Burpees are one of my favorite exercises because they work so much of the body. It’s a combination of a jump squat and push-up. You get core, legs, shoulders, back, chest and arms all in one go.

It definitely gets your heart rate up and blood pumping!

We got the whole thing on video, and I just got around to editing it, so I thought I’d post it here for your amusement and (hopefully) motivation.

We did 10 at a time, then switched off giving the other person a break in between each set. After 50 I felt my wrists and elbows talk to me, so to lessen the impact I did other exercises, mostly variations of push-ups.

I’ve never done so many push-ups in one workout! I’m pretty sure I did something like 140. Casey did at least 101 burpees, and editing the video I noticed we lost count a couple times and ended up doing 2 sets more than we needed to, so it was probably 121 burpees for Casey.

It’s fun to challenge yourself. You realize you’re capable of much more than you thought.

You might want to give this a try at home – even if you only do 50 or 30. Maybe you feel inspired to just pump out 10 or 20 right now.

If you want serious motivation and lots of different exercises (not just burpees, I promise) plus the balancing influence of yoga, check out my Yoga Fitness Boot Camp for Women.

Guys (and Ladies), stay tuned for a co-ed Fun Fitness Boot Camp that I’m helping my buddy Raven put together. It will be 7-8am at the TCC in the Gymnastics Centre.

Even though Summer doesn’t technically turn into fall ‘till September 21^st, it always seems like the end of August marks the finale of Summer. For this reason, it often feels like August is a bit of a free-for-all.

With all the camping, parties, traveling, and hot summer nights, yoga classes are often pretty empty. It makes me smile, really.

But September is coming.

And with it there is a fresh sweeping feeling that marks the beginning of another school year, and the start of many things.

September invites you to re-assess your priorities and re-commit to the things that are important to you. These might include eating healthy, getting in shape, and doing yoga.

The great thing about September is it brings an excitement that lingers from the anticipation of the start of school, even long after we’ve graduated. You actually WANT to get organized and take care of things. It’s just in the air.

Here are some ideas to help you get your health, yoga, and fitness back on track:

1.) Do something to take care of yourself first thing in the morning. This might be a meditation, a walk or run, a personal yoga practice, or attending a yoga class or Fitness Boot Camp.

Making your health and happiness a first-thing priority sets you up to make better choices throughout the day, and you’ll also get more done because you’ll feel more energetic and capable.

2.) Commit to a Yoga Class at least once a week (check out my schedule below). Choose the time and teacher that work best for you, and show up religiously every week. Maybe sometimes you come more than once a week. But don’t fall off track – stay in the groove so your practice becomes a healthy habit.

3.) Simplify your food. This doesn’t mean cut back on taste. On the contrary, to me simple food is that which hasn’t been processed.

How? Stock up at the farmer’s market, toss loads of antioxidant rich herbs into your dishes (thyme, rosemary, oregano, etc. – most herbs are packed with healing goodness). If you eat lots of meat, try a vegetarian dish or two each week. Drink Green Smoothies every morning.

By feeding your body mostly fresh leafy greens, fruits, veggies, and whole grains, you make it a lot easier on your digestive and elimination systems.

Katrina’s September Schedule:

Personally, I’m excited to return to a full teaching schedule in September. Check out this line up of opportunity for you to get back on track:

Yoga Fitness Boot Camp for Women: Monday thru Friday 5:45-6:45am

Yoga, exercise, a wonderful community, and all kinds of fun!

“I loved my first bootcamp, it changed my life and strengthened me from the inside out. Afterwords I found I was WAY more active and fit, I could do things I haven’t been able to for a long time and even my yoga practice changed. I tried (probably like many others) to “do it my self” but I just don’t have the motivation that I get from Katrina and the community of women to do it! Bootcamp isn’t just a one-time thing, I think it needs to become part of regular life: exercise for an hour every morning with a supportive group and instructor.” – E.B.

