Maria Ashtanga Yoga

04/10/2022

04/01/2022

April is here and things are looking up ⬆️ The flowers at the yoga Shala seem to agree too ✨🤍✨

1-Month unlimited passes are on sale, now $80 (20% OFF!) — see you for practice!

02/22/2022

Morning light ✨

The yoga Shala is warm and cosy! Come in from the colder temperatures morning or evening!

Led Counted class now offered on Thursday’s:

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

01/19/2022

01/19/2022

It’s the day after moon day and I was hopeful it would be an auspicious day. And it didn’t disappoint.

Starting Thursday, January 20th in person group classes are offered again!

📐 2.5 metre spacing

😷 Masks optional, though recommended

📍Limited occupancy, advanced booking required.

📍Online livestream classes occur simultaneously with in person classes.

DM or email to book your practice start time!

See you at the yoga Shala 🧘🏽‍♀️

xo

Maria

12/22/2021

This holiday week has brought us an ebb in our regular flow.

As per the latest announcement from the B.C. health officer, in person group gatherings (such as yoga classes) of any size are prohibited. This order will be in effect until a pending update on January 18th 2022.

All classes are now virtual livestream until notice given at the date above.

As I was cleaning up the yoga Shala tonight, a practitioner stopped by and brought me this card. I was won over immediately at the image on the front — puppies 🥰😍!!!

But it was the message inside which really warmed my heart. It reassured me that even with this new ebb, there will still be flow.

I look forward to smiling through the screen at all your lovely faces!

11/22/2021

Save the date!

Friday, December 10th, 6-8 PM

Link in bio to RSVP free tickets!

Free giveaways, discount offers on yoga passes and gift cards, and much more!

11/09/2021

Ashtanga Yoga for all ages 👦🏻🧘🏻‍♂️

Student Profile: my 10-year old stepson.

When my stepson was little, he would sometimes accompany me while I was teaching at the yoga Shala (when I lived in Vancouver and taught at ). I remember, I would set him up in the closing room area by laying out one of the blankets on the floor along with a couple bolsters and he’d lay out all his books to read and toys to play with. I would see him from the Mysore room periodically, laying on his blanket and quietly observing all the students, (of all ages and abilities) doing their practice. Perhaps those were the moments where some seeds were planted 🌱 🌱

Fast forward 5 years later, and here he is starting his own yoga practice. He learned step by step, how to move and breathe through Surya Namaskar A and B. Young kids have short attention spans too, so teaching them the Ashtanga practice takes patience. Slowly establishing a positive ritual to set up for practice and even building their attention and focus to sit for a period of time takes time.

Children are also fast breathers so it’s important to take the time to build their foundation in the breath and show them ways to slow down and steady their breathing rate. This is a useful tool to assist them when they’re not even practicing too, like when they encounter conflicts or anxiety.

Regardless if your 10-years old, almost 40-years old like me, or in your 60’s, I think it’s important to be enjoying the yoga practice you’re doing.

(This photo and post was approved by my stepson)

10/05/2021

Yoga in Major League Baseball…

In this video, Marcus Semien talks about the importance and effect of instilling routine amongst his fellow teammates and the influence it had on their success this year.

I’m not your obvious sports fan but I have enjoyed watching the Blue Jays play an incredible season. The camaraderie within this professional team of dedicated and disciplined athletes was felt through the screen in each of their games.

How is this similar in the context of yoga?

I think there is a deep sense of camaraderie among a community of yoga practitioners as well, as they are also dedicated and disciplined. Everyone is connected through a routine, which even after time will change form.

Whatever the outer form of the activity (sport, yoga, sewing or gardening…) I think it’s quite cool to see the benefits of cultivating a routine.

What routines have you cultivated which you have found beneficial?

09/30/2021

Listening is a skill, and like with any skill, requires practice.

On this 30th day of September, the yoga community and myself honoured the inauguration of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation by sitting in silent meditation.

09/09/2021

Online Yoga Philosophy and Q&A! 📚📕📖

All are welcome!

Save the dates: Every Sunday 4:00 PM, PDT/PST

September 12, 26

October 3, 17, 24, 31

November 7, 21, 28

DM to register ✍️

07/30/2021

“In truth, it matters less what we do in practice than how we do it and why we do it”

—— Donna Farhi

Do you set any intentions with your yoga practice? COMMENT BELOW ✨✨✨

Photo: With the permission from these strong warrior women to share this moment in led counted class.

07/15/2021

New students to the little yoga Shala 🤍🤍

*** Summer special ***

Receive 20% off a 1-Month Unlimited Membership pass! Valid for new students to the yoga Shala.

$80.00 +GST

Offer valid until August 31st, 2021

Would you prefer to learn starting with an Introduction workshop? Purchase a Sunday Introduction to Ashtanga workshop and receive a BONUS 1-Month Introductory pass for a total of $150.00! That’s over a 30% combined savings!

Not sure where to start? Feel free to contact me and we can chat. Or even feel free to come by the yoga Shala and say hi 😀

06/27/2021

Warm weather warning ⚠️ 🥵

Make sure to stay well hydrated during this heatwave ☀️😓

Bring water to practice if possible and feel free to fill your bottle at the Shala after class 💦

Cartoon:

06/21/2021

Holding space ✨✨✨

06/20/2021

Whether you are a doggy dad, a yogi dad, or a father-figure in someone’s life I would like to give a big shout out to each and every one of you!

Happy Fathers Day!