 I am Georges Laraque, a pro hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens. In the off season I travel back to Edmonton, and I've been doing yoga as part of my training regime for the past eight years. I feel it compliments my workouts that are already so demanding on my body. After constantly struggling with back issues and after trying out many yoga studios, I believe Moksha Yoga is truly the best place for my mind and my body. Moksha hot yoga has made me a better athlete and has prolonged my hockey career, which after 12 years in the NHL it takes a toll on my body.
Thank you MYE for creating such a welcoming, clean, hot environment where I can come and sweat it all out and I'll see you in summer 2010.
Georges Laraque
Montreal Canadiens
 I am Ayana Pelletier, a pro boxer. I fought as an amateur for five years at the national level, out of Winnipeg, MB, before I turned pro. I was introduced to yoga many years ago. I would go to classes here and there, not at all on a regular basis. At that time I did not understand all that practicing yoga could do for one mentally, physically or spiritually. I was just going through the motion. I thought that yoga was very slow. Everything I was into, was fast paced and I was not ready to slow down, and focus at that level.
Just before moving to Edmonton, to start my pro boxing carrier, the words "hot yoga" started floating around Winnipeg. When I came to Edmonton, I was training six days a week for my fight, and I was doing well. I needed more in my life, and in my training. I was always looking to make my training harder. In the gym one has to focus on relaxing in the ring. I was told about Moksha Yoga Edmonton (MYE), and how intense it is, and how amazingly calm one feels after such a crazy sweat. I had to try it.
Just walking in the front door was great. There was joy in the place. My first yoga class was harder to get through, than being in the ring with someone who wants to knock you out. I made it, and fell in love with yoga. You hold these poses and the teacher tells you to relax into the pose and just breathe. Once you actually start focusing on your own breath, you can do anything in the yoga studio, the ring, or the universe. It just proves that your mind is more powerful than any right hand.
I am up before my alarm on a Saturday and Sunday to go to yoga. I have been injury free ever since I have been going to Moksha Yoga Edmonton. I have taken what I have learned in the studio, into my life. I do some of the poses throughout the day at work, the boxing gym, the track or the trails. From practicing yoga at Moksha, I am stronger mentally and physically. I am more flexible than I ever thought I would be. Yes I have learned to relax and use the breathing techniques in the ring . People ask if I am doing weights, my answer is "nope, Moksha". Thanks MYE. I will be a yogaterian for life.
Ayana Pelletier
Pro Boxer
My story start at the age of 13 when I was diagnosed with scoliosis after being told I had to wait until I was older to do anything I found out that my only option was surgery at the age of 16 my back never really gave me any problems and even with surgery it would never be normal so my parents and I decided against it. As life went on I've always been active, teaching skiing, lifeguarding and all other sports but as i got older the back started to hurt more and more it got to the point that after laying on the couch to watch a movie I would be in some intense pain trying to get up.
I decided to try Bikram Yoga, after that I swore off hot yoga and said never again. A few years later I was looking for something more then the gym and something that would help with my back that's when I came across Moksha!!!! I convinced the 4 other girls I work with to come and try a Karma class to see how it was. My husband thought I was crazy for wanting to go back into a hot studio but away I went and I was hooked. I loved it so much I decided that my next class I would start a 30 day challenge for myself which turned into a 40 day challenge and would of probably kept going if they didn't closed for renos.
I haven't had any back pain since I've started , not to mention a body where people can't believe I've had a child. LOL I never thought I could love something so much I look forward to my classes and all the great instructors I have met. I know Moksha will be a part of my life forever!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Schwartz
I discovered you quite by accident this year and it has been quite life altering for me. I am a heart patient (4 open heart surgeries to date) that has always had a hard time finding wholistic fitness designed to, well, make the body whole and not punish instead. Moksha has literally restored my faith in my body's ability to move and heal and be healty. Both my body and spirit feel alive again. I even had an emergency appendectomy in November and was totally chomping at the bit to get back! Longest 4 weeks of my life.
