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What is Power Yoga? Discover the Benefits of this Energizing Practice

By Food for thought

Unleash Your Inner Strength with Power Yoga: Discover the Benefits of this Energizing Practice

 

200hr Yoga Teacher Training- Toronto 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power Yoga is a dynamic and invigorating form of yoga that combines strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. It is a fast-paced practice that challenges both the body and the mind. In this article, we will explore what power yoga is, the benefits of this practice, and how it can help you unleash your inner strength.

What is power yoga?

Power Yoga is a modern style of yoga that was developed in the late 20th century. It draws inspiration from traditional yoga practices but incorporates a more vigorous and energetic approach. Power Yoga focuses on flowing sequences of postures that build strength, increase flexibility, and improve overall fitness.

Understanding the benefits of power yoga

Power Yoga offers a wide range of benefits for both the body and the mind. One of the main advantages of this practice is its ability to improve physical fitness. The fast-paced nature of power yoga helps to increase heart rate, burn calories, and build lean muscle mass. Regular practice can lead to weight loss, increased stamina, and improved cardiovascular health.

In addition to the physical benefits, power yoga also promotes mental well-being. The mindful movement and breathwork involved in power yoga help to reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve mental clarity. It can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

The difference between power yoga and traditional yoga

While power yoga shares some similarities with traditional yoga, there are a few key differences between the two practices. Traditional yoga typically focuses on slow and controlled movements, while power yoga is characterized by its fast-paced and dynamic sequences. Power yoga also places a greater emphasis on strength and endurance, whereas traditional yoga focuses more on flexibility and relaxation.

How power yoga can help with weight loss

If you’re looking to shed some extra pounds, power yoga can be an excellent addition to your fitness routine. The combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training in power yoga can promote weight loss and help you achieve a leaner physique. The continuous movements and challenging postures engage multiple muscle groups, leading to increased calorie burn and improved metabolism.

Power yoga for building strength and endurance

Power Yoga is a highly effective practice for building strength and endurance. The dynamic movements and postures require a significant amount of muscular engagement, particularly in the core, arms, and legs. Over time, regular power yoga practice can lead to increased muscle tone, improved balance, and enhanced overall physical performance.

Power yoga for stress relief and mental clarity

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and mental clutter are common challenges. Power yoga can be a powerful tool for finding relief and gaining mental clarity. The combination of physical movement, breathwork, and mindfulness in power yoga helps to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of inner peace. By focusing on the present moment and releasing tension from the body, power yoga allows for deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

Finding the right power yoga class for you

When it comes to finding the right power yoga class for you, it’s essential to consider your experience level, fitness goals, and personal preferences. Power yoga classes can vary in intensity and style, so it’s crucial to choose a class that aligns with your needs and interests. Look for experienced instructors who can provide modifications for beginners and challenge advanced practitioners. Experiment with different classes and studios until you find the one that resonates with you.

Power yoga for beginners: Tips and modifications

If you’re new to power yoga, it’s essential to start slowly and gradually build your strength and flexibility. Here are a few tips and modifications to help you get started:

  • Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body feels during the practice. If a pose feels too challenging or causes pain, modify or skip it altogether.
  • Take breaks when needed: It’s okay to rest and catch your breath during a power yoga class. Listen to your body and take breaks as necessary.
  • Use props: Props such as blocks, straps, and blankets can help you modify poses and make them more accessible.
  • Focus on alignment: Proper alignment is crucial in power yoga to prevent injuries. Take the time to understand the alignment cues given by the instructor and make adjustments as needed.

Unleashing your inner strength with power yoga

Power Yoga is not just a physical practice; it is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through the challenging postures and the mental focus required, power yoga can help you tap into your inner strength and unlock your full potential. As you progress in your practice, you will develop a deep sense of self-confidence, resilience, and empowerment.

Conclusion

Power Yoga is a transformative practice that offers numerous physical and mental benefits. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, manage stress, or unleash your inner strength, power yoga can be a powerful tool on your journey. Take the time to explore different classes, find an experienced instructor, and listen to your body as you embark on this empowering practice. Unleash your inner strength with power yoga and discover the incredible benefits it has to offer.

