When there is a letting go of grasping, searching and complicating life, then contentment can be uncovered. Following the next “high” can only go so far. Whether it’s possessions, substances, others or any object of desire, searching outside oneself for happiness tends to lead to more suffering instead. Then there is the practice of contentment (Santosha) in any situation. Staying with rather than running to the usual distractions. Coming back to oneself instead of searching. Realizing that the answer for you will not be found “out there.”

What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others.

French Proverb

Home Sweet Home

Within you is a peaceful place that can be found no matter what chaos is spinning around it. There is no need to follow every external pull. You can of course, if you so choose, but you will always end up back where you started… with you.

Sit with yourself. Distill everything down to this moment and see what you find. Give yourself a break from the endless struggle to be happy. Just be.

You have all you need and my words won’t get you there, but perhaps they point to something you thought you were looking for. Feel free to connect. I’m practicing too.
alissa@kushalayoga.com

Suitable for all levels of practice.

You will learn:

• conditions that affect balance and how to improve it
• techniques for steady balance in yoga postures
• benefits and variations of standing balance postures
• how to smile and let go

details

Sunday June 16th
11am – 1pm
$15 + tax
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook
Pre-registration required

about Leo

Leo aims to guide the students in their practice to where they need to go, but he believes ultimately their own efforts and commitment is what gives them the empowerment to transform themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. He encourages students in his classes to express their body, to explore their mind, to connect with their breath, to look inside, and to love outside. He wishes to share with others his passion and help them discover the benefits of yoga that serve them best in life!

Come join Certified Yoga Teacher, Lisa Papez, in this one of a kind workshop and learn the components of a basic practice that you can do in the body you are in right now. This simple recipe for practice incorporates gentle movement, strengthening, opening and stretch for most parts of the body.

This workshop is suitable for people of all shapes, sizes, and levels of ability – but is especially appropriate for those in larger bodies or those looking for a gentler, more accessible approach to Yoga.

What you’ll learn:

• Body Positivity Yoga Six-Way Spinal Warm-Up
• Body Positivity Yoga Gentle Sun Salutations
• Simple Balancing Poses
• Restorative Finishing Postures to close your practice

These components, when assembled together, allow you to customize a simple, physically accessible practice that you can do at home or that you can use as modifications you can take with you into future Yoga classes

details

Saturday June 22nd
2pm – 4pm
$25 + tax
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook
Pre-registration required

about Lisa Papez, the Fat Yogini

Lisa is a self-identified Fat Yogini, a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and an eternal optimist with a joyful love of life. Having practiced Yoga for over 10 years before becoming a Teacher, Lisa was delighted to discover that Yoga not only made her feel great physically and emotionally, but also completely transformed the way she felt about herself and her body. That is why Lisa is so passionate about teaching Yoga as a path to Body Acceptance.

Because Lisa teaches from her own perspective as The Fat Yogini, her compassionate and gentle Hatha Yoga classes move at a pace appropriate for the group and are chock full of unique pose modifications designed to allow all bodies to access the benefits of Yoga regardless of shape, size, or level of ability. You can read more about Lisa at www.fatyogini.com

Hike the trails of Buntzen Lake then we will finish with a 45 minute all-levels outdoor yoga class. Erin will also speak about relevant nutrition topics that support holistic and healthy living.

details

Saturday June 15th
8am – 12pm at Buntzen Lake
$25 + tax
Pre-registration required

Saturday July 13th
8am – 12pm at Buntzen Lake
$25 + tax
Pre-registration required

In this workshop, we will warm up the body with yoga, explore the various fundamental movements of Belly Dance, then complete the workshop with yogic stretching.

Experience a creative way to exercise, an opportunity to connect with your inner power and express yourself!

details

Saturday June 8th
11am – 1pm
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook
$25 + tax
Pre-registration required

About Nicole Roy, RYT

Before becoming a yoga instructor, Nicole Roy was a professional Belly Dancer. She performed regularly at local restaurants, weddings, birthdays, retirement homes, and at corporate and community events. She also taught the art of Belly Dance for approximately 10 years, offering classes dedicated to recreation and fitness as well as composing choreographies, training students for theatrical shows and coaching future professional performers.

The first of the Niyamas, Saucha, lends itself to a myriad of explorations (I suppose everything does). The paradoxical nature of that statement is that Saucha can be seen as simplicity. Often described as cleanliness, such as hygiene (or Kriyas), there is definitely a deeper aspect to the purity to be discovered through this Niyama.

I find it intriguing that this first Niyama of simplicity follows the last Yama of Abundance (or Non-Grasping). When realizing abundance, there can be a clearing of clutter, a way of simplifying life. It makes sense to me to practice non-grasping and/or realizing abundance that is already available and then (or at the same time) clean house, remove clutter and simplify. It could be tricky to clear clutter or let go without the realization of abundance or awareness of the suffering that can come from grasping. When practicing or experiencing simplicity, each moment, object or person can be truly experienced without the diluting that comes from cluttering up space (physical or mental) with many other distractions.

