Guest Teacher Alexandra Daum Dec. 9th

This Wednesday, December 9th @ 5:30pm, Yoga for Change continues at Brandon City Yoga!

 
We are excited to welcome this week's guest yoga teacher Alexandra Daum to lead us through a gentle flow yoga series.

*Remember to bring your donation in lieu of a class fee for a local family this holiday season (pay-as-you-can)*

To get to know Alexandra a little bit better we asked her a few questions: 

When did your yoga journey begin?
I started practicing yoga when I was around ten years old. My sister is older than me and got a couple of Gaiam videos, so I started doing them too, and just got really interested in it that way. I was running track and swimming competitively through my childhood and early teens, and needed something that was more gentle for the body. Exercise that isn’t about winning something is really valuable for children, I think. 

What do you love most about yoga?
I think the best thing is how it links mental and physical wellbeing. All exercise is healthy for the mind, but yoga actively seeks to create a connection. 

What inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
I struggled with depressing and anxiety from childhood, and found yoga to be extraordinarily helpful in improving my mental health. It’s gotten so much better in the past few years, and yoga has played a very important role in that. I wanted to become a teacher to help other people who are going through the same things.  

What keeps you coming back to your mat?
Whenever I stop practicing for a while, I don’t feel as well. It’s just become a normal part of my routine, like eating breakfast every day. It’s part of staying healthy for me. I also have old knee, back, and shoulder injuries that yoga has really helped in healing. Everything is easier if I’m practicing regularly.

What do you like to do in your down time (other than yoga)?
I run a healthy food blog, so cooking, baking, photography, and writing are big things for me. I also do a lot of pottery, read, and make things like soaps and candles. 

What is your favorite style of yoga?
Gentle Hatha, with lots of twists and balances. 

Which pose is your favorite?
Does child’s pose count? I love dancer, and tree, and pigeon. Every pose (maybe not camel) is my favourite. 

What can we expect from your class?
A gentler flow that focuses on balance. In asana, balances are great for building strength in both body and mind, and I find them so beneficial for overall health. This is especially important during the holiday season, which can be stressful for many of us! Expect a sweet class that’s a bit challenging, but will hopefully keep you smiling the whole time.

We can't wait for class Alexandra!

Class begins Wednesday at 5:30 pm (doors open at 5 pm). Remember to bring your donation in lieu of a class fee in support of a local family this holiday season!
West End Community Centre
247 23rd Street
Brandon, MB
www.brandoncityyoga.com for more details

Your Brain on Stress

Stress can be highly personal - for one person an unpleasant experience is to another an exhilarating adventure. A dose of stress can be good for memory and motivation, however, 70% of doctor visits and 80% of serious illnesses may be exacerbated or linked to stress.

Stress is causing us suffering, in our minds, in our bodies and in our wallets. 

Health Care associated with stress related illnesses is costing the Canadian economy an estimated $33 billion a year in lost productivity, as well as billions more in medical costs.

Why do we Stress? 

The mind is a powerful tool that sets humans apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. We have the ability to predict, plan and anticipate. With these abilities comes a whole briefcase full of negative side effects for our beautiful minds...

With the power to foresee, we fret- focused on the future, creates anxiety

With the power to revisit and remember, we dwell - living in the past leads to depression

Only in the present is there peace.

We are burdened with the constant bombardment of an over stimulated mind.

So what is the answer?

Self-Regulation

Mindfulness studies have seen drastic improvement to the psycho-physical well-being of study participants after only 5 days of practice.


They found that participants of the study reported:

• Reduced levels of cortisol – the stress hormone
• Improved blood flow and electrical activity in their brains
• Improved their quality of breathing
• Improved memory and cognitive ability
• Reduced levels of anxiety
• Reduced levels of depression
• Reduced levels of anger
• Reduced levels of fatigue, and 
• “created a state of ah, much like in the morning opening your eyes, looking outside the grass and sunshine, you feel relaxed, calm and refresh without any stress”

So what did this Mindfulness study involve?

