We are very excited to welcome Rositha, a certified reflexologist and alternative practitioner to the Stafford Street Hot Yoga family! Read on for more details about the wonderful healing coming to our Winnipeg hot yoga studio...

Message from Rositha, our new reflexologist

Happy New Year everyone!  This is the year for "changes".  One of the changes here at Stafford Street Hot Yoga is that I have joined the centre and am offering Reflexology, Thai Foot Massage and Flower Essence Consultations available on Mondays.  My name is Rositha and I am a Certified Reflexologist and a member of the Reflexology Association of Canada. I have been doing Reflexology for over 7 years and have also taken courses in Hand, Ear and Meridian Reflexology.  Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body through the application of pressure on reflexes in the foot.  I always think of Reflexology as an internal massage working on your organs, glands and various body parts.

The feet don't lie and if there is an imbalance in the body, it will show up in your feet. I also do Thai Foot Massage, which is similar to Reflexology but is more of a massage for the entire leg from the knee to the toes. It restores balance to the body/mind through the reflexes of the feet that are linked to the energy meridians.  It is a treatment for the lower legs and feet using massage, thumb-walking and a wooden stick to stimulate reflex points. It's very relaxing and good for circulation and moves stagnant energy from the body.  It is usually an hour and a half session.

My passion for the past 20 years is working with the flower and tree essences.  This is not essential oils, but vibrational energy medicine. There are no scents or smells, just the energetic life force of the flowers, trees, and herbs in the essences. We all have emotional "stuff" that we need to let go of and the essences are used to release the emotional and mental disharmony within us.  They are safe, non-addictive and will not interfere with medications.  They help support us emotionally in a safe, natural, holistic way.  Depending on your specific issues, a remedy bottle can be made up just for you and whatever it is you are going through and it's taken in water or on your tongue on a daily basis.  The essences have been around for over 80 years and are a great way to help us move through and support our emotions.  Particularly now, in 2012, we need to keep our own vibration high.

If you'd like to book an appointment with me on Mondays at Stafford Street Hot Yoga, please call me at 792-8723.

A Reflexology session is $45, Thai Foot Massage is $55 and a Flower Essence Consultation including the remedy bottle is $45.  All taxes are included.

For the month of January I am offering a discount of 10% on Reflexology and Thai Foot Massage. In addition, I have a yoga blend essence that is normally $20 a bottle and I will discount that 15%.

If you have any questions, please email me at rositha@mymts.net or check out my website www.rositha.ca

Denis Marion is the male winner of our Bikram testimonial contest. He scored an unlimited 3 months membership at SSHY. Congrats Denis on your incredible progress. We appreciate you sharing your journey!

Bikram yoga testimonial - Denis Marion

I’m guessing you have all heard the saying, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Not that I like comparing myself to a book; however, this saying is very accurate when it comes to my physical story. On the outside the story looks pretty darn good; however, once you get past the cover, the inside tells you a very different story. All the abuse my body had been through over the past three decades; bodybuilding for over 30 years and employed as a Winnipeg Firefighter for 20 plus years, had finally taken its toll on me.

In October, 2009 on my way back home from a chiropractor’s appointment, for some reason I decided to drive down Stafford Street. Sitting in traffic, I happened to look over to my right and I saw the sign for Stafford Street Hot Yoga. Living with daily, chronic pain can leave a person feeling beaten, tired and frustrated and that is exactly how I felt when I made the decision to turn into the parking lot to check this yoga place out. I had tried just about everything else, so why not Bikram yoga?

I was greeted at the front desk by two gentlemen, Todd and Kevin, who took the time to explain what SSHY was about and what I could expect by attending classes. After Kevin gave me a tour of the facility, I immediately made the decision to try it out for a week before committing to anything long term. The next day, I showed up and as a matter of fact, I ended up going 5 days out of 7 in that very first week.
It was very difficult in the beginning, but at the same time something inside of me was telling me this was the right thing to do. I decided to start buying 10 and 20 visit packages, only because I was not sure how many days per month I could commit to attending regular classes. I started to arrive early before my class, read the books in the lounge area and would often get tips from Amanda and all the Bikram instructors to help me with areas I was struggling with.

When I started taking classes my body was like a board. No flexibility and barely any range of motion. I was in a lot of pain from head to toe. Past injuries included dislocated shoulders, broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons everywhere in my body. Doctors have said that had it not been for all the muscles I had built up over the years, I should have been seriously injured or dead by now.  To heal both mind and body I have tried everything from therapies, massage, reading, chiropractors, and herbalists. With trying all of these different methods I would only receive temporary relief; however, since doing hot yoga my visits to these practitioners have become less and less.

