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Greetings to all of our Members and a Big Welcome to our New Members!
Happy Spring! We hope you enjoy reading our Newsletter, which this month includes: Upcoming Events, an article from Dianne Noort on her journey in becoming a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, an article about Marlene Mawhinney still vibrant at 80, a yummy Greek recipe, and our Feature: Asana of the Month!
We would also ask for your participation in taking a few minutes to give us a review on Google Reviews or our Facebook Page (links below.) This is the new "Word of Mouth" which has always been the main form of advertising for Kelowna Yoga House. We appreciate your time to help spread the great work we do here. A Big Thanks to everyone who has already taken the time to do this.
Hope to see you all in class very soon!
(A friendly reminder that you can register for classes/workshops online through our website
kelownayogahouse).
Namaste,
KYH
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Nominations for Best of Kelowna are open until April 20th.
A maximum of 10 nominees for each category will move through to
the voting round. If more than 10 nominees are received for a given
category, the top 10 most-nominated will move on.
Since there are so many yoga studios in Kelowna, every nomination counts!
Help KYH make it to the top 10 by nominating us now on Best of Kelowna!
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STAY CONNECTED and Please Review us on
Google and
Facebook!
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Please
click here to view our current Class Schedule.
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Signup online by clicking here
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Want to try yoga but don't know where to start?
Start with the Foundations Class! Learn the basics of Iyengar yoga.
For students with no prior yoga experience.
Develop postural alignment, stamina, strength & flexibility in a safe,
systematic, effective approach.
Saturdays: April 28, May 5, May 12, May 26, June 2, June 9.
Time: 11:45 am to 12:45 pm
Cost: $72 + tax (for the 6 classes total).
Instructors: Rotating Teachers
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Free Beginner Iyengar Yoga Class
Treat yourself to a morning of Mindfulness and Wellness
Mark your Calendars. Tell your friends!
Sunday, May 6
10 am - 11:30 am
All abilities and levels are welcome to experience a Free Beginner Iyengar Yoga Class. Enjoy learning some of the foundational asanas (poses) with precise instruction in a non-competitive and compassionate atmosphere. All mats and props are supplied in our fully equipped yoga oasis. Please arrive a few minutes early to get settled. Everyone welcome!
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What a Journey it has Been!
by Dianne Noort, Horsefly, BC
Life means to be living. Problems will always be there. When they arise navigate through them with yoga-don't take a break. - B.K.S. Iyengar
I have worked hard for other things in my life, but this time it was different. It is an honor to have become a certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher - every ounce of effort was worth it. With humility I look forward to the continued study and practice of BKS's phenomenal body of work and feel blessed to have this in my life.
I have made new friends and with my heart on the table I applaud the support and generosity of the Kelowna Yoga House patrons and community. It made all the difference in this pilgrimage. Distinct, unexpected challenges presented in my life and the travel was difficult at times; being greeted by warmhearted and compassionate yoga friends kept me going. Thank you! The gift of yoga is immeasurable. Krisna's passion, devotion and solicitous methods are pivotal in bringing us as teacher-trainees through this deepening process. Thank you Krisna, for all you do
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Dianne (on the right) with her Williams Lake teacher,
Katalin Szauer, on the front deck in Horsefly on International Yoga Day.
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Marlene Mawhinney - Vibrant Vitality at 80!
Marlene has been President and Senior Teacher at Yoga Centre Toronto since 1988, and been teaching yoga since 1972. Her quest for depth led her to BKS Iyengar's work, and since 1985 she has returned to India regularly to study and work directly with Mr. Iyengar and his daughter Geeta Iyenga.
Since 2003, Kelowna Yoga House students have been blessed with 5 workshops with Marlene Mawhinney. It was through her second workshop in 2007, that we discovered the maximum capacity of our main yoga studio, as it was filled to the brim, almost as tightly packed as in India! Marlene masterfully managed our use of the physical space, but had to remind us several times to "stop talking" because she was not able to shout above the din. The volume of our voices was a measure of our enthusiasm, but created an extra challenge for her!
Marlene usually took some time to share memories and teachings from her multiple visits to India, always with a humorous bent. It was particularly thought-provoking to hear about her interactions with Guruji, both public and personal.
During Marlene's last visit to Kelowna Yoga House in October 2014, she generously donated a copy of her Compendium of Iyengar Yoga Practices. This learned compilation addresses yoga for musculoskeletal problems and systemic illnesses, and has become a much consulted reference source for teachers and students alike at Kelowna Yoga House.
At her last workshop here in 2014, Marlene's extensive teaching experience and her wealth of specialized knowledge were duly tested, when almost 50% of the 35 enrolled students shared injury or health concerns. As she said more than once throughout the workshop, "I haven't yet taught one thing I had planned for this weekend!" The message she did share was that we become practitioners of yoga by creating our own inner voice to lead our practice, rather than waiting for our teacher's voice. We also learned that "fluffy buttocks" are not desirable :)
We are fortunate that Marlene has embraced Iyengar Yoga, and dedicated her wealth of knowledge and experience to developing practices for students with illness and physical challenges, as well as Pranayama practise.
Kelowna Yoga House
students are excited to welcome Marlene back to Kelowna Yoga House in fall 2018, and feel privileged to have yet another opportunity to benefit from her wisdom!
We wish Marlene a fitting celebration of her contributions and talents on her 80th birthday, and we hope she continues to be blessed with good health in the coming year!