Deep Healing Restorative Yoga: Mondays 9:00-10:15am

This class works on many levels to bring your entire being into a state of harmony. Pulsing between very short periods of active poses and long restorative ones, and accompanied by guided visualizations and meditations, this is an excellent way to release stress, anxiety, and heal from many conditions.

Anusara-Inspired™ Yoga: Tuesdays 6:15-7:30pm, and Wednesdays 9:00-10:15am

Learn how to blend the optimal alignment and free-spirit approach of this practice. It’s playful, challenging, energizing, and open to all levels. Feel good, stay healthy, go deep and have fun!

Semi-Private Yoga Therapy classes: Tuesdays 7:15-8:30am

Due to their effective nature I have had more bookings for Private Yoga Therapy than I can fit into my schedule. To make this important experience more available to people I will be leading one Semi-Private Yoga Therapy class per week. Each week it will focus on either Upper Body (shoulders, neck, wrists, etc.) or Lower Body (low back, hips, knees, feet, etc.) These classes will be limited to 4 people, and each person will receive individual attention.

The great thing about the semi-private classes is that you learn from observing each other and watching how I work with others as well as yourself. Each time I teach a group private, the participants comment on how much they learned and deepened their understanding by watching the others.

If you are interested in participating, please email me and let me know the condition you want to address (for instance, you may be ready to be free from knee pain). The investment is $60 per person (rather than $100), and you will go home with exercises to support what you learn in the Semi-Private class and continue your healing. Click to find out more about Yoga Therapy.

I could use a little more awareness in my lower hand here - see how it's collapsing slightly to the outside? So much going on in the pose, even I need to remember to align my hands.

Good alignment is good therapy, and optimal alignment is what brings the freedom in yoga therapy.

This can be anything from knowing how to place your hands and feet to aligning with your intention and coming into the natural pulsation of the breath.

One thing that comes up a lot for people is pressure or pain in the wrists. However, when you use the alignment principles of Anusara® yoga and apply them to your own body, that pressure and pain can disappear.

When you’re in a weight bearing pose on your hands (downward dog, handstand, push-ups, plank, gardening, etc.) your foundation has a lot to do with what you feel in your wrists. This means the way you place your hands and fingers translates to what you feel.

The following video that explains three of the most important points to know about how to align your hands.

Though this video speaks mostly to the added challenge of having your hands on uneven ground, this alignment goes for any surface and position where your whole hand is on the ground. When you practice outside or on carpet, the stakes are higher and it becomes even more important to align mindfully. Watch to find out why…

Yoga Therapy- Alignment for Wrists

The foundation is only one part of the alignment, and everything else builds from there. Once you have your foundation set as described in the video, here are some other alignment cues which are based on Anusara yoga’s Universal Principles of Alignment™.

It’s a good idea to practice this in a non-weight bearing pose first. Placing your hands right there on your desk will do.

1. Foundation: Wrist creases parallel to mat, 4 corners of hands and 5 fingertips rooted

Keeping that:

2. Muscular Energy: Hug your forearms toward each other and, without moving your hands, draw your hands toward your body to tone the undersides of your arms. You should feel like your arms are plugging into your heart.

Keeping that:

3. Organic Energy: Extend from your heart through the bones of your arms, all the way out through all 4 corners of your hands and all 5 fingertips. This balances the engaging aspect of Muscular Energy.

The alignment of your shoulders counts as well, but I think this is enough for now. Remember, this alignment is universal, so any time your hands are on a surface you can use it.

If you’re fully in alignment you shouldn’t have any pain. If your body hurts it’s telling you something is off, so please listen to it and consult with your local Anusara yoga teacher so they can help you discover what adjustments are needed. Sometimes the tiniest adjustment is all it takes, and sometimes a full yoga therapy session is in order. Either way, learning how to optimally align can make all the difference and give you incredible freedom so you can enjoy your practice and life that much more!

Please click the following link to find out more about yoga therapy in Kamloops.

We need a certain amount of confirmed people this week to make it happen, so if you’re interested in this once in a lifetime opportunity, please don’t hesitate to book your spot for a week in heaven.

