This month I have chosen to highlight one of my favorite poses of all, one that I have included in my regular daily practice for over 15 years. It is a very warming and activating pose that is a part of the classical Surya Namaskara B or Sun Salutation B sequence. I love this pose […]
Posted on January 30th, 2019 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Natarajasana (Dancer’s Pose) is one of my all time favourite poses. It is playful, yet powerful; graceful yet strong. It is a wonderful opening pose for the shoulders, chest and hips, while strengthening the legs and core. It also improves the balance and flexibility of the back and hamstrings. I think it is a wonderful […]
Posted on April 16th, 2018 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Benefits This pose has always been a favorite of mine. It is a regular part of my personal practice and is always included in the classes I teach. I feel that part of it’s beauty lies in it’s simplicity, as it is generally very easily accessible at all levels of experience. It may be simple, […]
Posted on March 30th, 2018 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Deviasana (goddess pose) aka Utkata Konasana (fierce angle pose) Finding softness in structure and symmetry Goddess Pose is a lateral standing pose with effects explicitly beneficial for pregnant women, but most definitely applicable to all. This beautiful tall and wide squat improves circulation, makes space in the pelvis, and offers a really balanced strengthening toning […]
Posted on April 29th, 2017 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Freedom in the pelvis, freedom in the heart. I love this string of movements because it brings breath and motion into the pelvis and the heart. Flowing from cat to cow pose is a great way to warm up the body, ease tension in the spine and build strength in the core. Benefits of cat/cow […]
Posted on March 29th, 2017 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Utkatasana, chair or powerful pose I am always drawn to bring utkatasana into my classes – so much so that some of my students once gave me a thank you card with a stick figure in chair and plank pose (my other favorite posture). This posture is great for bringing more energy to a class. […]
Posted on January 29th, 2017 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
We all have this amazing gift that we carry with us everywhere we go: a tool that enables us to burst into a fast sprint if we come across a bear in the bush, or to instill a sense of calm, clarity, and increased immunity within us. This gift is our breath. In ancient yogic […]
Posted on October 28th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love all the changes that take place during this season. The leaves turn vibrant yellows and reds and golden oranges and browns as they offer up a sensory feast for the eyes. The air turns cool and crisp and walking in the fall air turns our cheeks […]
Posted on October 26th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
One of the things in my life I’m most grateful for is that I get to teach yoga in exchange for money. This means that I have turned my deepest spiritual commitment into a livelihood. Yet, at times, my work becomes stressful and can compromise my well-being. This would probably seem counter-intuitive to anyone other […]
Posted on September 27th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Ardha Surya Namaskar, also known as Half Sun Salutation, is a simple yet foundational sequence consisting of two poses that can easily become overshadowed in our asana practice. Tadasana, known as Mountain Pose, means just that, mountain, and is the first pose of this sequence. Tadasana flows into Uttanasana, which is also referred to as […]
Posted on August 29th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
I remember the first time a teacher brought me into Pigeon pose when I was sixteen years old. The pose, and what the teacher said about it, spoke to me deeply. Looking back, I think it was the first time I really met an asana. I am delighted to share a few pointers on this […]
Posted on June 28th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
As our daily routines slowly transform through different stages of our lives, our daily sadhana (yoga practice) must adapt accordingly. Now that my children are in school full time and I am teaching back to back yoga classes most evenings, yoga nidra (yogic sleep) has become a non-negotiable part of my sadhana. I admit my […]
Posted on March 29th, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Ardha Chandrasana Ardha: means half, Chandra: means moon Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon) pose helps improve balance and strength. It works on stretching the hamstring muscles as well as the front of the thighs, and it increases opening of the hip joints. THE POSE Half Moon is usually sequenced somewhere in the middle of a standing pose […]
Posted on March 1st, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Myths of the Asanas The Stories at the Heart of the Yoga Tradition Written by Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij Book review by Kenzie Pattillo “Yogic myth has a genius to clothe the infinite in human form.” Eknath Easwaran The authors of ‘Myths of the Asanas’, Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij, […]
Posted on January 31st, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.
Asana of the month: Setu Bandha Sarvanagasana bridge-lock all-limbs pose, commonly known as Bridge / Little Bridge Versatile, accessible and hugely beneficial, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (setu bandha for short) is integral to my asana practice. This pose boosts the immune system and lowers stress levels. It is front-body lengthening and back-body strengthening. And – crucial […]
Posted on January 1st, 2016 by Salt Spring Centre of Yoga.