December 2023 – Welcome the light!

December 20, 2023 at 11:44 am (In My Backyard, In The Studio)
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As we enter a typical season of shorter daylight hours and earlier darkness with maybe an urge to hunker down and hibernate, I am instead inspired to welcome whatever light is present AND lighten up in heart, mind, body, and spirit! Christmas lights, candles, flashlights, moments of sunshine, and even the blue light of cell phones (but not right before bed…). Smiles, sweet treats, deep breaths, simplicity – all with the intention of lightening our loads during what can be a challenging busy season for many folks.

Down time and chill time is truly needed, yet sometimes we think it has to be given to us. Sometimes we get in our own way, believing we just don’t have time…so ask yourself, is there a way you can MAKE the time? Don’t just TRY to do it but really do it. Balance what must get done with what can wait; balance what is wanted with what is needed.

When I reflect back on my intentions at the beginning of this year, I recall exploring the theme of empowerment (Twenty Twenty-Three – EMPOWERMENT), and throughout the year, there were many moments of YESSSSS (confidence, faith, empowerment) and just as many moments (if not more) of NOOOOO (uncertainty, doubt, restriction). The process is still unfolding and within it there are those peripheral challenges along the way that not everyone, including myself, can easily adjust to or accept. So I think the intentions for 2024 might be the same – a “try again” experience in empowerment.

What would the wisdom of yoga suggest? Keep on moving, stop to breathe and BE, cultivate compassion and friendliness and joy and neutrality, not only towards others but towards oneself, adopting a personal thumbs up and green light where appropriate, and accepting a thumbs down and red light when we need to be reminded. Feel all the feels then let them go…that is the hard part! But we have to keep reminding ourselves that “we got this”…

As we move forward into a new year, may our intentions honour both the small steps in lightening up and the big picture perspective; may we be gentle and compassionate with one another and ourselves; may we have the wisdom to know when to step aside, when to step in, when to get up in the night and look outside, and when to just stay in bed and sleep; and may we bring more lightness into our BEING every step of the way. Happy Holidays to all and blessings for the New Year!

For yoga this winter, I am teaching online only, and registration is open until Dec. 31, 2023 for my super winter special – see About ANNE’S ONLINE YOGA CLASSES or email me directly to register. I plan to resume in-person classes again in the spring.

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seasonal transitions

August 24, 2023 at 3:17 pm (In My Backyard, In The Studio)
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Here we are coming to the end of summer 2023 and transitioning to another routine for September! I look forward to joining some of you once again on the mat or online for yoga, meditation, breath, mindful movement, stress relief…

If you are on my mailing list, you would have just received a new email with all the details of my autumn offerings. You can also see About ANNE’S ONLINE YOGA CLASSES, About ANNE’S IN-PERSON YOGA CLASSES, and About MY RETREATS.

Transitions in my life are happening as well – grandbabies growing and thriving, weddings and memorials, ups and downs, birthdays and celebrations, quiet times and busy times. Sometimes the transitions are bumpy and sometimes messy, but what helps to put challenges into better perspective for me is listening to the mid-1960’s song by The Byrds, “Turn, Turn, Turn”, and the words that say,

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

May we all transition to another season with peace, grounding, and mindfulness.

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Summer solstice 2023 – ho ho ho

June 21, 2023 at 11:18 am (Beyond My Backyard, In My Backyard)
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Hold on; Heading out; Holidays onward…HO HO HO…On this longest day of the year, I welcome the change of pace, scenery, and interactions that a vacation provides. Much needed and well-earned, this summer “off” is a good way to replenish, restore, and re-calibrate. And with joy and ease, the intention is to make this summer exactly that – joyful and easy-going!

While my yoga classes are on hold (OH) until the fall, we can still practice daily mindful movement, deep breaths, and mental rest, to give ourselves the time “off” that is so crucial to busy lives. Come up with your own short or long practice by just sitting quietly for a few deep mindful breaths, or by getting on your mat and letting movement and awareness unfold. And if you need guidance, try one of my GUIDED MEDITATIONS or YOGA VIDEOS BY ANNE for inspiration.

