Living Life Fully
July 25, 2011
Deb Ozarko has completed her 1st Ironman Triathlon; over 14 hours of swim, bike and run during the tail-end of a heat wave, last weekend in Lake Placid!
She was telling us how she always wanted to compete in an Ironman, so at 48 she stopped talking about it and went for it. She trained, maintained discipline and commitment. Faced her doubts, her fears and did it. (You can read more about Deb’s Ironman and her commitment in her blog post)
As she was training, I just loved being around her. There is something about people who do what makes them feel alive; the sparkle in the eye, the smile, the wise conversations that ripples out and generates such positive energy.
I am highly inspired by Deb, and at the same time I have no interest in competing in an Ironman. But that’s the beauty of it. When we live our truth we inspire others to live their truth.
The question many encounter is; what is my truth? What do I really want? I believe that we sometimes get so caught up in what needs to be done that we lose our Self. I know that in order to live my individual truth, moments of silence are essential.
This is why we decided to offer a Shavasana Commitment, 40 days at home, when you want. Give it a try. You maybe surprise to see what arises when you give yourself some space.
Thanks Deb – for living life fully!
May we all be blessed with the courage to do the same (what ever that is for you).
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.
Sylvie’s Journey
July 6, 2011
“Prepare. Prepare . Prepare. But be ready to change everything at the last minute.”
If I remember correctly these are Yogi Bhajan’s wise words. I have always loved this simple statement as it reminds me to live with intention and yet let go of attachments.
As most of you know, my life is moving in a new direction. In October, I will be leaving Elation Centre (For now, my last class will be Friday September 30th). It was not an easy decision – you all know how much I love being there – but at this time having the opportunity to create some space is a gift I have chosen to take. Where am I going? When am I returning? At this point, all I can say is that I choose to stay open to what life has to offer and therefore have a sense of the direction that I am headed in, but know in my heart that it will unfold as it should.
I am happy and grateful to know that I am leaving you in good hands. Donna is keeping the Centre and her commitment to You is as strong as ever. Jane, Martha, Caroline, Krista and many other excellent teachers are looking forward to more teaching opportunities at Elation.
I wish everyone an enlightening journey and I look forward to crossing paths in the near future.
Want to stay in touch? As of October my email address will be: 111sylvieg@gmail.com
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
Guest Post by Sarah Murray – Human Library
May 16, 2011
This blog is a simple opportunity to share with you what people in our community are doing to be of service and create positive shifts. It is written by Sarah Murray ( sitting in the middle of the front row with the beautiful red hair). A Teacher-Librarian, mother of three, yogini and yoga teacher in training, Sarah is educating, empowering, and enriching the lives of so many!
The first Human Library took place at Roskilde Festival 2000 in Denmark. Essentially, people volunteer to be ‘living books’ to be ‘read’ by other participants. The main goal of the exchange is to allow ‘readers’ to ‘take out’ their prejudice from the human library.
As the teacher-librarian at St. Joseph High School, in Barrhaven, I first learned about the human library at the OLA Super Conference earlier this year in Toronto. I wanted to celebrate Education Week by hosting a similar event. The event grew out of contacts that I have through family in the Ottawa Police force and at the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Jay and Joe offered to come with my cousin Sargent John Gibbons.
Jay and Joe were formerly homeless men, with serious drug and alcohol addictions that contributed to their ensuing life of crime. Brigitte came from the Royal Ottawa Client Empowerment Council where she advocates on behalf of people living with addictions. She shared her very moving story of abuse and cocaine addiction and her present conflicted relationship with her teenage daughter. Dan is a recent graduate of St. Joe’s. He shared his life as a gay teen and his recent contraction of HIV/AIDS virus. Liz works as an outreach teacher at Operation Come Home in the market that supports teen runaways. My aunt Maggie, a mental health nurse at the ROH, volunteered at the last minute to replace the book “Average Guy Living with Schizophrenia” who had a bad cold!
I was very reluctant to have media at the event because I wasn’t sure how it would unfold and was leery of having the intrusion interrupt the flow of conversation between the students and the books. However, my friend who is a
producer at CBC encouraged me to allow him to share the information with his friend Hallie Cotnam. I couldn’t believe that she would come all the way out to Barrhaven early Tuesday morning after the election and Osama news to cover
our little human library event.
Hallie followed a group of Grade 12 students as they moved from book to book recording their questions and the answers. Her news story and the interview with Kathleen Petty of Ottawa Morning really captured the essence of the day! Take the time to listen to her interview on CBC Radio.
One parent emailed the school as she was moved to tears by the coverage and was full of praise for a concept that allows students to have an authentic learning experience outside the strict guidelines of the curriculum!
As a result of a challenge proposed by Joe and Jay, the Grade 12′s are volunteering to spend the day at the Shepherd’s of Good Hope making sandwiches and serving lunch to patrons.
My yoga practice definitely helped me keep the event in perspective and to cope with the anxiety and worry I had about how it would unfold. See what can happen when you ‘breathe, smile and believe’! I am deeply grateful to the
‘living books’ who volunteered several hours of their time and made themselves completely vulnerable and open to the curiosity of young teens.
Celebrate – Mother’s Day
May 2, 2011
Mother’s Day Class: Sunday May 8th, come and celebrate at our 6:30pm $5.00 class. All the proceeds raised will be donated to iSisters, a local charity near and dear to our hearts, connecting women in need with technology through mentoring. As the women in the iSisters program, learn and grow, they in turn inspire other women including their daughters, what a beautiful cycle.
We hope to see you at class, treat your Mom or treat your daughter! Or simply come and celebrate all moms! All welcome!