Here are the details:

God’s Pocket Resort lodge-based sea kayak tour with yoga July 5-10, 2010

Why this trip: The resort offers a first-class way to paddle British Columbia’s pristine northern waters. Outfitter has exclusive use of the 7-room resort with private chef in God’s Pocket Provincial Marine Park, BC Canada for guided sea kayak tours. On this departure only, professional yoga instructor Katrina Ariel (that’s me) will lead daily sessions included in the price!

GOD’S POCKET, BRITISH COLUMBIA — For those in search of the ultimate in wilderness kayaking without having to camp, Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc is offering six-day lodge-based sea kayak trips in British Columbia’s remote northern waters that should indulge the most discerning of travelers.

The journey begins with a boat ride past snow-capped mountains, forested islands and the protected waters of Queen Charlotte Strait before arriving at God’s Pocket Resort – a rustic island lodge located in the heart of God’s Pocket Provincial Park just off northern Vancouver Island. Guests stay in one of seven rooms providing all the amenities of home and breathtaking ocean views, and our private chef prepares all meals.

Guides give instruction in sea kayaking basics, then lead daily paddle excursions through the protected waterways and island archipelago that make up Canada’s newest marine park pointing out whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, eagles and diverse underwater life.

God’s Pocket Provincial Park is also a world renowned cold water SCUBA spot endorsed as truly unique by Jacques Cousteau, and we can see this invertebrate diversity in the crystal clear waters and tide pools right from the warmth of our kayaks. Guests can take a day off from kayaking anytime, or follow one of the hiking trails into the island’s lush rain forest.

At the end of the day, paddlers return to the resort to enjoy a hot shower in their room, yoga on the sundeck and a fabulous dinner featuring locally caught seafood (try the smoked salmon), fresh baked goods and regional wines in the resort’s main lodge. Watch the sunset and relax in an outdoor hot tub on a waterside deck. Then sleep blissfully in a comfortable bed and an amazing blanket of quiet.

Other enjoyable activities include natural history talks, a campfire on deck, stargazing and a short night paddle. Don’t forget to greet the resort’s resident octopus in the cove out front. People of all experience levels are welcome. This trip is also perfect for family reunions and charters. We’ve even had people become engaged and celebrate milestone birthdays here.

Cost $2395 Canadian includes 6 days/5 nights’ lodging (double room with private bath) at God’s Pocket Resort, meals prepared by a chef, boat transport, all kayaking equipment, guides, kayak and daily yoga instruction. 12% HST tax and airfare to Port Hardy is not included. Excursions are limited to just 12-14 guests. Novices welcome!

To Register, call Sea Kayak Adventures at (800) 616-1943 or email info@seakayakadventures.com Please mention that you heard about the retreat on my site.

Creating Lasting Change

By Tara Findlay

Earlier this year I created a Yoga series to reflect our yearning for New Year’s resolutions; you know, those passionate, determined, optimistic and sometimes desperate pledges we make to change ourselves. I started thinking about my own resolutions of years past. Which of those commitments became a lasting shift in my own habits, and which ones were fleeting?

How do we create lasting change in our lives?

How do we shift from flirting with change into a healthy lasting relationship?

How do we get from where we are to where we want to be, without giving up in frustration?

After some thought, I came up with five qualities for creating change; creating space, developing your awareness, finding your focus, delighting in the journey, and the power of choice, and I’ve described them below. As you read them, I encourage you to have a notebook and pen handy, and journal about your own process. Find a quiet place, give yourself plenty of time for contemplation, and approach this task with some lightness! Being in a relaxed state will help create a healthy container for change.
Creating Space - In order to create lasting change, we must be open to the idea of it. We need to be ready to let go of old patterning and embrace the new and often unknown. This can be a scary concept to some and lead to clinging to familiar habits because they feel safe. Take a look at what you would like to change in your life and ask yourself, “Am I ready to release this habit, this particular way of living? Am I ready to try something different?”

