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Aug 30
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Power Yoga Canada’s Mission in Action

By Community Feature

Since the inception of Power Yoga Canada, the mission and vision has always been to empower communities into action and I witnessed and experienced this firsthand dating back to my first yoga class at Power Yoga Canada in 2014. I quickly realized that yoga is the medium and empowered action is the goal. To empower each and every community member into living their best life on and off the mat and to be a shining light to everyone around them. Little did I know that my entire life would change for the better after 60 minutes of breath, movement, and lots of sweat.

Day 1 – FIRST EXPOSURE TO PYC AND YOGA – February 7, 2014

I remember my first experience vividly. It was on a Friday at 12pm and as soon as I walked into Power Yoga Canada Oakville for the first time, there was upbeat music playing and I was greeted with so much love and kindness that I immediately felt welcomed. I thought to myself… Did the staff already know me? Why are they talking to me as if I am an old friend and someone they missed? All I know is that it made me feel warm inside. Heading to my mat, I did minimal research on yoga and the poses that I was just about to do. I figured I am an athlete, I’ll be fine. I jumped right in and thankfully it was okay to rest at any point because I did just that. I had to stop and watch the magic happening around me in order to understand what I was asked to do. I fell in love with the practice from that moment and joined the Energy Exchange program one year later.

Day 802 – FAMILY FOR LIFE – April 19, 2016

Many days later and many yoga classes later (118 to be exact), I had a second family. Power Yoga Canada was a place where I made numerous friends, learned countless skills as an Energy Exchange team member, and transformed my health to peak performance. Not only was I focusing on my physical health, but I was also prioritizing my mental health which was something I didn’t even think about prior to yoga. All of the yoga classes and the interactions with the community made me realize that the whole is the goal and that what I had to say was important. I was growing up 1 breath at a time.

Day 2130 – TIME FOR TRANSFORMATION – December 8, 2019

After being a part of the Energy Exchange team as a member for 3 years, it was time to take the next step and transform into a yoga teacher. Before entering the program, I had no expectations. I heard such great things about the training so I was excited, nervous, and ready!

Day 2245- YOGA FOR LIFE – April 1, 2020

After 3 months of asana, meditation, and self-inquiry (lots of self-inquiry) I had transformed. Yoga teacher training is something I never thought I would do and now it’s something I think everyone should complete. I was able to shed many layers of societal expectations and beliefs. I felt brand new and ready to take on the world in a brand new way! It also made me understand that no one was coming to save me and that it was up to me to make results happen in all areas of my life.

Day 3094 – CONTINUED LEARNING – July 29, 2022

With over 2 years of teaching and guiding yoga classes, I couldn’t be more grateful to this community that shows up each and every class ready to shine brightly. I will forever be a student of this beautiful practice and look forward to the 300 hour program to continue learning and transforming.

Mar 16
Love1

Pauline Caballero

By Community Feature

When the unexplainable happens, you just go with it!

I will never forget trying to explain to potential business investors that we were going to open a yoga studio where you crank up the heat so students sweat profusely and we were not going to build showers. Where we would open with no sign and on the 3rd floor of a very interesting, also referred to as a grungy building.

It was then, November 2009, that the unexplainable began to happen. The profuse amount of sweat turned into a rinse of old energy and a transformation on ones self. The showers were not needed because sweaty hugs became the norm. And the grungy building with drapes to close off the room and retain the heat became cool and a part of our charm. The frustrated yogi calling in would often say, “I can’t find you” to which we would respond – “if you drove past the train tracks, you went to far”. The three flights of stairs and huffing and puffing was welcomed with, “great! Now you are all warmed up”.

It was all in our perspective, and we didn’t even know it. We were just old enough to have a large enough limit on our credit cards and young enough to be willing to max them out over and over again. It was all quite magical when one looks back from this seat. We were courageous when we needed to be and vulnerable before Brene Brown made it cool 🙂 One thing is for sure the sacrifice Kinndli and I made is nothing compared to all the people around us. Our families, my husband, our countless teachers, assistants and energy exchangers have poured all their energy, time and love into PYC!

