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JOIN OUR LIST
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Proud Supporter
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Yoga Studio South is a proud supporter of Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter which we support through Friday 6 pm Karma Classes at Wellington Square and special events
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Amazing Results in Marathon Attributed to Iyengar Yoga
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Last month's student of the month Patricia Kingsep recently joined 40,000 other runners competing in the Berlin Marathon. Thanks partly to her diligent yoga practice she managed an amazing result, coming in 3rd out of 2,212 runners in her age group in a time of four hours and four minutes.
"When I arrived at the race, it was somewhat overwhelming with a starting gate of over 40,000 runners. I blocked out any negative thoughts and focused on doing the race. It was during the last 10 kilometres that I really used what I had learned in yoga class. Fatigue started to set in and this was when I realigned my posture and remembered to breathe correctly," Patricia said.
"In summary, there are numerous things, from the bottom of my feet to the crown of my head, that I have taken from my yoga practice to enhance my running," she concluded.
Well done Patricia. What an amazing achievement for your 35th marathon!
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THE YOGA FOR RUNNERS WORKSHOP COMING SOON! CLICK HERE
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PLEASE JOIN OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY!
MARK YOUR DAYTIMER
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Thank You Victoria Nobleone of our most popular teachers, for volunteering your home in Douglasdale for the Yoga
Studio South Holiday Season Party. Victoria puts on an amazing display, not
only of decorations, but wonderful food as well. It is more an "Open House" so come and go as you please between 4 pm and 9 pm Saturday, Dec. 6.
This is open to all teachers, staff and students. Mark your daytimers and Click here to RSVP Studio Manager Chrissy or phone her at 403 228 5808 to get details.
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POSE OF THE MONTH
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ADHO MUKHA VIRASANA FOR LOW BACK PAIN
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Downward Facing Hero is a familiar pose in any yoga class and is popular for relaxation. This Iyengar restorative version is often great for helping relieve low back and sacroiliac pain. Kneel with knees wide apart and feet together. Rest the trunk on a bolster and support the buttocks on a foam block or folded blanket. Knee problems can be alleviated with a rolled mat fragment. Get a friend to help rest a sandbag or two on the sacrum and remain for five minutes or as long as is comfortable. Ahhhhh!
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| YOGA CHALLENGE - GREAT SUCCESS |
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Wellington Square challenge winner Mary Fernandez and studio owner Rob Walker
Our second challenge, The Fall 28 Day Empower Your Best Yoga Challenge was another great success with a strong enrollment and lots of excitement.
Congratulations to the two winners of the challenge. They were Mary Fernandez at Wellington Square and Donna Sharpe at the JCC, who each receive a 6-month pass valued at more than $600!
I hope those of you who entered the challenge all had a rewarding time. It was heartwarming and encouraging to see so many faces reappearing with enthusiasm day after day at the two studios.Watch out for the next challenge in February!
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Looking for a part time bookkeeper
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Sadly my two job-sharing part-time bookkeepers may be moving on in the new year so I am looking for an experienced bookkeeper who can handle the machinations of two yoga studios! Interested? Click here. |
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Greetings!
My brother Foster, who teaches yoga philosophy to teacher trainees and meditation classes at the JCC, gave me a wonderful quote recently, written in his best calligraphy script to keep on hand for reflection. From the great guru, Nisargadatta, it read: "If your desires are personal the energy is limited. When you desire the common good, the whole world desires with you. Make humanity's desire your own - you cannot fail."At first it didn't resonate with me, but as the weeks and months have passed I have realized the importance of integrating that approach into my life. People like yoga teacher Father Joe Pereira (who runs the most successful addiction treatment centres in India) and yoga master  BKS Iyengar (who went from complete poverty and obscurity to be the world's most influential yoga teacher) are wonderful examples of this selfless approach leading to great success for the world - and incidentally for themselves. Warmly,  Rob hiking on
King's Creek Ridge
Kananaskis,
October 2008
PS If you missed my yoga video in an earlier newsletter, please check it out by clicking here |
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Yoga Studio students raise $8,000 for charity
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Father Joe very popular
Yoga Studio South was thrilled to have internationally renowned Iyengar Yoga teacher Father Joe Pereira hold a meditation evening and weekend workshop at Wellington Square in early October. The meditation was attended by as many as 90 people and the two day workshop by more than 40 students. Together over $8,000 was raised for Kripa, the 48-centre treatment program in India, begun and administered by Father Joe. Thank you everyone who contributed so generously. We look forward to seeing Father Joe again next year.
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Student of the Month
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Dayna Gemmel
This month's student of the month is Dayna Gemmel, who embodies some of the qualities I admire in a yoga student.
She is not that flexible so forward bends are a real challenge and could be disheartening to someone who thinks that yoga is just about flexibility.
But not Dayna.
Quietly and humbly she has come to classes since 2005 and the benefits have paid off in many ways.
