Yogo.TV: Free Yoga at Shanti Yoga March 4

We're filming again for Yogo.TV.
Join yoga teachers Chantal O'Sullivan and Majessa Castonguay for four classes, all free.
Here's the poster & details:
Go to www.shantiyogabc.com to register online & reserve your spot on the mat.

Yoga. Galiano. Retreat.

There's really nothing like walking through a forest on a sunny winter day, surrounded by quiet beauty and the happy chatter of new friends.
Or gathering in a circle warmed by a fire place to share a little bit of what we'd like more of — or less of — in our lives.

Top Left: Teacher Wesley Salter; student yogini Lori;
Bottom Left: our lunch Friday; a happy group of yogis.

Or doing five inspiring yoga together classes in three days.

Because yoga retreats offer up a special experience, each happy moment building up to the next — and this weekend's New Year, New You Retreat to Galiano at Bodega Ridge was especially good.

We ate well, nourished by Jesse's hospitality and a smiling cook who created healthy and delicious meals; our accommodation was comfortable and clean; and most of all, we just laughed a lot.

And made some great friends.

Here's some pics. Stay tuned for our Shanti Yoga Harvest Retreat details coming soon.

Outside the tractor at Bodega.

Every meal was an event.

Savasana was better thanks to our Half Moon
eye pillows, part of the goodie bags from Half Moon and
Tsawwassen's Natural Comfort Wellness.

Radiant yoginis. (Happy after yoga, and ready for brunch!)

A beautiful, foggy early morning walk.

Teachers Wesley Salter (above) and Chantal O'Sullivan
led five classes in three days, from flow to kundalini-power to yin.

We had time to explore Galiano on Sunday afternoon. So fun.

Wes & Chantal & one of Jesse's dogs, Gunnar; a yogini on the tractor
and below: the sign at Galiano SoapWorks

We challenged ourselves. We felt empowered. 

For more information and updates on Shanti Yoga's Tswassen studio, as well as events and retreats, go to www.shantiyogabc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/shantiyogabc

Take it as it comes: good advice

Take life as it comes.
One exhale at a time.

 Yoga helps.

Chakra Flow: Yoga and Sound with Samantha and Trevor

Come out to Shanti Yoga in South Delta this Saturday for a chakra balancing flow class with Samantha Sowassey and Trevor Grant set to live crystal song bowls, percussion and gongs.

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shanti Yoga, #4 - 1363 56 Street, Tsawwassen (next to Starbucks)

$35
Go to www.shantiyogabc.com for more info and to register online. You can also pay at the door.

More info below.

 

No pain, no pain: Majessa gives her spin on Yin

Yoga teacher Majessa Castonguay says yin encourages her to listen to her body.

It's also helped her to heal chronic back pain and to find more balance.  And even though yin can be uncomfortable at times — and require us to slow down and hold for time — it's worth it, she says.

The busy new mom shares her Yin insights and yoga teachings on Tuesday nights, 7:15 p.m., at Shanti Yoga. Register online at www.shantiyogabc.com.

Here's some of her thoughts on yin.

SY: I notice in your classes you talk specifically about finding your safe edge, and not going too far. Why is this key?

Finding your first edge is important — finding a place where you feel the pose but it's not as far as you could go. 

It's a place where as you sit there with time and you can slowly allow yourself to go deeper. If you go to your furthest edge right away you probably will never be able to get any deeper then that because you have stretched your muscle to the furthest it can go, so no room for expansion. 

I say no pain no pain — never feeling pain but knowing the difference between pain and discomfort. Yin is kinda uncomfortable for most of us.

SY: Did you immediately like Yin?

No, I didn't like yin right away, it was rather uncomfortable and hard to sit still . But now its my favorite! A practice where I can close my eyes to listen snd feel my body a time just for me to stretch and heal.

Yin practice can really help to make you more flexible to really allow your muscles and joints to stretch out, it's also does wonders for your internal organs massaging them as we move through different poses. 

Yin yoga enhances the flow of prana (energy) through your body.

SY: How has yin changed you?

I used to have chronic back pain — there was never a time that back didn't hurt. When I started practicing yoga — and especially yin — my pain started to go away.

I now do yin almost every day or every other day at home or in studio and I have a huge range of movement in my body, no more back pain.

It's also a time to check in with your body and mind, see what's needed in yourself.  


My yoga makes me happy — which makes my family happy,

Our Galiano Yoga Retreat: update

Here's our latest update. Send this to your friends. We've got just seven spots left.

New Year, New You: Retreat to Galiano Island, 2012

 

Kick of 2012 with a detoxifying, recharging and rejuvenating retreat on beautiful Galiano Island, just an easy ferry ride away. 

Enjoy delicious vegetarian meals and plenty of YOU time. 

Retreat includes five yoga classes - including detoxifying kundalini, energizing vinyasa, relaxing restorative hatha and feel-good flow - with yoga teachers Wesley Salter and Chantal O'Sullivan. 

Enjoy plenty of time for nature appreciation. 

Let go. Get Away. BE.

Where: Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island

When: Feb. 3, 4, 5

Email Chantal at shantiyogabc@gmail.com to book your spot. Space is limited.