Yoga Whit

What is Trauma Sensitive Yoga? It's something that has always been of interest to me, something I have always wanted to explore, and learn more about, and eventually even teach. I am incredibly excited to find an online course for RYT's that provides 25 continuing education credits recognised by the Yoga Alliance, and comes with a certificate of completion - on the Core Training of Trauma sensitive Yoga. Offered through a fellow Canadian organisation called Yoga Outreach. Yoga Outreach has been giving back to the Vancouver, B.C. community for 20 years. So - back to the initial inquisition; What is trauma sensitive Yoga? A “trauma sensitive” yoga class is taught differently from the yoga class we are familiar with. A typical yoga class may not be comfortable or relaxing to a trauma survivor and in fact may feel dangerous and scary. A trauma survivor can be an adult survivor of childhood abuse, a domestic violence survivor, a survivor of sexual assault, someone who was...

About six years ago, I was diagnosed with something called “Meniere’s Disease”. It all started one summer morning, I had come downstairs and sat down at the computer desk. I started to feel dizzy suddenly, and figured it was because it was late in the morning and I hadn’t eaten yet. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl of Cheerios and started eating. A few minutes later, I was on the floor. Drenched in sweat, my head spinning with vertigo that I can only compare to twelve shots of tequila. I could barely move. Anytime I tried to stand up, I thought I was going to fall over. My ears were muffled, and I was home alone. I crawled up to my room to lie down, the sweating and spinning continued. I was able to contact my mother and brother who were two and a half hours up north at the cottage. In turn, they contacted my brothers best friend who lived in town - and he showed up to take me to the hospital. During the fifteen minute wait for my ride to arrive, I changed m...

It’s a fucking liar. I do not want to count the opportunities I passed up, because of my fear of failing. Or the toxic relationships I subjected myself to, thinking that was what I deserved. Sure, as a Canadian in the GTA I have been up the C.N. Tower - and it basically paralyzed me with fear, but I didn’t fall. The floor didn’t give away, and I returned to my existence safely. Now, ask me to teach a yoga class and I’ll know that I am capable, but I will be sick with fear prior and count the minutes until it’s over. Why? What am I so afraid of really? The things we convince ourselves of, out of fear, are astounding. I ask you, be mindful today - and see how many times you go to a fearful/negative thought, or answer a question or invite with a response based on fear. We need to stop tormenting ourselves. I have had an incredibly challenging start to this year. It began with my life as I knew it, being pulled out from under me, moving, ending a relationship I thought would turn ...

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. 'Time' for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.”  ―  Roman Payne

I have always loved standing poses, and this pose is one of my most favorite and most fun to practice. Plus, let's be honest - it looks pretty cool too. Below I have outlined the steps to get into Dancer's Pose - Mermaid variation: Standing in Mountain Pose, bend your right leg at the knee, heel towards your outer thigh. With your right hand, reach back and place the top of your foot into the palm of your hand. Slide the top of your foot down into the crease of your elbow, and let it sit there. Raise your left arm up, and bend at the elbow and see if you can clasp your fingers together over your head. Breathe and take note of any back discomfort you may feel at this moment, if so, stop here. Press the top of your foot into the crease of your elbow, as you lift that leg higher. Lean forward to maintain your balance if you require it. At the same time, push down into your planted foot as you lengthen. Breathe and hold the posture here for 5-10 breaths, and then release c...

I cannot stop watching this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuPYIfcSz_Y Please share this with everyone you know. Miss you Robin.

Ladies, breast health is extremely important. I am 35 years old and have had 2 cysts already ( one went away quickly, the other is small but remains ) I recently had a breast ultrasound done - and thankfully the results were nothing to be concerned about. I happened to find this cyst while lying in bed, and gently massaging my pectoral muscles. I had been practising a lot of handstands and my chest muscles were sore. Low and behold, on the outer part of my left breast was a pea sized bump. Lets all get in the habit of performing regular breast exams! Even if its just once a week at night, while you lie in bed for a few minutes like I did. Below I have posted a link that includes simple instructions to perform an exam, from the breastcancer.org website: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps That being said, I breathed a big sigh of relief when my doctor finally called me, and decided to start really living life fully. Perhaps this was a little w...

