Monday, October 16, 2017

Yoga Class Updates!


I hope everyone has been enjoying this nice fall weather.

I know winter is upon us though and have been working on my Winter 2018 schedule.
It should be posted in the near future.

I wanted to just send out a few reminders of current classes, upcoming classes and workshops and let you know about a NEW Class starting in November and a SPECIAL CLASS in October and December.

This special class in December is  "Winter Celebration - Yoga for Relaxation".  It will be in Christopher Lake on December 13th.  I know December is a busy month, but don't forget about restoring your inner peace!  It can also be a nice evening out with friends and family.
Please see the poster for more details.

Also, I will be teaching a new regular Saturday class at Yoga Sublime Studio - Yoga for Backs and Joints.  Currently this is a pre-registered class only.  If interested first class is on November 4th and will be only $5 for the first class.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to register for classes.
Thank you!
Pamela Nelson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor





Please see Yoga Schedule and posters below.

I also offer Private to Semi-private lessons available at my home studio or I am available to teach youth classes, classes for businesses, workshops, retreats at other locations.
 - Call me as I am open to making yoga accessible to all!
 
++Classes are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.++

 Fall Classes 2017
 
  

Please note location of classes.

Monday's: Christopher Lake at Anderson Community Complex - See Poster below for details
9:00-10:30a.m. - Iyengar A.M. All Levels
 
Tuesday's:
10:15-11:30a.m. - Iyengar A.M. All Levels -Yoga Sublime
12:05-12:55p.m. - Noon Yoga -  Forest Centre

5:30-7:00p.m. - Iyengar All Levels -  Yoga Sublime
7:15-8:15p.m. - Iyengar Basic/Level 1 -  Yoga Sublime

Wednesday's: Christopher Lake at Anderson Community Complex - See Poster below for details
7:00-8:30p.m. - Iyengar Evening All Levels -  Christopher Lake

Wednesday Special Classes:
October 25th - Yoga to Raise Your Vibration
December 13th - Winter Celebration - Yoga for Relaxation
*see posters below
 
Thursday's: Yoga Sublime
5:30-6:45p.m. - Gentle/Restorative Yoga

Saturday's: Yoga Sublime
9:00-10:15a.m. - A.M. Eye Opener
10:30-11:45a.m. - Yoga for Backs and Joints - new class begins Nov.4th - 1st class $5
 
1:30-4:30p.m. - Yoga From the Core workshop - November 25th - see poster below
10:30-Noon - Yoga For: Necks, Shoulders, Backs and Knees - September 23rd, 30th & October 14th &21st (see poster below)
 

 Fall Workshops and Retreats







 

Friday, October 13, 2017

What is Iyengar Yoga?


Here is some brief information I found on Iyengar Yoga.
 
 
 
What is Iyengar Yoga? 

The Iyengar approach to yoga is firmly based on the traditional eight limbs of yoga expounded by Patanjali in his classic treatise, The Yoga Sutras, written over 2,500 years go. It is a disciplined and deeply research system developed over 75 years by Yogacharya BKS Iyengar who practiced daily for many hours at a time during his 96 years – exploring, studying, writing and teaching about yoga.

Yoga means union. The union of the individual soul with the Universal Spirit is yoga. But this is too abstract a notion to be easily understood, so for our level of understanding I say that yoga is the union of body with the mind and of mind with the soul”. – BKS Iyengar, Tree of Yoga.

What is unique about Iyengar Yoga is that it is characterized in the practice of asana (poses) and pranayama (breathwork) with the innovative approach emphasizing precision and alignment, planned sequencing, timing and the use of props. This approach has allowed people of varying ages, levels of health and fitness to enjoy the benefits which a sustained practice can bring – the ability to face the physical, mental and emotional challenges contemporary life with strength, vitality, mobility, thoughtfulness and equanimity.

The term “Iyengar Yoga” was coined by students of Mr. Iyengar to distinguish Guruji’s approach from other styles of yoga. He, however, described his yoga as “Patanjali Yoga” and said:

“I have no right to brand my practices or teachings as Iyengar Yoga. My pupils, who follow me, call it Iyengar Yoga. The only thing I am doing is to bring out the in-depth, the hidden qualities of Yoga to the awareness of you all. What I do is pure, authentic traditional Yoga. It is wrong to differentiate traditional yoga Iyengar Yoga, as it is also not fair to brand Yoga, as Raja-yoga, Hatha-yoga, Laya-yoga, Kundalini-yoga, Taraka-yoga and so forth. There is no distinction between one Yoga and another. Yoga, is one.”

Guruji, BKS Iyengar, wrote many books and articles on yoga. A good place to start is with the introduction to Light on Yoga (considered a modern classic about yoga) first published in 1966.  
What to expect from this method of yoga?

·         Qualified and rigorously trained instructors committed to excellence in teaching.

