“Change is the hardest Asana” – Rod Stryker

Posted on February 18, 2012 by tania

I came across this tweet today and absolutely love it! 49 days into 2012 and I am definitely experiencing big changes.

Before I continue you may be wondering what is asana. An asana is a yoga posture. This statement suggests that the challenging yoga is the yoga off the mat.

Change is good, without it there can be no progress or growth. I learned a long time ago to embrace change. Sure it can be scary but I’d rather be scared and take a risk than live a life of stagnation and mediocrity. One trick I found to get through the fear of change is to get excited about it. Experts say that fear and excitement create the same feelings in the body. Next time you want to run away from change try getting excited about the possibilities and opportunities instead.

Like all challenging asanas it will take time to perfect and similarly to yoga it’s your approach to the pose or the change that will make a difference.

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Three Things Thursday – Stretches For Runners

Posted on February 16, 2012 by tania

Here are my current 3 favourite yoga poses to compliment my running:

  1. Frog
    From your hands and knees spread your knees wide. Create a 90° angle with your legs and have your feet flexed. Stay on your hands or come onto your forearms and press your hips back towards your heels.
    Benefits: Stretches the groins, inner thighs and opens the hips
  2. Pigeon with quad stretch
    From downward dog bend your right knee and bring it forward to place it down behind your right wrist. Your right foot will be towards the left. Lower your hips and extend your left leg straight back, then bend your left knee and hold your foot with your left hand. You can choose to stay up on your right hand and or you can extend forward and bring your right forearm to the mat. Hold for as long as you like then switch sides.
    Benefits:     Stretches hips, quads, glutes and psoas.
  3. Runners stretch with toes up
    From standing, step your left foot back about 3 feet and have your toes face the front of the mat. Reach your arms up then fold over your right leg and place your hands on the mat, your leg or a block. Raise your right toes up to intensify the stretch. Switch sides.
    Benefits: Stretches the hamstrings and strengthens the back.
    Variation: To open the chest grab opposite elbows or place your hands in reverse prayer behind your back.
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Candida diet day #3

Posted on February 12, 2012 by tania

Friday I decided to follow a candida diet for 30 days. Last year I stuck to it for 5 months and felt so much better. I have kept most of the diet since by avoiding gluten and sugar as much as possible. Since Christmas I have been eating more sugar than usual and I am starting to feel the effects.

I find to successfully follow the diet it’s helpful to plan my meals in advance. This morning I made two easy recipes for the week Chana Masala and Turmeric – Dhal. If you know of any easy gluten and sugar free I’d love to hear from you.

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Three Things Thursday – Rock Your Relationships

Posted on February 9, 2012 by tania

My first Rock Your Relationships workshop is a month away! I can’t wait to share the information and exercises. The research and reflecting process has been fun. Here are 3 things you may not know:

  1. Tears wreak havoc in your energy fields
  2. A woman regulates the entire relationship from beginning to end
  3. Women have imprintable aura and men do not

Want to learn more? I will be teaching the workshop twice in March. More info can be found under the event tab at the top of the page.

Happy Thursday!

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Sunday Stretch – Standing Yoga Mudra

Posted on February 5, 2012 by tania

This is great pose if you have a desk job and need a stretch break for your legs, back and shoulders.

From mountain pose (standing), interlace your fingers behind your back. Press shoulder blades down and lift the chest. Inhale deeply and then exhale and fold forward from the hips. Bring your arms away from your back.  Hold for 5-10 breaths.

Variations: Use a strap if you can’t comfortably interlace your fingers.

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Three Things Thursday: Yoga play lists

Posted on February 2, 2012 by tania

Here are 3 yoga play list found on my ipod:

Hatha mellow (very little lyrics):

  1. The Slow Wait by The American Dollar, A Memory Stream
  2. Anything You Synthesize by The American Dollar
  3. Prana Shakti by Desert Dwellers, DownTemple Dub: Waves
  4. Never Mess With Sunday by Yppah, Ninja Tune XX, Vol. 2
  5. Misty Mountain by Desert Dwellers, DownTemple Dub: Waves
  6. Nataraja by Jai Uttal, Music for Yoga and Other Joys
  7. Bhodi Mandala by Desert Dwellers, DownTemple Dub: Waves
  8. Pure Essence by Maneesh De Moor, Sadhana
  9. Afternoon In The Aspens by R. Carlos Nakai, Sanctuary
  10. A Song For Mrs. Bear by R. Carlos Nakai, Sanctuary
  11. Om by Robert Gass & On Wings Of Song, Om Namah Shivaya

Music with mantras

  1. Nataraja by Jai Uttal, Music for Yoga and Other Joys
  2. Happiness by Jonsi & Alex, Riceboy Sleeps
  3. Pure Essence by Maneesh De Moor, Sadhana
  4. A Breath of Stillness by Wayne Jones, Calming Massage
  5. Black Mesa by Gabriell Roth, Gabrilell Roth
  6. Hare Krishna by Wah!, The Best Of Wah!
  7. Opening by Wah!, The Best Of Wah!
  8. Om by Robert Gass & On Wings Of Song, Om Namah Shivaya
  9. Govinda by Jai Uttal, Music for Yoga and Other Joys
  10. Prana Shakti by Desert Dwellers, DownTemple Dub: Waves
  11. Om Kar by Gardner Cole, Journey To The Heart

