Things to keep in mind as you prepare:

- 3 cushions and a thick, rolled up blanket (or bolster) for props
- one cushion under your head, one under each knee
- intended to feel totally supported and cozy
- rest in this posture for 10 to 15 minutes
- dress in a cozy way, keeping warm with an extra blanket
- you can use or ignore the strap around your legs
- rest in a warm and quiet space

Special Notes:
When settling in, be sure to snuggle your hips comfortably on the ground. If, when you lie back over your bolster (rolled blanket) the curve in your low spine feels painful, simply scoot your hips inch by inch away from the bolster until the pain is gone. You might also want a little cushion to prop your head so that it is lifted slightly higher than your heart. Give yourself as much coziness as you need, making little adjustments (more or less cushioning) until you can really let down and relax. Remember to set up with a blanket for coverage so you don’t get a chill and consider enjoying soothing music as you rest. *Discontinue practicing it if you feel any pain.

Benefits:
- great for releasing the hips, low spine,
- supports freedom in the neck and jaw tension
- balancing hormones, easing menstrual pain and irregularities
- opens the heart center
- offers deep relaxation
- soothing before bedtime or useful in place of a nap during the day

Enjoy!
Namaste.

Other benefits of vocal coaching:

- confidence when singing or speaking publically
- sustainability for the professional voice user
- easing vocal tiredness and tenderness
- personal empowerment through clear and grounded communication

Vocal coaching sessions are:
- uniquely structured coaching to meet each students needs
- one hour in length
- booked in bundles or one class at a time
- 45$ – 85$ per hour, sliding scale

Please contact:
michelle.girouard@gmail.com
613 888 6672
for more information or to
schedule a session

The way of Winter is the way of the Warrior: the way of quiet and aligned power. Wherever you cultivate standing presence, listening communication, balanced discipline, loving responsibility, right action and clear boundaries, you lay a foundation for Wintertime in body, mind and heart.

Winter Yogic Events:
Invite yourself on a gentle journey to your inner power by exploring and 8 week Winter-Yin Yoga Series beginning on January 20th; stoke your inner fires with a weekly Vinyasa class, Vidvaya Zikhara, living your yoga practice while pulsing to live music beginning later in January. 2011; relax into blissful peace with a solo Yogic Touch Treatment, consisting of restorative yogic postures and energetic balancing (Reiki) in my private studio, downtown Kingston.

Welcome to the sweet and empowering possibilities of this darker time, welcome to the glow of your inner heart.

Follow it.

Metta,
Michelle -
michelle.girouard@gmail.com

As the season turns toward Autumn, there is a gentle drawing inward of light as the days shorten and the cool weather returns. The wisdom of Karma in this time of change and dimming light is a wisdom of trust, detachment and silence, calling on sitting meditations that will ground, center and calm the winds of change that scatter Fall seeds – calling on a trust that everything will fall into it’s perfect place in it’s own time. It is the way of right timing, right action and sitting wisdom.

Fall courses and events:
There will be a Fall pre-registered, gentle yoga course at Samatva Yoga beginning on Thursday, September 30th and running for 6 weeks. The course will explore and honor these Fall themes through a gentle and restorative practice that will be supported by soft, live chants to soothe and calm. Please visit Samatva Yoga’s website for more information: www.yogasamatva.com.

A monthly Kirtan will also be returning to dowtown Kingston on the third Tuesday evening of each month at Samatva Yoga, 8:30pm on a donation basis. The first Kirtan of the season will be held on September 21st.

There are still spots available for private yoga instruction to renew, restore, balance and release the stresses of the past season with a gentle yogic approach to movement, breath, visualization and meditation, coupled with conscious touch/reiki to support the process. These one-on-one sessions run for 75min and cost 60$.

The mantra for this month: I am open to all outcomes without being attached to outcome. I trust in the wisdom of allowance and stillness.

Namaste,

Michelle -

A CD of gentle chants is in the works and scheduled for release in October 2010 with proceeds from the sales going to support a fundraising initiative that I’ll be partaking in 2011, The Seva Challenge: 2011/12. To learn more www.offthematintotheworld.org.

I hope this new season is sweeping in a wonder of possibilities and sparkly new things for you and your heart,

Metta,

Michelle -

Namaste,

Michelle -

April News: Spring Yoga Dance Series at Path Yoga, 336A Barrie St, downtown Kingston, ON.  The pre-registered series will run on Sundays from 5pm to 6pm beginning  May 2nd, 2010. The cost will be 80$ for 6 classes. Please contact michelle.girouard@gmail.com for more information or to pre-register.

**Drop in Yoga Dance Classes to be held in April 2010 at Path Yoga…

Stay tuned for the announcement of a weekly Yoga Dance class at Path Yoga in Kingston, ON and a Spring Kirtan event after Easter…let the Spring awaken you!

Namaste,

Michelle -