MAY LONG WEEKEND HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

FRIDAY MAY 17TH

ALL Classes are ON!

SATURDAY MAY 18th

9am Hatha with Deanna is ON!

10:30am Zumba with Antonya is ON!

11:30am Pilates with Naomi is ON!

12:30pm Vinyasa with Lisa is ON!

4:15pm Hip Hop is CANCELLED

5:30pm Dancehall is CANCELLED

SUNDAY MAY 19TH

ALL Classes are ON!

MONDAY MAY 20TH

ALL Classes are ON!

In class we talked about what limits us, what inspires us, and what our dream lives look like. Rachel had us write down the lives we envision for ourselves – our “awesome lives” – and encouraged us to do so every day, so that one day our dreams might manifest into reality. After this session we energized with some dancing then flowed through a Vinyasa yoga practice. After class we sat down and toasted one another for completing the challenge, then shared our stories about our experiences. Here are some of the inspiring comments I heard:

One woman’s daughter had bought her a pass and although she had never done yoga she didn’t want to let her down. She came to class every day and by the end of the challenge realized this is something she will be doing for the rest of her life. Another woman has lost over 100lbs in the time she’s been an Exhale member, and has changed on the inside as well, becoming a shining, open, confident woman.

One person had to leave work early a few times to make a class that day, while someone else mentioned that they found themselves having to say no to helping others in order to come to class. The challenge helped them to make their own health a priority, and we discussed the problem many of us face of spreading ourselves too thin. You can’t give 100% to other people or to your job if you’re not feeling 100% – “you can’t serve from an empty platter.” Taking a yoga, pilates or dance class for yourself can be the equivalent of putting your safety mask on first – you are in the best shape –  physically, mentally and emotionally – to give your all to other tasks.

The opportunity to try new classes and finishing the challenge even when it was “challenging” were among other benefits cited by the students. My own personal breakthrough came when I realized that, after practicing yoga off and on for over 20 years, I finally feel like I am doing it for other reasons other than the physical benefits. Most people have this breakthrough much sooner in their practice, but for me it took dedicating myself to yoga classes I wouldn’t normally take were it not for the challenge.

Listening to others’ stories was truly inspiring for me, but the most inspiring of all was the way I felt having completed something  I set my mind to and experiencing the freedom that comes with physical health and mental peace. So the next time Exhale Studio offers a challenge, join me and see what changes are in store for you!!

Miss Kula – Exhale Studio, Yaletown, Vancouver

Journal Entry #49 – May 9th, 2013.

Looking back to when I started this blog over two years ago, I came across my second post, raving about JoJo’s Dancehall class. I never missed it. Unfortunately for us, in the time since I posted that blog JoJo has moved to Toronto, but he is working in Vancouver at the moment and is back at Exhale Studio teaching a Dancehall workshop this Sunday from 1:15-2:15pm! Those of you who have experienced JoJo’s classes I’m sure will not want to miss this, and for those of you who haven’t, here is a little info on what you can expect:

JoJo’s charisma and unparalleled style match his energy and he is so inspiring to be around! JoJo is one of those people who sees the beauty in everything, and brings a little more beauty and joy wherever he goes.  His Dancehall style is sexy, funky and smooth, adding his own flair to traditional Dancehall moves and creating his own as well. He starts with a warm-up then teaches choreography. His choreo is challenging but fun and accessible; he gives variations for different levels and also for guys and girls. Dancehall stems from reggae, so of course the music is incredible, and it’s impossible not to have fun dancing to it!

JoJo brings all this – plus his added experience teaching in Toronto – to his workshop this Sunday. I won’t be missing this and I hope to see you there!

Miss Kula – Exhale Studio, Yaletown, Vancouver

Journal Entry #47 – April 19th, 2013.

Miss Kula  ~  One thing I love about Exhale studio is the accessibility of all the classes. Although the yoga, pilates and dance classes push your limits most classes offer variations so all levels are welcome. The nurturing teachers also help beginners learn new things while pushing more experienced students to deepen their practice. The dance classes especially I find less intimidating that at other studios, not because the classes are not challenging, but because the teachers and other students are so welcoming – there is a real sense of community.

Last Thursday I took Ayah’s Burlesque Beauties dance class at 7pm. I have taken various incarnations of this class in the past, but this was my first time experiencing Ayah’s. I loved it! Inspired by burlesque and designed for beginners, this class will have you sweating while teaching you some sexy new moves and giving you confidence. We began with a fun warm-up that taught us how to move our hips and shoulders, and stretched our muscles. Then Ayah led us in some across-the-floor work, strutting and dancing as we worked up confidence. After across-the-floor we did a combo to Adele’s “Rumour has it”; the combo was fun and challenging, and so rewarding when we finally got it at the end. Ayah is a wonderful teacher and I left this class feeling confident, sexy and more toned! So join me this Thursday and try something new – pushing yourself to try something outside your comfort zone always garners the greatest rewards!

Miss Kula – Exhale Studio, Yaletown, Vancouver

Journal Entry #46 – April 10th, 2013.

