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Author: Bobby Bessey

Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training

Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training

  • NEXT TRAINING DATES:

    Nov 15th, 16th, 22nd,23rd, 2025

    Space is limited. Registration form below.

  • LOCATION:

    St. John’s, NL. In-person at 10 Clancy Drive, Quidi Vidi Boathouse. Live Stream Participation Option Available.

  • INVESTMENT:

    $600+hst ($690) CAD. $200 deposit required upon registration

  • INCLUDES:

    Four days of lecture, Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, Marma massage, Practicum, Ayurvedic food and lifestyle choices. Tea and snack breaks provide instruction on using healing spices, herbs, and foods to promote healing.

  • REGISTRATION:

    Space is limited so register now to reserver yours.

Register Now


HOST A TEACHER TRAINING:

Shakti Yoga teacher trainings and workshops are taught in various locations within Canada, and internationally. Host this workshop in your area and save the cost of travelling to learn. Contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss specific details on hosting this or other workshops and trainings.

Who’s This Program For?

  • Yoga Practitioners who want to add the healing benefits of ayurveda to their lifestyles.

  • Teachers of yoga who want to learn how to use ayurveda to enhance to impact of their class instruction.

  • Anyone in healthcare or education with a desire to compliment their professional work with the vast wisdom of ayurveda, and pass on the benefits of this ancient practice to their clients, patients or students.

  • Anyone interested in understanding ayurveda, and learning how to use these ancient practices and remedies to enhance the wellness of themselves and their families.

About The Program

Ayurveda is the world’s oldest holistic healing system. It is commonly referred to as yoga’s sister science. This is logical as both philosophies view our body, our senses, and the world we live in, as manifestations of the foundational fabric of the universe. Ayurveda teaches how to perceive, and manipulate these basic cosmic energies to maintain and restore wellness. When used in combination with yoga practices, ayurvedic insights empower instructors to develop classes that are more robust and intuitive. Teachers are able to tune in to a classes’ specific needs by utilizing knowledge of natural cycles, and the ever-changing impact of environment on well-being.

Despite the enormous potential benefits of merging these two sciences, bringing the wisdom of ayurveda into a yoga asana class remains elusive for many yoga teachers, and ayurvedic practioners alike.

This four day teacher training program introduces the underlying basis of ayurvedic theory, and how it can be practically incorporated into a yoga asana class for a more effective overall wellness impact. The detailed and robust understanding of the gunas (fundamental energies that make up the universe) provided in this training lay the ground work for effectively utilizing dosha assessments, understanding the ever shifting individual & group needs of a class, and choosing asana, pranayama, meditation, and mudra, choices through the lens of ayurvedic teachings.

Curriculum Includes:

  • Orientation to ayurveda philosophy and origins.

  • Ayurvedic perspectives on disease and healing.
  • How to design a yoga class sequence to balance each dosha (vata, pitta, kapha)
  • Specific asana for each type of dosha imbalance.
  • Incorporating time of day, seasons and other cycles into class design.
  • Pranayama for dosha balance.
  • Mantra and mudra for dosha balance.
  • Extensive study of the gunas, and how to utilize them in a yoga class.
  • Doshas, constitution quizzes and applications.
  • Subtle body topics such as vayus and chakras and their ayurvedic yoga applications.
  • Ayurvedic Diet and lifestyle. We will study how to make ghee, kitchari, and various dosha balancing and healing teas.
  • Basic marma points that can be utilized in a yoga class to balance doshas.
  • Techniques for incorporating peripheral ayurvedic practices, such as aromatherapy and gem stones, into private and group asana classes to enhance yoga pose impact.

Program Requirements

Pre-Requisites

No prior yoga or ayurveda knowledge required. Must be interested in yoga asana, lifestyle, and ayurvedic approaches to wellness. Contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to find out how this program can be used to enhance your life.

Certification

Graduates will receive a certificate showing they have successfully completed the 40hr Shakti Yoga Method Ayurvedic Teacher Training. Applicable for Yoga Alliance CEUs.

Certification Requirements include:

  • Attend ALL training session hours

  • Submit Ayurvedic Yoga Class plan

  • Do one peer class exchange via Zoom and submit feedback forms

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Testimonials

Continue reading

Becoming a Yoga Teacher

Or More Accurately, How to Continue Being Student of Yoga Forever

 

About 25 years ago I was an avid runner living in Vancouver. Yoga held no interest for me. It was a practice that I viewed as gentle movements for those who could not do more intense activity. One day a running friend told me about a hot yoga class that her super fit running friend had been unable to finish the night before. Now that sounded interesting.

At the time hot yoga was a new style of yoga making its way up the West coast from LA. It was being taught in packed-full, rented rooms in random apartment buildings. There was usually sweat soaked carpet, and often no showers. Fancy super absorbent towels were yet to be mainstream, and no one wore special yoga clothing. No yoga studio store front was visible. You simply had to know where this class was happening. Lululemon was still a small store on 4th avenue in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver. The owners sewed the clothing on the upstairs second floor as you browsed below.

Japan Yoga Teachers

It took only one sweaty, butt-kicking class to hook me. I began to practice daily, sometimes twice a day. Early 20’s me loved the hard core nature of the very hot and humid room. Wondering every single class if I was going to make it to the end just made it more exciting. The teacher’s instruction “script” described the physiological benefits of each pose which spoke to my science loving brain. I eventually decided to do a teacher training for this style. A few weeks before paying a deposit my partner and I suddenly decided to move back to Japan.

Once back in Japan, the only yoga classes I could find were slow moving hatha, held at recreation centers. All were taught by women in their 70s and 80s. At first I was not very excited about going. The strength and flexibility of these very senior instructors however forced me to re-evaluate the value of this new (to me) style of yoga. Each teacher infused her classes with Zen meditation and philosophy. They introduced me to a softer and deeper layer of yoga (and forced me to study a lot of Japanese words that were unfortunately not very useful for interacting at the local izakaya/bar). I joined a class each morning before work, hopping on trains and pedaling through rice paddies to get to a different rec center each day.

