See this little place? Well, talk about a healing sanctuary. And located right in my glorious hood! I am no stranger to acupuncture, but this is acupuncture in a group setting. Everyone together creates this healing space.

Much like a yoga class really.

The space is very quiet, lights are dimmed, essential oils are burning, soft music playing...it is just too wonderful for words, and deeply healing on every level. (acupuncture helps with literally whatever ails you)

The chairs are extremely comfy and you are left to meditate, relax, even drift off until you 'intuitively' feel done. The needles are removed and voila, you are free to leave and enjoy your day. (You can also stay for a specific amount of time too of course, and they'll let you know when your times up if you have to be somewhere etc.)

What is HUGELY amazing as well is that they have a 'sliding scale' to separate the issues of money and treatment. (and you can still submit your receipts should you have any extended health insurance as acupuncture is covered by most plans)

Treatments are $20-$40 a session so you can come as often as you wish, and not only get better, but stay better! (the first session is an extra $10 due to the paperwork etc)

I really can not say enough about this place! (And yes these are licensed Acupuncturists, not to worry)

The place is called Poke Community Acupuncture and it's located at Main St@ Kingsway right next to my fav little neighborhood coffee shop, Our Town.

Poke Community Acupuncture

(225 E Broadway) 604-568-7322

info@pokecommunityacupuncture.ca

Anyways, gotta fly!

Happy healing and Namaste♥

A quick little heads up..

Just on my way out the door and thought I'd give you a heads up that many of my Roundhouse sessions are ending this week (they will all be starting up again next week of course, as all classes are ongoing)

To ensure a spot this time around I would recommend registering sooner rather than later! (for the Tues and Thurs evenings Mixed Levels classes in particular)

I may soon have to cap the participant level for these classes, so if you have been dropping in you may want to register this time around, just to make sure you get a spot!

Have yourself a glorious day ♥

Lori

I took my pranayama practice to stanley park today and it turned my whole day around. sometimes thats all it takes!

I took loads of shots today and thought that maybe sharing a few on here would pretty up my blog. Not sure why I resist updating this blog but I do. (Too busy on facebook maybe? haha)

I have been feeling introspective and a tad out of balance lately yet things couldn't really be too much better. My classes are packed, I have the greatest boyfriend in the world, wonderful friends, a ton of interests, and most of all vibrant health. No matter what life throws my way there is never a shortage of things for me to feel grateful for. Especially good health. I've been on both sides of the fence and no matter what is happening in my outer world, inside I am filled with gratitude even on my darkest days. I truly find that there aren't enough hours in the day for all the things I'd like to do.

(Hate to get morbid on ya but it could all be over tomorrow! Thats just a fact.)

Anyways, I do have my challenges just like everyone else.

And thats where my yoga practice comes in. ♥

Life brings us challenges. We never know what is waiting around the next corner. If you come to my classes then you know that I am a big fan of 5 minute yoga breaks throughout the day. Anything thats going to get you through I always say!

We live in a fast paced world and if we are just waiting until we have a spare 90 minutes to get on our mat and practice our yoga well, we may not get to practice all that often. I know I sure wouldn't! I'd be lying if I said that I have a full 90 minute personal asana practice each day. Of course I don't.

On a good day yes. But everyday? No.

Thats why I try and live my yoga more and more as the years roll on.

At the very least.. and most importantly?

remember to breathe.

My breath truly and absolutely is my best friend. Lately I have been full-on with my pranayama practice and kriyas.

Breathwork is very powerful on so many levels. I can think of nothing more remarkable really. If I could teach the world one thing it would be how to breathe.

It will change your life.

It's like I tell the kid's in my kid's class, it's free, it's portable, and it's always there when you need it.

And it's going to be there with you your entire life!

(as long as you are blessed with good health of course, and have no breathing restrictions etc.) And you can do it anywhere, anytime! And you can feel better almost instantly from whatever ails you! Even if you are ill, in pain etc.

Whether you are mad, sad, scared, tired, frazzled, can't focus, can't sleep, can't stay awake...doesn't matter, there is a pranayama technique for you.

And that goes for us adults too. I love that we can change our whole physiology simply by changing our breath.

(sometimes just remembering to breathe can be the hardest part!)

Yes there are very advanced techniques you shouldn't ever attempt alone without the guidance of an experienced teacher, yet you can begin today to breathe fully and deeply using your diaphragm. If you can breathe, it isn't difficult to do. (you can always google diaphragmatic breathing/full complete breathing/3 part Dirgha breath etc.)

Just remember nothing too advanced without a teacher on hand to show you the ropes. And always listen to your body, don't force, and any dizziness/pain/uncomfortable frame of mind... STOP.

Just yesterday I was pleasantly reminded of breath I had left by the wayside for a very long time. I had the very good fortune of having a yin class with one of my favourite teachers in town, the lovely Diana Batts. (I so love her, and she is just a wonderful human being in every sense of the word as well!)

The breath is called Bhramari/Humming Breath or Bee Breath. It was exactly what I needed, and I was amazed at how well it fit with our yin practice yesterday. It honestly would have not occured to me on my own to incorporate that breath into that practice, and it was wonderful.

Anyways...for someone who has trouble updating her blog I sure have been rambling on here! (or humming along! hah!)

I just really wanted to give a breathing reminder to anyone who may pass by here.

If you practice yoga, you already know what I am talking about and if you don't, get yourself to a yoga class whether mine or somebody else's!

Take Care of yourself and remember to breathe. Make every breath count. Sometimes it's all you need, and the results are immediate. ♥

"When in doubt, breathe in breathe out" :):)

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.-Author Unknown

I wrote the little little story below for the Roundhouse recreation guide last fall and feel every bit as excited, thrilled and inspired to be getting back to the garden now. If you've been thinking about starting a garden, just do it!

Honestly, If I can do it anybody can..♥

If someone told me a year and a half ago that I would be growing my own food, I would never have believed it.The thought had honestly never occurred to me. Not once. Nobody in my family grew plants. I actually don’t recall seeing a single houseplant during my entire childhood!

At one of the yoga classes I teach, a participant (and now friend and garden buddy!) mentioned that she was getting on a list for a plot at a community garden in our neighborhood, and I found myself a little intrigued…

I decided to attend a garden meeting to find out what it was all about, and couldn’t believe that I got a plot right away! I was both scared and excited. I didn’t know a single thing about gardening. But you know what? It doesn’t matter! Having a garden is one of best things I have ever done. I couldn’t recommend it more highly, and the food couldn’t be more delicious! I am saving money, eating the most delicious organic food, and lightening my carbon footprint. I am also greatly enjoying being more involved in my community.

I am literally brimming with happiness over my garden.

The therapeutic benefits of gardening are absolutely endless, and well documented. Studies have shown that simply looking at a plant can reduce stress, and lower blood pressure. You get to engage all your senses, while getting out into the open air. It is also a mindful practice in which we are reminded about the cycle of life.

You could grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, or a combination of things. You could garden in your community with others, or you could garden on your window ledge, in containers, on your fire escape, rooftop, or even other people’s backyards.

I cannot recommend enough, growing your own food. There is such an incredible satisfaction in watching your garden grow.

And for children, the benefits are truly endless. Studies have shown that once kids see where their food comes from, they will make healthier food choices, while learning patience, self-sufficiency, self-esteem and environmental awareness.

There are countless resources out there for getting started, and people who know how to garden love to help and share their wisdom, and even they will admit that sometimes things don’t grow, or they die.

Oh well…just plant something else!

For me it’s all one big, fun, tasty experiment in which I get to play in the dirt and connect with the earth.

And the harvest? Now, That’s the best part!

a few pics of yaletown this past week.

Brand spankin' new daytime class starts tomorrow at Mt.Pleasant! Yeeeaaahhh....:)

Looking forward to an additional Daytime Hatha Yoga class starting up at Mt.Pleasant tomorrow! There is now a class on Monday and Wednesday from 1230-2oopm.

And there's still room!

(you can register or drop in for this class)

www.mountpleasantcc.ca

See ya there!