Holiday Hours

In case you're wondering when we're open over the holidays! 

What Can Yoga Do For You?

Prior to 2012, I had dabbled in yoga - I would participate in a few classes, perhaps take advantage of some “special” and then stop attending for months or even years, however I never really felt the benefits that were always bragged about by dedicated yoga participants.  As time passed my back and shoulder problems did not, contrary to my hope and belief, mellow with age.   In January 2012 I decided to give hot yoga a real try and I joined Moksha Yoga Orleans – after all, what did I have to lose - what I was doing in the past wasn’t showing me any results or benefits!

What struck me when I first joined Moksha Yoga Orleans was the high quality of yoga instructors, each bringing a different style and personality to the classes. This variety in instructors kept the sessions fresh, interesting and challenging. While there is an element of predictability in the Moksha series of poses, there is also a broad scope and opportunity for change and experimentation that each participant can take advantage of. 

Almost a year later, I can confidently say that Moksha Yoga Orleans did not disappoint.  By regularly attending 3 or more times a week my life has seen many improvements.  The heat of the room is excellent for helping muscles relax in preparation for the gentle stretching and twisting that typifies a Moksha Yoga session.  I can also confidently say that my ability to focus and concentrate has greatly improved - not only in the hot room, but also in all aspects of my personal and work life. My mind is definitely less cluttered and I have also discovered more patience, calmness, gentleness and clarity in dealing with both situations and others.   I now feel fitter, calmer and quite frankly – happier!

As for the low back pain and nagging shoulder that have haunted me for years - well, those are mostly a memory now. 

I am proud to say I am a believer in the hot yoga offered by Moksha Yoga Orleans - So, remember your breath, feel the energy of your mind and body, and release yourself to the goodness of the hot yoga offered by Moksha Yoga Orleans.

Post by Michael Wissenz

30-Day Challenge: You can do it!

Are you ready for this fall’s 30-day challenge? It begins in a couple of days, but there is still time to register!

Have you considered registering, but you’re not sure you’re ready? Our members have raved about this challenge – they have told us about an overall increase in their energy level, attitude, and even a decrease in their weight!

The main goal is to develop a habit and to integrate your yoga practice more fully into your life. Taking the time to go to class every day for thirty days gets you used to the practice, and gives you motivation to continue. And since we all know that establishing the habit can be the most challenging part, rest assured knowing that you’ll be surrounded by teachers and students who are going through the same thing! You’ll have no shortage of support and pep talks. Many of us have been there before and have come up with great tips and tricks to get over the humps.

The community is here for you! You can log your experience in a journal, a blog, or by leaving us comments and questions on our blog and/or Facebook page. We can’t wait to share your experience with you!

October - Changes in the Schedule

Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th, classes will be at 10am and noon. Monday October 8th, classes at 10am and 4:30pm only. Sunday 10am classes are now “Moksha Mix” (mixing things up a little!!!).

30 Day Challenge!

30 Day Challenge Begins October 1st – Explore your Potential

Explore your potential and join our 30 Day Challenge beginning October 1st! Cleanse and detoxify your body and establish new healthy habits as you rid yourself of old habits that are not serving you. You'll feel a transformation as you connect deeper and commit to yourself. Science confirms that it takes 30 days to develop a positive healthy habit and 30 days to drop an unhealthy habit. This is a personal challenge to do one Yoga class 5 times per week and either a 15 minute savasana or a sitting meditation on the other two days of the week. Completing your own 30 day yoga challenge will require discipline, commitment, focus and sacrifice however, the benefits you reap are huge and include: improved strength and flexibility, deeper sleeps, more energy, focus and concentration and less stress. Complete it, and your name goes into a draw for a one month of FREE yoga at Moksha Yoga Orleans and other prizes such as mats, towels etc... It's only $10 + HST for members and $135 for AutoRenew & Founding Members. For more information, come and see us at reception.

Alternative Health Month

In recognition and in appreciation for your commitment to your clients'  health, we would like to offer all:

• Naturopaths
• Registered Massage Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Chiropractors
• Nutritionists
• Dieticians
• Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners
• Homeopaths 
• Osteopaths 
• Reflexologists 
• Reiki practitioners

A month of FREE yoga! That's right, in September, we're offering FREE hot yoga for Alternative Health Professionals. Simply show up at the studio with your professional ID/credentials upon the first visit.

You are all Healers and WE BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU DO.

Kids Yoga at Moksha Orleans!

Register your children for 10 weeks of Yoga classes.  Starting in September, on Saturdays from 10-11am - your kids can practice yoga in the non heated room while you practice hot yoga in the other room.  Share the benefits of yoga with your kids!!!
click here to register... 

