Natasha's Journey

I began practicing yoga on my own in 2008. Like many I was drawn to the physical benefits of yoga - lose some weight, tone up and improve flexibility, these are still aspects of the practice that I enjoy and look forward to as I have never been much of a gym person ( mainly because all the equipment and machinery are kind of scary and not to mention confusing ) and I have never been able to fully understand and/or stick to dieting ( there is just something about bread , burgers pasta and junk food that I am just not willing to give up....yet). Yoga did not become an important part of my life until 2010. Things in my life were not going as planned and I found myself feeling lost. After each yoga class I went to, a certain calmness would follow and I was able to develop the "I am where I am supposed to be" attitude. I started to realize things about myself and those around me that were both surprising and depressing , but yet at the same time important to my path. 

Through my exploration of yoga I began to understand all aspects of my life and my so called "problems". The teachings and intentions set in each class ....the students that attended...people of all shapes, sizes, educational backgrounds, ethnicities, lifestyles, ages etc were all able to find something that they could connect with. We all found a common ground, on a more internal, mindful and spiritual level (whether or not that was the intent). Naturally, what we learned on the mat folllowed us and spoke to us for the remainder of the days, weeks and months that would follow. Everything that I took away from each practice became something that I did not want to live without. This way of life was something that I wanted to explore further. I became focused on finding the perfect balance in everything I did , which of course turned into a lifelong journey that I am so thankful I began. 

When I stepped into Ananda Hot Yoga Aurora, I immediately felt at home. It felt like the perfect place for me to grow as a person and as a yogi. When the oppurtunity to do the Energy Exchange program became available, I was more than happy to volunteer my time. I developed friendships with teachers and students alike. The positive energy and happiness in the studio made it a haven for me. Melissa Williams and her family helped me through a lot of rough patches in my life without even realizing it. 

I officially began the 200 hour training program with Melissa and the faculty in October 2012, I felt a change in myself immediately. Don't get me wrong, getting back into the school mind set after being out of school for 4 years is difficult (I am still adjusting), but it is worth it! There is a lot involved from classes and workshops to demos and homework. Not having fixed deadlines is such a blessing (sometimes a curse) especially since I have a full time job "on the side" but the way Melissa has designed this course is amazing. You don't even realise how much you are learning or how much time you put into it. When it is something you enjoy its hard to call it work. 

I am truly thankful for the people I have met since stepping foot into Ananda Studios, and the people I continue to meet on this path. I am thankful for all the support from my friends and family now that this new chapter of my life has begun. The more I learn and the more time I spend soaking in all the benefits of yoga and the positivity provided from the people involved....the more I evolve becoming who I am meant to be. I have no clue where this experience will take me, I have no clue what kind of teacher I will be - If I will have my own studio or if it will even be a full time endeavour. But, thats ok! I am sure that this choice was one of the best I have ever made and I look forward to what is in store. 

"People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost"- Dalai Lama 

Namaste

Natasha Richards 

December Newsletter

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ananda-Yoga-Studios-Newsletter-November-2012.html?soid=1103564828005&aid=9EkiqaNgEjk

What do you need?

 

 

I came across this a few months ago and I thought the simplicity of it was profound. I printed out a few and stuck them around the studio. To my suprise within a few days they were finished, I have since been posting them up and many of you continue to take what you need. Just goes to show that we all need a little love, joy, peace, understanding, patience , courage , kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control, passion, strength and freedom. So go ahead....take what you need and have a wonderful Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAMASTE

xo

 

Beginners Workshop

Excited for the Yoga 101 workshop tomorrow.....bring your mats and questions ! 

30 day yoga challenge- JUST DO IT

Reflecting back on my post from January 2012 - I committed to doing a 30 day yoga challenge at some point during the year.  We are into October and this goal is still at the back of my head so I figure there is no better time than the present. All of the Ananda Yoga Studios are running a 30 day yoga challenge starting November 1st and I am on board ! I strongly encourage you to join in and break through any barriers you may be creating for yourself. Here are just some reasons why:

1. Increased flexibility/increased lubrication of joints ligaments and tendons/detoxification/excellent toning of the muscles = overall increased physical health.

