Habit Over Heart

In about a week, I will be celebrating 4 years in Nanaimo! I spent some time today at one of my favourite spots, over looking harbour city, where I could breathe it all in and meditate.  I just absolutely love being surrounded by such gorgeous views!  The sun, the water, the trees, the mountains. I kept admiring the view from where I set up to write for the afternoon.  It's been the warmest day of the year so far! We've all been waiting for spring for far too long and I'm hoping this means she's here to stay.  

I watched the float plans and the ferry, running back and forth between Vancouver and Gabriola, I started to think about all the times off and on over the years (since I was kid) that I got to spend time or live on the beautiful west coast.  I've always felt most at home here.  I feel like the ocean is what makes me feel connected.  I've always felt that way, I could sit for hours watching the waves crashing up against the rocks or walk along them exploring all the different look out points along the way.    

At times I wonder if I took a wrong turn somewhere in life but on days like today, it's clear I am exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Jack Point Park

“Everything gets altered over time, nothing lasts for very long, everything gets altered over time, whether you want it to or not.”

— Novillero

The Happening

When I realized that it's November and the year is almost over, I questioned how it flew by so quickly.  I replayed the past year over in my head and remembered all of the many things that I, not only accomplished, but that I got to enjoy!  What keeps coming to mind is all the people over the past couple of years that came into my life, although each of them appeared separately, they all have a connection.  It was thru that connection I made a year ago, that I was able to take the necessary steps to move forward with my dream.  

This person taught me that we are all able to go after our dreams!  If it's important to you, then you will find a way. If not, then you'll find an excuse. And boy did I find a lot of excuses over the years! The secrets I have learned, is that you have to believe you already have it and that it's imperative that we let go of our fears!  Once you are able to get to that place, it's absolutely amazing what begins to unfold.  

Last weekend, I finally got a chance to see a Winnipeg band that I had heard of many years ago, although never saw them once or even knew any of their music. After over a decade long hiatus, they have released a new album and the last stop of their Western tour just happened to be in Nanaimo.   I was lucky enough to spend the evening getting to know Duotang and the band Uptights from Vancouver.  I've been listening to Duotang's album all weekend, which helped inspire this post.

Candlelight Yoga

It's that time of the year now when we want to stay warm and cozy inside!  So it's the perfect time to begin Candlelight Yoga classes.  And if you're not scared of a little rain, a Yoga Hike is still an option.  Don't worry I won't make you go if it's pouring!  If you are interested in joining me, send an email to hello@laurahleechristie.com. 

Duotang & An Uptight

Duotang

“It feels like something is happening, that something quite good could be happening, and even if I was just imagining, the mind is a futile ground. ”

— Duotang

Crazy Awesome!

So far 2016 has been quite an incredible year!  Back in January, I started a Yoga Business course, which has kept me focused on creating a whole new website and defining how I want to proceed to grow my business. This involved a Yoga photo shoot at beautiful Neck Point, which is where all the pictures on my site were taken.  This course was intended to have me really think about and dive into the reasons why I became a Yoga Teacher.  Through this process, I have been thinking a lot about my life and all the number of reasons I found Yoga.  I am grateful that everything in my life has lead me on this amazing journey. 

This year I started officially offering Group Yoga Hike classes and the feedback I have received has encouraged me to promote these classes more than I had been doing.  It has been a lot of fun bringing different groups of people through the various beautiful parks & trails for our Yoga Hikes.  Last weekend while at Neck Point, a bald eagle flew over and then watched us from a nearby tree, which inspired the group to immediately get into Eagle Pose for a group photo! A unanimous vote was taken at the end of class that morning to exclaim that Neck Point was everyone's favourite location to date.  Obviously one of mine as well, since that's where I had chosen for my photo shoot back in the Spring. 

This summer was wonderfully busy as I worked on one of my final projects for my course and the season ended with me purchasing my very own home!  It was not something I had planned at all but for fun I started looking at options thinking that maybe by next year I would be ready to make a purchase. However, within a month of looking, I found the perfect place, in the perfect location and the perfect price! In 2 weeks, I will be moving into my new home and am very excited! 

A couple weekends ago, I took a trip to Vancouver to go see my favourite Winnipeg band, Royal Canoe, who were on the first stop of their Canadian tour promoting their new album.  It was a great show and I was lucky enough to enjoy the show with several Winnipeg friends who all live in Vancouver now. I even got all 6 members so sign my CD, which was a difficult task to try and track them all down afterwards.   

 Life right now is simply crazy awesome! 

Vancouver Ferry

Royal Canoe 

On My Way

This month it will officially be 8 years since I became a Yoga Teacher!  And to celebrate I have made some changes with a whole new website!  I'm still working on a few things but here's your chance at a sneak peak.  

It's hard to believe it was that long ago that I was taking my Yoga Teacher Training on beautiful Gabriola Island.  After spending the first 5 years teaching in Winnipeg, I've spent the last few teaching on or around Vancouver Island.  So much has changed in my life but the one constant has always been Yoga. 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking a new group of lovely women on their first Yoga Hike through Bowen Park.  Each of them expressed along the way how much they were enjoying the class.  I am beyond thrilled any time I can introduce new people to an activity that has become so important to me.  I am honoured and truly grateful every time I get to share this experience with others.  I've said it many times before, but there is something extremely wonderful about doing Yoga out in nature.  The idea came to me when I first moved to the west coast almost 3 years ago now.  

At the time, I would spend my days exploring and hiking around Gabriola Island, but as it was during the fall & winter months it was either raining or the ground was wet, so after my hike I would go home to roll out my mat and do Yoga.  Then it finally occurred to me that if I simply altered my Yoga poses to only be doing standing poses, I could incorporate Yoga on my hikes!  This practice has become a daily occurrence, whether I am enjoying it alone listening to music or teaching others, I love every minute of it!

My day does not feel complete without a Yoga Hike.  When I am solo, I use the time to meditate and contemplate on the positive changes I would like to see happen in my life.  It's almost like a moving changing vision board that I focus my thoughts and attention on. It's been pretty amazing to see what has unfolded and I look forward to what's to come!