Two years later, as we are preparing to leave Japan, I began to reflect on how different my Vancouver hot yoga classes were to those in Japan. I wondered if either was “real yoga”. And if not, what might “real yoga” actually look like. Hoping to learn the answer to this question I sent my partner home to Canada, and bought an open-ended ticket to India. I flew from Tokyo into New Delhi. Cell Phones and texting were not yet a thing. Internet cafes could only be found in larger centers. In rural areas I had to find a village phone to call home. Someone in an outdoor stall would dial the number and hand me the phone receiver. Little kids would often surround me and repeat any English words they could understand and giggle.

After a few weeks of hopping trains around India I arrived at an ashram in Maharashta. It was near the holy city of Nashik. It was here that I completed my first yoga teacher training. Studying beneath the mountain top peak known as Hanuman’s birthplace I could not have asked for a better place to be introduced to yoga’s roots. Each full day included early morning meditation, two hours of asana & pranayama (twice daily), yoga nidra, lectures from local doctors and teachers, morning and evening aarti ceremonies, mantra, all punctuated with locally grown and prepared ayurvedic guided meals. A month of busy study days flew by. With my first teaching certificate and a heart full of gratitude I began to work my way north toward Rishikesh (where the Beatles famously studied in the 60’s). This spiritual town sits on the banks of the river Ganges. The water is clear and fast flowing as it leaves the Himalayas. It is densely packed with ashrams, vegetarian-only food, swamis, and seekers. I spent months taking part in various yoga trainings. Eventually I found a teacher who resonanated with where I was at that point in my life. I studied with him in his ashram until I felt it was time to return home.

Once home I began to teach yoga classes, first as a part time job, and then throughout my pregnancies. When my maternal leave was up, instead of going back to my old job, I decided to begin to teaching yoga full time and never looked back. I have since returned to India multiple times to study yoga with old and new yoga teachers, and to become an ayurvedic practioner. Over the years I have also studied with teachers in various parts of Canada and the US. Every single teacher has helped expand my understanding of the practice of yoga. For a time I immersed myself in the study of prenatal yoga and it impacts pregnancy and childbirth. Yin yoga brought concepts of skeletal variation, and fascia into focus. Vinyasa flow helped me explore moving meditation. Neurogenic yoga added a layer of therapeutic insight.

After twenty five years of yoga study I have concluded that there is no “real yoga”, or more accurately, no “not-real yoga”. All styles of yoga, whether based in hatha, vinyasa, yin, neurogenic, or restorative teachings are “real” yoga. All include a pathway for pranayama, meditation, and physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Whether one is looking to reach the traditional yoga goal of self realization, or to achieve the well documented physical benefits of strength, flexibility, and longevity, each style has a means of helping one get there.

I am forever grateful that my first teacher training taught me to look at all future yoga studies as a new way to explore the yoga philosophy of living, and study of self. From this point of view I have learned that every person, yoga, and situation, is a yoga teacher. This is what Ram Dass means when he says, “If you think you are enlightened, go and spend a week with your family.” What happens in a yoga class helps us explore and develop skills to bring into every moment of life.

Is my yoga always serene poses and peaceful meditation? No. Am I always calm and stress free? Absolutely not. I do however credit yoga with helping me navigate many difficult life moments. I cannot image living without this powerful practice. Every teacher I have ever had the privilege to study with has brought me full circle to sharing my understanding of their teachings in my own teacher training instruction. I now teach yoga teacher trainings both internationally and in Canada.

Are you interested in becoming a yoga teacher? Would you like to study with experienced teachers who have a broad understanding of modern and traditional yoga? Would like to develop the skills to confidently teach hatha, and vinyasa flow classes? Would like to understand how each style of yoga can be utilized to provide a yoga practice that is accessible for all? Would you like to deepen your own practice? If so, you may be interested in joining myself and Linda Ivany for our Yoga Alliance Certified, 2023 Shakti Yoga Teacher Training. This year celebrates a decade of training talented and inspiring yoga teachers that enhance our communities. Maybe the energy of the year of the rabbit will help you hurdle any doubts and begin your yoga teacher journey. This training is open to all body type/sizes, all ages, and requires only a love of yoga and an established personal practice. For more information go to www.ShaktiYogaMethod.com

Tips to Enhance Your Year of the Rabbit

Maximize the Abundance of 2023 With the Wisdom of the Japanese Horoscope.

This January heralds the arrival of the year of the Rabbit. As each year-end nears in Japan, you begin to see images of one specific animal popping up in just about every setting imaginable; decorations, cards, advertisements. They vary from year to year and are always an animal of the Japanese zodiac. These animals are thought to be indicators of both individual personality and the nature of the year it represents. There are twelve animals, and they influence our world in twelve-year cycles. Your animal is determined by the year in which you are born. If you are in Japan and being asked what animal you are, that person is probably trying to learn more about your personality (of course, they could also be attempting to politely figure out your age without asking directly). The Japanese zodiac is Chinese in origin but has been fully adopted by the Japanese.

The new year is a time to pause and contemplate our personality and actions. In yoga this is the practice of swadhyaya, or turning inward to discover our true selves. This year’s horoscope animal is the Rabbit. Some say lord Krishna loved rabbits and showed them great affection. Rabbits were thought to be appropriate pets for sages who often lived in natural settings. They are mentioned in ancient Indian texts such as the vedas and puranas

Before discovering what animal you are, here is the cute origin story of how the animals in this zodiac were chosen. There are a number of variations on this story. I share the version that was told to me by Japanese friends.

One day the most important god gathered all the animals and told them that he would hold a race the next day to choose twelve animals to make up the zodiac. The order that each animal arrived at this revered god’s home in the heavens would determine their place in this cycle.