2. Make friends - this is a great way to meet people and also unite with a common purpose. Doing yoga with a support system makes the challenge easier.

3.Feel GOOD while contributing to the creation of a good habit in your life. So many times I hear people saying that they used to do yoga, or did it for a year then stopped, or used to do it once a week etc etc. The truth is that life sometimes does get in the way of our intentions but we are repeatedly what we do so use this challenge to create your yoga habit. To assist you in continuing your "habit" everyone that participates will be entered into a draw to win a 3 month unlimited pass at all studios :)

Start thinking about an intention for your 30 challenge. Why are you doing this? What do you hope to get out of it? And then share it with us !

The countdown is on. Stay tuned for more information - 21 days to go ! 

The journey.....

We all come to the mat in our own way and for different reasons, it is what we find on the mat that unites us. I would like introduce and share Annamaria Fanelli's story with you..... I would also like to welcome Annamaria to the Ananda family, she completed her training at Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica and she is also a registered holistic nutritionist and founder of In the Raw Living. Visit our schedule at www.anandayogastudios.com for up to date info on which of our four studios she is teaching at!

With Yoga, I found my voice

How can a simple, unassuming four letter word change your life? I found that answer the day I unrolled a yoga mat, had a comfortable seat and took my first conscious deep breaths. Inhale….. Exhale…..

It was the...

spring of 2001. At that time I was completely unaware of the miracle that was about to unfold. My mat has become my mirror. As my yoga practice continues to evolve, the past eleven years of my life are slowly being reflected back at me. On March 12th, 2000, I had my first anxiety attack. I didn’t know what was happening or why, all I knew was that I was terrified. My heart was beating so hard, it felt as if it was going to pop out of my chest. Tightness in the throat, feelings of nausea, dizzy, numbness in the legs, shaking, can’t breathe and the urge to vomit. I thought I was having a heart attack. Needless to say, I ended up in the hospital that day and many more times to follow. Doctors of course, put me on medication. Tried several different options of drugs but nothing really helped. I couldn’t sleep, developed a fear to speak in front of people, and I couldn’t go out with my friends because I was afraid of having an attack and didn’t want to embarrass myself. In a desperate effort to detach from the pain, I also detached from the world and myself. Anxiety took over my life. Fortunately, I was truly blessed with an amazing support system of family and friends. Their love, compassion and faith in me during my time of darkness and despair also encouraged me to finally take control of my life. I didn’t want to take drugs so I started reading books on anxiety and how to cope with it and one book recommended yoga, deep breathing, meditation and journaling. Journaling gave me a sacred space to just “be”, express my thoughts, emotions and feelings without having to verbalize them. Reflecting on journal entries, I chose to reclaim my power. No longer was I going to be a passive participant in my own life.

Rocked by emotions and judgmental thought, and at the mercy of mental ailments, while desperately trying to raise the level of chi and trying to fit in some where, I become aware of all the strife involved in the pursuits of a better life or way of being. Ironically, the challenges are sometimes quite the opposite to what we think they are supposed to be. For instance, positive thinking is not an end in itself, because that would just be a way of denying the negative that is intrinsic to a polarised attitude. You can't become an unconditionally loving person just by willing it, because you will be a fake and you will simply be suppressing negative tendencies. Sooner or later it will become apparent. The process is much trickier, as you must gradually work your way through the inner bullshit and find a way out of false or fake attitudes. Meanwhile, trying not to be so hard on yourself as you recognize that a judgemental attitude towards the self is just as detrimental as it is towards others. I've had to go back in time to the moment I had my own personal "revelation" which lead to a lot of research into esotericism and soul searching. It was then when I began to evolve spiritually. We all have spirituality in us, its a matter of opening ourselves up to the truth of our existence and it grows with one’s own life experiences.

During those bleak moments, when minutes felt like days, I would often focus on what it would be like to plant the seed of hope in someone who was on a similar journey to mine. Now, eleven years to the day I unrolled my mat, yoga has reconnected me with my inner self. Prior to stepping onto my mat for the first time, I felt that I had truly lost myself and had doubts if I would or could ever find my way back. But I realize now that I was never lost. My inner light was always glowing and helping guide my journey even though I wasn’t aware of it. I will be forever grateful to that light for showing me the way to yoga: a refuge from self-judgment, a canvas for self-expression, and an oasis from the roller coaster of pain. I have found peace.

