Tag: yxe yoga

A love letter to my practice

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Let me preface this post by acknowledging first and foremost that different bodies crave different things. The things that make my muscles sing will result in different sensations for any other body and that’s part of the beauty of our individuality. We’re composed differently, our experiences may be similar or vastly varied.  My life and habits may deviate greatly from another’s, although we may be similar in age, size or situation. We each live unique lives and our practices are just as unique as a result.

… Alternatively, we may be more similar than we like to think. 

One thing that I know that we all share within this community is a common love of movement and the desire to move and also a subconscious desire for stillness, in turn, too.

In my practice, my love for movement is one of the driving reasons why I practice, and I may not be wrong in saying that likely applies to others too. For whatever reason, we’ve all found our way to Modo. Many with the desire to move our bodies towards greater physical mobility.  I think, though, that we may also have been subconsciously drawn to Modo for mental mobility: a desire stemming from feeling mentally or emotionally ‘stuck’. Physical movement is definitely the reason why I started.

Over these years, it’s really the opportunity to mentally move away from the other daily ‘stuff’ that motivates me to come back.  This knowledge that I can find stillness and space on my mat is particularly motivating when I feel the least like practicing; even on those days, I grudgingly know it’s something I need in my headspace and my life space.

The unity of breath and the sense of unity in community that is experienced when we move together acts as a tether to ground but also nurture. When we are moving though a yoga practice, there’s so much less consideration for the future or the past. It’s refreshing. It’s a reset from day to day routine, concerns, worries, troubles or fears.  It’s how it feels to be present. When the day-to-day miasma sets in, my practice is a step in the right direction towards mental and emotional clarity. And maybe that’s the biggest reason why I love it. Thank goodness.

I practice for a number of reasons and I honestly believe I am a calmer, happier and more kind person for it. 

What I practice on any given day is dictated greatly by external and internal constraints. Okay, Rose, back up here – what does that even mean? What I mean is: how much time I have and what I have going on in my life has a direct correlation to when I physically show up on my mat.  What I’m hoping to practice or my raison d’etre for being on my mat is largely driven by what’s going on in my brain and what’s happening with my emotions. 

I flow when I’m upset, angry or uncertain or feeling stubborn or grouchy; flow is for when I’m feeling disconnected from my body or when I need inspiration or I want something fun. Flow is like taking a beach day when you need a break or a pick-me-up.  It doesn’t make the source of the issue go away, but it goes a long way in creating perspective, ya know?

I yin when I’m sad or feeling lost; if I’ve had a long day, if I need to climb out of my head or if I need a reality check, or space from something, such as a story I’ve created in my mind and I need to get away from.  I also yin when I’m feelin’ lazy and I have no regrets about this. 😉

I practice Modo to build strength, to bring myself back to the reason why I love yoga, to remind myself of all the things I have to be grateful for: amazing mentors, supportive friends, loving family, a place to just be.  To me, Modo, is a way to check in wth myself, to feel appreciation in how far I’ve come, and to feel inspired towards what will come next.

Science tells us that yoga is beneficial to us in a number of ways. I think we can all agree that yoga has helped us in some capacity whether it be physical, mental, emotional or even spiritual.  In some way, we individually find solace on our mats.

I practice for my body. I practice for my mind. And also I practice in order to maintain balance in my busy life. I practice for my emotional good. I practice because in doing so I can honour my body, my mind and my spirit and pay tribute to all of the wonderful things in my life that have led me to where I am now. 

xo

Rose

Yoga & Music: Is it a good thing?

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“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Plato

Music is a universal language. It is healing and inspiring; music has the power to elevate our mood.  Music is certainly divine in its ability to transcend individual experience and to draw our consciousness inwards.

Yoga is a universal practice.  The practice of yoga, unites our breath with our movement, in turn creating balance, healing, and peace from within.  It is certainly divine in its ability to awaken consciousness and draw awareness inward.

Woah.

Now think of the two together. It’s a pretty beautiful pairing, right? From my personal experience, music and yoga are my two greatest loves in life.  To me my yoga practice set to music can be the most incredible combination.  However, it is such a highly personal topic and really a matter of preference. There are factors which could make it magical, and factors which could make it unfortunate.

What we’re trying to accomplish in yoga is a stilling of the fluctuations of the mind through breath and body awareness.  We practice a series of physical poses to distract our thoughts from the daily buzz. We then can focus our thoughts on the simplicity of only one physical movement at a time. If a student steps on their mat with that very intention, and the teacher begins to play music that they do not like, well, then their practice could be mediocre at best.

The music and the lyrics, and perhaps the volume could all have a negative effect. It could in fact speed up a student’s mind thought distractions.  The reality is if a person regularly practices in a quiet space, there is a very high probability that this will happen to them.