Power Yoga Canada tore my marriage apart and glued it back together with a bond that will last many lifetimes. The practice on and off the mat is so powerful that it calms my inner critic down, silences my mind and allows me to hear the gentle whispers of my heart. Because of this community, I have gained the ability to challenge everything I know to be true and to play FULL on in my life and for that I am forever grateful. To make mistakes and clean up my messes. To stay and to be patient and to demand miracles over and over again.

I can say, I have no idea where I would be had I not stumbled into Kinndli’s class one day many years ago? Where would I be if I had said opening up a studio with someone I barely know is crazy? …but I do know the answers to these questions. I would have missed out on gaining the most amazing best friend, the most wonderful community and the craziest roller coaster ride that continues today.

Thank you – to every single person, student, assistant, teacher, energy exchanger, affiliate owner and PYC supporter off the mat, that took a chance on Power Yoga Canada. We could not have done it without YOU! Acknowledgments would not be complete without a special shout out to the unicorn of PYC herself, Kinndli, I love you and am forever grateful for the chance you took on me. The ease and flow you bestow to PYC is felt always.

May we all be silent enough to hear the gentle whispers of our heart

See you on your MAT!
P

 

Pauline, Kinndli, and families. Co-founders of Power Yoga Canada

Jun 01
Love0

Community Feature : June 2019

By Community Feature

 

Community feature - June 2019

 

CONGRATULATIONS to our most recent 200 HR YTT Grads! We are so grateful for each and every one of you who participated in the program. The magic that occurs in each teacher training is hard to put into words, so we asked our grads to share about their  YTT experience for this month’s community feature.

“All my life, I sought recognition or praise for everything I did…from my kids, my husband, parents and friends. I had the best grades in school, became successful in my chosen career, determined to be the best wife and mother in the world. And YET, I felt discontent, like there was always something missing. PYC YTT has helped me see that when you operate from a place of lack, nothing is ever enough. PYC YTT has guided me to peel away all the lies and layers I’ve built over the years to recognize the truth inside of me. And when your new way of being comes from abundance, you operate from a place of love, true service, compassion and gratitude. And then suddenly, I was the miracle I was waiting for all along. I can tell you, everything is as it was, and yet they are not. And the only thing that has changed is ME – my perception, my thoughts, my emotions, my reactions. My yoga journey has been a wonderful transformation that I can powerfully share with everyone in my yoga classes! “- Lot

“I walked in to YTT from a place of fear, confusion, and imbalance. Through a lot of hard work and inquiry, I left the final weekend with abundance.  Abundance of love, clarity, community and total trust. I’ve peeled away all the layers that weren’t serving my purpose and am left with my true north and in complete ease of knowing exactly who I am. Thank you Power Yoga Canada!” -Matea

“[Teacher Training creates] the possibility to realize that you are everything that you thought you weren’t and couldn’t be. Forever opportunities, happiness, friendships and the anticipation of your next “what it”…becomes your reality in Yoga Teacher Training”  -Antonella

“[I learned] Self love and appreciation for who I am and who I am not. I learned that I matter in the world and that I can change. I learned that I can shine,  just by being myself” -Ula

Our Summer Intensive  200 HR Yoga Teacher Training begins July 5th.   If you want to awaken your spirit though yoga, meditation and self-inquiry that helps peel back layers that are not authentically you, apply online at: poweryogacanada.com/summer-200-hour-teacher-training/

Apr 01
Love0

Community Feature : April 2019

By Community Feature

Author : Beth Brens

I did my first yoga class ever at PYC on Family Day in 2013.  My girlfriend had done a few classes and was raving about how PYC was great.  At the time, I was a mom of two young children and was trying to establish my career as an accounting professional.  With both my husband and myself working full time and many kids activities, life was (and still is) chaotic and making time for myself was not a priority.  I was in a place where I felt like I was doing nothing well, life was flying by and I wasn’t keeping up.  Taking my girlfriend up on her invite was a first step in making my personal well-being a priority.