As I venture into nature for a bit, I leave you with these wise words from Walt Whitman,

“Now I see the secret of making the best person; it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.”

Happy summer solstice dear friends and may you rest and restore over the next couple of months. See you in the fall!

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Spring Mix

March 22, 2023 at 3:54 pm (In My Backyard, In The Studio)
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One doesn’t need to look at the calendar to FEEL the change that is in the air – cheers to the season of Spring! Birds singing, snow melting, sunshine shining, and nature unfolding as it does every year at this time. Time to shed the winter blahs and put a “spring” in your step!

The saying goes that “variety is the spice of life”, so an approach you can adopt this season might be to MIX things up a bit on all levels.

Physically – move or arrange your body in different ways every day to enhance circulation, lubrication, hydration, and prevent fixation and stagnation. Small movements (fingers and toes) to large full body movements. Experiment with pace, rhythm, duration. Try walking backwards or sideways or march around the table! Balance on one foot in the line up at the grocery store…You get the idea!

Energetically – try more brisk stimulating movements and breath work when you need to bump up your energy (think “Breath of Joy”), or slow flowing movements connected to breath when you need to ground your energy (think a slow “cat/cow”).

Mentally – whether you sit in stillness or mindfully move, focus all your attention on the task at hand – breathing, moving, feeling, watching with awareness.

Spiritually – wake up and give thanks and embody that gratitude throughout the day. The late Wayne Dyer wrote the following and it has always stuck with me:

“You have the choice each day to wake up and say, ‘Good morning, God’ or ‘Good God, morning!’…Any moments that you fill with thoughts of boredom and apathy will weaken you physically, emotionally, and spiritually…Those (thoughts) that weaken you are low/slow frequencies, and they can only be dissolved by bringing the higher/faster energies of Spirit to their presence.”

Dyer, Dr. Wayne – “10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace” – 2001, Hay House Inc., Carlsbad, California

There are so many options to mix it up this season; you just have to be willing and curious and explore! As always, check out my FREE VIDEOS and/or GUIDED MEDITATIONS for inspiration; drop-in to a yoga class in person; or just get out for a walk around the block. Pick up something unique at the grocery store and try a new taste. Try laughing in the mirror without smiling and you’ll really be laughing in no time!

Happy Spring 2023!

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Twenty Twenty-Three – EMPOWERMENT

January 10, 2023 at 3:23 pm (In My Backyard)
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A new year, a full moon, a multitude of challenges (aren’t there always in this life – just different incarnations), and at the same time, a wealth of silver linings (the half-full part of the glass). Lots to face, lots to be grateful for, lots to do, and lots to embrace. A year ending and new year beginning is an opportune time to reflect and reset and restore. But now I feel it’s time to get moving. So as I enter 2023, I commit to unsticking myself from some of the gooey-ness of life. Cultivating faith, trust, hope, joy even in the midst of uncertainty, helplessness, and sadness. How to do this? In the moment, BRFWA – breathe, relax, feel, watch, allow. Then move ahead with a calmer perspective; a positive perspective. Own your missteps and make amends. Find a positive mantra that relates best to your situation and THINK IT, AFFIRM IT, BELIEVE IT…every day and keep setting reminders. Move the body and say the words and walk the walk. Drink the water; eat the veggies; work on the mind; and better sleep will come. ACT, not REACT. Make the time…The checklist may seem long, but I believe one must advocate for oneself first – what is the minimum you can do/think/say for yourself that will empower you to ACT positively? One step at a time.