September is Alternative Health Month!

Are you an alternative health practitioner? Do you know one? Come practice at Moksha Yoga Orleans for FREE for the month of September! 

Please contact the studio for more details! 

Hot Yoga in the Summer!

10 REASONS TO PRACTICE HOT YOGA IN THE SUMMER

1. You don't have to wear sunscreen in the hot room! How great is it that you can break a sweat and not risk getting sunburn?

2. Practicing hot yoga acclimatizes your body to the warmer temperature and therefore doesn't feel as humid or overwhelming when you go outside. This enables you to perform at a higher level when outside in the summer heat.

4. Get that beach body! Hot yoga helps you burn calories, build strength and tone muscles in all the right places so you feel confident in your skin.

3. Limber up! Improve flexibility and mobility for your sports performance like golf, running, and
tennis. Helps to improve your game and endurance while decreasing the chance of being injured!

6. Breathe deeply! Yoga teaches us how to take deeper breaths and breathe properly not only in the hot
room but also off the mat when you are in a stressful situation with your kids or maybe at work.

5. Detoxify from your summer indulgences!

6. Summer usually means more vacation and with that comes more eating and drinking by the poolside. Hot yoga allows the body to flush out those toxins through your sweat.

7. Spend some quality time with yourself! Canadian families spend the most time together during the summer months. So use your practice for you-time to keep yourself inspired all summer long!

8. Keep up your regular practice from the winter months to ensure you don't lose your range of
motion and will keep that amazing blissful yoga feeling every day! The benefits of yoga are the same despite what the weather is like outside.

9. Calms the mind! Summer means being constantly on-the-go for many. Hot yoga is rejuvenating and helps to calm and balance the nervous system so you can live completely in the moment while reducing stress.

10. Practicing hot yoga on a regular basis will encourage you to drink more water throughout the day to stay hydrated. It's proven that drinking water everyday helps you to lose weight, skin looks healthier, regulates body temperature, a natural remedy for headaches, and much more!

First time to Moksha Yoga?

You’re planning to come to class for your first time? We’re looking forward to seeing you! People often wonder what to expect during their first class. Here’s a handy list of things to keep in mind!

1. Drink lots of water before your first class - it’s a good idea to increase your hydration a couple of days before the class in order to feel the best during class!

2. Drink water during class - but not too much - your teacher will recommend taking sips at certain points during the class, but we don’t recommend drinking too much. Remember to drink lots after class though!

3. Be mindful of your body’s limits. If you have done yoga before, you will likely feel like you can go much deeper, but be careful not to push too far. It's important to get the basics down!

4. Tell your teacher that you’re new. Your teacher is there to guide you through your practice. Moksha classes are designed to be accessible to beginners and experienced yogis alike - so take a deep breath and know that you are in good hands!

5. Bring a towel for your mat and one to shower afterward. We have towels for rent if you’d like to give them a try before buying.

6. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting sweaty and that you know you will be comfortable in!       
       
7. Have FUN!! We thrilled that you’ll be joining us at Moksha Yoga Orleans. If you have any other questions about what to expect at your first class, give us call - we’d be happy to answer!

Picture by Yui Sotozaki

Summer Sale! 10 Classes for $110 valid for 10 weeks

Keep on track with your yoga practice and stay in shape for the summer and take advantage of this great summer special. Already have class passes?...no problem, we can put them on hold for you so that you can also take advantage of this summer special which is available till July 7th only.

Police Officers & RCMP Practice FREE in July!

To Ottawa Police Officers, civilians working within police stations and RCMP Officers,
in recognition of your commitment and service to our community, Moksha Yoga Orleans would like to offer you FREE YOGA throughout July - that's right, FREE YOGA for the entire month of July!! Simply show up with your ID, yoga mat, towel and re-fillable bottle of water.

Peace - A Lofty Goal?

Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance.
- Unknown

Peace is a fleeting ideal. It is something that everyone hopes to attain, albeit something we must work for.

What if reaching that goal were much easier than we sometimes think it is? Buddha teaches that expectations are the root of suffering. We expect that our body will bend a certain way - it doesn’t, so we feel disappointed. Disappointment is suffering.

If expectation is the root of suffering, removing the expectations allows our minds to be free to enjoy the present moment, uninhibited by concerns of how things should be. The root of peace, must be acceptance of what is.

How do we achieve this acceptance?

The breath. The answer is in the breath. When we take a moment to slow down and examine the moment as is, we will see what a gift that moment truly is. How lucky we are to be able to take the time from our lives to give ourselves a chance to breathe.

