Life Practices
From Summer Reading to Fall Action
This summer on my son’s recommendation I settled into reading the famous Tolstoy novel, “War and Peace.” What does this have to do with yoga? Well, yoga is all about life and Tolstoy knew and brilliantly illustrated the sometimes wild swings of life in this epic story. It was a joy to read and at… Read More
Life Practices
Embracing the Now, with Online Classes!
Yoga classes had been on hold from Mid March until Mid June this year. Some students have returned this summer to classes but many have not yet been able to join us. Based on the new reality of social distancing there is no way to accommodate everyone in the space we have. We only have… Read More
Life Practices
Staying Connected
AS you may have noticed from the calendar I have suspended classes until further notice. The Covid-19 has an impact on our communities in ways that many of us were not expecting. I keep in the forefront of my mind that our challenges in life also present us with new opportunities. They may not be… Read More
Life Practices
Some Light for the Road ahead in the New Year
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali offer us signposts to guide our way. The sutra below has been one of my favourites for many years and I refer to it often. I offer it here, simply translated with no commentary. I leave it to you, to sit with, reflect on it, how it may apply to… Read More
Reflections
Is Iyengar Yoga right for you?
Opening up! Is yoga right for me? I hear this question quite a bit. It is a question that leads to more questions. Iyengar yoga, the style we teach at Westshore Yoga has such range that it is suitable for any age and ability level. Because of this range it is important to find the… Read More
Reflections
In Gratitude
Life brings us challenges at unexpected times. Perhaps to help wake us up. A couple of weeks ago I was noticing a change in my vision in my right eye. I was diagnosed with a detached retina and had surgery the next day. As much as I tried to suggest to the doctor we wait… Read More
Reflections
Endings and Beginnings!
In December, the fall season and yoga session came to a close. At the same time our community suffered the loss of one of our most dear teachers, Geeta Iyengar. She honorably and devotedly carried the torch of yoga lit by her father, BKS Iyengar. I had the opportunity to study with her numerous times… Read More
Insights
The Five Perfections
Last year I had the Five Perfections pinned to the wall temporarily as food for thought. They received quite a few comments from students. So, now in the yoga studio those five perfections have found their home in a banner, welcoming everyone back after the summer break. The Five Perfections are also called the Five… Read More
Insights
Yoga is teaching me to be grateful … even for the challenges in life.
I don’t about you but I am beginning to see a pattern. Generally speaking I tend to avoid pain, uncomfortable situations. I want comfortable, pleasurable, peaceful situations. Another part of me knows though that is not where the growth lies. Perhaps that is why I have appreciated strong yoga teachers because they would often encourage… Read More
Yoga Practice
On Being Present – Space and Freedom
What is Freedom? Is it when we are free to be in fully in the present? When we are not prisoners of the past or future? Or prisoners of our thoughts and emotions? I have been working lately in my yoga practice and classes, reflecting on the following quote by BKS Iyengar, from his book,… Read More