This recipe literally blew my mind, when I made it. I freakin' LOVE Banana bread, and French toast - so when I saw this recipe for vegan french toast, I really wasn't sure what it would taste like. Let me tell you; It blew my mind! Everyone I have made it for, has absolutely loved it - vegan or not. Not only is it delicious, healthy, its easy to make you most likely have these ingredients in your kitchen already. ( If not, step up your grocery game pronto ) INGREDIENTS 1 ripe banana 1 cup unsweetened non daily milk of your choice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 slices of bread ( I used a thicker cut loaf ) DIRECTIONS Add the above ingredients, except for the bread, obviously - into your blender and blend for a few seconds until smooth. If you do not have access to a blender, you can just as easily mash the banana with a fork in a bowl, and add in the other ingredients. Warm up a frying pan on medium heat for 5 mins, whil...

10 Best Plant Proteins Have you ever wondered why our parents were always adamant that we eat all our vegetables? For good reason! There is even more science backing the power of plant based eating these days, and with information now available at our fingertips, more and more people are reading about the benefits, and cutting out the meat. Where did our obsession with protein come from anyway? Some of the biggest and strongest animals, eat only plants. Below I have outlined the top 10 Best Plant Proteins for your perusal. “People eat meat and think they will become as strong as an ox, forgetting that the ox eats grass.” -Pino Caruso 10. Almonds Almonds and almond butter, are great sources of protein. There are 7 grams of protein per ounce, they provide a good dose of calcium, magnesium and heart healthy fats such as vitamin E. While higher in calories than beef, these nuts are loaded with amino acids as well, and also good for maintaining a healthy prostate. Listen up me...

Life is so fragile, so unpredictable. Let us speak to each other with kindness, let us love fully, completely and sincerely. Let us be thankful for the time we have had, and grateful for the time still to come.  Let us not snicker at cliche terms, spoken by those who have known life longer. Sit with your elders, and listen. Sit with the young, and learn.  Life is so fragile, let us love with every heart beat.

Stand tall like the tree, root your feet in the ground. Connect to the hum of the earth, that vibration that pulls you to the shore line. That makes you dig your feet into the warm sand. Your genetic makeup craves a connection to this earth, give into it, breathe deeply. Release your reaction to hold tight, to tense, to stress, to be rigid.  Sway away.  Inhale. Exhale.  You are fine where you are, this moment. It's ok. It's more than ok, it's exactly where you need to be. And it's perfect.  Let go, and just flow.  Stand tall like the tree. 

All aboard abs! This pose will strengthen your core, tone muscle, and just all around kick your asana. It looks easier than it feels, thats for sure! Paripurnanavasana, aka: Boat Pose Benefits: Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors and spine Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid, prostate gland and intestines Improves digestion Helps relieve stress Contraindications and Cautions: Asthma Headache Diarrhea Pregnancy Insomnia Low Blood Pressure Menstruation Neck Injury (  if so, sit with your back close to a wall, when you lean back into the pose you can rest the back of your head against it  ) Modifications or Props: It is quite common to have difficulty straightening the legs in this posture. If you have a yoga strap with you, here is a simple technique to make things easier; Bending your knees, loop a strap around the soles of your feet, gripping it firmly in your hands. Inhale, lean the torso back, then exhale and lift and straighten your legs, adj...

Need some inspiration? some motivation? Or maybe you just enjoy beautiful photographs of limber yogis, inspiring quotes, and beautiful world travels, with the occasional yummy recipe. Whatever your Instagram craving is, these Yogi’s have something for everyone! Kathryn Budig This woman is incredible. Not only is she an extremely talented and successful Yoga instructor ( Internationally known ), she is also a published author. Kathryn wrote and recently published  The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga , she writes for Yahoo and Huffington post as well. She also recorded her own DVD “Aim True”. The co-founder of Poses for Paws a charity that raises money for animal shelters and welfare causes. She enjoys cooking, her fur baby Ashi, her husband, jumping out of airplanes, and archery. For an Instagram experience that is anything but ordinary - click “Follow” on this girl. You won’t be disappointed. (Instagram handle: KathrynBudig) Kino MacGregor She is  an international y...