Develop your awareness – It is difficult to get what you want if you don’t know what that is. This is where goal setting comes in. What would you like to achieve? What changes would you like to create in your life? Take some time to get really specific. Once you establish your goals, then you can begin to get very clear on where you are, your starting point. On a scale of One to Ten, where are you right now compared to where you want to be? If you continued down this road without changing, where will that get you?

Finding your focus – Keep your eyes on the prize and begin with the end in mind. If on a scale of 1-10 you are at a 6 in terms of reaching your goal, what would a 10 look like? How do you move? How do you feel? Spend time in this space of fulfillment. See yourself as having completed that book or achieved an established clientele. Visualize crossing that finish line or fitting into that dress.

Why would you like to create this change? Getting clear on your motivation is a powerful way to create passion and momentum. What will this change get you? Create a visual symbol of your goal. If you want to travel, find a picture of where you want to go and place it somewhere you will see it. If it’s a marathon, find an old bib, or keep a copy of the completed race form in your sight. Take a look at your current goals, and re-write them as if they’ve already been accomplished. If you’re feeling stuck, try beginning each sentence with “I am so happy in my life now that I have….”, and insert your goal appropriately.

Delight in the journey – Even though it’s important to visualize the end result, we still need to do the work! Breaking down your goal into bite sized steps can turn a daunting task into an enjoyable journey. Instead of trying to leap from a 6 to a 10, try aiming for a seven. Commit this week to something so small that it’s impossible to fail at. If you want to eventually walk for 30-minutes every day, and are currently doing nothing of the sort, try walking for 5-10 minutes one night this week. Be specific and do give yourself a deadline. Then, soften and enjoy yourself. If you are running to get in shape or lose weight, delight in the side effects of increased fitness…..more energy, and stamina; being able to keep up with your kids for the whole day! Instead of focusing on how much weight you still want to lose, celebrate how much weight you’ve lost so far. So you aren’t into those size 8 jeans yet, but hey your 10’s are baggy aren’t they?

Change happens in increments, sometimes large and sometimes achingly small, so please be patient.
By breaking up a large task into sizable chunks, you also create some opportunity for celebration. I have a client who gave up smoking. Instead of looking at the goal as an impossibly massive shift, she just went day by day, and rewarded herself as she saw fit (and within her budget). Each week she refrained from smoking she bought herself a pair of shoes. Several years later, she now has a separate closet for them! Creating a rewards system doesn’t have to be monetary based, a night out dancing, taking the day off for a bike ride, going to the beach. The possibilities are endless.

The power of choice – I just recently traveled to Kauai, and wanted a certain amount of spending money for when I was there. As I was saving I had many opportunities to make various purchases. Each time I asked myself the question: Do I choose this or do I choose Kauai? I didn’t feel denied of my lifestyle; I just got really clear on what was more important. Sometimes I chose to eat out, and I did buy some new clothing, but I contemplated my choice each time. Every moment we are choosing. Which choices move you toward your goals? Which ones move you away from them? In order to say YES to some things, we need to say NO to others.

Growth and change aren’t always easy… or comfortable! However, standing on the other side of your accomplishment, looking back on your progress is rarely a regret. By applying these qualities of openness, awareness, focus, patience, and choice to any change we can start the process of creating more fulfilling and passionate experiences.

Tara Findlay has been in the health care industry for over a decade as an RMT, RYT and Life Coach. She is passionate about helping others lead more fulfilling lives. If you would like to learn more about her Health and Lifestyle Coaching programs, please contact her at tarafirma.yoga@gmail.com

As much as I adore New Orleans and really feel at home here, there’s nothing like BC, and I sure am looking forward to seeing my friends and students in Kamloops! I can picture watching the sun rise from up on the hill at Let’s Move Studio, and swimming in the river in the afternoon. I can almost taste the decadent raw treats at The Art We Are, and feel the warm air on my skin riding my bike to Riverside Park.

