Pathways Back Home in Guysborough

Crazy Things I Love

2010-10-17T17:16:00.016-03:00

"SORRY WE''RE OPEN"

That is actually a sign we spotted on a shop in Haida Gwaii I just love these Boo Boos ...we need to have a smile now and then to cut through the mist and fog in our lives.

There was another one "Bed and Make Your Own Breakfast" ......after all you are still really sleeping in someone's house when you stay at a B&B and if the breakfast call ends at 8:00 AM and you are beat to a snot from traveling the day before and you would like to sleep in till 8:00 AM . ahem

These do not need any further comment. They made me smile every day.

This friendly, smiling Santa is by the Smoothy Shop all year round and we visited him in August ....as you can see he just finished watering his garden and is checking his list with the help of Isadore.

At the Festival at the Edge of the World in Haida Gwaii there are a number of outhouses ....There is also a contest for businesses in the area to come up with the best decorated KYBO. This one was the winner (missing from the picture is the waiting bench with wonderful potted plants and outdoor coffee table). The inside was the prettiest outhouse I ever saw ...complete with hand sanitizers, room deoderizor, classy magazines (in a rack) ,fresh flowers ....etc ...you get the picture.

I would have driven by this one but I found that the food is actually really good here and the place is quite pleasant. The break-wich bun is awesome.

No s--- is right! I can't believe that the 4x4 took this hill ....this is almost a 90 degree drop...."white knuckle-ly" Sunday drive to Rennell Sound.

This is no Joke ....These signs are all over Haida Gwaii ...a reality of the changing climate and living on the Pacific Coast.

Finally, This is one that only a homesick Cape Bretoner would really get ....Jim spied this piece of bark on the hike to Bonanza Beach, and kid you not, he saw the map of CB here complete with the Bras d'Or Lakes.

Ouch now that I'm back home, and trust me I love it here, I feel a little tinge of homesickness for the quirks of Haida Gwaii and all the gentle folk out there.

It is true what Jon Kabat Zann said "Where ever you go ...there you are" I do see myself in the good people I meet where ever I go LOVE IT!

Love and light

Chris

Purple Onion Stew and The Ground grind

2010-10-17T16:00:00.000-03:00

Well folks this is attempt # 5 at the promised Java Jive on another 2 well known gathering points on Haida Gwaii

This is the Purple Onion, a place in Charlotte where you can plug in to the local news of the day, meet friends, get to know what makes a town tick and argue about the politics of the day ....or just maybe sit in the sun or the mist and watch the tide of visitors in Charlotte ebb and flow. That is a good thing . The sandwiches here are reputed to be fantastic but smiles are not always free here.

The big purple couch and chair here will make you feel like royalty and there is a kooky sense of humor in the decor as you can see from the aptly labeled Leek room.(washroom)

Now if you were to travel north to Masset you will find a new little Java hut called the Ground. The coffee here is fantastic and the service is very friendly.

Sydney, a name I wouldn't forget since it reminds me of home, is a great barrista who will add a lovely artistic swirl to your latte for you to contemplate while you get your hit of caffeine

Like Queen B's there is a display of local artisans for sale. The work on the left was very interesting ceramic but it looked like stone that was stitched together ...real wow factor if you could see it up close!

I think that there must be Gremlins in my computer or this post was just jinxed from the start. I made so many attempts to publish this and couldn't get it off the ground .....so here goes ......I'm going for a cuppa ....this time I'm back in NS and counting on good quality Green Tea to get me where I need to be.

Love and light

Chris

Queen B's ... Continued

2010-09-05T07:49:00.001-03:00

Sean setting up for the afternoon of music

As mentioned in my previous posting, the Queen B's Cafe here in QC is an exceptional place. It is warm and welcoming, quiet and soothing, yet (at times) boisterous and energetic.
That energy level reached a peak last Sunday (August 29) with the 'Auntie Buttons Art Show and Pizza Party (including 'made-for-the-occasion' Auntie Button Cup-Cakes!) with LIVE Entertainment!'

It was a 2pm - 4pm family friendly gathering that celebrated the art work of Kim, Jody's sister, (who got the stage name of Auntie Buttons from her nephew, Isadore.)

Auntie Buttons felted works on the wall

With the works of art on display, and the pizzas, cupcakes, and coffees (as well as other beverages, of course) heated up, and the music rocking, it all combined to provide a wonderful way to pass a drizzly Sunday afternoon.

Kim chatting with Laurel

Since it is a small facility, the 'crowd' of 25 - 35 patrons overflowed onto the outdoor patio; and the enthusiasm and joy of those present (actually well represented in the artwork, as you can see in the accompanying pictures) was quite apparent (of course, the playing and dancing children helped, as always).

