India based is the first site to offer the services. For the cost of just $20 you can experience live one on one yoga instruction with a certified yoga teacher 24/7. All you need to do is register online and choose the time you want. Once you’re registered in the class you’re sent a link to begin your quest for serenity.

This new ability to take a class online could really be a God send for the time strapped student.(Expect if you’re a Mac using student, the site is still working on it’s Mac platform). Sometimes you just can’t make the time constraints of the studio.

Studio replaced?

The new technology falls somewhere between streaming online classes (like Vancouver based ) and  actual face to face interaction with an instructor. Although the ability to receive real time instruction without having to venture out may appear to be absolutely brilliant, some critics argue it’s missing an important element of the yoga experience, human connection.

‘It’s really hard to duplicate that one on one connection,” said , Founder of Semperviva Yoga and the Director of Semperviva Yoga Teacher Training in Vancouver.

To Latham there’s a human element that can get lost in the online world. Latham argues that in today’s day and age, coming to a yoga class is sometimes the only human contact people get.

For Latham the sense of community found in the classroom is part of the yoga experience. She also believes that the small interactions made with other people in a group setting can be life training.

“It’s really easy to be peaceful on your own, but can you be peaceful when you’re with other people?” she asked.

But Latham admitted that the online platform does hold value. She sees it as most useful for the constant traveler or someone who really can’t make it to class. The webcam interaction does allow the teacher to give verbal cues to make the proper adjustments, they just can’t make the physical correction.

However for her, nothing will ever replace real human interaction. “I really enjoy working with a group… there’s just a lot to be learned in community.”

Namaste

“We all know that students are quite overworked when it comes to living on the edge,” said i, a yoga instructor, Co-founder of Yoga for the People and a Research Psychologist at UBC, “it’s a lot of work on the body, a lot of stress on the body.” But according to Slocum- Gori, the mind-body connection of yoga can help to reverse some of these effects.

“Yoga itself on the mat triggers the parasynthetic nervous system which is the nervous system that is responsible for restoring, so it restores [the body] at the cellular level,” she said.

Not only does it restore, but the mind body connection created in yoga improves overall focus off the mat.

“The goal of yoga is to utilize the mat as a training ground for the mind and body,” said Slocum-Gori. She said that once the mind has been trained to focus, the benefits will be apparent in every day life, including studies.

The list goes on

Yoga’s positive impact on the student body doesn’t end there. There is a l that regular practice will create. Some relevant to the hardworking student include increase in learning efficiency, energy levels and memory.

A healthy focused mind is a beautiful (and beneficial) thing.

Photo courtesy of flickr user Axel Bührmann

It’s not just university students who are going to benefit from yoga. Some elementary schools are realizing the healthy impact of yoga on their students.

A school in and one in have adopted the downward dog. In, there’s also a studio just for kids. Each school emphasizes the importance of stress release, regular psychical activity and just teaching kids to chill out as their reasons for implementing the practice.

If an eight-year-old student can learn yoga to chill out, then I don’t see why a 19-year-old or 25-year-old student can’t do the same.

The best yoga poses for the release of stress

* (sarvangasana

),

* (halasana),

* (ardha matsyendrasana),

* (shalabhasana ),

* (simhasana)

Namaste

This tradition is commonly refereed to as “Yoga of the heart.”

new tron legacy movie

Image compliments of Flickr user lululemon athletica

It’s a form of hatha yoga that concentrates on the connection between the breath and movements. Created in 1997 by John Friend, the style is fairly new. According to Friend, the style  is growing in popularity. Friend’s 

website summarizes the style’s goals.

The class, which was open to all levels, focused on opening the body  for more than just  getting a better stretch and aiding in digestion (which it does as well). In Anusara, the yogi is meant to connect with his/her spirit to find the divine within him/her self.

With my busy student life I often struggle to find time to get to a class. This means when I’m there I aim  to get the most out of it (i.e a good solid regrouping). I got what I came for.

The class  began by chanting three oms (which always sound so beautiful). This was followed by another chant specific to this particular style. I will admit I didn’t sing along even though the words were placed in front of me. With my voice I’m sure it was more enjoyable for everyone that way.

After the chanting, we ran through a series of sun salutations (a flow of postures intended to open the body, warming it up), followed by balancing postures and more body opening work. This meant many back bends. Full disclosure, mine still hurt the next day, but in a good way.

When the class finished I was more relaxed, grounded and happier the rest of the day.

Well done Anasura, we will meet again.

I’ve looked into it, and from what I can find there are four studios in Vancouver that  have Anasura on their schedule.

*

Inner Space Yoga

*YYoga Flow

*YYoga Yaletown

*Yogapod

All four studios offer student discounts on membership purchases.

If your just looking for a general studio nearby or a workshop etc., I’ve found yogavancouver to be fairly comprehensive.

Until next time,

Namaste

If you let it, yoga can become an expensive hobby

If you’re anything like me it’s likely that your budget is tighter than your spandex yoga shorts, which let’s face it, aren’t that cheap either. But they’re not the only pricey piece of yoga gear.

A mat can run you anywhere from $20 to $100. Add to that the cost of a class which averages $20 an hour, then tack on the upwards of $50 to get yourself outfitted. It appears the cost of getting grounded isn’t as friendly on your wallet as it is on your health.

Not to worry, there are ways to cut costs so you have a good excuse to sport your oh so short lulu’s.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being what feels like a perpetual student, it’s how to save money.

Here’s a few tips.

First off, if you’re  serious about yoga it’s worth investing in a decent mat. In the long run it lasts longer and you’ll feel the quality in your workout when your not sliding all over. I own a jade yoga mat made from recycled materials, and so far no complaints.

If you’re  just starting out Canadian Tire sells them for about $20.

Once you have a mat you’re set and can pretty much practice anywhere.

• In your living room (possibly using a DVD)
• On your lawn
• In a park
• On the beach
• At your gym (many offer yoga classes)
• The aerobics studio at your gym (even if it doesn’t  offer yoga you can usually take over the studio when it’s vacant)

If you’re set on a studio there are a few ways to save. Opt for one with a student discount. Some studios also offer donation-based classes. These are usually offered once a week and are “pay what you can.”

I have compiled a map of all the yoga studios I can find in Vancouver that offer student discounts and classes by donation.

View Yoga Studios in Vancouver in a larger map.

If you’re  really committed then go big. I’ve found that buying packages instead of paying drop ins usually saves money in the long run.

While investigating these cost cutting tools, I came across one studio in Vancouver that stood out as particularly budget friendly. Yoga For The People on the edge of Gastown runs as an entirely donation based studio with a pretty decent class schedule .

Namaste