Yoga is Radical: Toronto Conference Inspiration

Yoga is all over the world! It is amazing to observe the many incarnations and manifestations of this ancient practice. With an unlimited scope of form and content, the art of yoga has and is spreading widely and wildly. Attending the Toronto Yoga Conference last weekend was an invigorating and interesting experience. There was a lot of energy, a lot of action, a lot of frenzy over the culture of modern, urban yoga! The show floor was busy with attendees, a lot of smiles and health samples with everything from red beet crystals, to mushroom extract, to alkaline coffee.

In the middle of the show floor, there was a space with ongoing classes of many varieties. I attended a half an hour workshop of Kundalini yoga and how to de-stress as well as relax before bed. The meditations and movements from the school of 3HO Kundalini Yoga were so effective that I experienced an immediate change in my vibratory energy field. What a calming peace, emotional peace and exquisite serenity! I look forward to exploring Kundalini yoga more in the future. I received more from that short experience than I ever could have by buying into the consumer health products and fashions available. Overall it was a fabulous experience to more closely discover the range of levels and expressions in the yoga community in Toronto and beyond. The ongoing Kirtans were a special treat aswell. Hare Om!

A few highlights from the vendors were:

Toronto Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association which put on the meditation I mentioned above

The Lily Foundation - charity to benefit Vietnamese children supported by fundraising in Ontario with funds also raised from the artistic endeavours of Toronto's creative community.

Michael Moon and the Temple of Sound - healing and meditative music compositions focused on the power of sound during practices of consciousness and relaxation.

The teacher training workshop I attended was for Pre & Post Natal Yoga with Monica Voss. Learned so much about the female body and emotional landscape during pregnancy. Hopefully one day I will have the honour to guide women on a yogic journey during that sacred time. Most of all, I was inspired by the deep practice of teaching yoga in general that Monica Voss shared. She is one solid and grounded yogini! A few highlights from her class may touch you also.

Thankyou Monica! Thankyou Yoga!

"drop deep inside"

"postures give opportunity to teach the skills of life" (open, surrender, ground, expand)

"teach to the spine"



"empower women, empower yourself"

 

"'accomplishment' of poses is not important: where is our experience?"



                   "

YOGA IS NOT ABOUT CONFORMING

YOGA IS RADICAL

YOGA IS ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN

 ITS NOT ABOUT DOING WHAT WERE TOLD, ITS ABOUT FINDING OUT

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