WHAT'S HAPPENING - spring summer 2023

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CALM AND RESTORE 

This class is like pressing a reset button. We often come into class with lines of worry on our faces and aches and pains in our bodies and we leave feeling refreshed, restored, and ready for whatever life has to offer. 

This is a gentle practice.  We begin with meditation and breathing exercises to help us let go of our anxieties and worries and bring us into the present moment. The movements are done in a way that honours your body. There is no forcing or pushing. Instead, we let our body guide us into the place that feels right for us.  The gift of this class is feeling calm and peaceful. 

RELAX AND OPEN

We often arrive at this class after a busy day at work or school. Our minds are racing and our bodies tense and sometimes we feel a bit overwhelmed. By the end of class, we notice the tension has melted away along with all our anxieties. 

This practice begins with meditation and, breathing exercises to free our minds of all the things we have to do and allow them to settle on our bodies. We open our joints and lengthen our muscles with warrior like postures and balancing exercises and connect to the earth with cobra and fish. We find a heavenly place in are postures where we feel the muscles lengthening and releasing all their tension. The gift of this class is feeling open and flexible.

STRENGTHEN AND TONE

We look forward to this class all week! It energizes us. It lifts our spirits to  feel our muscles strengthen and tone. 

This practice often begins with standing postures and balance then we move down to the floor and bring our attention to the very core of our body where all our power resides. We send that power out from our core to to the rest of our body so that our arms and legs move freely and with ease.

The gift of this class is feeling strong and healthy.

THREE CLASS A WEEK, LIVE & RECORDED

We come to these classes from the comfort of our own homes, from a sunny beach down south or from anywhere else that we happen to be.

Joining my online classes means that you can do your class in real time with me or you can wait until the time is right and do a recorded class.  No more missing your classes because you have other commitments or you're not quite feeling 100% or maybe there's a foot of snow on your car and you don't feel like going anywhere.  Now you can put on your most comfy clothes, turn off your phone, light some candles, and settle into your own personal yoga sanctuary.

The gift of this class is that you can practice yoga as often as you wish.

From Canadian Yoga Alliance to me.

"Hi Gail;
Looking over the multitude of certificates we now have on file:-); would you be happy with an upgrade to CYA-E-RYTGOLD? This is our highest designation of 1000 hrs. (and over) and with over 1000 teaching experience.    I certainly think it is a good choice given your training and experience.
-Violet, namaste"

I love yoga and I am constantly learning through life's experiences and education how valuable having a yoga practice is. Yoga has been with me through life's gifts and losses, through injury and good health, and every step of the way it has brought me back to the present moment where life is magical. 

Gail is a wonderful teacher! Her classes are very informative and helpful both mentally and physically. Being new to yoga at the onset of Covid I particularly appreciate that every posture can be modified based one’s ability.

All classes are recorded which is great when

you are unable to attend online. Laura Simpson

 I want to tell you that I hear your voice reminding me several times EVERY day to" stand taller ", "assume mountain pose ", get my "shoulders back" and pull those kegel muscles in. I am so pleased with my progress this time around doing yoga with you. I have never gotten the same inspiration from any other yoga instructor that I get from your classes ...Incorporating meditation at the beginning of each class really helps me to stay focused. All of your teaching and sharing of our body mechanics as we do our yoga is so helpful. I am using the replays now due to conflicting time schedules and take one day off each week . Many thanks. Much Love and gratitude, Bonnie Smith

Having online yoga by zoom both live and recorded has given me great flexibility with my days and I so appreciate your kindness and effort to offer the choice.  I so enjoy your sessions. Lillian Hall 

We just moved to Kelowna and being able to do the online classes allows me to pick a time that is suitable for me.  It also allows me to continue the classes with Gail which I love because I think she’s a great instructor and a wonderful person who’s able to add little nuggets of wisdom to our classes. Doreen Parr

I love having the option of using Gail’s recorded classes, for the convenience of being able to fit them into my timetable. I’ve known Gail for a very long time now and just love how she listens to all her participants and gives options for different abilities. She’s a very caring person and a great teacher!  Thanks for all you do to help us keep mobile! Brooke Irvine

I love doing the classes in person at the community centre. It gets me out and keeps me motivated. I love how each session you reach out to people and ask where they need help or focus on different areas. Your calmness and good energy make it easy to come to class. I don’t do very well with online classes. Cheryl Tidey 

well…for starters…I’ve always LOVED you as a teacher!..that’s why I keep recommending you to friends…lol….it’s the technique….always do what you are capable of..some days are better than others…dealing with a sore back, knees, etc…that’s why it’s important for a live class…you are always available to demonstrate hands-on if asked by a client after class….for me personally, it gets me out of the house and motivated…and it’s the social bubble as well….I enjoy the “live” recorded classes when it’s impossible to get into town..snowstorms, etc. Karen Pysiak

Our in-person classes are non-competitive and relaxing and Gail is warm and welcoming.  No matter your level of flexibility, there are always options presented for managing a pose or a move to accommodate limitations.  Gail’s classes are a great venue for people looking to maximize their wellness in an affirming environment.

Jan Deville

I love the live classes to be able to meet new people and it gives me a push to get a class in each week.I love the online classes as I work Monday to Friday and can put a class on when I have time in the evening or early morning. Gail, you have always been helpful at choosing the exercises we need when we are feeling that we need some extra work on our shoulders, back, etc. You have a wonderful personality and are so personable with everyone. Nancy Cowan

I love your live classes.   They help me reduce my stress for the day and I am learning to focus through breath.   I can actually hear your voice when I need to relax at other times. I love your online classes because I can do them when my schedule won’t allow me to do the live ones.  I prefer the live classes because I feel connected more to the whole experience of building awareness plus feeling great after one.  I feel more connected to other people when it is live.  Thanks for helping me learn to focus and to understand I have a choice in my reactions.   You are a wonderful instructor who encourages acceptance, awareness, how to focus, how to relax, how to breathe properly and how to improve one’s practice.   You are respectful of what each of us is able to do with cautionary comments to not go too far in a pose.  Ann Unger

Doing live in-person classes with Gail enables me to focus on the postures and breathing without interruption or distractions.  Being physically in the class also enables me to absorb and enjoy the uplifting, positive energy that Gail always exudes. I walk away calm and relaxed.

Pat Maulson

I always enjoyed Gail's classes in person. They have the right flow for me. I have been doing the classes online for the last number of years and I so appreciate fitting them into my schedule but I also appreciate being alone and embracing the flow. Gail makes each of her students feel warm and welcome. Gail's smile brightens my day. Elizabeth De Marsh

I enjoy in-person classes because I feel that there is more correction from the teacher, and  I am not as easily distracted. Janet Kidon 

I have been practising some form of yoga for many years now, starting when I was going through a period of health issues.

  Yoga was a big part of my recovery and I realized that the benefits, both mentally and physically, will always enhance my life.

The in-person classes are the best for me.  The energy of the group makes a difference and my focus is much stronger.  That being said, the online classes were wonderful through the pandemic closures and gave me structure.  When I am interested in driving less, I would rather join in online.  Life is always evolving and with having both options available, I can always find something that is right for me.

Gail is a wonderful teacher, due to her positive giving energy.  The classes have both repetition and something new to keep things interesting.

Gail is an interactive teacher who listens to her students and incorporates healing postures into the class for specific issues.  As a teacher, she is also a lifelong learner and is very generous in bringing new knowledge, spiritual and medical to the group.  The mind is a complicated subject, Gail teaches in a manner that is clear, easy to understand and has opened my thinking in many ways.

Bonnie Wilkins