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Winter. Dove grey sky. Sleepy flowers and the naked winter trees. The leaves bejewelled with frost. Lake has given up its blue. Crisp air.
Woolen hats pooled over our red ears, warm scarfs and mittens. Rosy cheeks and bluish lips.
We are now more at our cozy homes, slowing down, wrapped in blanket… enjoying mulled wine, cinnamon and cloves.  
It’s time for inward contemplation and for a big exhale, a big cleansing sigh…… and for slowing down to find calmness. We shouldn’t forget to stay kind and share happiness and everything that has blessed our lives. 
Holidays are coming, and we will eat more and relax more. 
Something better is on its way, and at the same time, it cannot be rushed. It is time to set our intentions to incorporate more Yoga in our everyday life.

I continue to be grateful for yoga, breath and You, my yogi and yogini. 
Have a Happy Holidays!

Namaste
Maya

Teaching a beginning yoga class is very challenging but also very rewarding.  However, teaching a “Mixed” class where teacher has to face some very experienced yogis, some that don’t practice regularly and those who are complete beginners – is a big challenge. 
​Teachers are accustomed to “Mixed” classes and It is up to them to make it fun as well as a great yoga experience for everybody in the class.

Now, how we do that? 
I absolutely love teaching yoga and I believe that my students can feel that. This is a start, a good positive energy that is coming from the teacher. I am also a believer in using simple words and avoiding yoga jargon and Sanskrit pose names. Students can’t remember them, can’t pronounce or repeat them. So – what’s the purpose??
I break down poses step by step paying attention to my “Mixed” class diversity - offering optimal pose variations for a variety of body types, abilities, and reasons for coming to class.
​I would like to quote an amazing yoga teacher from Toronto – Michael Siddall – who hardly ever demonstrates what he is teaching. Michael uses verbal cues to help and direct his students into the poses. He says: ‘Teacher is here to teach – not to practice yoga. We should practice at home, on our time, but when we teach we are here to pull out maximum from our students and that is possible with good and simple cues.’ 

In addition to what Michael says, through experience I realized that doesn’t matter what I sometimes say and how simple my cues are – some students are doing something different; I guess they do what they want to hear, and some are simply very visual.  Therefore, I demonstrate each pose and stay in that pose just long enough for students, especially beginners, to understand it, usually just for one breath and than I am off to help them with alignment.
Perhaps, a yoga student can do a handstand, or not; a lunge, or not; a balance pose, or not but what I always stress to my students is –that they should only do what they can. This will help them find strength and ease. It will be reflected in their everyday life as well. My personal philosophy is that “Only you know what works for you. Your practice is your practice”.

Salute SUN Yoga organized another Yoga wear review. We started in June 2016 and wrapped up a week ago.  – 25 panelists had one year to buy, wear, practice different yoga styles on almost daily basis and choose one that will give them the best feel and performance.
Our Criteria were: comfort/fit, fabric that breathes; price; eco-friendly product and a style. We prefer locally made yoga clothes and although that was not a deal breaker it was important to all of us.

Everybody likes soft, light, breathable fabric that can last and perform well, however we are also looking for apparel that is not expensive. Unfortunately, Yoga clothes are very expensive, probably on a par with tennis and gold gear.

Finding one that has a quality that we want and at the small cost is almost impossible. Only few “names” carry affordable yoga tops and bottoms – Joe Fresh, Old Navy and if you are lucky you can find sometimes good yoga wear on sale. 

All the more reason that Oysho Spain was evaluated more than others and is our 2017 Yoga Wear Winner.

We tested 16 producers plus one New to us: ALO from USA and we are happy to say that they have excellent yoga wear.
1. LVR                                                 9. Lolë women
2. Free People                                   10. Athleta
3. Onzie                                             11. Gaiam                
4. Tonic                                              12. Prana                 
5. Lululemon                                      13.Joe Fresh                         
6. Oysho Spain                                  14. Purusha People                               
7. NUX                                               15. Wellicious                  
8. Lily Lotus                                        16.    Reebok             and - 17. ALO                  
                                                                
 2017 Winners are:

1. OYSHO
2. ONZIE
3. Third position is shared by Free People, Lululemon, NUX, Lily Lotus, Athleta and Purusha People. 

                                                           

Keep Loving yourself and do Yoga during this summer - either in your backyard or at Humber River park.
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Flower Power BackYard Yoga - 
Yoga in your quiet backyard or pool area can be as pleasant and beneficial as any yoga retreat - and much, much cheaper!
Plan a Yoga Party with your closest friends - nice summer day or evening and I will come!
Please contact me so I can plan accordingly- salutesunyoga@gmail.com or use my Contact page.
Price is the same as any Private class at student's home. Any additional Donation from participants will be gracefully accepted.

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Humber River Valley yoga with Maximum LiVing (MeetUp group)- Wednesdays, @6.30pm, Meet at Old Mill Spa entrance a.k.a Main Lobby Area  for 7pm class start. Washrooms are easily accessible at this location. If you prefer, you may meet us for 7pm at our spot in the park...Teacher - Steve Wenzel.
Keep in touch by email: salutesunyoga@gmail.com.

Belgrade has had an extended period of rain in April 2017. Rain was mixed with occasional splash of sunshine, and, oh my God, when sun showed its full smile upon Belgrade, city had that spark that would be unforgettable to anyone who was lucky to be there at that time.

On April 22nd,2017 clouds have stepped away, sky was crystal blue and Sun shone like never before.
It was a Marathon day in Belgrade. Thousands of people gathered to watch the race. Streets were blocked and traffic was reduced to a minimum.

