The Blog

Faith at the Edge of a Cliff

2009-10-01T00:17:33+00:00

It is quite common for me to receive phone calls or emails after an Immersion or a Level 1 Teacher Training of people doubting their ability and skill or if they are up to the challenge of continuing with their training and moving on to teach. Similarly, I had a friend call me recently, in the beginning stages of an intimate relationship, the time when it is incredibly new and fun. The feelings were moving fast, and the fear of whether or not she was up to the challenge was becoming overwhelming. It is an interesting paradox, so many times we want, desire, pray for something big to come, to point us in a new, fun and exciting direction. We ask for teachings, new learning, new skills, new inspiration and I can speak from my own experience, that those times come and this fear inevitably moves in. Whether it be laced with self-doubt, lack of faith, different expectations than what is appearing, or who knows, the phenomena is enough to address. There was a time when i genuinely thought I wanted to quit teaching, I didn’t like it, it took a life of it’s own, and was different than I had “expected” it to be as a profession. There have been intimate relationships that have moved fast and I feared the sides of me that were showing up. I have had numerous occasions in the backcountry skiing when I have been so scared I wanted a helicopter to come lift me out and to never ski again - but from these, and many other experiences, I also know the times when I feel such overwhelming fear and a desire to “run” has continually been that point when I am on the brink of something huge. For me it means that I am about to do something, overcome something and move forward in a subtle or big shift towards my full potential, or my fuller potential. I never let myself back down, I let others back down, but I never back down. I truly feel that that has made a firm statement to my heart and spirit, a thousand times, that I am up for the challenge presented, regardless of how I feel I’ll fair. Most times, the idea that I might be scared of my full potential, who I am, what love is and what it can do to me both good and bad, actually creates a stronger commitment to face the challenge. Letting go into a void, a place of pure clouded mystery, where we don’t know if we will come out on top, “successful”, or even alive, to me is one of the primary points of life. As a general rule for safety, I try to put a reign on my emotions, which are runaway horses at the best of times, but attempt to keep all reigns away from my heart. Unbridled willingness. An old partner once told me, if you’re not falling, you’re not learning. I draw upon that wisdom on a daily basis. Wherever this blog finds you at your journey - trust deeply, not only in what is presented in your life, but in your ability to be bigger, grander, and more luminescent than you could ever dream.

Lemonade Recipe from a Level 3 Grad

2009-07-21T23:17:26+00:00

Just finished level II teacher training in Calgary. What a great feeling. Now I am back in Lethbridge preparing for the heat of the summer which is upon us. I am making lemonade to have at the ready and this is how I make it. Use 3/4 cup of boiling water and pour over a whole lemon which you’ve cut up into chunks - skin and all. Pulverize it for a while using a wooden spoon. Remove the largest chunks of the lemon and add honey to taste. Add cold water and place in the fridge until thirsty. You only need a small glass to quench. I am heading off to South Country Fair this weekend where my family and I will require mucho hydration. Theresa Spender

Just Sitting

2009-05-13T21:54:34+00:00

I’d love to share a really simple contemplative practice that I’ve learned through the Radiant Mind course. Before I learned this simple practice of “just sitting”, I was pretty sure that seated mediation was not my bag. While I really enjoyed (or at least appreciated the practice of sitting, I found it damn near impossible to sit regularly. The notion of a regular contemplative practice seemed unnatural to my restless nature. I reasoned that a moving practice, such as dance and asana, were more in line with my shakti spirit. Truth be told, this was my well crafted excuse to not sit still. And then I learned the practice of “just sitting” - a minimal contemplative practice that’s designed to lead to the experience of natural meditation, where meditation happens all by itself. The practice is so easy, that it’s hard to find a reason to not do it. It creates the optimal conditions for resting in unconditioned awareness free of all effort and ambition.