It will come to no surprise to Yogis that the bulk of the Mindfulness plan revolved around the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

In Ashtanga Yoga ("Eight Limbs" Yoga) We are taught to allow Yoga to integrate into all aspects of our lives. Moving more towards the inner teachings of Yoga, beyond the physical expression that is Asana.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga are:

• Yama (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-hoarding), 
• Niyama (cleanliness, contentment, spiritual purification, study of sacred texts, and devotion to one's higher power), 
• Asana (Physical Postures), 
• Pranayama (Breath Control), 
• Pratyahara (Withdraw of the 5 senses), 
• Dharana (Focus and Concentration), 
• Dhyana (Meditation), 
• Samadhi (Taping into the supreme state of consciousness - the goal of all yoga practice).

Yoga is for EVERYONE --You can practice Yoga absolutely anywhere regardless of your background, level of experience, body type, religion, or age.

• Taking a moment to focus on your breath-Stop and take 10 deep breaths 
• Recite a Mantra with a Mala - Try one of our small wrist Malas from Jala Mala for Japa Meditation.
• Attend an Asana Class - We have great beginner level classes as well as workshops to suite all yoga practitioners or for a private introduction to Yoga we love private classes and would be honoured to guide you through a tailored class just for you. 
• Yoga Nidra/Guided Meditation - Get your meditation practice started with one on one guided practice. 

Get started to happier, calmer and more chilled out version of yourself today. 

I would love to hear from you! Send us a message here http://www.brandoncityyoga.com/contact.html can't wait to discuss this blog post with you.

Simple ways to be Green

Today is the 45th annual celebration of Earth Day (April 22nd).

In honour of Mother Earth here are a few simple ways to:

1) Grow your own Food- We don't all have the space to have a full garden so why not dedicate a windowsill to a new herb garden?

Windowsill Herb Garden 

2) Choose a Fair Brew- If you are a coffee lover choose a fair trade roast or better yet a fair trade company. (If you don't know if your favourite coffee is fair trade take some time do find out!!)

3) Plant some native Wildflowers- We humans have been busy changing the landscape so much that our native bees and butterflies don't come across many of the native wildflowers that they've adapted to pollinate.

DIY Wildflower Seed Bombs

4) Plant a Tree - Help to offset your family's carbon footprint by sequestering some carbon of your own!

Check with your Rural Municipality office for free trees being given away in your area! 

5) Reduce your dependence on fossil fuels - by walking, biking, carpooling or taking public transport.

6) Reduce your consumption of plastic - Plastic does not decompose... therefore, if your plastic is not recycled, it will end up in our landfills or waterways and eventually into our oceans.

Plastic washed up on beaches in Hawaii 

7) Choose Green products - Every dollar you spend is a vote.
When you choose ethical companies, who are making products that help to make a change in the world -you are casting a vote for that company.
Consumer demands can and do drive serious change in the global market.

Vote carefully.

Summer of Yoga

Brandon City Yoga is pleased to announce a

The perfect start to your day

Join us for a captivating Flow Yoga class each and every Monday & Wednesday morning, 7-8AM - May 4th until August 31st.

Over 17 weeks you can expect to deepen your Yoga practice, strengthen and energize your entire body, calm your mind and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself. 

This class is designed to challenge each student at their own level:

• providing you with alternative poses and modifications to support any old injuries with care. 
• laying the foundation for achieving various "challenge poses"
• inspiring you to push beyond the limits you had previously set for yourself. 

Visit www.BrandonCityYoga.com/summer-of-yoga to register online or contact us here if you would rather pay in person. 

Here's to your best summer yet. 

Finding Your Centre

Stress is the number one contributor to disease in the western world.


We are what we repeatedly do, therefore if you wish to be calm and stress-free, you must practice calm and stress-free.

So, what have you been doing lately to reduce the stress level of your life? 

If you are like me, you may find yourself trying to keep up with the daily grind...

