Warm greetings, yogis and yoginis. Lion's Breath Yoga & Pilates Centres sends you heartfelt wishes for joy and peace in the middle of this cold Edmonton winter.
Thank you for the many blessings of our students and teachers, who make up our extraordinary family here at Lion's Breath. It's the people who turn ideas into realities, and who create the community that sustains us.
Lion's Breath strives to be an inspired sanctuary of transformation and learning where the wisdom of yoga and new friendships can take root and grow.
This thought-provoking quote appeared on a poster in a local Starbucks washroom. Below the image of a tree, craftily superimposed on its root system, were the words "passion, community, people, care, coffee and place. " You never know where you may find inspiration, even in a Starbucks loo!
Yoga - it's a living, breathing practice that cultivates unity and connection - within and without. Not just mind and body synchronicity - peace with self - but also oneness with others.
In our everyday lives technology, stress and the warp speed of living take a toll on our well-being. They also create the illusion of isolation, which can feel very real at times! It's easy to forget we're not just lone egos vying for survival in a world stricken by amnesia.
As a community - a sangha - we can help each other to remember: we have more power than we think! This power can be felt energetically, emotionally, politically, intellectually and socially. We can tap it by choosing to live yoga in all that we say and do. Community consciousness over self-centered living is a very good place to start.
Sangha, in Sanskrit, means a group or community with a common vision, goal or purpose - like your yoga community. How can you build sangha on the mat, in class and in your life?
- Sangha starts with self-love and spills over into oneness with others. By honouring your highest self in your daily life through choices, actions, thoughts and words, you will have more positive energy to share with others. It is in giving to others that we receive the greatest gifts of all: gratitude and love.
- Be gentle with yourself on the mat, listen to your body and honour where you are on a given day. You will loosen the grip of the ego and its endless chasing of ideals, which stand in the way of equanimity (non-attachment and steadiness of mind) and harmony with self and others.
- When was the last time you greeted your fellow yogis and yoginis before class? The studio is a quiet, safe space for rest and rejuvenation, but it's also a meeting ground for like-minded people who are sharing in a miraculous journey of health, wisdom and wellness. When you've been going to a yoga class for a while and you walk in and see people you have grown to like or trust, you are changed by it. You are made better by it. Whether it's talking about the deeper meaning of life or the tightness in your hamstrings, it doesn't matter. Remember: a stranger is just a friend you haven't met!
- At the end of class, when the teacher says "Namaste, " which is roughly translated as "The light in me greets and honours the light in you, " why not thank your fellow yogis and yoginis for sharing the practice with you as well? A "Namaste, " a smile or simple eye-contact will acknowledge the sacred space you've created together.
- Lion's Breath Yoga is excited to offer a regular SONG CIRCLE/KIRTAN but we need your help in determining the best frequency, location and time for it. Email your input and suggestions to: dawn@lionsbreath.ca
Kirtan is the chanting of sacred sounds with accompaniment in this case. It is a practice which is becoming more and more popular all over the world. Kirtan really is the best medicine, and the ancient yoga masters have been using these sound vibrations for thousands of years to calm the mind and open the heart. Marcus Fung will lead with his guitar, fell free to bring your own musical instruments. - We are happy to welcome 6 NAIT Personal Fitness Trainees doing their practicum at Lion's Breath. These lovely ladies will be participating and assisting for their industry practicum hours with NAIT. Please give them a warm welcome.
- Lion's Breath is also hosting a retreat this spring to Shelling Mountain Lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Nordegg, Alberta on April 26 and 27 for $325. This will be a wonderful opportunity to share yoga, meals, the great outdoors and more with your enlightened peeps.
- How can you tap the potential for sangha in your community? Support a cause you believe in, attend free community and cultural events, pick up litter, carpool, talk to store clerks and parking violation officers - they're people too! Smile and make eye contact with people on the street, in traffic, in the grocery store line-up (be friendly, not freaky.) It will remind people we are here together, despite our picket fences, freeways and subzero climate!
We belong to a local and global community that has the power to save Mother Earth. If we do our part as individuals it all adds up. New tips for reducing waste and consuming less.
- Simplify your life by only keeping belonging you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less and create less waste in the future.
- Think before you buy a product - do you really need it? How did the production of it impact the environment and what future impacts will there be with the disposal of this product? Try the 30-day rule - wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want this product before you really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
- As much as possible, create a tree-free home: replace paper napkins with cloth ones; purchase bleach-free toilet paper made of recycled material; create and use note pads from once-used paper; leave messages for family/roommates on a reusable message board; if doing construction on your home, search out alternatives to newly cut wood, like straw bale, bamboo, previously used wood or cob.
