When I’m avoiding my yoga & meditation practice, I really need it the most.

Being still is a struggle for me at times. I like to move quickly and “get it done”. Many days spent working from home meant I spent a lot of time alone this year. Growth isn’t always easy and growing pains are real. Deep down I knew that sitting through the initial few minutes of discomfort on my mat would lead to a clearer mind, a calmer body and a sense of nourishment, and yet I wouldn’t always give myself that. Even going to the grocery store felt uncomfortable for many months. It’s only now beginning to feel somewhat okay again. I’d avoid going to the store and order online whenever possible. However, we can’t avoid discomfort forever otherwise we will never grow. If you know me, you know personal growth is something I strive for and heavily value. This has been my work, to not avoid the discomfort but to take action. I now focus on the positive outcome of my yoga and meditation practice and this makes the first few moments much easier to settle into.

Exploring your own backyard makes you appreciate it more.

In June 2020, IFFDiscover was born with the intention to see the world through the lens of yoga. What started as a 7 day RV tour through Southern Ontario grew into a larger mission to find the hidden gems this province has to offer: try new things, get outside in all seasons, find healing in nature and explore for the joy, fun and adventure of it. We proudly created the Discover Ontario Yoga Series here.

Going for walks, various hikes, soaking up the views, sitting around a campfire, and playing at the beach are a few of the ways I’ve fallen in love with Ontario. I’ve taken the mindfulness tools I’ve learned over the years and brought them with me on these trips. Deep breaths, body scans, moving more mindfully, observing my thoughts, really listening to others and listening without judgment, and doing one thing at a time have been really helpful practices for staying present and lowering my anxiety. It’s a really cool way to take yoga off the mat and into the world. Make it part of your lifestyle instead of just the 45 minutes you spend on your mat during class.

Healing & growth sometimes requires a major call to action.

A global pandemic and BLM movement rocked us all and sparked an enormous call to action whether that was learning, unlearning, reflecting, stepping up, creating space, changing habits, etc. Our earth needs healing. We have a lot to learn from one another to make our time here more inclusive and purposeful. There is still much room for growth. Social media has been an interesting learning tool that has given me the opportunities to read different opinions, follow recommendations for teachers, and open my eyes to the ways I can show up better. Our communities and our home on Earth require consistent love and dedicated support.

Instead of being overwhelmed by a large event or the latest news, I’ve thought about what I can do. Can I donate $5.00? Can I follow and support a social media account? Can I share a post with a few friends to learn alongside me? Can I follow through on my healthy habits so I can keep showing up for others? Can I send a quick message to check-in on someone? Yes to all the above. It’s going to take all of us doing the little things every day. The compound effect. It adds up my friends. Your contribution matters and it feels pretty darn good too.

BONUS: “It’s good to feel good!”

My dear teacher Gabby Bernstein says this often and I want you to start believing it. Part of your contribution is your practice. It brings you home to your wholeness. Your mat allows you to heal and grow too. I want you to feel good in whatever way that looks. Just a little better than yesterday or this morning or last week. Pick up the garbage on the street. Order in from a local restaurant. Call a friend. Do a 10 minute meditation. Drink your water. Wave to a neighbor. You’ve got this. We’ve got this.

I’d love to hear your lessons especially if yoga, mindfulness and/or our community has been a part of them! Share them in the IFF Facebook Community, on Instagram, Facebook or even through email at info@infinefeatheryoga.com

Finding Yoga During a Season of Uncertainty By Assistant Manager of In Fine Feather Yoga

I found yoga during a season of uncertainty. I had just finished college and felt a little lost. I was searching for a style of movement that felt safe for my knee injuries. I had 2 knee procedures during my dance career that had left me feeling disconnected from my body.

