Posts Tagged ‘Montreal’
montreal yoga workshop: stillness in action
Okay, so did you hear yoga can wreck your body? Seriously! But of course you know that yoga is more than asana, so it’s possible to do some kinds of yoga without physically damaging yourself. It can be, however, hard to source some non-asana kinds of yoga out there in the urban jungle.
If you’re in Montreal this weekend, you might want to check out a yoga workshop called Stillness In Action. There will be mantra, pranayama, relaxation and svadhyaya (self-study) – exercises from the tradition of Swami Sivananda Radha, as practiced at Yasodhara Ashram. There may be a little bit of hatha yoga, but it could very well just be standing in tadasana and looking at a wall. Or lying on the floor in savasana. More details below (in English and French, because that’s how we roll around here): Continue Reading
Michael Stone has become the unofficial spokesperson for a spiritually engaged Occupy Movement. Which is fine with me: he’s articulate, informed, passionate and funny.
In this video from a recent community lecture at Naada Yoga in Montreal, Michael reminds us that the teachings of the Buddha and yoga are meant to be put to work at the social level. As practitioners, we can use the change in our hearts to affect global change. Michael talks about predatory capitalism, imagination, creativity and anger. He concludes by stressing the importance of service as means to valuing interdependence and practicing “blue collar Buddhism” – simply rolling our sleeves and getting stuff done.
Best of all, the talk contains the most references to beer you’ll ever hear in a dharma talk. It’s about 45 minutes long, so make a cup of tea, sit back and enjoy. Then get up and go serve!
See also: michael stone & a buddhist perspective on occupy wall street
{via Awake In The World – Michael Stone from Naada Yoga on Vimeo.}
Writing and yoga are my two primary practices, and it’s natural that I would find a way to weave them together. I found out how the two practices can complement each other while I was living at Yasodhara Ashram, where written reflection is supported by the whole community. I also discovered Swami Radha’s Hidden Language Hatha Yoga approach, which is a method of self-investigation based on the symbolism of the yoga postures.
As I’ve figured out how to make these two practices work for me, I’ve also had the privilege of co-teaching a series of “yoga + writing” workshops called Writing the Body with my friend Adriana. We’ve been offering these classes for the past year and a half at Ashtanga Yoga Montreal, and our next workshop is happening this Sunday, October 16. We were super excited to get some coverage on local blog, Midnight Poutine (be sure to listen to our interview embedded in the article!), and campus/community radio, CKUT.
This is how we describe the workshop on our Facebook event:
An afternoon of yoga, self exploration and creative expression.
In this workshop, we’ll use our bodies to get the words out of our minds and onto the page. You’ll be guided through a deep yoga practice to encourage opening in the body and get your creative energy flowing, followed by free form writing exercises to get your pens moving.
The ability to write with authenticity comes from the ability to slow down and look within ourselves. A yoga and writing practice helps us tap into our creative consciousness, unleash blockages, and overcome negative self-talk.
Come prepared for a spacious afternoon of yoga and writing intervals, in a safe space where you can take quiet creative risks and discover the hidden potential of your inner self. No previous writing or yoga experience is necessary: simply bring a notebook, a pen, an open mind and a willing body.
Writing the Body: a yoga + writing workshop
Sunday, October 16 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Ashtanga Yoga Montreal
372 Ste Catherine Street West, Suite 118
$20, sliding scale
How does Pop Montreal (one of the best music festivals on the continent) celebrate its tenth anniversary? With a free Arcade Fire show in the downtown core last night (because, as you all know, Montreal is Arcade Fire’s beloved hometown). And how does Montreal prepare for a free outdoor show with an expected attendance of 100,000 people? With a little yoga, of course, accompanied by music from Arcade Fire’s Sarah Neufeld and Pat McGee of Stars.
Moksha Yoga teachers Jess Robertson and Dina Tsouluhas lead a group of about 50 yogis through an hour-long lunchtime class under cloudy skies. The rain finally broke just before savasana, but the hearty yogis held their ground and relaxed through the light autumn drizzle.
I didn’t participate in the class because my back issues still make it difficult for me to do a vinyasa routine, but I lurked around the edges, soaked up the atmosphere and talked to inquisitive passersby. The event was part of Car-free Montreal Week (officially and awkwardly known as “In Town Without My Car!”) and funds were raised for Kanpe, a Haiti rebuilding project.
Jess Robertson welcomes everyone.
Pat and Sarah rocking out by the pylons and port-a-potties.
image via letterlounge Flickr photostream
I like to think that the rise in the popularity of yoga over the past few years has something to do with the growth of the Slow Movement (slow food, gardening, crafts, etc) and is motivated by a desire for simple living, locally-sourced products and a sustainable pace of life. I practice yoga to get back to basics (breath, body, connection) and reflect on my life. I also bike and walk almost everywhere, I buy my veggies at the farmers market and support local businesses. It’s all the same.
However, when it comes to communication, I am rapid-fire and adrenalin-fueled. I would rather text than phone somebody. Even an email feels too long and cumbersome, when I could just make a quick post on a friend’s Facebook wall. Why read a whole magazine article, when I could just read the synopsis in 140 characters on Twitter? And I used to be a prolific letter writer (I still have boxes full of old letters from friends), but I haven’t had the space or the patience to sit down and write a letter in ages. Too long.
Perhaps I’m not the only person feeling this way, because some Montreal folks have gotten together to organize Heart to Hand: A Letter-Writing Night. Yep, it’s an evening to write letters in a public and community setting! They even provide stationary and stamps! The FB event page promises:
Come write the letter you’ve always wanted to send! Who is the person to whom you have always wanted to write but haven’t? Is it a teacher, family member, ex, public figure, or the girl at the bakery? Tell that person what is on your mind: gratitude, affection, anger, love, nostalgia, or forgiveness… Write one or write 20 letters!
We will have swanky stationery, writing implements, envelopes and postage on hand to ensure the delivery of your message. If you do not feel comfortable mailing your letter, or it comes with no fixed address, we will carry out other rituals including shredding, trading, or simply bringing your letter home.
I’m hoping this will be part of the letter writing revival which is apparently underway. And perhaps it could even lead to something like the Letter Lounge in London, England – adorable regular gatherings with letter-writing, tea, cake and socializing.
Letter-Writing Night
September 14, 2011 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Le Cagibi (5490 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal)
PS: if there’s a way I could have mailed this blog post to you all, I would have.
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