​It was also my Yoga Workshop day organized by my friend, fellow yoga teacher Vida Starovic and Family therapy center in Belgrade. 
We never planned to have our workshop (Radionica in Serbian) on the Marathon Day but it was the best day to have it since the good energy in Belgrade was so high that was almost palpable. 

Needless to say, that the workshop was successful.
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We planned to have introduction to Vinyasa Flow, guided by me and Meditation guided by Vida. Our students were amazing, fully engaged in everything we presented and practice was a pure success.

Vida is one of the best Hatha teachers that I have ever met. Serbian Yoga school’s approach to Yoga is quite different from what I am experiencing here in Toronto. It is more connected with old school from India – meaning that they are not putting emphasis on sweat but more on slow flow, deep mindfulness and relaxation. It would be wrong to say that it is easy to do what they do… I have to admit that I couldn’t do 30% of what they are doing.  Vida’s class is one amazing energy flow that connect all of her students into one. It consists of the poses built in such a way that students have experience of full body and mind relaxation. Sequence is built in a special order and there is no much option for change. Flow is perfect.  It combines body moves, pranayama and meditation on equal basis.

However, although Iyengar yoga is very well known there, they are not as familiar with Vinyasa flow, Hot Yoga strict sequences, Ashtanga yoga and Yin yoga.
I introduced Vinyasa yoga that is quite more dynamic and on its own way perfect to ‘clean ‘ mind and energize body since one has to be fully engaged in syncing breath and posture so space for any other thoughts is simply diminished. I love Vinyasa. It gives me everything I need to remind myself that I am ONE – mind, breathe, body. 
Yes, it is faster, but I like to combine Hatha and Vinyasa in all my classes so my students can experience the benefit of both worlds. 
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Strangely enough, when it comes to what I love to practice and teach is a combination of Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin yoga, three different approaches to yoga but equally fulfilling in every possible way. Combined – they are who I am and what I want to teach as a Yoga teacher.

Note: Unfortunately, photos are taken at the end of our Workshop day, after most of our students already left. My apologies to all beautiful people that I met there. 

​I hope that change in seasons is putting a spring in your step and a smile on your lips. I can feel Sun “kissing” my face and I know -  it’s time to venture out of our winter cocoons.
Our “Cozy Winter” session is coming to the end. We had 10 classes and majority of you came even when it was very cold and streets icy and slippery. I love your enthusiasm and dedication. It shows in your Yoga practice –your body is more open now and you are beginning to feel a change. Sometimes change is not coming as fast as we want – however – remember – real change is gradual and needs a time to blossom. 

Now, I am inviting you to our next “Sun-Kissed Spring” Yoga session that will start on May 14th,2017, same time, same place. 
 
And very Important -  I wish you all to have a blessed and joyful days ahead. 
                                    Happy Easter and Happy Passover.
 
Be kind.
Namaste.
​Maya

Great news!

I was on a mission to find a beautiful, specious and full of light yoga space for my students and - I am happy to announce that I rented one that is exactly what I wanted.

AVALON FITNESS CLUB (800 Islington Avenue, south Etobicoke) is the new space and I am happy to share with all my Yogis and Yoginis. There are plenty of parking spaces and the Bus stop is in front of the building. 
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New - "Cozy Winter" yoga session will start on February 5th,2017 at 10am. It will be one hour gentle Yoga Flow class for 10 weeks and all levels are welcome.
So - please come. Set your intentions today by incorporating more yoga into your everyday life. Come and experience dynamic and playful flow of yoga poses linking breath with movement.

Please bring your mats, blankets / towels and yoga blocks if you have them.

See you all on Sunday!
Namaste.
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Maya

There is nothing more I could wish for this New Year and ALL upcoming years- but Peace on Earth! Therefore this special post created for the mantra “Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu”, recited by Tina Turner.
This is one of the most powerful mantra issued from the album “Children Beyond”.

Om Om Om
Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shantiu
Language: Sanskrit

Winter. Time for cozy sweaters, warm scarfs and abundance of food-family-friends-love- happiness and everything that has blessed our lives.
It's also time to slow down. Winter invites rest, inward contemplation and a sense of peace that is beautiful as the blanket of snow that surrounds us. Listen to the whisperings of nature and adjust your life accordingly by setting your intentions today and incorporate more Yoga in your everyday life.
Come one, come all. Come do Yoga with me. Here are few classes offered for Winter session at TDSB, One hour and 30 min each, and for the whole winter season only $96.00 (seniors $57.00)! Register for your favourite class with me and keep in mind that registration time expires at the end of month December, 2016.

• VINYASA FLOW - at Mimico Adult Centre - 255 Royal York Rd, Toronto, applying code #82599
• Vinyasa Flow- Intermediate - at Burnhamthorpe CALC - 500 The East Mall,  code #82247

To register , please go to: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AdultLearners/Learn4Life.aspx
and input applicable codes.
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For my part, beside being grateful having you all in my class - I wish you the sweetest winter blessings!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Bright New Year to you!

Maya T.

​At the beginning of our yoga practice most of us don’t know what Namaste mean. Some yoga teachers take some time at the end of their class to explain it, but most just bring their hands together at the heart chakra, close their eyes, say their Namaste and bow.
The literal translation of the word NAMASTE is “I bow to you” and is used as the greeting gesture in India.. Deepak Singh who grow up in India and now is a writer living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, wrote that Namaste “was the equivalent of hello, and is said to just about everyone who deserves respect.”
 
In yoga classes, it has become traditional for teacher and students to exchange namastes at the end of class as a gesture of mutual respect.
Teacher will usually bring the class into a seated position after savasana , say Namaste and bow to the students, who respond in kind, bowing their heads with their palms pressed together.
Often Namaste gesture is interpreted as ‘My soul recognizes your soul” or The Devine in me recognizes Devine in you and the anjali hand position represents union or oneness.