Purity

Nischala Joy Devi, in her book, The Secret Power of Yoga defines Saucha in these ways…

Through simplicity and continual refinement the body, thoughts and emotions become clear refections of the Self within.
Reveals our joyful nature and the yearning for knowing the Self blossoms.
To be emotionally light and see the humour in life.

The word purity can lead us to think of many restrictions or perhaps an impossible endeavour to be perfect in some way. A simple definition of “the absence of contaminants” can point there as well. Remembering that it is a practice (as all yoga is) and that thoughts of all kinds will arise and become more clutter if allowed, one can sift through what is supportive or not and remember all the Yamas that came before.

Where can you begin to simplify and see yourself beneath the distractions that life seems to so easily afford? For those in the challenge (or anyone), play with this for the next week and feel free to share.

I’ve been clearing some clutter myself in my physical and mental space. Cleaning up what I eat has often been my go-to. Focusing more on what I let occupy my thoughts and clutter my living space is where I’m going with this now. I’m always happy to connect and support in the practice of yoga. It’s definitely a practice and we’re all in this together.
alissa@kushalayoga.com

Cost: $35 + tax for one workshop or $110 + tax for all workshop

Heartful Vinyasa Namaskar

Saturday June 1st 9:30am – 12pm

Pedro will guide you through a mindful flow of asanas lead by your breath, to create heat in the body and focus the mind. This practice not only heals, opens, balances and strengthens every part of you, but also reveals in you a steadiness of thought and action beyond the poses that can truly transform your life.

Elements of Tantra Yoga

Saturday June 1st 1pm – 3:30pm

Discover the place where the microcosm meets the macrocosm, this is the place of Tantra Yoga. Based in holistic world-embracing principles, Tantra Yoga expands your experience to include the all of you, including the Universe you taste, touch, feel, smell, see and intuit. In this workshop we will explore the fundamental philosophy of Tantra Yoga and embody the practice through asana, pranayama, and more.

Roots of Hatha Yoga

Sunday June 2nd 10:30am – 1pm

How was Hatha Yoga practiced centuries ago? The Yoga we know today evolved from traditional practices described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gerandha Samhita, and other texts. In this workshop, study and experience the roots of Hatha (the Yoga of joining opposing forces) and journey through the evolution of these practices into their contemporary forms.

Energy in Balance

Sunday June 2nd 2pm – 4:30pm

Study the anatomy of the subtle body, your energetic substrate that infuses all physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states of your being. In this workshop you will experience a combination of yoga postures, breathing excerises, mudras and kriyas to awaken, unblock and let your natural energy flow to its highest potential.

Otherwise know as the Niyamas or the second limb of yoga. The Niyamas are a good way to get to know yourself better and deepen or further your practice. As with the Yamas, there are five, but the Niyamas are in some ways more internally focused while the Yamas are more externally focused.

Challenge Yourself

The Niyamas (and any practice) can be a challenge. Since the challenge starts tomorrow and it is a choose your own challenge style this year, I’ll be offering the Niyamas throughout the month of May as something to consider while practicing. I’ll be bringing them into my own practice and challenge you to consider at least one of the Yamas or Niyamas during the challenge. Here’s a brief description of the five Niyamas…

Saucha – Purity/Cleanliness
Santosha – Contentment
Tapas – Heat/Austerity
Svadhyaya – Self-study
Isvara-Pranidhana – Surrender

In the weeks to come, I’ll go into more detail with each Niyama. Feel free to connect about them or the challenge at any time.
alissa@kushalayoga.com

Step outside. Walk beside me. Out here in nature you will heal, grow, and evolve. You will get unstuck. Now is the time to stop doing what you’ve always done and get what you’ve always gotten. Breakthrough with me.  
 
I have a tool designed to create breakthroughs that can transform your life, as they have mine. I have developed a unique, step-by-step life coaching program that empowers you to eliminate what’s not working in your life so you can uncover the best of who you truly are.
 
Are you ready to break free from what’s not working in your life? Do something different. choose a different path – one that will lead you to where you know you are meant to be.
 
Out here I deliver guided walks inspired by relevant, experiential activities in natural areas, to deepen your transformation. My life coach approach creates opportunities for you to harness the most positive and insightful experiences we all have in nature.
 
I invite you to step outside and take a walk with me. Now is the time.  

Jordan Birch CPC, ACC MSc.
Life Coach

Jordan Birch is a Certified Professional Life Coach living and working in greater Vancouver. His passions drive him to empower you to eliminate self-destructive and limiting behaviors so you can breakthrough insanity—doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. In his private practice ‘Get Out Of Doors’ he fuses transformational Life Coaching and a partnership with nature as a metaphor and medium for change. 

For deeper roots and greater heights connect with Jordan:
getoutofdoors.com
LIKE on Facebook 
FOLLOW @getoutofdoors on Twitter

Cost: $15 + tax per workshop or $25 + tax for both

Part 1 – Bring awareness and mindfulness into your eating habits.
Saturday May 4th, 2013
3pm – 4:15pm
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook

Part 2 – Enhance digestion and pleasure. Learn to use spices, herbs, and practical techniques to make your food more delectable and digestable.
Saturday May 11th, 2013
3pm – 4:15pm
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook