Tag: saskatoon

Modo Family Spotlight- Mallory

Posted on by admin

The always lovely Mallory sits down with us and lets us know how her love of Moksha over the years has evolved, what she does to balance the work/life juggling act, her favourite book and shares a stunning example of how her practice created room for peace in her heart in moments of grief. We love you Mal.

1)How do you balance being a business owner, and still remain rooted and committed to your practice?

Practice! One of my teachers once said to me “balancing, never balance” this little phrase rang true to me then and still does today. To say that I am always balanced and rooted wouldn’t be honest, balance is something I am continuously learning about and re-evaluating as I grow and my life evolves. One tool I have been using for a few years is to give myself one day, the same day each week where I plan nothing, absolutely nothing for the whole day! Having this open space really allows me to jam pack my other days if need be, knowing that I will have that day where nothing is needed of me and I can do whatever it is that I feel I need in that moment.

2)You’ve been practicing at MYS since the doors opened, starting as an ambassador and then becoming an instructor, how has your practice evolved over the years?

I feel like I’ve gone through the whole spectrum of experience on my mat. When I first showed up at Modo I was living in a really uncomfortable body, full of pharmaceuticals and feeling depressed because of how they were affecting my life. As I continued to practice I began noticing myself change in areas off my mat, I started eating better, and as a result I felt more alive and more full of energy on my mat. While I was away at teacher training I made the decision to go off my meds, this was scary and empowering at the same time. Once I got home my practice took on a whole new layer of experience, I felt more accountable as I was practicing not only for myself but also for those who were coming to the classes. Over the years I have witnessed my practice create healing physically, mentally and emotionally. My practice has always been and continues to be a source of insight, a place to for me to reconnect to what matters most and gain clarity when I am faced with confusion or adversity.

What are you passionate about outside of yoga?

I absolutely love psychology, specifically the psychosomatic approach. It absolutely fascinates me that our thoughts have the ability to literally change our physiology and that by becoming more aware of the way we move that we have the ability to change the way we think about ourselves, the way we interact with others and the way we see the world.

What is your favorite book?

Oh man, I love all books! I love different books for different reasons. Right now and for the past couple years a book that I have come back to time and again is called The Shared Heart. It is such a special book to me, one that focuses on life transitions and celebrations from a spiritual perspective.

What was your ultimate traveling experience?

I would have to say my time spent in Brazil. I was gone for three months, one of which was spent in Modo training. We took a boat across a river then a 45min buggy ride through the jungle to our very remote location. The water was heated by the sun, the electricity generated through solar panels and if you showered too long or left your lights on then it meant your neighbor would go without hot water or the ability to read at night. The people of this community lived with little to no material possessions and were some of the happiest, most welcoming individuals I had ever met. I learned through my time spent in Brazil that happiness wasn’t something money could buy, or you could acquire through anything external, that it was truly an internal experience.

What do you love about the Modo Series?

I love that it is not rigid and there is nothing absolute about it. I love that it is accessible to all and that it continues to challenge me in new and dynamic ways. I used to get frustrated and bored by doing the same postures day in and day out, then I had this realization. If I am bored, if I am frustrated, or resisting what is being offered these reactions are no ones fault but my own. The Modo series is repetitive for this exact reason, to unveil the various layers of our experience to us. If I become mad/sad/bored/frustrated on my mat, then this is an opportunity to ask myself, where am I mad/sad/bored/frustrated in my life that I am not paying attention to? The Modo series is like one big reflection that can give me insight into all other areas of my life if I am willing to allow it.

What posture do you struggle with?

Prayer Twist for sure! My knees become vulnerable and my mind becomes very impatient, its always been a challenge for me to stay truly present in this posture.

What is your favorite thing about teaching yoga?

No two classes are the same, kind of like the snowflake thing. It doesn’t matter how much I practice, study or teach, each and every class is truly unique. I can walk into a class with a full plan of action and then once everyone starts moving and breathing its like the class takes on a life of its own and I get to be a part of this living work of art. I am blown away by the way I observe people showing up for themselves, by the courage, the strength, the vulnerability and the passion I witness in others as they move through the practice. It inspires me to keep digging deeper in my own life and in my own practice.

What is the greatest thing you have learned in your yoga practice?

My dad passed away this last November and I was fortunate enough to be with him in those last moments. I was really scared, I didn’t know if I could do it and even left for a moment to go to the bathroom secretly thinking maybe he would pass during my absence. No one else was there, just him and I and in those last moments and as he left his body I felt the deepest sense of peace and calm wash over me. I sat there for a while just suspended in time, feeling similar sensations to how I feel a lot of the time on my mat, especially in those really deep layers of Savasana. Learning that I can in no matter what situation I am in bring myself into a place of peace, a space of total calm, is the single greatest thing I have learned in my practice. No matter what experiences life brings, I am so incredibly comforted by the fact that I can at any moment stop, breathe and connect to that space of peace within.

