Change and How it Affects Your Yoga Practice
There’s nothing like fall to remind us that change is in the air. The air is crisper, the leaves change colour and we’re left to reflect on how this shift affects us in other aspects of our lives. Ayurveda is widely known as yoga’s sister science; in this system, there are multiple constitutions originating from different elements. Fall is recognized as the “vata” season which is made up of air and ether. This is evident in the cooler, dryer, windy and unpredictable conditions that dominate the autumn months. So how can change be embraced during this time of transition?
Yin Yoga 101
Yin Yoga 101: learn the basics about this beautiful practice from Yogacara Yoga Teacher Training
Yin Yoga has the same goals and objectives as any other school of yoga. Most practices of yoga are utilized to work the muscular portion of our body (Yang), where as Yin yoga lets us dive deeper into the yin tissues of our bodies, ligaments, bones and joints. Yin yoga can have the same objectives as another school of yoga and some students can find this style of class boring and passive but quickly discover that this can be the most challenging style of practice due to the long duration of poses.
Yoga Poses to Practice Daily
Yoga is such a unique practice that can vary day-to-day. Even if you go to the same yoga class regularly, you’ll notice that most teachers will alter what they share with students. There’s an infinite amount of yoga poses and sequences to choose from. We give you a few yoga poses that you may want to add to your daily practice.
5 Ways to Seek Adventure for your Soul
Our soul is the essence of our being. It is fueled by our passion and love for life. So what is a soul searcher to do? Find excitement and ignite your spirit! This list is for the life-loving adventurer that’s looking to nourish their soul. 1.) Find Your Passion Confucius once said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
What Is Pranayama?
One of the most important parts of a yoga practice is the connection to breath. There are lots of other elements that “make” a yoga class, but breath is high on that list. If it weren’t for this conscious awareness then it would be a program for stretching and strengthening, not quite yoga. Some of us may know that pranayama has something to do with breath, but what does it really mean?
Tips for the Travelling Yogi
Written for the Yogacara Yoga Teacher Training Blog
By Emily Kane – E-RYT, Studio Owner and Yoga Teacher
A sense of wanderlust is pretty common amongst the yoga community. The travelling yogi has developed an appreciation for the world around them, making exploration natural. Being open to new experiences and getting a new perspective is a great way to expand your practice off your mat. The only challenge for a travelling yogi is an unstable environment which can make it difficult to maintain their regular yoga practice. When finding yourself on buses, trains, planes or in different accommodations regularly, it can be tough to keep your routine. Here are some suggestions to help a travelling yogi on the right path.
Anatomy in Yoga
An understanding of anatomy is key for the safety and development of your students. Integrating this knowledge can encourage injury prevention and facilitate the healing process. It can connect a deeper understanding of the philosophies in creating yoga sequences for public and private classes. For private classes, if there is a specific area of focus, then you can design a practice that addresses those concerns. An anatomical awareness also prepares you to take on students with injuries in a safe and effective manner. Using variations, props, and mindful sequencing to compliment this information can create an inclusive yoga class.
An understanding of anatomy also gives you the tools to analyze your practice and teachings to create effective movement patterns. This encourages proper sequencing techniques that include adequate warm-ups and poses with appropriate counterposes. It also reinforces the importance of alignment for the purpose of safety for our joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments rather than for an esthetic appeal. The patterns we create on our mat have the ability to affect how we progress outside of yoga, meaning that our muscle memory creates healthy habits to impact other activities in our daily lives.
The Journey of Yoga Teacher Training
Written by Emily Kane – owner of Yogacara Whistler and staff member of the Yogacara Yoga Teacher Training program I used to think Yoga Teacher Training was out of my grasp. Seeing the respect that yoga teachers had for leading classes with confidence, awareness and grace is what drew me towards yoga teacher training, […]
Restorative Yoga – Relax, Restore, Renew
Yoga has the ability to create bliss on many levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The key to this state can come from a variety of practices, but one form seems to stand out when it comes to relaxation. Restorative yoga uses long, supported holds to relax the body and restore the nervous system, […]
Snow Yoga Sequences
Written by Emily Kane – owner and yoga teacher Skiing and snowboarding is pretty popular this time of year in Whistler Village, especially after a snowfall. Handling powder can be a challenging workout and yet, it still has the qualities of meditation. Its ability to connect you to bliss, nature, yourself and a higher […]
