Yoga On-The-Go

For those times when it feels like all you've got is 10 minutes... We don't always have time to take an hour and a half class at a studio, but those hectic days are usually the times we need it the most. Here's a short yoga practice filmed while we were on vacation in the Bahamas. The gorgeous beach and ocean always leave me feeling inspired... Hope this video helps keep you centered on those busy days.

5 Minute Office Yoga Break

A short and sweet routine for the office.
http://centredeyoga.netfirms.com/Podcast/PODCAST5MIN.mp3

Veggie Scraps turned Veggie Stock

During the summers Jason and I compost all our kitchen scraps in our outdoor compost bin. By the end of the summer, the bin is full, and as winter sets in, it is difficult to get to, so we stop composting for the season. I have been feeling so guilty every time we throw kitchen scraps in the garbage (unfortunately the fruits and veggies won't turn into compost in the garbage dump due to lack of oxygen, and being mixed with battery acid, diapers, plastic, etc). I've been meaning to start worm composting indoors, but have yet to get around to making the space and buying a box (I also feel there's no way a small bin is going to be able to handle all the veggie scraps we create!). After chatting with Tara (one of our lovely receptionists) about it, she suggested we save all our scraps in the freezer and when I have enough, turn it into veggie stock... brilliant!

Since I'm home sick today, and veggie stock seems to be one of the only things I've been able to eat, I figured now was the perfect time to test it out. I checked out Jae Steele's Get it Ripe cookbook for a recipe, dumped everything into a pot and let it simmer... super easy! In the meantime I decided to try the Immune Boast Juice... I clearly don't have the right blender, as this turned into more of a meal rather than a juice (probably not the right thing for my upset belly anyway).

The veggie stock turned out amazing! I feel proud to have made it from scratch and am excited to use it in recipes. After watching the movie Food Inc on the weekend, I feel extra inspired to try new food options, start worm composting, and go a little more out of my way to buy local & organic. If you haven't already seen this movie, I highly recommend it!

One of Jason's friends once painted me a picture of a pig for my birthday. When he gave it to me, he said it made him think of me because it was wholesome. Although I was skeptical at first, I still feel like it was an amazing compliment.

Oma's Secret to Happiness

Over the holidays I chatted with my Grandmother about life, love and happiness. At 96 years old, she has lots of experience, and is an inspiration to myself, and to anyone who's ever met her. We have a picture of her doing the plank pose (at 91 years old) posted up at the studio, people are constantly looking at this photo in awe and amazement. When I pass this info on to my grandmother, she always says "what's the big deal, it's just plank pose". I love her determination and strength! I think everyone could benefit from some words of wisdom from my Oma, so I caught some of it on video... (Oma is dutch for grandmother)

Detox Playlist

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Detox Workshop! The effort, determination and energy in the room was amazing! I had some requests for the playlist, so here it is...

Mangalam (Chillums At Dawn Remix) [Remixed By Sean Dinsmore] 5:14 Prem Joshua
Hey World (Remote Control Version) 4:17 Michael Franti & Spearhead All Rebel Rockers (Bonus Track Version)
Ease Off The Liquor 5:58 Timbaland Presents Shock Value II Active 80 6
Sometimes 4:06 Michael Franti & Spearhead Stay Human Hip-Hop/Rap 80 6
Toxic 3:27 Britney Spears
Everybody Ona Move 5:49 Michael Franti & Spearhead Yell Fire!
Marchin' On (Timbaland Remix) Feat. OneRepublic 4:12 Timbaland Presents Shock Value II R&B 80 3
Wicked Are Good 4:28 Wade Imre Morissette Strong As Diamonds
Walking On A Dream 3:19 Empire Of The Sun Walking On A Dream Electronic
Obama Song (feat. SoliLLaquists of Sound, Cherine Anderson & Anthony B) 4:09 Michael Franti & Spearhead
Let´s twist again 2:22 Chubby Checker Let´s twist again Rock & Roll
Piece Of Me 3:32 Britney Spears Blackout Dance 80 2
You Dont Know How It Feels 4:43 Tom Petty Wildflowers
Paper Planes 3:26 M.I.A. Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack Soundtrack
Forever 4:38 Chris Brown Now 71
Bob Marley - Red Red Wine 5:21 Bob Marley
U.K. Girls (lets get physical mix) 4:49 Goldfrapp
Love 2:43 Air Love 2
Here Comes The Sun 3:20 asana OHM Shanti
Study War 4:18 Moby 07/10/2009 9:31 AM Wait for Me
Hallelujah (feat. Charlie Sexton) 4:16 Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris Hope for Haiti Now
Killing The Blues 4:17 Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Raising Sand
OM-Harmonisation 11:08 Patrick Torre Universel OM-Le Mantra Des Mantras New Age

February Luna-Tox: We'll be detoxing all month long with our regular classes, plus you can take the 28 day challenge, or the Tasty Life Cleanse.