Power yoga canada community fetaures

Yoga has been much more than the physical aspect for me, with the mindfulness being the most impactful.  Through the instructors at PYC, I have learned to breathe more deeply, pay attention to how I am feeling, be more reflective, practice self love and think differently.  As I progress in my career, the stress level is also increasing.  I feel that using what I have learned in my yoga practice has been a key contributor to managing that the increased demands of my career.  Yoga has helped me think more clearly, keep an open mind, and be more aware of other people’s perspective.

 

I think differently now, and I am more in tune with who I am and how I am feeling.  I am able to keep an open mind when dealing with conflict, and I am more aware of and honest with my feelings.  This has allowed me to see things I wouldn’t have seen before and has allowed me to recognize when I need to slow down and breathe.  I truly feel that these skills have been key to the success I have experienced in my career.  Yoga has also taught me to be ok in the uncomfortable space, whether it is on the mat or working through a difficult situation at work.  Challenging myself to stay in the uncomfortable space at work and in some of my personal relationships, and not have to fix it right away or run away from it, has allowed me to grow and deal with obstacles in a different way.  I share this concept regularly at work, it has become a bit of a mantra for me.

 

Every time I come to class everyone is so friendly, whether it is a familiar face or someone new.   I have never felt judgment or insecurity walking into the studio.  I feel like in every class, I learn something new about myself and the time spent on my mat allows me to re-centre and to go back out into life with a renewed energy and positive outlook.

 

I love that the instructors will share how they are feeling and are open and vulnerable to the class.  By doing this, they have showed me that it is ok and more often than not we are all going through our own battles in life.  In a recent class, Jax shared the concept that you always have choice as to how you perceive something.  As an example, she could tell herself that everyone is not enjoying the class because no one is smiling, but instead she can choose to think of all the positive feedback she gets after class so knows that it is nothing personal.  This was such a simple concept but her words were so meaningful and impactful to me.

 

I have gained so much personally and professionally as a result of my time at PYC.  If someone is reading this and thinks that the class was pretty cool and that they might get something out of attending more classes I want to be able to influence and say come back again!

Mar 01
Love0

Community Feature : March 2019

By Community Feature

Author : Ashley Burton

My name is Ashley Burton … and before PYC, I was someone who really didn’t realize who I actually was. I felt like what I did for a living, my culture, age and heritage – all these exterior attributes – made up WHO I WAS. At the time I was living a life for myself really and much less self-aware than I’ve become after diving into the culture of personal development and self inquiry.

PYC community feature March

Power Yoga Canada has profoundly changed my life. I recently lost my partner at the age of 33 who had an accidental death… which has been by far the most challenging time for me in this life. I didn’t know it all these years but the work I have put in previously has helped prepare me for today. The tools I have learned and my daily practice have enabled me to manage the rollercoaster rides that come my way. There are highs and lows; through self-inquiry work with PYC, when there are lows, I know what to do to work my way back to a place where I feel powerful and present again. I’m more compassionate with myself, more forgiving with my family and friends. I’ve learned how to really listen, not only to others but also myself. I remember being in traffic pre-PYC or at the lineup at the bank feeling anxiety and tension run through my body. Today I’ve learned how to calm down, how to really breathe especially during the challenging moments I experience.

I love being a part of the PYC family because I feel completely supported in every way. I believe in how lives are impacted because mine has been; and for that I will forever share PYC with everyone in hopes of their transformations as well. I want to share my story because of YOU. Yes, you reading this… that you know whatever it is you’re going through in your life, coming to this place is the best thing you can do for yourself. Show up and trust this process. I promise you will discover something beautiful along the way.

