When we change everything about our surroundings, it can make the mind go into a tizzy.
Suddenly the relaxed mind is fully and completely replaced by the planning mind. There is a lot to organize. There is even more to do.
Of course, there will be a time when every book you own will have a place on a shelf and every...
Have nowhere to go, nothing to do? Or are you just dreaming of being in a place where the WiFi connection is weak and the soundscape of the ocean waves is strong?
Even when a vacation doesn’t fit into your life, this doesn’t mean that you can’t make the space for profound relaxation.
First step: turn off your phone.
Second step: transform a...
Hanging out with a cat is a pretty splendid experience.
They stretch. They sit. They contemplate moving. Then they repeat the whole process over again.
Cats know that meditation isn’t difficult. They just focus on one thing at a time. They don’t get caught up in the past or predict how their day is going to go.
As a result, they seem pretty...
It often takes the guidance of a yoga teacher to remind us to breathe deeply. Let’s do it together now. One deep breath in…and out.
Feel better?
We often forget to take the breaks that have the opportunity to recharge us. Quiet, empty spaces are essential for suits and yogis alike. If you’re prone to forget, you may want to take out...
This one’s for all the ladies in the house.
Well, the ladies who are crampy, chocolate craving, emotional versions of themselves.
Go grab your hot water bottle and get comfortable. Lie down on the floor or a bed and make sure you can be fully extended, starfish-like. Your body needs some space at this time of month.
Allow yourself some room to relax...
Are You Picking The Wrong Vacation? It's Time To Get Personal
Most of us don’t have months where we’re free to frolic and play. We usually get a matter of weeks to do whatever we want. Those few weeks have the opportunity to keep us going through the daily grind.
Our travel plans matter.
We’re all different, so it makes total sense that we need and want different types of travel experiences....
6 Lasting Ways to Spring-Clean Your Winter Mood Away
It’s here.
The time of year when flowers start blooming and people emerge from their houses. We may see our friends again, conquer our to-do lists and feel energized and ready to take on the world (or at least make up for lost opportunities during the winter).
But if we’re not careful, we can quickly become overwhelmed. We start focusing on all...
Yoga, Mojitos and the Art of Relaxation in the South of Spain
Set in the beautiful Guadalhorce Valley in Andalucia, this exquisite retreat wakes you up with a breathtaking landscape of rolling hills. You’ll sleep in a white canvas tent with gorgeous beds, sheepskin floors and pebble-lined pathways. There is electricity, but the tents are lit by candle every night to add to the romantic Spanish vibe.
Yoga classes will be led every...
6 Unbeatable Tricks for Getting a Healthier REM Sleep
We know that not getting enough sleep can result in seriou health issues. And, we know that things like mental busy-ness, technology and lack of routine can hurt our sleep patterns.
But did you know that clocking sleep hours is in vain if you never make it to dreamland? The good stuff (i.e. when the body goes to work repairing itself)...
A Little Bit of Transit Therapy: 6 Reasons to Get Your Butt On the Bus
If public transit has taken away the calm, cool and collected version of yourself, theres a way to grab that person back.
We do realize that some cities have better public transit systems than others. Even so, were here to tell you to jump on the train, bus or horse-drawn carriage and let the commute be the you time that you...
You may think that drinking coffee and meditating are about as similar as bootcamp and yoga. Yet, there are places where they can cross over.
Meditation is meant to shine light on a deep feeling of inner awareness. It is meant to make you more engaged with the world, not less.
Coffee, when used moderately, does the same thing. It helps you...
You wake up and your commute is longer than usual. Then the coffee line is too long and you don’t have time to grab a cup. By the time someone asks you the neutral question, “How are you?” they might as well take cover.
Hello, my name is Grumpy. It’s not a pleasure to meet you.
If you have a case of...
Susi Hately is a straight shooting kind of yogi. Her company Functional Synergy in Calgary is interested in bringing yoga to anyone, no matter what condition their body is in.
She’s developed a program called “Calm Steady Strong” specifically for cancer patients. Her website is filled with helpful hints, from how to make a chocolate quinoa cake to quick yoga stretches...
When was the last time you heard the sound of silence? Even if you live in a smaller town, this is infrequent, with everything from the sound of crickets to your neighbours laughing overwhelming our eardrums.
Let’s change how we listen, rather than trying to affect what we listen to. Don’t drown out the world outside, but let this meditation invite in...
When it comes to 'pampering' ourselves, thoughts often turn to days luxuriating at the spa or evenings watching the sunset while a tropical breeze gently tousles our hair. Nice days when you can get them, but few of us can afford to do that all the time.
Here are five budget self-care solutions to keep you pampered year-round.