Find the right Power Yoga Class for you at one of our Power Yoga Canada studios!

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of power yoga firsthand, take the next step and find the right power yoga class for you. It’s time to unleash your inner strength and embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Take the first step today and find a power yoga class that aligns with your goals and preferences. Your inner strength is waiting to be unleashed!

Click here to find the closest Power Yoga Canada studio to you!

Lose Weight with Yoga

By Food for thought

Traditional yoga poses are incorporated with strength-training exercises in a style of yoga known as power yoga. It’s an excellent method for losing weight because it not only aids in calorie burning but also helps to develop muscle, which can speed up metabolism. Here is some advice for using power yoga to lose weight:

  1. A minimum of three times per week of power yoga should be practiced in order to observe improvements. Your body will be assisted in burning calories as well as adjusting to the new actions.
  2. Pay attention to your breathing because it’s important for yoga and can assist increase metabolism. Imagine that you are putting energy into your body as you inhale and that you are letting any tension or stress out when you exhale.
  3. Use your own body weight as resistance: Power yoga is a fantastic method to do this. This implies that you won’t require any additional equipment to work your muscles.
  4. Use the correct nutrients to fuel your body: For weight loss, a balanced diet is crucial. Eat a lot of fresh produce, lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and veggies. Avoid sugary beverages and processed foods.
  5. Rest up: Ensure that you receive adequate sleep every night. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. You’ll have more energy to practice yoga and keep moving throughout the day if you get enough sleep.

Power yoga is a good approach to reduce weight overall since it increases metabolism, builds muscle, and burns calories. Recall to practice frequently, concentrate on your breathing, utilize your body weight, including cardiovascular activities, nourish your body with the proper foods, and obtain enough relaxation. You can reach your weight loss objectives if you are consistent and committed.

Connecting to a higher power with yoga

By Food for thought

With a history spanning more than 5,000 years, yoga has a strong foundation in spiritual tradition therefore connecting to a higher power yoga can be present. Numerous individuals discover that doing yoga enables them to establish a connection with a higher power, which may be a god, the universe, or simply a feeling of inner calm and clarity. In this article, we’ll look at how power yoga poses, in particular, can strengthen your connection to a higher power through both group and solitary practice.

A physically taxing and difficult kind of yoga, power yoga combines strength, flexibility, and endurance. It is well-liked by those seeking a more rigorous and athletic yoga practice and is frequently compared to a gym workout. Although power yoga can be physically taxing, it is also an effective technique for connecting with and growing spiritually.

The sense of community that is frequently present in power yoga studios and classes is one way that it might help you connect with a greater force. A sense of camaraderie and support can be found while practicing with a group of people who are all striving for the same level of physical and spiritual development. You can find yourself getting support from other yogis during a strenuous power yoga practice and developing a stronger connection to your own inner strength.

A higher power can be reached via the physical practice of power yoga, in addition to the sense of community it can foster. Power yoga’s physical challenges call for a readiness to let go of distractions and thoughts of the past or future as well as a focus on the present moment. By keeping your attention on the here and now, you may calm your mind and develop a stronger bond with both your inner self and the world around you.

Through the use of intention setting, power yoga can also assist you in developing a connection with a higher power. You might be asked to set an aim for your practice at the start of a power yoga session. Finding courage and strength can be part of this, as well as inner calm and clarity. Setting an intention can assist you in focusing your mind and heart on a particular objective, and as you make progress toward that objective through your physical practice, you might discover that you are experiencing a greater feeling of meaning and purpose.

Through the use of mantra and breathwork, power yoga can also assist you in developing a connection with a higher force. In order to establish a spiritual connection and achieve inner calm, mantras and breathwork are frequently used in power yoga programs. The repetition of a word or phrase, frequently in Sanskrit, as a mantra is a means to focus the mind and establish a connection with the divine. Breathwork, sometimes referred to as pranayama, is a method for controlling the breath to calm the mind and concentrate on the present moment. Either of these practices can help you find inner peace and a connection to a higher power.

