Why summer lovin' in April?

Of the 120 days of Summer we love in Edmonton, it is optimal outdoor time. Our summers are short and fantastic. Here is your guide to taking full advantage starting in April and May of the days of summer to soak up the the natural abundance and sustaining energy free from Mother nature to you.

Last March I went to India for the entire month. The timing – as far as the weather and my ability to remain positive – was perfect. This year I was unable to swing it to an ashram, so I opted for the desert and popped down to Arizona to visit my retired parents for a week. Watching folks in Arizona was as much fun as watching people in an ashram! What do I mean by this? As a student of human behaviours … I am always awed.

March in this neck of the woods is hardly outdoorsy weather. We spend six months in our vehicles, cubicles, homes, malls and Save-Ons – out of fear of freezing; sheer necessity. Side note: I have enormous respect for those commuting on bikes throughout the winter.

In Phoenix and Scottsdale – affectionately called Snottsdale by my folks and not because of a drippy nose – in 22-to-30-degree weather, people remain welded to their vehicles. What an Edmontonian or St. Albertan would do to be able to walk their dog or ride a bike to the corner store, without a coat, this time of year!?

Not in Phoenix, they are all beetling around in metal armour! My Mom and I took to the street on a couple old style bikes and ran our daily errands on two wheels instead of four. The drivers-by were literally pointing us out to each other … ‘imagine, bike riding, tsk tsk.’ How bizarre.

Spending time outdoors that week gave me a new outlook – a shift in attitude. The citrus trees were all in bloom, so each errand I ran was an olfactory journey, a symphony of smells. I spent much of my time on the bike drinking in the deliciousness of the blooming oranges, lemons and grapefruits. This experience, alone, was worth the $400 air fare.

We enjoy – more like savour – approximately 120 days of ‘summer’ – or is it ‘construction’?! The three-to-four months of growing season we get are the most beautiful of the year, in my opinion. I try to savour every opportunity, taste every moment, sniff every scent. I think our deep gratitude for summer comes from the relative length of the seasons. We’re so much more grateful for summer lovin’ time when winter is undeniably long and harsh. This might explain peoples’ relative indifference to warmth in the desert.

The outdoors – Mother Nature’s playground – triggers important health benefits, especially in an environment as clean as the one here. I gained insight into this reality in India, where the space is crowded, and air-quality is lower.

We are all aware of the sun’s benefits to us, but did you know that being outside also heightens your senses? Your olfactory system is more highly attuned, giving you a burst of extra energy. Furthermore, your balance is challenged and improved from traversing unique and natural terrains, as more complex systems of the body are engaged. Lastly, ah, the breath. We can’t forget this one! A key component of yoga and exercise is that outside you get to draw in even more natural life force in each breath.

Combining exercise and time outdoors has benefits greater than the sum of its parts. Doing both at the same time saves time. For the average full- time worker there are limited hours available. After the 9-to-5 job, you’ve got evenings, lunches and weekends. A quick calculation of the 120 days of ‘summer’ minus work hours leaves you with 36 hours a week of summer lovin’ time.

Summer lovin’ yoga is a personal and first-hand response to the reality of life in this climate. Classes and offerings are based on our lovin’ of being outdoors in the summer, getting connected to our inherent bond to Mother Nature, tuning in and tapping peace.

All yoga is based on nature. The sages-of-old understood our connections to nature and literally studied animals and nature to learn about themselves. Combining yoga and the outdoors is the ultimate connection. Why not savour your summer lovin’ with the ultimate high of yoga? Look for the ‘summer lovin’ sign at our Lion’s Breath centres, and check the schedule, for summer outdoor yoga and fitness offerings.

Namaste,

Dawn

Interview with Gingur Friesen, Mother of two and Registered Nurse

When did you start practicing yoga, and why?

I began practicing 12 years ago to alleviate chronic back pain. I also began yoga as a compliment to a long distance running program.

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

Decreased back pain, increased sense of well being.

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

I enjoy all aspects including ashtanga, vinyasa flow and hatha.

What is your greatest challenge currently in your practice?

Binding poses and crow pose.

What keeps you coming back to the mat?

