My Yoga Leap

01/22/2020

WOTY 2020

A month in already and my word of the year or WOTY (hang tight, I’m getting there) has been holding me accountable!
This year, even though I am always looking inward, my WOTY is taking me outward a bit.

My personal practice ebbs and flows, but my experience keeps on keeping on. As my personal practice preferences change month to month, week to week, day to day, I realized that perhaps my offerings to my students should too. I love being in a class that feels like an experience, which is something more than just poses strung together; it’s themes, music, candles, readings, mudras, mottos, and meditation. So I’ve decided that I’m not just showing up for a classes…no, I’m going to CREATE experiences!

So CREATE is my 2020 word of the year (WOTY ) and it means that I am stepping a bit…ok a lot…out of my comfort zone.
I’m planning (read: creating) workshops and series.
I’m designing (hmm dare I say creating?) and leading a weekend retreat in June with Sangha Wellness Retreats (more info here http://sanghawellnessretreats.com/june-2020/ if you just can’t wait to sign up!).
I’m building (oh, that’s just another word for creating) suggestions for off-the-mat micro mindfulness for daily life so that my classes don’t end when the time on the mat is up.

In other words, I’m CREATING the experiences I always seek out for myself to share with you!

My word, as always, came to me organically as they all do. But recently a few changes are forcing me to seek and create new opportunities for myself. As of Feb 21, I will no longer be teaching at Goodlife. This is bittersweet as this was my first yoga teaching job and is where I cut my teeth and created (ooops I did it again) a small family of yogis who gathered together every Tuesday at 7am in a cold studio to breathe and move together and to try to connect and find ways to start our day off right. My students provided feedback and support to help me become a better teacher and person. I’m sad this is coming to an end but grateful for the experience that helped shape (or create, if you will) the yoga teacher I am today.

But for now, let the creating begin!
Thank you for coming on this yoga with me.
Stacey

June 26 – 28, 2020 You might be hearing a lot about wellness these days. What does it mean to you? Do you feel like you are part of the movement? Or do you wonder what all the fuss is about?Regardless of how you answer these questions, there’s always opportunity to explore, learn and dig … Con...

11/22/2019

Hello yogis!
A few weeks ago I helped a fellow yogini out by subbing her gentle restorative yoga at Cornerstone studio (http://www.cornerstonestudio.ca/) and I think I have found my new favourite style of yoga to teach (heck it’s what I seek out mostly for my own practice after all).

So when she called to ask if I could cover again in December, I jumped at the chance. This class is so gentle we don’t even really stand up (and yet, you still get to say you went to yoga class – that’s a win-win!). We’ll explore gentle mindful movement, breathwork and of course savasana! So if that sounds like your type of yoga, come join me. Cornerstone Studio! It’s a drop in and pay what you can!
Sundays at 10.45 am
• Dec 15
• Dec 22
• Jan 5
It’s a great way to wind down during the hectic magic of the holiday season (if you even need a reason!).

As always my regular classes are running:
• Tuesdays 7am at Scotia Plaza Goodlife
• Thursdays 11am at Hope United Church at Main and Danforth (another gentle pay what you can class…some of us even use chairs!)

Thank you for coming on this yoga leap with me,
Stacey

Looking for dance, theatre, or fitness classes in Toronto's East end? Check out Cornerstone Studio. We're focused on building an active community from toddlers to adults.

10/28/2019

Hi tribe!
My regular writing has fallen off plan as I tried to find balance as my word of the year (WOTY ) is still, after all, balance. That sometimes means letting go of something to achieve something else, and alas, in September it was all about work and teaching classes.

But I’m here for a PSA! I’m subbing at a new location this upcoming SUNDAY NOV 3! WOOHOO!

If you’re in the Coxwell and Gerrard ‘hood come flow with me at the Cornerstone Studio at 10.45 am. TBH though, this is basically a restorative class and there isn’t any real flow other than breath and energy flow (which is the best kind!!). It’s a lovely gentle pay-what-you-can class.

Take look at their website for location and other information http://www.cornerstonestudio.ca/.

Bring your mat, unroll and unwind for an hour. I’d love to meet you. And if gentle is your jam, I teach a gentle chair (optional) flow every Thursday at Hope United Church (Main and Danforth) from 11am-12pm. And hey this too is a lovely gentle pay-what-you-can class….I see a theme happening. This class is for everybody and every body.

Stay tuned to my page as the year comes to a close for reflections on my word of the year and to find out what my 2020 WOTY will be. Got any guesses?

