Soul Healing with Reiki

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Spynga

Reiki is a massage for your soul! The word Reiki is a Japanese word translated as “Universal Life Energy”. It is an energy healing practice that allows cleansing, clarity, and balance. It works to clear chakras and blocks for a better flow of energy in your physical and spiritual life. Blockages that can occur in the body can show through physical and emotional pain. Reiki is a gentle hands on treatment of energy clearing throughout your Chakra system. As the Practitioner, I work to clear anything and everything that is showing to block your system to allow a better flow of energy throughout your system. There is a sense of relaxation, healing, and alignment that takes place during and after the black white yoga wellness relaxationtreatment. My practice is dedicated to guiding clients to have a better spiritual understanding and connection to Source and Higher Self. Guided meditation is used during treatment to increase the flow of relaxation and the field of energy. Interested in more? The use of Angel Cards allows a connection with Archangels. It is one of the most powerful tools to connect with Angels as a way of guidance and healing. Angels bring peace and clarity into our lives and by this connection you receive Divine guidance. Sessions are highly individual as everyones energy and frequency varies.

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‘Why’ Better Your Health to Better Yourself

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Spynga

Determining the “why”

I’m often asked about what led me to becoming a holistic nutritionist, and every time, I’m reminded that there really isn’t a single reason for why I followed this path. One might say that my journey began at age 14, when I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). I’ve been able to manage this potentially life-threatening autoimmune condition and live virtually symptom-free for over a decade now (more about that on my website).

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3 Simple Ways of Breathing With Your Kids

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Spynga

By Dana Chapman

breathing motivationMany parents and teachers find that their entry point into mindfulness is to explore simple practices with their children or students. Pausing for breathing breaks is one easy way to start this exploration, to bring some calm into the space, and to feel the effects of deep breaths on the body and mind.

Below are three examples of breathing practices that have worked well for the children I spend time with. You can tweak them to suit the age of your child/students. For example, if I’m working with young children I give them a square and have them trace each edge to match the four components of the square breath (rather than counting the breath as outlined below).

Square Breathing

Ask the children to sit up nice and tall, making themselves as comfortable as they can. Point out that it’s much easier to take deep breaths when our posture is good! Explain that you will try a couple of different breath counts together and then everyone can choose which one feels best for them…

Inhale for a count of 3

Pause for a count of 3

Exhale for a count of 3

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Advice from an Apothecary: Julie Clark founder of Province Apothecary

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Spynga

Julie Clark - Province Apothecary FounderJulie Clark struggled with allergies and eczema all her life and decided to take action to improve her skin. She began crafting natural, organic beauty products at home whenever she could fit it into her busy schedule as a costume designer and stylist. Julie experimented with waxes, oils, and herbs to create the perfect skincare regimen. All this experimenting and learning (in 2010 Julie began studying aromatherapy, holistic health, and esthetics in Toronto) lead to the creation of Province Apothecary (link to PA site). For Julie, natural beauty is more than just natural or organic ingredients, it’s about pledging to help clients feel good in their own skin. As well as being proudly Canadian Province Apothecary is cruelty-free, vegan, and green business certified.

Province Apothecary uses ingredients from Canadian provinces and is committed to innovation, sustainability, and small-batch skin care of the highest quality.

In addition to making wonderful skin care products Province Apothecary also offers treatments including Organic aromatherapy facials, brow and lash treatments, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, and custom perfume blending. Julie Clark, founder of Province Apothecary, answered our questions about starting Province Apothecary, best skin care tips and how to prepare for dry winter skin.

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Finding Fitness was my GiFT

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Spynga

by: Tanya Carinci – Founder of Girls In Fitness Training (GiFT)

“Are you pregnant?”

A simple one-liner of a question asked my 12 year old niece, Alana, one spring morning in 2010. Nothing wrong with the question except for the fact, I had given birth one year prior.

I remember the heat level in my body rising, my face turning the brightest shade of red from embarrassment and the feeling of absolute mortification.

What had happened to me? Prior to giving birth to my three wonderful children, I was a beacon of health, I worked out and loved my body. Where had the old Tanya gone?

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Spynga’s Girlcrush: Dr. Dina M. Kulik

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Spynga

Dr Kilik Kyoga for kids toronto

Dr.Dina is a pediatrician who specializes in emergency medicine. She works at Sick Kids and is the founder of Kidcrew a forward-thinking clinic focused on patient experience for children and families of all ages offering paediatricians, allergists, neurologists, sport medicine and more covering your family head to toe and is located on Bathurst St, south of St. Clair.  Dr. Dina lives in Toronto with her 3 sons, 2 dogs, and her husband.