Ashley Burton is the founder of Yoga to You, a Power Yoga Canada Affiliate. They are a mobile yoga service specializing in bringing the yoga you love to corporate offices and creating customizable classes for any event. Learn more about Yoga to You at yogatoyou.ca

Feb 01
Love0

Community Feature : February 2019

By Community Feature

Author: Patrick

My name is Patrick and I practice yoga out of Power Yoga Canada Etobicoke. It’s amazing to be writing this and to look back at the journey that brought me to where I am today physically, mentally and spiritually.

February Community Feature
Back in 2010, I was in a job I did not enjoy and each day was a struggle. I’ve always been a physically active person, but even that could not get me out of the rut I was in mentally. After much contemplation about various future career opportunities, I had a sudden awakening. After this realization,  I left that unfulfilling job and never returned. I pursued my love of animals and started my own Pet Services business. I own dogs and love them so very much; they bring me such joy and happiness, so it only made sense to try and surround myself with that energy on a daily basis to achieve true happiness and personal growth.

A few years into establishing my business,  I was extremely happy with my new path but something was missing. In 2013 a relative of mine who had been practising yoga suggested I take a class as it was something I had never tried before. Getting out of my comfort zone and trying a hot power yoga class was the best thing I ever did.  I have never looked back after that first class.  Yoga became such a huge part of changing my life and connecting me to what was missing.  A monumental shift happened spiritually and  I was able I apply my sense of calm to my job and the animal beings I work with.

After a bit of a personal speed bump, which interfered with my practice, I realized even more so how much I missed the practice and needed it in my life. I returned in April of last year and once again haven’t looked back. I practice 4-5 times a week and I cannot emphasize enough the personal growth and power my practice has instilled in me, spiritually, physically and mentally. Even in my personal life, I am at peace and happy and now only surround myself with likeminded spirits. I’m physically in the best shape of my life as well.

I cannot emphasize enough how much my yoga practice has added to, and changed my life for the better in so many ways. I am as healthy physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally as I have ever been. For anyone looking to make a change in their life, I would definitely suggest taking a class and feel for yourself the difference.  It’s one of the best things I ever did.

Dec 31
Love0

COMMUNITY FEATURE: JANUARY 2019

By Community Feature

Author: Aneta Pietruszko

 

Before I ever stepped into yoga studio, I was someone who was constantly busy.  I worked two jobs while attending university, maintaining a jam packed schedule, living with 7 boys and in a toxic relationship.  Two years later I found the courage to leave the relationship, but I don’t even think I had time to pause and give myself the permission to shed the weight of my abusive relationship.   My MO was a very active and busy lifestyle, so I just kept going.

COMMUNITY FEATURE: JANUARY 2019

One day with my new partner at the CNE, I had a severe panic attack for the first time. It came out of nowhere and I didn’t know how to handle it! Thankfully he eased me out of it and I am grateful I was not alone. Attacks came periodically, so I went for medical tests – everything came back normal.  I was diagnosed with a minor anxiety disorder and was given two options: pills or yoga. I was resistant to both! I felt pills would mask the problem and yoga was too slow and boring for me…My entire life revolved around active sports and now I was supposed to sit on a mat and do some slow stretches? Thank you, next.

I went home to tell my parents and it just so happened that Power Yoga Canada had just opened up behind my Dad’s shop, Clarkson Fine Cars on Clarkson road. My dad bought me a pass and encouraged me to use it while my car was being fixed that day. I was resistant with every bone in my body but I decided to listen.

I met Kinndli and Pauline who right away made me feel like I was part of the PYC family. I don’t even think I had proper yoga gear that first day but their persistence made it difficult to say no to taking the next class. I took a spot in the back corner and had zero idea of what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that it was SO HOT and how the heck was I going to breathe?! I made it through the class not knowing a single pose and still left the studio feeling like a BADASS!