What are your favorite things about Saskatoon?

I haven’t always loved Saskatoon. I moved to Vancouver for a year and it was during my time living in Van that I really started to appreciate Saskatoon living. I love that it seems to be the biggest small town you will ever live in. It seems like no matter where I go, I will more times than not bump into someone I know. I love that I can be in the grocery store line and chat with a stranger without feeling like a weirdo. I did that once in Vancouver and the person looked at me as if I was from another planet! I also love that there is this growing community of locally owned businesses supporting each other. I especially appreciate this now that I am a business owner myself, it feels really good spending my money supporting others that are working to make their dreams a reality.

Hands-On Yoga Adjustments: Communicating Information through Touch

Posted on by admin

What is the purpose of a hands-on adjustment in a Modo Class?

I once read in an article that through hands-on adjustment, the teacher’s goal is to transmit information to the student using their hands. Just like with a verbal adjustment, the teacher is attempting to tell you something about your body in relation to the posture you are performing. While practising yoga, we can’t always see what we’re doing in each pose, and until we develop body awareness, we may not even be able to feel what we’re doing. I can’t tell you how many times I thought my shoulders were relaxed, only to realize I had been tensing muscles when an instructor touched my shoulders and guided them an inch down my back. When an instructor physically touches you, the intention is always to create some sort of benefit for the student. The reason for the physical touch can vary:

• An attempt to adjust the student into a more efficient or beneficial version on the posture: Like I said before, we can’t always see what we are doing in the yoga room. Sure, there is a mirror, but depending on which posture you’re performing, you may not get the best angle to check your alignment. When a teacher approaches you in a posture and guides your torso or limbs into a certain position, they are trying to pass their knowledge on to you by showing how to do the pose in a more beneficial way. Sometimes that might make the pose easier, or it may challenge you to practice more muscular containment instead of collapsing in to the shape of the posture.

• To assist the student into a deeper expression of the pose: As the body becomes stronger and more knowledge is developed in regards to the postures, we tend to settle into habits of practising: only placing the body in the place that feels most comfortable. While the intention is never to feel pain in a yoga class, staying well inside your comfort zone inhibits growth. Sometimes, the skillfully placed hands of a teacher can guide your body deeper into a posture. They are simply helping to show you the space you already have or the expression you are capable of exploring . We often create limitations for ourselves and our bodies that are not truly reflective of our capabilities. You may be surprised at the strength and flexibility of your own body when you are encouraged to test your boundaries under trusted guidance.

• Sharing the power of touch: There is a powerful connection created through physical touch. When a teacher provides a hands-on adjustment, their intention is always to create a positive and beneficial experience. For some, simply being touched is a way to affirm that you are noticed in class; that your teacher sees your practice and wants to give you some special attention. If you are someone who has a hard time relaxing, touch can help bring attention to areas you unknowingly tense up, helping you to become more aware of your patterns of holding, and soften. And all self-consciousness aside, sometimes a foot rub just feels amazing!

At MYS we love hands-on adjustments, but we also want to create a safe and comfortable space for everyone. That is why we have implemented the Adjustment Chip system.  Please grab a chip on your way in to class even if you don’t intend to be touched, it will help to eliminate uncertainty.  If you are open to being adjusted or assisted in your postures, place the chip face up. It will give the teacher the green light to guide you in your postures with physical touch. If you would rather not, place the chip face down. Maybe what you need or prefer will change from day to day, and that’s okay! Teachers don`t need to know why, and would never be offended by a face down chip. The most important thing to your teacher is that you feel safe in our studio to move through your yoga practice and get the benefits you need.

with love,

Sarah

Intention Setting-Elevate Your Practice

Posted on by admin

Have you heard your instructor offer an intention at the beginning of your yoga class? Perhaps the instructor has given you a moment to set your own intention. What is intention setting and how can it enhance your yoga practice?

You may recall when you first began to practice yoga and the simple intention was just to make it through the class. This experience is widely shared: where participating in every posture or staying in the room for the entire class is cause to celebrate. But as your practice evolves, intention setting can become a useful tool to keep you inspired and showing up on your mat.

There are a few different ways of approaching this concept of ‘an intention’. The first could be a focus on a particular body part; drawing awareness to any areas that you feel need attention. For example, if you don’t feel connected to your core muscles, you could begin a class setting the intention to check in with the belly as you arrive in each posture. Maybe it’s trying to be more aware of grounding; paying attention to whatever area of your body is touching the ground to help you feel supported in your postures.

Beyond the physical, setting an intention is a good way to focus awareness inside and to be introspective about any unwanted thought patterns that arise during your practice. The simplest approach is to try and focus on the breath, being mindful and deliberate with each inhalation and each exhalation. Not as easy as it sounds, but with practice breath awareness becomes an amazing tool helping to cultivate presence in the moment.

The idea that you should be able to create a quiet mind through yoga, one that is totally free from all thoughts, can be discouraging. If you’ve ever tried it, you know it’s not only hard but damn-near impossible. I don’t know if it’s officially ‘yogi kosher’, but I’ve developed a little technique that helps me to stay focused while I practice. On those days when my brain won’t shut up, I shift my intention from quieting the thoughts to changing them. Whenever I notice a thought of judgment, comparison, or negative self-talk I flip it. I flood my mind with thoughts that make me happy; my personal go-to is puppies, but find what works for you. After any negativity is carried away with those happy thoughts I’m left with the quiet. I repeat every few breaths as necessary.

Another way to infuse your practice with meaning and focus is to dedicate your class to another person. I like to think of people in my life who need yoga, but would never go. Maybe you could choose someone who needs yoga, but might feel that they are unable to because of limitations. In this way, your practice can become an opportunity to cultivate good vibes and send them to the people you love! I think we have all had the experience where you call someone and the first thing they say is, “I was JUST thinking that I should call you!” Maybe it’s not so far-fetched that they could pick up on your intangible yoga love-bombs, too! 🙂

Remember, yoga is and always will be a practice. Some days you show up to your mat and set a beautiful intention but forget it within 10 minutes. But other days you can nurture your intention during your practice, and when you do it is such a beautiful reminder of what you’re capable of, both on and off the mat.

Stay inspired!

Modo Family Spotlight- Maddy

Posted on by admin

What are you passionate about outside of yoga?

I am passionate about health, wellness and the amazing ability our bodies have to heal themselves under the proper guidance.  I’m passionate about travel, getting outside your comfort zone and challenging myself to continue to grow and learn. I’m passionate about the oneness that encompasses all beings, that makes our earth a haven for us all to live and co-exist in.

What is your favorite book and why?

Ever since I read Wild, I can’t get that crazy woman’s words out of my head! Cheryl Strayed’s journey to find her purpose is not only inspiring but also unbelievably mirroring of the rut that many of us fall into living our lives. It can be easy to just coast the sails of life and not take a hold of your destiny, but HEY… when you get tired of that and you do take the reigns of your life, it can lead to amazing things you couldn’t have even imagined could be your reality.

What was your ultimate traveling experience and why?

I recently just took a month off of “real life” and spent a month in Costa Rica & Nicaragua! And what an amazing adventure it was! Spending a month dedicated to yoga, surfing, feeling, being and allowing myself to be fully present to all the healing nature around me made me feel so alive!

What do you love about the Modo Series?

What I love about the Modo series is that every single time you come to your mat, even if the postures are the same – there is something COMPLETELY different that either you need, is being offered or that you’re taking away with you. It’s in the daily routines, in our daily lives that we can find the light to illuminate our most destined path.

What posture do you struggle with?

I struggle physically with half locus; in the 60 minute Modo it is usually the one posture to get skipped, but in the 75 minute and 90 minute Modo’s it’s a pretty big staple. It’s a toughie for me because you can’t see your legs lift you can only do you best to feel them… sensation and visualization, key parts of a practice.

What is the one thing you can’t say no to?

Hmmm… Homebrewed Kombucha; if anyone has been to Hawaii, you know exactly what I’m talking about! Its everywhere and its so fresh and delicious and did I mention amazing for your belly and immune system?! UNREAL!

What is your favorite thing about teaching yoga?

My ultimate favourite moments when I’m teaching are made up of all the opportunities to see and hear and experience when cues, analogies, jokes or knowledge lands in someone else’s body. It’s like this visual and energetic AH-HA moment that is beyond priceless to experience as a teacher.

What are your favorite things about home, and also what are your favorite things about Saskatoon?

My favourite thing about HOME, Toronto – is a place called the Evergreen Brickworks; an old quarry that has been repurposed into walking trails, a Saturday market, quaint restaurant, brewery and amazing lookout point of my city. I love going here ALL times of year – but fall is the very best, when the leaves are colourful and the warm sun shines.

My favourite thing about HOME, Saskatoon – is the foodie/coffee scene! Its amazing here… Some great locally run places that have such authentic Saskatoon vibes. A few faves: Leyda’s, The Citizen Café, Thrive, Collective Coffee and the Night Oven, just to name a few.