Your studio is clean, friendly, accessible, great options in class times, great variety in class types. A student never ever feels judged or like a fish out of water. I love being in class with older guys who can barely touch their toes and ladies who can bend like pretzels. What a wonderful celebration of individuality. Your instructors are varied, knowledgable, kind, and fun. Just an awesome blessing all around.
Jennifer
When I first tried Hot yoga, I was blown away by the intensity of it. It was such a perfect challenge for the mind and the body. As a training actor, Hot yoga has helped me be aware of my body, move consciously, focusing the mind, finding stillness, staying centered. After my first class, I was absolutely hooked. I love how each class is a challenge. I love how the challenge brings growth. I love how the growth brings peace.
When I started, my mind was so quick and active, and my life was taking that form too. With hot yoga, I started to take the yoga out of the studio and into my daily life. I am more focused and try to remain in the present as I am talking to people, truly listening. I now use the 'letting go' that we do after a posture in my day-to-day life. When I feel frustrated or angry with something, I just let the frustration wash away, and start with a clean slate.
I also look for that joy in things that I do that seem tedious, or boring or frustrating. And of course, I am more aware of my physical state, and am less abusive to my body. I give it food it wants, not something that will fill some other kind of void. I just feel a lot healthier, more energized. I feel like I am using my potential rather than burying it.
All I can say is that I love it. I feel so grateful for my practice, because I feel it's saved my life.
Serena
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder three years ago. I take a combination of medications that help me manage my moods. But it is really practicing Hot Yoga that has enabled me to manage my illness. I started practicing Hot Yoga two years ago. I have experienced difficult side-effects from various medications, including weight gain, apathy and difficulty waking up. Aside from helping me control my weight, practicing Hot has helped me to motivate myself when I am feeling apathetic, and slow down when I am feeling manic. It also helps when I am feeling down. Through practicing Hot - I quit smoking (used to be a pack a day) and stopped shopping (used to be a thousand dollars or so per trip); two unhealthy addictions that often come along with manic depression.
I have come to see the practice as a microcosm of my life, in that if I can get through difficult postures I can try my best to get through difficult days with the same focus and optimism.
Taking up the practice was challenging at first, but it has become nurturing and fulfilling. I would recommend Hot Yoga to anyone as a stress management tool, an anxiety management tool, and an overall great addition to any mental health program.
All the best to you. Namaste.
Unexplained emotional intensity, lack of confidence, sleepless nights and hot flashes are only a few of the challenges that menopause has presented to me. On some days a simple decision can be as challenging as programming my new cell phone! On some days nothings seems to be clear.
About 6 months ago my daughters introduced me to Hot Yoga and my life took a different turn. Standing for 90 minutes and looking into my eyes has given me the opportunity to feel my own strength. Each day the yoga presents new challenges that I am shocked my body has met. There were so many postures that I was sure my 56-year- old body would never be able to do. It was a slow process but gradually, I started to strengthen and my muscles started to stretch. My hot flashes slowly diminished and are gone. Both the chronic pain in my toe and that in my shoulder have disappeared. All these benefits have given me a great sense of confidence and a feeling that I am invincible.
On top of all these physical benefits, and the confidence that accompanies them, I find I sleep better. And best of all I feel more connected to my personal abilities. I highly recommend that every woman experiencing these menopausal times try at least a few classes to see how they go. The rewards are astounding.
Janet Robertson, Teacher
I will get straight to the point. I was molested as a child and raped when I was in grade 9, and by the age of 15 a childhood friend had been murdered and my best friend had committed suicide. To say the least times were tough.
Most of the time the toughest challenge was just getting out of bed. Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and fear made mornings overwhelming. Some days I physically was unable to get up out of bed.
In the thick of my depression I found Hot Yoga. I went into class skeptical and came out wide-eyed and hopeful. It was the first time my mind had stopped thinking and spinning for as long as I could remember. My body and mind felt amazing. I became completely hooked. I started sleeping through the nights, waking up well rested, began being interested in trying new things. I even became excited to wake up.
Not only did Hot Yoga keep me from drowning but it made me fly above the waves. To anyone who feels depressed, tired, uninspired, etc, I so suggest you try this. I truly don't think I would be here today if I hadn't found this yoga.
Anonymous, Toronto |