That night I had the BEST SLEEP EVER! I went back the second day wanting more of what I knew nothing about. I signed up for the 40 day to Personal Revolution and little did I know that decision would forever change my life. The anxiety vanished, I slept like a champion, I was more present in my body and with my family and friends. People kept telling me something changed in my energy but they couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I wanted more. In 2012 I joined PYC’s first intensive two week teacher training program. I started teaching at my corporate finance job twice a week and implemented yoga into my condo community in Toronto which were both successful! Two years later I moved to New York City and completed Level 1 & 2 training with the Baptiste Institute. I managed and taught at Lyons Den Power Yoga, Manhattan’s only Baptiste Power Yoga studio.

I have moved back to Oakville and have decided to leave the corporate world all together and devote my passion and energy into yoga full time. Although it is inspiring and fulfilling to do what I love, I took a big pay cut from what I was earning in finance. I have stayed positive throughout this process and trust that the abundance of money always comes from when passion and drive are in alignment with our work.

This is my calling. If I build it, they will come. Landing a job that pays is easy. Landing a job that aligns with your passion, requires a thirst for action, a yes for patience, and a whole lot of courage. Is all of THAT possible? I would have had a different answer a year ago. Today, I can confidently say YES IT’S POSSIBLE!

Nov 02
Love0

Community Feature: November 2018

By Community Feature

Author: Allison & Grant Graham

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Life has certainly been moving very fast for us. Looking for a release from the stresses of work and living in the big city, Allison stepped into the PYC studio in Oshawa and immediately felt welcomed into their community. The sense of belonging was so great that she practiced there every day bright and early at the 6am class before heading to work. The transformation had begun! Only a year later, Allison took the next big step in her development and attended the summer intensive teacher training and learned how to light up a room!

Seeing how awesome the transformation was in Allison, and wanting to be supportive of her new adventure, Grant agreed to give this yoga thing a try. The physicality of the practice was addictive and the results were amazing! Grant signed up for the 40-day program and followed that up right away with the assisting intensive course. Taking the teacher training was the next obvious step.

While all of this was going on, Allison’s mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. Part of her lung was excised but the cancer has returned and we are continuing our fight. Allison’s family all live up north in Sudbury. With this news, we decided to make a plan to leave the south to be close to the family. We wanted to be able to spend more time with Allison’s mom and also be with the rest of the family and help out where we could. Fortunately, our shared love for PYC propelled us towards this goal and we embarked on our quest to empower the Sudbury community into action!

It isn’t easy uprooting your family. Our two daughters, Ginny (13) and Charlotte (12), have been very supportive in our move. This is a big change for them having to leave their school and friends. They are looking forward to helping out at the studio and maybe even becoming teachers themselves one day! Moving houses was a giant ordeal, especially considering that Grant was off at teacher training a week prior to move day. In addition to changing where we live, Allison is also leaving behind a 20-year career as a dental hygienist to pursue this new beginning and be immersed in every part of our studio build and operation.

We have been very fortunate to have our family around to support and assist us with opening the business. They have been there with us every step of the way – helping with advice, painting, plumbing, flooring, electrical and even contract negotiations! They have been great ambassadors for us and have been spreading the word of our opening through their vast network of friends. We couldn’t be more appreciative of them for helping us make PYC’s most remote studio simply awesome! We are filled with joy and gratitude to be near our loved ones and to be able to take part in family life and are so looking forward to getting to know our community and flow and grow together!

Oct 04
Love0

Community Feature: October 2018

By Community Feature

Author: Harris Beacock

I walked into Power Yoga Canada in Leaside about a year ago. I had tried Bikram Yoga at a nearby studio in 2015, actually staying with that practice for almost a year, but the 90 minute classes were simply too much of a time commitment to allow me to continue my practice.

Fast forward 2 years to the Fall of 2017. I weighed 238 pounds, was moving toward being diabetic and was not very active at all. Although my career is not exactly physically demanding, as I sit at a desk most of the day, mental stress is a definite factor. My only physical activity consisted of walking my dogs – on its own, it was not conducive to being truly healthy. I had noticed the Power Yoga Canada sign on Laird and decided to drop in and see what it was all about. I liked the concept of hot yoga, as I have always thought that a good sweat was good for a person. The first practice was a definite contest to stay with the flow, but I felt terrific after the class. I was hooked!