It is my mini vacation from the daily trials and tribulations of life. Yoga is a gift I give myself. The ‘post yoga slow’ and sense of peace and serenity is addictive.

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

I love the intimate appeal of a small community studio. The individual attention and personal adjustments are excellent.

How to spend more time in the outdoors for the 120 days of summer lovin'!

Make plans so the 120 days of summer are not passed by (plan a camping trip, frequent picnics...)
Plan a hike, bike trip, yoga boot camp or retreat for full summer enjoyment
Go to an outdoor yoga class
Plan a summer solstice party!
Clean your BBQ in preparation for many summer lovin' evenings
Transplant or add fertilizer to all your household plants
Clean out the clutter in your house, office, bedroom or kitchen
Do not waste summer shopping, prepare now and enjoy summer lovin' time outside
Play Summer lovin' tennis, prepare for your summer game, do some yoga
Plan for summer by assessing a 1-5 day bicycle commute. Take advantage of the in-between times to be outside
Walk to work
As soon as May flowers are blooming, enjoy an evening picnic
Plant your garden seeds now (tomatoes, beans) almost anything will be ready for the May Long Weekend planting and saves on plant purchases
Come out and run the April 17th St. Albert 10 miler...or any other summer run

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

Give up Paper Towels and use washable hand towels
Hang your clothes to dry and fluff with a 10 minute cycle in the dryer
Read ‘Cutting your Car Use’, by Randall Ghent
Use this clothes soap: Sunflower Laundry Soap (ingredients are water, sunflower soap, essential oils) Uses 2-3 tablespoons! www.thompsonvalley.com
The annual murder of some 300,000 seals began this past week in eastern Canada. This barbaric practice for the purpose of fashion and economy will see its end come sooner if we continue to bring to light its cruel and inhumane nature. The people doing the killing do not necessarily know any better and the regressive governments in Canada have no creativity nor wisdom to find a solution. This ongoing massacre, year after year, affects our collective ability to move towards greater harmony and peace with nature. so we must all do whatever we can to help stop the bloodshed: write a letter, forward this mail, show your children these videos, talk to your friends, boycott Canadian products, start a group, remind yourself of the torture being committed, support the (hopeful) European ban on Canadian seal skins, or maybe spend some quiet time reflecting on the consequences of inaction.....whatever works for you, but please help. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWuiXUy06gA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2dYNLwtRkc&feature=related

Ingredients:

1 pint of fresh strawberries
1/2 cup of butter
3 tbsp of brown sugar

Directions:

Heat skillet, frying pan to medium and melt butter. Add strawberries, washed and sliced with stems removed and cook until tender. While they are cooking, add brown sugar. Serve warm over ice cream, with sour cream or yogurt. You can serve on any favorite cake.

Lion's Breath is happy to announce Pilates Teacher Training through Peak Pilates.

PPS1 or Peak Pilates System 1, is the first level of certification in the Peak Pilates process.

Sept 17-20, 2009, Downtown location Nov 6-8, 2009, Downtown location

Final assessment will take place on December, 18th, 2009.

At the end of this process the participants will receive their first level out of three in the Peak System. For more information, please contact Marti Boyle at martib2003@yahoo.com. Space is limited to 6 students.

Workshops

Why summer lovin' in April?

Interview with Gingur Friesen, Mother of two and Registered Nurse

When did you start practicing yoga, and why?

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

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

What is your greatest challenge currently in your practice?

What keeps you coming back to the mat?

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

How to spend more time in the outdoors for the 120 days of summer lovin'!

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

Lion's Breath is happy to announce Pilates Teacher Training through Peak Pilates.

Body Assessments at Downtown and Wolf Willow

Yoga Retreat in Nordegg

Yoga for Better Backs, Perron St.

Prenatal Partner Workshop, Perron St.

Partner Yoga Workshop, Wolf Willow

Tips for Your Hips, Perron St.

Restorative Workshop, Wolf Willow

Partner Yoga Workshop, Perron Street

From the Heart, Chest Opener, Perron Street

Mother’s Day Yoga Workshop, Wolf Willow

Partner Yoga, Perron Street

More for your Core, Perron Street

Prenatal Partner Workshop, Perron St.