Posts in heart
Strengthening a Kind Inner Voice (and the upper back)

This practice invites you to question habitual stories you tell yourself with specific questions designed to soften self-loathing tendencies. It features a breath technique that symbolizes linking the heart to the mind and movements that strengthen the upper back, countering rounded shoulders, allowing us to feel more "open" at the chest and maybe even open at the heart.

Yoga Nidra for an Afternoon Refresh

This 30 minute yoga nidra (yogic sleep) is an experience of guided, deep relaxation. Throughout, your body will be invited to the restoring experience of sleep, while the mind rests, yet is still awake. You will be guided to notice areas of the body, the breath and various imagery to help you sink into a state of profound rest. Yoga nidra is known to support the healing of stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues and hormonal imbalances.

Strengthening Body and Mind

Many come to yoga to create stronger bodies, which is one of the many benefits of the physical practice. However, we soon discover that we also strengthen our ability to question our habitual thoughts, hold broader perspectives and cultivate more compassion for ourselves and others. This 60 minute practice strengthens weak areas of the body where we often feel discomfort (neck, upper back, core, glutes) while offering a breath visualization and inspiration to strengthen our kinder inner voice.

Present in Changing Times

A calming, grounding 60 minute therapeutic hatha practice that intends to connect you to the undercurrent of peace that exists within us no matter what is happening around us. Expect to explore mindfulness and presence throughout mellow movement and breath and relax deeply with a guided meditation.

Back to Your Center

A practice that focuses on three of our "centers", our heart center, power center (abdomen) and the concept of a center of peace within. Sample a breath technique that visualizes placing peace in "the heart" throughout a physical sequence that seeks to stabilize the power center while creating freedom for the shoulders and making space for “the heart”.

Clear and Content

A 60 minute therapeutic hatha sequence beginning with a breath visualization intended to clear the mind, followed by a concept to help with presence, acceptance and contentment and a flow that can contribute to greater freedom in the low back and hips.

Take Time to Breathe

Welcome to a 75 minute class from a Toronto government-sanctioned quarantine hotel! This moderate hatha sequence is designed around mindful movement in time with full inhales and complete exhales. Slow strength, stretch and breath for calming refreshment.

What Seeds Am I Planting?

Our practices can be a good time for cultivating specific qualities and thoughts we'd like to grow in our minds and our lives. That focus is threaded through this 75 minute therapeutic hatha flow using posture, breath visualization and guided meditation to support the concept.

Press Pause

Our time on the mat can be a moment to press pause on our day and connect with how we are feeling physically, mentally and emotionally. Pausing with what is can help us make space for skillful thought and action moving forward. Expect to "pause" throughout this moderate physical practice for a chance to feel and be rather than do and achieve.

Sitting with What Is

A 15 minute seated practice that includes a series of skills to help us be present with the moment that is, even if we are resistant to a situation and our feelings about it. May we remember that the only certainty about what is, is that it will change.

15 minutes, Calm, soul, heartLisa Dumas