My overall health, just like for most us, is very important to me. There are many other things I do to ensure I live a healthy lifestyle, but since introducing yoga into my routine I have a new lease on life. When I think back to how I felt physically and emotionally when I first walked through the doors of SSHY the transformation has been unbelievable. I can proudly say for the first time in over 20 years, I’m living a pain-free life. I feel younger, energized and ALIVE!

I have been with SSHY for over two years and the journey has not been easy. I had to endure a lot of pain in order to heal my old injuries just like Amanda said I would experience. She kept my hope alive by encouraging me to work and push past the pain in order to heal the deep-rooted injuries. I know there are other yoga studios throughout our city, but making that decision to drive down Stafford was the best decision I could have ever made for myself and for my overall well-being. Why would I want to go anywhere else? The staff and studio are first rate. The people who attend are great. The location is ideal. Yoga is not only great for your body, but it does wonders for your mind and soul. To be able to release the stress from our everyday lives, I believe that if more people gave yoga an honest and committed effort there would be a lot less people dealing with serious health issues. Take it from me. I’m living proof of that.

Namaste ~ Denis Marion

Standing Bow Pulling Pose - Dandayamana-Dhanurasana

Standing Bow Pulling pose is the sixth posture in the Bikram Yoga series. It is directly after Standing Head to Knee Pose, so before you set up, breathe deeply to recover and prepare for the demands of this posture.

The set up is vital in all the Bikram postures but in Bow the set up is often the most challenging aspect. Many students have difficulty reaching their foot and bringing the knees together to start. This is most often due to tight hip flexors and/or quadriceps. These muscles are commonly tight on athletes and non-athletes alike; so don’t be discouraged if you have difficulty. Remember that you should “never build a house on a weak foundation”. Be patient and set the posture up properly.

The most common error I see in Bow is students allowing their ego to get the best of them. Leave your ego at the door and do the posture with your best form and alignment; depth will come with time.  Bikram says, “Take the time to get yourself firmly grounded and set on your standing leg before you bring your body forward and down. When you begin to move, take your time and stay in control. The most important advice I can give you here is don’t be in a hurry to dive into this position.”

When you enter the posture, stretch forward and kick back equally and simultaneously 50/50. “In one solid piece from the hips to the fingertips, roll forward like a wheel until your abdomen is parallel to the floor.”  Lock your standing knee and “let the power of the kick do the work”. Watch for your bent knee in the mirror. If you see it peek out to the side of your body, bring it back into alignment, straight back and up. Do not let your knee “wing” out to the side. If you can see your knee it should be above your head in the mirror. Most humans will be happy to see their foot above their head but make sure it is in the centre of your head when you see it. Stretch your fingers forward toward the mirror and try to “touch your eyebrow, not your chin, not your nose”. Encouraging words from Craig Villani.

If you fall out of Bow (and sometimes you will), try to get back into the posture, but be sure to set it up again from the beginning. Don’t rush! Personally, I use the first set for endurance, adjustments and alignment, so I don’t try for my “edge” in the first set. In the second set, I push myself to that “edge” and work on greater depth.

Benefits of the Bikram Standing Bow Pose:

•    Standing Bow moves the blood from one side of the body to the other, then back again.
•    It develops balance, increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and firms the abdominal wall and upper thighs.
•    It improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine.
•    Standing Bow builds patience, determination and concentration.

Enjoy Bow Pulling Pose! ~Todd

Get your Friday off on the right foot at SSHY...

Following the 6am & 9:30am classes every Friday, enjoy a delicious breakfast with Sarah at Ume's Kitchen. Watch her whip up an energizing & satisfying start to your day.

Delicious porridge accompanied with apples, roasted seeds and maple syrup.

Vegan and low fat.

Price is $5 (tax included). Cash or Kitchen Cards only please.

Image source: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Best way to cleanse your body from its 
holiday indulgences!

No need to count calories, losing weight and feeling great can be much 

easier than you think.  All you have to do is get in the hot room, and

everything will come to you!

You can burn up to 800-1000 calories per class if you give your 

110% effort! Just think of it!

When: January 2-29 (4 weeks)

Cost: Regular $99.99 + GST, + $50 cash deposit

          Student: $89.99 + GST, + $45 cash deposit

To complete the challenge, yogis must attend 

one class per day, for 6 days a week, for 4 weeks. 

That's ONE day off per week, no doubles please.  

Kalee and Tannis will be serving remedies on sundays 

at UME''s Kitchen, however they are not included in this 

challenge, if you decide to have them though, you will feel 

even more improved and vibrant from the inside out!!!

Failure to complete the challenge you lose 
your deposit, so SET YOUR INTENTION for SUCCESS!

***

BONUS! Yogis who complete the challenge are entitled to 

"keep the sweat flowing!" by exchanging their deposit

for a consecutive month of 
unlimited membership (January 30-Feb. 29. 2012)

That's a whole month for only $50 

($45 for students)!!!

Please sign up with our lovely receptionists at the front desk!  

See you on the mat!