Yoga for Cancer Survivors DVD Series

The much anticipated Yoga for Cancer Survivors DVD series was recently released. The program is a collaboration between the University of Calgary and Tom Baker Cancer Centre in an effort to research the effects of yoga on cancer survivors. The DVD series was produced in an effort to reach those who may be unable to attend a yoga class.

The following is a brief article and video CTV Calgary presented on their news show Monday, November 17th:

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081113/CGY_Yoga_DVD_081113/20081113?hub=CalgaryHome

To order a copy of the DVD series, go to the following link:

http://www.fitter1.com/Catalog/Items/DVYCS.aspx

All proceeds go to support the continued running of the program.

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Movember - Donate to End Prostate Cancer

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Trade Ego for Eco: Freecycling

I often have conversations with friends about the benefits and joys, and drawbacks, of frequenting garage sales. Treasure troves or collections of junk? Guilt-free shopping or waste of time? The opinions are polar opposites. But one thing can't easily be argued: garage sales are a great way to keep items out of landfills. Here is another option: freecycling. The Freecycle Network is a grassroots movement where people can offer and find items for free in their own cities. To take part all you need to do is become a member of your local group. The most important rule? You guessed it. Everything offered must be FREE. Search for your local group at: http://www.freecycle.org/

Oh, and one other word of advice: multi-familty or community garage sales give you the biggest bang for your buck. Time efficient and if you get there early, you can have the pick of the litter. If you're a seller, they are a nice way of earning some extra money on a sunny summer day. So go on. Ignore the urge to hit the shopping malls (again) then go meet your neighours while finding that perfect...something...with your name on it.

P.S. A special thanks to my friends Tara and Allison for introducing me to the wonderful world of garage sales.

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Calgary Yoga Day 2008

Attention all yoga students, instructors, and aspiring yogis: Join the Calgary yoga community on Saturday, June 21st for the First Annual Calgary Yoga Day.

Held from 10:30-2pm @ Mount Royal College, the day includes a choice of 4 yoga classes taught by local instructors for FREE. All that is required from you is a donation to the Calgary Inter-faith Food Bank. What a perfect opportunity to try yoga for the first time and to give back to a local charity. I'm looking forward to participating...as a student.

To register or for more information, please visit: http://www.yogadaycalgary.com/

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Trade Ego for Eco: An Introduction

I had an idea awhile back to combine my interests of yoga and environmental stewardship. The tag line "Trade Ego for Eco" was born. The idea is we should let go of the thigns we think we need to make us happy to make room for what really matters. Ego comes from wanting to be richer, more powerful, and own more and better stuff. Eco means getting back to basics. I'll be using these posts to share ideas on how we can do this collectively. My hope is to also further explore for myself the role yoga plays in letting go of the ego. I hope you're inspired by "Trade Ego for Eco" to ask your own questions and hopefully find some answers.

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Yoga and Running: Yin-Yang?

I am entered to run my first 10k race in a few weeks. A major feat for me considering I have never ran any distance of race before. A co-worker of mine is my inspiration. An avid runner, she recently ran a personal best of 48 min for her most recent 10k. Impressive to me seeing as my idea of a callenge is practicing Pratyahara (or withdrawl of the senses) while laying in Savasana. She will be by my side at the start and will run alongside me during the race, albeit not for long. We are taking part in the 2008 Footstock Race Weekend in Cochrane, AB on June 14th (http://www.footstock.ca/).

(N.B. I recently taught yoga to above said friend and her response to the class was an elimiination of her sciatica pain - thanks to Supta Padangustasana, or Reclining Hand to Big-toe Pose)

To add to my introduction into running, I work with another racer who is training for his first Ironman at the end of August and I have several yoga students who are members of the local running club. After teaching several workshops for the later, I was inspired to write this post. I'm posing the question: Do yoga and running compliment each other or are they polar opposites?

