June Yoga in the Park

All of these are free offerings. Open to everyone, beginners welcome, no need to pre-register. 

30 min standing yoga practice (no mat needed). 

Sundays, June 9 and June 23

Yoga at 9:00 am
Bowen Park Amphitheatre (by Duck Pond) 
Free parking available in upper lot or close to duck pond 
Duck Pond Google Map or Bowen Park Map

May Yoga in the Park

All of these are free offerings. Open to everyone, beginners welcome, no need to pre-register. 

Each offering is two back-to-back classes (30 min Yoga, 30 min Meditation). Come to either one, or both.

Yoga will be a 30 min standing practice (no mat needed). Meditation will be seated. There will be benches available to sit on, or you can sit on the ground. You may want to bring a mat, blanket or cushion for comfort. 

Sunday, May 12

Yoga at 9:00 am, Meditation at 9:30 am
Bowen Park Amphitheatre (by Duck Pond) 
Free parking available in upper lot or close to duck pond 
Duck Pond Google Map or Bowen Park Map

Sunday, May 26

Yoga at 9:00 am, Meditation at 9:30 am
Maffeo Sutton Park - in the grassy area out from the Pavilion
Parking is free on the weekend
Maffeo Sutton map

April Yoga in the Park

All of these are free offerings, everyone is welcome. Open to everyone. Pre-register by text or email. Drop-ins welcome, but class will proceed when all registered participants have arrived. 

For April Yoga we will continue with standing practices, no mat needed.

Please dress for the weather. 

Sunday, April 7

When: 9:30 am
Where: Bowen Park Amphitheatre (by Duck Pond) 
What: 30 min Yoga - all standing (no mat needed)
Free parking available in upper lot or close to duck pond 
Duck Pond Google Map or Bowen Park Map

Sunday, April 21

When: 9:30 am
Where: Top of Pioneer Waterfront Plaza - meet at the Bastion 
What: 30 min Yoga - all standing (no mat needed)
Street parking free on weekend or parkades available
Bastion Map

March Yoga in the Park

All of these are free offerings, everyone is welcome. Just show up, no need to pre-register. For March Yoga we will continue with standing practices. Once the weather improves we will look at bringing our mats and adding some ground work. 

Please dress for the weather. In the event of heavy rain, the intent will be to meet and then proceed in nearby sheltered options. 

Saturday, March 16

When: 9:30 am
Where: Bowen Park Amphitheatre (by Duck Pond) 
What: 30 min Yoga - all standing (no mat needed)
Free parking available in upper lot or close to duck pond 
Duck Pond Google Map or Bowen Park Map

Sunday, March 24

When: 9:30 am
Where: Top of Pioneer Waterfront Plaza - meet at the Bastion 
What: 30 min Yoga - all standing (no mat needed)
Street parking free on weekend or parkades available
Bastion Map

Friday, March 29 (Good Friday)

When: 9:30 am
Where: Maffeo Sutton Park - meet at the Nanaimo sign
What: 30 min Yoga - all standing (no mat needed)
Parking is free on a stat holiday
Maffeo Sutton map

Feb 19 - Mini Meditation and Yoga in Maffeo Sutton Park

On Monday February 19, I will be leading a mini meditation and yoga session in Maffeo Sutton Park.

When: Monday February 19, 11 am
Where: Maffeo Sutton Park, meet at Nanaimo sign
What: 30 min Meditation and Yoga - all standing/moving (no mat needed)
Who: Everyone welcome 
Cost: Free, and parking should be free as it is a stat holiday
How: Just show up! No need to pre-register or let me know you are coming. 

Notes: Dress for the weather 

Reawakening the Blog

I stopped posting to this blog in 2013. However, now that I have started doing some teaching again, I am using it to share class times. 