Power yoga has the potential to be an effective method for locating a higher power through interaction with others, physical activity, setting goals, and breathwork. Regardless of your level of yoga experience, power yoga can help you forge a greater connection with your inner self and the world around you. So why not give it a try and see whether power yoga will help you in your quest to connect spiritually?

200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Testimonials

By 200 Hour Teacher Training

Are you curious about completing your 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification? It’s important to do your research and to find the best program for you! We’ve put together some videos below so you can hear firsthand from participants of the 200 hour program that we deliver. Power Yoga Canada’s (PYC) 200 hour yoga teacher training program is a dynamic program led by PYC’s Co-Founder, Kinndli McCollum that will immerse you into self-inquiry, practice teaching, asana (practice), meditation and group discussions. You will learn the basics and the fundamental knowledge to go out into the world and to lead a Power Yoga class. You will be engaged from day one and you are able to choose from ONE of TWO options including In-Person & Online or Fully Online. Our 200 hour program is unique in that it attracts both yoga practitioners who are interested in becoming powerful yoga teachers and many people who are interested in self-inquiry and truth-seeking within themselves. Yoga Alliance certified this training will provide participants with the opportunity to teach at other studios across the globe (ensure you review other studio requirements). Click here for all of the program details for the Winter 2024 program!

  • Katya touches on her experience of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  •  Stephanie shares a quick video of her experience with the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  •  Erica shares insight on her experience of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher program held by Power Yoga Canada!

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Rechev shares his experience with the Diversity Scholarship offered by PYC and the impact it’s had on him

  • Tim provides an in-depth look at his Yoga Teacher Training experience and the impact it had on him from start to finish

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Kayla’s passion comes through as she dives deep into the impact this program has had on her

  • 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Graduate Abbey’s feedback of the program is from the heart and touches on how the program helped her come out of her shell

Your Questions Answered for Yoga Teacher Training

By 200 Hour Teacher Training, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

As Power Yoga Canada (PYC) excitedly prepares to host the hybrid 200 hour Winter 2024 yoga teacher training, a lot of questions come through from potential participants. 

  1. How does an online and in-person program function?
  2. Will I learn everything I need to in order to become a successful yoga teacher?
  3. Can online yoga teacher training be as effective online as it is in person?
  4. What if I don’t want to teach yoga? 

About Power Yoga Canada’s 200 hour Yoga Teaching Training

The PYC 200 hour teacher training is unique as it touches on our culture that has been created and developed since the first doors were opened in 2009. Throughout the training, so much of the culture is brought forth through the methodology, yoga philosophy, the poses, and all of the transformational activities. As we all know, teachers play an integral part in the magic behind what PYC stands for, and therefore in order to ensure our guests experience the magic, it’s important for all teachers to go through the PYC 200 hr training in order to teach at any PYC location or on the PYC at Home Zoom platform. And can we not forget that Kinndli McCollum leads the training? Like, come on. The unicorn of all unicorns! Do not let being tech-savvy stop you from taking this transformational program because we have an amazing team here at PYC who will support you and will ensure you are good to go.

The 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program is the first step in your journey as a yoga teacher so continue reading to find out more!

1. How does an online and in-person program function?

Power Yoga Canada is providing multiple options for guests to engage in the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program for Winter 2024 to make it accessible and to provide guests with the ability to take part in-person or online from anywhere in the world. With the use of technology and facilitation tools, we ensure that all guests, whether they are fully online or in-person and online, will have an engaging and transformational experience. Take a look below to understand what each option entails:

  1. In-Person and Online- participants choosing this option will be fully engaged with participants online and in-person. They will start online on Zoom Saturday morning for a few hours before heading to the PYC Oakville Studio in the afternoon and evening (all participants are given 90 minutes to head to the PYC Oakville Studio). On Sunday, participants will once again start on Zoom in the morning for a few hours before heading to the PYC Oakville Studio in the afternoon. On Wednesday, all participants are fully online from 6 pm – 9 pm EST.
  2. Online- participants choosing this option will be online for the full duration of the program interacting with people in person and on Zoom provided with the same experience and level of care.