1. Self Massage. It may...
As kids get closer and closer to the first day of holidays, their attention dwindles. You probably remember this from your own school days. Those last few days of school are a write-off, with more time watching the clock or the clouds outside than the chalkboard.
Today, kids live in sensory overload most of the time and this can continue well into...
If you were to sit and listen to your brain, what would it sound like?
Did the very idea make you cringe?
There has never been more monkey behaviour in the Buddhist theory of “monkey mind.” Your thoughts move from point to point, rarely staying still. It is rare to even read a full article anymore. Why bother, when you have 140...
Even after we become adults, it doesn’t get any easier to wait for something we’re excited about. Whether it’s your wedding day or an upcoming vacation, sometimes it becomes hard to sleep when we can’t wait. any. longer.
Sleeping will not only keep your head screwed on but it will also make your anticipated day come even faster. The next time you find...
“Missing someone, they say, is self-centered.
I self-center you more than ever.”
- Sasa Stanisic, How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone
When you really miss someone, Skype just isn’t going to cut it. Longing for them can become a physical experience. You can feel the missing in the same way that you might feel a wound.
If you’re experiencing a melancholic longing, meditation doesn’t ask you...
Thai Massage & Meditation in Hawaii with Drew Hume
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Just say “Hawaii” and many people emit contented sighs.
Whether you’ve been there to spend time in Ukulele shops and drink out of coconuts, or it’s on your travel bucket list, Hawaii is synonymous with paradise.
Why not use your time in Hawaii to learn a new...
4 Ways to Bring Comfort & Ease to Your Meditation Practice
Steadiness, comfort and ease. According to the ancient author of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali, this is what your aiming for in your physical body when you meditate.
These may not be the first 3 words that come to mind when you're sitting still, on the floor, with a straight spine, for 20 minutes. But trust us, find comfort and you'll be...
Like pigeon pose for your tight hips, you're looking for that special sauce to help your inner calm carry you on. They say meditation can help, but what's all this chatter about a little bit of sitting and ommming?
Experts tout meditation increases levels of happiness, helps you sleep, repairs emotional trauma, lowers risk of heart disease and just plain makes you feel good.
Right, but...
Valentine’s Day can mean roses, chocolate and lingerie. In our yoga-soaked culture, it can also mean a lot of romantic workshops on offer around the country: from tantric to couple’s massage.
Partner yoga may be a way to add a little spice to your relationship while keeping your toes in the shallow end of the pool of kinky. These poses can...
We know we should try to sit up straight. We've been told ever since we were sullen teenagers.
Yet as the day progresses, sometimes we find ourselves twisting our backs by sitting with one leg crossed. We also tilt our heads forward or curve our spines excessively. Life gets busy - we get it.
This short meditation can be done to help you...
Even those inclined to winter sports have to admit: it’s been a long and hard winter. First we chuckled at the idea of a “polar vortex.” Then it got serious.
As the winter weather begins to thaw and you’re reminded of what honest-to-goodness sunshine looks like, let’s get the winter out of our bones.
Use this meditation to venture out of your hibernation.
Have a...
You were worried enough about trying to calm your mind. Now you learn that there are specific hand postures (known as mudras) that you could use while you meditate.
Mudras are not meant to be stressful. They are meant to articulate the body and mind connection.
Different placements of the fingers correspond to different reflexes of the mind, helping to achieve your ultimate post-meditation...
If you're a regular here, you've likely noticed that we're hosting a meditation challenge in February. If you haven't signed up yet, allow us to inspire and persuade you with these 5 reasons to take the tuja 30-Day Meditation Challenge.
1. It's Science. Let's trot out the scientific studies (47 of them to be exact) that show meditation can help with anxiety, stress, pain and...
Daylight savings is gifting most of us with an extra hour this weekend (sorry Saskatchewan). Forget about getting extra winks in, here are 5 things to do with that daylight savings hour.
1. Get Ready. It's the calm before the storm. Halloween is behind us and you know what's ahead. Before the holiday parties, manic shopping and blitz baking take over, take...
Nothing helps you forget the chilly outdoors like slipping into a steaming bath. Make your bath do double duty with these therapeutic additions.
1. Salty Soak. It’s an oldie but a goodie. An Epsom salt soak has been prescribed for sore muscles, stiff joints, dry skin and even stress. Random fact: Epsom salt doesn’t have any sodium; it’s actually magnesium sulfate....
Most of us Canadians have been on a hike or two (or two hundred). It’s a pleasurable way to see our beautiful country.
A traditional Buddhist meditation is the walking meditation, and this can be applied while in action. So get out your hiking boots, your walking stick and become even more enamoured with nature.
As with most meditations, this is simple...