Doing what we are 'supposed' to be doing:

• being a "Super Mom" or "Super Dad"
• filling our family's days with commitment, activities, you name it 

Bogging our schedules down with no end in sight.

We hear it all the time as Yoga teachers trying to spread the joy of what we do to our friends and families... 

"I wish I had the time for yoga, but I'm just so busy." 

It's so true! We are all incredibly busy, and it's impossible to find the time...

This is why the only way you will make it to your mat (or to your rug) is if you make your own needs a priority in your life, and make the time.

Reserve a quiet moment on your mat, rug, or office chair and breathe, just breathe. Taking time everyday to slow down and centre.

Breathe deeply filling the space of your abdomen.  

Finding the stillness in your own body where you are content and at peace will leave you feeling happier and healthier. 

If you would like to come find your centre with me tonight, join us at 5:30PM at the West End Community Centre.

Yoga for Change is a Candle-lit Karma Yoga class held every Wednesday evening at 247 23rd Street in Brandon, where donations are collected for the charity of the month in lieu of a class fee. This is a drop-in only all levels class that is great for beginners or seasoned yogis alike.  

Looking forward to seeing you soon! 

Shawna 

10 Reasons You Should NEVER Start A Yoga Practice

Thinking of starting a Yoga Practice? Why not start tonight?

Yoga for Change: Donation based Karma Yoga Class Every Wednesday (5:30 PM-6:30 PM) @ The West End Community Centre 

Brandon City Yoga presents: Yoga for Change 

Ten Reasons to NEVER Start A Yoga Practice 

1. It Will Ruin Chili Cheese Fries

When you have a regular asana practice, you are going to notice the effects that the foods you eat have on your body on a whole new level. To the point that you may actually feel like giving up some of your oh-so-tasty but oh-so-stomachache-inducing foods. If you are a foodie, you may want to steer clear of the yoga mat.

2. It Will Put A Downer On Your Late Nights

Getting on your mat after a late night out, or a night filled with one or two too many Netflix episodes may become so unpleasant that you turn into an early bird – both in rising and in going to sleep. Your party days may be slightly numbered.

3. Love Drama? Skip Yoga

It is pretty difficult to maintain a life of drama when you have a dedicated yoga practice. In fact, you may become someone who so enjoys peace that other people stop wanting to talk to you, because you just don’t get sucked into their dramas anymore, let alone your own.

4. It Will Make You Have To Take Responsibility

The mat is generally a mirror for people, and this means you are going to notice all the places you are blaming other people for the things that are going on in your life – and you may discover that it is not really their fault at all.
You may even come to the conclusion that you have the power to stand up and make the changes in your life that will make you happier. If you really like blaming others, yoga may not be that great for you.

5. It Will Suck The Fun Out Of Judging People

Again, where pointing out the faults of others used to be kinda fun, now it just feels mean. You are most likely going to want to spend more of your time talking about all the amazing things the people in your life are doing – which may be a bummer for some of your friends out who still enjoy a gossip fest.

6. It Will Ruin Your Wardrobe

You used to have nice things. Now you just have 1,000 pairs of yoga pants. What happened to you?

7. It Will Make You Cry In Public

If you are not into public displays of emotion, then yoga is most likely not for you. You never know when the teacher is going to say just the right thing, or when you are going to go into just the right heart opener and the water works will be turned on.

8. It Will Make You Feel Your Feelings

Getting in touch with your body means you will get more in touch with your mind, which inevitably is going to lead to your emotions. If you are someone who wants to run from how you feel, you should most likely run from yoga.

9. It Will Open Your Hips, Your Shoulders And Your Heart

The softer your body becomes, the softer your heart is most likely to become. You will be opening the stiff parts of your body, along with the stiff parts of your deepest self. Yoga is steeped in tradition and spirituality – most hearts do not make it out still hardened.

