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New years greetings from Lion’s Breath Yoga & Pilates Centres.

May the crisp air and sunshine of February find you feeling hopeful and grounded, despite the tumultuous times we’re living in. Today’s struggling economy and myriad political and ecological challenges have cast much uncertainty on the horizons of 2009. But chaos and change in belt-tightening times create the ripe, rich conditions for truly living your yoga.

As sure as the sun rises and sets, you can continue to roll out your yoga mat. Your practice is both mirror and compass: it can reflect where you’re at and help you to cultivate the strength, flexibility, simple joy and surrender we all need, more than ever, to guide us through the changing tide.

In IDEAS, read how yoga is thriving in the midst of a culture of lay-offs, business closures and fiscal fearfulness. There’s also new hope from our governments, who are beginning to reflect greater understanding of the values of work-life balance and mind-body health for Albertans and Canadians with new and imminent physical activity tax credits. How can you tap the wealth and abundance within, to help change the face of the world around you?

In ECO-TIPS, we suggest ways to reduce, reuse and recycle for lower bills, less waste and more conscientious consumption at a time when we desperately need to embrace the adage less is more.

Our FEATURED RECIPE this issue is Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos.

Also learn about new classes and upcoming workshops and promotions in NEWS.

Interview with Kris Koschik, Database Administrator

When did you start practicing yoga, and why?

I started practicing regularly two years ago. Prior to this I had gone to a few classes but it did not have much of an impact. Then one day friends of mine came over to pick something out of my garage I was storing for them. While retrieving their stuff, one of them noticed my neglected yoga mat sticking out from a box I was going to get rid of. They were going to a class that day and asked me to come along.

How long have you been coming to Lion’s Breath?

Two years. I try to make it three times a week.

What is the single biggest change you’ve noticed in your practice, in your life, or in your body, since taking up a yoga practice?

From a physical standpoint, learning about the bandhas and proper use of the breath changed my entire approach to the body. However, the most significant impact has been my new perspective on life: at first I would go to yoga, become focused and relax for 90 minutes, then re-immerse myself into the regular stress of the world. Gradually, I noticed that I would leave the studio but still maintain that grounded mental presence developed in the class... like a calm during the storm.

What aspects of your yoga practice currently interest you most at this moment?

Trying to maintain the proper breathing rhythm throughout the entire class. The ashtanga drum classes are very helpful. Otherwise, in my spare time at home I work on some of the later postures in the primary series.

What is your greatest challenge currently in your practice?

I used to proclaim my love for ashtanga because by frequently practicing the primary series I could accurately gauge my progress. I am now wondering if this is a selfish approach and I should challenge myself to rethink my definition of progress.

What keeps you coming back to the mat?

I believe I’ve started something I will continue to do for the rest of my life. It helps me focus on what is important in life. I often wonder how it will change my life in the future as it has done more than I imagined already.

What do you enjoy most about Lion’s Breath, as a studio and community?

The wonderful smiling faces of the people in the yoga community and the positive attitude they bring to the class. Surrounding yourself with these sorts of people is very beneficial to personal well-being. The lovely and talented instructors are both knowledgeable and adept at gauging the abilities of their students and adjusting them accordingly. In a world of stress and discord, Lion’s Breath studio is part of the solution.

We want to support you even better; what’s one mindful change we could integrate to further enhance your Lion’s Breath yoga experience?

I like the community events that bring people together: the drum classes, the inspiring guest speakers, the running race we did last summer. These bring like-minded people together on another level. The kirtan/song circle with my friend Marcus is truly sensational.

Whether you’re looking for a breather from all that’s going on in your life, or a sanctuary amid the insanity of today’s world, yoga is becoming an increasingly popular refuge from chaos, according to a recent Reuters article out of New York.

Despite the economic downturn, yoga appears to be recession-resilient said several studio owners, quoted in the story, who’ve seen class attendance soar recently.

In difficult times practicing yogis are more reluctant than ever to give up their practice, said Terri Seiden of YogaWorks in Santa Monica, California.

Yoga is one way that people can take care of multiple needs it is a complete workout for your mind and body, a form of stress relief, entertainment and there is a sense of community as well.

Over 11 million Americans now do yoga occasionally and six million practice often, according to a recent Roper poll, commissioned by Yoga Journal.

After all, where’s the best place to be in the middle of a raging storm?

Om Sweet Om. Naturally.

 

With the new Physical Activity Credit (Bill 206), passed recently by the provincial government, all Albertans are eligible for up to $500 in tax credits annually for fees paid to eligible organizations and programs promoting healthy living through physical activity. That means the cost of your yoga passes, your gym memberships, ski passes, swimming, dance lessons etc, qualify as income tax deductions.

Who knew hanging out in Downward Dog or Triangle could affect your fiscal karma as well?!

The physical activity tax credit is expected to help reduce health care costs, workplace absenteeism due to illness or doctor visits, and to encourage presenteeism, as people are more productive at work when they’re healthier overall, according to a government report.

