Persistent Pain Program – By Susan Anderson and Maddy Lee

Persistent Pain Program – By Susan Anderson and Maddy Lee

Just what is persistent pain, exactly? Persistent pain is pain that lasts more than three months. Although its definition seems short and sweet, persistent pain is complex and multi-faceted. It has many potential causes, for example injury, illness, or disease. There are many ways in which it can manifest; it could be in a specific part of the body, the entire body, or it can move around the body. As a result, persistent pain is not necessarily experienced the same way by everyone. Persistent pain can have a broad reaching impact on a person’s life. Not only can there be physical pain that may or may not have a clear or known cause, but the person may also experience changes in their pattern of breathing, the way they move, and the quality of their sleep. Living with persistent pain can impact a person’s mental wellbeing by affecting their self-esteem, thoughts, and ability to regulate their emotions. It can impact personal and...
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2025 Numerology by Carol

2025 Numerology by Carol

2025: A Year of Letting Go and Transformation by Carol Brochu As we step into 2025, take a moment to reflect on how the powerful energy of 2024—a universal 8 year—showed up in your life. The number 8, tied to the Pranic Body, represents breath, vitality, courage, and power. In 2024, many of us felt the dual forces of manifestation and expansion, as well as the challenges of money and power. It was the first step in a 3-year cycle of profound transition and transformation. Now, we transition into the energy of 9—a universal year of completion, compassion, and letting go. The number 9 connects to the Subtle Body, offering us the ability to master the nuances of life, deepen our understanding, and embrace transformation on both personal and global levels. This is a year for clearing out the old—whether it’s outdated systems, clutter in our lives, or limiting beliefs—so that we can make space for something new. 2025: The Big Picture of...
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Guided Reiki Meditation: A Powerful, Yet Gentle, Compliment to Your Practice by Tara Mazurk

Guided Reiki Meditation: A Powerful, Yet Gentle, Compliment to Your Practice by Tara Mazurk

Imagine unlocking a deeper dimension of healing and serenity in your meditation and yoga practice, where the flow of energy becomes as tangible as your breath. This is the promise of integrating Reiki—a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation—into your routine. On July 20th, PranaShanti in Ottawa invites you to explore the transformative potential of Reiki through our Guided Reiki Meditation Class. This session will introduce you to the profound benefits of infusing your practice with personal energy healing. By aligning your mind, body, and spirit, you'll discover how to ease every cell of your being, even amidst life's daily challenges and stresses. During the session, not only will you receive direct Reiki healing, but you'll also learn how Reiki can enrich your existing routines. This includes enhancing your energy grounding, providing protective measures, and facilitating intuitive empowerment for those with sensitive and empathic natures. Reiki also supports easier clearing and recharging of your energetic field, promoting overall balance and well-being. What...
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The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Reflections

The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Reflections

By Brittany Webster, owner of Consciously Curated Home As an expectant mother, I found that the focus of maternity seemed to be on preparing for childbirth and creating a beautiful nursery room for my baby.  I could find books, guides, blogs and advice on morning sickness, birthing techniques, baby equipment and decorating - but those post-birth weeks when a mother is at her most vulnerable, when days are filled with feeding, changing, naps (and if you’re lucky you sneak in a shower) are shrouded in mystery. We don’t talk about the Fourth Trimester. Only a few select girlfriends imparted some honest words of wisdom having recently struggled through this time themselves.  In the Western world, by and large, we’re encouraged to get back to routine, work, our ‘pre-baby’ body.  These impossible standards, glorified in the media, on social, even by friends and family, are ridiculous. “You can’t even tell she had a baby!” “So when are you heading back to work?” In reality, we should be...
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Discovering the Path to Teaching

Discovering the Path to Teaching

Being a yoga teacher is more than poses. It's about guiding and inspiring others on their transformative journey. If you aspire to be a yoga teacher, here are some essential qualities to cultivate: 1️⃣ Dedication: Commit to personal practice. Continuously deepen your knowledge and refine your skills to provide authentic guidance to students. 2️⃣ Authenticity: Let your teaching reflect your genuine passion for yoga and create a space where students can connect with your authenticity. 3️⃣ Compassion: Create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. 4️⃣ Communication: Develop communication skills to clearly articulate instructions, provide meaningful feedback, and create dialogue. 5️⃣ Adaptability: Be open to different needs and abilities. Adjust your teaching to the challenges of the class to create an inclusive and accessible practice. 6️⃣ Continuous Learning: Never stop learning. Explore diverse yoga styles, attend workshops and trainings to expand your knowledge and keep your teaching fresh. 7️⃣ Mindfulness: Cultivate presence and mindfulness. Lead...
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Summer: Pitta Season