With Love and Gratitude
Kelowna Yoga House teachers and students
Submitted by Heather McNaughton, Marketing Committee member
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Strategic Planning review
On Saturday, 14-April-2018 eleven representatives from the KYH Board, KYH teachers and KYH special committee members met for a Strategic Planning session. It started bright and early with coffee and muffins - special thanks to Marion for her scones, Laurie for her muffins and Carola for her fabulous Apple Cinnamon Dutch Cake that was so tasty!
Once our basic needs were met we got down to business. It began with a brainstorming session. After some sorting, all the suggestions were put on a timeline, then structured around a central theme. It was a very productive morning and will give some direction to the KYH Board for the next three to five years. The major focus points were the need for increased offerings and promotion of those offerings.
In closing, it was suggested that each participant write a review for the Yoga House on Google and on Facebook.
Nominating
the Kelowna Yoga House on the 'Best of Kelowna' website would be helpful as well. Nominations close April 20th. The top 10 of nominees will go on to the voting round. Voting opens 01-May-2018.
Submitted by George Longden, KYH Board Chair
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Asana of the Month: Virabhadrasana 2
From the book Iyengar Yoga for Beginners by B.K.S. Iyengar
This pose is named after Virabhadra, a legendary warrior. His story is told by the famous Sanskrit playwright, Kalidasa, in the epic, Kumarasambhava. Regular practice of this asana helps to develop your strength and endurance. The steps exercise your limbs and torso vigorously, reducing stiffness in your neck and shoulders. It also makes your knee and hip joints more flexible.
1. Stand in Tadasana and inhale deeply. Step or Jump landing with your feet approximately 4ft (1.2m) apart. Your toes should point forward. Raise your arms out to the sides, in line with your shoulders. Your palms should face the floor and be in line with each other. Keep your fingers straight and stretched out. Press the little toe of each foot down on the floor. Consciously pull the inner sides of your legs up toward your waist.
2. Exhale slowly, and turn your right leg 90° to the right. Turn in your left foot slightly to the right. Ensure that your body weight is resting on your right heel and not on your toes. Keep your left leg stretched out and taut at the knee. To prevent this leg from slipping, make sure that your weight falls on the last two toes.
Note: Focus on turning the right thigh out correctly. The thigh should turn at the same time - and to the same extent - as your right foot.
3. Exhale, and bend your right knee. Ensure that your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Keep the shin perpendicular to the floor, in line with your right heel. Pull the muscles of your right calf upward. Turn your head to the right. Stretch the arches and toes of both feet. Hold the pose for 30 seconds. Breathe evenly.
Advanced beginners: Bend your right knee from the buttock bone and consciously push the flesh and skin of the thigh toward the knee. Stretch your arms out fully. Imagine they are being pulled apart in a tug-of-war.
Advanced work in the pose: Do not bend your knee too rigidly and keep your bent leg relaxed. Consciously keep your brain passive. Your right buttock should be slightly lower than the right inner knee. Tighten your buttocks and broaden the hips. Press the outer edges of both your feet down on the floor. Feel the energy rise from the ankle to the knee. Push your chest out and expand your chest cavity to its full extent. Keep the left knee taut and lifted upward. If it drops, your chest will cave in. Maintain the stretch of your arms and shoulder blades away from your torso.
Coming out of the pose: Inhale, and straighten your right leg. Turn your feet, so that they face forward. Repeat this pose on the other side. Then exhale, and jump or step back to Tadasana.
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Excerpt from
"Light on Daily Practice" by BKS Iyengar
Yoga is for All
All that is required for success in yoga is cheerfulness, perseverance, courage, correct knowledge of the techniques to be followed, moderation in one's habits, and faith in the practice of yoga.
Then the effects of yogic practice as enumerated by the sages follow. These are beauty and strength, clarity of speech and expression, calmness of the nerves, an increase of one's digestive power, and a happy disposition that is revealed in a face full of smiles.
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The first vegetables that Spring brings in Greece are peas, green onions, broad beans and artichokes. Lemons are all year around.
Therefore the recipe of the month is:
Fresh Peas In Lemon Sauce.
And if you are bold enough the next month's recipe will be artichokes in an egg-lemon sauce.
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh peas shelled (or frozen)
1 medium onion finely chopped
1 bunch of green onions sliced
2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
2-3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of a half lemon or more to taste
1 tbsp corn starch
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and stir until onion is soft. Stir in the peas and just cover them with water. Bring them to a boil and reduce the heat to medium/ simmer and cook for about 15 minutes till peas are tender. Stir the peas gently and add the sliced green onions, fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes making sure that all are tender and cook to perfection.
In a cup combine the corn starch with the lemon juice and some water from the pan and pour it over the hot peas. Shake the pan and check if more lemon juice is needed.
Serve it with crusty bread and or rice.
(One can also add a can of artichokes, carrots and a few potatoes).
Enjoy!
Phofi McCullough
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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| Thank You to all of our Amazing Volunteers! |
- Photographer/Videographer: We are in need of updated photos of our new garden, and general class/workshop photos. Also, KYH has a Youtube Channel which would love some new content added.
- Work Exchange:
We are in need of yogis who would like to help out KYH and benefit from an arrangement of work exchange (Cleaning) for yoga classes.
We will consider students who have an established relationship (for example, three months with KYH), rather than newcomers to the studio.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities to enrich The Kelowna Yoga House Society, please speak to any Teacher. Thank You!
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