From there, I started slowly, finding it challenging to do 3 classes a week, but sixty minutes is a manageable time commitment and the classes provide a total body workout, as well as a great mental flush!

Fast forward to now, a year later. Combining my practice with proper nutrition, I have dropped 24 pounds, reducing my body fat from 29.7% to 20.5%. I have improved my physical fitness to the point where the classes are still challenging, but I get through them and the after-class buzz is well worth the effort. Walking my dogs is no longer a challenge. I sleep better, have a clearer head at work and home and I always look forward to the positive reinforcement that I get from the instructors and fellow yogis. My goal is to continue to practice at least 4 times a week and I have begun attending Sunday yin classes for variety. Perhaps there is 40 Day Challenge in my future!

I have found the instructors and my classmate to always be positive and helpful, from taking someone who is really new into their classes to offering hints on how to continuously improve my practice. The constant positive reinforcement from everyone has been extremely helpful with my yoga journey.

I want my story to act as a motivational point for anyone who thinks that they can’t change their situation, be it mental or physical. It can be done!

Sep 01
Love0

Community Feature: September 2018

By Community Feature

Author: Allan Pitre – Community Member & PYC City Centre Yogi

I wanted to try yoga for a long time, but was always too afraid. Living with depression and anxiety for most of my life has been limiting, especially when it comes to unfamiliar social settings. I usually just avoid these situations entirely. My timid nature has kept me from trying many things. I tend to live in my own head, to overanalyze things, and can be extremely self-critical. Sometimes I feel like I’m in an abusive relationship with myself…
Initially, One of the reasons yoga intrigued me was that I had heard it was beneficial in healing the body from injuries. I have a bad back and problems with my hips, knees, and shoulders; being that I’m extremely accident prone and clumsy, many of these are self-inflicted. I frequently get low back spasms and my body is generally very tense and sore, and feels way older than 40 years should.

I’ve struggled with my weight since my teens, there was definitely a correlation between my weight and worst bouts of depression. I’ve dropped 115 lbs. through consistent exercise, a strict ketogenic diet, and intermittent fasting. Losing weight has improved the way I feel emotionally and physically, but years of additional weight has compounded my injuries. Because of these injuries, some of the workouts I used to enjoy are no longer an option.

Last winter, I reduced exercising and picked up some bad diet habits. I gained weight, and started to get a bit down on myself. Before things got worse, I recommitted to my diet and exercise regimen. My wife and I decided to try yoga and support each other through the experience since we were both apprehensive. I don’t know that I would have worked up the courage to start alone, and I’m grateful for her support because the past 5-1⁄2 months have been transformative.

I was so nervous for my first class at PYC City Centre. I did not know what to expect. I was concerned about being judged because of my body, because I didn’t know the sequences, or when I couldn’t hold a pose. Instead, I found a supportive community of amazing people who have literally bent over backwards (pun intended) to make me feel welcome and accepted, and without even having an inkling of how intimidated I was those first few weeks.

I have become completely enamoured with yoga. It’s amongst the most physically demanding activities I have done, yet I feel incredible after. I actually look forward to my next time on the mat. I won’t pretend that yoga has fixed my body, but it has absolutely made a difference. Every day I feel stronger and continue to surprise myself with what I can do. I recently completed a 21 day challenge and it was one of the proudest accomplishments I can recall in recent years. The best part of the experience has been the community and feeling like I belong here.

There have been many encouraging and inspirational words spoken by the awesome team of instructors at PYC City Centre, but for me, the ones that most resonated are “…the hardest part of your practice was showing up on your mat, and you already did that!”. I couldn’t agree more. Just show up for practice and amazing things will happen!