However, to build mental strength on and off their mat, they can accept their challenge for that particular class.  By tuning awareness inward their breath can act as an anchor and turns an obstacle into an opportunity to strengthen mental focus.  There is always noise around us, and being a bit of a metaphor for life, yoga teaches us to be at peace no matter what is happening outside of our bodies.

The effects of yoga can truly be magnified if the music that is being played is timed right, at the appropriate volume, and if you like it.  In your practice music can keep you rooted in the moment. It can pull your attention away from a busy mind and into the melody. Music can add grace and ease when poses become challenging.

The power of yoga combined with the power of music can really help elevate our experience in a yoga class therefore tuning us back into ourselves allowing for introspection.

I’ve been carried away by music.  I’ve been moved to tears on my mat as a song plays at just the right time, in just the right pose, at just the right time in my life.

It’s not always that way and music can add an unanticipated layer of effort to our practice sometimes.  But when the moment is right and the music strikes the right nerve, it’s simply magical.

Love,

Anna xo

 

The Power of Savasana

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We are a very busy bunch.  We are so busy that we’ve almost forgotten how to relax; we’ve forgotten the importance of chilling out.  We are so busy, in fact, that many of us CANNOT allow ourselves to fully relax anymore, to just be still.  We carry constant tension in our bodies: moving from one place to the next, encountering stressful situations along the way. Even if we are not on the go, we stare at our phones, making ourselves ready for whatever text will come in next or whatever article pops up on social media, be it negative or positive.

For many of us, our brains have been wired to equate busyness with success, and ultimately a sense of self-worth.  Habits have been so deeply established that even when we try to find some peace and quiet, it is nearly impossible to still the mind, and we then convince ourselves it is a lost cause and give up.  How do I know this? A) Because I hear it from others all the time.  B) Because I have said it plenty myself.  The process of quieting the mind is essential, as it leads to relaxing the body. In a society that values productivity and haste, a relaxed body is hard to come by. Recall moments that you’re thinking of something stressful, your body’s response is to grip either in the shoulders, the jaw, the hands, or between your eyebrows.  Learning how to do nothing and think nothing helps you become more productive when you actually need to be.

The beauty of it is we CAN learn to tame the chatter in our brains, which is one of the main focuses of savasana. Even if it is for just one breath, focusing on the breath in and the breath out is so incredibly beneficial.  After you succeed in being silent in your mind for one breath, you can eventually learn how to be silent for five, and move on from there. It is a practice, just like the practice of asana itself.

The benefits received in savasana from finding peace in the mind and body are astounding; basically this pose helps to diminish any of the side effects of stress from everyday life.  During your yoga practice your body has just been stretched, strengthened, opened, and ready to let go.  After your yoga practice, to feel your whole body supported on the floor is simply magical.  The nervous energy we carry in our bodies feels as if it has been burned away in the hot room. It is time now to integrate the knowledge your body has just acquired from your practice, it is time now to allow your body to reap the benefits of your hard work; it is time to be still.

To get into this pose, which is arguably the most important of all yoga postures, is quite simple: lie on your mat and get as comfortable as you possibly can so you can fully unwind.  Scan the body for tension, and then allow the surrender to happen.  Have faith that your breath will guide you from moment to moment, enjoy the space between the thoughts, and know that eventually the space will become longer as you practice.

Love,  Anna

Modo Family- Student Spotlight-John

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We are pretty sure that we’ve met the most compassionate, sweet man on the planet. He has this uncanny way of getting anyone he meets to smile wide. When you’re near him you know that kindness is alive and well and that choosing to see the beauty in all experiences is the way to go. John has been one of our greatest teachers not just for the staff  but also for the community. Thank you John for being full of light. We love you!

What are you passionate about outside of yoga?

Dancing and music – the rhythm and beat move me; Sailing – respect for the awesome power of nature and the fine line one can reach when catching the wind with one pontoon on the catamaran precarious in the air and the other pontoon humming; and most of all Sharing – nothing more inspiring and warming than experiencing in silence or listening and sharing ones story.

What is your favorite posture?

The posture at the end of a session in savasana when ones core starts to quiver, eyes close tight and tears of joy flow from the creases.

What do you love about the Modo Series?

I only know the Modo series. From what I have observed I love people’s attitude of support – don’t sweat the small stuff, pardon the pun, but it is all small stuff and I sweat puddles.

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

Gratitude, I am thankful for each moment.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

Never thought about that question. Other than the necessities of life, I believe I could live without anything – faith, hope and love are the things that come to mind. I believe we need faith that there is something more, hope that we can make a difference and love encompasses all.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Moksha community?

Sharing gratitude. Sharing a silent yoga session, a vigorous flow or yin session without speaking a word is sharing an experience. My favourite thing about sharing an experience is the gratitude it brings to me knowing there are many people who can’t share the same experience.

 

Intention Setting-Elevate Your Practice

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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

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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.