Friday March 29^th (Regular Schedule)

10:00am Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Deanna is ON

12:00pm Yoga/Pilates Fusion with Rachel is ON

4:15pm Ballet Pilates with Ariel is ON

5:30pm Hatha Yoga with Pamela is ON

7:00pm Yin Yoga with Pamela is ON

Saturday March 30^th (Regular Schedule)

9:00am Hatha Yoga with Slava is ON

10:30am Zumba Dance with Antonya is ON

11:30pm Pilates with Coco is ON

12:30pm Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Deanna is ON

4:15pm Hip Hop Groovin with Richard is CANCELLED

5:30pm Dance Hall with Nicole is CANCELLED

Sunday March 31^st (Easter Holiday Schedule)

10:00am Hatha Yoga with Slava is ON

11:30am Power Yoga with Chris D. is ON

4:15pm Bollywood Dance is CANCELLED

5:30pm Pilates is CANCELLED

7:00pm Candlelight Yin Yoga is CANCELLED

Monday April 1^st (Easter Holiday Schedule)

10:00am Hatha Yoga with Slava is ON

12:00pm Yoga/Pilates Fusion with Coco is ON

4:15pm Zumba Dance with Antonya is ON

5:30pm Pilates/Yoga Fusion with Rachel is ON

7:00pm Hatha Yoga is CANCELLED

Exhale Studio is proud to welcome yoga legend

EOIN FINN

Saturday March 16^th

Super Flow Yoga Workshop – 12:30 – 2:30pm

Super Flow is an ecstatic form of movement, drawing inspiration from Yoga, martial arts, dance, surfing, ski & snowboard maneuvers. Set to music, it starts off slowly allowing ourselves to feel centered & open in our bodies. Gradually we build up in intensity, spiraling back in touch with the joy of movement. You will sweat, release and feel the life force pulsing through you!

The Big Chill: Restorative Yoga Workshop – 3:00 – 5:00pm

Come and experience the joy of deep relaxation of restorative yoga. Enjoy a series of poses that are therapeutic to the body and calming to the mind.  You will access a peace and joy that will send you straight off the “Blissometer.” We will compliment the deep openings with pranayama and a hammocky-enlightened savasana. Don’t miss the bliss!

Space is limited for these intimate workshops, and filling up fast! Please email info@exhalestudio.com to register now!

Each workshop is only $50!

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“Create the Life You Will Love” Seminar

Led by Exhale Studio Owner & Instructor Rachel Wainwright

SUNDAY MARCH 17th

1:15 – 2:15pm

You have a clean slate to create whatever you want! Take the time to pinpoint what stimulates you and brings you joy. Decide what you want, believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, and believe it’s possible for you! Imagine a journey you will love to experience. Map out your future in pencil. Start yourself on a path that brings you more health, happiness & wealth.

$18 drop in or FREE if registered for the 30 Classes in 35 Day Challenge!

REGISTER NOW!!

Yeva’s class incorporates a lot of standing postures, as Vinyasa classes normally do, but she also manages to fit in inversions and hip openers that help balance the practice. She plays wonderful music that helps us flow – a lot of indie tracks and world music – and I felt I was able to deepen each posture even though I didn’t hold any single one for very long (Vinyasa classes flow with the breath). This class is challenging, and although Yeva offers modifications, the continuous flow helps me to push myself. Yeva’s calming presence and unique ability to guide her class through postures that stretch and strengthen muscles you didn’t know you had further enriches this class. So give power lunches a whole new meaning – take an hour for yourself and get ready to take on the afternoon relaxed and revitalized! See you on Wednesday at noon!

The challenge kicked off with a seminar led by Exhale creator and owner Rachel Wainwright, back from hosting the first Exhale yoga teacher training in Nicaragua followed by an enlightening yoga retreat in Costa Rica. Entitled “Create the Life you Will Love,” I couldn’t wait to see what wisdom Rachel could impart having undoubtedly picked up ample on her travels.  Rachel indeed led the seminar with confidence and depth, but also encouraged all of us to open up and share our knowledge and experiences too.

Rachel began by asking us why we were there, and what inspired us to take the 30 class challenge. We each shared our stories, and I noticed the underlying motive people had was that they wanted to do something for themselves. Then we took a few minutes to imagine our dream lives if money were no object. We wrote these dreams down and then wrote down what is stopping us from achieving these dreams and what leaks our energy. I felt enormously grateful to be living a life fairly close to what I imagine my dream life to be, but there are a few things I would like to change, and they are big additions. These dreams do not necessarily seem out of reach, but they do seem big to me – perhaps I am afraid of the immense happiness that awaits me. When it came time to ponder the things that leak my energy and hold me back, emotion rushed through me as I acknowledged that nagging feeling in my gut that I’ve had for quite some time now: I am the only person holding myself back.

Rachel broke up the serious mood with some rhythmic, energizing dancing around the studio. We then did a series of over fifteen sun salutations, chanting a mantra to each one. We came up with our own mantras according to what we wanted to welcome into our lives and what we wanted to let go of. I left inspired, and excited to continue with the challenge. Committing to a daily practice of yoga, pilates, dance or all three, tones and shapes the body, nurtures the soul and clears the mind, but also teaches discipline. It is important to devote at least an hour to yourself each day, and if we honour that commitment, that discipline translates to other areas of life as well. Because our dreams can become reality, and we are usually the only thing standing in our way.