Jim exchanging stories with John and Donna

Conversations flowed as easily as the many cups of 'whatever' (Jim preferred the regular dark roast while I was partial to Bonnie and Dana's lattes!), and we enjoyed, so much, the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that a venue like this could provide.
Bonnie and Dana were pleased, Kim was delighted to sell a few of her works, and all who attended , I really believe, quite enjoyed with the whole experience.

Art representing life / life representing art !?!

Whatever ... a good (no, a GREAT) time was had by all!!

Thanks to those who made it all happen.

Living in the moment

2010-09-03T15:15:00.003-03:00

My jottings and Java at Jags

Senor, dadles pan a los que tienen hambre, y hambre de justicia, a los que tienen pan.
Lord to those who hunger, give bread.
To those who have bread, give a hunger for justice.
- Latin American prayer

I knew that I wanted to write this blog for a while ....I have been thinking about life's little pleasures and where you find them It occurred to me that one of the highlights of my week is going to Jags on Friday morning for a cappacino ....His are simply the best on the Islands. First of all ...the coffee at this shop is all Fair Trade (a big plus in my book ) ....the service is always friendly and it is like coming home to be there. I like to go to Jags each week to see Erica's face light up as we walk in AND if you want to know about local local culture, points of interest and events, Jags is your man ... He never makes you feel like he is too busy to share time with customers. The coffee shop is a solarium with a view of the bay that will take your breath away.

Izzie and Erica discussing muffins

Behind Izzy you see the view of Skidigate

We drove from Guysborough to Haida Gwaii 5 years ago, and made a pact when we left home that we would seek out the 'Mom and Pop' coffee shops along the way and, where possible, search for Fair Trade coffee as we went. You see there is just such a place in almost every town you pass through and it is usually an indicator of the type of folks who gather there. We also went with a selection of Just Us Fair Trade coffee and info sheets on that company for our hosts along the way. This proved to be a wonderful brainwave.
There is a sense of social justice with each sip ....and we started to look at coffee in a different way ...It is a treat, not a given. In retrospect, I'm a little sorry that I didn't take a photo of all these little places as I went.

But for this current post, our first stop is my favorite one in Antigonish ...The Tall and Small; besides great coffee, they make positively the BEST walnut lentil burgers ever, and the cafe hosts art shows of various local artists as well as performances of some of the best in the renowned Jazz program at St F. X.

The Tall and Small is a Cafe on the right side of this building where folks gather to trade stories and argue about the politics and events of the day. Popular with everyone from Musicians, Artsy university students to fishermen the local Business Professionals ...a happening place in Antigonish

Here on Haida Gwaii you will not find Tims or Starbucks but you will find a thriving coffee industry where people gather and as in all little hamlets each one is a favorite for different reasons and attracts individual tastes.

Queen B's has a wonderful selection of home cooked (mostly vegetarian) dishes and a decadent array of desserts ... all made right there with love by Bonnie and Dana (and staff). You need to see the joy that this woman exudes and the sound of her voice and laughter is worth the trip! (not to mention....that she is a great hugger)

Bonnie and Dana seen here during an art opening for Auntie Buttons, where a rainy Sunday afternoon was warmed by sharing stories and song with friends ...live music and homemade pizza, a warm fun family event ...see up coming blog on that one.

Now there is the Purple Onion in Charlotte, the Rising Tide in Tlell and the Ground in Massett up and coming in the next blog post, each with its own distinctive culture.

Love and light
Chris

Sharing Food and Memories

2010-08-23T03:51:00.002-03:00

War iyo la cuno, baa lagu nool yahay.
Communication and food are the things that one lives by.
-Somali Proverb

Ever wonder what makes the difference between living and life. I was just reflecting on how when it comes right down to it what I do with my life in the space between bites is what makes it really living. Sure we need food and the basics to survive but as I always said it is not how much is on the table as who is around the table that really sustains us in the end.

Here, living on a group of Islands you really are forced to think about what goes in your mouth and why. Food is not scarce but it is pricy and you don't take that for granted ....you buy what you need and you eat what you buy. So you better make the right choices. It was much the same in the Arctic and for a CFA (come from away) to walk into a food store and make loud proclamations on the cost of food or anything else here is just rude.

In the North, the traditional food is referred to as country food. That is food that you or someone you know fish or hunt for on the land. Here in Haida Gwaii there is an abundance of fish, berries, deer and most households have a garden and or a small greenhouse. For the most part folks don't take food for granted especially if you hunt or someone you know does this for you. Jim had the good fortune to go out fishing with Sean and one of his friends last weekend and the pictures below are of the Salmon they caught.