When we make the space for our own peace, we open our hearts to the world, sharing this peace with others.

That’s not difficult at all, is it? :) 

SOAR Volleyball!

On June 9th, the Moksha Yoga Orleans team participated in the  SOAR (Support Orleans Area Rotary) volleyball tournament at Petrie Island. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and even more fun! 

Living Your Moksha - Week 7 - Be Peace

Thank you for sharing what BE PEACE means to you, our Moksha community:

To forgive and forget.

The eye of the storm when there is craziness on the outside, 

be calm on the inside. 

Never quit on ME, believe in ME and my goals and never quit on others. 

Believe in others and give them the world and the benefit of the doubt. 

Don't react so quickly. 

Go placidly amongst the toil and haste. 

Remain calm and compassionate towards all and breathe when it's not easy. 

Nurture your sense of balance and inner peace, then share that with the world. 

Let your inner voice be positive. 

Be kind even to those you don't know. 

Make that voice in your head one of Love. 

Love yourself so that you can love others.

Always Learning

The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you’re learning, you’re not old.
- Roslyn S Yalow

One of the things that I enjoy most about my yoga practice is that it is fluid. It is always changing. Each class is a completely different experience, even if the poses are exactly the same as the previous class.

Every day we feel a little different – whether it’s more energetic or a little slower, no two practices are identical. Even after (or should I say, especially after?) practicing yoga for over seven years, I still have eureka moments during class where I realize that if I move my foot just a little in that direction, the pose completely changes and becomes a totally different experience.

The more I practice yoga, the more open I become to the idea that there is still so much to learn; the more humble I become. This is an attitude that extends into the rest of my life. As I get older, I realize what the world has to offer and what a great teacher the universe can be.

With yoga as my grounding to my body and mind, I approach life with an heart open to learning lessons that I might otherwise find not find the time for. 

Living Your Moksha - Week 6 - Live to Learn

Thank you for sharing what LIVE TO LEARN means to you our Moksha Yoga Orleans community:

Try and learn something everyday. 

Be open. 

Travel...it doesn't have to be far to be fun. 

Just get back up after you fall. 

Trust your instincts. 

Listen to your breath. 

Ask questions. 

Learn something new everyday. 

Don't be afraid to make mistakes. 

Learn a new language. 

Stop watching television and read instead. 

Try new yoga poses with Moksha. 

With age eomes wisdorn. 

The rnore I learn the more I realize that I don't know. 

Listen to your inner self and you will answer your questions. 

Enjoy this moment...this moment in your life.

Karma

Karma is very complicated and difficult to define. Its essence is an energy that connects all living things. Basically, the energy that you put out verbally, mentally, or through actions, comes back to you in one way or another.  Karma is the result of a person’s actions and the actions themselves.  It is a Universal principle of cause and effect.  It is about taking responsibility for one’s own actions.  I like to think of it as my tie to other living beings. The push that makes me want to help others without asking for anything in return.

When I practice yoga, I feel more in touch with these feelings. Taking the time to be present and focus on the breath gives me the space to think beyond my own world.

With this space, it is much easier to put ourselves out there and take on situations that otherwise might overwhelm us. For myself, I am quite shy and often opt out of newer situations, especially with people I don’t know. But this week, I participated in a very public event with many spectators - I was part of the yoga Flash Mob! I hope that through sharing my love of yoga, others will come to discover its healing and inspirational qualities. (Video to follow!)

How have you reached out to others this week? 

Lululemon's Yoga on the Hill!

On May 30th, 2012, 508 yoga participants turned out to practice on Parliament Hill. Huge support for Moksha Yoga Orleans and Lululemon. Renée, who taught the class, was assisted by Julie, Edith, Kristen, and Trishia who kindly helped by demonstrating the poses, assisting and taking pictures. You will not want to miss the next one! It was a beautiful day and the energy on the hill was incredible.

Renée guides 508 yoga participants on Parliament Hill. 

The Moksha Yoga Orleans crew!

Charity Class Change

CLASS CHANGE REMINDER: FRIDAY CHARITY CLASS IS AT NOW AT 6PM

Just a reminder that as of June 1st, 2012, the Charity Classes will be Fridays at 6pm instead of 8pm. The 8pm is now canceled.

Living Your Moksha - Week 5 - Outreach

We asked our Moksha Yoga Orleans community what the sixth pillar, Outreach, means to you. Here's what you had to say!

Reach out to someone in need. 

Ask someone how their day is. 

Do something that is out of your comfort zone.

Reach out to someone you wouldn't usually reach out to.

Take action on something you've been putting off.

Failure = opportunity.

Smile to a stranger. 

Help someone before being asked. 