Spynga: You’ve been coming to Spynga for many years now, what do you enjoy about Spynga and what’s kept you coming back?

Dr. Dina: I love the staff and the teachers. There is an awesome energy at Spynga and Ialways know I’ll get a great workout in a friendly environment. There are all sorts of people at Spynga, and everyone feels comfortable.

Spynga: You’re often described as an adrenaline junkie, what’s your favourite way to get an adrenaline fix?

Dr. Dina: Honestly, my daily AM workout. I need to get my heart rate up every morning before I start seeing patients. I take my kids to school, head to the gym, then to work.

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Yoga Profile: Jodi Fischtein

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Spynga

By: Heather Hope

yoga teacher training toronto

The teacher of a yoga class is responsible for more than just taking their students through the poses – they set the tone and feeling for that class. So let’s get to better know one teacher through our interview with Jodi Fischtein one of our Life On The Mat course teachers.

Jodi is a mixed-lineage yoga teacher who loves aspects of Ashtanga, Prana Flow Vinyasa and Yin yoga. In 2005, Jodi moved from Long Island to Toronto and has been sharing her yoga practice in Toronto since 2008. Jodi’s training includes prenatal yoga and Thai Massage. She is currently immersed in Dr. Jon-Kabat Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the University of Toronto. Jodi lives in Toronto with her husbandand four children.

Jodi was a bit hesitant to try yoga when she began attending sessions in New York in 1999: “I resisted the practice initially as I didn’t want to be still. So I behaved in a silly manner, yet I attended those sessions. Eventually I was subdued by the asana, noting the strength and flexibility I felt. Initially it was purely physical.

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Massage and Yoga: The Perfect Pairing

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Spynga

By: Allison Cumberbatch, RMT

massage therapy toronto RMT flowers

Throughout my career as an RMT I’ve tried various health trends to keep in shape. The only trend that stuck with me was yoga. How it moves. How it motivates. How it calms and how we can benefit from it physically, mentally and psychologically. I love yoga for many of the same reasons I love massage. I’ve been an active participant in yoga throughout the years and I’ve come to rely on it, I even incorporate it into my practice as a registered massage therapist.

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My First Spynga Class

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Spynga

spynga yoga spin class studio toronto

I’m not a gym rat or fitness guru, so when faced with my first ever spin class I was excited but intimidated. I haven’t been into biking since I was kid; I enjoyed it when I was young but lost interest as I went into my preteens and never looked back. I was worried my legs wouldn’t be up to intense spinning, but since I love a challenge I signed up for my first ever spin class and began to prepare.

My workouts are usually done at home and combine yoga, cardio, and some exercises I learned in my preteens when I took dance classes. I wouldn’t say I’m in bad shape but I do tire easily and live a fairly sedentary lifestyle with a few workouts sprinkled in.

After a little googling I learned what basics I needed to bring to spin class: sports bra, sweat wicking shirt, running shoes, and an easy to open one-handed water bottle (no screw caps). My essentials ready to go, I arrived about ten minutes early for the Saturday 9am spin class with Casey.

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The Power of Connection

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Spynga

“Anxiety is extremely contagious. But so is calm.”

~Harriet Lerner

I have spent my professional life working with children as both an elementary school teacher and now as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. I am constantly amazed at how much my ability to be connected to my practice, to be present and grounded, impacts my time with kids. These days, when I teach parents and teachers about sharing yoga and mindfulness with children, the heart of my message is simple but profound: Connection is what makes all the difference.

My observation is that yoga and mindfulness go hand in hand with connection. When we become more mindful, we connect deeply with ourselves and develop a capacity to connect more genuinely with others. Likewise, when we consciously foster connection with ourselves and with others, we naturally slow down and become more present.   personal growth mindfullness tree through yoga

This idea of connection is worthy of deep exploration. It seems ironic that we are living in the most connected world in history, and yet symptoms of disconnection are all around us: loneliness, sadness, anxiety, anger, frustration. According to ancient teachings, disconnection is at the root of suffering. To move out of suffering we must develop present moment awareness and a capacity to attune to ourselves and to attune to others. Attunement has been defined in the following way:

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