The Canadian government is expected to follow suit, extending the benefit to all Canadians in the near future, media reports stated.

 

You may have noticed that Lion’s Breath Yoga & Pilates Studios no longer provides Kleenex to students. This is a conscious choice to not support a mega-corporation that destroys our forests for capital gain.

Kimberley-Clark manufactures Kleenex, Scott, Viva, Cottonelle, among other brands of facial tissue, napkins, toilet paper and paper towels.

They are made from the clear-cutting of ancient forests like North Americas Boreal forest, with very low recycled content, if any at all, and the effects on this land and its wildlife are nothing short of devastating.

We want to encourage the use of alternatives like 100% recycled tissue products or forest-friendly cloth hankettes, like the ones available at www.kleercut.net

If there is an environmental issue or cause you would like to see covered in upcoming newsletters or reflected in the policies of Lion’s Breath, send your ideas to dawn@lionsbreath.ca. We are a community, and your input is very important to us.

Help save the planet, lower your bills and create less waste by living more naturally.

• Buy eco-friendly make-up products or skip wearing make-up altogether and let your skin breathe and radiate natural beauty instead.
• Keep the oven door closed. Instead of checking on how things are cooking, use the oven light instead. This way you dont let head escape and use more energy to regain the cooking temperature.
• Buy eco-friendly business cards. Green printing also avoids the nasty chemicals usually involved in the production process. BizCard.com offers eco-friendly services using recycled paper and use safe, Earth-friendly inks.
• Wash your clothes at 15 degrees Celsius. It will help you save a fortune on energy costs.
• Recycle your ink cartridges. They’re a big source of waste and are full of chemicals, plastics and metals that arent eco-friendly. However, places like IslandInkjet.com let you recycle or refill cartridges.

Tips from www.dailyecotips.com

Why Pilates and how can it help in daily life?

Pilates helps one to function better in daily life since the movements on the mat assist in actions we use in living. Joseph Pilates believed that a healthy spine was meant to move in 4 directions. Flexion (forward bending), extension (toward the back), rotation, and side bending. The mat exercises, which were invented first in this movement system, allow for these motions to come from the center or powerhouse Once this powerhouse is stable, movement is more efficient. We begin to move with the grace and ease of animals.

Learn more in a one to one private.

February Valentine special from February 2nd to
February 28th
DOWNTOWN: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
PERRON STREET (St. Albert): Fridays

Privates regularly $65 + GST for a one hour session, now for February get 15% off. Applies only for use in February, cannot buy ahead. No refunds, in house credits only.

NAIT Personal Fitness Trainees earn practicum hours at Lion’s Breath!

We are excited to have nine students completing their practicum requirements at Lion’s Breath. Please see the site for their respective bios and stay tuned for fitness assessment specials as well as opportunities to to receive fitness advise from these new professionals. See instructors page.

Restorative Workshop, Wolf Willow

Sunday, Feb 8th, 2009 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | $15 + GST

Prenatal Partner Workshop, Downtown

Thursday, Feb 12th, 2009 | 7:30 PM – 9:15 PM | $35 + GST per couple

Valentine Partner Workshops

PERRON STREET: Saturday, Feb 13th, 2009 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
DOWNTOWN: Saturday, Feb 14th, 2009 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM

Thai Yoga Massage Couple Workshop, Downtown

Sunday, Feb 15th, 2009 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | $169 + GST per couple

Pose and Prose, Downtown

Saturday, Feb 21st, 2009 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | $40 + GST

Kundalini Yoga Workshop, Downtown

In February, Lion's Breath will be hosting visiting Kundalini instructor Laara Delain who will host a workshop on the "yoga of awareness."

"We use hatha postures with movement, pranayam (breath exercises), mantra (sound) and meditation," says Delain, a certified Kundalini instructor for 14 years, healing massage practitioner and life skills coach for over 20 years.

"Kundalini yoga balances the glandular system, strengthens the nervous system and it also balances the mind and emotions so we can be in control of our lives," says Delain. "The goal is to experience the highest consciousness and discover your true identity."

The workshop will be geared toward all levels and will included kriyas ( a series of asanas for a desired effect), meditation and relaxation.

"It's about getting back to your centre so happiness can emanate from the inside out. It will be about bringing body, mind and spirit together through the experience of Kundalini yoga."

Sunday, Feb 22nd, 2009 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | $40 + GST

Yo-FU, Downtown

Sunday, March 1st, 2009 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | $18 + GST

The Soul of Happiness, Downtown

Saturday, March 7th, 2009 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | $50 + GST

Art and Asana, Downtown

Sunday, March 8th, 2009 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | $40 + GST

The Ten Bodies and Yogic Numerology, Downtown

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | $54 + GST

Restorative Workshop, Downtown

Thursday, March 26th, 2009 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | $17 + GST