Celebrating Transitions
September 13, 2011
Join us for an evening of celebration on Friday, September 23rd, with a meditation lead by Sylvie Gouin and a Vegan Pot Luck. You are invited to attend one or both events.
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with friends old and new and join us in wishing Sylvie all the best on her new adventures. We will have a lovely journal for you to record your thoughts and wishes for Sylvie.
Here are the details:
- A 31-minute Antar Naad Mantra meditation (the “sa re sa sa” chant) will be starting at 6:15PM. Please arrive at 6:00PM to ensure you are ready to start promptly! It’s easy to pick up and such a blissful experience. No meditation experience necessary
- A Vegan Pot Luck will be held between 7:00PM and 9:00PM. Stay for a few minutes or stay for the evening. Please bring a plate, cup, cutlery, and list of ingredients in your dish.
Chakra Workshop
September 11, 2011
Please join Sylvie for one last workshop before she leaves Elation!
We will begin with a short talk to explain the process of the class, move into Shavasana and then flow using asana, mantra, pranayama, and affirmations to awaken to our inner energy.
We will wrap up the sequence with a 20 minute Shavasana practice and an 11 minute meditation. Then we set our Sankalpa (intention) using mantra and mudra. We will close the workshop with another short talk.
Workshop participants must have a regular vinyasa practice.
Date: Saturday, September 17th
Time: 4:30-7:30PM
Cost: $35.00
Hope to see you there! Register using our Online Registration System or at the studio.
Love Your Backbends
September 1, 2011
Holiday Monday - Special Yoga Class
Date: Monday September 5th
Time: 5:30-7:00PM
Cost: $20.00 cash
Join us for an invigorating unfolding of the body. Class will close with an 11 minuted seated meditation.
This class is suitable for experienced students only. You must have a regular vinyasa practise for more then one year.
No Pre-registration required.
Shavasana Commitment
July 20, 2011
40-Day Shavasana Commitment begins August 1st 2011.
Shava-asana (corpse posture) our final posture at the end of every yoga class “ also known mrita-asana ( dead-posture) and preta-asana ( ghost-posture)” is the most beneficial posture for restoration and therefore health as a whole. In Sanskrit the word for health is Swastha and is defined as: established in the (S)elf. In English the word health has the same root as the words integrity and integration meaning wholeness. We can see that although the absence of dis-ease is something to be greatful for health is much more then that.
We know from experience that when our breath is short shallow and fragmented it impacts our thoughts and concentration is impossible. The distraction on the mental level creates the same type of unsettled energy in our body; fidgeting, tapping of the feet, looking around everywhere, humming, swaying and so forth anything but stillness. All of this takes its toll on our nervous system, creating fatigue, impatience and irritability.
It’s not uncommon to subconsciously confuse productivity (which is highly valued in our culture) with living in a manic or in a panic. Consciously we know that productive energy is not manic, it’s actually quite clear and stable. The daily practise of Shavasana is one of the best tools to experience this type of energy.
But don’t take our word for it. Give it a try. Commit. For the next 40 days spend time is Shavasana. How long? Anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes, the longer the better, but being regular is more valuable then not practicing.
To join our 40-Day Commitment:
Sign up at the Centre. Then pick your time and practise.
Technique:
Lie on your back feet hips with apart; allow the legs to relax which means the feet will point in opposite directions. Adjust the shoulders by moving the scapulas away from each other, arms by your side palms turned up. If you are uncomfortable place a pillow under your knees. Your body will then represent shavasana. As for the mind, we all have a way, a certain language that we use to talk to ourself. There is a voice a thinking-pattern that we use which we buy into. We trust that voice. To prepare for Shavasana use that voice in your favor. Set an intention that will remind you to let go. Remember that you must be willing to let go exactly the way things are. There can be no but(s), if(s) or when(s). Also remind yourself that there is no such thing as a bad shavasana. Some days you will be at peace other days you may feel edgy, wanting to move, to get out of there. Watch, respond, do not react, simply commit to your time.
At the end of the 40 days we would love to hear from you. Send us an email. Let us know ( 2 or 3 sentences) how the experience impacted your everyday life. With your permission we will post your comments and inspire others to give it a try.