It is important to us that all participants have a fantastic experience so if you have any hesitation for either of the options please let us know so we can do our best to accommodate for you.

2. Will I learn everything I need to in order to become a successful yoga teacher?

Yes, you most certainly will! All of the content is delivered to help ensure you are putting what you learn right to practice! There is LABBING where you go through each and every pose of the yoga sequence known as the Power Yoga Canada Flow and you will dissect the poses with all of your peers. Furthermore, you are engaged in experiential learning throughout the entire program by teaching yoga to your fellow peers. There are presentations on the history of yoga, the anatomy of yoga, the Hindu gods, and much more! Another important aspect of yoga teacher training is the self-inquiry work and activities that you take part in. The work and activities that you go through allow you to discover your true, authentic voice and help you find the confidence you had in you all along. We’ve received great feedback about the content of the program including two comments from recent graduates: 

“The content was fantastic. I really enjoyed all the topics we covered. I liked that every day had a theme and a quote. I also really enjoyed hearing others speak and spending time discussing our learnings in small groups. This helped me understand the content on a deeper level.”

“I honestly couldn’t believe how thorough this program was, to be honest. Even with the steps, we could take after the program! This program was so humbling because of the amount of trust PYC puts in their students and I felt the sincerity of wanting to support us after we come out of our cocoons. I wouldn’t change a thing (and I’m so grateful for all of it)!”

3. Can online yoga teacher training be as effective online as it is in person?

Before our first 200 hour Online Yoga Teacher Training took place in May 2020, we had no expectations going in. We hadn’t run one before and Power Yoga Canada is known for providing transformational, high-quality training so we had a lot on the line. We took the leap of faith just a month before the program began and put all of our focus on how it would be delivered. Weeks leading up to the program we had many people interested and kicked off the program with 37 eager yogi’s ready to take on a new journey. A transformational journey.  Below are a couple of comments from graduates of the program:

“The facilitation was amazing, I know it was a group program, but there were so many different times where I felt like the program facilitators were talking directly to me. This really enhanced my experience and was very stimulating. It opened me up to participate in ways I never thought I would.”

“I loved the online aspect! I thought I would miss out on taking the program online, but I don’t think I did at all! I feel like I made genuine connections, made new friends, and I was still able to hear others speak to the group and have small group discussions. I liked that there was no commute to and from training and that I didn’t have to pack everything. It was really nice to have the training in the comfort of my own home. I was very pleasantly surprised!”

4. What if I don’t want to teach yoga? 

PYC has had many individuals take part in our Yoga Teacher Training who simply want to learn more about their own yoga practice and have come out of the training with great knowledge and insight. The self-inquiry aspect is also proven extremely beneficial to all graduates who leave with more clarity in their life’s purpose and have become more self-aware in all areas of their lives. We have seen genuine connections and lifelong friendships created through the programs and we are extremely honoured to be able to lead such a transformative program online to people around the entire globe.

I want to leave you with one personal experience that was shared with us from a graduate of the Summer 2023 training:

“PYC Teacher Training has been pivotal in my own personal and professional transformation. I came to this program with zero expectations but fully submerged myself within the program and community. This program put me through many uncomfortable situations but soon these situations became more comfortable. I then began realizing my potential and possibilities are limitless. In turn, I have a new perspective of who I am. One that is closer to my core values. This new awareness helps me take pride in my attributes, loving what I have, and just being myself. I know If I’m faking it I can never be happy. With this perspective, I live with a new Mantra, “Now everything I do I do it with my heart and I do it so well.” Thank you PYC and the tools you have provided me to better myself and those around me.”

If you have any questions at all please feel free to reach out to PYC’s Director of Growth, Nick Vetro, any time at nick@poweryogacanada.com or by text/call at 905-808-3330.

