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Heather Cross
Sep 8, 20223 min read
Not a Jock? Don't worry. Neither am I.
In the classic '80s jock-nerd dichotomy, I always landed firmly on the nerd side. Did the use of the word "dichotomy" perhaps give that...
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Heather Cross
Aug 9, 20223 min read
The Importance of Retreat
Within you there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself. -Hermann Hesse So much of our lives...
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Heather Cross
Apr 10, 20223 min read
Regroup Retreat, May 7, 2022
I have now held two daytime retreats at Gaia Wellness Retreat and they were wonderful. Such lovely, peaceful days in the midst of...
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Heather Cross
Jul 22, 20213 min read
Renew and Reconnect Retreat 2021
Saturday, September 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Gaia Wellness Retreat This retreat was so lovely last year-a rare day of peace and relaxation in...
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Heather Cross
Apr 16, 20211 min read
Yoga Class Themes
In the three years that Here and Now Studio has been open, I have planned a lot of classes. As I was organizing my class plans, I thought...
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Heather Cross
Apr 6, 20212 min read
Getting Over My Fear of Poetry
I have something to admit: I have always been a bit afraid of poetry. This may not seem like a hugely shameful secret, but, as a former...
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Heather Cross
Mar 31, 20213 min read
Ishvara Pranidhana: Opening to the Wonder Around Us
The last of the niyamas in yoga is ishvara pranidhana, which means surrender to the divine. If you follow a religious practice, you may...
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Heather Cross
Mar 30, 20213 min read
Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrendering to the Divine
The last of the yamas and niyamas, ishvara pranidhana, translates to surrender to the divine. This one often creates resistance in modern...
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Heather Cross
Mar 29, 20213 min read
Svadhyaya: Discovering and Acting in Line with Your True Nature
In yoga, the goal is to act in line with your dharma. While the word “dharma” is used in different ways, I like the way yogi and author...
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Heather Cross
Mar 19, 20214 min read
Svadhyaya: Know Thyself (and thy monsters)
The second last niyama is svadhyaya: self study. Self-study can be done in any number of ways. Some use meditation to observe their...
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Heather Cross
Mar 18, 20214 min read
Tapas: Strengthening through Adversity
Tapas is associated with heat and fire. While we often think of fire as destructive, it can also be a creative, strengthening force....
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Heather Cross
Mar 17, 20213 min read
Tapas: Dedication and Perseverance
Tapas, the third of the yogic niyamas is associated with heat and fire. The idea is to commit yourself to your practice with burning...
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Heather Cross
Mar 16, 20212 min read
Santosha: Gratitude
Santosha means contentment. It is about having a sense of equanimity, a sense of being OK. Probably a lot of us have experienced a lot of...
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Heather Cross
Mar 1, 20212 min read
Santosha: Developing Equanimity
Santosha means contentment. Many of us think of contentment as being synonymous with happiness. While they are certainly linked, but...
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Heather Cross
Mar 1, 20212 min read
Saucha: Mindful Consumption
Saucha, the first of the yogic niyamas, refers to the cleanliness of our bodies and our surroundings. It also refers to what we put into...
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Heather Cross
Feb 23, 20213 min read
Saucha and (Healthy) Compartmentalization
The first of the niyamas, the “dos” of yoga, is saucha, which means purity. It has also been interpreted as orderliness. Ironically, as I...
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Heather Cross
Feb 22, 20212 min read
Aprigraha: Letting go of expectations
In addition to letting go of judgments about others, which I discussed in my last blog post, another way to approach at the yama of...
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Heather Cross
Feb 18, 20213 min read
Aprigraha: Letting go of Judgment of Others
The last of the yamas is aprigraha: non-grasping or letting go. One way to approach this yama is to think of letting go of our judgments...
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Heather Cross
Feb 12, 20213 min read
Brahmacharya: The Value of Savouring the Pleasant
Brahmacharya means engaging in behaviour that leads to god. In other words, behaving in ways that are in line with a higher purpose...
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Heather Cross
Feb 11, 20213 min read
Brahmacharya: Focusing on Higher Goals
This week’s yama is brahmacharya, which translates to behaviour that leads to god. In other words, behaviour that aligns with a higher,...
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