This one was 30 lbs

For Sean and Jody, the community here on the misty isles are what sustains life too and this past Friday there was a group of friends who came over to feed the soul with munchies and music.

The wee ones busied themselves with pirate ships indoors and climbing trees and racing about outdoors.

and more stories

while most traded stories and ideas

"no kidding it was this big!"

Oh yes there was also Atari

I didn't know that there was still one in existence!

Later in the evening after the wee ones had disappeared into dreamland the instruments came out and the group traded 8's late into the night.

Hope you make room in your life this summer for some good food and friends to share your Journey too

Love and light

Chris

Festival at the Edge of the Earth

2010-08-23T02:06:00.001-03:00

On August 7th, the first weekend of our arrival on Haida Gwaii we attended the Festival at the Edge of the Earth ....No Kidding that is the real name of the festival here in Haida Gwaii. I must say I'm really charmed! It is nothing like Stanfest (apples and oranges ) I like them both and for different reasons.
To begin with this festival is very small and more up close and personal. The focus is on a family event and kids and parents of all ages mingled throughout the weekend.

The following entry will be about the festival goers and the Life around the festival as opposed to the entertainers ...which I will get to later . Above is Jim and our grandson Isadore on the first evening.

Because the event is small enough there are outhouses instead of port-a-potties ....thus we see !a competition for the best one and the winner is the one below ...the inside was quite lovely and it was sponsored by a local bakery.

As I mentioned before this is a family festival and the planning for it goes on all year with a lot of folks around the islands, giving input long before the festival weekend. I really got a kick out of this sign on the field .

The lanterns in the lantern parade which takes place at 10:45 each night were made back in May and June.

There was a dancing area in front of the stage and people of all ages got up and shared the dance as you can see many dressed in carnival like costumes and celebrated creativity and music of the people.

During the day there were play areas for small children where there was a "Tickle Trunk" of costumes and the biggest sandbox along with craft activities for the "tween" set. There was also hula hoops and poi going all day long and after dark the more agile of the performers played with fire as we see below. I got to try my hand at poi and I'm learning and all black and blue from the whacks I take in the process. (poi are an Indonesian invention I believe ...a ball on the end of a leather cord or in the case of the ones I have they are on a wee chain!)

Fire poi at night

Hoop fun

I want to close by letting all you who are kind enough to take the time to read my blog that I've been spending more time doing these days than reflecting on what I'm doing ...I wish I could say it is because I'm present and living in the moment but at the end of a day filled with a delightful two year old I don't have the will or patience to fight with blogger when it won't do what I feel it should.

Stay tuned I should be getting my stride soon.

Love and light

Chris

2010-08-11T03:29:00.000-03:00

I have to share a link with the summer as it unfolded for our family.The newest addition was Tara's dog Sophie, a not so tiny St Bernard puppy who won her way into every heart this summer. Here she sits beneath the bentwood rocker,her favorite spot this summer...just trying to stay cool during Dog Days of Summer.She will soon be a resident of the small community of Qikatarjuik in the Eastern Arctic.

Getting to walk the sandy beach of Point Machaud with a group of good friends in June was another highlight of the summer and I look forward to seeing these sands in the late fall

June also afforded me an opportunity to take in a workshop with this lovely group of Yoginies in the new yoga space in Fall River.

June ended and July began with the Stan Rogers folk festival and it turned out to be the first time in memory where there was no rain ...a time to fill your boots with the best music and folks you are likely to find; a time to renew friendships, and create memories that will warm you through the winter months.

This boat in the still waters at the mouth of the Milford Haven River as it opens into Chedabucto Bay was the last sight I saw as our car pulled out of Guysborough and pointed to the west.

We also bid farewell to Tara for another year as she heads to the Arctic once again with her three pooches after spending the month of July with us. What a wonderful time and opportunity to connect and nurture our spirits ....we were blessed.

Doing the tide

2010-06-11T00:12:00.001-03:00

Around here the phrase "Doing the tide " can mean different things depending on who you speak to. Generally the tide is moving around the tidal fed body of water called the Milford Haven River, taking you around the picturesque community of Guysborough Intervale.

This marks the beginning of our trip. Lesterdale is the name of the little community starting at the bridge near Boylston. I've taken this loop many times by car but yesterday was my first attempt by pedal power.

My friend Cindy suggested we make an attempt since we hinted at it a few times....this can't be so bad so we dig out the bikes and helmets and head off to the Crow's Nest for lunch ....another of Boylston's best kept secrets

Wednesday lunches at the Crow's Nest is beginning to fall victim to their success ....the cars were really stacked up this Wed and what a great way to get out and connect with community ....best lunches and service going Thanks Di an Audry for looking after us! This week was home made fish cakes and salad with strawberry shortcake for dessert.

