Ottawa Yoga Blog - PranaShanti Yoga Centre Ottawa

Meditation

October 23, 2017February 14, 2021 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

Meditation Spelled Out! By Devinder Kaur M - Mantras, mudras and asanas are the concentration points. They provide you with the form and focus for the meditation. Mantra is a repeated sound rhythm that directs the mind. Mudra means ‘seal’ used to seal the body’s energy flow into a particular pattern and asanas are the body postures. E - Eliminate Mental Intrigues. Mental Intrigues are what happens when the mind is left on automatic and thoughts and feelings dominate you. The combination of the subconscious and thoughts start the mental intrigues and self-defeating patterns. Meditation helps to clean the mind of these thoughts and break your old patterns. It is a sort of mental housekeeping. D - Don’t over analyse or intellectualise. This takes you away from the meditative process. Intellectualising thoughts expands the intrigue and your mind weaves the thoughts into an elaborate story that goes to all parts of your mind. You lose track of your real self and then become...

What is Toning? By Kathleen Burr

August 30, 2017January 7, 2024 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

Please join us in welcoming Kathleen Burr back to teaching at PranaShanti Yoga Centre. Kathleen returns to the Class Schedule with regularly scheduled classes and will be offering a variety of workshops and events. Known for her enjoyment of sound and mantra, please find below an article by Kathleen about toning. "At the heart of each of us, whatever our imperfections, there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm, a complex of wave forms and resonances, which is absolutely individual and unique, and yet which connects us to everything in the universe. The act of getting in touch with this pulse can transform our personal experience and in some way alter the world around us." – George Leonard Sound has been used as a healing tool for thousands of years in many cultures. Modern science confirms what the ancient mystics knew: everything in the universe is in a constant state of vibration. Think of the body-mind system as an orchestra with the potential to...

Prenatal Yoga for the Perfect Birth

August 23, 2017April 17, 2023 by Devinder Kaur13 Comments

Prenatal Yoga for the Perfect Birth by Jennifer Gillean Wouldn’t it be nice if we could guarantee a desired birth outcome in some way-with yoga?! Insert EASY button here! As most of us have discovered, at least for the bigger events in our life, rarely do things unfold as we expect or can possibly plan for. So why do so many health professionals recommend yoga and meditation? Could this be the same reason behind the natural draw many women feel towards yoga when expecting? Practicing yoga during pregnancy gives you a renewed opportunity to connect with your mind, body and heart, accepting all that arises during this transformational period in your life. During the Prenatal Series, we aim to support you at every stage of this exciting time while helping to build on skills of coping and more. In each session of the Prenatal Yoga series we will wade through mindfulness and breathing strategies (aka Pranayama) to align with where you are...

Yoga in the Park

July 5, 2017August 27, 2017 by Devinder Kaur5 Comments

Every Saturday morning in July and August come join us over at the Parkdale Market for Yoga in the Park. We begin on Saturday, July 8th! Take classes with some of your favourite PranaShanti teachers and some of our recent Teacher Training graduates! These classes are FREE and ALL ages and levels are welcome! Bring your yoga mat or beach towel and get ready to practice yoga outdoors in the summer sunshine! Rain or shine, we'll be there! ...

What Are the Benefits of Power Yoga?

July 4, 2017August 1, 2017 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

Let’s start by defining Power Yoga: Since I coined the term (but never trademarked it), I’m a good source for its definition, kind of. Well, since it’s not trademarked (even though Beryl Bender Birch tried, but since my use and others’ use was first, she couldn’t or wouldn’t), Power Yoga is just a cool name or a stupid name, depending on your opinion, but it is NOT a system. So, anyone can call their yoga Power Yoga and lead any type of class they would like. This is what Beryl did. She actually led traditional Ashtanga yoga classes, as she learned from her teacher Norman Allen, who seems to be the first Westerner to have studied with Ashtanga yoga creator K. Pattabhi Jois. Yet the name “Ashtanga” seemed too esoteric at the time, so she changed the name to Power Yoga. So, if you happened to practice Power Yoga with her, you would actually be doing Ashtanga yoga. So, there...