10. It Will Ruin Your Relationship With Anything That Is Self-Destructive

And yes, this includes even the fun, self-destructive things. You are going to connect in with yourself, and start to notice how all your habits are affecting you. This may just ruin all your desires to drink, smoke, swear, stay up late, eat fast food and drive really fast. If you love your life the way it is now, then don’t take up yoga.

Hopefully, you can sense the jest of this post! Of course there are yoginis who still drink, smoke, swear and eat less than optimal food—they just tend to be a lot more mindful about it.In all truth, yoga can and most likely will change your life. However, you are still in the driver’s seat and can take it at a pace that works for you. Happy Bending!

Written by: Ali Washington, author of The Perception Diet, a book designed to help you create the life and body you desire through awareness and a deeper connection with yourself. Through her own struggles with body images issues, Ali used yoga, meditation, mindfulness and serious self love to heal. Now it is her mission to spread the tools she used to gain her wellness with the world.  

View Ali's profile »

Extracted Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from DoYouYoga.Com

Yoga for change - March 11th

Yoga for Change returns tonight at 5:30pm at the West End Community Centre (247 23rd Street).

Tonight's gentle flow yoga class is lead by Shawna Philpott.

Join us for an inspiring heartfelt flow designed to challenge your core and melt your heart.

This month's charity of the month is the Cerebral Palsy Society of Manitoba.

Yoga for Change - March 4th with Jamie Wlasiuk

Join us tonight, Wednesday March 4th for Yoga for Change, when we host guest teacher Jamie Wlasiuk while she guides us through a gentle flow series. 

Guest teacher Jamie Wlasiuk

We wanted to get to know Jamie a little bit better so we asked her a few questions.

How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Started practicing in 2008 at Moksha - found yoga really helped me with my work related aches and pains including sciatic issues (dental assistant) later found it was an amazing way to deal with stress and anxiety.

What do you love most about teaching? 

Guiding others through a practice that feels great and has so many benefits makes me feel amazingly energized and positive, I absolutely love that!

Is there anything on the horizon in terms of trainings or special plans for your practice you'd like to share? 

I did my first training July in Costa Rica and can't wait to do another but no plans as of yet.

What is your favorite pose? 

Favourite and least favourite pose is dancer! It illustrates my flexibility, focus, strength, and also my bodies inequalities! I continue to work at this one, it keeps me humble for sure!

What can we expect from you on Wednesday evening?

Wednesday will be a gentle flowing practice with some attention aimed at awakening our intuition by way of our third eye chakra!  

This one hour class begins at 5:30 and is held at the West End Community Centre, 247 23rd Street. In lieu of a class fee please bring your donation (suggested minimum donation $5) for the charity of the month.

Learn more about this month's charity, Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.

The Art of Touch

Our bodies crave touch like we crave water, and for good reason.

Partner Yoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop

Calm Stress and Anxiety

When we experience the sensation of touch, our brains produce Oxytocin, the “bonding hormone”. Oxytocin helps us to bond with our partners but also: helps to reduce the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, increases the release of endorphins, and optimizes libido.

Boost Immunity

Touch has also been shown to boost our body’s immune system and the body’s natural ability to fight disease. When our body is touched it stimulates the thymus gland, the gland that regulates the immune system. The thymus plays a vital role in producing T-cells, an extremely important type of white blood cells.

It feels amazing

So go ahead, hold a hand, caress someones back, and embrace a loved one.

Come learn the art of touch- Saturday, March 21^st

PartnerYoga & Thai Yoga Massage Workshop

2-4pm @ West End Community Centre

 Lead by Shawna Philpott

 

Yoga for Change - February 25th - Yin-Yang Fusion

This week Yoga for Change returns with guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon and Brandon City Yoga's own Shawna Philpott to bring you Yin-Yang Fusion. 

Tonight Chelsea will be beginning the class by guiding us through a flowing Yang practice designed to ignite the Manipura Chakra (also known as the solar plexus or navel chakra). The class will conclude with a cooling and restorative Yin yoga practice with Shawna, concluding with a deep relaxation. 