After a short pedal we came to the Connolly farm with these beauties prancing and dancing in the field.

Pedaling is an interesting endeavor. when you have the good fortune to do it with a friend there is always moments of sharing ideas about what you see but there is more time to just be alone with your thoughts in nature. The odd thing is that I was pedaling along with that thought in my head when Cindy brought out the same reflection. The scents of spring , the sound of the song birds, the gurgling of the little brooks along the way is a much different experience on a bike than on foot ...and by car ...it doesn't even factor.

It is interesting that you can tell a lot about most rural communities by the age and architecture of the churches .St Patrick's, Pictured here, was originally constructed in the 1800's and it's upkeep in a little community like this speaks volumes for the people who live here . In rural communities like this one it is the hub of social and neighbourly activity.(thanks for the picture Isabelle)

The final leg of the journey took us past a few lovingly cared for farms and past Janice's haughty hens very busy with an afternoon scratch in the garden.

So chalk up another one .....or let me scratch another one off my bucket list. On Wednesday "I did the tide " on a bike (dry, very dry) at the suggestion of my friend Cindy and I have to say I'm very happy that I didn't know it was 28km till we were almost finished.

Now where did I put my list?........hmmmm let's see .....Camping on the beach and seeing the sunrise over the bay....ahh I guess that will have to wait till it feels like the ice is no longer in the bay.

Till then how about trying this ....walk barefoot in the in the early morning when the dew is still on the grass and watch how fantastic you feel for the rest of the day! Go look at the day as it begins!

Love and light
Chris

Looking Through My Rear View Mirror

2010-06-09T01:05:00.006-03:00

I have always been fascinated with the image of moving into the future looking at the present through a rear view mirror. I know that came from Marshall McLuhan's pen and I can still remember the day in 1969 when I read that line and the class at St.F.X. that I was in when I was introduced to it.

Since then I have spent a great deal of my life moving into the future looking at the present that way. Perhaps that is what draws me to teach yoga and a quest to remain in the present; the here ; the now.

Tonight, when I was driving home from a class in Hazel Hill, I was once again reminded of why I chose this journey and the rich rewards this drive blesses me with. Words or pictures could not begin to express the gob-stopped, jaw dropping beauty of this piece of highway during the full moon in the fall;the amber of autumn; and the sunsets on the bay at anytime of year.

I enjoy and learn so much from the students I teach in every community I have been in. In Canso area, one has to be inspired by a little town founded in 1603 on a fishery which has since disappeared. These people still struggle to re-invent themselves; they keep their identity which has been passed along since the days when the 'make-and-break' engines could be heard entering and leaving the harbour.
They patiently s-t-r-e-t-c-h into an uncertain future.

The road home takes me through the little communities along the shores of Chedabucto Bay, where you can tell so much just from the way the buildings and homes are lovingly cared for.

Aahh ...and then there is the Queensport Light: more than just the stuff of song and story. It stands alone off these shores as a symbol of the people here who stand firm and solitary against the raging sea.

Today, the National News announced that this and almost all the lighthouses in the province are considered 'redundant'. Like the communities they serve, who scramble to understand what is going on in a world that is moving too fast to even keep the present visible in the rear view mirror.

Tonight, I spent time leading a class of women who are in a class of their own; health care workers, fisher women, mothers, teachers, yes, and a figure skater with a dream. These are some of the glue that holds this community together and ensure that it will move into the future.

When I find myself spending too much time navel-gazing, my students can always bring me 'back to the future', and the universe hits me with a light show that is so spectacular that no words can touch it.

This is the rainbow, "the symbol of hope ", that lit the way home tonight.

Love and light
Chris

Blue Skies and Green Grass

2010-06-02T12:51:00.002-03:00

My last blog featured thoughts on light both here and in the Arctic but since arriving home I know I really need to do one on colour. Guysborough is Green and at this time of year the green is so vibrant and varied that it is mind blowing. If you live here you might need to step away from it and look at it with different eyes. Here is what it looks like from my eyes. Above are the wild apple blossoms on the little road behind our house. Sunday graced us with cool weather and blue skies.

Looking out the back door at the fire pit ....we should soon be geared up for a gathering with guitars and a campfire if the weather would just dry up a little.

The boys (our cats) were glad to see us home in their own catty ways and settled in to watching over the garden and scanning the yard for squirrels and birds from their favorite spots on the deck.
Can you see a pattern of green and blue here in my world ....I didn't get to the ocean yet which has a parade of azure blue to purple grey at this time of year. Along with these colors come the the accompanying sound of song birds mating and the roar, yes roar of the hummingbird looking for their feeders.