Kundalini

  1. Wah Yantee by Cherdi Kala Jetha   album: Cherdi Kala Jetha – Sadhana  
  2. In the Light of My Soul by Guru Ganesha Singh    Pure Ganesh
  3. Ong Namo Guru Dayvaa by Jai-Jagdeesh    I Am Thine
  4. Cheet Avai by Ram Singh    11
  5. Gunpati mantra by Livtar    The Sound Current
  6. I Am Thine by Jai-Jagdeesh    I Am Thine
  7. Namo Namo (Sat Nam) by Ram Dass    The Alchemist’s Prayer
  8. Ong So Hung by The Guru Singh Experience Volume One
  9. Aad Guray Nameh by Snatam Kaur    Prem
  10. Ra Ma Da Sa by Snatam Kaur    Grace   
  11. Aad Guray Nameh by Jai-Jagdeesh    I Am Thine

 

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I love a challenge!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by tania

My friend Eric created a challenge for January 2012. 31 runs in 31 days. Every run had to be at least 30 minutes long. If you missed a day you had to run twice on another day. Thankfully I didn’t miss one. I rarely take a day off running so that part was easy. My challenge was the length because  I usually run for 20 minutes once or twice a week. Other challenges were running with a sinus cold for a few days and the unpredictable Ottawa winter weather.

When I posted the 31 in 31 challenge on Facebook one of friends replied that she does a 30 day trial every month. So far she has given up caffeine, sugar and wheat. She finds them useful because 30 days is long enough to feel the effects of the trial, but not so long that you think you’ve got to make the change *forever.*

I love the monthly challenge idea and decided to go for it and have a different trial every month in 2012. For February it’s 29 days of My Yoga On-line. I have a busy month ahead and want to make sure I get my yoga in. Yoga classes on-line or via apps are easy and efficient ways of doing a practice. I look forward to experiencing different styles and teachers. I hope to learn some new things to share in class. Want to try My Yoga On-line?  Send me your email address to receive 2 weeks free.

Ideas for upcoming challenges are:

  • getting up at 5:30am on weekdays
  • reading for at least 30 minutes a day
  • drinking more water
  • no gossip or criticizing
  • not checking email after 9pm
  • avoiding gluten and dairy
  • meditating for 20 minutes each morning instead of my usual 11
  • complete a drawing or painting
  • complete my runner’s yoga app
  • work on my projects for at least 1hr a day
  • try 2 NEW recipes a week
  • blog 3 times a week

“Only by contending with challenges that seem to be beyond your strength to handle at the moment you can grow more surely toward the stars.”  – Brian Tracy

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Sunday Stretch – Happy Feet!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by tania

When was the last time you stretched your toes and the soles of your feet?

Sit on your heels with your toes curled under. If it’s too much you can stand on your knees or lean forward to decrease the stretch. If you want to intensify you can lean back. Stay here for about a minute. You can also stretch your shoulders and triceps by raising your right arm up with your elbow bent it down with your left hand. After a 10 deep breaths switch the arms.

Modification: if there is discomfort in the knees you can place a rolled towel behind your knees.

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Three Things Thursday – Commitment

Posted on January 26, 2012 by tania

Yesterday I was reminded of the magic of commitment. Here are my 3 favourite quotes on the subject.

  1. 99% is a bitch. 100% is a breeze. – Jack canfield
    I first heard it a few years ago while listening to a Philosophers Note for the book The Success Principles. 100% is easier than 99% because you leave no room for negotiations, resistance and/or doubt.
  2. Until you are committed, there is hesitancy…Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. – Goethe
  3. ONLY make a commitment when you’re ABSOLUTELY committed to rockin’ it. Quit saying “Yes” to stuff you’re not totally committed to. Brian Johnson

Try it with your goals, in your relationships and at work. You may be surprised to find freedom within commitment.

Bonus quote :) Once you commit to a choice the rest happens naturally. – Guru Singh

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Fire your inner saboteur and thrive!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by tania

I love getting inspiration in my in-box. Today it came in a newsletter from Robin Sharma. He wrote the following…
Neuroscience confirms your brain is like a giant spam filter – you only see what you focus on. So if your self-identity is all about being a vicitim, you’ll literally spot conditions that confirm your victimhood. On the other hand, if you see yourself as a powerful creator of your conditions, you’ll see opportunities to get to your goals – and dreams – all around you.

This isn’t news to me but it reminds me that what I focus on expands. I had an interesting conversation with a friend today who told me she felt life was weird because she is too comfortable. It’s not often that people feel discomfort in comfort. She knows that in order to grow she needs to push her boundaries and step out of her comfort zone. By focusing her energies as the powerful creator of her life she can shift the weirdness into endless possibilities.

Easier said than done. If you feel the same way here are a few tips that may help:

  1. Make it game. Do one thing a day or week that scares you. Start small and see how scary BIG you can go. Do your fears and they will disappear.
  2. Turn fear into excitement. Did you know that the body can’t tell the difference between the two? Get excited about possibilities!
  3. Create a positive affirmation such as “I am working at my dream job where I feel challenged and appreciated.”
  4. Visualize yourself living your perfect life. Engage all you senses as if it was real. Repeat daily.
  5. Share your dreams with others.
  6. Make a vision board.

No more excuses. Fire your inner saboteur and thrive!

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