I used to tell climbing wall owners, there are three things that will make or break the climbing wall business – route setting, architecture and atmosphere. I have come to discover that a Yoga studio is similar. The route setting in the case of a Yoga studio is the sequencing. Intelligent sequencing takes people to depths within the poses and themselves that has a profound effect. Hands on guidance, skillful direction provides both safety and internal connection.

In climbing architecture refers to the angles of the walls, whereas in a Yoga studio, the architecture refers more simply to the amount of space one has and the visibility of the teacher. Perhaps the accessibility of change rooms and restrooms.

Through it’s history 108 Yoga has offered an atmosphere of ease. A place to take refuge from the distractions of our busy and noisy lives. A place to find peace and inner silence. The essence of a Yoga mat where one stands on the island of their mat and moves within themselves as much as covering the two by six foot space the mat covers provides this internalizing of our attention.

And so it was with great disappointment at the recognition that this tranquility of our yoga offerings would be interrupted by the sounds of excavation and blasting, the continual movement of contractors and builders outside our windows, and the disruption of parking and street traffic.

The intention and gift offered by 108 has been to provide respite in our busy and distracted lives. To offer contentment, peace, wholeness through inner exploration and silence. Better for clients to follow their favourite teachers or find new ones, than to dilute the offering of this practice.

In the end the practice has been the goal of all the teachers that have crossed the floors of 108 Yoga. Honour yourself and us by continuing your practice.

Thank you for your support; thank you for YOUR light that shone brightly in the heart of the community.

A number of years ago, I was attending a yoga training in Colorado. We were about to do a Nidra practice and I got that tickle in the throat. You know the kind I mean. The kind where you gag and cough uncontrollably. I quickly sprung up and tried to get out of the room before I disturbed the sixty plus other Yogis and Yoginis. After hacking very ungraciously for the next few minutes, I finally managed to gain control again. I decided it would be too disruptive to return to the practice, so I waited outside. I wandered over by a little bridge that goes over a brook and stood looking at the running water below. My eyes were drawn toward a hummingbird that came over to the beautiful flowers that lines the embankment of the brook. My mind had been ruminating around the unfairness of what I was missing. I really needed that relaxation practice. As I watched this hummingbird a thought arrived in my mind. It was one of those AHA! moments. The flowers were not competing for this hummingbirds attention. They were not telling a story about how they needed or deserved attention more than the other bloom. They were just doing what a flower does. There was no story. No contentment or discontent. And they were each beautiful.

This idea of identity and need comes from our idea of who we are and who we wish to be. It is not inherent in us any more than it is in any life form. We create this idea and therefore we also create our suffering when we are not what we wish to be or cannot see the possibility of becoming what we wish to become.

Here’s a real life example. Who wouldn’t love to win the lottery?!? No more financial worries. We would be happy! Yet research shows that within a year most people are at the same level of happiness they were before the winning. It is not the money… it is the freedom from what we don’t want that we want. It is our discontent that causes our suffering, not our actual life circumstances.

Contentment is the birthplace of freedom.

$40
Sunday June 14 from 2 pm – 4 pm
The workshop will also introduce the principles of ChiRunning and you will experience a relaxing yoga class following a short all-levels run starting from 108 Yoga at the Brewery Market. Join Laurel and Eric for this perfect blend of effort and ease.

Kick off with YOGA MAGNIFIED, with Lacey Haynes on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm – 8:15 pm.

Starts June 2 and runs until July 14th. No class on June 30th.
Cost $60

Register Now!

 WHAT’S NEXT!?! Where will you be in the future?

Most of us spend our time in our heads, rationalizing our decisions and that leads to a very rational life, not necessarily a happy one. Connecting your mind, body and the mind in your heart, guide you toward the actions that give you a fulfilled life and, in turn, happiness and joy.
Heather would love to help you.

Private session – only $85 plus tax.
Book 5 for only $375 plus tax.

Did you know Heather has over 2000 hours of yoga teaching, over 1200 hours of yoga study, a Masters degree in exercise physiology and 5 years of coaching professional athletes?
If anyone can get you out of your mind and into your body, she can.

Purchase your private here!

YOGA FOR RUNNERS is BACK!

Join Laurel and Eric for another Yoga and Running workshop to put a little skip in your running step and a little boogie in your otherwise tight hips.

Sunday June 13th, 2-4 pm

$40 plus tax

Register here 

BIG THAW – Students $40 for 40 days if you are new to 108 Community

The end of March is certainly roaring like a lion. That won’t stop 108 Yoga from firing up the tapas and preparing for spring when it is ready to arrive.

Shrug off the grip of Winter and join us for one of these many upcoming events:

Healthy, Happy, Sexy Book Club – Tuesday March 24th at 7 pm at the studio.

Introduction to Meditation – 6 weeks with Lynn learning to tap into the endless Joy in your Heart. – Wednesday March 25th – 7 pm     Cost $60

Running the Yoga Way - Sunday March 29th – 2 -4 pm      Cost  $40

Desire Map Yoga Retreat – Saturday and Sunday April 18 & 19 from 9 am – 5 pm     Cost $275

2015 BIG Spring Cleanse - Saturday April 25th from 1-5pm and Mon. – Fri. April 27- May 1 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM asana practice.

See you soon!

As the sun begins to pour into the south-facing windows of my home, I enjoy the warmth and light. I feel the desire to get back outside and walk the dogs, to get my running shoes out and start to run. I am thinking about kicking off my running season with Running the Yoga Way. And as the days get longer, more light and warmer temperatures are firing me up to be more productive.

We all experience this new inspiration on the wings of Spring. It is the time to clear out the clutter, to get a new start on our experience of life. Running better, eating better, cleansing and embracing the feeling I really want to feel are my new season resolution.

What are yours?

Mother daughter love.

It’s so easy to say and yet so hard to do! What would you imagine if you couldn’t think of the reasons it wouldn’t work? What would you live that you are not living now? Our brains are designed to keep us safe, to ensure we survive. Yet our brain is not always the best at accurately predicting the future. Nor is the brain great at seeing our best long term survival; it tends more to project our more immediate future.

The heart is where the truth lies.

Still the body, still the mind and find the truth in your heart.

Then live it.

~ Heather Reynolds

Photo credit: Michelle Doucette

January Specials

CHECK OUT THE NEW SCHEDULE