To get to the race destination, the animals had to cross a river. The cow knew this would be a challenging race. She was prudent, she planned ahead, and set out early. The rat was not a great swimmer, so asked to ride on the cow’s back (Some stories say the cat also rode on the cow but was pushed off by the rat. Other narratives have the rat lying to the cat about the day of the race causing him to miss it. Either way the cat did not make it into the zodiac because of the rat and this apparently explains their continued rivalry to this day). Anyway, as the cow was approaching the finish line the rat jumped off his back and crossed the line first. This is how the rat became the first animal of the zodiac and the cow the second.

The tiger was the third to arrive. His early arrival was due to his great strength which enabled him to fight the currents of the river. The rabbit came in fourth, having made it across by hopping from stone to stone (and by some accounts with a little help from the dragon).

The dragon arrived in fifth place. This surprised the god who expected such a powerful creature to be first. The dragon explained that he had stopped to assist other race participants, as well as to help the people of the earth with their food and water shortages.

The horse was the next animal to arrive, but was unaware that the snake had decided to hide in her hoof during the race. Just before reaching the finish line the snake jumped out of his hiding place and startled the horse. This gave the snake time to finish ahead of the horse and become the 6th animal of the zodiac, leaving the horse in 7th place.

The 8th, 9th, and 10th place were taken by the sheep, monkey, and rooster. They arrived together having worked together to build a raft to make it across the river safely.

The dog was next. His late arrival was also surprising as he was known to be an excellent swimmer. He explained that he had paused to enjoy bathing in the river, still landing himself in the 11th spot.

If you are a chicken you may be ambitious and goal oriented.

Finally, the wild boar/pig shows up. She had stopped for snacks and had then fallen asleep with a full belly. Upon waking up she rejoined the race and made it just in time for the 12th and final spot.

Each animal’s behaviour in the origin story expresses their nature to some degree. None are wholly good or bad. Each has the capacity for positive and negative expression of their characteristics. According to the Asian zodiac the personality of the animal that represents the year you were born will be reflected in your individual traits and patterns. Every twelve years your animal will come around again to influence the universal energy of that time. The energy of the animal also impacts the nature of the year we are moving into.

In order of their placement on the zodiac, there are some general characteristics of each animal and the years that they govern. Heads up, this post is a pretty superficial presentation of an ancient system that traverses a number of cultures. Mostly, I am repeating things my friends have shared with me. More research is suggested if you want to truly understand the Asian zodiac. That said, enjoy contemplating our place in the world through the lens of this beautiful horoscope.

Rat (2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948 …) people are very ambitious, and will push themselves hard to meet their goals. They will work hard and are unafraid of challenge. They are charming and honest. They may easily anger but are skilled at projecting an outward show of control.

Cow/Ox (2021, 2009, 1997,1985,1973, 1961, 1949 …) people are patient and inspirational. They are stirring speakers who inspire confidence in others. Cows exhibit great mental clarity. In the origin story she literally carried the rat to greatness.

Tiger (2022, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950 …) people have stubborn tendencies and can be regarded as selfish, cold, and unkind. Tigers are, however, sensitive underneath all of this. They are thoughtful and have great compassion for those they love. They are also known for their courage. This is much like the personality of Tigress, in Kung Fu Panda (if you haven’t seen this beautiful and insightful movie, stop reading and watch it now… seriously.)

Monkeys are intelligent and able to bring creative solutions to problems. This Japanese Macaque is soaking in an onsen near Nagano. That sounds like a smart idea to me!

Rabbit (1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939…) people are good at talking their way into, and out of, things. They are known for being ambitious, virtuous, and reserved. They may have a taste for the finer things in life. Their reputation for being trustworthy means they are usually greatly admired.

Dragon (2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, …) people are easily excitable, short tempered, and can be stubborn. Despite their easily angered disposition, they are sensitive, and get their feelings hurt easily. They are also known to be honest, brave, and disciplined. Dragons inspire trust in people. Recall the dragon’s compassionate behavior in the origin story. A complex personality indeed.

Snake (2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, …) people are deep thinkers who often do well financially due to their determination in pursuing their dreams. They hate to fail, and will go to great lengths to avoid doing so (recall the origin story). Snakes are often people of few words.

Horse (2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, …) people are quick thinkers who are skilled at giving compliments. They tend to be successful in their endeavors, and have capacity to make wise financial decisions. They may talk too much, be impatient, or easy to anger.

Sheep (2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, …) people are noted for their quiet elegance. They are drawn to fine arts, and are passionate about the environment, as well as their spiritual endeavors. They may also sometimes be shy, lack will power, and unconsciously take a passive role in relationships.

Monkey (2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, …) people are seen as eccentric and highly intelligent. They are good at seeing the big picture and are lucrative in financial dealings. Their inventive, think-outside-the-box insights mean they can solve even complex problems with ease. Their behaviour is often both creative and erratic.

Rooster/bird (2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, …) people are devoted to their work and enjoy being busy. They push themselves to expand their skills, sometimes to the point of taking on more than they can handle. The rooster is ambitious and always looking to go further. Not achieving a goal is very upsetting for the rooster. They are known for speaking their mind. This is sometimes refreshing and other times may be seen as speaking out of turn.

Dog (2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, …) people are loyal, honest and work hard to create positive relationships. They inspire confidence in others and are known to be great at keeping secrets. Dogs are humble and easy going, so are considered to be good friend material.

Boar/pig ( 2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, …) people have an enormous inner strength that is difficult to unseat. They are honest, humble, very affectionate, and extremely kind to those they love. While they have short tempers, they do not enjoy arguments and try to avoid them. They are stubborn, often making it challenging to convince a boar to change their opinion. In the origin story, the boar is known to have rushed past the god at the finish line, and had to eventually turn back to join the group.

What does the Asian zodiac mean for the essence of 2023? I am excited to be entering the year of the Rabbit. In Japan they represent abundance, fortune, progressing onward, cleverness and they are also messengers for the gods (kami). They are fertility and childbirth symbols. Some shrines that honor the rabbit, like Higashi Tenno Okazaki Shrine in Kyoto, are visited by couples expecting children and the newly married to pet the bunny statue for good luck. After a few rough years world wide we can hope that 2023 will bring a balm of rabbit characteristics. They can be soft, kind, patient and pure of heart. They are also fast, skillful, and very responsible. They are relentless in finding solutions to problems. They get things moving forward and so symbolize success. This is the perfect balance for a world that is healing as it moves into the future, leaving the last few years of covid behind, learning from the experiences, and kindly and lovingly overcoming challenges.

