Do we need a daily yoga and meditation practice?

Imagine your life without a yoga practice. Looking back at 2009, it has been a great year but also a very challenging one on so many levels. How challenging would this year be without yoga? Without a daily practice to recharge and realign?

From creating good habits to eliminating bad habits, its all about what we do only a daily, consistent basis that matters most. We become our habits and routines. "This practice becomes firmly rooted when it is cultivated skillfully and continuously for a long time." - The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali 1:14. We practice in order to become our practice and only then can we share our practice.

Interestingly enough I talk to lots of yoga teachers who don't have a daily practice who don't have the time to create for themselves what I call 'the foundation' to draw from. I know how difficult it is, to create the time, to make it a priority. It is only this year that I have moved my practice to the mornings -- and for those Kundalini yoga practioners out there, no not to 4 o'clock in the morning, just earlier than work. When I do miss a day, I feel it -- and so does everyone else. My practice is essential for a sense of ease, presence and peace throughout the day regardless of what is going on or how busy I am. As Martin Luther King Jr. would say the busier you are the more time you need to spend in prayer and meditation.
It seems these are the times when we need it most, not only for ourselves but to share it with others. Here are some tips I have gathered along the way to create a daily morning practice:

- Turn the clock back slowly - start with getting up 10-15 minutes earlier for the first month and grow from there
- Set yourself up for success before you go to bed - have your music, clothes, meditation ready to go, waiting for you in the a.m
- Find the same time everyday to practice - your body and mind will move more easily into the space.
- Create a beautiful space in your room for just you and your practice
- Create a support group at work, at your studio or community centre to keep yourself and others motivated
- Be gentle with yourself - if you miss a day, no problem just start again tomorrow

What tips do you have for a daily practice? Please share them here.

Warm regards,

Simone
Simone Riml

Yoga for Fertility

Yoga for Fertility
By: Sue Dumais

Statistics show about 1 in every 6 couples is struggling to conceive. Chances are some of your clients or participants are currently dealing with fertility issues. As is the trend in much of health care, many couples experiencing challenges with fertility are also turning to alternative measures to improve their chances of a pregnancy. While the research is yet to be 100% conclusive, many studies are pointing to the positive effects Yoga can have on fertility.
In one study conducted by Dr. Alice Domar, researcher at the Harvard Medical School, it was found that participants that included Yoga and meditation had an increase in pregnancy rates and as well as reduction in psychological distress. Acute stress is a very real part of most women’s experience with fertility challenges. Dr. Domar’s research also shows that for many women dealing with fertility issues is as distressing as being diagnosed with cancer, HIV or heart disease.
The practice of yoga is designed to create physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. Although yoga is an ancient practice, modern science is discovering its power to reduce stress and increase well being. Yoga for fertility focuses on the centers of the body or “chakras” associated with fertility and reproduction. It includes specially designed yoga poses that open the pelvis and stimulate the second chakra located just below the naval. This vital centre has long been associated with fertility and creativity. But more than just improving blood flow to the reproductive organs, yoga for fertility helps reduce stress and anxiety. Women learn to relax the body and restore physical and emotional balance.
Meditation and self reflection is another important aspect of Yoga for Fertility. Many women struggle with feelings of helplessness, doubt and fear. They often believe their body has let them down or they are being punished for something in their past. As women learn to let go of negative thoughts and limiting beliefs associated with their fertility, they experience a renewed sense of control. In addition, the class provides a safe space for women to come out of isolation. In coming together to share their stories, wisdom, experiences, laughter and tears, they discover a profound healing power in the company of others.

If you have a client or participant that is struggling with fertility here are some yoga poses you can recommend to them or incorporate into your class or session.

Leg-Up-The-Wall Pose
This pose increases the blood supply to the pelvic area, calms the mind, and relieves tired legs and feet. Concentrate on expanding the breath to help soften the muscles of the vaginal wall and pelvic area. Imagine softness in the uterus and ovaries allowing the flow of blood and energy. During the pose repeat an affirmation such as “I am fertile” or “I am calm”.

Stay in this pose for 5-15 minutes. Option: place a bolster or blanket under the pelvis to lift the pelvis approximately 2-3 inches depending on your level of comfort. *DO NOT use a bolster with this pose during menstruation. To come out of the pose gently bend your knees and roll over on to your side for 10-15 breaths.

Inner Reflection: Focus on your desire to have a baby. Begin to invite your baby to come into your life. Change your perspective: you are no longer “waiting” or “trying”, from now on you are “open to conceive” or “inviting your baby”.