Learning to grieve with a little help from my friend- Yoga

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I’ve been wondering how to start this post for awhile now. How do I explain how yoga can help people grieve? How it can help people process. How it can help someone come out of the tunnel and not only see the light, but move in to and through the light. I finally realized I can’t talk about how it can help other, because everyone grieves differently. However, I can explain how it has helped me.

My family has unfortunately experienced two losses which have hit close to home. We lost a child to miscarriage at 14 weeks, and most recently experienced a stillbirth close to 22 weeks. The term ‘stillborn’ still doesn’t feel right to me, but clinically there’s no better term. Our son Watson was born with a beating heart, but lungs too immature to allow him to breathe. He was born just shy of the 23 1/2 week ‘cut-off’ for hospital staff to jump in and help him breathe, providing support until his lungs were strong enough to take the job over for themselves. He was born beautiful, with a chest that I saw move with each heartbeat, with a heart that I felt beat through the tips of my fingers, with an arm that he curled up in to his chest as he laid in my arms. He looked like his dad, he had toes like his sister, he had a nose like his mom.

This was a child that danced in my belly when I practiced yoga. While in the hospital for over 2 weeks I would be asked several times a day if I felt much movement. My answer was always “a little bit”, but nothing compared to what I felt before I had arrived there. You see, it was when I practiced yoga that he practiced moving his little body the most.

When Watson died a piece of my heart shattered. I came home and tried to settle in to my new life – a new life because of large piece of me had been lost to never return. I would never be the same. It took me a week to return to my mat at home. For the first week of practice, I would settle in to childs pose and cry. Eventually I was able to extend one leg back into pigeon, then the other. It’s amazing how the body moves to what it needs the most. Most of my practice that first month was a tribute to hip openers. Heart always closed over my mat I would allow my hips, which have always held emotion, to open. The more they opened, the more it hurt… the more I cried.  Then one day, my sweet little beacon of light walked up to me as I was in melting heart, and said “Mommy, look!”. She was in tree pose. This amazing little soul, who intuitively knows so much, showed me where I had to go. I pulled myself up and stood in tree with her. She looked up at me with innocent eyes and a brilliant smile, and I smiled back. I smiled as I stood tall, confident, and strong. Without thinking I swept my arms up overhead, and Norah followed as she always does. We moved in to crescent moon. I felt my ribs expand and my breath instantly began to deepen. I knew in that instant what I had to do. Just as Watson had learned to move his little body when I practiced, I had to re-learn my life as I knew best – with movement.

When I started to return to Modo Yoga Cambridge I would find a spot near the back, behind someone else’s mat. Though I had once again become comfortable moving within my body, I wasn’t comfortable seeing myself in the mirror. It was difficult going from looking at myself in the studio with a noticeably pregnant belly to seeing myself postpartum. So, I hid. When I taught, I would stand at the front of the room, and look everywhere except at my reflection. I wasn’t ready.

On a particularly emotional day, without thinking about my actions, I arrived at the studio. It was empty, as I knew it would be, and I found myself standing alone in 1500 square feet of silence, two feet from the mirror, on my mat. Chin lifted, I looked in my eyes and started to move. I started with my breath and allowed that breath to carry me through 1 hour of heat, sweat, cries and flow. My practice that day ended with a supported savasana, shoulders back, chest open to the heavens, hands over heart, tears streaming down my face. I cried not tears of sadness, though those do come and go, but tears of acceptance. Yes, our Watson died and it is incredibly sad, but a piece of the heartache chipped away that day making room for love. Love for myself, my husband, my Norah, my family and friends.

I rolled up my mat that day a different person than who I was when I unrolled it an hour prior. Losing Watson will always hurt. I will always miss who he was when he was with me, and the hopes I had for who he would become. I find comfort knowing that every time I step on my mat, he is there with me. His spirit moves and breathes with me now as his body did while he was living inside of me.

There is no end to the grieving process, at least not mine. I have great happy days, sad days, and in-between days.The studio has offered me a healing space where I can be myself and let my emotions roll as they will. Why not? We have all suffered some loss. We all experience some sadness and heartache. The Moksha community I continue to return to has proven that we are there for one another in happiness and sadness, and most importantly that it is okay to be human – because we all are.

So here I am, 4 days shy of 7 months after his birth, a new person. A new mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and business partner. Most importantly, a person whose reflection I can look at and know that while it carries a story, it carries love.

Christine Grant runs Modo Yoga Cambridge with her wonderful partners, Emily & Wendy Dwornikiewicz. She spends her days dreaming, teaching, exploring the outdoors with her pooches, and going on adventures with her sweet little tyke. As the sun starts to set she is likely to be enjoying a backyard BBQ, some good cheese, and a great glass of wine. Follow Christine on Instagram – @trueyogamom
 

Modo Family Student Spotlight- Brenda

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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

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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!

Modo Hot Yoga Series

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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!).