forward at this stage is the idea of helping people, and of course, “Being a role model to my child.”
The forthcoming YTT program at the Yoga Sanctuary’s affiliated Barrie campus has Green feeling very excited, empowered and looking forward to it’s start at the end of this week. What she’s doing now as a teacher is a continuation of everything that came before. But now she has a chance to pass on what she’s learned from doing yoga since the age of 14. It’s a lot of varied experience that students can gain from.
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Lazy Sunday
Posted by Brian on February 19, 2009
So this weekend, The Yoga Sanctuary was host to Cora Wen. Cora actually came down from California to give us a special series of workshops. If you missed her, luckily, she’ll be teaching again next weekend at TYS on February 28th and March 1st (check out her schedule).
Most of those in attendance this weekend were yoga teachers in training. We are all well versed in the Primary Series, so it was nice to learn many new things from Cora. With a lot of energy and passion, Wen began by bringing awareness to the body’s natural rhythms. Another focus was understanding what we were trying to achieve with yoga.
“We are not contortionists,” Wen explained.
Ultimately, performers in Circ De Soleil are always going to be the best at flexibility. Yoga is much more than being able to force your body into a difficult posture. It is the spiritual side that allows us to go deeper than the asanas.
There was a lot of laughter and interest as Wen talked about the differences between Canadians and Americans. Her opinion was that we are much more critical thinkers than our US counterparts.
The participants were really grateful to have spent time with Wen, who left a lucrative position working at a bank for six figures to pursue teaching yoga. She capped the three-day seminar by assisting us as we worked our way into handstand–encouraging many of us into reaching an advanced level of practice than we’d previously thought possible.
If you get the chance, you should definitely take some time to study with her and learn from one of the best in yoga.
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