This is what we saw from our front window in the kitchen! There were 5 foxes out there by the barn across the road from us and quite bold and brazen as they froliced in the grass.

Well reflection will be on the fly, since we hit the ground running and tonight will see Yoga classes starting up once again at the Jost Waterfront Building. The first time we see the temperature pop above 15 we will be in the seats above with a mug of tea and a good book, counting our blessings in Guysborough....come join us when you can.

From Light ... Shadow

2010-05-31T11:47:00.008-03:00

Did you ever notice how things can reach you in small increments on so many different levels? Before coming to the north I knew that the light or lack of light would have a powerful effect on me. I knew that on some level before I left home ....perhaps just on a head level. What that would do to my system I could not really wrap my brain around.

You see, I'm one of those people who gets giddy-dizzy and blown away at the sight of a full moon when it is like a big yellow globe hanging in the sky above the Milford Haven River. The noon day sun in Guysborough on a bright winter's day when you can't buy a cloud for love nor money sends my energy level through the roof. The evening sun at suppertime in August makes me melancholy and happy at the same time (especially if it is setting on the waters of Chedabucto Bay) Watching the the first star of the evening appear over the crest of the hills of Sunnyville can leave me frozen in time.

Nothing prepared me for what it feels like to watch the days gradually lengthen to a point where there is no night...It was more than 6 weeks since I saw the moon and a sky dark enough to see stars. When it is brighter at 3:00 AM than it is at noon time at home, or when you look out the window and see children casually riding bicycles or playing with paddle boats in puddles at 10:30 PM, it messes with your mind a little. Seeing a snowmobile race up a steep mountainside at 3:00 AM is another experience I'd never had before.

The sky of the Arctic is magical. It effects one's emotions, lifestyle, behavior and health. The charm and magic of the Aurora Borealis gives way to the strength and power of the midnight sun which so quickly alters the northern landscape. It causes a change in the sound of the earth too. We begin to hear the sound of birds once again. The Duval River goes from a whispering trickle to a powerful roar in a matter of 3 weeks. The ice on Cumberland sound starts to show dangerous leaks as the snow machines continue to maneuver their way around the ice chunks and out to the fishing holes and hunting haunts.

These images will stay with me forever as will the shock of returning to NS at night....you see, the light of the Arctic came gently over the past five weeks; it was like falling in love with a gentle soul so gradually you hardly noticed that there was a time when it was not so. But last night we got off the plane in Halifax and the sky quickly got dark ....for the first time in my life the night looked so dark and spooky that it took some getting used to. The landscape here in NS seems very claustrophobic too ... .all those green trees and shrubs that I missed seeing gradually 'leaf out' .... and, today, GREEN. The earth here is so green ....I am able to greet the dusk with a little more grace and tomorrow night it will be better, I know.

I will be able to hang clothes outside to dry in the sun....but that is another blog.

If you are reading this in a place where you have darkness and light in the same 24 hours .... take time to notice .... notice how it makes you feel ... notice what you hear when there is light and when there is darkness.

What color stays with you from outside and what does that do to your emotions? Does it ever get quiet enough for you to hear your own breath? Enjoy that space.

If you are reading this post from the North .... Look at the pink hue on the horizon and hear the sound of the ice and the earth coming back to life. Just BE... and know that Chris is back here in the south thanking you and thinking about you and all you taught me about your world and myself as well.

Love and light

Chris

Permafrost and Faultlines

2010-05-20T12:42:00.006-03:00

When we think of climate change, nowhere is it more evident than in the north. This is a place where the many folks spend a lot of time outdoors and are affected more by change of the climate and the seasons.

The photo above is a geological permafrost marker (just behind Tara's house) which is monitoring the changes occurring here; and you can see from the following photo why.

Due to climate warming globally we are seeing a shift in ground that had been, until this time, steady below us. Last June the rift in the earth you see behind me, along with a powerful flow of the river (caused by quick melting ... climate related,also) caused an upheaval for people here because it wiped out the bridge connecting each half of the hamlet.

Life is like that though ...just when you think that you have it all figured out, the universe throws you another curve; but then I guess that is what makes the journey more important than the destiny. Keeping an eye on your fault lines is what Yoga is all about too. Maintaining a steady practice when the ground is moving under you at times. And how do we adapt?

If you build a house on permafrost it has to float above the ground like this one across the street from us ....all the permanent structures here are raised on steel posts like this one.

This is what the building process looks like in the beginning stages. This is happening just next door to Tara's.