In my opinion, there couldn't be a better pair. An increase in mobility and flexibility, a reduction in the number of injuries, and a greater increase in lung capacity are some of the physical benefits of yoga to a runner. What is often overlooked are the mental benefits. Yoga can teach a runner to be present in the moment, to block out negative thoughts and mental noise, and to push past physical discomfort. The plus side is there are numerous yoga classes geared towards the runner. They are not, in my opinion, any different from the average yoga class. More of a marketing tool, really. There is one exception: a runners yoga class brings together people with the same interest. What better way to build a stronger feeling of community! It is time to bridge the gap between yoga and running, and yoga and any other sport for that matter. I thank some of my students for that.

Now, if there are any yogis at the race on Saturday, look for me. I'll be the one wearing yoga apparel for lack of better clothes. :)

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Therapeutic Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Since January 2008, I have been involved in the Therapeutic Yoga for Cancer Survivors research program offered by the Culos-Reed Health and Wellness Lab in the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary. Headed by Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, Associate Professior at the U of C, the program is aimed at survivors of all types of cancer and those who support them most. As an instructor trained under Susi Hately-Aldous, Therapeutic Yoga Instructor and Owner of Functional Synergy, I have been blessed with the ability to bring this wonderful yoga program to individuals coming back from cancer. It has only been a few months but already the feedback from students is that the yoga sessions have been life-altering. For more information or to register for the program, please visit the following website:

http://www.kin.ucalgary.ca/healthandwellnesslab/Site/Programs.html

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Days 4 & 5 - Gala Evening & Conclusion of the IYAC 2008 Conference

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Penticton, BC - The gala evening included a dinner with Geetaji. The head tables were reserved for the guest of honour, her niece Abi, senior Iyengar teachers, and IYAC commitee members. Margot Kitchen, senior Iyengar instructor for Calgary, acted as emcee; Ingelise Nherlan, senior instructor from Vancouver, surprised the audience with a song. What a beautiful voice! Some women worn the traditional Indian dress, the salvar kameez, in numerous vibrant colours. I wondered why traditionally we Westerners shy away from such briliant tones. I made a private vow to eliminate black from my wardrobe.

Throughout the Conference, all meals were vegetarian and food was served buffet-style. The Gala dinner was no different except the chef had prepared special Indian-inspired dishes of curried vegetables and naan bread. Whomever said a vegetarian diet was tasteless and dull has never attended a IYAC Conference. We all mistakenly thought we would loose weight during the week. Harty, colourfull salads and bountiful legume entrees were difficult to resist, as were the deserts.

Calgary friends and fellow participants Sharoni, Shelly, Anna, Nimmi, and myself.

~

Sunday, May 4th

A special mention to my brother who is celebrating a birthday today. Happy 37th, Pat.

Penticton & Kelowna, BC - The morning marked our third and final three-hour asana practice with Geeta. I can say without ego that this was the most difficult class I have taken part in during my 10 years practicing yoga. Geetaji pushed our physical limits. She asked us to repeat poses numerous times. When we thought we had gone as far as possible, her instructions allowed us to reach new heights. "Simple" seated twists like Bharadvajasana were now the most challenging. For days following, my back felt the aftermath of forward bends such as Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana and Janu Sirsasana. I didn't check but I'm sure I grew a few inches.

Once finished, Geetaji graciously and without fanfare ended the practice and hence the conference, but not before taking the time to answer questions prepared in advance by students. I could have used a few more days. I could have used a few more WEEKS of her teaching. If it had been possible, I would have transported my students there to experience her teachings with me. It was a milestone on my yoga journey I won't soon forget.

One last note: To Christine Brown, with whom I have more in common than I would have guessed, and to the lovely woman from Toronto (who's name I have forgotton), thank you for engaging me in such lively discussion at the Kelowna airport. Although we joked about it, I would have liked more time to get to know you both before dashing to catch my flight. Our hour sharing drinks was the perfect way to end the weekend. Namaste, Kim.

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Days 2 & 3 - 2008 IYAC Annual Conference with Geeta Iyengar

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Penticton, BC - The morning started with confirming my registration. The volunteer at the desk handed me my nametag and conference information package highlighting the importance of reading the protocol for Geeta Iyengar’s visit. Points included:

1. Students should be in modest dress with both men and women wearing underwear, including a bra for ladies. No room for skimpy athletic wear here.

