Vancouver Summer 2011

Vancouver

I thought I’d share some of my Canadian adventures and photos with you all (scroll all the way down this page to view the pictures).
I had such a wonderful time and I want to thank my sweet Kate Potter for opening up her home to me and to my snowbird friend and student Brian for his time jetting me around in his fun li’l convertible. And what perfect weather we had for that!
I feel so lucky and refreshed from this awesome trip. I was able to stay on beautiful Gambier Island after a quick bus ride to the ferry then a smaller boat to take us over to Kate’s. The forest was surreal! Walking through the lush greenery was really invigorating even after traveling all day, it was absolutely breath taking. As you see by these photos, the beach, which was a fun climb down the side of a hill off Kate’s back yard was again breathtaking! Big beautiful rocks and massive logs big enough to do yoga on! Blackberry bushes everywhere, we picked some delicious plums which we turned into a cake (that’s another story, LOL! ) We had a fantastic early morning yoga practice each day. Lovely, quiet, fresh air, and then chainsaws usually began right about savasana time! Timed out just like the gardeners here at Yoga Bala, too funny!
Later in the week it was time to head to Vancouver. So, after another beautiful trek through the forest, a few boat rides and a bus trip we were back to the studio. Kate gave me a little bike ride tour and got me comfortable with getting around downtown. The next morning after a cup of tea I headed out for a 5:00am bike ride to a quant little traditional Ashtanga Yoga studio. Check it out here! After a great practice I explored a bit of the downtown area and took another savasana on the beach : ) Though Kate and I had our morning practice time it was fun to play around in a few lead classes. Yyoga is a studio downtown that teaches about 750 students a day! This is another place Kate teaches, so I was able to take her lead class which was wonderful! Check out Namaste Yoga on Facebook here or go here for a free class download! I also participated in a power flow class, a good sweat and lots of fun! That evening we rode to the beach for a Kirtan and were very lucky to hear a Dasi woman with an angelic voice and a gift for story telling. Talking of her experience in India, studying classical music for 10 years and of how extraordinary the women were that she met along her journey. It was so super cool to see all the Yogi’s chanting and dancing in the park. Lots of love and peace everywhere. The Dasi music is absolutely beautiful and she does have cd’s. I would love for you to support her! Here’s the link.
I had a phenomenal week. It was busy, yet relaxing. So much to do, yet nothing that had to be done. Body moving and completely still. Mind active and totally empty. Life is yoga, yoga is my life. Now I am back and so happy and very excited to be with my kids and little Roxy. I’m ready to get on my mat, talk and listen to you all. Feeling full of joy and gratitude for my vacation and for getting back to Yoga Bala!