The machinery here is pressing these posts into the permafrost. A sturdy steel structure is then put in place over that, and so it goes. These homes are amazingly quiet inside (and, I might add, very cosy). Time will tell how this will last through the ravages of the change in the climate.

I was surprised to hear last week that the tides here in the Cumberland Sound are second only to the Fundy tides in strength, height, and movement on the shoreline.Like home on the Fundy Shore ...there have been more than a few unwitting tourists stranded when the tides suddenly rush to the high tide mark.

Here is another sign of spring in the north, which I know is 'head-scratcher' for any Qallunaat (southerner): This photo was taken at 10:30 PM. It is a very large spring puddle where children in the neighbourhood play for hours some with little homemade boats ....sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. Watching children play outside here is a fascination for me since we don't see so much of this anymore at home. My thoughts often drift back to the hours we spent playing 'hide and seek' in the dewy summer dusk; playing in the stream behind our house in Afton; the days spent at Bonvie's wharf learning how to swim; and the sun, like warm honey, on our backs as we picked blueberries on our way home for supper in August (whoops ...catching hell for being late for supper with blue-stained lips and tongues from our berry picking while Mom frantically worried whether King Neptune and the sea had claimed us during our afternoon swim).

I can't help but wonder if the innocent play of the children here in the North is giving way to the electronic scourge of, shall we say, progress? The iPod, the iPod touch, and game machines are replacing the older games and toys. Next year there may be cellphone service here and, as Northrup Frye once said, " ...we ask what this can do for us before looking at what it can undo in our culture." By the time we think to look at it, it has already changed us. I don't know whether that is good or bad.

Coming back to the original intent of this blog, ie Yogic reflections, I would leave you with a counter balance to change and progress in Marshall McLuhan's observation that "We are moving into the future looking at the present through a rear view mirror." Here it is .....Simple .....Take a few moments at the beginning and end of the day to sit and just BE; notice the breath and be in stillness. ....notice your thoughts ..but don't get 'on the train'.....breathe in the word JUST and exhale the word THIS .... just this .... just this .... just this ....

Love and light
Chris

Fishing for News

2010-05-13T12:42:00.000-03:00

Hi folks,

Isolation is more than just where you live. I think I have friends out there who are reading this blog. BUT I do not know this for sure,unless you comment on the blog site. (even if it is just a "hi chris ...good to know that you are still blogging for us somewhere out there) I enjoy writing this blog but I would love to hear from you too!

Waltzing with Bears

2010-05-12T01:45:00.002-03:00

In my lifetime I would only rarely get to experience something so foreign to my culture as what I did today.

Today we had the great privilege of being invited to prepare a polar bear hide at the home of Seepa, one of Tara's students. The following are some photos of the process.

I did get to try my hand with an ulu mind you I'm a far cry from the skill of Seepa and her aunt pictured here.

She gently explained that the men generally prepares the hide to a certain point then the women clean and scrape the inside of the hide then stretch it on a frame. This hide prepared today is not a really large one and will be used for clothing.

The hide you see here is the first hide that Seepa prepared. Traditionally larger hides like this one are used for bedding in an igloo. They are a very warm barrier to the cold.AND NO most Inuit do not live in igloos any more. AND YES many work very hard to maintain the survival skills of this culture. Seepa's husband and sons are good hunters. Seepa is a good teacher and works hard at passing on the traditions of her ancestors to her children and grand children.

Bear hunting licences here are a lottery like Moose hunting license in NS or Nfld. The life of this creature is not taken for granted and its life continues to sustain life for those who hunt ...in many ways. It is not seen as a trophy. This bear was shot by Seepa's husband's niece. I can only begin to explain how patient both of these ladies are to take the time to explain so much about the traditional culture to us. The soft lilt of the Inuktitut language and the hearty laughter filled and warmed the room for us as we watched and traded stories of customs and traditions.

Be the change in the world you would like to see.

Love and light
Chris

Of Elders, Ulus and Amoutiqs

2010-05-12T00:50:00.002-03:00

Here you see a collection of ulus which belong to Seepa -you will see more of them and her in my next post. FYI the ulu is the most used tool of women in Arctic culture. There are ulus for eating, ulus for cleaning hides, and ulus for almost any kind of food preparation. They are very sharp and require a degree of skill for use. When you see this skill in action it looks deceptively easy (many women have the scars to prove it too!)

Well after a weekend of the famous Pang wind, there is a distinct difference in the feel and color of this hamlet ...there is more brown each day. The ice on the Cumberland Sound is beginning to show a lot more wet spots and we can see from here that even though there is still the splash and streak of the snow machines on the fjord the snow is slowly beginning to bid us adieu (never thought I would catch myself saying that but I sort of like the snow here...guess it is what I expected ) My song might be different if I was here to welcome the long dark hours of the winter.