You have to read her story:
Says Dayna: "It's hard to believe that 3 years have passed since I began attending classes at the Yoga Studio. At that time, I questioned whether yoga was for me...I couldn't even come close to touching my toes. At the beginning, I practiced yoga for a healthy mind and to decrease stress, but as time went on, I realized how much yoga was positively influencing my physical and spiritual health as well. I often heard and read about the benefits of yoga, but when I personally experienced that connection, I was hooked.
I began to notice that after a class, my mind was clearer and I felt lighter. Teachers often say "do your best - but don't be attached to the outcome". This message has been an important piece in my practice as I have become friendly with my tight hamstrings rather than wishing they were different. With perseverance, after 3 years I can now touch the floor (but of course I'm not attached the outcome!).
"The yoga challenge has been a great experience thus far. It is an opportunity to move further into my practice and move past what I thought I was ever capable of."
Congratulations Dayna! What an inspiration!
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Teacher of the Month
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Rob Nichols
When you think of the Yoga Studios you probably think Iyengar-style Yoga. And that is largely tr ue. But we also provide some variety and at the JCC there's an important group of Ashtanga students loyal to Rob Nichols' power yoga teaching.
Come rain or snow Rob is there three mornings a week firing up the enthusiasm of a regular drop-in crowd. So I am pleased to select him as teacher of the month!
"I enjoy instructing at the JCC. The students are hard working and open to learning more of the esoteric or subtle realms other than just the physical," says Rob. "I like to keep the class challenging but also safe and open to all levels."
Adds Rob: "I have been teaching Ashtanga style yoga for eight years now and I keep getting back on the mat and learning more because of what it does for me mentally and physically. As Joseph Campbell said: 'Follow your bliss.'"
"I find him very enthusiastic, energetic. and friendly, while always starting his class on time," says regular student Sandi MacDonald. "He is mindful of injuries, helpful in modifications and has a great sense of humour. Hopefully, he will continue teaching at the studio for many years to come."
Congratulations Rob.
PS Rob is also an accomplished artist and his painting are for sale in the yoga reception area.
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New Registered Classes and a Major Workshop
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 Beginning Nov 3
Wellington Square
- Postnatal Yoga with Skjei Sharma Mondays @11am-12:30pm
- Discover Yoga with Trish Robbins Mondays @ 7:30-9pm
- Level 1 with Gaylene Fisher Mondays @ 7:30-9pm
- Discover Yoga with Joann Kalantzis Thursdays @ 7:30-9pm
- Two new registered classes with Pandit Dabral:
1. Meditation in the Himalayan Tradition on Tuesdays 8-9pm
2. Yoga Nidra on Thursday mornings 7-8am
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
JCC-
- Discover Yoga with Isabel Oliveira- Monday evenings @ 7:45-9:00pm
- Postnatal Yoga with Skjei Sharma- Thursdays @ 11am- 12:30pm
- Discover Yoga with Skjei Sharma - Thursdays @ 5-6:15pm
- Meditation with Foster Walker- Thursdays @ 7:15-8:30pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Iyengar Intensive With Margot Kitchen - Nov 28-30 Margot Kitchen is a senior certified Iyengar teacher who has studied numerous times in India with the Iyengar family. A long time "teachers' "teacher", Margot brings compassion and humour to her work. She is able to read the wisdom in each person's body and guide accordingly. This workshop is a must for teachers wishing to upgrade their asana skills and experienced students comfortable with inversions and backbends. November 28-30.
FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE
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| Yoga At Lord Beaverbrook High School
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'Outreach' yoga extends...to the classroom!
I'm keen to get yoga into young people's lives as a tool to help them stay healthy in mind, body and spirit. So it was heartwarming for me to see 30 Lord Beaverbrook students and staff turning out for a yoga class recently, taught by Yoga Studio South teacher Sherryn Rault. Organized by Judy Nelson and Julia Wowkodaw, teacher sponsors of the Healthy Lifestyles Club, it followed last year's first successful Yoga Morning at the school. The club's goal is that students and staff develop an awareness of alternative forms of fitness, and look forward to it becoming a monthly event at the school.
The Yoga Studio offered a prize draw to support a very worthwhile event.
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HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD I DO YOGA?
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 One of the most frequent questions I get asked is: "How often should I do yoga?" While the answer is: "As often as possible," that is not always practical so I suggest at least three times. When I moved from once a week to three or four times, and then daily practice many years ago I noticed an immediate improvement in my overall wellbeing, physical, mental and spiritual. That's why I run the Empower Your Best yoga challenges - to encourage you to feel better about yourself by developing a regular practice. |
EMPOWERING YOUR BEST!
At
Yoga Studio South we are working hard to Empower Your Best in Yoga. Our
warm, friendly studios are staffed by encouraging, supportive
teachers who will safely guide you through small classes designed for
every level and expectation -- gently empowering you to become the best
possible version of yourself.This is the true gift of yoga -- and when
you experience it, you'll
feel better and shine more brightly than you ever have.If you have any feedback about your experiences at the Yoga Studio South please tell me I am always interested to hear what you have to say. Click here to email me. |
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