Child’s Pose
This pose calms the nervous system and helps reduce blood pressure and balance the endocrine system. It is a resting pose that relaxes and calms the mind and body while lengthening your spine and reducing tension in your back and neck. In relation to fertility, I recommend performing child’s pose with the knees apart; this allows space for the belly to drop toward the floor with each inhale. Imagine softness in the uterus and ovaries allowing the flow of blood and energy without restriction or tension.


Inner Reflection: Bring your awareness to your thoughts about yourself and your body. Notice whether your thoughts are positive or negative. Accept the thoughts and imagine them floating away with feeling attached to them. Begin to invite more positive thoughts and perhaps repeat one the following affirmations: “I love my body and trust it’s wisdom” “I am whole and complete” “I accept my body” “I forgive myself” “I am fertile”

Conclusion
The journey through fertility doesn’t need to feel so isolating and all consuming. Using mind body techniques such as yoga and meditation can help your clients learn to listen to their own inner wisdom and guidance. As they begin to make choices from their heart they will find a renewed sense of control and connection to self. I believe every woman can be a Mother! As they follow the voice of their heart they will find the path that will help them bring their baby home into their arms.


Sue Dumais is an author of the Yoga for Fertility Handbook and A Strong Core for Life. She has over 17 years experience in the fitness & wellness industry specializing in fertility and pre/post natal health. Sue has created a Yoga for Fertility Instructor Training program and a Fitness Fertility Specialist Certification course to help reach women struggling with fertility all across Canada. To learn more about Yoga for Fertility visit www.familypassages.ca or call 604-266-6470.

I want to be a yoga teacher, now what?

One of the most popular questions we get at YogaBC is "Where should I take my teacher training?" Here are 11 questions to ask before you take the plunge.

1. What are my reasons for taking yoga teacher training? For my own interests, to deepen my practice, or to teach yoga on completion? Make sure your potential school can meet your needs.
2. What is my learning style and time I can commit? Many programs run weekends make sure you have carved out the time needed for the program, practice and homework.
3. Is the teaching program registered and recognized, are they a member of YogaBC?
4. How many classes have graduated from this Teacher Training program? Ask to contact and speak to a past graduate.
5. How big is the class size? How much one-one attention will I get?
6. Who are the primary teachers, how many hours will they be teaching?
7. What is the Teacher Trainer's background and experience? Take their class, get to know their teaching style.
8. Is there a code of ethics or a code of conduct for the program?
9. Will a practicum or mentorship program be offered as a part of the Teacher Training?
10. What happens after the program? Who I am qualified to teach? If your dream is to teach prenatal yoga and your teacher training doesn't cover it, you will need additional hours and certification.
11. What are the costs (text books, classes, trips, and fees)?
    

Any questions I missed? Post them here to help your fellow yogis navigate their teaching journey.

Warm, super warm, regards,
Simone

Simone Riml

Community Relations Manager

AGM Report

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of the board, I am pleased to share the growth in activity over the last year, and achieving a few important milestones for this association.


For this I give my heartfelt thanks to our members who are supporting the vision, the Ministry of the Solicitor General who has approved the Direct Access grant for the last two years, and most notably, our staff Lesley, Simone, Miranda, our volunteers, and board of directors.


Highlights:

- The Re-Branding Project. Jason Yoshioka has completed a $4,000 grant to to help us update the visual aspects to YogaBC.
- Committed staff: At last year’s AGM, we had a goal to have a paid leader in place to handle the day to day activities of the association. We're grateful for Lesley Kovitz' work as Executive Director, Simone Riml as Community Relations Manager, and Miranda Post as Newsletter Editor.
- A new membership system. Not without it’s growing pains, this system will help us better manage our relationships with students, teachers, and other providers in the community.
- Meaningful Outreach: Simone’s work at events and going out to studios and teachers such as the Teresen Gas employee health fair, the Yogathon, the Yoga Health fair at Vancouver Public library, and going out to many studios to meet studios in person. These kinds of activities are what make YogaBC special and unique from Yoga Alliance.
- Partnerships: Drishti Point: had been using YABC community Calendar on air so we offered a banner add to DP to let people know about the radio program that profiles BC yoga teachers. Helping Langara College set up a Yoga Teacher Training program: the first public college to offer yoga in Canada, and special thanks to their group for their work on the Code of Ethics. Yoga Outreach – working with them on their fundraising plans.
- Insurance/Extended Health: New partners on both fronts are helping to provide services teachers need for their practice.

Looking Forward:

We must continue listening closely to the needs of members, and adapt programming to contribute in a meaningful way, such as marketing and business services to help studios and teachers prosper

A new website is in consideration to better serve members and the general public
And most importantly – we will continue to improve services that help teachers connect, and advance the practice of yoga in BC through continuing education programs.

