Isn’t all yoga therapeutic? By Veronica King You can be forgiven if you are a little confused about why the term yoga therapy exists, after all, isn’t all yoga “therapeutic”? Well, the answer is Yes AND No. Let’s look at why the need for this distinction has arisen and its applications and implications. Ultimately this distinction between Yoga Therapy and a Yoga Class is making sure that we practice the Yamas and Niyamas, in particular Ahimsa (not harming others) and Satya … [Read more...]
Don’t Despair the Tear
By Veronica King, Teaching Yoga and navigating a labral hip tear. Monday night, advanced yoga class. Parsvakonasana, a warm-up pose early in class, and as I anchored my legs and rotated my body upwards, I felt a rip inside my groin. I nearly screamed, tears streaming down my face through the rest of the class, wondering if this was the last yoga class I might ever do, knowing something BAD had just happened. It turns out that labral hip tears are common amongst dancers, yogis, … [Read more...]
Honour thy teacher
by Cara Butler As both a yoga student and teacher, I have practiced and studied with the intention that I am not seeking the ‘fruits’ of my practice. Being a very competitive girl by nature with a strong Pitta constitution this has definately been a challenge at times .... however I do strongly believe the value really is in the journey, not in the destination. I can say more authentically now as I move into my 40s that I practice and also teach yoga, not for any rewards it might offer but as … [Read more...]
The Teachers Contract
by Donna Farhi, Beyond Methods: Yoga as Self-Inquiry Relationships with yoga students can take many forms: from a clear cut and dried professional boundary between teacher and student that has never extended beyond the perimeters of time spent together in a class, intensive, retreat or teacher training; to the less distinct delineation that happens when a student also happens to be a personal friend; to that of a peer exchange that takes place at a collegial level in which there may be a … [Read more...]
Announcement: Mind Body Instructor of the Year Finalists 2019
It’s that time of year when we publicly honour and celebrate the Yoga and Mind Body teachers who are making an impact in their communities. These are teachers who are deeply present and connected, intimately know their stuff and share it with passion and delight. Collectively they have helped thousands of people to access holistic mind body practices that calm, enliven and nourish, Introducing the Mind Body Instructor finalists for 2019 What are the awards? The Mind Body … [Read more...]
Feeling it in Your Bones: How to Explore the Skeleton in Yoga
by Paul Cohen, Bone Yoga I love inquisitive questions, particularly those that change the way we look at our bodies and challenge us to have a different focus and relationship with ourselves. Not just in the gross movement of our structure but also the more subtle engagements including different ways to use our breath to support movement. So what is my fascination with Bones all about? These are some of the questions I like to pose in my yoga classes. What relationship do our bones … [Read more...]