Thank you for coming on this yoga leap with me
Stacey

Looking for dance, theatre, or fitness classes in Toronto's East end? Check out Cornerstone Studio. We're focused on building an active community from toddlers to adults.

08/08/2019

Hi everyone!

4 weeks to go until our 2nd Annual Asanas for Autism event in support of the Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC)! Prizes are rolling in and looking good again this year. Come join us for a candlelit yoga flow in the park suitable for EVERY body!

**NEW PRIZE ALERT!!** Local entrepreneur and mom/friend/skateboarding diva Alanna Banks has a fabric bundle up for grabs at the 2nd Annual Asanas for Autism. Check out her shop and give a follow at Fridays Off Fabric Shop at fridaysoff.ca. Alanna makes fabric, sewing and quilting cool and if you don't believe me check out this sample of the types of fabrics to win* and available at her shop. You want funky, you got it. Animal print? Of course! Kitschy, no worries. Colourful/crazy/calm/..yes yes yes.

I will update the flyer soon but in the meantime, registration starts at 6.30 pm. Yoga from 715-8pm, raffle/door prizes and refreshments from 8-9.

*this is not the actual prize bundle but c'mon...you know it'll be great!

06/22/2019

So the other day I accidentally walked into the men's bathroom in our building. Yup. I've worked in this building for over 15 years. I was distracted and not being mindful ( ) BUT....what I loved about the experience was the very first thing that entered my mind upon seeing a urinal🤭 was "oh good! We are moving to universal washrooms!!!!" I stood there for a full 5 seconds before I realized what I did. I cracked up and walked out with a big smile because changing bathrooms is easy....changing mindsets and thoughts is not!!!! HAPPY PRIDE 🎉

05/21/2019

Peekaboo spring I see you! And I hope you see me too...cuz I'm still here... pondering all things yoga, my place in the yoga community, and yup, teaching classes.

Tues 7am Scotia plaza Goodlife
Thursdays in June *new time* 11am United Church...pay what you can!

Side note: I have just passed 300hrs of teaching. The not-so-surprising surprise is how "new" I feel still. And don't get me wrong, I'm glad for it. But I've been thinking a lot about what yoga means to me and how/what I want to be teaching and sharing with my students (amazing how injuries force you to do a little soul searching, ya?), and I find myself looking for something different from my yoga practice and teachings. Injuries and a re-evaluation of myself have (happily) kept me away from social media for a while. But I want to connect and be part of it in some way so I'm back. And I feel like a newbie again and that's just how I like it. I don't want to make assumptions, create injuries, or make anyone feel unworthy or unwelcome in my classes, so resets are mandatory.

I hope to see you on the mat.

Thank you for coming on this yoga leap with me,

Stacey

01/29/2019

Ummmm any chance you want to escape this lovely snow storm??? Check out this and other retreats at Navina. Maybe I'll see you there in 2020....

Immerse your Self in the lush tropics of Costa Rica. Lisa Greenbaum is very excited to be hosting this nourishing retreat with us at Navina. We’re located in the mountains near Palmar Sur, a short hike to beaches, waterfalls and the jungle. This ultimate Yogi vacation is an opportunity to deepen y...

11/13/2018

Oh hello....it seems I am being hustled by the hustle y'all. I haven't been able to keep up. With anything. But I have seen the light and am finding my way back to you, to the mat and to myself.

And so, I am subbing this week:

Friday at Wellington West at 1145 (30 min flow)
Saturday at Coxwell at 1230

This week's theme is the 2nd or - sacral chakra - Svadhishthana. It's week 2 of a 7-week countdown to the silly season....so, ya if you are doing the math that makes it just 5 more weeks (and chakras) til Christmas.

Come get your chakra balance (oh there's not-so-subtle hint for the for 2019...) on. Your chakras will thank you.

Thank you for coming on this yoga leap with me
Stacey

09/18/2018

I need to take my own class advice and practice the pause...Feeling a bit scattered and all over the place lately

Pause before judging
Pause before assuming
Pause before accusing
Pause whenever you're about to react harshly and you'll avoid doing and saying things you'll regret later

-Lori Deschene

08/28/2018

SUB Alert!!
Wed Aug 29 1pm Wellington
Fri Aug 31 630am Coxwell

Come flow with me as we explore core&balance/yin&yang/movement&stillness/mental&physical/effort&ease

The perfect way to centre&ground yourself before heading "back to school"

Thank you for coming on this yoga leap with me
Stacey