Oh yeah, one more month to go. Yet, I’m making sure to really enjoy my time in New Orleans while I’m here. I’m working outside in the warmth that comes earlier down south, enjoying my family, and getting my body in wicked awesome shape by going to a boot camp each morning.

It’s also been so completely wonderful to have access to Certified Anusara® yoga instructors on a consistent basis. And that’s good for you too, because my teaching has continued to evolve.

One of the things I’m most excited about adding to my class schedule is a Yoga Fitness Boot Camp for Women. It will be up at Let’s Move where the morning view is breathtaking as the sun shines down on the valley.

Read on to find out about the boot camp, public, semi-private yoga classes and events I’m offering.

What is this Kamloops Yoga Fitness Boot Camp about?

It’s about FEELING ALIVE! And getting in super-star shape, whatever your personal best is (which is always a progression, of course).

I’ve been feeling so incredible and noticing a real change in how I look because of the boot camp I’m doing, so I’ve designed a program that focuses on fitness which is influenced by the alignment, intention, and benefits of yoga.

The boot camp program will be part circuit training (lots of different fitness exercises), and part strengthening yoga to balance out and help your muscles develop in the most optimal way. Because I am who I am, you’ll also get alignment instruction that you wouldn’t get in most fitness programs, and I’ll weave a tinsy bit of intention and meaning into it –  ‘cause that’s what I do.

The boot camp is just for women. Sorry guys. It’s a girl thing. We have a thing about working out together. Nothing personal.

To learn more about the boot camp and enter to win a free week of boot camp, check out this page: Kamloops Yoga Fitness Boot Camp for Women

When am I starting?

Monday, May 3^rd is the first class.

Besides the Yoga Fitness Boot Camp, the rest of my yoga schedule will include: morning classes, one evening class (still working on that one), and semi-privates (see below).

PLUS you can look forward to Sunshine Sundays and Rockin’ Saturday practices over the months to come. I’ll also be getting together a monthly Satsang with yoga philosophy, meditation, and chanting. AND there will probably be a Yoga Therapeutics workshop at some point – most likely September.

Stay tuned for a full schedule soon. I have a tentative schedule posted on my Kamloops yoga classes page if you want to see what I’ve got so far for dates and times.

Semi-Private Yoga Classes In Kamloops

One of the other new programs I’ll be starting is having semi-private yoga sessions. This is where you and a few friends get together to have individual instruction from me. 4 people is perfect, but it could be slightly smaller or larger.

My Yoga Therapy private sessions have been so well received and rewarding for people. The Semi-Private classes give me an opportunity to work with more people on an individual basis as my time becomes more filled with private requests.

The benefit to you is that you get to discover how much you learn from each other. Often the patterns and mis-alignments you’re dealing with are similar in your friends. Even though everyone is different (and you’ll still get very specific one-on-one instruction) it’s amazing how much we can learn from watching other people. Then you get to see HOW I work with precise conditions, and this deepens your understanding of how to access the optimal alignment of your own body.

That, and it’s fun to share the whole experience with friends. You’ll laugh together, AND you’ll be more likely to continue the practices I give you because you’ll support each other.

So you might want to think about getting a small group of friends together to have access to the therapeutic and advanced yoga skills I can offer my private clients.

Will I still offer privates? Yes, I will do my best to continue to fit private sessions into my schedule, however I encourage you to consider semi-privates if this is at all realistic for you.

How long am I staying in Kamloops?

Well, if you know me, you’re probably laughing at that question because I never can pin down my plans.

I try, believe me. It’s just that the universe likes to swirl and paint serendipity and surprises in my life, which means that my plans keep changing. It’s part of my own training in going with the flow.

Right now, all I know is I’ll be teaching through September. Come October, I may be staying in Kamloops, or I might be in Hawaii. Or Nelson. Or Thailand. Or on a road trip to California. Or wherever else my heart is called. That’s just how I roll.

But don’t worry about that. Let’s just enjoy the time we have together, shall we?