The energy of kindness and empathy that infuses the year of the rabbit makes 2023 a good year to start a romantic relationship. 

2023 is also a good year to explore your passions. Have you been postponing a creative endeavor, waiting for the right time? Well this may be the year to explore that drive. If this is a business endeavor may the abundance symbolized by the year of the rabbit help you create the life you long to lead.

If you were born in the year of the rabbit you may do best in a career that requires creativity to utilize your sensitivity, empathy, and artistic flair in how you navigate any workplace. Music, writing, archetecture are all great professions for rabbits. However a creative voice and mind can be utilized in any job. Rabbits are also social butterflies and do well in jobs that require networking.

From a health perspective remember that rabbits are very sensitive and prone to worry, especially if over extending or having financial difficulty. Watch for old illnesses returning and shower yourself with the care you need to avoid them before they can form.

The first sunrise of 2022 from Signal Hill. Watching the first sunrise of the year is called Hatsuhinode in Japanese. Doing so brings good luck for the year to come from the god Toshigami.

How accurate is the Japanese zodiac? That is something you will have to decide for yourself. It may well be a coincidence but I am a wild boar and my plan to have this post written two weeks ago was interrupted by a holiday of indulgences that included copious amounts of holiday napping and snacking (generally the same reasons that the boar came last in the origin story). Also in true boar form, I regret nothing and it is unlikely one could change my mind about the value of my chosen course.

Welcoming the new year by watching the first sunrise of the year is thought to bring good luck for the year to come (hatsuhinode). This is especially so if you manage to do this from the top of Mt. Fuji, however it is lucky from anywhere.

Also record your first dream of the new year on the night of January 1st (hatsuyume). This dream is thought to indicate your luck for the new year. Particularly fortutious are dreaming of Mt. Fuji, hawks, or eggplants!

And finally, the next time you look at the moon look for two rabbits making rice cakes (mochi) instead of the western influenced image of a man’s face. This may inspire you to move into the new year seeking fresh perspectives and insights infused with the kindness, creativity, and abundance of the year of the rabbit.

Wishing a Very Happy Year to all!

5 Immune Boosting Poses for Deep Core Wellness

Yoga poses that address all layers of core musculature, also inadvertently nourish the truer and deeper source of core wellness, the omentum. What is the omentum, and why should you care?  The omentum is a flat layer of adipose tissue that floats on the surface of much of the small and large intestines, and it is important because it may save your life someday. In fact, it may have already done so many times over without your ever knowing.

The omentum is like a large snuggly blanket of immune cells for your organs. It stores fat, regulates the immune system and helps tissue regenerate. The special properties of the omentum are not a new discovery. The ancient Egyptians assessed and catalogued dead bodies by omentum variation. The Greeks thought it warmed the intestines because gladiators who lost it in battle injuries reported always feeling cold. A 1910 a British surgeon even called it the policeman of the abdomen.

I think of it as more of a nurturing feminine tissue than a policeman, more like the Florence Nightingale of the abdomen. Florence comes to mind because this sheath of adipose tissue actually moves around the abdomen to encircle any organ that is infected or inflamed. It does this to stop the spread of the inflammation, send immune cells to fight the

problem, regenerate damaged tissue, and as if that weren’t enough, also simultaneously absorb contaminants for later removal.

In addition to healing the omentum is also a profoundly nourishing tissue, exemplified by its suitability as a implantation place for organ cells to regrow into organs. During surgery this tissue is sometimes used to help healing happen in other parts of the body, even as far removed as the surface of the brain!

What does all this have to do with yoga? Well, a lot. Peristalsis, diaphragm movement, and fluid flow all assist omentum movement as it wanders around the abdomen protecting and healing as needed. Yoga breathing and asana impact all three of these things. The following yoga practices will help you maintain the health of your core from the top layer of muscles, all the way down to the tissues and organs they protect.

Yoga breathing involves careful posture, sitting fully upright, with the natural curves of the spine intact. This allows space for the lungs to fill completely and the diaphragm to move deeply downward. This downward movement squeezes the fluid and lymph nodes that are plentiful in the omentum, allowing the body to more effectively heal and remove toxins. Deep compressions into the abdominal cavity also help the omentum move toward the tissues that need immune assistance.

Twists activate the deeper muscle layers of the core, and wring out the omentum, wringing out old lymph and blood, getting rid of toxins, and preparing space for fresh new blood to pour into.

Side bends engage deep core muscles, and compress one side of the torso while stretching out the other. This forces the diaphragm to push down in new areas, and results in many of the benefits listed above for twists. They also stretch the intercostals, making deeper fuller breaths easier to attain.

Core compression poses once again press lymph, blood and other fluids out of the organs and tissues for deep flushing, and digestive system awakening. The intestines are important for the absorption of nutrients and removal of toxins.

Extension poses pull all the tissues, and organs of the core to lengthen the muscles of the front body, and tone back body muscles. This is important because sitting, and poor posture makes the muscles of the core and chest too short, and the muscles of the back long, and weak. Not only does this impact wellness of the whole musculoskeletal system, but also impedes diaphragm movement, breathing and digestive processes.

Counter pose flows help to cleanse by repeatedly squeezing out old fluid and creating space for fresh new fluid to move in. You can do this by repeatedly alternating back and forward bends, side to side bends, or twist directions. This is a toxin clearing process and also allows for fresh new blood to flow in. As you move through your yoga practice the deep breaths and concentration reduce the stress hormones remaining in your blood from previous stressors. These are slowly replaced by chemical signals that trigger calm in the nervous system. This is the blood that you want your cells completely immersed in as you move into the rest of your day feeling great and having restored your omentum momemtum!

