I thought it might be nice to give you some of the meaning behind this statue… this is Lord Shiva as Nataraja! I will add more information soon about the story associated to the Nataraja (it is a very good story) but for now I would like to shed some light on a few of the characteristics:

• A cobra uncoils from his lower right forearm, and the crescent moon and a skull are on his crest. He dances within an arch of flames. This dance is called the Dance of Bliss, aananda taandavam.
• The upper right hand holds a small drum shaped like an hourglass that is called a ḍamaru in Sanskrit.^[4][5][6] A specific hand gesture (mudra) called ḍamaru-hasta (Sanskrit for “ḍamaru-hand”) is used to hold the drum.^[7] It symbolizes sound originating creation or the beat of the drum is the passage of time.
• The upper left hand contains Agni or fire, which signifies destruction. The opposing concepts in the upper hands show the counterpoise of creation and destruction or the fire of life.
• The second right hand shows the Abhayamudra (meaning fearlessness in Sanskrit), bestowing protection from both evil and ignorance to those who follow the righteousness of dharma.
• The second left hand points towards the raised foot which signifies upliftment and liberation. It also points to the left foot with the sign of the elephant which leads the way through the jungle of ignorance.
• The dwarf on which Nataraja dances is the demon Apasmara (Muyalaka. as known in Tamil), which symbolises Shiva’s victory over ignorance. It also represents the passage of spirit from the divine into material.
• As the Lord of Dance, Nataraja, Shiva performs the tandava, the dance in which the universe is created, maintained, and dissolved. Shiva’s long, matted tresses, usually piled up in a knot, loosen during the dance and crash into the heavenly bodies, knocking them off course or destroying them utterly.
• The surrounding flames represent the manifest Universe.
• The snake swirling around his waist is kundalini, the Shakti or divine force thought to reside within everything. This also parallels the cords of life warn by the Brahmins to represent the second rebirth.
• The stoic face of Shiva represents his neutrality, thus being in balance.

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

Spring has sprung which means that summer is right around the corner… and also, that Wanderlust is not so far away!!!

We have been in celebration mode for a few months now with all of the excitement of moving, grand opening and general yoga bliss! Each day we are reminded of the strong community we are blessed to have at The Yoga Loft. We would LOVE to see you in Whistler to share the experience as Rameen introduces SATTVA yoga to the Wanderlust community… oh my goodness, something MUST be happening!

All tickets are now ON SALE… choose your adventure (by clicking the picture below):

Rameen‘s teaching/speaking schedule:

This Saturday we are celebrating the Roots on Whyte Grand Opening. This building is home to an amazing community that we are so thankful to be a part of. Please come by for the festivities (see the long list of activities below).

Also, we will have some specials on Saturday May 12th:

SCHEDULE highlights

11:00 – 5:00 pm Live Music at the Lobby

11-1:00pm A special acoustic performance by Alice Kos & Everett LaRoi
1:30-2:30 Penny Rosten, pianist, singer/songwriter
2:45-3:15 Kessler Douglas, a young guitar player/singer
3:30-5:00 Penny Rosten, pianist, singer/songwriter

11:30 – 4:00 pm Demos on the Patio

Pilates, Yoga, Rolfing, Qi-Gong, reflexology, counselling, Protein Drinks and more

11:50am-12:20pm Qi-Gong
12:30-1:00pm Pilates EQ demo
1:00-1:30pm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by Future Generation (kids!)
1:30-2:00pm Health Elective info and samples of Vegan-Protein Drinks
2:00-2:30pm The Yoga Loft demo
2:30-3:00pm Rolfing Demo with Gian Gibson
3:00-3:30pm Wellness on Whyte:demos: reflexology, shoulder/neck, massages, tuning forks
3:30-4:00pm Integrated Counselling

1:30 – 5:00 Free Mini-Sessions in the Conference Room (3rd Floor)