• Feel free to leave a comment below if you have a question I didn’t answer (I’ll reply and help you out), if you have anything else to add, or if you just want to say hi.

But sometimes you still get thrown off center. Does that mean you’ve failed or faltered on the path of yoga?

Not at all! It’s a chance to strengthen your practice.

The stumbles and falls of life can actually be huge blessings in the path of yoga.

You get another “Aha!” moment every time you repeat this cycle of remembrance, and you can actually deepen the pattern of choosing to see the good, choosing what is life affirming, and generally being more aware of how you can align with your highest self.

For example: maybe you’re at work and you get a phone call or an email that frustrates you. Your heart starts beating faster, you furrow your brow and your breath becomes more shallow. Your mind contracts as it focuses on what rubs you the wrong way, or what problem just occurred.

Well, this is an excellent thing if you take advantage of it. Why? Because you have a chance to reinforce a new pattern, learn from whatever is being given to you in that moment, and totally turn the experience around.

How?

First of all, if you take a deep breath and really look at the situation without judging yourself or the other person – just looking at what is being presented – you might find something you can learn from that will make you a better person. Maybe something they said that you don’t like actually gives you a different perspective on yourself. Then again, maybe it’s just all their stuff and you don’t need to get into it at all.

Either way, it’s a good idea to be open to the fact that there might be some gem of insight hidden in the words or the situation. That’s looking for the good – looking for the beauty. Maybe you can find some redeeming aspect of the other person’s intention. Maybe there’s a huge opportunity that just was created by what happened, even if you can’t see it yet.

Secondly, you want to change the feeling of frustration or fear.

You can do this in many different ways. Here are some ideas:

• Get up from your desk (or somehow change your environment)
• Have a stretch
• Go for a walk and spend that time noticing every bit of beauty that surrounds you
• Do a 5 (or 15) minute meditation (my Meditation Guide is perfect for this!)

Even just a few deep breaths and a connection to your own highest intention will do.

Just choose something and do it, because it’s up to you to align yourself so you feel good. Grace will always carry you, but you want to flow in the current of goodness consciously, because it’s a whole lot more rewarding and fun!

When you look at this example, you see that there are two basic paths you could take. There’s the autopilot path of discomfort and getting stuck in the frustration, dwelling on what’s gone wrong which will most likely lead to worry, stress, and generally not enjoying yourself a whole lot.

And then there’s the path where you consciously decide to align your perspective and actions in ways that focus on what’s good, what’s possible, and what will bring you a feeling of well being. By choosing the second path, you not only feel better as a person (and therefore influence others around you in a more positive way), but you’re also much more likely to recognize opportunities as they are presented, which could happen at any moment!

Sure, sometimes we forget to be centered in the moment. That’s what makes us human. Because then we have another chance to remember – to recognize again what works and what doesn’t.

• What do you do to re-center when you’re off? Please leave a comment below and enlighten the rest of us with your approach.

Why is yoga so great for your health?

Great question! The amount of ways yoga brings balance to the human body and psyche are numerous and well documented.

One of the things yoga does is lower stress and tension, which are contributing factors to nearly every health concern. Stress reduction alone can bring your body back into a balanced place where your immune system and self healing capacity can regain their natural strength and abilities.

If you look at studies done with yoga and meditation, they both are shown to lower blood pressure and bring well being on many levels.

Here’s a list of some of the many health benefits of yoga:

Physical Benefits:

• Balance hormones
• Calms and balance the nervous system
• Increases effectiveness of circulatory and respiratory systems
• Increases circulation to all parts of the body, supporting health on every level
• Increases strength, improving posture and strengthening bones
• Increases flexibility, reducing pain caused by tense, pulling muscles
• Increases range of motion and circulation in joints
• Increases endurance and stamina
• Supports and increases effectiveness of the immune system
• Supports healthy, easeful sleep
• Improves balance and kinesthetic awareness

Mental and Emotional Benefits:

• Reduces stress
• Increases your ability to access a peaceful state of mind
• Increases ability to focus and concentrate
• Decreases feelings of anger, anxiety and depression
• Improves attention and memory
• Increases feeling of well-being and self-acceptance
• Overall happiness improves
• Motivation and energy improves

Again, these are only SOME of the seemingly infinite benefits of yoga.