Sept to Dec Schedule

Monday - Full Figure Yoga (Harewood)

Harewood Activity Centre
9-10 am
Program  122180
Sep 16 to Oct 28 [no class Oct 14]
Program  122181
Nov 4 to Dec 16 [no class Nov 11]

 

Wednesday - Guided Meditation (Harewood)

 

Harewood Activity Centre
9-9:45 am
Program 122183
Nov 6 to Dec 11

Wednesday - Full Figure Yoga (Beban)

Beban Social Centre
6-7 pm Program  123122

Sep 18 to Oct 30 [no class Oct 2]

Program  123125
Nov 20 to Dec 18

Friday - Guided Meditation (Kin Hut)
Kin Hut Activity Centre
3 - 3:45 pm

Program 123116
Sep 20 to Oct 25

  

click here for registration information

click here for class descriptions

Summer Yoga

While I'm not teaching Yoga this summer, I encourage everyone to get out and explore Yoga on their own or in other classes. Some options:

• The City has a few Yoga classes running for the summer (check out the Parks and Rec Guide)
• Local studios continue to run classes through most of the summer
• Enjoy the beauty of our parks and do some Yoga on your own (or with a friend) outside

When I have info on the fall classes it will be posted here (likely in August).

April to June 2013 schedule

Monday - Full Figure Yoga (Harewood)

Harewood Activity Centre
9-10 am
Program 118679
Apr 8 to May 13
Program 118680
May 27 to Jun 24

 

Monday - Guided Meditation (Kin Hut)

Kin Hut Activity Centre

6 - 6:45 pm [note: rec guide says am, but this is an evening class]

Program 118693
Apr 8 to May 13

 

Wednesday - Guided Meditation (Harewood)

 

Harewood Activity Centre
9-9:45 am
Program 118695
May 22 to Jun 26

Wednesday - Full Figure Yoga (Kin Hut/Beban)

6-7 pm
Kin Hut Activity Centre

Program 119951
Apr 3 to May 8

Beban Social Centre
Program 119952
May 22 to Jun 26

click here for registration information

click here for class descriptions

New Website / New Email

Welcome to my new website. Check out the links to various pages on the right.

My new email is: nadinesyogananaimo@gmail.com

For the Jan-Mar schedule, click here.

Spotlight on Savasana

We end each class with Savasana (Corpse Pose). We relax our bodies into the earth. Sometimes it is a guided Savasana and other times we simply relax and listen to the music.

Think of your Savasana like a short meditation practice. Bring your mind to your body, relaxing all of your muscles or bring your mind to your breath. If you keep your attention on your breath or body while you relax, your mind is less likely to race ahead to your post-class activities. Give yourself the kindness of this additional moment of relaxation.

Current Group Class Schedule

Monday - Guided Meditation             

Kin Hut Activity Centre
9-9:45 am
Program 114726
Jan 14 to Feb 25

 

Monday - Yin Yoga

Kin Hut Activity Centre
6:45-8 pm
Program 114816
Jan 14 to Feb 25

 

Wednesday - Full Figure Yoga (Harewood)

Harewood Activity Centre
9-10 am
Program 115341
Jan 9 to Feb 13
Program 118045
Feb 20 to Mar 27

 

Wednesday - Full Figure Yoga (Beban)

Beban Social Centre
6-7 pm
Program 114728
Jan 9 to Feb 13
Program 114730
Feb 20 to Mar 27

 

click here for registration information

 

click here for class descriptions

 

Class Descriptions

Full Figured Yoga - A gentle beginner class to ease you into Yoga. If you “can’t bend at all”, are new to Yoga, or you are looking for a milder option, this class if for you. Chairs and modifications are used to find something that works for everyone.

Guided Meditation - Does meditation intrigue you, but you are struggling to figure out where to start? Learn a number of different meditation practices so that you can find one that works for you.

click here for registration information

click here to return to the home page

More Doing

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been expanding on this blog post. Today, I'm posting on more doing. The whole idea is that sometimes I spend too much time thinking and not enough actually acting on my thoughts. Too much time in my head, not enough time in the world.

So I've been working at actually getting more done, both fun things and productive things. I've been bringing some of my favorite activities back into my life. And I've been looking at what I can drop to fit these new things in.

On that note, this will be my last blog post. I have greatly enjoyed sharing my thoughts with others, but it is time for other pursuits. I'll leave the blog up so that people can still read my past posts.

Namaste,
Nadine

Less Thinking

Further to a previous blog, today I'm talking about less thinking. Just like writing, thinking is another thing that is good for me...to a point.

Thinking about something is good. Over-thinking doesn't do me any favors. Sometimes I find myself in a loop of thinking about the same thing over and over.

This affects me in a lot of different areas of my life. I used to be an impulse shopper, but now I've almost gone to the other end and often research things for ages and, in the end, don't make a purchase.

I can easily go off on a tangent with my thoughts. As an example I may decide I want to take a Yoga retreat. Then I spend hours looking at options online, researching, planning. And then I decide not to go.

