Join me for a special class to welcome summer on the longest night of year! All levels yoga and meditation. 

Go here to register:
​https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12cK1HL5Z7KeomzTUgPEGpxHnYL3-V4c7HC0YsHdfeGI/edit 

Hi everyone! On Saturday, April 6th, I'm hosting a yoga class and shopping event at Saje Mapleview. After the yoga class you get to shop in the store before it opens! The cost for the event is $30.
​
See below for all the details and feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Space is limited so sign up now! You can scan the QR code to sign up or follow this link to the google form. See you there!

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a mala making and meditation workshop. Not only was it fun to make my own mala, but I learned some great things to add to my own meditation practice.

But first, what is a mala?

A mala is a string of beads used in meditation practice. Mala is the Sanskrit name for garland. It looks like a rosary and pretty much does the same thing. In Japa meditation, it is used to repeat a mantra or count breaths while passing the beads through the fingers. It can also be used in quiet meditation to slowly count the beads to calm the mind.

There are a few ways to hold the mala, but the index finger never touches it. The index finger represents the ego and will interfere with your practice. Simply hold the mala in your right hand and drape it over your thumb and middle finger. Starting at the bead to the left of the guru bead, use the thumb to pull the beads towards you as you repeat a mantra in your head, or under your breath.

All malas have 108 beads plus a 109th bead called the guru bead. Each side of the mala must be mirrored, and no more than 108 can be on the string. The guru bead represents the relationship between the student and guru. This bead is sacred and must be passed over when meditating. It isn't touched, rather, the mala is flipped over in the hand so you can continue to meditate.

In the workshop, we each received a string of 108 rudraksha beads. Rudraksha beads come from trees and are actually seeds from something that looks like a blueberry. These are used in many traditional malas, but you will also find malas crafted from beautiful gemstones. The rudraksha beads were the starting point of making our malas. We were invited to choose from a variety of beads on the table to customize our malas. It was really fun to get creative with the colours and the guru bead. I could have spent all of my time choosing beads! But then I would have run out of time to actually create my mala.

While I built my mala, it was being infused with my energy and intention. My patience was certainly tested while I sat on the floor feeding the small string through each of the tiny beads, but it was so satisfying to see them all neatly lined up. I had gratitude for my fingers that could hold the tiny beads, and eyes that could see! I didn't keep track of time or worry about messing up the pattern. I performed regular counts to make sure I stayed on the right track and if I missed a bead, I just went back and fixed it without angst. This encouraged me to bring these positive thoughts and affirmations into my daily life. Just like taking mindfulness off my yoga mat and into the world.

Now that I have made my first mala, I can't wait to make another! I've already used my mala to meditate and I plan to incorporate meditation off my yoga mat too. If you're just getting started, I highly recommend Japa meditation because it's easy to get the hang of it. If your mind wanders, you have the beads to bring you back to your mantra.

​Have you tried meditation yet? How was your experience? If you haven't, what's holding you back?

A lot of people ask me how to start running. Here are some tips to think about. 
I’ve been running for 20 years and I’ve completed nine marathons, eight Around the Bay 30 km races, and many half marathons (I don't remember how many). All of those races have happened in the last 12 years or so. The first 10 years were spent running casually, not training. I didn’t start off running marathons from the get-go. I worked my way up to that kind of distance.

Over the years I’ve put a lot of kilometers on these legs. I would like to think I’ve gained some wisdom that I can pass on to new runners. Here are some things to consider as you lace up for your first run.

1. Start in the spring. You should be outside in nice weather and it’s still cool this time of year. I am not a fan of the treadmill (or dreadmill as some of us call it). For me, the treadmill is only to be used as a last resort when the weather outside is next to impossible to deal with.
2. Get fit for shoes. I believe in starting off on the right foot (see what I did there?) and being fit for the right shoes for your feet and body. The Running Room or a trusted running store where all they sell is running gear, staffed mainly by runners is the best advice I can offer. They will watch your gait as you run and walk to determine which style is best for you. On impact, your feet absorb about three times your body weight so put something comfy in between them and the road. Running starts from the ground up (ah man, I did it again!).
3. Be able to carry on a conversation while you’re running. If you’re gasping for breath, you’re going too fast. Slow down until you can speak and run at the same time. You’re not running a race, are you? Because then, you shouldn’t be able to talk. But when you first start running, start slooooww and then build from there. You have lots of time to get faster.
4. Try the run/walk method. I learned this at the 5K Running Room clinic, and I still use it today in my training and races. It works like this: run for one minute, walk for one minute and repeat for however long you want to be out there. If you want a 20- minute run, do this for the whole 20 minutes. Simple! Set your phone to notify you of the intervals, or invest in a simple Timex watch that has intervals built in. You can program it to beep every minute, so you know when to run and walk. Try 1:1 for a week, then bump it to two minutes running and one- minute walking the next week or so. Keep progressing until you’re up to 10:1. That’s the standard at the Running Room but once you feel comfortable, you might just prefer to run straight through and that’s awesome too!
5. Run with a buddy. I started running with some friends at work during our lunch hour. They were more experienced but welcomed me to join them. We would run to a certain point where I could rest and catch my breath, then they would take a lap around a pond and come back to pick me up and we would continue. It was motivating for me to run with people better than me and it pushed me to get faster and stronger so I could keep up.  You could also join a Learn to Run clinic like the ones offered at the Running Room. You’re starting with other newbies so you’re basically the same level, and you’ll always have someone to run with. On days when you don’t feel like going, you’ll feel accountable to your new friends and get your butt there. Plus, you’ll learn all kinds of fun things such as how to dress in hot or cold weather, how to pace yourself and how to fuel your body.
6. Here’s a tip for dressing for the weather: dress like it’s 10 degrees warmer.  You might be cold when you leave the house, but once you start running for a few minutes you will warm right up and thank me for not wearing that jacket you now have to tie around your waist.
7. At first, just run for time, not distance. Maybe it’s 15 minutes a few times a week. Then 20 minutes a few times a week. A long slow build is ideal because you risk injury doing too much too fast (hello, shin splints!).
8. Be consistent with your runs. I would recommend running three to four days a week with at least a day off in between. Don’t run back to back days when you’re just starting out. Your body needs rest to deal with the new stress you’re putting on it. When I’m injured, I try not to run back to back so I can give my body a break. In regular training, I can run back to back days but never three days in a row.

Overall, be kind to yourself and figure out what works for you. These are only guidelines, not rules.  Most of all, enjoy the journey and get outside!

Have you ventured outside for a run since the temperatures dropped below -5C? Don’t be discouraged. Get out there! With lockdown keeping us indoors and isolated, we need fresh air and some human interaction. Even if it’s waving to people and their pets in the neighbourhood while you’re out for a run.
If you’re wondering how to dress in this cold weather (-8C or colder), here’s what I had on today:

1. Base layer/long johns
2. Brushed cotton tights (lined inside- not my regular tights)
3. Double- layer crew socks (prevents blisters and keeps feet warm)
4. Long sleeve shirt (wicks moisture away so the thermal layer can keep you warm)
5. 1/4 zip thermal long sleeve
6. Jacket
7. Touque
8. Buff neck warmer. Can be used as a head and face cover too.
9. Mitts because my fingers freeze in gloves
10. Bonus for night time runners: please wear a light! I wear a bright headlamp and often reflective tights. This is so others can see YOU.

I get cold easily so I dress in layers. Be careful not to overdress. A rule of thumb is to dress like it’s 10 degrees warmer but that doesn’t always work for me in the winter. I find that guides me in every season except winter.
Do you have any cold weather running tips? Share them here.

​Keep warm and be safe out there!