My good friend gifted me In Fine Feather’s New Student Intro Special Pass so she and I went together. My first class was with Shelley Gordon, owner of Love My Mat and I loved it. I did pay what you can/community classes for months until Helena suggested I do Yoga Teacher Training, additionally offering me an Energy Exchange position. Through months of consistent practice, I felt my anxiety become more bearable and I developed tools to ease my stress. I made new friends and started dreaming about what it would be like to guide a yoga class, having been a dance teacher in the past. I felt my knee continue to get stronger and my own awareness of my physical body and thoughts become more clear.

As an experienced yoga teacher and assistant manager at IFF, I’m now sharing what I would have wanted to read on the first day I attended a yoga class at In Fine Feather Yoga. I hope you feel supported and even more confident that you’re being led into a community that welcomes everyone no matter what. A community that values, health, wellness, vitality, and most importantly, compassion for ourselves, each other, and the world.

What You Can Expect: Functional Movement & Mindfulness

Functional movement & simple integrations into mindfulness are important to us during any class on the schedule. All teachers begin each class with breath as an opportunity to land in your space and check-in with yourself. This allows students to heighten their own body awareness and notice the quality of their thoughts. Although our yoga classes are traditionally based on the Vinyasa and Anusara practices we sometimes like to veer off into other creative and playful movements.

Your safety is our priority which is why all teachers have studied anatomy and alignment for a number of additional hours to ensure we are fully equipped to guide with the utmost care and consideration. Through regular practice, students often find they build strength while increasing their range of flexibility and mobility. The benefits of a regular yoga practice are known to heighten your quality of life off the mat.

Going even deeper than the mindfulness practices we teach in class we offer a number of additional resources like blogs, IGTVs, quick chats after class, book recommendations, community chat in the private Facebook Group and more so you can feel confident when inviting additional mindfulness habits into your day to day routine. We want our students to feel a sense of ease, balance and connectedness as often as possible, not just on the mat.

Love & Kindness Are the Only Student Prerequisites

We continue to learn and unlearn how to create a welcoming community for everyone. There is room for every body shape, belief system, ethnicity, background, age, and representation at In Fine Feather Yoga. We feel inspired by the work Robin Yolanda Lacambra does and highly suggest our community explore her Sharing Privilege workshop here as an opportunity to go deeper.

You can show up exactly as you are. Rest your “baggage”, trauma, stress, mental health battles, hurt, etc down beside your mat and give yourself permission to simply be. We believe each yoga practice or act of mindfulness is a step closer to healing, growth and inner peace. The more often we can open our arms and hearts to one and another to share this gift, the more love and kindness there will be.

Financial Accessibility

This has always and will always be important to us. You can begin your practice for as little as $5.00 by exploring the various Online Offerings available here. Many of our regular students began their yoga journey with the New Student Intro Special which gives you 30 days of unlimited live classes for $30.00 here. If you are still unsure if a home practice will suit your lifestyle you can try a class with Helena for free here. We occasionally pop up free replay classes on our YouTube channel! In the warmer months, we host Yoga in the Park at Hamilton Gage Park. These classes are pay-what-you-can and give students an opportunity to practice outside! We will release the Yoga in the Park schedule in late spring!

How Our Community Stays Connected

It’s been really beautiful to see our community come together to support each other. You can request to join our private Facebook Group here. One of our ambassadors and key members is Carol. She has been the glue keeping the students and teachers connected virtually through book shares, donation drives, engaging post opportunities, etc.

We are better together. However, you find In Fine Feather Yoga, we are happy to have you and accept you where you’re at in whatever season of life you may be walking through. So many of us have found yoga during difficult seasons and our mat was and still is a safe and peaceful place to be. As teachers, we know this to be true for ourselves from our experiences. This is part of the reason we are so passionate about guiding you and holding space.

Book your live class via Mindbody here and explore our membership options here. I encourage you to read our additional blogs here to learn more about yoga, meditation, mindfulness, our community and the personal growth resources available. Follow us on Instagram here to find even more including Flow Progression videos and inspiring chats with myself and Helena McKinney, our founder. If you have additional questions, email info@infinefeatheryoga.com.