We are still making regular visits to the Elders center and Jim is getting better at the Inuit card game each day see his blog here

Yesterday was fun for me at the center too as I got to speak with some of the ladies who go regularly we combed through photos and artifacts and they convinced me to try on an amoutiq. My goodness we all laughed so hard at the crazy Qallunaat (southerner,me) getting into the sealskin outfit. These women work so hard and are so talented at what they do ...the Lady in red you see in the picture below is the one who actually made this amoutiq.

Hannah, the lady in the blue top is what I consider my cultural guide ...she is slowly teaching me a lot of what life is like here today and in the past.

Remember yoginies and yogies........Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, Allow!

Love and light
Chris

Northern Delights

2010-05-06T23:17:00.001-03:00

NHL Hockey play offs.... Funny, you know I'm watching the ice of the warm cities and living in the warmth of the Northern spring. Yes the temp here is as far below zero as the temp at home is above zero. BUT the cold is more comfortable here than the icy wind off Chedabucto Bay at this time of year. The sun is bright warm despite the chill of the snow underfoot.

It occurred to me last night that I haven't seen a cell phone since I left home two weeks ago. In that time we got to experience a little of the life of a small northern hamlet where the earth greets the midnight sun. At this point in time it to gets bright at 2:30 AM and you can read your watch outside at 11:30 PM. The time of day which messes me up the most is supper time. We can be eating at 8:00 and it feel like 5:00 and the evening just starts so much later.

We have had the opportunity to meet Tara's students,experience throat singing,country food, loonie/toonies,the famous weave and print shop of Pang, a fishing derby (see Jim's blog) http://hanginpang.blogspot.com/, an abundance of Inuit artisans but today what took our breath away was a hike almost to the top of Mount Duval, more than 5000 feet above the hamlet. We tried to take pictures but none of them can capture the color or the grandeur. We plan to go out again before we leave and work our way to the top.

Another treat for me has been the gift of an Asthanga Yoga Class here in Pang, offered by a lovely young woman from Cape Breton ...It is a challenge for me and I love it. Michelle (our instructor) took her training from TAYS (Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio) in Halifax! ...small world or what? Get this ....the class is 2 nights per week and is just across the street from me.

I was delighted to hear that there was a good turn out for the May yoga program at home. My thanks go out to Nancy who is filling in for me and I know she will fall in love with this wonderful group just the way I did.
Miss you guys and I look forward to continuing the classes when I get home.

To all my friends in Haida Gwaii I look forward to connecting with you again when we visit in August through September. I've been following the news through the Observer each week ....love to hear from you ladies! I think of you all the time.

Love and light
Chris

I'm Back! ... But Away Again

2010-04-29T01:08:00.008-03:00

Good Day my friends I finally made it to the north and you are in my thoughts daily. It is truly beautiful here as you can see from the links to the pictures.

The Community of Pangnirtung is noted for its artists and from the scenery here you can really see why. The north as you know is a desert so we see very little precipitation here (there is fog mind you) but no trees and very little rain throughout the year.

So far the community has been friendly and very welcoming ….people will welcome you in the street and ask if you are visiting and say welcome to Pang ….even those who speak very little English. What is most noticeable at first is that there are so many children playing outside ALL THE TIME!

For those of you who are following Jim’s blog - hanginpang.blogspot.com - or his Picasa Web Album ( here )have already seen how snap happy we are with the camera. If you interested in seeing some of the scenery here check the Picasa site here.

I not only got to ride on a Skidoo.; but for the first time …I got to drive Tara’s Arctic Cat…wow what a rush that was. Sheldon you would love the touring here. And as you can see there is still lots of snow.

There is a yoga class here and I hope to attend tomorrow evening at 5:30. It will be nice to be “Yogaed” for a while. We have been pretty busy everyday exploring the hamlet ….the population here is about, 1450 and there is a constant influx of visitors from the south who come to explore the park and life in the north.

There are 2 grocery stores- the Northern (formerly the Hudson’s Bay Co.) which is a chain throughout the north and the Pangnirtung Coop (looks like Moses Cody made it all the way to the north.) By far one of the most well known industries here would be the print and weave shop which is famous in the arts circles in the south. The carving, weaving and of course the famous Pang hats are a standard here. The work that you see on the children’s parkas is jaw dropping and there are several women here whose sewing skills are respected and well known.
Loonie/toonie auctions occur on a regular basis as a community support for whatever is needed in the hamlet. AND the whole community generally turns out.