Tips for Teaching a Yoga Class

2009-05-07T01:14:04+00:00

Check out this comprehensive article from AnmolMehta.Com on teaching a Kundalini yoga class. Even if you’re not a Kundalini teacher, this article has lots of thoughtful tips for leading a class. I really appreciate the notes on “Tuning In”: Always start a class with tuning in. Yoga is not just a physical science. It is a spiritual science and without spirit, you may as well be doing aerobics or something. In yoga, whether you have been explained it or not, you are dealing with cosmic energies, you are dealing with Kundalini & Prana. Such energies should be approached with respect, and the purpose of tuning in is ask your Higher Self and the Universe for Protection, Guidance and Inspiration. This ensures the energies do not harm you, you are guided correctly and you are provided ample inspiration to see the journey all the way back to the Source. Enjoy!

Spring Ayurvedic Food Chart

2009-04-21T21:51:33+00:00

A seasonal chart of tri-doshic foods and herbs to follow for optimal health this Spring.

Active and Passive Hand Adjustments

2009-04-17T02:18:28+00:00

A quick but effective overview of simple adjustments a teacher can offer a student to create a positive response while utilizing hands-on enhancements.

Bhastrika Pranayama

2009-04-17T02:10:04+00:00

In this Podcast, learn Bhastrika Pranayama, an incredibly powerful, toning and deeply effective breath technique to increase cardiovascular health, immunity, and overall vitality.

Ayurvedic Spring time Tips

2009-04-16T21:54:07+00:00

From food to herbs to proper body care Anna Colin offers spring time tips from an Ayurvedic practitioner’s point of view. Cleanse, shed, and get ready for a season of growth and expansion.

Stress Relief Practice

2009-04-14T23:03:13+00:00

Sitting at work and the after-lunch tired feeling set in? Try this brief and rejuvenating series of movements with breath to continue the remainder of your day with presence and vitality.

Ujjayi Pranayama

2009-04-14T22:30:42+00:00

Ujjayi Pranayama, the Victorious breath, is taught in this Podcast. Learn an effective method to increase heat, circulation, presence and mindfulness in your practice with this powerful breath.

Follow the River and You Will Find the Sea

2009-04-13T23:15:59+00:00

I have spent the better portion of the last ten years of my life in, on, and around rivers. Whether it is watching them gently roll by, gripping excitedly while whitewater kayaking, or exploring the banks and features of them from the Ganges in Northern India to the Slocan here in Nelson. This past weekend I dug out my kayaking gear and started the season (a little later than usual as I am getting colder as I get older?!). So much joy returns to me when I find myself watching the path of a river unfold while the trees, cold water, and birds pass by. I have often said that everything that I know, and everything that I will ever need to know I can, and have, learned from a river. The way they seamlessly meet the obstacles of the land, and forge on in their own direction, meandering, winding and finding their own authentic path to the ocean humbles me constantly. Symbolic and literal, the life of a river carries the teachings of yoga in all aspects. When I find myself in the hands of a river, I can literally watch the progress of my personal yoga practice show me the merit of my discipline. As I struggle and paddle against the current, determined to not go where it is taking me, I remember that with the elements of trust and surrender that I have been working on in my practice a feeling of ease permeates. The impermanent manner in which rocks, birds, and trees pass by enthralls me with the moment but with a sense of observant detachment to stay present for the next set of obstacles that the river magically offers. Keeping a keen sense of involvement however, is always necessary, as the boulders, rocky shores, waterfalls, and lurking holes will distract and draw me in if I’m not present. I am constantly reminded to be on my true path while passionately involved in the intention and direction that I choose and want it to go. A force that is as strong as it is graceful, determined on it’s path to the depth and vastness of the sea. To be in, on or around a river is to sit at the seat of the most learned Guru. I hope you all find a chance to watch, feel and learn from the spring melt that is all around us. Blessings!

Pada Bandha: Aligning your Feet

2009-04-09T04:08:09+00:00

Want to learn correct alignment of the feet? This is the podcast for you.

Three Part Yogic Breath

2009-04-06T03:56:00+00:00

In this edition of the Om Studio Anna Colin leads practitioners through a safe and effective version of the yogic 3-part breath. Explore how to breathe deeply, evenly and effectively in your seated and asana practice. This breath is accessible to any level of practitioner and is recommended at most times throughout the day.

