Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Abundance surrounds me here in Ste-Anne-de-Prescott, Ontario! Space, trees, comfort, food. Though the season has transitioned to Autumn, our of garden harvest surprises continue! Beans are still growing; new sightings of pumpkins and squash pop up from their hiding places and excite me; greens like swiss chard, kale, bok-choy and nasturtium are plentiful. These are some of the glorious reasons I enjoy this place and space… and I am grateful!

With Thanksgiving here in Canada, just around the corner, gratitude and thanksgiving are even more prominent than usual. We have the anticipation of a ‘first visit’ from family members and the gathering for the celebration of harvest, family, love and appreciation. I also express gratitude at the end of each of my yoga classes and try to at the end of each day. Though each of my classes are different, I have come to be pretty consistent with my closing remarks and blessings. This is unusual for me to have consistency as I enjoy flexibility and variety!

A friend recently asked for me to share some of my story… my ‘why’s’ around each style of yoga that I practice and teach to clients, and, seeing that I am putting this in writing, it is my intention to do just that. Share a bit about each style and practice that draws me to them. I also acknowledge to myself that this is making me vulnerable and I feel it in my body as nervous tension, and at the same time, it excites me to stretch my boundaries of (dis)comfort a bit more. So today, I introduce, or re-introduce you to what I teach. My ‘why’ will come later.

My first introduction to yoga was in the late 1990’s and was through the Hatha Yoga style. I do not teach this style of yoga. Power Yoga was next and this captivated my attention. The poses are similar, but, I believe it is in the sequencing, the manner in which the class is taught, the intention of each class as well as who shows up on screen or in person, which helps me to differentiate and present classes that are unique, varied and make it applicable to those present.

No two classes are ever exactly alike ( there is variety, flexibility & individuality). I am schooled in a vinyasa flow from Power Yoga Canada, which was originally based on Baron Baptiste’s Journey into Power (JIP) sequencing of poses. He has a book of the same name. From there, my interest and profession as a Recreational Therapist took my to experiment and present Chair Yoga classes in my community to seniors and people with challenged physicality. My teacher, Kinndli, encouraged us to get on a chair and try it out, and I did! Trial and error to see what works, reference books for additional ideas and then creative sequencing for a flow feeling to the class to keep our ‘drishti’ (focused attention) consistent and a vinyasa flow for forward movement. As I continued to gain teaching experience, interest in other yoga styles developed and I continued to learn and grow within myself taking an additional 300 hour yoga teacher training a few years back. (This is where the credentials CYA-E-RYT500 come in. 200 hours + 300 hours of training. CYA is Canadian Yoga Alliance, RYT is Registered Yoga Teacher.)

I now teach Power Flow Yoga, Chair Yoga (30 & 60 minute classes), Yin Yoga, a Slow Flow Power Yoga and Rest & Restore Mindful Meditative Movement class.

Abundance! Gratitude! Thanksgiving! For family and loved ones, my body, mind, the spaces & places, this practice, opportunities…so much more… and YOU! What brings these feelings to you?

I wish blessings of what brings joy and abundance to you and your loved ones this Thanksgiving!