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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Our annual Summertime Fun Savings is back!

Our annual Summertime Fun Savings is back!

We're always so impressed how dedicated our yogis are through the Ottawa winter, that when it comes to summer, we want to help you maintain the benefits of a regular yoga practice for health and vibrancy through the warm months. That's why between NOW and August 31st, 2023, when you purchase a 10 or 20 class package, you'll receive some FREE yoga in the month of August. The class packages do not expire and the bonus classes are valid for use between August 1 to August 31st, 2023. Our Class Packages and the FREE August classes can be used for In-Person and Online Classes. When you purchase... A 10 class package = 5 free August classes. A 20 class package = 10 free August classes. You can purchase online or at the Centre, and your classes will be added to your account. It's a tremendous thing to get extra support in maintaining your practice! Yoga's a little like regular tune ups and oil changes on your...
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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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Annual Unlimited Holiday Special! Make a commitment to YOURSELF!

Annual Unlimited Holiday Special! Make a commitment to YOURSELF!

Make a commitment to yourself!  This package is truly UNLIMITED! With the PranaShanti Annual Unlimited Package Holiday Special you will enjoy: No limit to the number of classes you practice Choose from over 65+ weekly drop in classes (online and in-person) 10% off special events, workshops and trainings 10% off boutique purchases 5 drop-in guest yoga passes 1 60-minute therapeutic massage This special is available from NOW to January 31, 2023, with the holiday special price of $1,495.00 (HST included) which includes all the goodies listed above for 365 days! A $200.00 savings just on the package price with more savings all year long! Buy Online ...
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Yoga for Good Sleep

Yoga for Good Sleep

By Devinder Kaur, Owner and Director of PranaShanti Yoga Centre    Sleep is the time for the body and mind to rest, reset, detoxify, and rejuvenate. However, sometimes life interferes with our internal biological rhythms, which can result in too little sleep or not very good sleep. A balanced sleep cycle is important for our health and well-being on a number of levels. Good sleep improves our brain performance, mood, and health. Not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of many diseases and disorders and can affect our ability to concentrate, to think clearly and process memories. Yoga is a gentle and restorative way to help wind down at the end of the day. These three yoga poses relieve tension and stress to help prepare for sleep. The more that you practice the poses, the more they can help in a good night’s sleep.  Practice these poses before bedtime and stay in them about 3 to 5 minutes each. 1. Wide-Knee Child’s Pose...
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950 Gladstone Ave. Opens December 27!

950 Gladstone Ave. Opens December 27!

Announcing our OPENING DATE! SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27! We’re happy to announce that PranaShanti Yoga Centre will open at 950 Gladstone Ave. on Sunday, December 27! As we wrap up construction and get ready to receive you, we will continue with our current Class Schedule and Wellness Appointments from our 45 Eccles Street location until December 23. We will be closed December 24, 25 and 26 for the holidays. December 27-30: We will offer our current Class Schedule of Interactive Live Stream Classes and In Person Classes plus Wellness Appointments all from 950 Gladstone Ave. December 31: Closed for New Year’s Eve. January 1: Open for 8 Specialty Classes to celebrate the New Year! January 2 and Onward: Open with our NEW and EXPANDED Class Schedule and wellness offerings. To learn more and stay up to date, keep an eye on our website and sign up for our newsletter at www.pranashanti.com ...
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My Ottawa Yoga Story: Yoga Instructor Anne Wanda Tessier

My Ottawa Yoga Story: Yoga Instructor Anne Wanda Tessier

How did you get started in Yoga? I started my yoga practice over 20 years ago.  At the time, my practice was more about increasing flexibility and building strength.  Over the years my practice has evolved. Although I still appreciate all of the benefits on the body, my practice is now about finding balance and being more mindful about what my body needs as well as exploring the benefits for the mind and soul. What does yoga mean to you in your life today? To me, yoga is the practice of meeting yourself on your mat.  Its a practice of mindfulness and its also a practice of awareness of your body, your breath and your thoughts.   When we take the time to slow down we can become aware of what we need, either in our practice, or in our lives. Whether we need to move and boost our energy levels, or if we need to be more mindful and take care of ourselves.  Its all about finding balance.  I find yoga a great...
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Beat the Winter Blues! 40-Day Yoga Challenge!

Beat the Winter Blues! 40-Day Yoga Challenge!

Beat the Winter Blues with the PranaShanti 40 Day Yoga Challenge!The Challenge runs from Friday, February 9, 2018 to Tuesday, March 20, 2018 The PranaShanti 40 Day Challenge is a commitment to attend yoga classes for 40 consecutive days. Yogic science confirms that it takes 40 days to fully develop a new life-promoting habit or to drop a current destructive habit. The PranaShanti 40 Day Challenge is a great way to strengthen the body, unburden the mind, and begin a daily commitment to yourself. In 40 days, you can create a whole new way of being. Start with any class on Friday, February 9! There are 3 optional group practice days! 1. Friday, February 9, 6 PM - 7:15 PM ~ Kick Off Classes Join us for our Kick Off classes. We’ll follow the classes with healthy snacks. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow participants so that you can encourage each other along the way. You’ll be seeing a lot...
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