The Manipura chakra is the body's third chakra, according to the Yoga Vedas and the Upanishads. It is the centre for vitality and associated with the digestive track, regulating the functions of the pancreas and the other digestive organs.

When this chakra is blocked we may face many health problems such as digestive disorders, circulatory diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. When we have a strong and active Manipura chakra we are able to overcome many illnesses, the body finds balance and great strength. 

Join us tonight as we collect donations for this month's local charity of the month the Ethan James Wyne Organization. Suggested minimum donation is $5 or pay as you can. Please arrive early to secure your spot in this drop in only class. 

For more information head to our website www.brandoncityyoga.com

Meet this week's Guest Teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

Tomorrow evening we welcome the inspiring Chelsea McCrimmon as our talented local guest teacher for Yoga for Change. 

This is a weekly Karma Yoga event that not only opens up the world of Yoga to the community, but also provides an opportunity for the community to raise awareness and financial support to it's local charities. 

Guest Teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

Chelsea is a certified yoga teacher who completed her training amidst the unrefined beauty on the Big Island of Hawaii. Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, Chelsea worked as a lawyer in British Columbia. It was the high stress environment of law that caused her to turn to yoga as a way of stilling her mind and reconnecting with her spirit.

Chelsea believes in the healing power of yoga for both mind and body. She is grateful to be able to share the gift of yoga with her students, and knows that there is a yoga practice for everybody regardless of age, shape, flexibility or any other perceived obstacle. Chelsea is eager to work with her students to find the practice that is right for them, so that they too can experience the peace of mind and strength of spirit that yoga has to offer.

When she’s not practicing yoga, Chelsea can often be found cheering on the Wheat Kings, or at home practicing “doga” with her dogs. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Brandon Humane Society, and also maintains her status as a lawyer in Manitoba where she conducts legal research for various law firms.

Be sure to join us for this special candlelit Karma Yoga  Class, where we explore both the Yin and Yang aspects of our Yoga practice, all while donating to a worthy local charity. 

Remember: there is no need to pre-register as this is a drop-in only class. In lieu of a class fee we are collecting donations for this month's charity of the month: the Ethan James Wyne Organization. All levels of experience are welcome and no degree of flexibility is required. 

YOGA FOR CHANGE - Yin-Yang Fusion - February 18th

Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion

Yoga for Change returns this Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm at the West End Community Centre.
This week we are featuring guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon alongside Shawna Philpott, as they pair up to guide us through a unique Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion class. 

What is Yin Yoga? In Taoism, Yin is regarded as the feminine principle: dark, passive, receptive, reflective, withdrawn, cool, introspective. Yin yoga is characterized by gentle restorative yoga postures or asanas held for longer periods of time. Yin yoga was developed to penetrate deep into connective tissue expanding flexibility and aiding the bodies ability to heal itself while stimulating the nadis or meridians to loosen energetic blockages and increase energy flow.

What is Yang Yoga?  In Taoism, Yang is regarded as the masculine principle: light, active, outward and upward moving, hot, extro-spective. Yang yoga is the more traditional hatha or ashtanga vinyasa based asana practice. Yang yoga is characterized by active dynamic poses that keeps the body's functionality and mobilizes the energy body to refresh the body's vibrancy and maintain health. Yang yoga develops muscular strength, stamina, and flexibility.

What is Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion? Yin-Yang Yoga Fusion is a class that balances the traditional Yang yoga with the newly developed Yin yoga practice. This class provides you with a practice that begins with an energizing and uplifting yoga series followed by a deep, introspective, and quiet yoga to soothe you into the rest of your evening.

Chelsea McCrimmon will be opening this week's class with an energizing Yang series followed by Shawna Philpott balancing the body with a grounding and deep Yin Yoga practice. 

This week's guest teacher Chelsea McCrimmon

This Karma Yoga class is a drop-in community class that is open to all levels of experience with no degree of flexibility required.

In lieu of a class fee we are collecting donations (suggested minimum donation of $5) for this month's Charity of the Month the Ethan James Wyne Organization.