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" :):)