Lessons from Yoga in Rwanda
June 30, 2011
Guest Post by Martha Judd, senior Yoga Teacher
On Sunday June 23rd, I was fortunate enough to attend the Yoga in Rwanda fundraiser at Elation Centre with Annie Berube, a dedicated and grounded yoga teacher, from Ottawa, currently teaching Yoga with Project Air in Rwanda.
She lead us through an inspirational Ashtanga Yoga class which she taught in many languages and as a Yoga teacher and student myself, I feel I was given a gift from the women of Rwanda through Annie. I was reminded of how a yoga asana practice can be many things. It can be in a quiet studio in Ottawa wearing comfortable clothes, accompanied by soft music, surrounded by incredibly inspirational students and teachers, and it can be on a small porch in Rwanda with the voices of many, laughter, sadness, strength, wearing whatever shirts are available that day and surrounded by incredibly inspirational students and teachers. I learned about Project Air from the inside out. Annie described her students, their difficult life situations, their trauma, their work, their laughter, their inspiration and their extreme dedication to the practice of yoga. Yoga is bringing physical and mental health benefits to the women of Rwanda and the women of Ottawa without a doubt. From my perspective of safety in life I choose to support the practice of Yoga for the women of Rwanda as a tool for life in an environment where safe moments of exploration both mentally and physically are not often available. Annie’s group of women come to Yoga classes 3-4 times a week and have been for 4 years. This type of dedication is rare in a healthy, safe, comfortable Yoga student in our culture. I suggest we acknowledge this dedication and commitment by supporting Project Air as a tool for life.
Thank you so much to our members and friends who attended this amazing class and gave donations to support Project Air and Annie’s efforts with these truly inspirational women
Namaste
Yahoo – Free Yoga Day!
June 7, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Come and experience Elation Centre Yoga
5:45AM-6:45AM: Powerful Woman Sunrise Yoga
12:00PM-1:00PM: Take a lunch break, Vinyasa Yoga with Donna
6:00PM-7:00PM: Total Core Solution with Deb
7:15PM-8:30PM - our every-popular Hips Yoga with Martha
We look forward to seeing you!
Yoga in Rwanda Fundraiser
May 30, 2011
Yoga, as anyone with a regular practice can attest, is very powerful. We always get more out of it then what we put into it. The more we practice on the mat, the better life off the mat tastes and feels – it’s a wonderful ripple effect.
Annie Berube, a Westboro mother and yoga teacher, has spent the better part of the last year living in Rwanda with her family. She has also taken the opportunity to expand on her teachings by volunteering for Project Air, a not-for-profit organization that has implemented a unique program to help allay some of the trauma and mental health issues left in the wake of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Focusing on HIV+ women and their families, Project Air uses yoga to help genocide rape survivors manage the devastating effects of catastrophic sexual violence and HIV/AIDS. Please take a few minutes and listen to this.
Practice with Annie: Annie is visiting Ottawa this summer and Elation Centre is honoured to host a class wtih Annie, she will teach an all-levels class as taught in Rwanda to benefit Project Air.
- Date: Sunday, June 26th.
- Class Time: 2:00PM-3:15PM, sharing circle of experience from 3:15-4:00PM.
- You can join us for the yoga segment and the talk, just the yoga segment, or just the talk.
- Fee: This class is donation-based, suggested donation mimimum $20.00, cash only, no credit card payment. All funds go directly to Project Air (no middle man to pay) and will be used to expand the range of groups Project Air can serve, as well as provide food to the women and children it works with, to replace calories burned during its Yoga classes. Every little bit helps and $20.00 goes a long way.
- Pre-registration is required, by emailing registration@elationcentre.com
- Maximum 30 people, you can pay at the studio prior to the class to hold your spot
- Please pass the word along!
May this event be a huge success!