 

Source for the omentum history and function described above: Valerio Di Nicolas’s August 8th, 2019 article entitled: Omentum a powerful biological source in regenerative surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31453273/

Private Sessions

Private sessions are an opportunity to participate in a yoga class that is tailored to fit your needs. If you have a specific condition or goal that you would like to work on, questions about your regular practice that you would like to clarify, or if you would like to get an overview of the basic poses before joining a regular class then this might be an option for you. Please contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss specific details.

200 Hour Teacher Training

Hatha Yoga Private Session

Hatha Yoga private sessions are an ideal opportunity to ask questions and work on specific goals. Some prefer to join a private session for some time before joining group class sessions, others are looking for a specific style of class that requires more individualized attention. A private session is the best way to ensure your yoga practice is tailored to your specific needs.

Please contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com for more information.

Prenatal Yoga Private Session

Prenatal private sessions are a great way to spend time connecting with baby. Classes can be planned to work with special conditions, or discuss birth plans and preparation. A semi-private with your partner can be a fun bonding experience as you prepare to support each other more effectively during your pregnancy and birthing time. 

Contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com for more information.

Neurogenic (TRE) Private Session

Neurogenic private sessions allow for a more personal exchange. Because neurogenic yoga may sometimes trigger emotional responses (which is good!) some prefer to tremor in a private class setting. Others prefer to experience neurogenic tremors a few times before joining a class or beginning a home practice. It is recommended that you practice with an instructor 3-5 times before practicing on your own.

Please contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com for more information.

  • The Yoga Sutras and the nature of the universe
  • Your Brain on Meditation
  • Yoga for the Immune system
  • Physiologically Aware Yoga
  • Playing with the Gunas: Ayurveda for Life
  • Swara Yoga: Tuning in to the Nadis
  • The Joy of Ayurvedic Living
  • Pelvic Floor Wellness for All
  • Instructing Postnatal Yoga Classes
  • Instructing Prenatal Partner Yoga Classes
Contact Bobby at: Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss hosting one or more of these courses/workshops in your area.

Continue reading

Host A Training

Shakti Yoga teacher trainings and workshops are taught in various locations within Canada, and internationally. Contact Bobby if you are interested in hosting one of these training programs in your area of residence and save the cost of travelling to learn. Contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss specific details.

200 hr Yoga Teacher Training NL:

Shakti Yoga is a 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Registered School of Yoga with over a decade of experience training skilled and inspirational instructors of yoga.

Shakti Yoga prenatal yoga teacher training:

This training is either a 4.5 day training (40hr), or 9 day training (85). The latter qualifies yoga teachers to register with Yoga Alliance as a registered yoga instructor. The 40 hour training qualifies for CEUs for Yoga Alliance. Includes a comprehensive training manual. Appropriate for anyone who works with prenatal women, including yoga teachers, doulas, midwives, bodywork practioners, physicians, etc.

Shakti Yoga Nidra Teacher Training:

This a two day (18hr) training that includes training manual, sample scipts and MP3s. Appropriate for anyone interested in teaching this technique or bringing into into their personal practice.

Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training:

A 4 day teacher training (40hrs) that introduces the foundation of Ayurvedic theory and practice, and how to incorporate this ancient science into your class plans, and teaching cues. Gain an overall understanding of how ayurveda can transform your method of sharing yoga with your students. Also appropriate for non-teachers who simply want to learn how to incorporate ayurveda and yoga into their daily lives.

Suggest a Training/Workshop:

Any of the above trainings can be adjusted to meet the specific focus or scheduling needs of your organization. Contact Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss possible training and workshop options.

Workshop Ideas

  • The Yoga Sutras and the nature of the universe
  • Your Brain on Meditation
  • Yoga for the Immune system
  • Physiologically Aware Yoga
  • Playing with the Gunas: Ayurveda for Life
  • Swara Yoga: Tuning in to the Nadis
  • The Joy of Ayurvedic Living
  • Pelvic Floor Wellness for All
  • Instructing Postnatal Yoga Classes
  • Instructing Prenatal Partner Yoga Classes
Contact Bobby at: Bobby@ShaktiYogaMethod.com to discuss hosting one or more of these courses/workshops in your area.

Continue reading

Welcoming the Tiger

Daruma doll used to bring good fortune. Paint in one eye with your wish. And the second once it has come to pass.

The Animal Zodiac and What it Means For You in 2022

2022 heralds the arrival of the year of the tiger. As each year-end nears in Japan, you begin to see images of one specific animal popping up in just about every setting imaginable; decorations, cards, advertisements. They vary from year to year and are always an animal of the Japanese zodiac. These animals are thought to be indicators of both individual personality and the nature of the year it represents. There are twelve animals, and they influence our world in twelve-year cycles. Your animal is determined by the year in which you are born. If you are in Japan and being asked what animal you are, that person is probably trying to learn more about your personality (of course, they could also be attempting to politely figure out your age without asking directly). The Japanese zodiac is Chinese in origin but has been fully adopted by the Japanese.

Maybe you don’t believe in horoscopes. That is ok because this is a just-for-fun-post. However, from a yogic perspective, there is value in anything that inspires us to pause and contemplate our personality and actions. This is the practice of swadhyaya, or turning inward to discover our true selves. And since this year’s horoscope animal is the tiger maybe it is appropriate to also mention that Shiva is often depicted sitting on a tiger skin symbolizing the victory of divine insight over the tendancy to be led by base instincts. 

Before I tell you what animal you are, here is a cute origin story of how the animals in this zodiac were chosen. There are a number of variations on this story. I will pass along the most common version that I have been told by my Japanese friends.

One day the most important god gathered all the animals and told them that he would hold a race the next day to choose twelve animals to make up the zodiac. The order that each animal arrived at this revered god’s home in the heavens would determine their place in this cycle.

The first sunrise of 2022 from Signal Hill. Watching the first sunrise of the year is called Hatsuhinode in Japanese. Doing so brings good luck for the year to come from the god Toshigami.