1:30-4:00pm with Roots On Whyte Health Professionals:
· Mini-diagnose in Acupuncture & TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
· Cardio-muscular testing
· Indigo-bio feedback testing
· Mini Consultation Sessions:
· Solve a problem (10-15 minutes)
· Mini Life Coaching Sessions (10-15 minutes)
· Mini Rolfing Sessions (10-15 minutes)
· Wellness Facials (between 2:00-4:00)
· Natural Vision
· Scalp Message (2:15-2:45pm)
· A Taste of Hypnosis
· EQ Pilates

4:15–5:00pm Sound Healing: A complimentary Sound Alchemy session for health and wellness by freeQueensea (pre-registration is required)

Hallways

1:30-3:30 pm portrait drawing with Irina (3rd Floor)
2:30-5:00 pm children face painting with Dolphin Lady (2nd Floor)

More:

Friday-Sunday: In-house samples and specials at Blush Lane Organic Market and Sunworks Farm Organic Meats

Saturday March 12:
Morning: first 20 moms to sign a signup sheet will receive free 90 min Natural Vision session for themselves and/or children at Natural Vision (suite 204)
11:00am-3:00pm Hayrides to and from Blush Lane Organic Market in the Old Strathcona area
11:00am-4:00pm Health Elective Skincare Swap (Main Floor)
12:30-2:30pm Children’ Coloring Contest at Little Anya’s Drop-in Child Care (Suite 209)
2:00- 2:45pm Pilates free mat class (suite 202)
11:00-4:00pm Free Scalp Message at echo hair design (suite 205)
11:00-12:30pm, 3 – 5pm A Taste of Hypnosis with Pure Access (suite 203)- go to suite 203 to see additional times offered.

The talk will run from 6pm-7:30pm (Intermediate SATTVA class at 5:45pm is cancelled). This will be the first talk in our new space and after an amazing weekend of Grand Opening festivities I know this will be a powerful conversation… I can feel it in the air. It is going to be a good one!

For a taste of what is to come I have included the most recent talk below:

You can listen to previous talks HERE.

I would also like to take a moment to express gratitude for everyone who took part in this past weekend, we have an incredible community! Thank YOU.

As we move forward from our celebration of opening the new space, let’s continue with this theme and allow the practice to continuously open our body, breath and mind so we may find new space within to fill with intention.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Love and Light

I am sitting here at the desk listening to Afsheen lead some wonderful yogis through the SATTVA strength sequence… it sounds like an amazing class!

Today is the first day of our Grand Opening weekend here at The Yoga Loft. All classes are FREE and we have some exciting stuff going on.

Class times are running normally with a few special additions…

Please come by, celebrate our new space and 10 AMAZING years as part of the Edmonton yoga community and/or take a class… or 3!

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:
Wanderlust is an all out yogi fest bringing together yoga, music, and art in a beautiful setting over the span of one glorious weekend. Programs run all weekend to offer much more than just yoga – there’s hiking, meditation, cinema, wine tasting, music performances, lectures, kayaking, and even a market. Check out this video.

RAMEEN’S SCHEDULE:
Friday, August 24, 10-11:30am
Who are You? 
A Yoga talk to go into the deeper dimensions of yoga.

Saturday, August 25, 4-5:30pm
Let Your Inner Revolution Begin
A dynamic SATTVA practice, beginner to intermediate levels

Sunday, August 26, 10-11:30am
Advancing the Practice Through Breath
A strong asana followed by pranayama practice, intermediate to advanced levels

Finding the Teacher Within
A strong asana and meditation, teachers only practice

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tickets are currently on sale! Visit the website for more info on lineup and schedule, planning, lodging, getting there, activities, and everything else to do with this wonderful affair. You can also check out their facebook.

We really hope YOU can make it and join us for this very exciting event!

Here’s a preview of Sage Ananda showing us just how it’s done as the finishing touches are being completed on the space….

Yoga Loft family practice: A SATTVA inspired practice