Sumptuous Scandinave Spa

After a late night out with the girls, I spent the perfect Sunday afternoon with Bram and Laurel at the Scandinave Spa. Walking into the Scandinave you feel like you are stepping into a completely different zone; a place of total relaxation. The spa is based on the aged-old European tradition know as 'thermotherapy', or the hot & cold baths.

After changing into our bathing suits, we headed to the hot steam sauna. This is a circular room with three different levels of seating. It is so steamy in here you feel like you are inside a cloud, it has a really dreamy effect. We sweated it out for 10 or 15 minutes and then went for the ice cold rain shower - extremely intense, but the after effects are amazing. After doing a round of hot-cold, you are meant to relax, so we headed to the 'relaxation room'. We plopped ourselves down on the giant bean bag cushions and lay there with our bodies tingling (it almost feels like an opium den).

We finally peeled ourselves off the cushions and headed to the dry sauna. This is a gorgeous, wood-filled space that smells like yummy evergreens. The heat feels so good, it easily melts away any stress or tension. We followed up the heat with a quick dip in the icy, cold bath. My advice for the cold bath is: don't think about it, just do it!

Back in the relaxation room, we got some smoothies and snacks from the 'bar', and stretched back out on another giant cushion.

The third hot station is the hydro-jet bath. It's a warm pool surrounded with jets on the sides, and water pouring down the walls. The best part is the waterfall. If you sit right under it, you get an amazing shoulder and neck massage.

The whole experience is really special. It leaves you feeling relaxed and blissful. We forget sometimes, to slow down and take care of ourselves. Somehow it doesn't seem to be at the top of our priority list, yet our well-being is so important in all aspects of our lives. Instead of taking care of ourselves, we often wait till something goes wrong, and then we try to fix it. I think the secret to good health and well-being is to appreciate our bodies and to take care of ourselves. We spend money on our houses and cars, why wouldn't we spend it on our own bodies?

As part of our Detox Month, we're offering a Detox Yoga Flo Workshop with access to the Scandinave at 20% off. Plus you can participate in our 28 day challenge, or check out Myrite's Cleanse.

Yoga in the Beautiful Bahamas

For the past couple of years, Jason and I have been traveling to the beautiful Bahamas. There are said to be 365 islands in the Bahamas (one for each day of the year). Each visit we have been exploring a different island; this year we visited Long Island. We rented a small cottage right on the ocean.

Our days consisted of lots of beach walking, relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. In the mornings I practiced yoga outside on our back porch facing the sun and listening to the sound of the ocean. It was so beautiful and inspirational, I had the feeling of being completely free and totally connected to nature. During the day we walked on deserted beaches and often sat and watched the waves. In the evening we star-gazed, and were lucky enough to be there during the full moon.

When I'm in Montreal I often forget to look up (especially when there's icy sidewalks... I'm so focused on not falling, I'll forget to look up for days), but in the Bahamas it's impossible not to notice the stars and the moon. The sky is so big, and the stars are so close it feels like you could almost reach out and touch them. You look in one direction and see miles of aqua blue ocean, and then in other: beach, coral, and green vegetation. In the city we are surrounded by so many man-made things that it can be easy to get disconnected with nature, but in a place like the Bahamas nature is so in-your-face, and so beautiful, that you immediately have this feeling of being smaller... in a good way.

The earth, and all the animals, are often seen as 'ours' to use, as 'resources' for humans, but in fact we are just one of many species that are a part of this incredible earth. Being on a small, remote island puts you at the mercy of mother nature (power outages, rugged roads, tides, wind and waves) and island pace (the friendliest, kindest people... but a much slower way of life... takes some getting used to, but we love it).

On our flight home, as we were coming in for landing, I looked down and thought at first that it looked like a scene from a depressing futuristic movie, where everything was gray, cold and deserted, but after spending a couple days back in Montreal, and visiting our parents in Hudson, I am seeing the beauty in the winter wonderland; the sound of the snow crunching under boots, the sight of our breath, and the coziness of bundling up. The beauty of nature is all around us. Going away allows us to see it in a new light, and gives a renewed appreciation for our surroundings and our lives.

We reopen the studio today. I'm excited to see everyone and to bring some Bahamas energy to Montreal!