300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Testimonials

By 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Are you curious about completing your 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification? It’s important to do your research and to find the best program for you! We’ve put together some videos below so you can hear firsthand from participants of the 300 hour program that we deliver. Power Yoga Canada’s 300 hour yoga teacher training program will help you take your Yoga Teaching to the next level! You will learn advanced techniques, further develop your leadership skills and build on the foundation you already have with your 200 hour Yoga Teacher certification. Deepen your understanding of how to use yoga as a healing modality and utilize powerful tools for personal transformation. Yoga Alliance certified, this training will provide participants with the opportunity to participate either in-person & online, or fully online! Click here for all of the program details for the Fall 2021 program!

  • Anathèle Zamor shares her experience during the Fall 2020 program that was fully online! She also went on to state that “Doing the 300 hours program has launched my career in yoga in a way I didn’t imagine could be possible! It’s been really amazing!”

  • Power Yoga Canada teacher Vicki Fiddler touches on the impact that the 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training program had on her including discovering her voice and making lifelong friends!

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!

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!

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!

Community Feature: August 2018

By Community Feature

Author: Matt Kowaldd

Release your self-imposed limits. Be grateful. This is the wisdom I have learned to live by. Let me explain…I have experienced some turbulence in my life. I was nine when my mother was murdered by my step dad, changing my life and support system forever. I initially moved in with my grandparents. As I got older, I was sent to a public boarding school and was surrounded by troubled youth. I became angrier and more confused with the world. My grandmother passed away, and I lost another person in my life. My grandmother’s passing hit a switch inside of me; the light in me disappeared, allowing darkness to enter. I gave up on life. I woke up in a hospital room the next day, and a veil of regret stuck on me like a wet blanket.

Moving forward my mind state shifted to a positive one as I began to understand and treasure the small things in life. I slowly discovered yoga, meditation, mindful movement, and how to forgive past grievances that I held on to. I discovered the power of gratitude and changing the “I have to” tasks into “I get to” tasks. This simple mind shift had a profound impact on my outlook, allowing in more light than I knew was possible.

In 2015, I booked a one-way ticket to Canada for university. Missing the heat of Australia, I jumped into a hot power yoga class at PYC St Catharines for the first time. The experience was incredible-I had practiced yoga before, but never in a hot room or with a dedicated community. The experience helped me find focus in my mind, my body and the present.

These moments on the mat translated my life. It encouraged me to write a letter to my step dad letting him know that I forgive him, allowing me to move on. To be gentler on myself, and take note of the small things. This is why I wanted to add a space to forgive something each day, to continue letting go of things that are easy to hold onto. The lessons I learnt from these obstacles have helped me grow so much. Remembering to breathe, to move, to love, to laugh, to smile, to forgive, to be compassionate, and to treasure the moments in everyday is what saved me.

Through the struggles I have experienced in my life, I was inspired to create The Yogi’s Journal a guided journal that combines elements that have helped me grow in my yoga practice. Taking those tools that I accumulated throughout my life, I wanted to create a written structure, as I often find it easy to forget to do the little things that have helped me and many others.

Bringing the idea into fruition I reached out to Laura (a friend and yoga teacher in England) and began bouncing ideas as we began to shape the idea. Then reaching out to Siqouia a graphic designer to add flare, and Jess to help spread the word. Through brainstorming and many talks we created a guide for ourselves and you to foster an explorative and healing practice.
The journal guides you through everything that has helped us on our journeys, and what we have learned from yoga, starting with guidance, ideas and inspirations into the eight-limbed path, gratitude, forgiveness, setting goals that resonate with you, creating morning rituals, and the yamas and niyamas.

At the beginning of each week you can set your focus, steps towards your goal, and ideas on how you are going to incorporate the yama or niyama into your week. A friendly challenge, and some asana, meditation, and pranayama inspiration.
Each day there’s a structured page where we can start the day with gratitude, set an intention and write down three tasks the we get to do today! There’s a space for affirmations, reflection on your practice, to forgive, and a spot to write down the moment that you can treasure.

Ending the week we gave ourselves some space to reflect, including how you moved towards your goals, how the yama or niyama affected you, what challenged you, what enriched you, and how present you were.