There is so much out there to help one get out of the gooey-ness – people, books, courses, programs. But ultimately, only YOU can get the ball rolling…so step 1 is show up…take the step, even if it is a baby step. DO IT and BE IT, whatever IT is for you; not just say you are going to do it. Sign up for the course, read the book, get off the couch, make the call, change your mind; and if rest is what you need, then stay on the couch. Do at least the minimum…and that could mean as simple as smiling a big toothy grin each day to stimulate some feel-good hormones while you lie on the couch. If you need help, please reach out to your network…or just one person. It may not be easy…but it is necessary. Patience, perseverance, at times forgiveness, and EMPOWERING YOURSELF to keep at it, giving time and space for transformation to happen. Okay it sounds exhausting…but it doesn’t have to be. The glass is half-full…

There will always be provisos and conditions and circumstances and excuses and justifications for the obstacles on the road…often we think it is time-related or other-person related. If you don’t make the time, how can you move forward? If you are stuck in blame, how can you move forward? I’m not denying there will be raw periods where it is SO HARD to move forward, full of trial and error, roadblocks and challenges, but forward we must go believing in goodness, contributing to that goodness, and trusting in the goodness…step by step and again with patience. The coming out of the dark into the light; resetting and recalibrating, again and again.

The tradition of yoga suggests a Sankalpa or “a resolve” in order to stay on track. A short statement made in real-time of how you want to BE. I have been guided by the same Sankalpa for a long time…it’s a four-part positive guideline to follow (“Joyful energetic body, loving compassionate heart, reflective alert mind, lightness of Being” – thanks to the Chopra Centre for this one). Every day, and throughout the day, I ask myself if what I am doing/thinking/saying is contributing to this resolve or going against it. Sometimes I ignore it, sometimes I challenge it, and sometimes I forget it…but my Sankalpa always resurfaces and quietly reminds me that it’s okay – just reset. For me, and maybe you, too, such is the power of the practice of yoga, over and over.

If you would like to move forward with me, try out one of my guided meditations or videos (see a newly uploaded Yin and Gentle Yoga video!); join my online classes; or simply send me an email and share with me how YOU are moving forward. And for a wider network, check out the Canadian government’s initiative for mental health – Wellness Together Canada.

And if staying put is the right thing for you at the moment, try this: 36 breaths lying on your left side, 36 breaths lying on your right side, and 36 breaths lying on your back propped up a bit. Total = 108 breaths.

Namaste and here’s to 2023.

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Workday Mind/Body Break

November 17, 2022 at 9:47 am (In My Backyard, In The Studio)
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Need a break during your workday? Then take it! Here is an option for a short breath awareness audio meditation you can do any time you need a time-out from the busy-ness of your day.

And for some physical movement, see this short (10 minutes) mindful yoga practice you can try when you need a stretch and/or time to de-stress – once a day, twice a day, or every hour if needed!

Workday Mind/Body Break

After the practices, notice how you feel, what you feel, and rate your productivity/creativity/reactivity. Improvements can often happen in the moment, or they may take some time and patience. Keep at it and have a good workday!

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Next Steps

October 12, 2022 at 12:43 pm (Beyond My Backyard, In My Backyard, In The Studio)
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As we wind down the autumn season and prep ourselves for winter, we come into yet another transition time. This change of season is particularly special for many of us. I, for one, love the cooler temps, the cozy sweaters, the hearty soups, and spicy chai tea. The colours of nature and the fresh perspective brought about after putting my garden to bed. This time of year brings back memories of many annual fall retreats where, as a group, we bundled up and meditated early in the morning – beside a shoreline, in the trees, under a blanket, or on a warm cushion. Even our yoga practices on the mat are likely to change at this time of year – from the sweaty strong movements fueled by summer sunshine to the earthy low-lying sock-wearing restorative poses. A natural going inward rather than outward.

If the flow of energy is more inward at this time of year, like me, you might feel more hesitant to get back “out there”. Like nature, the draw inward may feel a bit stronger right now. And then others might be raring to go and in need of more stimulation. Nature also shows us that this is a drier, windy, airy time (VATA influence from Ayurveda) that can whip our minds and hearts around, sometimes in motivating ways and other times in challenging ways. Whatever you need, it is important to LISTEN to the wisdom of your own signals. Then you can take the appropriate next steps that are right for YOU.

My next offerings for Nov – Dec 2022 continue to be some in-person classes in Osgoode and some online classes. If you want to know more about them, send me an email at yogaimby@gmail.com with your request and I’ll share the details.