2. You are asked to stand when Geetaji enters and exits the room, do not speak to her unless spoken too, and always use formal speech including “Ma’am" or "Geetaji” to each sentence.

3. Do not point your feet in her direction when seated as this is a sign of disrespect. Good thing, because I was a few days late for my pedicure.

Students rushed around nervously awaiting the arrival of their teacher’s teacher. I was reminded of ealier years when I attended swimming competition,s although there was no competition there. Just a sea of colours and energy as we all worked to find our appropriate spots and set up our props. Groups of people were introduced to highlight where they were from. Every province in Canada was represented. Some came from as far away as the US, Mexico, Bermuda, Spain, and even Hong Kong!

After the dust settled, Geetali entered to applause and a Namaste greeting. It was an emotional moment for me as I realized she is the highest ranked Iyengar teacher in the world since her father, Guruji BKS Iyengar, retired from teaching. He is, after all, turning 90 this year.

Geeta started with the puja, a traditional Hindu ritual consisting of a offering of food and flowers concluding in a series of chants. We performed the puja in honour of our Guru, BKS Iyengar, whose photo sat promently on the alter. The puja is part of the path of Raja or Royal Yoga. Once the ceremony is over, Geeta explained it as an offering of things we hope to receive. She then translated and interpreted each chant, for those of us not quite as stong in our Sanskrit.

Invocation to Sage Patanjali

Yogena cittasya padena vacam

Malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena

Yopakarottam pravaram muninam

Patanjalim pranajaliranato'smi

Abahu purusakaram

Sankha cakrasi dharinamsahasra sirasam

Svetam pranamami patanjalim

Hari ohm

Go to http://www.bksiyengar.com/ to learn more about Sri BKS Iyengar and Geetaji.

The afternoon was set aside for pranayama or breath control. Geetaji first included a restorative asana practice in order to lengthen the spine to allow for more fluid breathing. She emphasized flatening the back, extending the sides of the trunk, and opening the armpits. What if you can't touch your abdomen to your thighs in Uttanasana without rounding your back? Then don't touch your thighs. Why, Geeta asked, do we feel we should push past where our bodies need to be, at the expense of our alignment and our health?

Other poses included supported Adho Mukha Virasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, and Supta Buddha Konasana.

One last note: I'd like to wish Trish a Happy Birthday once again. The Calgary Iyengar group organized a surprise brithday party for her on the first night of the Conference. Needless to say, the surprise worked. Check out my friend Anna W's blog for photos of the evening: http://yoga-it-up.blogspot.com/

~

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

With one day already under our belts, the pressure was off. The morning schedule included our first full asana practice of three hours. The basics were emphasized; no fancy backbends or crazy inversions. We stood in Tadasana until we could really feel what Geeta was asking of us. We ended the morning by chanting the first of the four Padas or sections of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a new experience for me. We were lead by Abi Iyengar, Geetaji's niece. She recited each sutra, we repeated after.

The afternoon was our second pranayama session. After a break of a few hours where I rested the sun and read the newspaper, I found it difficult to stay awake in reclining pranayama. Seated breath control proved easier, although several of us commented on how our legs fell completely asleep through the twenty minutes or so of supported Sukasana. Techniques practiced included Ujjayi and Viloma. In the former, Geetaji maticulously described the sections of the rib cage and emphasized their independent expansion and release.

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Day 1 - 2008 Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada AGM and Annual Conference with Geeta Iyengar

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Kelowna & Penticton, BC - Even though the day was overcast, flying into Kelowna I could see the vineyards dotting the landscape. I arrived just before 7:30am local time. Four hours snoozing on a bench at the tiny airport made the eventual shuttle trip to my final destination, Penticton, all the more enjoyable. The sky cleared and the ride allowed for more sightseeing as we drove through Okanagan wine country; simply stunning. Construction slowed the ride to three times as long as usual, eating up most of the afternoon, but regardless, I knew this was going to be a wonderful few days. Only my third visit to the area, I quickly wondered, “Why don’t I live here?” Everything was alive and green. Spring is how it should be this time of year with crabapple trees in full bloom and tulips and daffodils showing their colours. Views from the hilltops are breathtaking.