To get to the race destination, the animals had to cross a river. The cow knew this would be a challenging race. She was prudent, she planned ahead, and set out early. The rat was not a great swimmer, so asked to ride on the cow’s back (Some stories say the cat also rode on the cow but was pushed off by the rat. Other narratives have the rat lying to the cat about the day of the race causing him to miss it. Either way the cat did not make it into the zodiac because of the rat and this explains their continued rivalry to this day). Anyway, as the cow was approaching the finish line the rat jumped off his back and crossed the line first. This is how the rat became the first animal of the zodiac and the cow the second.

The tiger was the third to arrive. His early arrival was due to his great strength which enabled him to fight the currents of the river. The rabbit came in fourth, having made it across by hopping from stone to stone (and by some accounts with a little help from the dragon).

The dragon arrived in fifth place. This surprised the god who expected such a powerful creature to be first. The dragon explained that he had stopped to assist other race participants, as well as to help the people of the earth with their food and rain shortages.

The horse was the next animal to arrive, but was unaware that the snake had decided to hide in her hoof during the race. Just before reaching the finish line the snake jumped out of his hiding place and startled the horse. This gave the snake time to finish ahead of the horse and become the 6th animal of the zodiac, leaving the horse in 7th place.

The 8th, 9th, and 10th place were taken by the sheep, monkey, and rooster. They arrived together having worked together to build a raft to make it across the river safely.

The dog was next. His late arrival was also surprising as he was known to be an excellent swimmer. He explained that he had paused to enjoy bathing in the river, still landing himself in the 11th spot.

If you are a chicken you may be ambitious and goal oriented.

Finally, the wild boar/pig shows up. She had stopped for snacks and had then fallen asleep with a full belly. Upon waking up she rejoined the race and made it just in time for the 12th and final spot.

Each animal’s behaviour in the origin story expresses their nature to some degree. None are wholly good or bad. Each has the capacity for positive and negative expression of their characteristics. According to the Asian zodiac the personality of the animal that represents the year you were born will be reflected in your individual traits and patterns. Every twelve years your animal will come around again to influence the universal energy of that time. The energy of the animal also impacts the nature of the year we are moving into.

In order of their placement on the zodiac, there are some general characteristics of each animal and the years that they govern. Heads up, this post is a barely-researched and superficial presentation of an ancient system that traverses a number of cultures. Mostly, I am repeating things my friends have shared with me. More research is suggested if you want to truly understand the Asian zodiac. That said, let’s enjoy contemplating our place in the world through the lens of this beautiful horoscope.

Rat (2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948 …) people are very ambitious, and will push themselves hard to meet their goals. They will work hard and are unafraid of challenge. They are charming and honest. They may easily anger but are skilled at projecting an outward show of control.

Cow/Ox (2021, 2009, 1997,1985,1973, 1961, 1949 …) people are patient and inspirational. They are stirring speakers who inspire confidence in others. Cows exhibit great mental clarity. In the origin story she literally carried the rat to greatness.

Tiger (2022, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950 …) people have stubborn tendencies and can be regarded as selfish, cold, and unkind. Tigers are, however, sensitive underneath all of this. They are thoughtful and have great compassion for those they love. They are also known for their courage. This is much like the personality of Tigress, in Kung Fu Panda (if you haven’t seen this beautiful movie, stop reading and watch it now… seriously.)

Monkeys are intelligent and able to bring creative solutions to problems. This Japanese Macaque is soaking in an onsen near Nagano. That sounds like a smart idea to me!

Rabbit (1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939…) people are good at talking their way into, and out of, things. They are known for being ambitious, virtuous, and reserved. They may have a taste for the finer things in life. Their reputation for being trustworthy means they are usually greatly admired.

Dragon (2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, …) people are easily excitable, short tempered, and can be stubborn. Despite their easily angered disposition, they are sensitive, and get their feelings hurt easily. They are also known to be honest, brave, and disciplined. Dragons inspire trust in people. Recall the dragon’s compassionate behavior in the origin story. A complex personality indeed.

Snake (2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, …) people are deep thinkers who often do well financially due to their determination in pursuing their dreams. They hate to fail, and will go to great lengths to avoid doing so (recall the origin story). Snakes are often people of few words.

Horse (2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, …) people are quick thinkers who are skilled at giving compliments. They tend to be successful in their endeavors, and have capacity to make wise financial decisions. They may talk too much, be impatient, or easy to anger.

Sheep (2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, …) people are noted for their quiet elegance. They are drawn to fine arts, and are passionate about the environment, as well as their spiritual endeavors. They may also sometimes be shy, lack will power, and unconsciously take a passive role in relationships.

Monkey (2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, …) people are seen as eccentric and highly intelligent. They are good at seeing the big picture and are lucrative in financial dealings. Their inventive, think-outside-the-box insights mean they can solve even complex problems with ease. Their behaviour is often both creative and erratic.

Rooster/bird (2005, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, …) people are devoted to their work and enjoy being busy. They push themselves to expand their skills, sometimes to the point of taking on more than they can handle. The rooster is ambitious and always looking to go further. Not achieving a goal is very upsetting for the rooster. They are known for speaking their mind. This is sometimes refreshing and other times may be seen as speaking out of turn.

Dog (2006, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, …) people are loyal, honest and work hard to create positive relationships. They inspire confidence in others and are known to be great at keeping secrets. Dogs are humble and easy going, so are considered to be good friend material.

Boar/pig ( 2007, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, …) people have an enormous inner strength that is difficult to unseat. They are honest, humble, very affectionate, and extremely kind to those they love. While they have short tempers, they do not enjoy arguments and try to avoid them. They are stubborn, often making it challenging to convince a boar to change their opinion. In the origin story, the boar is known to have rushed past the god at the finish line, and had to eventually turn back to join the group.

What does the Asian zodiac mean for the essence of 2022? I am excited to be entering the year of the Tiger. Yes, once again our year has started out looking a rough on the surface but hopefully like the Tiger it will turn out to be full of silver linings, propelling us to overcome, and discover the joy lurking beneath the turbulence of the superficial.