- Mug-to-go: carry a mug with you wherever you go for take-out beverages.
- Have a garage sale to help recycle your unwanted items. Someone's trash is another's treasure.
- Donate electronic equipment to specific recycling groups or recycle them. This will help reduce pressure on landfills.
Detox drink provided by Twyla Martin of Flowering Body Mind Spirit.
Green juices are highly beneficial in cleansing. One that is a great detoxifier is:
- 2-3 stalks of celery
- 3-4 in. of English cucumber (organic is best because it is not coated in wax. The skin is very nourishing for the hair and skin)
- 1 bunch of parsley OR cilantro (great detoxifiers)
- 2 medium carrots OR 1 green apple (keep the sweetness low)
- a squeeze of fresh lemon
- add 1/3 cup water if you are new to cleansing and juicing
Use a juicer. Or if you want maximum fibre use a blender. Best drank fresh for maximum nutrients. To be sipped slowly and swooshed around the mouth to ensure proper absorption and utilization.
NOTE: If you experience headaches or nausea, you are detoxifying too quick! Slow down, drink less and over a longer period of time.
Each of our bimonthly newsletters features an interview with a different Lion's Breath instructor so you can get to know each teacher's style, yoga philosophy, personality and practice better. Video footage included of the featured instructor doing their least-favourite pose.
Interview with Jes Unger
When did your yoga journey begin?
I was in college nine years ago in Calgary, but spent more time at the yoga studio than at school. Studying was so conceptual and in-your-head. Yoga helped me get back into my body, shut of my head and follow my heart. It also helped me with anxiety and to come to my school work from a new, more balanced perspective. School was the masculine side and yoga was the feminine side of my brain at the time.
When and why did you start teaching? What is your style?
I started teaching 2 1/2 years ago when I had my son Toby. I always had the perception that you had to have mastered all the postures to teach. But the more I practice, the more there is to learn; the well just gets deeper. I wanted to share what I'd learned. I came to a point on my path where I realized I had things I could offer. Originally I practiced a lot of ashtanga. But for a long time I practiced from a place that was not honest about my energy and abilities. Then I got pregnant and began to listen closely to my body. In my classes I encourage students to be honest about where they're at, and to move from that place. My classes are flowing and gentle, with the aim of bringing body and mind into alignment.
What is your most inspiring read lately?
A fiction book called A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. It's a story of two women from different places living together in Afghanistan. It's about their strength and ability to overcome a horrible situation. I felt very connected to these women while reading it. I thought, 'I owe it to them to read about what they're living through. ' It reminds me I'm not the only person with problems. There's so much going on in our world.
What is your favourite saying?
"To thine own self be true. " It's cliché, but true. Also the mantra "Ong Namo Guru Deve Namo. " It's about being connected with something greater than yourself. When I hear it I have this sense of being wide open, and it brings me to tears every time.
What is your favourite pose?
Child's Pose. Your head's down and you can't see anywhere else. It's just you and your mat. You're bowing down to yourself. You're so close to your heart. It's your secret, no one else's. And it feels really great on your lower back.
What is your least favourite pose?
Reverse Triangle. It hurts my pelvis and back of my legs. I still find myself in my head. There's so much to think about in this pose. It's so intellectual. How can you move into that pose and still be softening and balancing both muscular and organic sides of your being? (See video at side.)
What are you listening to these days?
Baby Beluga by Raffi. Ten times a day. It's Toby's favourite song. I started listening to it when I was four months pregnant.
Do you have another job?
Full-time mom and graphic designer on the side.
Jes currently teaches Tuesdays Ashtanga from 6-7:30 and 7:30-9 in St. Albert.
Valentine Partner Yoga | Friday Feb. 15th 5:30-7:00 pm | $31 + GST per couple pre-reg by February 11th, At the door cost: $36 + GST
Yoga & Chakras | Feb. 23rd 1-4 pm | $50 + GST
Spring Rejuvenation - Cleanse and Detox Workshop | March 16, 2008 1:30 pm | Pre-register $11 + GST, At the door $17 + GST
With Downtown's In-House Massage Therapist - Suzy Alcantara.
Now taking bookings Mondays 3-9 pm, Wednesdays 4-9 pm and Fridays (Feb 8 & 22) 5-9 pm