My choice to live free of pain medication & anxiety has given me a voice. A voice to share my story. To be vulnerable and express my hopes and fears, strengths and weaknesses, challenges and triumphs. The strong feeling of community that envelopes me while practising yoga alongside others is truly remarkable. Being in a safe place like a yoga studio and choosing to be open to the myriad of emotions and sensations that may arise before, during, and after practice allows me to explore all the little crevices of myself. By acknowledging all that arises within me, embracing both the light and dark, I am now able to face my true self. Since embarking on my yoga journey, I have not laughed so hard, cried so much or shared my authentic self with others more often.

I see my pain as a blessing. At that time, every moment of every day I was faced with the choice of acceptance; I can fight to stay in denial and falsely believe that pain does not dictate my life or I can choose to accept the fact that my day is often geared around my pain level and surrender to it. For so long I felt that by surrendering I would be seen as weak and that I was giving in. But I now realize that by choosing to surrender and just be in the moment I am being given an amazing learning opportunity. The practice of yoga is all about surrendering. When the poses get challenging, whether it be physical, emotional, or mental I have the choice to retreat or to open myself up and just be. As I was riding the wave of sensations in each pose, with every inhalation and exhalation, I found that soft place. My place of peace. When I connected to my breath, all else was momentarily forgotten. Yoga has been a gift to me and it is through my own journey that inspired me to become a teacher so that I may share in this gift with everyone that crosses my path. Along my course of healing, yoga and meditation has helped me be free of anxiety attacks, remain grounded and exude my personal power within to stabilize my mind and body. I am grateful for the incredible gift of almost magical renewal each day -- whether I deserve it or not -- and I thoroughly enjoy trying to impart this same life-improving gift to my students.

One definition of yoga is that it means union; union of mind, body and soul. I feel that the ‘u’ in union represents you. You are the one that chooses to try yoga or to keep returning to your mat. You are the one that feels each pose and gets to explore all the sensations that bubble to the surface. There is no need for a prescription from a doctor, a trip to the pharmacy or even to leave your house.

May your practice help you open your heart and mind to the unlimited potential of your being:)

From my light to yours

"Step into your light and shine your heart in the most authentic way possible"

My last posting was prior to departing India and I apologise for leaving you hanging but needless to say we made it back to Canada safe, sound and exhausted. Our last 2 days were spent in Goa which is India's smallest state. It is also a rather interesting state, having only gained independence from Portugal in 1961, the overhangs of colonialism are more apparant than in other parts of India, furthermore, the majority of India's Christian population resides in Goa. Goa overlooks the Arabian Sea and at the time we were there the temperatures were reaching approx 48 degrees celsius. At this point we were somewhat used to the heat so the best part about our time there was the fact that our hotel had a pool.....finally a chance to relax and indulge a little.......or not.....turns out our stomachs shrank from living at the ashram and even worse our taste buds were a little sensitive due to the yogi diet! Arriving at the Goa Marriot Resort and Spa left me feeling somewhat guilty after my time at the ashram. How could there be this much food and no work to do ?

8 Angle Pose - I am slowly getting there.
Completing this pose is one of my goals for the year.
Taken at Goa

Since returning from India I have increased the number of classes that I teach in line with the increase of Ananda Yoga Studios that have opened. Massive congratulations to Laura Younder on the opening of Ananda Hot Yoga Georgina, Melissa Williams on the opening of her second studio Ananda Hot Yoga Richmond Hill and Cindy Howell on the opening of Ananda Hot Yoga Bradford. My current teaching schedule is as follows

Mondays 5:00pm and 6:30pm Hot Flow at Country Zen 

Tuesdays 5:00pm and 6:30pm at Ananda Hot Yoga Richmond Hill

Wednesdays 6:30pm and 8:00pm at Ananda Hot Yoga Aurora

Fridays 5:30pm at Ananda Hot Yoga Richmond Hill

Saturdays 8:45am and 10:30am at Ananda Hot Yoga Georgina 

Saturdays 4:00pm at Ananda Hot Yoga Aurora

For more info visit www.anandayogastudios.com 

Come and meet me on the mat.......and remember happiness cannot be owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with 

love, grace and gratitude. 

from my light to your light

Namaste

xoxo 

The only journey is the one within.

Today is my last day at Paramanand Ashram. I feel a deep sense of peace yet some small part of me naturally feels sad. However, I have learnt in my time here that sorrow, sadness and pain only exist because we allow them to. They exist because of our minds. That is only the tip of the iceberg of knowledge that melts quickly in India. Everything about this journey has been positive,  moving and beautiful. It has been absolutely life changing and a journey I will never forget despite the fact that at times it felt like I was in a scene from Spirtitual Survivor.

A special thank you to every person at Paramanand Ashram for making it what it is , to Mahesh for taking care of us, to Sapna for the food, Diveya for helping us in asana class, Mahendra for keeping the internet up, Shashikant for his special co - ordination skills and to all of our newfound friends from around the world- Liza, Ida, Aleema, Katie, Bodil, Sonali, Premila and Crystal. All of us were destined to be there and even if the reasons are not clear now they will be in the future. None of this would be possible without the guidance of Guruji and Sunita who inspired us everyday and will continue to do so. There is a vast difference between an ordinary teacher and a guru. We feel honoured to have learned from you and appreciate your patience, compassion and guidance.

Thank you to my sister Melissa who made this trip possible for me., it was the perfect combination of Eat, Pray, Love and Slumdog Millionaire. I have never laughed so hard in my life and will always cherish the memories. We are ending off this trip in Goa so essentially our journey home begins now, but not before we stop off at the beach. Arabian Sea here we come !!!

Love
C and M

The wise see knowledge and action as one - The Bhagavad Gita

Today we visited the proposed site for the new Paramanand Ashram. It was about an hours drive away from where we are currently located in a rural area, further away from the hustle and bustle of Indore. It is set to be opened in approximately two years and while there was not much to see in terms of buildings, the scenery was breathtaking and there is no doubt the new ashram will flourish. We headed out at about 6.30am and packed our breakfast to eat there. Usually for breakfast we have a dish called poha along with our fruit, poha is basically rice flakes that you soak and then fry with mustard seeds, tumeric and corriander. It is delicious and im bringing the recipe home. We did our morning practice over there and tried something different.......we kept our eyes closed for the whole class. The purpose of this was to come deeper into the practice and to bring greater awareness to what the body and mind are doing. It was a great experience and I encourage everyone to try this at least once, it brings a new dynamic to the practice and a deep sense of peace. The other senses start to work a little harder and you start to breathe deeper, feel more and hear more. Upon opening our eyes, the world seemed brighter and more beautiful. What an awesome morning, enjoy your weekend yogis.

Namaste,

Candice and Melissa

Waiting for the car 

Proposed plans for the new site 

Poha, Watermelon and Chai Tea ( which I didnt drink after
I realised they put cows milk in it)

Group shot

There was absolutely no on around and then this train
came through! 

Add caption

Indian Myth - Make a wish and walk around this tree 7 times
if you want it to come true. Easy to get dizzy after 2 or 3 wishes. 

Melissa and I 

Light and Compassion

I apologise for the lack of "blogging" this week, I guess the combination of heat, a new diet, new surroundings and all the activity finally got to us. Melissa and I had a 24 hour bout of sickness which I wont get into the details of. We were well taken care of at the ashram and luckily it has passed. Since then we have been taking it easy and scaled back on a few of the activities. Nonetheless its always an adventure. We started off our morning yesterday by visiting a park not to far from the ashram, we got there around 7am and walked around before doing a few asanas. It was awesome to see how many people go to the park to do yoga. This truly reinforced how strong the yoga influence is in this country even outside of the ashrams. Almost every bench and corner was occupied by a mat. I would love to continue rising at dawn when we get back to Canada. We all know it is beneficial for us but a lot of people can't articulate why, the reality is that it is the perfect time to wake up. During the day it is hot and bright whereas the night is cool and dark. Dawn is the perfect balance between the two and essentially yoga is balance so this is why it is an essential part of the yoga lifestyle. If I can wake up early at home maybe I will make it to a park at dawn to do some asanas myself ! Maybe you can join me ? I feel a sunrise challenge coming on!

Temple in the park

Our group with Guruji

Apart from that we have been having our usual playtime ! 

Dr.Bansals Lecture on Yoga Therapy

Another significant event took place in the last couple of days. Melissa and I were given our yogi names by our Guru. This is a significant moment on ones yoga path and the experience was very moving. After the Guru learned about our personalities we met individually with him to discuss our life path and yoga path, he then named us accordingly and gifted us with energised mala beads and our own mantras for meditation. The mantras are secret and lose their power if revealed. However, we can reveal our names! Attaining these names means taking the responsibility that comes with them. It redefines our path and challenges us to leave the past behind and live consciously. Truly beautiful. Melissa was named MaJyoti - The Mother of Light. Jyoti is Sanskrit for light. Her new name invites her to continue to spread this light , it represents her sacrificing nature and her ability to guide people. I was named MaKaruna - The Mother of Compassion-Karuna is Sanskrit for Compassion. This name invites me to spread compassion and love to those that surround me accepting flaws without any judgement Big shoes to fill.....but always up for the challenge.


Over and out from India.
Sending you lots of Light and Compassion !

Namaste

A day for relaxing ....or not!

Sundays are our days off at the Ashram and with the rigid schedule they have in place we have been looking forward to it all week. In our yoga classes which are held 3 times a day we delve deeply into each asana deconstructing it and discussing all angles of the poses, spending about 15 minutes on each one. We kinda missed the flow as well as the individualised aspect of practicing yoga so Melissa offered to lead a flow class on our rooftop to start off the day for a few of the girls! 

Hows that for enthusiasm? 7am on our day off  and still doing yoga

Liza and Aida 

Tell me you don't love my Ali Baba pants, cost me a grand total of $6. 

We then decided to get a traditional Ayurvedic full body massage at a clinic in the city.
What an experience ! So relaxing 

Any takers for Green Hairs ?

Black Lips anyone ? What about Height Increasing ?

Ayurvedic Texts at the Dr's office 

Might as well get a pedicure and read up on some Bollywood gossip 

Cows are the only thing that can stop traffic in this country. So if you dont wana get run
over....hang with them. Holy Cow  !

We decided to go out for dinner and venture away from the yogic diet (we are such rebels)
This is Melissas drink, its called "Fire on Ice" , please not the jalapeno on the rim of the glass 

Eagerly awaiting our feast ! 

Cottage Cheese 

No Idea 

Delicious ! 

So are we well rested? Definately not. It was back to Karma Yoga at around 6am this morning and we had a busy Monday. There are constantly people in and out of the Ashram who are seeking help through Yoga Therapy. It is a charitable organisation so we have the oppurtunity to meet and interact with a lot of people that come to visit throughout the day. Learnt a few words in Hindi so far but you gotta love having a conversation with someone speaking a totally different language but somehow it works out......

Stay tuned for Tuesday's delights!

With Love from India ! 

xoxoxo

Good Friday ....Or Lord Hanuman Day

Lord Hanuman is a Hindu deity that is representative of safety against evil sprits. Today in India is Lord Hanuman Day, a public holiday across the country. Although we initially felt a little home sick this morning it was great to learn about what is important to the people that surround us. Our roomate is from India but currently lives in Boston, she came back to India to complete her yoga studies in the traditional Indian way. She taught us about Lord Hanuman and we taught her about the meaning of Good Friday.  We started the day off by cleansing our sinuses with a neti pot and doing some meditation, then we did some gardening, and ended with a bonfire under a full moon. All in all, an amazing day here in India, despite the sweltering heat.
Enjoy the photo journal and Happy Easter Yogis and Yoginis !

A little trouble with the hosepipe at first.....

Katie from San Francisco 

Nothing that cant be fixed ! 

Yummy cabbage !

Medicine Garden 

Go Girl ! 

Getting sprayed with a hosepipe to cool us down after a sweaty day, it reached 44 degrees 

Full Moon 

During our fire ceremony we threw away anything we no longer wanted to carry
with us. 

Namaste

Candice and Melissa