Look further than your life...imagine others'.

Open your mind and heart. 

What is Sangha?

Sangha is a community of people that comes together to support one another in their practice. Moksha Yoga Orleans is special because when you come in, the person greeting you is your teacher. Now that I have been practicing for a few months, when I walk into the studio, I always see someone I know. I recently realized that since I’ve joined this studio, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I am part of a community.

I often come to class early so that I can sit, enjoy some herbal tea, and chat with the teachers. I truly value the fifteen minutes that I spend before class sipping my tea while listening to the buzz around me.

The yoga is amazing and the community, the sangha, is warm and supportive. We are all there for the same love of yoga. Even if you don’t really know someone, you will often receive a kind word of support in the change room because the members of the studio are eager to support each other in their practice.

It’s wonder to practice in such an environment. Sangha support and renewed connection to others is one of the most important reasons I love Moksha yoga so much!

Some of the Moksha Yoga Orleans' sangha! Photo by Alex Mattar

Sangha Support - Flash Mob & Picnic

Today is the last chance to sign up to partake in this super fun crazy exhilarating event while building community and awareness! The only thing you have to do is sign up at the reception desk and show up for 4 minutes of YOGA on a certain day at a certain place to be announced.....


After the flash mob, the whole Moksha Yoga Orleans community is invited to Petrie Island for a pot-luck picnic in support of our sangha! We'll be there from 2-5pm. Please bring your own re-usable utensils and plates. We can't wait to see you there! 

SOAR BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

SOAR BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: JUNE 9th

Moksha Yoga Orleans is proud to be putting a team together to partake in the SOAR (Support Orleans Area Rotary) volleyball tournament on June 9th at Petrie Island.  Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. If you are interested in playing, come and see us at the front desk.

Yoga on the Hill - with RENEE!!

Come one! Come all!

Join Renee and Lululemon for an all levels yoga class on Parliament Hill. Rain or shine we'll be there. Bring your mat, water and smiles! 

This community building event is F-R-E-E and will continue every Wednesday at 12pm throughout the summer. Come for the experience and show your support. 

Can't wait to see you on the mat!


Sign up on Facebook!

Living Your Moksha - Week 4 - Sangha Support

Thank you for sharing what Sangha Support means to you, our Moksha community!

Helping friends, family and neighbours.

Putting time aside for someone even though work is busy.

Volunteer. 

Join Moksha Yoga's Flash Mob.

Call your mother. 

Support each other's goal. 

Eat at least one meal together each week without the TV on.

Appreciate your support system. 

Always take the opportunity to tell your family you love them. 

How is Moksha Yoga Orleans green?

As you know, it is the “Live Green” week of the Living Your Moksha challenge! As this is one of the 7 pillars of Moksha yoga, we thought we would share with you how we have incorporated this pillar into our studio!

Pre-existing Features
The space that we chose was an accounting firm prior to our arrival. We used most of the doors from the existing space.

Reclaimed Wood
When you come into the studio, you will undoubtedly notice all of the beautiful wood. This is all reclaimed wood from Renee’s father’s property near Mont Tremblant.  A mini tornado knocked down 125 acres of trees which we sas salvaged and dried, kilned and milled in order to use in the studio.  This includes the benches, the hallway wall, baseboards and chairs.

Cork and Concrete Floors
The floors in the practice rooms are cork. Many chiropractors and other health practitioners know cork as a flooring alternative for those with low back pain (think Birkenstock-floor!). It is comfortable and healthy to stand on. Also, because it is harvested from the exterior of a living tree, cork contains natural anti-microbes that prevent bacteria from entering the floor. From an environmental perspective, cork is a sustainable product as cork trees continue living and producing after the product is harvested. Cork tree protection is highly legislated in Portugal, where we order the product from, allowing some trees to live well past a century.

The floors outside the practice space are made simply of concrete, which means less consumerism on our part and cleaner air!!

Low VOC Paint
Most paints contain VOC's (volatile organic compounds), which once in the atmosphere, react with other chemicals to form ozone, a major component of pollution. Even paints that start out VOC free take on some VOCs when colorant is added. The paint used by Moksha Yoga studios is completely VOC free, including all colorants. Since much of a Moksha class is focused on breathing, this choice is also optimal from a health perspective.

Energy Saving Appliances
Our washer is a front loader built for low water consumption. It uses less than one third the water of a regular washer its size and we use less than half the soap of a regular washing machine.  Our dryer is also highly energy efficient and we even compost the  “fluff”!