Thinking is good. Research is good. But I am practicing recognizing when enough is enough and it's time to make a decision.

This goes hand in hand with the Less Writing, a chance to get out of my head.

Less Writing

Expanding on a previous blog, today I want to talk about less writing. Actually, I guess I'm writing about less writing (yikes).

There are two places I write. In my journal and on my blog.

Journaling can be a really beneficial process. I've used it a lot over the years and I'm sure I will continue to use it in the future. However, one thing I've noticed is that when I write something out, when I acknowledge awareness of the things going on in my mind, I stop there. I'm proud of myself for figuring it out, but don't actually go to the next step of changing my patterns. So, while I'll continue to use my journal in some ways, I'm journalling a little less to allow myself to not get stuck in the trap of observation over action.

And my blog? What's wrong with writing here? Nothing. But why do I do it? Part of it is a need to share with others. The idea that I need to share my thoughts for them to be complete. And while I can share my thoughts, I'm also working on practicing keeping some of them to myself.

Less Reading

I previously blogged about less reading, less writing, less thinking, more doing. Today I'll expand on less reading.

I don't actually mean less reading. I love to read. I read both fiction and non-fiction and will continue to do so. By less reading, I mean less reading for an answer.

I know the answer. I have a path. Mindfulness meditation. And then I'll see a book and be drawn to it. While I know the path might naturally change directions, I also see that what I'm doing in that moment is looking for an easier path. Looking to escape the work that needs to be done.

So the less reading is less reading for an answer. I will still read for enjoyment, inspiration and to broaden my horizons.

Weekend Retreat

This past weekend I was at a meditation retreat put on by Westcoast Dharma Society, led by Howard Cohen. It was a great weekend. It was good to get some solid meditation practice hours in.

I always find certain things come to me more clearly during meditation retreats. I've had a recurring theme come up over the last month or so. And it came to me again during the meditation retreat.

Less reading, less writing, less thinking, more doing.

...Hopefully I've piqued your interest. Stay tuned.

Reflexology for Neck Pain

I have had a lot of neck pain for the last week. For years I've been a stomach sleeper and have been unsuccessful every other time I tried to change it. However, this week I easily switched to side sleeping. While my neck hasn't gotten worse, it also hasn't gotten any better.

So, I'm going to give reflexology a try. I found these two sites and I'll give it a try over the next few days:

• Neck Pain Relief: Use Reflexology to Feel Better
• Reflexology for Neck Pain

August Love List

20 things I'm loving right now:

1. That Shaw is coming to fix our PVR today (I feel like we've been thrown back several decades the last few days).
2. Library books - I love always having new books to read.
3. Lemon Poppyseed muffins.
4. Walking to work.
5. Good night's sleep.
6. My cat visiting me in bed.
7. Banana orange smoothie.
8. Making plans to visit MEC and UBC.
9. Evaluating where I'm at and where I'd like to go from here.
10. Fresh veggies from the garden.
11. Supernatural Season 1 DVD should arrive today.
12. That I found restaurants online for my upcoming trip to Vancouver so I don't have to stress about where to eat.
13. Mom doing so much baking and cooking for us.
14. My YMX shirt.
15. Homemade iced tea.
16. My ipod playlists.
17. Watermelon.
18. Quiet, lazy days.
19. Eating both SCD and vegetarian.
20. Reading in bed in the morning.

Week 32 Challenge - Finding My Flow

This year I decided to challenge myself to reflect on various Yoga and Buddhist aspects throughout the year. The challenges come from a variety of places including readings in Deborah Adele's Yamas and Niyamas and Thich Nhat Hanh's Heart of the Buddha's Teaching and Happiness.
This week I challenged myself to find my flow. I love activity (or exercise). I love moving my body. But inertia is an amazing thing. If I spend too long sitting still, I can have a hard time getting myself moving on a regular basis again.

I've been working on walking partway to work for a while. This week I challenged myself to walk the entire distance (6 km) and I did it twice.

I love walking and when I do a longer walk like the one to work, I can feel myself getting back into my flow. I get to a point when moving isn't effort, when I feel connected to the earth and all the natural world around me, when I'm just happy.

I feel as if I crossed an imaginary line. I look forward to continuing to enjoy my walks to work and carrying that flow throughout my day.