Modo Family Student Spotlight- Brenda

Posted on by admin

Our dear friend Brenda sat down with us and shared how her practice informs her day to day tasks, what she loves about the series and what fuels her outside of her yoga practice. We love you Brenda!

What are you passionate about outside of yoga?

I am passionate about spending time with my family We enjoy walks around the city, skiing, cooking together or just simply treating ourselves to a coffee and visiting.

What is your favourite posture?

I have a few fav’s but if I have to name one it would be Tree. This is the posture that reveals the most about me at that moment.

What do you love about the Modo Series?

What I love about the Modo series is that you can make it as challenging as you want. No matter how often I practice it there is often something new I get out of the practice.

What is the most important thing you have learned in a yoga class?

The most important thing I have learned in a yoga class is to not take the practice too seriously. To accept what I am able to bring to my mat on that day.

What is your favourite animal, and why?

My favourite animal is a dog. I LOVE how compassionate they are and how they are always anxious to see you.  They want to snuggle and they are able to communicate with you through those snuggles. You know when they aren’t feeling well, you know when they are hungry, you know when they are excited.

What do you love to do with your family?

One of our favourite pastimes is to cook together. We all love and appreciate food and how it makes us feel when we are nourished.

What is your favourite thing about being a part of the Modo community?

Being part of the Modo community means the world to me. I love the fact that no matter how much it has grown from when I first started my yoga journey I feel just as welcomed as I did on my first day. I’m in “awe” that when we come in , everyone makes time to say hello. You truly feel appreciated for coming and sharing your practice, and your energy with everyone else there.

Modo Student Spotlight- Jamie

Posted on by admin

What are you passionate about outside of yoga?

Hmmm…. that is a loaded question!  I am passionate about anything to do with animals. I love almost anything with 4 legs! I have a big ol goofy 110lb Great Pyrenees named Maximus and a very loud and obnoxious 14 year old cat. (Whom I secretly also love dearly) I am also hugely passionate about working with people with intellectual and physical disabilities. I love advocating for others, assisting them achieve their goals and live out the best possible life they can dream for themselves.

What was your first yoga experience like?

My first yoga experience was almost 4 years ago now…. wow…. crazy how time flies! It was a Yin Class and I remember thinking to myself “how is humanely possible for people to move this slowly and stay still for so long? Haha! Little did I know at the time that Yin was the embodiment of what I needed most. I quickly learned that there are so many layers to this practice. I started to get to know myself physically  and mentally in ways that I never had before. I was hooked!

What do you love about the Modo Series?

This is an ever evolving question. My answer would have been different even a few short months ago. I love the familiarity of the sequence, but the fact that it never becomes stagnant or boring to me. Once I learned to drop my preconceptions about what I felt my practice should look like, a whole new experience opened up for me. New dimensions, new feelings, new depths. I have in turn discovered a more balanced side of myself.

What posture do you struggle with?

I would have said Camel Pose not too long ago, but I had a “light bulb” moment in practice that changed that for me.  Now I  embrace it!  Currently I would have to say I struggle with Prayer Twist the most. We have a love-hate relationship. I truly believe there is something in this pose that is working to reveal itself to me.  I just haven’t quite discovered what that is yet.  It will come with time, patience, and practice.  I am sure of that!

Benefits of a Daily Practice

Posted on by admin

We all want more of the good stuff. Stuff in our life that makes us happy and leaves us feeling good. It only takes a few Moksha classes to fall in love with how you feel afterwards.  But committing to a daily practice; who has the time for that? But what DO you really  have time for? Think of the way you use your time in a day: you could be the busy business person or busy parent who can’t possibly imagine that they could make it to a 1 hour class. Perhaps you’re the opposite and you love your time to lounge around the house reading books or watching Netflix. But those who make time to show up on their mat don’t feel like it’s a time sucker, a chore, or an inconvenience. It’s an affirmation to yourself that you deserve to feel great, live fully, and be the best version of yourself. Dedicating yourself to a daily practice puts you in your best state of mind, and ready for  life off the mat.

Practicing every day means being more conscious of your body and making health a part of your routine. I think of it like a ripple effect: if you know that you are going to yoga later on you’ll drink lots of water all day to prepare yourself for class, and lots afterwards to replenish. You might even choose a lighter or more healthy breakfast or lunch because you want to avoid practicing on a full stomach. Being dedicated doesn’t mean being perfect. I have a serious soft spot for a blue cheese burger and a pint- shhh, our little secret-but it’s about finding balance in your life. Your practice will become your inspiration for that balance.