Words of Wisdom: There are so many titles that we identify with in life; examples include gender, age, nationality, education, and profession. Whatever title we may feel we need to live by and honour, none seems more important then the almighty title of MOM.
Many of us feel that before anything, we are mothers and with passion we nurture our aspiration to raise intelligent, athletic, musical, well-traveled, caring, and issue-less people.
What I find so interesting is that, as a mother, I know how much mothers care. Yet, as a daughter, I sometimes forget how much my own mother cares.
This mother’s day, let her know you know.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Powerful Woman Sun-rise Yoga
April 16, 2011
Elation Centre is pleased to announce the return of our Powerful Woman yoga!
Rise Up and Greet the Day ~ Weekdays from 5:45-6:45AM
Our Mission: to educate and perhaps, to reacquaint, women with the strength, beauty and ease of their bodies in a safe and non-competitive environment, through a Powerful Yoga practice that combines sweat, spirituality and community
Powerful Women classes build strength and flexibility in both the body and mind, and give us that sacred hour of the day, when the sun is rising, to tap into our inner beauty and face the day with grace
Your Teachers: Join Elation Centre co-founder Donna Davis, and senior teachers Jane Brown, and Martha Judd and share in their passions for Yoga, Health and Empowering Women to Shine.
Drop-in, use your Class Pass, or purchase our new Power Pass
Chow Nicki
April 10, 2011
Nicki is teaching her last class at Elation Centre on Tuesday, April 12th, and it’s a
musical one (Yoga to Live Music - do come if you are around!). Nicki, we want to take
this opportunity to wish you all the best on your earthly journey. You will be missed!
Educate, Inspire & Enrich
March 22, 2011
Experience momcafé Ottawa: enjoy a light breakfast & a latté, engage in fun conversation and network with other professionally-minded moms, all while the kids are being taken care of in a separate area.
Our April event will help you ‘spring’ into wellness! Co-Founders of the ever-popular Elation Centre in Westboro, Sylvie Gouin and Donna Davis are the gurus of yoga and nutrition and have inspired hundreds of moms to reach their fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle goals. Join us for a fun morning of tips and tricks to help you be your best!
Friday, April 8th, 2011 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Great Canadian Theatre Company
1233 Wellington Street West (at Holland)
2nd Floor Lobby
For more information and to register for this event, go to www.momcafenetwork.com
Ticket price
$31 + HST (members); $37 + HST (non-members). Includes a light breakfast and coffee/tea/juice. Onsite childcare is available for an additional fee.
Lessons from My Dad
February 23, 2011
On Sunday February 20th, in his 83rd year, my Dad passed away. I was blessed to have a wonderful relationship with him, and to be with him just before he passed, to tell him how much I loved him, hold his hand and give him a final kiss goodbye.
I was certainly ‘daddy’s little girl’. He was always there for me no matter what. He was so proud of all my accomplishments, big and small, and always quick to encourage me when challenges arose.
He constantly encouraged me to do what I love and always said “Don’t worry, you’ll make it”, and every time he phoned me he asked “How is the most beautiful girl in Ottawa?”
He was easy-going, fun to be around, never raising his voice. At the same time, we knew we were in trouble when my mom would say “Wait until your father finds out.”
Here are but a few lessons I’ve learned from my Dad
1. Don’t be afraid to try.
He taught me how to drive, in fact right after I got my ‘365’ (never having driven before) we drove down Baseline Road, he parked at Vincent Massey Park and told me to go ahead and drive the remaining 2km home. He had way more confidence in me than I had in myself. I declined the to offer to drive home and with patience he took the time every day to give me driver’s lessons and I passed my test on the first try.
Result – I love being an entrepreneur, to try and try again, to look ahead every day with confidence as opposed to fear.
2. Get out and get active
He taught me how to ski, came to my many, many soccer games (at a time when it wasn’t the norm for all parents to show up), took me to the finish line of the first National Capital Marathon and told me I could run a marathon one day (now I’ve run 5), taught my brother and I how to water ski, and encouraged us in all our activities. When I graduated from high school, I was one of the top ten graduating athletes and went on to captain the first Women’s Varsity Soccer team at Carleton University.
Result – My life happily centers around an active lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same.
3. Love your neighbour
In the weeks and months before my dad passed, he reminded me quite a few times that he wanted to be remembered as a good Christian. I believe, to him, this meant lending a hand whenever he was asked to, being quick with a compliment, creating community with friends and loved ones, gathering for parties, dinners and simple conversation, and being of service through church and through Kiwanis.
Result – Our wonderful Elation Centre community teaches yoga, running and healthy eating. It is also more than that: it’s about community and service.
4. Believe in yourself
I’ll never forget when I was training for my first marathon and an injury kept me from competing in the race. A few people suggested that maybe it was just too much, a marathon was too far to run. Dad quickly piped up and said “Don’t worry, there will be another chance and you’ll do it!”
He was also so proud of my entrepreneurial drive and accomplishments and would brag to his friends, and really anyone who would listen, about what I was doing at the time (sometimes to my embarrassment). Now I see how important it is to have a cheerleader on your side.
Result – I realize that I am now a cheerleader. This is my passion and my dharma: to inspire and uplift with my entrepreneurial spirit, with the passion for healthy, active living and with my commitment to community and service.
The best thing I can say to my Dad is “Thank you. You did a great job and because of your love and support I am doing great.’
I’ll miss him.
I am so touched by the outpouring of support and many people are asking about attending a visitation or the memorial, from the information in the Ottawa Citizen, here are the details
“Friends are invited to visit at the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 150 Woodroffe Avenue (at Richmond Road) on Wednesday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday at Trinity United Church, 1099 Maitland Avenue at 2pm. For those wishing, donations may be made to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute or the Ottawa Hospital Foundation.”