How accurate is the Japanese zodiac? That is something you will have to decide for yourself. It may well be a coincidence but I am a wild boar and my plan to have this post written two weeks ago was interrupted by a holiday of indulgences that included copious amounts of holiday napping and snacking (generally the same reasons that the boar came last in the origin story). I will also add that in true boar form, I regret nothing and it is unlikely you could change my mind about the value of my chosen course.

Wishing a Very Happy Year of the Tiger to all!

The Only Meditation Proven to Increase Happiness!

Love Yourself Happy!

IMG_7624Loving Kindness Meditation is an absolute must-have addition to all the Valentines Day chatter about cards, chocolate and candle light dinners. As yogis, this meditation practice is the essence of what we strive to achieve in our practice whether we are sweating through postures or sitting in contemplation. We learn to forgive, be kind, and compassionate toward ourselves. From this place of self-love, we are then able to extend this practice beyond our sphere of existence into the rest of the world.

Many studies have been done on meditation, and while all types of meditation are now known to have numerous types of positive impacts on your physical and psychological well-being, only one kind of meditation has been shown to increase the level of happiness in your life; Loving Kindness Meditation.

IMG_7631The Dalai Lama has written much on this topic. He admits that this is not completely a selfless practice, because we reap benefits of our own as we learn to love the world around us. He states beautifully however that if we are to be selfish then then we should be wisely selfish, practicing a philosophy of life that makes the world a better place as we make our own lives happier and more satisfying.

In addition to increasing happiness, studies also show that the positive impact of loving kindness meditation persists in the long term.(Michael A. Cohn, University of California San Francisco & Barbara L. Fredrickson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2008). In this study, 15 months after participation in a loving-kindness meditation study, those who continued their meditation practice were found to continue to feel very positive emotions in their daily lives. Even those who had stopped meditating felt more positive than a control group that had never begun the meditation practice. What is especially significant about this is that feelings of happiness from events such as getting a great job or buying a new car dissipate rather quickly while feelings of happiness from loving kindness meditation endure.

Loving Kindness Meditation: How to do it

  1. Sit. To begin meditating on loving-kindness, first prepare yourself to sit in a comfortable position. Choose a place where you will not be interrupted, and allow yourself to settle into a natural breath rhythm for a few minutes.
  2. Love Yourself. Do a body awareness sweep. Smile at your feet and send love to them. Move up your body repeating this process until you have spent some time on each part of your body. Continue to do this until you feel full of this emotion, flowing completely into love, loving yourself unconditionally.  Initially there can be resistance to sending love to oneself. If you experience this, you may need to spend some time identifying and releasing feelings of unworthiness, replacing them with loving acceptance. Giving the practice some time to blossom in your heart will eventually allow you to overcome any feelings of self-doubt or negativity. This may not happen immediately, but with practice, you will remove this initial hurdle and be ready to systematically develop loving-kindness towards others. This is a key part of the process. When we feel genuine love and acceptance for ourselves we open the door to an unlimited source of love and kindness that can then be effortlessly shared with the world.
  3. Focus on someone you already love. Now cultivate the emotion of love by focusing on something, or someone, that evokes a powerful uncomplicated love response. Allow this emotion to penetrate your full experience and then slowly transition from the object or person that helped you connect with this emotion to sitting with the emotion itself in its purest form. Repeat silently “May they be healthy, live happily, and may they love others and themselves.”
  4. Love your family and friends. The next step is to allow this love to expand to include everyone in your close circle of family and friends, one at a time, or as a group. You can mentally repeat, “May they be healthy, live happily, and may they love one another and themselves.”
  5. Love everyone. Now expand your loving circle to include, acquaintances, strangers (This would include neutral people, the person who serves your coffee or unknown faces in far away locations, for example), again repeating, “May they be healthy, live happily, and may they love one another and themselves.”
  6. Love the difficult to love. Next, move on to include those who have hurt you in the past, those for whom you find it difficult to feel compassion in daily life, and again repeat the loving phrase written above. This step helps us better understand why Buddha described love as being the best armor. When we love those who are unkind to us, we remove the damaging impact that their behavior has on our lives and well-being. We cannot control how other people act. We cannot always understand what motivates them to do what they do, but we can control how we respond. If we feel loving-kindness towards those who do not treat us well, we remove their power to injure us and we stop the perpetuation of this behavior and energy.
  7. Enjoy the results. Allow yourself to sit immersed in loving-kindness for a period of time, visualize this feeling being released from your heart center to fill your whole body. Simply be with this love, sit with this love and breathe with this love.

Repeating this practice even for just a few minutes daily will allow you to cultivate these emotions more easily and in a shorter period of time.

Happy Heart Opening Yogis!

Eating Tumeric for Medicinal Benefits? Don’t Forget The Pepper!

This Golden Powerhouse of Healing Needs a Little Help From a Friend.

Since ancient times, the Indian science of ayurveda has used turmeric for a multitude of healing purposes. Its popularity in the west has also risen dramatically in recent years as modern-day scientific studies confirm that this spice is indeed as effective a healing substance as its centuries-old reputation purports.(1)

Tumeric is an eye catching spice that is displayed in eastern markets in glistening golden piles. It is also readily available in western supermarkets. Both the turmeric root, as well as its powdered form, are used in food and remedies.

Eating turmeric in golden tea recipes, juices, or sprinkled on food is a great idea, however if you have been using this spice on its own, you may not be reaping the many health benefits that it is known for. Turmeric is bursting with compounds that have potential health benefits but it is actually very poorly absorbed into our bloodstreams. To increase the bioavailability of the medicinal properties of turmeric (curcumin), it is ideal to pair turmeric with other foods that aid absorption, such as black pepper.

Black pepper is one of the best ways to help maximize absorption into the bloodstream because it contains piperine. This substance has been shown to increase absorption of curcumin by as much as 2000 percent! (2)

There are many reasons to consider incorporating turmeric (and pepper) into your diet. Studies show that turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory (3) and anti-oxidant (4). It is good for your heart (5), your brain (6), has been effectively used to regulate moods (7), and ease arthritis (8). In fact the study link in this article shows tumeric to be MORE effective than the anti-inflammatory drug also included in the study, with the added benefit of having no side effects! I suspect the benefits listed here are just the tip of the iceberg. Scientists continue to deepen our understanding of the health impact of this incredible spice with each new study. It is obvious that the ancient Indian ayurvedic healers knew what they were talking about.