Enviro Cleaning Products
As with all Moksha studios, we use Benefect for all of the studio cleaning. The products are hypo-allergenic (contain no perfumes, dyes, formaldehyde preservatives, ammonia or other common allergens). They are plant-based and thus can biodegrade very efficiently. They also do not off-gas preventing the inhalation of the chemicals released from standard household cleaners.

To keep the rental mats clean we use Benefect, a disinfectant made of plant products such as Thyme, Clove and Lemongrass. It naturally accelerates the germ-killing processes within plants; similar to our immune system. Benefect is certified by Health Canada as an 'anti-fungal' agent, proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria, mold and mildew using aroma-therapeutic biodegradable plant extracts. It is strong enough to use in hospitals and safe enough to drink! Benefect will also be used for some cleaning.

Filtered Water System
Water filters are placed on taps to provide clean and pure drinking water. The Ametek Carbon filtration system filters out chemicals such as chlorine, lead and other dissolved heavy metals, rust particles, sediment, silt, as well as other VOC's and pesticides.  We encourage all our students to bring their own water bottles - in fact, we only sell glass bottles. No plastic bottles here!

Heating System
The studio uses Radiant Heating Panels that were designed by the Environmental Protection Agency for Energy Efficiency. The panels can be used in homes or commercial environments and can often cut energy consumption (or costs) whether gas or electric by up to 40%.

Healthy Choices, Green Choices

When the Dalai Lama came to Ottawa, he stressed the importance of protecting our environment. In some Zen Buddhist prayers said before eating, a commitment is made to stop global warming. Governments worldwide are starting to recognize the damage that we've done to our planet and are taking steps to try to reverse the effects of exploitation.

What are we doing to help our planet?

In Moksha Yoga, one of our 7 pillars is "live green" and limit our impact on the earth. There are many ways we can do this ranging from a changing a small daily habit to major lifestyle changes.

I find that in coming to yoga, I feel healthier. After an hour of breathing deeply and becoming more in tune with my body, I don’t have any desire to turn to junk food to satisfy my hunger. Junk food, with its packaging and processing, also has a much larger impact on the environment than an apple from a local orchard or local freshly baked bread.

When we feel healthy, we make healthier choices. Doing yoga makes me feel healthier which in turn leads me to make choices that are friendlier for the environment. 

We're on YouTube!!!

Come in for a virtual tour of the studio! Video courtesy of Shop St. Joseph!

Living Your Moksha - Week 3 - Live Green!

Here is what living green means to the Moksha Yoga Orleans community!

Compost more.

3 minute showers.

Reduce consumerism - buy less. 

RRR (reduce, reuse, recycle).

Shop at local markets.

Don't have long distance relationships. 

Hit the lights. 

Walk or bike instead of driving.

If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.

Grow your own veggies. 

Organic everything.

Learn to understand nature.

J'utilise des sacs re-utilisables pour mes emplaintes.

Teach your children to be kind to the earth.

Opening your heart

This weekend I attended a Mindfulness retreat. This is something that is completely new to me and before December, when I first starting practicing Moksha Yoga, would have been a bit beyond my comfort level.

After practicing mindful movement for a few months at Moksha Yoga Orleans, and inspired by their view of practicing yoga in all aspects of life, I decided to explore meditation and bring mindfulness off the mat.  Through this exploration, I found a local sangha which gave me the opportunity to pursue these two very complementary practices.

This journey has also brought me to wonderfully inspiring and positive people. I am full of gratitude for the joy that they have brought into my life.

For the last day of “Be Accessible”, I thought it pertinent to share how my practice with the studio has empowered me to become more accessible to the greater community. 

LYM Week Two at Moksha Yoga Orleans

What does “Be Accessible” mean to Moksha Yoga Orleans?

It means that when you walk into the studio, you will be greeted by your teacher. If you’ve been to our classes before, you’ll even be greeted by name! The teacher is always available before and after class for any burning questions that you may have. Want help with a pose? Have an old running injury that keeps flaring up? Feeling a little more internal than usual - or maybe you have extra energy to burn! Let your teacher know and she’ll give you tips and pointers to get the most out of your class.

Moksha Yoga was designed to be accessible to anyone and everyone. No matter what your background - yoga or otherwise! - we want Moksha Yoga Orleans your yoga home. So, come on in, and tell us how you’re feeling. Have some tea, and do some yoga!!

How have I done to “Be Accessible” this week?

This week all yoga challengers can bring a friend for free! I invited a co-worker to come to class with me to share the joy that yoga brings me. Also, with this being a particularly demanding work week, I was “accessible” to myself by making the time for my yoga class. Taking 60 minutes out of the day to breathe and be one with my body can counteract the hustle and bustle of the week and bring me back to calmer mind and a gentler spirit.