Yoga Archives - PranaShanti

Heart Health

February 21, 2023February 21, 2023 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

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...

Yoga of Sound

February 20, 2023February 21, 2023 by superadmin superadmin2 Comments

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...

Winter: Kapha Season

December 29, 2022December 29, 2022 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

"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...

Annual Unlimited Holiday Special! Make a commitment to YOURSELF!

November 24, 2022November 26, 2022 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

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 ...

Yoga for Arthritis by Tracy Corneau

November 19, 2022April 17, 2023 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

Yoga For Arthritis (YFA) You have likely heard the phrase: “I’m not flexible enough to do yoga”. However, yoga also improves strength, balance, range of motion, and can lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression by contributing to better heart health and sleep. Yoga can be especially helpful for those living with a chronic illness. Background According to the Arthritis Society, 1 in 5 or 6 million Canadians are living with arthritis and as many as 25,000 children seek healthcare for arthritis. Women are more likely than men to have arthritis. It is Canada’s most common chronic disease for which there is currently no cure and by 2040, it is estimated that 50% more people will have arthritis. Leading Types of Arthritis The two leading forms of arthritis are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis is traditionally viewed as wear and tear on the weight bearing joints such as the hips, spine and knees as well as in the hands, feet, ankles or neck. ...

Dry Brushing

November 16, 2022November 16, 2022 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

Dry brushing the skin is a comparatively new trend, though its roots lie in ancient times. It’s common in Ayurvedic medicine and is an ancient Kriya yoga practice but many cultures, including the ancient Greeks and Japanese, have used skin brushing to cleanse the skin. It’s done at day spas but you can do it yourself too! It’s called “dry” brushing because you aren’t scrubbing up while you bathe or shower; instead, a firm, bristled brush is swept across the skin, from toe to head. Both the skin and brush are completely dry. Dry brushing has gained traction for a reason. The benefits include: Detoxifying the skin - Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage. By unclogging pores, it’s easier for the body to sweat and eliminate toxins in your system.Stimulating the nervous system - Dry brushing can stimulate the nervous system. It can also leave you feeling invigorated like a massage often does.Giving...

Yoga for Good Sleep

November 2, 2022November 2, 2022 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

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...

Summer: Pitta Season

August 10, 2022August 10, 2022 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

The most striking characteristics of summer—the heat, the long days of bright sun, the sharp intensity, and the transformative nature of the season—are directly in line with pitta dosha, which is why summer is considered a pitta season. And, despite the fact that some climates are exceptionally humid this time of year, the cumulative effect of intense heat is to dry things out, so summer is also considered dry. On a more subtle level, summer is a time of expansion and mobility—traits more characteristic of vata dosha. While there is plenty to celebrate about summer’s unique personality, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. A summer seasonal routine is aimed at fostering diet and lifestyle habits that will help prevent the over-accumulation of summer qualities and allow you to enjoy the unique gifts that summertime has to offer. General Recommendations for Pitta Season Your primary focus through the summer months will be to keep pitta balanced by staying cool, mellowing intensity with relaxation,...

Summertime Fun Savings in BACK!

June 18, 2022June 30, 2022 by superadmin superadmin2 Comments

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, 2022, 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, 2022. 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...

Yoga in Our Park

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022 by superadmin superadminNo Comments

Take IN-PERSON Yoga Classes OUTDOORS with your favourite PranaShanti Teachers! Bring your yoga mat or beach towel and get ready to practice yoga outdoors in the summertime! All classes are OPEN to ALL levels, abilities and ages. Everyone is welcome. Classes are offered 4 days per week - Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel and bottle of water with you. Days and Times: Saturdays: 9 am to 10 amSundays: 10 am to 11 amTuesdays: 6 pm to 7 pmThursdays: 6 pm to 7 pm Location: Our Park at 950 Gladstone Avenue! Our NEW Centre has a lovely grass and garden area to the left of our building. Bike racks available at the front and rear of building. Cost: PranaShanti Drop-In Fee Class Package or Membership. Sign Up on the Class Schedule. Pre-registration required and space is limited to 24 participants. Class Cancellation Policy: Due to limited spots for In-Person attendance,...