What kind of yoga is most beneficial if you have an injury or illness?

Well, the approach to each condition and each individual can vary, however some things are constant.

The most important factor when you’re doing yoga is that you listen to your body, move with your breath, and align in ways that are most supporting of who you are. Your teacher should guide you in an uplifting way, and teach you how to align your body and thoughts optimally.

When you align your physical body optimally, you get optimal circulation and your body is given the most advantageous situation for self healing. When you align your thoughts and focus with a positive intention, then you’re really setting yourself up with an enormous opportunity for healing.

You see, the body is capable of healing itself from just about anything. If you look at any disease, injury, or health condition, chances of you finding cases of people who have healed miraculously, on their own, is very high. In most cases those people simply gave their bodies the environments they needed to do what they are designed to do: heal themselves.

Yoga is one of the most supportive methods to creating the optimal alignment and environment for self healing. Yoga is especially effective when coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices (such as healthy eating, reducing stress factors and toxins, drinking enough pure water, and so on).

What kind of yoga is best for simply maintaining well being?

Funny enough, the answer is much the same. If an uplifting approach that aligns all parts of who you are optimally is what heals, wouldn’t it make sense that that is the same thing that maintains health?

Even if you are healthy, we all have our own individual considerations, so you listen to your body and tell your yoga instructor if you have any pain or feel your body talking to you.

However, there are some things that are universal in the way they cultivate and support health.

Honoring your breath and aligning your body in specific ways give you a direct line into the freedom that is your birthright. Using your intention to pattern your thoughts in a positive way brings an overall well being that promotes health on every level.

When you choose a yoga class and teacher, make sure you feel like you’re being guided to practice in the way I just described. If you don’t feel uplifted, or like you’re learning to align yourself in optimal ways – if you don’t feel safe and supported, then you may want to consider trying a different class or teacher.

Yoga Classes and Private Yoga Therapy in Kamloops, BC

Personally, as a yoga instructor, I’m fascinated with the wonder of the body and its ability to heal and transform. I practice and teach Anusara-Inspired™ yoga, which is highly respected as an innovative and exceedingly effective approach to health and happiness.

I specialize in yoga therapy, which gives me a chance to work one on one and help people understand how to align optimally for their own individual needs. The results and responses I’ve had with this approach to yoga have been truly amazing and touching.

Find out more on my Private Yoga Therapy page.

I bring my passion for helping people find an optimal state of health and happiness in to every class that I teach.

By having elements of the playful and profound in each yoga practice, an ever unfolding evolution of self progress happens, and your whole being (body, mind, and spirit) is constantly re-creating itself in alignment with who you truly are and who you choose to be.

When you choose to be a healthy, happy person, the limitless methods of yoga can take you there.

To find out more about the yoga I offer in Kamloops, please visit my Kamloops Yoga page.

Blessings to you, wherever you are in your life journey. May you be healthy, happy, and in harmony with your highest idea of who you want to be.

I went from smoking cigarettes and eating at McDonalds (I know, I can hardly believe it myself – it seems like another lifetime), to doing yoga and eating vegan. Talk about an about face!

What made me change so much? I suppose part of it was the natural progression of maturity, but I attribute the most significant changes to the fact that I WANTED to become a better person. And yoga showed me the way to a more complete vision of who I wanted to be, and by living this vision, I have a lot more happiness and fun in my life.

The transformation of who I am is no more or less impressive than your own process of becoming who you are.

We are constantly developing ourselves, rediscovering ourselves, and recreating ourselves. Think of how much you’ve gone through to be where you are today.

And as much as inner awakening and intellect are important, as crucial as your intention is, the body is the physical manifestation of spirit in this game of life.