For me, the best part of committing to daily practice is how it connects me to a community of likeminded people.  You’ll notice it too: without even trying, connections are created with your fellow yogis because you are sharing a similar path. You start to know other student’s names and you’ll have the opportunity to get to know with them and your instructors too.  When you make daily practice a priority you’ll see a shift in the way you interact with people in your life. Maybe that means that you’ll be more patient with your family, become a better listener with your friends and even a more compassionate partner.

Are you ready to see what the most authentic and fully loved version of yourself looks like? Commit to a daily practice: you deserve it.

See you in the hot room!

 

Saskatoon grows by one community Garden.

Posted on by admin

Saskatoon Grows by one Community Garden. Each week we are spotlighting one of our AMAZING Garden Patch Adopt A Plot teams. This week, we salute Modo Yoga Saskatoon for all of their hard work and dedication 3 years in a row at the Garden Patch!

Q1: Tell us about your team, organization of business.
.

Over the past three years, the crew at Modo Yoga Saskatoon has been a proud member of the Saskatoon Food Bank Garden Patch’s Adopt-A-Plot team.  Our team is small but mighty: we have 5 members this year who will share the task of weeding, watering and caring for our little veggie patch.

Q2: Why does your team participate in the Adopt-A-Plot Program?
.
Our team participates in the Adopt-A-Plot Program because it really fits in with our company vision; we are committed to ethical, compassionate and environmentally conscious living! Modo Yoga is about more than the physical practice; by helping to grow nutritious food for the Food Bank, we are taking our yoga off the mat and into the world, volunteering our time and reaching out to the community.
.

Q3: What is your favorite part of diggin in at the Community Garden Patch?

One of our favorite aspects of the Adopt-A-Plot program is that we can step away from the city into a beautiful oasis of greenery.  It’s an opportunity to slow life down and concentrate on the simple, yet important task of helping a seed to grow, and in turn helping our community to flourish.

Modo Hot Yoga Series

Posted on by admin

Modo Yoga is a green, clean, hot yoga series that stretches, strengthens and tones the muscles while helping to detoxify the body and calm the mind.  While all classes are rooted in the Modo Yoga series, teachers are encouraged to bring their own unique knowledge and experience every time they enter the room to teach.

Savasana

Savasana, or corpse pose, is how we begin. Lying flat on the back with the palms turned up and the feet slightly separated, we start a challenging practice in relaxation, allowing our expectations to fall away and be replaced by the potential for a pure experience.

Intention Setting

In any activity, setting goals or intentions breeds accomplishment. Often a teacher will set a theme for a class – for example being more aware of your breath, or building the core muscles of the abdomen. Especially for those with a busy life, this brings the experience of a hot yoga class into focus.

The Standing Series

The standing series is a cardiovascular set of postures. The focus is on building strength, stability, balance and endurance through hot yoga postures done from a standing position. Postures are held anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute, allowing the skin to sweat and detoxify the body.

The Floor Series

The floor series works on strengthening the upper body, spine and abdominal muscles. Having thoroughly warmed the body in the standing series, we now begin to open the hips and focus on the health of the spine. The floor series can relieve tension, help treat lower back and knee pain, and improve posture.

Final Savasana

Final Savasana ends the class the way it began: lying flat on the back. The standing and floor series have warmed, strengthened and opened the body, and now we’re ready to relax. At the end of class students leave at their own pace, each with greatly reduced stress levels, a rejuvenated internal system and a little yoga twinkle in the eye (you’ll see!).

Modo Ambassador- How it deepened my practice!

Posted on by admin

Who wouldn’t be stoked to trade a little bit of their time for a lot of yoga? Becoming an ambassador for Modo started as a fantastic opportunity to deepen my practice, and quickly flourished into one of the most important relationships in my life. The studio itself is not simply where I go to practice, it is a root, and a home that I care for as if it were my own. I come to my mat to practice dropping everything away and be present with myself. I’ve really appreciated the added sense of ease and love for the physical space in which my mat is placed. 

More importantly, what really makes the studio great is the people. Being involved in the studio by working one shift a week and practicing more means becoming close with the community of this studio, and these people are simply the best. Whether I am sad, pissed off, or happy before I get to my mat, I always feel better just walking through the doors. 

My yoga practice is expanding now to teacher training. The opportunity to share what I love deeply is being overwhelmingly supported. I have a community that is excited for me, helping me, and cheering for me. A community that supports me as I stumble along this new path. I am proud to be an ambassador and I am definitely grateful. It is an incredible opportunity and one that I hope you try. It’s been so fun growing with the Modo family.

love, Chelsea