As an Associate Member, a teacher working towards certification as an internationally reconized Iyengar Yoga Instructor, I was attending the of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada (IYAC) Annual General Meeting and Conference for the first time. For information on the IYAC, visit: http://www.iyengaryogacanada.ca/

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Practicing Non-Attachment

If you are a true sports fan, you can sympathize with Calgary Flames fans whose team was eliminated from the NHL post-season two nights ago. In the days that followed, local newspapers have are running headlines asking "What went wrong?", sports analysts are discussing who's to blame, and radio shows are taking calls from upset fans anxious to give their points of view.


What if we fans let go of our expectations for the playoffs? What if we could just enjoy the games for what they are instead of allowing the resulting score to upset us? What a perfect opportunity for practicing non-attachment. A win or loss by the home team would provide us with a chance to practivce sutras #1.12-1.16 (from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras), which discuss non-attachment or vairagya as part of the yogic path. How freeing it would be to watch a game or match knowing from the very beginning a loss would not catapult us into a state of mild depression. In fact, even a good result would not affect us. We would enjoy the sport for the skill it takes to play the game and appreciate how difficult it is to compete. There would be no need to point fingers because there isn't anyone to blame. It takes a lot of energy to feel as aweful as Calgary fans did late Tuesday night. Plus, no rehashing of the past and saying "what if" will change the result.

As for me, I will be sitting in Padmasana tonight watching my home team as they enter the second round. Of course, I will do my best not to be attached to the outcome...

Allez-y les boys. GO HABS GO!

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Dispelling the Myth

Yes, yoga is for everyone.

I am often faced with answering the question "Should I practice yoga"? or "Who does yoga benefit"? or, and my personal favorite, "I am not flexible enough, how could I take a yoga class?". The truth of the matter is, if you breathe the air, yoga is accessible to you.

A common misconception of yoga is it is only the physical practice of putting yourself into compromising positions, some which look as though they belong in a performance by Cirque du Soleil. Another mistaken belief is yoga involves a group of people who sit around chanting indiscernable words whilst periodically standing on their heads. While I love a headstand as much as the next yogini, this is by no means the whole picture.

Yoga is a spiritual practice which can address the emotional, mental, and physical imbalances of the practitioner. Feeling stressed? Having difficulty concentrating? Muscle aches? Begin a yoga practice. Taking a class at the local community centre is a good start. Or you can simply take a deep breath, then another, and another... Breath awareness is an integral part of the practice of yoga and doesn't require the student to ever put themselves into a Downward Dog. In fact, those of us facing a chronic illness or persistent pain can access the benefits of yoga through the breath.

One more myth buster: yoga is also not a religion. Regardless of your faith, or lack of one, yoga can compliment your beliefs.

So lets drop the label of whom a yoga practicitioner is or isn't. A yogi can be anybody, even you.

K

P.S. We should all take a lesson from my dog, Baldur. Enjoy the snow, even if its April.

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Welcome

I have created this blog to share my yoga experiences with my students, family, friends and potential yogis. The goal of these posts will be to provide readers with an insight into my practice, including attended workshops, personal discoveries and setbacks, and thoughts for the future. Space will be saved for questions posed by students and the answers I could or could not provide.

Another area of interest popping up now and again will include environmental stewardship and the link between yoga and respecting our environment. "Trade Ego for Eco" (more to come).

Check out my website at http://www.kimmcneilyoga.ca/ for information on my teaching.

Upcoming Post:

My attendance at the upcoming May 2008 workshop hosted by the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada. I will have the privilege of being taught by Geeta Iyengar, Sri BKS Iyengar's daughter, internationally renowed teacher of her father's system. Look forward to daily updates during the workshop.

Thank you for taking the time to explore yoga a little further.

All the best,

Kim

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