The Board over the next year is tasked with significantly raising revenue to deliver better services, and continue to refine our vision, mission and mandates for how best to serve yoga practitioners in BC.This can happen with wider participation around BC, and using online tools for communications as well as more frequent in person meetings for fostering better peer-to-peer relationships.

Regards
Ryan Smith

Fee to Teach Yoga Outside

Hi Everyone,

We wanted to make sure everyone knows about the new fees and licence requirement for teaching yoga in Vancouver parks. Here is a link to the CBC news article, "New fees squeeze Vancouver's outdoor fitness operators," outlining the new requirements. A decision by the Parks Board now requires yoga teachers to apply for a licence and pay a $13 hour fee to teach yoga in Vancouver parks. "The Park Board is launching its own outdoor workout programs this summer, but insisted the licences aren't meant to stifle the competition." Rather it is a decision made because the parks are being taken over by outdoor fitness programs.

I talk to lots of yoga teachers and know teaching in the park is either an option to offer free classes (like teaching a group of friends) or as an extension of their class and studio experiences. For the majority of teachers this licence and fee will mean no longer being able to offer outdoor classes. I wonder if the Parks Board knows that?

What do you think about this as a yoga teacher? What about as a practitioner?

Post your comments here and/or forward the article to yoga friends.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Simone

YogaBC 2009 AGM: A Newbie's Perspective

I attended my first YogaBC AGM last week, June 13, 2009. I have attended many Annual General Meetings and sort of assumed I knew how this would go - presenting of annual reports and financial statements, amending bylaws, motioning, approving, and abstaining, all combined with an anticipation of heated discussion.

Essential stuff for an organization. Interesting? That all depends.

However, as we took care of business, along the way we engaged in a few passionate discussions. As we moved to pass our first code of ethics for registered teacher members of YogaBC a conversation around its value arose. If it is not possible to enforce a code of ethics, if it cannot be enforced, is a code of ethics of any value? You can imagine the spectrum of thoughts and beliefs that came forward. Some felt this is a place to start, to open up to community for discussion in order to find a way to create an infrastructure of enforcement tools before we adopt the document. Others felt this document represents principles to live by and want to know that their colleagues are aspiring to the same standards. In signing it we agree to a shared professionalism outlined by a code. This is a point of reference document to ‘bump up against’ as issues arise. In the end, we adopted the Code of Ethics with provision for annual review.

Another issue that came up during the presentation of the program reports was around the teacher registry. To be a member of YogaBC as a teacher the minimum requirement is a practice for two or more years, graduation from a recognized 200hr teacher training program and current First Aid/CPR. There is a lot of discussion around attaining documents; for senior teachers it is difficult to attain documentation at all. Does checking all the boxes mean you are a yoga teacher? After some discussion, the point was made that there are requirements to be a YogaBC teacher member, and therefore a part of a provincial and professional association. These requirements give the Association the ability to, and are for the purposes of, moving forward the goals and interests of yoga teachers and studio owners in BC while safeguarding the public trust with education and information.

So after these two issues were presented and discussed, where there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, I better understood the importance of these meetings (no matter how dry they can be); they are a part of a much needed structure to house the issues that will shape the future of yoga in BC.

Thoughts? Share them here.

Thanks,Simone

A Code of Ethics for Yoga Teachers

Awhile back I had a discussion with a teacher about a Code of Ethics for yoga teachers. He raised the point that there was no need to sign a Code because of his strong commitment to his yoga tradition demonstrated by daily practice and adherence to the Yamas and Niyamas which in fact provide a ‘higher code’ for him. This got me thinking, “is a code of ethics redundant for yoga teachers?”

As YogaBC, the yoga association of British Columbia, moves to adopt its first Code of Ethics the AGM, June 13th, 2009, I pondered further and realized a code of ethics is not just for teachers; but perhaps more importantly, it is for the public. A code of ethics, code of conduct, teacher registry programs – all of the stuff that makes up a professional association – is put in place for the people we serve. I would suggest that a professional association which consists of these public safety structures is even more essential for the yoga community than in many other professional communities. Yoga practitioners must take a leap of faith as they put their body, mind and spirit into the hands and intentions of their yoga teachers. In fact the number one question we get at the association from the public, “what yoga should I practice, and from whom?” let's us know the public wants some guidance and reassurance.

So I have come to think of signing a code of ethics as the least I can do as a teacher to best serve the public and allow me to share the teachings I deeply believe in. Surely this may seem one sided coming from the yoga association’s community relations manager. I would love to hear your opinions, especially those who disagree and/or can add further insight. In the meantime here is a one question anonymous poll to see what your fellow yogis think.

Regards,
Simone

Simone Riml

Community Relations Manager