Most will agree, Sanskrit scholars and philosophy dabblers alike, that the translation of the word "yoga" means “to yoke,” but from there the interpretations vary. Some say it is the union of body, mind, and spirit. Some say it's the joining of opposites or the synchronicity of body and breath. The definitions are endless and, in my opinion, not of huge import for the dedicated or even curious practitioner. What is important, however, is recognizing the spiritual roots of thi

Corn says, ""Like everybody else, there are moments when I look in the mirror and think 'Jesus Ch@#$t; what the F$% is that!?&

One of the questions I receive most often from students is, "What yoga can I do from home?" Without hesitation, my answer is always one of two things: 1) Do what you love. Practice what feels good. Whatever will get you to the mat, that's what you should do. When you climb out of bed in the morning and raise your arms overhead with a deep breath in, that counts! Add a stretch to the right and to the left, then bend over towards your toes (Uttanasana) and you have a yourself a

Printed in Sweat Equity Magazine We often hear the word “balance” and think of the seemingly impossible goal of achieving that smooth transition between work, home, family, fitness, healthy eating, and so on (good luck with that!). But equally important is the simple ability to stand still on your own two feet. Many of my senior yoga students have told me that the greatest benefit they’ve received from the consistent practice of yoga is the CONFIDENCE that comes with feeling

Printed in Sweat Equity Magazine June/July Issue Utkatana Konasana This pose is said to invoke the powerful energy of the Hindu goddess, Tara. The name derives from the Sanskrit root syllable that means “protection,” thereby designating Goddess Tara as being “one who protects.” Physically, Utkatana Konasana is an accessible pose that offers tremendous health benefits, especially for women. The obvious hip-opening effects of this wide-legged squat can help to prepare women for

Last Friday a student in my seniors’ class asked if yoga could help prevent osteoporosis. I’d researched this subject before, so I didn’t hesitate to respond: The answer is both yes and no. Let me explain. Osteoporosis Defined Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes bone tissue to deteriorate, resulting in brittle and fragile bones (not to be confused with osteoarthritis, which affects the surrounding joints and tissues). The increase of fractures escalates dramatical

It is impossible to be upset while breathing deeply. If I asked you to “get mad,” you’d likely hold your breath, make fists with your hands, clench your teeth, or tense your facial muscles. And if I asked you to relax, you’d probably soften the jaw and shoulders, take a deep breath or release a long sigh. This begs the question: are you angry because of some "unfair" situation or circumstance, or simply because you’re not breathing? Are you joyful and stress-free because your

“Health, success, and wisdom depend in great part on the battle between good and bad habits.” It is impossible to be upset while breathing deeply. If I asked you to “get angry,” think about how you'd respond. You’d probably hold your breath or make fists with your hands, clench your teeth, contract your facial muscles, and furrow your brow." You would not likely take the time to think of something that angers you. The body is a much faster vehicle for accessing the emotions.

I understood suffering and sadness from a young age. My childhood wasn’t traumatic or more difficult than most, but I somehow had a level of empathy and sensitivity that was premature for my years. At age ten, I asked my dad why baseball players got paid millions of dollars, but children around the world were homeless and starving. I agonized over the fish he caught on a hot summer’s day when he took me out on the boat. I felt the pain of writhing worms on baited hooks, of lo

Published in the February/ March 2016 issue of Sweat Equity Magazine. Nobody can argue the benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Increased strength and flexibility, peace of mind and mental calm, and less angst over the “little things” that once were so bothersome are just a few. The more people that experience what yoga has to offer, the more mainstream it becomes. The more mainstream it becomes, the larger the class sizes and (quite often) the less personal attention avai

Our modern adaptation of the practice strings hundreds of stretches together and tosses them around under the title of “yoga”. It is easy for the teacher’s ego to take centre stage and have a dance with itself on the mat. In terms of choreography, this works well— where aesthetic appeal and external appreciation are the point. But in yoga, when we create sequences that tone the tush and trim the thighs, tighten our core and flatter the mirror, we risk further enslaving oursel

