Do you find modern city life intense and, at times, overwhelming with its characteristic busyness, hectic pace and the urban density that obfuscates the Natural World that is all around us? I have felt this to be so and I have found sanctuary in yoga for over twenty years. I am naturally a driven, fiery character who has historically found it challenging to be still. Yoga has been a great gift in helping me to realize the fruits to be relished in slowing down.

An athletic, fit person since childhood, I continue to enjoy a good, sweaty workout at the gym. What I look for in yoga is something quite different to round out my self-care. The form of yoga I prefer to practice and teach is a style of Hatha referred to as Flow*. While I teach proper form in the interest of safety, Flow does not emphasize details of alignment. In this style, the focus is on clearing physical and energetic blockages through slow, conscious movement and the long holding of poses, balancing chakras and calming the mind and soul. As with all yoga, it takes the body through postures which bring it greater comfort, strength and flexibility while encouraging prana and blood to clear the circulatory and energy systems. A Flow class is well-rounded with up to 28 postures targeting all areas of the body.

In my ongoing study of human anatomy and physiology, I have learned that certain benefits of yoga literally reverses the aging process. Yoga builds strength which increases bone mass, preventing osteoporosis. It stretches connective tissue and tonifies muscles, keeping us limber. It lubricates joints by increasing the production of synovial fluid, keeping them healthy and preventing arthritis. I recommend yoga to anyone who wishes to age comfortably and gracefully.

The body is the vessel through which the Divine in us is manifesting. Yoga postures will allow us to create a purified vessel with a freer and smoother flow of prana (life energy). Periods of meditation help us to come home to ourselves and find the peaceful, positive place where we all belong.

I became a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2011 through my training at YogaSpace in Toronto's west end. I trained under Kathryn Beet (Asanas, Teaching Methodology, Hatha, Vinyasa), Patricia White (Hatha, Anatomy and Kinesiology), Hali Schwartz (Philosophy) and Ursula Buck (Anatomy).

I completed additional specialization in teaching Flow with a 30-hour training under Bibi Rahim-Hahn.

As of May 2012, I will begin teaching a Flow class every Monday from 6-7:30pm at Spiritwind's beautiful studio in Kensington Market. 64 Oxford (entrance on Augusta upstairs from Urban Herbavore). Drop-in for a class and pay $14 or buy a card good for 10 classes for $100.

I am offering a special introductory price of $5 per class for the month of May.

I am also available for private or group classes and am on-call as a substitute for teachers at YogaSpace and Lila studios

*Flow came from the tradition of Amrit Desai via Ken Scott (now in BC), through Kaila Kukla to my teacher Bibi Rahim-Hahn.