“Yoga has had such an impact on my life that when I heard about Project Air, and the work it’s doing with women and children in Rwanda, whose lives have been shattered by AIDS and by genocide, I had to support it. Using yoga to help treat trauma and rebuild damaged bodies and lives is a wonderful idea whose time has finally come. And Project Air really does heroic work. In fact, everyone should support it, especially now that it is taking its inspiring work into other troubled regions, like Eastern Congo.”- Madonna, singer and songwriter
Summer Solstice Yoga
May 27, 2011
Dear Friends,
I am inviting you to join me on Tuesday, June 21st, at 7:00PM for a 2 -hour class to celebrate summer sol (sun) stice (stand-still).
What to expect:
A bit of chanting – pranaayama – dynamic vinyasa to awaken inner fire – 20 minute shavasana and we close with an 11 minute meditation and a moment to set our Sankalpa (intention) using the mudra and mantras associated with the practice.
The cost is $25 and you need to pre-register (at the Centre or using our Online Registration System).
Pass the word along! Everyone with a vinyasa Yoga practice is welcome.
If you want more info, email me at sylvie@elationcentre.com.
Jam-Packed Weekend
May 6, 2011
Last weekend was absolutely jam-packed and amazing, I was so busy representing Elation Centre in the press, giving presentations; also working with our Yoga Teachers in Training and enjoying being part of our Ottawa Community, it was a high-energy weekend and I loved it! Here are a few highlights:
- Food Demos on Saturday at the National Women’s Show and on Sunday at Ottawa’s VegFest
- Elation Yoga Teacher Training all weekend
- a 19km run on Saturday AM with our Elation Run Club as we train towards Race Weekend
- $20,000 raised for Team Molly (the team I was on) for CHEO at the CN Cycle, big party on Saturday night, big event on Sunday
- and great press for Elation Centre with an article in the Ottawa Citizen and in the April issue of iRun Magazine modelling Spring running fashions - WOW!
Recipes from the Weekend’s Activities
Deb Gleason of Wellness Warrior Coaching, and I presented together on Saturday and Sunday, making Vegan Pizza with an amazing non-dairy cheese product called Daiya. We also made a delicious salad with a nutrient-packed dressing, a Green Smoothie (video here), Deb’s Quick Quesadilla’s and our famous Elation Endurance Curry.The pizza as mentioned was made with Daiya Cheese, a great dairy-free alternative for anyone following a vegan diet and for so many people who are lactose-intolerant. Daiya cheese melts beautifully and tastes great, both Deb and I are addicted! Here are a few recipes:
Vegan Pizza with Red Peppers and Spinach
- 1 President’s Choice Multigrain thin crust pizza shell
- 1/2 cup Organic Tomato Sauce
- 1 red pepper chopped
- Handful of baby spinach
- 1 cup of Daiya Cheese
Spread the tomato sauce on the pizza shell and cover with spinach. Add chopped red pepper and sprinkle with Daiya Cheese to cover the entire pizza. Bake for 10 minutes
Enjoy!
Deb’s Quick Quesadillas
- 1 15oz can Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 cup Daiya Cheese
- 4 whole grain tortillas
Drain and rinse garbanzo beans and pour them into a bowl. Mash beans slightly with a potato masher. Add salsa, cilantro, lemon juice, chili powder and stir together. Spoon 1/4 of mixture onto each tortilla covering half of the tortilla. Sprinkle with Daiya Cheese and fold in half. Place in a heated frying pan and cook on med heat until both sides are toasted and cheese has melted.
Protein-Packed Salad Dressing
Inspired by Krista from our Elation Yoga Teacher Training Program
- 1 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Dulse Flakes or dash of sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- handful of chopped cilantro
- 2-3 green onions (white and green parts) minced
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (packed with B vitamins and tastes like Parmesan cheese)
Process in a blender until smooth, add more salt to taste. Will keep 7-10 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator
Elation Book Club
April 18, 2011
The Elation Book Club is meeting again on Friday, May 27th, at 7:00PM. We will be discussing Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins. I have a feeling that this book will be the source of great conversation!
Please note that Serendipity Books & Gifts on Wellington St carries the book. Sign up at the centre to let us know you intend to come. I’m looking forward to chatting with you!
“A beautiful gift of writing. You spread joy, love and compassion through what you write. The fruit of these tree is peace as you know..” – Mother Theresa