The body is truly a temple, and you shape it through your thoughts, words, and actions. You create who you are with your intention. And, of course, the way you take care of your body affects how you feel and think and act.

Your body is Divine. What do you do to glorify this gift of being embodied?

When you open to the idea that your entire being – that which you can see and feel, and that which escapes the outer senses – is a temple for spirit, it gives you a perspective from which to assess how you treat yourself. It helps you see where you might want to concentrate in order to find more balance.

And, as you nourish, breathe, think and move this beautiful temple of flesh into a more capable, content, vibrant being, you expand your capacity to enjoy the sacred play of life!

• Looking for creative food ideas? Check out these easy and delicious healthy recipes.
• If you live in Kamloops, BC, get excited – there’s a new way to get in shape coming this May: Yoga Fitness Boot Camp, Kamloops.

A salad with yummy sprouts!

The following article is by my dear friend Denise Holden. I’ve been meaning to post about sprouts for a while now, as they are a prominent part of my diet. They’re such a great way to eat fresh, live, nutrient rich food. Here’s what Denise has to say about them:

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During the winter season, sprouts are an excellent source of fresh vegetables.

Sprouts represent the point of greatest vitality in the life cycle of a plant. During sprouting, vitamin and enzyme content increases dramatically. The sprouting process predigests the nutrients of the seed, making it easier to assimilate and metabolize: starches are converted into simple sugars, proteins into free amino acids, and fats into free fatty acids. This explains why grains and legumes, many of which are common allergens, often do not cause allergies when sprouted.

Alfalfa sprouts are diuretic, will benefit the urinary and intestinal systems, and will help to detoxify the body. One compound in particular called sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts has been shown to improve the liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens and other toxic compounds.

Sprouts will not enjoy sprouting as much in tap water, making a cleaner water source (like bottled spring water or filtered water) a better choice when sprouting.

Quick serving ideas

• Sprouts make great replacements for lettuce on sandwiches
• Sprinkle tossed green salads with a mix of alfalfa and broccoli sprouts
• Make a healthy burrito by adding a handful of sprouts

One word of caution about alfalfa: this seed has higher than usual amounts of an amino acid called canavanine, which has been associated with worsening of inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune conditions, may want to avoid alfalfa sprouts for this reason.

HOW TO SPROUT ***** From Healing with Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford.

All measurements below yield one quart of ready sprouts

Seed Soak Time Days to Sprout

2 Tbsp alfalfa or red clover 6 hours 5-6 days

1/4 cup radish or mustard 6 hours 5-6 days

1/2 cup lentils or fenugreek 8 hours 3 days

1/2 cup mung bean 8 hours 3-5 days

1 cup wheat or rye 12 hours 3 days

1 cup aduki, chick peas, soy, or other legumes or grains 12 hours 3-5 days

2 cups sunflower seeds 12 hours 2 days

1- Cover the mouth of the jar with stainless steel sprouting screen or cheesecloth, which is tied on or secured with a rubber band. After soaking seeds (use distilled or spring water), drain well and keep in warm dark place – sprouting time increases with more light and cooler conditions

2- Rinse twice a day, ideally morning and evening. An exception is soy, which may rot if not rinsed 4 times daily. Keep jar tilted mouth down for better drainage – thorough rinsing and complete draining improve sprout flavor. You can save all rinse water for cooking, animals, or plants.

3- After 3 days place alfalfa, red clover, radish, and mustard sprouts in a cool place with indirect sunlight to induce chlorophyll. Continue rinsing twice daily until sprouts are ready.

4- During the sprouting process, the hulls on certain seeds slough off. It is important to remove hulls from alfalfa and radish sprouts since these easily rot. To remove the hulls, place the sprouts in a large bowl of water and agitate them, further loosening and brushing them aside. Gently reach under the sprouts and lift them out of the water, without disturbing the sunken hulls.

5- Drain sprouts well. If refrigerated, they keep up to one week in a plastic bag or covered glass jar.

(Another great source is The Sprouting Book by Ann Wigmore)