Our Blog
Blog | Stay Connected with our Kula
Join us on our blog as we dive into the explorations of yoga on and off the mat, we explore Meditation, Mantra, Philosophy including topics such as the Yoga Sutras and the 8 Limbs of Yoga. We reveal how all of these things affect not only your asana practice, but also your practice off the mat and into your life. Writing is not only a way for us to express ideas and reflections but a way to teach ourselves in each moment. We are inspired by yogic living, straight from our beautiful community in Whistler, B.C. Do you have a topic that you would like to know more about, an idea or series that you would like to see us explore on our blog? Contact us and let us know!
Wanting to learn more about Yoga Teacher Training and how your practice can go much deeper, stay tuned for tips on how to refine your practice. Do you have an questions, comments or want to know more? Please feel free to comment on any posts and start the conversation.
Articles
7 Signs You’re a Yogacara Yogi
If you’ve practiced at Yogacara Whistler before, you know we like to do things a bit differently. It’s the little things that make your practice so special. So how is being a Yogacara yogi any different? We’ve come up with best list of “You know you’re a Yogacara Yogi when” moments we think you’ll appreciate. 1.) You love small class sizes and a “no late” policy Sure, every once in a while there’s a full class but you appreciate knowing there will always be less than 13 other students. You enjoy having your own space, connecting with your teacher, and being part of a small community
Boost Your Energy With Yoga
We all have those mornings when it’s tough to get out of bed. When you’ve finally rolled out of from under the sheets you might feel like you need caffeine. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea, but when you start to crave it just for the caffeine buzz you have to wonder how your energy levels are doing. Here are some great tips for boosting your energy to keep you alert throughout the day. 1.) Try Breath of Fire Kundalini yogis know what’s up when it comes to breath of fire.
Restorative Yoga to Let Go of Stress
If you’re looking to calm your nervous system and let go of stress, look no further: restorative yoga is the practice for you. One of the best things about restorative yoga is its ability to heal, relax and renew. This powerful effect is brought about by the longer, supportive holds in each pose while being in a comfortable space. These elements, along with the meditative aspect of restorative yoga, brings about the nervous system’s relaxation response a.k.a. the parasympathetic response. Here are some restorative yoga poses for your practice to reduce stress in your life.
The Magic of Hip Openers
You may have heard the term “hip openers” in a yoga class, but what does this really mean? The idea of practicing hip openers can actually mean a lot of different things in a lot of different places. The literal hip joint is located where the femur meets the hip socket, or acetabulum, in the pelvis. Many of the hip openers refer to the areas around this joint and the pelvis. First we’ll breakdown where this is actually happening and what shapes to focus on so hip openers can benefit your practice.
Chakra Balance for Skiing & Snowboarding
When each chakra is functioning normally it results in a happy, healthy, fully functioning person. There are so many situations where the chakras come into play, and life on the snow is no exception. Finding balance in the energy of each chakra can help you prepare for your next day on the slopes.
Unsure of what a chakra is? Simply put: they’re energy centers in the body that affect health and well-being. The 7 chakras have corresponding colors, emotions, intentions, organs, and spiritual states.
How to Improve Your Down Dog
Down Dog is considered one of the yoga poses that creates a solid foundation for nearly any practice. It’s one you’ve probably seen countless times in different yoga sequences. I remember going to classes and yoga teachers would say it was a “resting pose” but how people interpret this shape can be wildly different. I laughed the first time I heard that one since I found it so challenging!
Things To Do This Fall in Whistler
Fall is such a beautiful time of year in our small mountain town! Whistler has so much to offer throughout the year and fall is no exception. Despite shoulder season slowing things down, there are still many fun things to do. Stop in for Tea! There are lots of great spots in town to sip on a hot cup of tea while it gets colder outside. Getting nice and cozy in a local cafe doesn’t just feel good, it’s good for you! Time Magazine cites that tea’s health benefits are derived from their polyphenols (an antioxidant) and phytochemicals. Looking for more reasons to love tea?
Living Life with Abundance
The creative process involves evoking the right side of our brain where we conspire with the abundance of the universe. Sitting down to meditate is an important steps for me as a writer, yoga teacher, and business woman. Another ritual I preform every morning before approaching my list of ‘work’ is to turn on the diffuser, and choose the oils that will support me throughout the day. This morning I choose Frankincense because I wanted to feel my best, and vibrate in harmony with the universe’s abundance. I also added a splash of Grapefruit to the essential oil blend in order to evoke love and acceptance.
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...
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...
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...