·         A safe and systematic progression of yoga postures to develop each student’s ability and skill, both within each class and from class to class.

·         Sequencing that develops strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration, and body alignment.

·         Individual correction and knowledge of how to adjust postures for common physical problems.

·         Precise use of language.

·         Demonstration and teaching of specific points to develop understanding and intelligent action.

·         Integration of the yoga philosophy with the practice of asana.

·         Incorporation and relevance of practice into daily life.

·         Ways to use yoga to ease various ailments and stress.

·         Use of props, such as blankets, blocks, and straps, to facilitate learning and adjust yoga postures to individual needs.

What are props and why are they used?

B.K.S. Iyengar refined the use of props in the practice of yoga to allow all practitioners access to the benefits of the postures regardless of physical condition, age, or length of study. Props can be used to:

·         Create optimal body alignment.

·         Make specific actions or poses accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to perform the posture due to physical limitations.

·         Help adjust or support the practitioner to work in a range of motion that is safe and effective.

·         Instruct, or highlight a particular quality, action, or aspect of a yoga posture to enhance personal understanding of a posture and its effects.

·         Help all practitioners (including the most advanced) gain sensitivity to the balance of effort and relaxation in the postures.

·         Provide support so that the practitioner can receive the deep benefits of holding a posture for significant time periods.

·         Enhance the restorative or therapeutic qualities of a posture.

Props include sticky mats, blankets, belts, blocks, chairs, benches, wall ropes, sandbags, and other objects that help students experience the various yoga poses more profoundly.
 

 
 
Interested in classes? I teach group and private classes. Please contact me for more details.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
 
 
 

Friday, October 6, 2017

Working From the Heart - My Journey with Yoga


Image result for bks iyengar quote on work




Hi!  My name is Pamela Nelson.  I am a full- time mother and student and a yoga teacher.  My training is through the Iyengar system and I currently hold a Intermediate Junior II Iyengar Certification.

My journey is nothing amazing compared to many I hear about.  I'm a pretty average person, living a pretty average life and in some ways I think that's what for me makes it an important story to tell.  Even if it's just to myself. :)
I think often when stories don't have the made for movie drama it can makes us feel unworthy and unimportant, and we continue to tell ourselves this.

As I was thinking about what to share what really became relevant and why I decided to post this was the amount of effort that others - from my close family and friends to people that don't know me well - have gone to too help me get where I am today.  For this I have much gratitude.

When did my journey with yoga start? Not sure I can truly say but I do remember my mom going to classes for awhile and we had a Kareen Zebroff book that I still have.

I was into sports, aerobics, swimming and running through most of school and university.  I ran and cycled in a few races and stretched more because I was pretty tight from all the running.  I picked up my first yoga book when I started living up in a remote area as I felt I needed to get more flexible.  Being an hour from any city that might offer any type of fitness classes I turned to books and videos.  Although I didn't really know what Iyengar yoga was I was somehow drawn to the books and videos with those teachers.  Being young and growing up in the era no pain, no gain it was hard to initially grasp the depth yoga offered even though I knew I always felt better after.

Although I was doing some yoga, it wasn't until I had my first child that I realized yoga was giving me so much more than flexibility. 

My neighbor taught yoga classes and she asked me to assist her for some local classes.  It was scary!  When we moved to Christopher Lake I started teaching the classes here.  I would spend about 10 hours getting ready for a one hour class once a week!  I knew I wanted more training and I knew it needed to be longer than a weekend.  I kept seeing the ad for the training at JNS Yoga studio and honestly still not truly understanding what Iyengar yoga was.  I put it off for awhile until my husband said, if you don't do it now you never will. I was pregnant with our third child.  Really what was I thinking! 

Image result for bks iyengar quote on work
 
Becoming a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor is one of those things that if someone was to tell you how much work, time, money, travel, stress, time away, etc. it would be you probably would think it sounded like way to much work and not start at all.  But I have kids, so I understand all this..:)

This is my Introductory I and II Certification.
I spent about five years preparing for the assessment for this initial certification.  I took my teacher training in Saskatoon at JNS Yoga Studio with the wonderful teacher Jo-ann Sutherland.  I spent two years going back one weekend a month for the teacher training.  My son was just a baby and still nursing so my husband would come meet me at my lunch break so I could feed him. A weekend in Saskatoon meant a weekend for us all.  My mom helped with babysitting also during these times.
I spent many other weekends going back for workshops, extra classes and to monitor and assist in classes.  I also went for training in Victoria, Edmonton and Calgary in those first five years.
This first assessment also involves a written exam.
My first assessment was in Edmonton, Albert at the Family Yoga Centre.  I passed!  What a relief.

The assessment involves the assessors monitoring your personal practice during a timed 2 hour practice. Then over the next two days you must teach 6 poses to students while being marked.  You don't know what poses until 40 minutes before so you have to know your syllabus.

My next assessment was my Intermediate Junior I.
It also was in Edmonton.  There is often a few choices and you can be on a list from 1-3 years waiting for a spot to be assessed. The application for assessment is also a process in itself as you have to have your senior teachers sign for you that they feel you are ready for this assessment.  You also have to wait a year or so before you can go for your next assessment.
So I travelled over the next few years for training and to the Annual General Meetings that the Iyengar Association of Canada hosts every year.   I went to Saskatoon numerous times, Edmonton, Toronto, Victoria and India.


My next certification is my Intermediate Junior II.
I had to go to Toronto for this. During the years preparing I went to Edmonton quite a few times as you need a senior teacher to recommend you.  I went to India and studied at the Iyengar institute. I went to Vancouver and Victoria for training.  This assessment also required a written exam.  We are given a month to complete, with questions ranging from asana, pranayama, working with some injuries, pregnancies, etc.
I thankfully passed.  I was sick the few days before the assessment so really wasn't sure how I would do.

I am now preparing to go hopefully in the near future for my Intermediatie Junior III certification.  It has been harder to get away for training although I have gone to Edmonton, Montreal and Kelowna.
I am also hoping to go to India again next year but life does happen so it has been postponed from this year. 

I have taken classes and training from amazing teachers: Jo-ann Sutherland, Judith Mirus, Ingelise Nherlan, Devki Desai, Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh, Raya, Geeta Iyengar, Prashant Iyengar, Raslaxmi, Lois Steinberg, Carrie Owerko, Shirley Daventry French, Leslie Hogya, Ann Kilbertus, Louie Ettling, Mayhar Raz , Marlene Marwhinny, Krisna Zawaduk plus many more like the great teachers in my training whom I've learnt so much from too.

For each certification I put in many, many hours at home preparing, teaching in classes, etc.

So you can see this endeavor is not just mine.  My family is deeply involved and committed to helping me go and do what I need to do.  As well IYAC - Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada is committed to helping teachers get the certifications they need by training assessors and offering assessments.  Also the many dedicated training senior teachers that put in many extra hours to help us be prepared and are often assessors themselves.  This mean extra travel for them too and time away.

My dreams do include persuing higher levels of certification, going to India more regularly to learn from the Iyengars and maybe be a training teacher and assessor one day. 

But today you can see that I truly work from my heart to continue to pass along the teaching of yoga and I will continue to work from the heart as I know all of you are with me on this journey.  I feel grateful to you all and wanted to say share this on Thanksgiving weekend. Happy Thanksgiving.


Image result for bks iyengar quote on work

Ultreya - Moving forward with Courage
Pamela Nelson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor






Wednesday, October 4, 2017

More Fall Classes - Christopher Lake Yoga

I am happy to say I will be extending the yoga session in Christopher Lake into December.
If you would like to attend classes please feel contact me to register or for more information.

I am also hosting a Special Class - Yoga to Raise Your Vibration. The poster is below. Please register with payment by October 11th!




Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Interested in Classes? - Here is a little About Me


My name is Pamela Nelson.  I live in Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan on a small acreage with my family.

I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years.  I started in my early 20's, and my intention at that time was to use yoga as a way to increase flexibility after long runs or bike rides.  I quickly realized how beneficial it was to not only my strength and flexibility, but also my mental well-being.  I love the openness yoga brings to the body and the quietness to the mind.  I have found it helps with confidence and personal self acceptance. 

I completed my degree in Land Use and Environmental Studies and Physical Geography from the University of Saskatchewan at around the same time I started yoga and find that yoga has helped me keep a deep connection to the earth and keep focused on the health of the earth and how amazing it is in the many ways it provides for us. 


I am so grateful to be learning the Iyengar style of yoga from many wonderful instructors. 


I am a member of the Iyengar Association of  Canada (IYAC) and certified as an Intermediate Junior II Instructor at the national level.
I regularly attends Iyengar yoga classes, workshops and intensives held by senior international IY teachers, including travelling to Pune, India to study with the Iyengar family in 2013 and have been accepted to return in 2018.
I have also completed a Yoga for Trauma training in 2016.




 
I am dedicated to lifelong learning and committed to sharing my training and experience with students of yoga.
I teach all level of classes including Beginner, All-levels, Intermediate, Iyengar Flow, Gentle/Restorative, Backs and Joints, Senior/Modified and Youth and Kids. 
 
My teaching style is clear, pragmatic and direct yet filled with gentle humor and joy.
 
I have been teaching in Prince Albert and area for many years at various locations. I have taught in quite a few of the schools in Prince Albert as well as for various companies.

I feel I am adaptable to many situations, yet teach from what I know and try to share this as best I can.  I love teaching yoga in a way that is accessible to all and to continue as is often said, In the Light of Guruji's work.

Pamela Nelson
Christopher Lake, Sk.
Canada
306-981-4703

email: plnyogastudio@gmail.com