YOGA IN THE PARK

Fundraiser for the CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY

Sunday, August 23rd ~ Heritage Park, Mission BC

The weather was perfect and we gathered under an ancient tree to practice yoga and meditation in harmony with Nature. We had 26 amazing yogis come out for Yoga in the Park this morning!  And would you believe that this amazing group raised $365 for the Canadian Cancer Society?  Holy Cow!! In one hour!

The event would not have been possible without Andrea Exner, Deborah Clysdale and Norine Longmire-Aarons.  Thank-you for being such an inspiration! 

I’d also like to thank the gals from the Canadian Cancer Society here in Mission who came out this morning with free sunscreen, water bottles and info about all the work the CCS does for people in need.

Plus, we’re famous!  Well, sort of.  Thanks to Sarah from Country 107.1 Radio who came out to support the event and help us promote it!

In Loving Memory of: Victor Loffler ~ Robert Exner

There were 5 weary souls who gathered together at the studio yesterday, for a family constellation for the city of Mission.  Each of us came to the circle somewhat begrudingly, being pulled in different directions (that incessant “pull” that is a family) but we pushed past the resistance and came together.  Doing what we know needs to be done, but somehow feeling like we don’t want to do it…

What keeps us from “doing it”, whatever “it” is?  I just found this great quote from Brene’s Blog “To choose joy over the fear and vulnerability of being different or weird or ridiculed is a tremendous act of courage – one that touches all of us.”

But I digress, back to the family constellation:  Each of stepped into our roles (aspects of the city of Mission), the broken dreams, the fear, the guiding light/direction, the bridge and the voice that says ‘everything is going to be ok, but maybe it’s not.’  There were a few things that came up for me as I participated in the constellation:

• Fear is nothingness… nothing happens in a place of fear
• Fear does not want to be here (in my life)
• This bridge (or space in between) fear and love is exactly where I need to be, and IT IS OK TO LIVE WITH UNCERTAINTY 
• When we feel completely alone and isolated, like there is no one around or willing to help us, in reality, there is a community (or at least a handful) of people who will help us, if only we would ask
• I am being taken care of (a roof over my head, food on the table – thanks to my husband) but the studio, the space itself needs to be taken care of (ie: the studio space needs to be supported financially)  This realization that my needs are being met is quite calming.  I am not the studio space, I simply hold that space for the community to use.

I hope that next time, you’ll join us in the constellation, which is essentially a place, a circle where we come together to find understanding, healing and gratitude.

“It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” –Brother David Steindl-Rast

On July 11, 2009, almost two thousand people participated in the Camp Moomba Yogathon to raise awareness and funds for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. Participants collected pledges prior to the event and then on the event day as they convened to practice yoga.

UBC Thunderbird Stadium hosted Canada’s largest outdoor gathering of yoga instructors, yoga students and people in the ‘health and wellness’ industry. The event also included a Blissfest Marketplace and Food Fair, a showcase of local consumer products, services and delicacies, a fashion show, and special musical performances by Eileen Rothe and the Ghost Brothers!

Mission Yogis were out to this great event!

Dads, role models and father figures in your life honoured!

During the week of June 22-27, men came to a yoga class for free! Men need Yoga! All the professional athletes are doing it and men all over North America are reducing stress, increasing their flexibility and realizing that “real men” do yoga!

Thursday, June 25th ~ 6:00-7:00 pm  Admission was $10 with $1 from each ticket sold donated to the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley www.wrsfv.ca

“It’s time to take control of your health; Learn practical ways to reduce the risks of cancers.” Anne Arsenault from www.healthbrights.com presented this one hour, practical workshop. We had door prizes, tea and snacks!