Under The Oak Yoga

20200805_162819We have been feeling so grateful for our time spent under this most magical oak tree with YOU.  Our Outdoor Yoga sessions have been a highlight for us this summer.

This all-level class, from beginners to advanced students, consists of a gentler, flow combination of simple accessible poses to stretch and strengthen your body, mind & spirit as well as a soul nourishing relaxation supported by the birds, crickets and the winds softly flowing over us. Practicing with our feet on the earth and the trees as our practice companions gives us an extra boost in our mental emotional state, and a lift for our immune system.  There is no greater medicine than nature.

All you need is a water bottle, your own practice mat/blanket, and a willingness to release stress!

Our lead teacher for this class will be rotating weekly, you can check our  schedule to see whose teaching each week

WHEN: Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

September 2, September 9th ( we will be continuing into the fall – stay tuned for more dates)

WHERE: A private outdoor space close to downtown Almonte,
Exact Location will be disclosed to registrants through email 24 hours before scheduled class.

COST: $12 (HST Inclusive)

Maximum of 16 participants, with social distancing measures in place.

** pre-registration and payment are required due to maximum number (based on health regulations) 💚  Book soon as spaces will fill fast

20200805_162641Please click here to look at our calender and decide when you’d like to join us.

Search for the dates you’d like to attend and our handy system will walk you through the registration process.  Please double check the date before you complete your registration.  If you don’t receive a confirmation email, just send us an email and we’ll make sure you’re registered for the night’s you’d like to attend.

If you have any problems, or would prefer to pay through e-transfer, just send us an email at info@suryadaya.ca and we can answer any questions and help you with the process.

 

These classes are weather dependent, if there is rain or inclement weather you will be notified by email (a minimum of one hour before the class start time) if the class needs to be cancelled, in which case we’ll transfer your credit to another outdoor yoga session of your choice, we can offer you a refund, or it will be available on your account for an in studio class when we can safely practice indoors again.

We require a minimum of 48 hours cancellation notice, and no shows will still be charged for the class registered for, due to limited space.

Just a reminder: Mats and supports will not be available, you will need to bring your own mat or practice blanket

Class Two In Our For The Love Of Water Series

Good morning on this beautiful Monday.  We hope the weekend found you nourished and that you were able to savour sweet moments that filled you with joy.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, September 1st from 8:30 – 9:30 am) is the second class in our For The Love Of Water Series.  We are very blessed living where we do, with The Mississippi River running through the heart of our community.   Take some time over the next few days, and in the sacred pause consciously sit by the water and remember how essential this incredible element is to life; to our survival, the survival of our planet, and the survival of all living species we share our home, the Earth, with.

Water is where we begin this journey called life and it is pivotal in how we thrive during a lifetime.   Water also teaches us to go with the flow; as we adapt to our changing lives, moving with the tides of our emotions and life circumstances.

Did you know that we are all guardians of the waters, and it’s our responsibility to act in ways that lessen our footprint and help to care for our waters for their continued health and longevity, understanding the ripple effects of our actions. We have a found a few resources to get you started, reminding us all of simple ways we can actively do our part.   Protecting Canada’s Freshwater,   100 ways to conserve our ground water protecting our watersheds

We are so honoured to partner with Ocean Bridge to offer you this all levels 2 part yoga series dedicating our practice to water conservation and education on how we can all do our part to protect our waters.  Join us tomorrow morning for the last in this free community series from 8:30 – 9:30 am (Tuesday, September 1st) for a mindful and accessible yoga set honouring the rhythms of the water.

Ocean Bridge connects Canadian youth from coast to coast to coast empowering them to make a difference towards ocean and water conservation. Each year 160 youth (ages 18-30) form a national team engaged in co-creating and delivering service projects for their home communities and two immersive expeditions addressing Ocean Health and Ocean Literacy in Canada.

We have many amazing designated natural conservation areas within, as well as just outside of our town.  The Mill of Kintail is but one example of our many resources here in the Ottawa Valley, they have some wonderful initiatives and are a great  connection for learning more about the importance of our actions in light of water conservation.

We hope you can join us, as Ali from Ocean Bridge and Amber from our studio, lead you through these classes!  Please bring your own mat, whatever supports you will need, and your own water bottle.  This is a special opportunity to learn more about water conservation, to move your body and explore postures that will deepen your connection with the water that flows through you, to connect with community in a meaningful way, and to reconnect with the water we are all a part of. We’ll be meeting at our own local waters,  at  Metcalfe Geoheritage Park

We’ll practice with a socially responsible distance between all participants, and masks are optional.  These classes are weather dependent, although if a little rain is falling it will simply support our practice!

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Bringing People Together Through Yoga

Thanks to our community partners, we have FREE yoga this afternoon, Wednesday, August 26th,  from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at Gemmill Park (by the baseball diamond), brought to you by Carebridge Community Support and The Mississippi Mills Youth Centre, we are so honoured to be partnering up with these incredible and invaluable organizations in our community.

This program is supported by the Forever Young Foundation, and it is our hopes programs such as this one will help to bridge the gap between generations, working to build stronger communities.  These classes are intended to bring people of all ages together through an accessible yoga based movement practice; connecting, cultivating understanding and building resilience together.

Amber will be leading this all levels yoga class, to support you to invite a sense of calm into your body, and release any stress and tension as we prepare for the upcoming fall.

We hope to see you there!!

For The Love Of Water

We live in an amazing town, with The Mississippi River running through the heart of our community.  It’s important to take some time to reflect on our relationship with this essential element; essential to our survival, the survival of our planet, and the survival of all living species we share our home, the Earth, with.

We are so honoured to partner with Ocean Bridge to offer you this all levels 2 part yoga series dedicating our practice to water conservation and education on how we can all do our part to protect our waters.  Join us tomorrow morning from 8:30 – 9:30 am (Tuesday, August 25th) for a beautiful and accessible yoga set honouring the rhythms of the water.

Ocean Bridge connects Canadian youth from coast to coast to coast empowering them to make a difference towards ocean and water conservation. Each year 160 youth (ages 18-30) form a national team engaged in co-creating and delivering service projects for their home communities and two immersive expeditions addressing Ocean Health and Ocean Literacy in Canada.

We have so many amazing designated natural conservation areas within, as well as just outside of our town.  The Mill of Kintail is but one example of our many resources here in the Ottawa Valley, they have some wonderful initiatives and are a great  connection for learning more about the importance of our actions in light of water conservation.  Please take the time to increase your own understanding so we can all be an active participant in protecting our waters.

The classes in this mini series are free to the public and an amazing opportunity to learn more about water conservation, to move your body and explore postures that will deepen your connection with the water that flows through you, to connect with community in a meaningful way, and to reconnect with the water we are all a part of. We’ll be meeting at our own local waters,  at  Metcalfe Geoheritage Park

We hope you can join us, as Ali from Ocean Bridge and Amber from our studio, lead you through these classes!  Please bring your own mat, whatever supports you will need, and your own water bottle.

We’ll practice with a socially responsible distance between all participants, and masks are optional.  These classes are weather dependent, although if a little rain is falling it will simply support our practice!

 

nature water drops of water liquidpexels-photo-416528

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Under The Oak Yoga

We are so excited to share some Outdoor Yoga time with YOU, under the most magical oak tree

This all-level class, from beginners to advanced students, will be a gentler, flow combination of simple accessible poses to stretch and strengthen your body, mind & spirit. Practicing with our feet on the earth and the trees as our practice companions gives us an extra boost in our mental emotional state, and a lift for our immune system.  There is no greater medicine than nature.

All you need is a water bottle, your own practice mat/blanket, and a willingness to release stress!

Our lead teacher for this class will be rotating weekly, you can check our  schedule to see whose teaching each week

WHEN: Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

August 26, September 2 ( we will be continuing into the fall – stay tuned for more dates)

WHERE: A private outdoor space close to downtown Almonte,
Exact Location will be disclosed to registrants through email 24 hours before scheduled class.

COST: $12 (HST Inclusive)

Maximum of 16 participants, with social distancing measures in place.

** pre-registration and payment are required due to maximum number (based on health regulations) 💚  Book soon as spaces will fill fast

Please click here to look at our calender and decide when you’d like to join us.

Search for the dates you’d like to attend and our handy system will walk you through the registration process.  Please double check the date before you complete your registration.  If you don’t receive a confirmation email, just send us an email and we’ll make sure you’re registered for the night’s you’d like to attend.

If you have any problems, or would prefer to pay through e-transfer, just send us an email at info@suryadaya.ca and we can answer any questions and help you with the process.

typorama

These classes are weather dependent, if there is rain or inclement weather you will be notified by email (a minimum of one hour before the class start time) if the class needs to be cancelled, in which case we’ll transfer your credit to another outdoor yoga session of your choice, we can offer you a refund, or it will be available on your account for an in studio class when we can safely practice indoors again.

We require a minimum of 48 hours cancellation notice, and no shows will still be charged for the class registered for, due to limited space.

Just a reminder: Mats and supports will not be available, you will need to bring your own mat or practice blanket

Day 26 Yoga Support with Amber

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”  – John Muir

Welcome to day 26 of our 30 days of yoga together.

What a time, presenting a doorway for each of us to dive into a deeper understanding and inner knowing of what we all need to thrive, that looks different for each of us.

I hope you’re finding time everyday to reconnect with that place of ease inside of you, and that you have tools in place to help you arrive there.

Today we spent our morning out in the woods, and were in awe at all the winged beings and their beautiful birdsong.  Our practice today is inspired by the eagle.  A powerful posture, Garudasana in sanskrit.  When we explore Eagle, we can connect with this upward spiral in our inner experience, as the body folds and wraps around itself, directing our energy upwards.  All our precious internal organs receive a flushing of blood as we compress our extremities and breathe in this majestic shape.

Some good questions to ask in this posture are:  Where I am in my life?  How do I need to spread my wings?  How do I need to conserve my energy?  What are the obstacles in my life?  What is being revealed?  Can I face challenges with strength, control and grace? How do I soar in my life?  

As you approach the physical posture, can you be there for a few breaths with that single pointed concentration, maintaining balance?  Please modify the shape in any way your body needs today.

To view the practice click here

Thank you so much for joining me, it is an honor working through these 30 days with you.  Such a powerful project infused with love and compassion for each of us.

Take your time with this posture, slowly entering and releasing out.  Take a little time once you’re finished to sit with the experience – let yourself integrate.

May you feel the expanse of your own wings, and know that you can safely open them.

So much love, till tomorrow

Amber

eagleJohn Muir Quote

Day 25 Amber’s Yoga Support

“Genius is the ability to renew one’s emotions in daily experience”

Paul Cezanne

Welcome to day 25 of Amber’s 30 days of yoga support during this challenging time.

I am SOOOOO grateful you are here today!

How are you getting through this time in this chapter of your life?  What is keeping you lifted, and inspired to get up everyday and start again with so many unknowns?  Are you able to reflect on perhaps what you do know you would like your life to look and feel like when we once again shift into a new normalcy on the other side of this?  Are you able to put the unknowns aside, and instead focus what you do know to be true for you right now.  That is my challenge for you today.

I love the above quote by french artist Cezanne, for if we don’t take time to integrate and renew the experiences of our life then we never actually allow ourselves to grow and truly flourish, into the genuis inside of each of us.

The ways we renew ourselves, on a daily basis, dictate how we thrive in our bodies and our minds.  Today we’ll be exploring a restorative posture, a very powerful restful practice to bring you back to your center.

In the video I offer you a few different suggestions to try, all different approaches to being in legs up the wall.  If your day allows, I encourage you to spend at least 10 – 15 minutes here, give yourself permission to fully experience and integrate this time on your mat (or in your bed).

This particular posture is very healing for our nerves, it’s a wonderful practice for when we’ve been going through a time of stress, or we just feel depleted. It also relieves pressure and heaviness in the legs.  Taking this time is like giving yourself a little gift everyday.

To view the video click here

Thank you for joining me today, you inspire me in so many ways.

The world needs your genius, so please take care of yourself.

With so much love, until tomorrow

Amber

three wooden signage in a tree close up photography
Photo by Maria Gulyaeva on Pexels.com

Day 24 Yoga Support Challenge with Amber

“Practice being gentle, respectful and loving towards the life force in all things.  

Remind yourself that your efforts do make a difference, even if you think they are minuscule in comparison to the magnitude of the problem.”

– Dr. Wayne Dyer

Such an important reminder for all of us.

You matter, everything about you matters.  Without you the web of life and all the pieces in it’s intricate puzzle wouldn’t be complete.  Remember the life force in all things is in you as well.  Feeling deep gratitude for all of life.

Before you read any further, I want you to stop, and if you’re not sitting down please bring yourself into a comfortable seated position.  Roll your shoulders back and drop into the experience of your breath.  Can I ask you a favor, could you try to be gentle with your breath today.  Try not to force, control or manipulate – but rather turning to your breath with respect, gratitude and kindness.   Let yourself sit here for a little while, noticing your thoughts and allow them to drift by like a cloud floating up in the blue sky, try to not to attach to your thoughts as you gently return to your breath.  Stay here as long as feels good for you.

Now, I can welcome you here today, Day 24 of our 30 days of yoga support!

Thank you for opening this message, it is really such an honor and a privilege to hold this window of time with you.  It is my hopes that our practice supports whatever it is that you need today.

I am looking forward to exploring some movement for the front of the pelvic girdle with you.  These stretches are wonderful if you’ve been walking alot (or running), and on the other side of that equation – they are also fabulous if you’ve been spending extra time sitting in a flexed hip position.

We’ll be opening up the iliopoas in a different iteration of movement, as well as releasing tension through the front of the pelvis.  Through these movements we also open space through the abdominal cavity, and our breath ideally will naturally lengthen.  Let’s start with some cat cow, to release tension in the spine and then we’ll explore these postures together.

To view the practice click here

Thank you for being here with me today.

I hope you enjoy the little closing song, it was inspired by the family yoga in the park Lindsey and I did together a few summers ago.  We look forward to more yoga in the park!

Take care of yourself please, you are pretty wonderful

Much love, till tomorrow, Amber

elephants

 

 

Day 23 Yoga Support with Amber

“I wish you mouthfuls of laughter and warm hands and bowls of nourishing soup and starry glittering at the periphery of your eyes as if someone is tapping you gently on the shoulder, whispering a song from your childhood that makes you smile and weep at the same time, in a good way, like when you know who you are.

I wish you a loving letter from an old friend when you least expect it, with words that warm you like small sticks of kindling that catch and smoke and smell of ancient sandalwood forests and the tiny blue birds that sing at night, and a low slung moon, lying on her back, like a bowl of light. “  – Meredith Heller

I came across these words today, and they made me smile.  I hope they do the same for you

Welcome to day 23 of our 30 days of yoga support during a challenging time.  It is an honor to be welcomed into your day, one I don’t take lightly.  Thank you.

I hope you’re doing okay, and that you’re carving out some time to reconnect with nature in the  midst of all of this.  Such a powerful way for us to fill our reserves, by simply walking through the woods, or sitting by a tree or the water.  It always amazes me how relaxed I feel when I take that time.

Today we’ll be exploring a powerful breath practice for your immune system, and your inner vitality.  This breath is called the breath of ten, and it helps to move stagnation through the body, increase your lung capacity, stimulate and support the lymph nodes in your arm pits helping to cleanse and detoxify your breast tissue, your lungs, your thoracic cavity, and it assists in pulling the lymph up from your lower extremities (just to name a few benefits).  This is a potent practice which helps us to be able to better overcome pathogens, bacteria and viruses we encounter.

To view the practice click here

The basic practice:  Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine (ensure your body is comfortable).  Your elbows are bent and the forearms and hands are relaxed in a clapping position about a foot apart.  Your hands move in and out like you are clapping – inviting a flapping movement at the armpits (pumping fluid through the axillary lymph nodes), your hands do not make contact.  This will make more sense once you watch the video.  Concentrate on the energy between your hands.  Your breath is timed with the  movement of your hands, inhaling with 5 powerful strokes of breath in through your nose, exhale in five powerful strokes out through the mouth.  Try to maintain the rhythm and the movement with the breath.  Start with 3 minutes, and slowly you can increase your time.  Your eyes are closed down and once you settle into the practice allow your internal gaze to fall at the point between your eyes.

Make sure you take some time once you are finished to sit in stillness, sense what is happening inside of you and allow yourself to integrate the practice. This is an important step every time we come to our mats.

I am so grateful you joined me today, and I can’t wait to check in with you again tomorrow.

“The source of a true smile is an awakened mind.  Smiling helps you approach the day with gentleness and understanding” – Thich Nhat Hanh

My love travels with you

Big giant love filled hugs, Amber

yoga-class-schedule

Day 22 Yoga Support with Amber

Welcome to day 22 of our 30 days of yoga support during this challenging time.

I am so grateful you are here.

Every day we need to honour and remember our place and our collective responsibilities to the earth.  I am hopeful you are able to take some time today to connect with nature, and reflect on why it’s important to care. How can you continue to do your part, and perhaps make some changes as we are continuously educated on how  our choices directly and indirectly effect the health of our planet.

We are being guided to deeply consider all of our actions right now.   This is our home, and what we do matters.

“When the animals come to us, Asking for help, 

Will we know what they are saying?

When the plants speak to us, In their delicate, beautiful language,

Will we be able to answer them? 

When the planet herself, Sings to us in our dreams,

Will we be able to wake ourselves, and act?”

– Poet Gary Lawless

When we explore the true roots of our yoga practices we can trace them back to the earth.  The asana’s (postures) and pranayama practices (breathwork) are inspired by the earth.  We can immerse ourselves in the experience of tree as we really connect with our own roots, with mountain as we feel ourselves solid and steady on the earth reaching up towards the sun.  We move through sun salutations honoring the life giving energy of the sun.  We honor the creatures that walk and fly, those we co-inhabit this planet with, the eagle and the cobra.

Allow your practice today to open a gateway to reconnecting with the earth and all the glorious creatures we share this home with.  Feel the pulse of the earth in the pulse and beat of your heart, the flow of breath in your lungs, continuously moving, like the water flowing by.  We learn so much from the wisdom of our natural environment.  The more we give ourselves time to reflect and connect, the more we’re able to truly understand why it’s important to care.

I’m attaching a few video’s for you today

To view today’s’ practice, day 22 click here

Thank you for joining me today.

Deep breaths, we’re going to get through this and be stronger on the other side.

Be gentle with yourself, you’re pretty precious

Till tomorrow,

Love Amber

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