September 2021 Newsletter
Welcome to the Kelowna Yoga House!

As summer comes to an end and a beautiful new fall season starts, we look forward to welcoming you on the mat both in-studio and online with an array of new classes. We remain so appreciative of your support and understanding as we navigate the ever-changing regulations around the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent changes are that masks are not required while participating in your yoga class. And, effective September 13th, in-studio classes require presentation of proof of vaccination. Please connect with us if you have any questions.

Please read on for exciting news pertaining to the Kelowna Yoga House, including a volunteer feature, an exciting KYH fundraiser event and news about our new fall classes and updated class descriptions.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
As Kelowna Yoga House approaches its 20th anniversary we would like to celebrate all of our super volunteers and all those who keep KYH operating, including our students, teachers, board members and all past and present volunteers.

A big thank you to Heather MacNaughton for her enthusiasm, support and service to Kelowna Yoga House during the past 20 years! Heather has been a student at Kelowna Yoga House for 20 years with Margaret Lunam, our benefactor, and Deborah Lomond as her first teachers. How many of you remember those inaugural days? Heather has also served on the board of directors as secretary and past president. She continues to serve on the marketing and workshop committees.

Heather credits Iyengar yoga for increasing her flexibility, strength and balance to help her in her other loves of mountain biking, skiing, hiking and previously, running and golf. She values Iyengar yoga and the teachers at KYH for helping her to develop and expand body-mind awareness, maintain life balance during the Covid-19 pandemic, recover from injuries acquired while mountain biking and skiing and gracefully move through aging. And we are grateful to Heather and all of you for being with us on this incredible 20 year journey. Stay tuned for more yoga to come as we adapt to current needs.
Lovingly submitted by Melissa Perehudoff


Your body lives in the past, your mind lives in the future. They come together in the present when you practise yoga. The yoga student should have clarity, faith, devotion, passion and courage. Work from your heart, not your brain to create harmony. -BKS Iyengar
Check out our new Fall Schedule and join our amazing teachers on the mat!
Restorative yoga releases deep tension in the body & nervous system.

Pranayama infuses the cellular body with vital energy

Together the practices strengthen body, mind & spirit.
RESTORATIVE & PRANAYAMA Workshop with Melissa

Rest, Restore & Breathe Easy
e
In Studio & Online
Sunday October 3 | 9:30am - 12:30pm

All Levels Welcome

Fees:
In studio (9 students only): $52.50 members only (GST included)

Online: $42 (GST included)
A recording of the workshop will be available to registrants for 7 days

50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Kelowna Yoga House Society
 
CLICK HERE to sign up for this workshop!
DONATIONS FROM THE KYH COMMUNITY
PRESIDENT'S REPORT - DIANNE KAPTY
At the beginning of the month, the Kelowna Yoga House Society reached out to our members and community for donations as COVID-19 closures, protocols and restrictions, resulted in reduced income. The Society is happy to report that as of September 9th we have received $4,080 from 27 individuals. 

On behalf of the Officers and Directors of Kelowna Yoga House Society I would like to thank the donors for their support. Despite the continuing uncertainty, please know that the Kelowna Yoga House continues to thrive and the KYH Society is working behind the scenes to plan for the future of Iyengar yoga in Kelowna and beyond. 

If you would like to make a donation, here are the ways you can do so:
  • By e-Transfer to donations@kelownayogahouse.org. KYHS has registered for Autodeposit and will not need to answer a security question to deposit funds.
  • By check made out to Kelowna Yoga House Society and mailed c/o Marion Wahl, Treasurer, 58-2200 Gordon Drive, Kelowna BC V1Y 8T7. Please do not mail your check to the studio as the mailbox there is not secure.
  • By check hand-delivered to a teacher before or after an in-studio class.

KYH STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Interview with Ariaal Ashley
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PRACTICING YOGA?
Answer: 53 years on and off

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO IYENGAR YOGA?
Answer: When I was 21, I lived and worked in both England and Switzerland. When I was in Zurich, I worked as an “Au pair” and was required to a learn the German Language and not just “Swiizerdütsch”. While attending evening classes, I met an American Draft Dodger and we developed quite a friendship. 
Not long after meeting him, I went over and knocked on his door and he called for me to come in. When I opened the door, my jaw dropped as I saw in amazement, my friend in a headstand. He asked me not to talk because he was just finishing his “practice” and I could barely contain myself with all the questions I had.

The long and short of the story is that he ended up giving me two books, one was an original publication of “Light on Yoga” and the other was “Yoga, Youth and Reincarnation” by Jess Stearn. I learned from him some of the basics and was hooked forever.

By the time I got back to Canada in 1970, any kind of Yoga Class was rare to find, so I began my own practice. However, within a year I met my future husband and off I was, travelling back to England for a year, then becoming pregnant just before returning. As fate would have it, I started watching Kareen Zebroff and magically connected with her. She and I did a whole show on practising Yoga when I was about eight months pregnant.

I was asked by a local church if I would teach a class for those interested and I was astonished at how many people came and kept on coming. I used “Light on Yoga” as my ‘bible’ even though I was not a ‘real’ teacher.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?
Answer: My deepest abiding truth is this: “Every life is a destination unknown: a journey of tragedies and triumphs which ultimately allows us to discover not only the world around us, but more importantly ourselves.”
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
This vegan butternut squash soup is the ultimate fall comfort food! Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to a few months.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 (3-pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • ½ tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
  • Freshly ground black pepper

FOR SERVING
  • Chopped parsley
  • Toasted pepitas
  • Crusty bread

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and several grinds of fresh pepper and sauté until soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the squash and cook until it begins to soften, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, sage, rosemary, and ginger. Stir and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant, then add 3 cups of the broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the squash is tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly and pour the soup into a blender, working in batches if necessary, and blend until smooth. If your soup is too thick, add up to 1 cup more broth and blend. Season to taste and serve with parsley, pepitas, and crusty bread.


Recipe: LOVE & LEMONS
If you haven't found us on Facebook or Instagram yet, come connect with us to stay up to date on more upcoming events and in-person classes!
“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul creates the symphony of life.”

BKS Iyengar
1272 St. Paul Street
Kelowna, BC, Canada
V1Y 2C9
 250-862-4906