For years I have been drinking turmeric tea, and giving it to my kids in all kinds of remedies, however my new favourite thing is breakfast tumeric juice shots. If you have a juicer this is a great way to add curcumin to your diet without having to dig up new meal recipes, or change the flavour of your current favourite foods (however I do recommend you try adding it to your cooking, it is yummy!).

The photo above has a recipe for the breakfast shots I juiced up for my family to shoot back yesterday as they were going out the door. You can use any combination of ingredients to suit your taste.

Just don’t forget the pepper.

Enjoy!

 

1. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2013 Jan-Jun; 4(1): 3–7. Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview.
Monika Nagpal and Shaveta Sood1

2. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers.
G Shoba 1, D Joy, T Joseph, M Majeed, R Rajendran, P S Srinivas

3. Altern Med Rev. 2009 Jun;14(2):141-53. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Julie S Jurenka 1

4. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:105-25. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin.
Venugopal P Menon 1, Adluri Ram Sudheer

5. Int J Cardiol. 2009 Apr 3;133(2):145-51. The protective role of curcumin in cardiovascular diseases.
Wanwarang Wongcharoen 1, Arintaya Phrommintikul

6. PLoS One. 2012; 7(2): e31211.Published online 2012 Feb 16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031211. Curcumin Enhances Neurogenesis and Cognition in Aged Rats: Implications for Transcriptional Interactions Related to Growth and Synaptic Plasticity.
Suzhen Dong,# 1 , 2 Qingwen Zeng,# 1 E. Siobhan Mitchell, 3 Jin Xiu, 4 Yale Duan,# 1 Chunxia Li,# 1 Jyoti K. Tiwari, 5 Yinghe Hu, 1 , 2 Xiaohua Cao, 1 , * and Zheng Zhao 1 , *

7. Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):579-85. Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
Jayesh Sanmukhani 1, Vimal Satodia, Jaladhi Trivedi, Tejas Patel, Deepak Tiwari, Bharat Panchal, Ajay Goel, Chandra Bhanu Tripathi

8. Phytother Res. 2012 Nov;26(11):1719-25. A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
Binu Chandran 1, Ajay Goel

Healthline has a great article that links to many more studies. Find at this link to 10 Proven Health Benefits of Tumeric and Curcumin

A New Year’s Chocolate Re(solution)

The Solution to Mastering your New Year’s Intention? Make it This Easy!

20170114_1337250This year I have decided to eat more chocolate. Well actually not more. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I have actually been pretty unrestricted in this area for some time now. What I have decided to do is upgrade my stash. You might assume that I am talking about eating dark chocolate, and that would be true, however my usual chocolate is already 70% cocoa solids, organic & free trade. In fact I am fond of telling anyone who questions the magnitude of my consumption that eating this chocolate is one of the ways that I serve humanity, because altruism is, you know, just my thing.

This year though, I am stepping it up and making my own chocolate using raw cacao (not cocoa). This is something that I had been thinking of doing for some time now, but this year I was inspired to finally take the plunge when the talented Alison Nixon gave a chocolate making workshop in my area and I realized how easy it was to do this!

Why cacao and not cocoa you may ask? Cacao has many times more antioxidants than regular cocoa. It is also super high in magnesium, fibre and zinc. In fact if you crave chocolate it may be because you are low in magnesium and cacao would be the ideal way to top you back up! This doesn’t mean that regular cocoa isn’t good for you, but it is different from cacao in that it is heated at high temperatures and as a result loses a lot of its original nutrition. Cacao is the “raw” form of the same bean, but is cold pressed instead of roasted, retaining its living enzymes and making it much more nutritious.

OK, so now you know that it is good for you, but the real reason to eat this chocolate is that it is so yummy, and so creamy! Plus you can make it as sweet or as bitter as you like. The recipe below is similar to the topping of Alison Nixon’s Raw Chocolate Love Bar recipe that was included in the What’s Left to Eat Cookbook that she co-authored. I changed it up a bit but used her portions. This recipe combines the two great loves of my life, chocolate and matcha.

20170114_100819

Raw Chocolate Matcha Medallions

  • 250g Cacao Butter
  • 1 ½ cup (140g) Cacao powder
  • ½ cup (50 grams) raw cane sugar (Grind it up super fine in your mixer first) Other sweetener options such as honey, brown rice syrup, etc work as well.
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract (or whatever extract flavour you like)
  • A pinch of Himalayan salt (or sea salt)
  • Matcha and cane sugar mix. Use as much of either as you would like in your topping mixture. Other options are also tasty. Sea salt sprinked on top once they are half set is another favourite. Also popular in my home was raisins, nuts, pumpkin seeds, gogi berries, or anything else that makes you excited.

Instructions

  1. Chop the cacao butter into small pieces.
  2. Heat a few centimeters of water in a shallow saucepan on low heat. Place a small metal bowl in the water and melt the cacao butter inside the bowl. This ensures that the butter doesn’t get over heated. Make sure that no water (not even a drop!) gets into the bowl. Avoid boiling the water so steam, etc doesn’t make its way into your butter.
  3. Pour the melted cacao butter, cacao powder, sugar and salt into your blender for one minute.
  4. Pour the chocolate into non-stick mini muffin pans. Just a centimeter high. If you want to make bars, or bark, line a flat pan with parchment paper and pour a thin layer on the bottom of the pan. I used a flat bottomed bread pan to make large size bars. A larger pan is also fine if you are going to crack it up to make bark.
  5. Add your toppings
  6. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

*Cacao butter and powder and be bought at most health food stores. I used Organic Traditions bags and got two recipes worth of butter. The powder can be added to cereal, etc and the cacao nibs are a super bitter nibble that some like to snack on as well.