Sama Vritti Pranayama - Equal Wavelength Breath

2009-04-06T03:51:23+00:00

In this brief edition of Gaiatri Yoga’s Om Studio you will be lead through a pranayama practice known as Sama Vritti. This is a calming and balancing breath that can be used to create feelings of groundedness, stability and ease in the physical, mental and emotional body.

Kappalabhati Pranayama

2009-04-04T19:57:52+00:00

This is pranayama technique to increase agni, immunity, heat, metabolism, clarity, intuition, and breath within the body.

Ghee Recipe

2009-03-30T19:55:08+00:00

Want to make your own delicious ghee? Follow this very simple recipe: 1. Cut up organic unsalted butter into smaller chunks and place in a heavy bottom pan to melt. Over medium heat bring the butter to a boil. Continue to boil it gently on low heat until white foam begins to rise to the top. Carefully scoop off the foam and discard. 2. Once the butter begins to quite down and the bubbles floating up from the bottom become minimized watch it carefully. Small milk solids will begin to fall and stick to the bottom of the pan and can easily burn at this point. Turn the butter down and wait until there is almost no more bubbles rising. The colour will be golden yellow and it will begin to smell like caramel. 3. Take the ghee off the heat and carefully pour into a clean, dry glass jar. Allow to solidify at room temperature and store covered on your counter. Because you have removed the milk solids you do not need to refrigerate ghee. Use it in place of butter or as a great way to add healthy oil to your food.

A Conspiracy Theory

2009-03-17T19:59:03+00:00

I think we can all connect with times in life when things have felt hard, confusing, stuck and that the entire universe is out to get us. To a dear friend not too long ago, i actually called the Universe a “demented little twirp”. However, after a spontaneous weekend where I found myself on my mat in a workshop in Vancouver with a dear friend and an incredibly gifted teacher, I feel as though I am formulating a new conspiracy theory all together. Perhaps, at each moment the universe is conspiring for us and for our best interest in developing towards love and light.

Palming Meditation

2009-03-08T03:57:14+00:00

Anna Colin leads practitioners through a short exercise and meditation to rejuvenate the physical body, deepen the breath, increase prana into the eyes and brain. Share this podcast with co-workers and bring presence into your work day and environment.

Evoking the Light

2009-03-01T19:47:05+00:00

What better timing to write on the topic of the evocation of light, than with the smell of spring in the air and longer, brighter days. At a time when the world around us needs it most, the evocation of light both within our external surroundings, and most importantly within our own selves, is more important than ever. Consciously creating a bigger and brighter light will mean many different things to all of us. For some, they will find themselves in visual meditations or using mantra to evoke divine light, for others playing, laughing, dancing and singing with family and friends will do the trick, or perhaps turning inward to regroup and rest is what will let the brilliance shine - the most important part, however, is to make the creation and sustenance of light within each of us a daily practice. The practice of yoga at its essence is a realization of the true Self, a remembering of the joyful essence of which all things manifest. Attaining a state of enlightenment perhaps could be seen as an ongoing evolution, an uncovering in that we see all things as coming from a source of luminescence. The metaphors are infinite. When we choose to bring light into a dark space, there is nowhere for the dark to hide. Regardless of what your current life situations and lessons are, how can light be shed on the situation to offer peace, and how can you be a beacon of light for others? One of my favourite quotes states that “A candle loses nothing by lighting another”. As we move into spring, may we all find moments, relationships, and ways of being in service that make our hearts so bright, that the light filters out into the world around us. ~ Ally

Welcome to the Age of Aquarius

2009-02-18T20:18:46+00:00

Yesterday, when I walked into the climbing gym, Ally announced that the Age of Aquarius had begun. We proceeded to sing in pseudo-harmony that 60’s song of the same name. Curious to learn more, I began to explore the net and found some really beautiful descriptions of this new time. If you’d like to get the full content, visit adhishakti.org: “So, now a New Age has started which is called the Age of Aquarius, meaning the pitcher carrier of spiritual holy water that is the work of Kundalini.” Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi