Many of you have been hearing the word Ayurveda (ah-yer-vey-duh) being used in and around the studio over the last couple months and some of you may have been familiar with it before.  Many may not be aware of the connection and expansive history that Yoga and Ayurveda share.   

The two go hand in hand and are the ancient life disciplines that have been practiced in India for thousands of years. 

* Yoga is the science of union with the Divine, and Ayurveda is the science of life 

* Ayurveda is the healing side of Yoga, and Yoga is the spiritual tradition from which Ayurveda emerged 

* Through Yoga one prepares for a healthy mind and through Ayurveda one prepares for a healthy body 

* Yoga helps with enlightenment and Ayurveda helps with perfect health 

Yoga and Ayurveda originate from the Vedic traditions of India, and both are a means of gaining and maintaining better health.  

Yoga is a spiritual science of self-development and self-realization through a wide range of methods that span from physical postures, breathing exercises, mantra and meditation all based on the philosophy of living a natural life. 

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India and like yoga covers a wide array of health practices including diet, herbs, exercise, bodywork, detoxification programs and life-style management regimens that relate to our unique individual constitution and laws of nature. 

Yoga and Ayurveda are two complementary systems of maintaining health and human development.  They were developed by the legendary rishis or holy men, who understood the laws of the universe and the inner workings of the cosmos that hold the key to transformation of the Self. 

Join Amanda, Tannis and myself for a little bit of extra love on Valentine’s Day. We will be delivering delicious food and beverages made with love onTuesday, February 14th following the 5pm & 7pm classes. 

The tasty Valentine's Day menu includes Wheat-free Chocolate Almond cookies, Macrobiotic Ume Papita Stuffed Rice Balls (What the heck are those you ask? Come on down & see for yourself!), and Tannis' Special Quenching Coconut Lassie Drink. There will also be a healthy Ayurvedic Mung Dahl meal for purchase if you would like to complete your day in a delicious & nutritious way. Cash only please.

I will also be here at SSHY for our upcoming monthly open house Sundays (First one - Sunday, Feb. 26th!) for questions on treatments (ayurvedic facials, body work, diet counselling etc.) or even to share a cup of delicious tea that I have prepared for you!  I will be involved in the April Yoga challenge which promises to be the first of it’s kind with a plethora of goodies built in to the challenge to help set you up for the best health you ‘ve felt in years!

Stay tuned for videos and monthly blogs from myself, Amanda and Tannis on recipes, treatments, and how to make ayurveda a part of your daily rountine and lifestyle. 

Sincerely,

Kalee Mund

Send us your fave pic of you or others doing a Bikram yoga pose somewhere in our beautiful wintery Winnipeg to enter!

The winner will score a 1-month unlimited membership and will be featured in our February newsletter. (If you're not on the list, sign up for email updates here).

Submissions must be received by January 10th. Deadline has been extended to January 30th, 2012. Get snapping :)

Image source: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

All of us here at Stafford Street Hot Yoga would like to offer a big congratulations to the 26 Bikram challengers who finished on November 22nd.

We are so proud of you for getting so many Bikram classes under your belt. We bet your bodies are rejoicing too!  

A special shout-out goes to Danielle Marion (she's doing triangle pose on the left).

She did not take a single day off throughout the challenge. And no, she's not a seasoned hot yoga veteran - she had only come to two Bikram classes at the studio before signing up for the challenge! Talk about inspiring...way to go Danielle :)

Why not get your muchkins on Bikram's healing path early? Our special kids classes, starting Oct 16th, are the perfect way to introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of hot yoga.

The classes are 45 minutes, and the room is warm (not hot!). Here are all the details:

Oct. 16th - Nov. 20th (Sundays)

12:30pm - 1:15pm

Ages 6-13

6 sessions @ $42 + GST

20 kids max

Call (204.452.7412) or visit the studio to sign up. Space is limited!

The next 30 Day Challenge is on! October 24-November 22

Even if you have never tried this yoga before, you CAN do a yoga challenge!  It will change your life in just 30 days!  You won't believe the benefits!  Go ahead, sign up and feel for yourself!!!

***If you have any health concerns or questions, feel free to come in a talk to us about it, we want to help you!

The details:

• Participants will be allowed 2 days grace in this challenge. Challengers have 2 days that they don't have to come, for times when they absolutely can't make class. No doubles (doing 2 class in one day to make up for a missed class) are not allowed .
• Challenge is $100 plus tax , $90 plus tax for students PLUS a $50 cash only deposit to reserve your space. The deposit will be returned upon successful completion of the challenge.
• Space is limited - Maximum 30 people may sign up for challenge.

*BONUS - all challengers also get to savour and enjoy 1 ayurvedic remedy every Sunday with Kalee Mund.  These remedies will enhance sensations of healing throughout your body.  Kalee is an Apprentice Herbalist at Hollow Reed Holistic. She studied Eastern religions, Vedic philosophy, History and Yoga at the University of Manitoba and then went on to training in Ayurveda through the Kerala Ayurveda Academy. We are thrilled to have Kalee sharing her passion for holistic healing with our challengers!

Ayurvedic Remedies will be available for purchase to non challengers at Ume's Kitchen on Sundays as well. Get more details about Kaylee and her healing here.

Any questions, you know where to find us... (front desk, info@staffordstreethotyoga.com, 204.452.7412, Facebook)