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YOGA THIS FALL 2022 with Anne Stubbs

August 22, 2022 at 1:55 pm (In My Backyard)
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Hello and happy summer, dear Yoga Friends! Ready to try in-person classes again? Not quite ready to be out there, but okay with online practices? I’ve got you covered both ways, at least for a couple of months! These offerings take us to the end of October for now.

IN-PERSON CLASSES AT OSGOODE COMMUNITY CENTRE (5660 Osgoode Main St., Osgoode ON)

  • large spacious room on second floor; distancing encouraged; maximum 20 participants
  • in-person classes are NOT recorded
  • public washrooms on site; ample parking
  • mask-wearing encouraged until you get to your own mat for the safety of all participants
  • bring your own mat and yoga props
  • facility follows City of Ottawa cleaning and disinfection protocols; and abides by Ottawa Public Health recommendations
  • do not attend if you are unwell, have symptoms of Covid-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19

Two programs available:

A) HATHA YOGA Tuesdays 9:15 am – 10:15 am Sept. 6 – Oct. 25 – 8 classes

COST = $120.00

B) YIN YOGA Fridays 9:15 am – 10:15 am Sept. 9 – Oct. 21 (no class on Oct. 7) – 6 classes

COST = $90

ONLINE via ZOOM

Two programs available:

A) MID-WEEK YOGA MIX Wednesdays 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm Sept. 7 – Oct. 26 – 8 classes

COST = $108

B) YIN YOGA Sundays 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Sept. 18 – Oct. 30 (no class on Oct. 9) – 6 classes

COST = $80

HOW TO REGISTER FOR ANY PROGRAM:

Send me an email (yogaimby@gmail.com) with your request and/or questions and I will reply with the waiver and more details. Register for online or in-person classes up to 3 days prior to the start date. Payment by e-transfer only to yogaimby@gmail.com. Fees for online classes are non-refundable.

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Savouring Sweetness on this Solstice day

June 21, 2022 at 10:49 am (In My Backyard)
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Today is the summer solstice of June 2022 with the longest daylight hours of the year. Not surprising then that my circadian rhythm responded to the morning light and I awoke early today. Maybe you woke up early, too. As I lay there quietly, I briefly contemplated the last two years of pandemic ups and downs leading right up to NOW. And then before I got caught up in the rehashing of the stress of it all, I got out of bed and into the day. I choose “sweetness” today, not heaviness or bitterness.

According to Ayurveda, the holistic system of health and wellness originating in India, the essence or “rasa” of sweet is more than just a sugary taste. It is a grounding combination of the qualities of earth and water; it is characteristically pleasurable, joyful, loving; and in balance, sweetness encompasses all those “sweet” things in life from puppies to pretty flowers, to preparing and tasting a fresh meal, to being in the company of friends. What better day than the summer solstice to savour the sweetness of life!

I met up with a friend this morning who gave me flowers fresh-picked from her garden, and we sat in the rain with our coffees, chatting and laughing and enjoying the exchange of energy. And we had a sugary cookie, too. Savouring sweetness isn’t just about taking the time…it is MAKING the time, as a priority for oneself, every day. Sweet is an essence we NEED in balance…along with the salty, pungent, astringent, bitter, and sour qualities of not just food but our lifestyles.

With today being the first day of summer, there is the promise of warm sunny days and lazy afternoons. A season where it feels easier to spread our wings and breathe in the light. And perhaps more space to MAKE that time to savour the sweetness!

Here is a short meditation to get you started. Enjoy and have a happy summer!

Summer Solstice Meditation

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Good Morning!

March 2, 2022 at 3:18 pm (In My Backyard)
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Ahhhh….a new day and a fresh start. A chance to do-over. An opportunity to make change, to forgive, to let go. A step forward. A time to rest or a time to produce. An open mind or a closed mind. Today I move forward with an open mind and this acronym in my thoughts – PBSP.

PAUSE, BREATHE, SMILE, PROCEED…

Check out this short (11 minutes) video for a Good Morning Mindful Movement Practice you can do to start your day. Have a good one…and even if it’s not so good, just PBSP and remember there is always tomorrow.

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