A new begining

This is both exciting and sad, but I made the decision to move site providers and start fresh.  I've tried to convert this blog into a more professional site for me to use as I develop new skills and need to advertise myself more, but it was hard to move away what I had already created but also had so little time to maintain.

my new site is: omyogaandmassage.wordpress.com

This site is going to act more as a site then a blog about myself and my experiences.  I hope you follow my new site and maybe even book yourself for massage or come visit my class!

Stephanie

Bringing love and support naturally

It's been interesting lately, I have had a lot of comments from friends and loved ones who have all commented on the fact that I've acted at some point, even for many years, as a mentor or a someone they can confide in and be listen to. 

I find this interesting because it's not something that I have ever intentionally made myself available for. Nor have I ever felt obliged to to be "that person", becoming burdened by their messy lives. It just seems to be something that happens. I care for these people, I care about what happens to them. I suppose I just ask the right questions and let them know that no matter what, even when I don't feel as though I have the comforting words, that I am present for them. Both then and later on.  Even the simplicity of a gentle touch to the hand can send waves of information. All of this is to reinforce that they are not alone. That no matter what, there will always be someone walking beside them, somebody who cares for them and loves them. Also, reminding them that they are surrounded by many others who also love them and want to support them - they just don't always know how to tell them so. 

I'm not exactly sure how or why I am good at this. If I were to take a guess, I think it has a lot to do with my own life experiences. I personally have gone through my own share of difficult times, tragedies, of friction. I've always done my best to view these moments as learning opportunities. Opportunities for me to grow, to become a better person. It doesn't mean that I never cried or that I had never been up late wondering "why? why me?" or have private tantrums with the world. I think and hope these responses are all natural.

At some point we stop asking these questions, at which time we can become grateful for those lessons learned, for those difficult times. And although it would've been nicer if we never had to go through those moments, but it creates this maturity, a wiseness. For me, I think it's important to share those experiences, to be open about them. Because we are never alone and my experiences are always somebody else's. Generally not exactly the same, but in some way similar. And by sharing, it creates connections, so that the burden is no longer on their shoulders alone. You do this so that they can have the time to develop their own strength. It is in that time we are then able to heal, and healing can only occur with space. 

And finally one day they too will be able to help pass this same love and support to those that they love and care for.

Om Shanti.

Developing an intensive

I'm sitting in one of my favourite Vancouver coffee shops... with no pen. Planning. 
I have finally commited to developing an intensive.  Ideally, I'll be running it in August,  but that's dependent on finding a studio to use.

I have my concept. Now to fine tune it so I can start advertising and finding people who would be interested. I'm really excited.

Sneak peak:
- a 2 days a week practice, to experience progression and consistency
- for those who want to reignite their own practice
- for those who want more then the standard studio offering (more pranayama, meditation, and japa/chanting, asana workshops)
- for those who have thought about taking a T.T. but are unsure or don't want the commitment if they don't plan to ever teach

Sounds interesting? Stay tuned. Or leave a message with suggestions on what you would like to learn if you had the opportunity to join.  Update: join my Facebook Event Page.

Namaste my friends.

more words?

And then there was yoga for the rest of us

Today I had the honor of hosting a yoga class for one of our yoga greats in North America, Sage Rountree. When I was asked to do this for Mountain Equipment co-op, not only did I feel surpised and excited, but I also felt the stress off being responsible for 30 bodies and their sense of peace. I didn't know if I could create the calm needed for a yoga class, especially in the midst of the chaos of a large store that even putting noise aside, the shear number of things too look at and distract you with! But I suppose it's in the midst of chaos that we need to find sanctuary the most.

What a great learning experience to have been able to host this event. To have been able to share my own love of yoga to the people in Vancouver through Sage. Who was able to bring such knowledge and experience for different athletes who want to practice yoga in a way that would be beneficial to their own training while respecting their bodies abilities.

This experience has taught me that you can create a sacred space no matter where you are. And even though I had things for the altar like flowers, a singing bowl and even a statue of Shiva. I even managed to clear enough space so that everyone was able to lay their mats comfortably. But it is, I realized, the action of everyone coming together and the subtle vibrations we all create together when we come together as a community.

Namaste