Archive for June, 2009
buzzing in the bloga-sphere
There’s been a lot of buzz in the yoga blogging (or, “bloga”) community about a little article in the August issue of Yoga Journal. It looks like YJ has noticed some of the noisiest yoga bloggers on the www and is paying attention to how this reflects the eclecticism and connection within the real-life yoga community.
It’s exciting to see some of the blogs that I regularly read get some recognition, and it’s equally exciting to discover some fresh new blogging voices. YogaDork has the full list here, complete with links (and so graciously notes the omission of my wee blog ~ which probably didn’t even exist when the article was being written, that’s the thing about print media).
I’ve loved making the transition from the static and somewhat aloof print form (with its production schedules, deadlines and endless revision process) to the dynamic, connected, spontaneous blog-world. I’ve loved stepping out of the editor’s chair and having the chance to work with my own words, develop my own voice. So here’s to my little blogging practice, to the bloga-sphere, and to the interconnected web of yogis who are thinking and writing about their yoga practices!
As far as straight-up “yoga” goes, it’s going to be a pretty quiet weekend. Or maybe the Montreal yoga community is just planning on hanging out at the Fringe Festival beer tent all weekend – there’s a lot of competition, even for the hardcore yogis, as Montreal’s festival season officially kicks off. It’s good to take a break from the asanas and explore the other aspects of the practice – and life! As we all know, yoga is more than “yoga.”
Marvel at the human form! Contortionist Andréane Leclerc can do things with her body that most people only dream of doing. It’s not yoga, dude, she’s just born that way. But she’s also philosophical about it, describing her improvised contortionism to the Montreal Mirror as “an ‘ongoing research into Being’ —about the joy of connecting with the moment and the relationship between the public and a character on stage.” Check out her wicked dropback and hand balancing video below.
June 13 – 21 at Tangente (840 Cherrier), ESTe: pulsion morte au accouchement libere
Marvel at reality! Israeli artist Michal Rovner’s exhibition, Particles of Reality, bridges art and science to explore connection, separation and what makes us human. It’s hard to explain, but this Hour.ca article breaks it down.
Particles of Reality at DHC/ART (451 St-Jean Street) until Sept 27, 2009.
Embrace your inner shaman! Get out of the city for the weekend and create a medicine wheel to heal yourself, find some direction, or solve all your problems. Explore this ancient shamanic practice and return to the city a whole new person (or at least, the same old person with a little more clarity).
June 13 & 14, Introduction to the Medicine Wheel Workshop with Liddy Flewwelling (undisclosed location in the Eastern Townships).
Nurture shakti energy! Montreal’s first ever Rock Camp for Girls will happen this summer, and some local girl-centric bands will be rocking out to raise funds for the 5-day event. Come out to see Nightwood, Little Scream and Gisele Number One, and finish the night off by shaking your booty to DJ Lynne T (of Lesbians on Ecstasy).
June 13, 9:30pm, Il Motore (179 Jean Talon W)
Well, it’s about time Montreal got its own burlesque festival. Vancouver has one, Toronto has one, and as the undisputed sexiest city in Canada, Montreal deserves one. Fortunately for all of us burlesque fans in the 514, some local ladies got their act together and have organized the first annual Montreal Burlesque Festival, to be taking place September 18 – 20, 2009.
So far, Coco Framboise and Michelle L’Amour (Miss Exotic World 2005) are confirmed, along with Montreal burlesque stars, Seska Lee and Miss Sugarpuss. The organizers are accepting performer applications until July 15. The weekend is going to be chock full of sexy events, including an all-star evening showcase, an awards ceremony, workshops and brunch (who says Sunday morning brunch can’t be saucy?). And since Montreal has a history of being a Sin City, there’ll be a historical, educational aspect to the festival as well. Continue Reading
Imagine this: you’re trying to shake off your stress and busy-ness in your weekly Friday morning yoga class. You’ve just OM-ed, done a few sun salutations and are starting to feel the tension melt from your muscles. And then… a machete-wielding man crashes the party! This actually happened at a Hawaiian yoga studio on June 5. The guy with rags around his head and a machete in his hand tried to steal a purse, but the yogis tackled him and retrieved it. He escaped and then lead police on a 20-mile car chase.
Perhaps the thief had been convinced by Time Magazine that all yogis are yuppies and he’d be able to score big loot by robbing a yoga class… Whatever the motive, we all have the right to feel safe and secure in our yoga classes (and our workplaces, schools, homes), and this kind of violence is really disturbing. Om Shanti, yo.
[via Yoga Video, The Garden Island News]
Montrealers love their yoga! And there is no shortage of yogic treats happening around town this weekend. Here are some of the highlights, for whatever your needs:
Get strong bones! Barrie Risman and Mona Keddy offer the latest in a series of workshops dedicated to women’s health. In this session, strengthen your bones and prevent or treat osteoporosis.
June 5, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Yoga on the Park, 5582 Sherbrooke St W.
Rock out! Enjoy a dynamic flow class to the accompaniment of live music. Yes, real live human beings playing real instruments while you’re instructed through your asanas!
June 6, 12:00 – 2:00 PM at Naada, 5540 Casgrain (call 514-510-3274 to register in advance)
Support Amnesty International! Do 108 sun salutations in the great outdoors for a good cause at the 3rd annual Yoga Mala event. You’ve got to register in advance, but all are welcome to cheer on the saluters (salutaters?).
June 7, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Old Port (between St. Pierre and de Calière); yogamala.info
Howl at the moon! Free (yes, free!) classes on the full moon. This month, it’s a level 1 yoga flow. Arrive at least 15 minutes early to insure your spot – and if you can’t make it, check back in 28 days.
June 7, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Centre Luna Yoga (231 St-Paul W, Suite 200)
Balance your opposites! Yoga teacher extraordinaire, Julie Gladstone, leads this 3-hour intensive to unite and balance those pesky internal opposing forces within us all.
June 7, 12:00 – 3:00 PM at rad’a (841 Gilford)
… and because this is (almost) summer in Montreal, the weekend carries right through until Monday (and sometimes Tuesday or early Wednesday). Do some yoga in the park! Beat the Monday morning blues with a brisk early pay-what-you-can class. 8:00 – 8:45 AM at Park Jeanne Mance. Register in advance at Cocoa Bean Yoga.
