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You don't need any special equipment to move with Athanda Stretch, Strength & Yoga. All you need is a reliable Internet connection and some unobstructed floor space. Athletic shoes are recommended for non-yoga sessions. We also suggest having some water nearby. A yoga or exercise mat is recommended but not mandatory. Having a study chair or a wall nearby is also great! If you have any other equipment (for example yoga blocks, resistance bands, dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells) you'd like to incorporate, let me know!
On the "FORMS" page, lease scroll down to "suggested equipment list" for more suggestions!
Athanda Stretch, Strength & Yoga is 100% virtual. Come move with us from the comfort of your own home or office! Online sessions also means greater availability. Do you prefer 6 am to work out? 9:30 pm to stretch before bed? You got it.
Sessions can be as short as 20 minutes and as long as an hour- whatever works best for you and your needs!
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Both! Athanda Strength, Strength & Yoga offers individual and group sessions for both strength training and stretching!
Stretching can have several benefits. It can reduce stress, and make activities of daily living easier to carry out (like raking leaves, vacuuming, tying your shoelace). It can also make any kinds of movement easier, like walking, running, strength training, playing golf or dancing! Increased flexibility can improve balance and posture, and is a form of mindfulness. Curious? Come join me!
Among other things, working on strength (resistance) training can increase our muscle mass, which boosts our metabolism. Strength training can also make activities of daily living easier. Increased core strength can improve our posture and reduce back pain. It can also strengthen our bones, which is important to maintain as we age. And if you're into cardio, you can also get the heart rate and lungs going with strength training too!
In the West, yoga has typically been seen as a workout, a way to gain strength and flexibility via the different poses (āsanas, in Sanskrit). But did you know the ultimate goal of yoga philosophy is actually to work towards quieting and stilling the mind? Mental benefits of yoga include mindfulness, mental clarity and relaxation. Physical benefits include calming the nervous system, developing strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, flexibility and balance. And the link between mind and body is using the breath.
Hey, if you can stand on your head and twist yourself into a pretzel, and you want to make that a part of your yoga practice, go for it! But contrary to popular belief, being 'flexible' is not at all required to do yoga. The physical postures (called āsanas) are just one part of the overall practice of yoga philosophy- these can be modified to make them accessible for individuals. Guess what-it's actually impossible to be "bad" at yoga. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. Yoga is for everyone!
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The beauty of a yoga practice is that it is endlessly customisable. The physical practice of asanas (postures) can and should be modified for each individual's needs and comfort. Using props such as blocks or the wall or a chair or the couch. Modifying our stance or positioning. Adjusting the breath however feels best to you. The goal is to move safely, in a way you feel supported. And for the mental practice, it is entirely up to you as well. Meditate if you want to, don't if you don't. Reflect if you want to, or don't if you don't. Having an understanding of its roots and philosophies and giving due credit is important to make sure we are appreciating and not appropriating. There is not just one right way to practice yoga!
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As per industry standard, participants in any type of movement or exericse program should complete a health screening form (PAR-Q+) to assess for any health conditions that could make physical activity unsafe. A release waiver is also an industry standard, whether in a fitness facility or online.
Breathing is the most natural thing we do. Whether we are at rest or in motion, it is a constant. Breath delivers the oxygen that allows us to move and to be still, and we wanted to honour this in our name. Hence, Athanda, from the Icelandic verb að anda, meaning "to breathe". Breath before movement. Breath is also an integral part of yoga philosophy- in addition to the above, it can help to quiet and focus the mind, calm the nervous system, promote mindfulness and help us find a connection to ourselves.