Summertime Fun Savings is Back! FREE Yoga in August!

June 12, 2017August 8, 2017 by Devinder Kaur4 Comments

Our annual Summertime Fun Savings begins on June 15th! 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 June 15tht and July 31st, 2017, when you purchase a 10 or 20 class package or sign up for Auto-Renew, you'll receive some FREE yoga in the month of August. The class packages you purchase are good for a year from the date of purchase, and the bonus classes are valid for use between August 1 - 31st, 2017. When you purchase... A 10 class package = 5 free August classes. A 20 class package = 10 free August classes. The Monthly Unlimited Auto-Renew (studio membership) in June or July = one month of free yoga. Because the Auto-Renew is a minimum 4 month commitment, you'll pay for your first month at time of...

Sadie Nardini – My Yoga Style

June 5, 2017October 31, 2017 by Devinder Kaur2 Comments

What is Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga? By Sadie Nardini I prefer to call Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga a “perspective” on all yoga, rather than just its own style. I created it after years of training and study where I was seeing a lack of either understanding or focus on the core of our yoga poses on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic. Along the way, I was fortunate to meet one of my formative teachers, Leslie Kaminoff of The Breathing Project in NYC, and author of the bestselling Yoga Anatomy. Under his expertise in yoga, philosophy, anatomy and pranayama, I continue to evolve my understanding of the multi-faceted core. Out of my journey into deep Center came my Core Principles, ways to clarify what the core is, exactly how to instruct it and activate the core within the yoga practice. To help students experience their Center, I created my Core Poses, specific movements, postures and sequences that bring the student into more...

Top Yoga Studio in Ottawa for 2017

June 1, 2017March 27, 2018 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

Grateful to be voted Top Yoga Studio in Ottawa for 2017! PranaShanti Yoga Centre crowned Top Choice Award Winner for Top Yoga Studio in the 2017 Annual Top Choice Award Survey. Ottawa, Ontario, CA -- March 10th, 2017 -- Top Choice Awards has announced that PranaShanti Yoga Centre has been crowned the winner for Top Yoga Studio of 2017 in the city of Ottawa. PranaShanti Yoga Centre has set new standards for quality, service, image, value and professionalism. We have excelled in our category through hard work and complete dedication to our customers. This award is a testament to the skill, passion and vision of our company. We truly appreciate this recognition and the association with the exclusive Top Choice Award circle of winners in North America. Top Choice Awards is an International market research firm, focusing on the experience of the customers. Since 2005, winners are released annually to recognize and showcase the most trusted and appealing service organizations and businesses across North America;...

Spring into Summer – 40 Day Yoga Challenge

April 27, 2017April 22, 2020 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

Spring into Summer with our 40 Day Yoga Challenge! The Challenge runs from Saturday, May 13, 2017 to Wednesday, June 21, 2017 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 Saturday, May 13! There are 3 optional team gatherings! 1. Saturday, May 13, 9 am ~ Kick Off Classes Join us for our Kick Off classes. We’ll follow the class 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 of each other! 2. Thursday, June 1 at...

Yoga Therapy for Thyroid Health

April 25, 2017February 14, 2021 by Devinder Kaur1 Comment

Yoga Therapy for Thyroid Health by Melissa Delaney The thyroid gland is an incredibly important part of the endocrine system and can affect various systems within the body such as brain function, bone development, metabolism, as well as the cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems. Thyroid disorders can be linked to hormone imbalances, genetics, autoimmune disorders, reproductive health and may even surface as a side effect from certain medications. As with many health risks poor diet and stress can also impact thyroid health. Unfortunately, thyroid disorders are common and if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications such as increased risk of osteoporosis and heart problems. To further educate yourself on thyroid health as well as keeping your thyroid healthy it is important to find an integrative thyroid specialist, get regular testing and follow a proper yet holistic treatment plan. My interest in yoga for thyroid health comes from my very own experience with thyroid disease. I experienced the typical symptoms such as...