Summer: Pitta Season

"Because summer is pitta season, your primary focus in the summer months will naturally be to keep pitta under control, but you’ll want to have a close eye on supporting healthy vata by countering excessive lightness, dryness, sharp intensity, subtlety, and mobility as well. Foods to Favor Focus on eating summer foods that are good for both vata and pitta: apples, coconut, dates, figs, melons, prunes and soaked raisins, asparagus, cucumbers, green beans, cooked leeks, okra, parsnips, sweet potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, kidney beans, mung beans, soft cheeses, cottage cheese, cow’s or goat’s milk, yogurt, amaranth, cooked oats, quinoa, white rice, and wheat. If you enjoy salad or raw vegetables, consider a lightly sautéed salad, blanched vegetables, and lubricate your greens with a generous amount of olive oil, sunflower oil, or ghee. Also consider some mild spices like fresh ginger, cardamom, clove, coriander, cumin, and turmeric to keep your digestive fire healthy. Acceptable Seasonal Indulgences Sweets are cooling, nourishing, and calming to both vata and pitta, so...
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Spring : Kapha Season

Spring : Kapha Season

"Spring is upon us. Winter’s accumulated snow and ice are beginning to melt. Gentle rains soak the land. The earth itself seems heavy with moisture—saturated with it—and the landscape is becoming a wellspring of life. Spring is a season of birth, new beginnings, renewal, and growth—a time for the earth to make manifest the latent potential within all things. Seeds are germinating, flowers budding, insects buzzing, leaves unfurling. And despite our growing separation from the natural world, we are deeply affected by this gentle stirring around us. Our physiology senses a natural opportunity for a fresh, clean start; our bodies are primed to lighten things up, cleanse ourselves of any accumulated imbalances, and rejuvenate our deepest tissues. As the natural world emerges from its long winter slumber, it is common to experience a renewed sense of joy and inspiration. But for many, the spring season is also associated with seasonal irritants, heaviness, and feelings of lethargy. Thankfully, an appropriate seasonal routine can help us...
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Heart Health

Heart Health

A Cardiologist Explains How Yoga Can Benefit Heart Health Kells McPhillips, February 7, 2022 "When you think of heart-healthy workouts, hardcore cardio sessions probably come to mind. (Burpees! Sprints! Squat jumps!) While it's true that going on a nice, long run or sweating your way through a HIIT class has noteworthy benefits for your ticker, there are also gentler ways to look out for your body's all-important organ. In fact, Kapil Parakh, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and medical lead for Fitbit, says that unrolling your yoga mat and breathing through pose after pose has plenty of heart-healthy benefits. First things first, Dr. Parakh wants to remind you that all exercise is good for your heart. Period, end of story. That said, yoga has its own list of perks to brag about. The physical aspect of yoga, called "asana,"  has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and even lower blood sugar in diabetics. Yogic breathwork practices, or "pranayama," have also been shown to improve...
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Yoga of Sound

Yoga of Sound

By Devinder Kaur Sound as a meditation technique has its origins in eras past. The original forms of this type of meditation date back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The belief was that this type of practice could change a person’s wellness while improving their spirituality. Over the centuries, this technique has been used by various cultures around the world and is also a key part of different yoga and meditation practices. Through the practice, a person’s body is entirely engulfed by sound and vibrations. These minute movements can help shift a person’s mindset and allow them to enter a spiritual state. Sound bathing can include a range of instruments from singing bowls and drums to tuning forks and gongs. The instruments used depends on the type of session. There are many advantages–both physical and spiritual–that you can gain from this practice. Release emotionsMay help you manage painLower anxiety levelsChange your state of consciousnessElevate your spirit While there’s no single way to conduct a sound...
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Winter: Kapha Season

Winter: Kapha Season

"Ayurveda recognizes winter as a kapha season with strong vata undertones. It is characterized by cold weather, a sense of heaviness, increased moisture (usually in the form of rain or snow), cloud-covered days, and the grounded, slow feeling that sends many animals into hibernation. These are all qualities shared by kapha dosha, which is why winter is considered—primarily—a kapha season. However, if your climate is exceptionally cold and dry, or if you tend to feel more isolated during the winter months, vata will also be a strong component of your winter season, and you will want to actively keep vata placated as well. How to Create a Supportive Winter Diet Winter is actually the season when the digestive fire is strongest. The body requires more fuel to stay warm and healthy in the winter months, and the cold weather forces the fire principle deep into the core of the body—igniting the digestive capacity. Our bodies, therefore, crave a more substantial, nutritive diet at this time of...
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