Published in Sweat Equity Magazine, April/May Issue “As a teacher and practitioner of yoga, it would make me immensely happy to see the media properly portray and embrace all the different body types and races that are actually practicing yoga.” Globetrotting yogini, internationally celebrated teacher, author, and founder of Aim True Yoga, Kathryn Budig is one of the most famous faces of yoga today. Her yoga career is an illustrious one, having entered the scene just 12 years

Published in Sweat Equity Magazine August/September 2016 Last Friday a student in my seniors’ class asked if yoga could help prevent osteoporosis. I’d researched this subject before, so I didn’t hesitate to respond: The answer is both yes and no. Let me explain. Osteoporosis Defined Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes bone tissue to deteriorate, resulting in brittle and fragile bones (not to be confused with osteoarthritis, which affects the surrounding joints and

Published in Sweat Equity Magazine November Issue Bakasana is often translated as Crow Pose, but baka is actually the Sanskrit word for crane and kak for crow. While the two are used interchangeably in many yoga classes, some yogis consider Bakasana the bent-arm variation, while Kakasana has the arms straight. To keep it simple, we’ll go with the more commonly cited Parsva Bakasana, for our Side Crow Pose. Surprisingly, the twisting variation of Bakasana is not necessarily th

“Be still and know that I am God.” For years I prayed to an external source for help, wisdom, and solutions (in other words, to be rescued). For one particular instance, though, a certain prayer simply wasn’t being answered. I got so sick of being ‘ignored’ that I stopped praying (for about a month) and proclaimed in frustration, “Fine! I’ll do it MYSELF!” Bingo. My prayer was soon “answered.” Truth and wisdom reside within you. But in order for you to hear them, you must be

Printed in Sweat Equity Magazine Dec/Jan Issue Parivrtta Parsvakonasana is one of the standing postures in the traditional Ashtanga Yoga sequence. Variations of this pose, (i.e., palms together at the heart centre) are often used in Power Yoga, but the classical version, with the back foot planted, lower hand pressing into the mat, and upper arm extending along the cheek, is an advanced spinal twist that should be entered into slowly. Many experienced students and teachers c

Printed in Sweat Equity Magazine Dec/Jan 2018 As challenging and refreshing as it is to enjoy classes offered at a studio, the benefits of establishing a home practice are unmatched. For me, what strengthened the spiritual bent of this ancient art form was rolling out the mat at home. That’s not to say it doesn’t come without effort! Even as a seasoned student and teacher, mustering up the energy to get moving can be easier said than done. In this article, I hope to inspire y

“Letting go is the hardest asana.” Anonymous Recently I was asked why I do yoga. The obvious reasons came to mind: it keeps me strong and flexible. It’s challenging, relaxing, and anything else you need it to be. It quenches my thirst for philosophy, language, anatomy, and spirituality. But in reeling off those reasons, I realized none of them capture the real essence of what brings me to the mat, day after day. There are many ways to get strong, toned, and flexible and ma

Ingredients I.5 cup chopped cauliflower (into pearls or grated [just with a cheese grater!]) 1 cup chopped broccoli florettes ½ pepper, any colour, chopped into small pieces One large carrot, chopped into small pieces 6 salad olives ½ cup tri-coloured quinoa handful of sprouts as a topper handful cherry tomatoes 3 tablespoons salad dressing of choice (this one was a vegan lemon poppyseed dressing) 2 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds 2-3 tbsp dried cranberries ½ avocado, cut into small c

Printed in Sweat Equity Magazine November 2017 Mary Jane. Ganga. Reefer. Grass. Weed. Dope. Bud. Herb. Cannabis. These are but a few of the many, many slang words and street terms for the more commonly referenced “pot,” or marijuana. Cannabis is the plant species from which the flowering bud grows and is used for its recreational, medicinal, spiritual, and therapeutic properties. Its use dates back thousands of years to approximately the third millennium, BC, and although pro