Hatha for Warriors Tuesdays

Tuesday is always Hatha for Warriors in my series, this refers to the warrior poses and the poses that can build from the base asanas of 1, 2 and 3.

Yesterday we focused on Warrior 2, extended side angle, the bind from extended side angle and then finished with the balance pose Bird of Paradise!

I am extraordinarily passionate about hatha yoga as it allows every body of every shape, size and ability to get in to a posture or its modified variation. We take time to breathe into a pose, find mindfulness, then adjust and align and allow each of us to really get to know our body and it's capabilities. You don't have to have done yoga before or be "flexible" as hatha yoga will always reward your decision to show up and try.

Wednesday is Happy Hips day in the hatha series and we will continue to play with Warrior 2 and its variations today.

See you on your mat at 930 or noon!
Namaste :)
Shawn

Hatha for Strength Fridays

Friday at 930am is Hatha for Strength in my weekly series, I know the name is a bit of a misnomer and may even scare off people looking to try their first class. I fully appreciate that sentiment! However, I chose the term to honour the yogi’s who consistently come through the door and grace our studio with their energy, breath and spirit.

Strength does not have to be defined as physical power or muscle, it could describe the incredible courage it took to make it through our door to your first class.
It could refer to the fortitude you required to ignore the urge to give yourself an excuse, leave behind the things you were doing and make time for your practice.
I also know that it takes strength to trust in a sitter for your young kids in order to make it to a class.

Most importantly, it describes the enormous energy it took some of you to just open your eyes and start another day. Life isn’t easy for most of us, anyone who knows me knows my struggles with OCD, anxiety and depression. For me, sometimes it takes literally everything I have to get up off the couch and do anything. There are days where it is a grind just to feed myself, let alone get dressed and find extra energy to make it to a class and practice. There is nothing easier than saying “maybe tomorrow”, I’m there with you and I know how often I’ve done it the last few years.

I admire every single one of you who has ever crossed our threshold and given us an opportunity to teach.
I would love to see your bravery on your mat today 😊

Namaste!
Shawn

Hatha for Balance Thursdays

Thursday morning is always the Balance day in my Hatha series at Lotus and Lettuce, we work towards finding balance between our bodies, our mindful awareness, our breath and our heartbeat; we work towards finding balance between our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems; and we work towards strengthening our balancing asanas. 

Come join me tomorrow at 930am or maybe come try the noon Energy Boost, either way I look forward to seeing you on your mat!
Namaste :)
Shawn