Jim and I visited the high school yesterday. This is an interesting time of year for the school. All of the high school students and teachers are out at spring camp on the land, here they spend a few days learning the traditional skills from the elders and this is an opportunity for the students to be the TEACHERS for their educators, sharing the knowledge of the land ….their teachers get to see them from a different perspective.

If all goes well tomorrow we may have an opportunity to go out on the land with a guide to experience the camp too.

Well till the weekend …stay well ….Breathe and enjoy whatever spring has to offer

Love and light
Chris

Campfire smoke and Queen Ann's Lace

2009-09-21T12:11:00.004-03:00

When I spend some time to taste the ordinary or what I see as ordinary it may not be so for others. This is where our Summer goes.

Settling in to a quiet September Campfire in our back yard fire pit.

Having the chance to sit under the starry canopy and enjoy good friends and a little music or just to sit in silence and watch the flames dance in the cool evening shadows is an underrated joy.

We got to spend a Saturday on the land clearing undergrowth and windfalls from the last hurricane and, you know, there is a pleasant sense of satisfaction when you look back at the end of the day and see what you accomplished ...you can actually see something for your work when you are in the bush. Not real pretty but it's a start.

This is the cornfield along the edge of the property.

By the end of the day we were pretty raggedy and so we zipped across the way to the Bayfield Beach for a swim. Wow the water was as warm as bath water...and so clear you were looking at the ripples in the sand bar and it was hard to leave ...It reminded me so of the summer days I spent swimming there so long ago when that was my whole world.

Queen Ann's Lace and September apples.

These are wild and here for the picking.

Apple Jelly for Christmas. If you get the chance or make the "chance" go for a walk today outdoors and spend a little time with something you usually overlook and see if you can look at it in a different way......The Yoga of being in the moment.

Love and Light
Chris

The Closing Down of Summer

2009-09-09T18:24:00.000-03:00

Canso in our wake

Path to the fortress ruins

Picnic in Grassy Park

Special K coming to fetch us

Hello folks

There is nothing like a drop in the temperature to bring you back to the reality of fall in Nova Scotia - Still NS dons her most beautiful gown at this time of year. We are still enjoying the crash of the surf and the smell of the brine but now there is the added layer of of the sweet smell of wild apples ripening, cranberries beginning to peek out from the bogs, and the occasional sighting of the autumn mushrooms in the mossy woodlands.

We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day on Monday when we ventured down to Canso with friends,Erich and Inge and hiked around Grassy Island Historical Site. Canso has such a rich history; a fishing town founded in 1603 and is now struggling to maintain its existence in the aftermath the collapse of the fishery. The fiercely independent natives constantly reinvent themselves as they have over the centuries in order to stay connected to the rocky land they love. No where is this more mind blowing than stepping off the boat on Grassy Island to walk the paths created by the first brave souls who struggled to stay (mostly)alive here at the edge of the earth during those first winters.

We picnicked, and as our friend Erich put it, you had to keep your elbows on your plate to keep it on the table .... oh but the food was wonderful as it always is outdoors! Smoked Pacific Salmon,Gouda cheese, homemade bread fresh from the oven and wine and watermelon finished off with a couple of thermos of tea and Jim's chocolate banana muffins.I know this was yoga of the mouth, ...talking, eating and living in the moment.

Those of you in the county have probably got an e-message regarding the start up of classes and you can check the calender on the website for class info as well. For anyone who did not get the message with the link to the article Why do Yoga? by Garrett Sarley www.kripalu.org/article/512 ...this is a wonderful article which articulately describes the science behind yoga -no frills - in a language we all can understand.

In conclusion, I'm shining the floors, blessing the space and I look forward to seeing you on the mats during the last week of September.

Love and light to all

Chris

Time goes on

2009-08-25T14:12:00.000-03:00

Yes I’m still in the land of the living. We arrived home in Guysborough memories in our pockets and hit the ground running Life for the rest of the summer has been about hurry up and wait ….Like today for instance we hurried up to batten down before hurricane Bill and hold our breath and wait to see what happens.

We took in Stanfest a few days after we arrived home and found that the wettest festival in the history of the event still didn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands of fans who showed up to slop around on the muddy grounds of Canso (we didn’t camp).

After mowing and getting the house and yard set for summer we headed off to Halifax for a week Jim worked at marking Provincial English papers while I took in the Tall ships, “Festival of Sail “ and the Halifax International Jazz Festival . There were daily free concerts every hour from 12:00 noon till 5:00 PM. All this sandwiched between a concert featuring Sir Paul Mc Cartney on the Saturday we arrived and a concert with KISS on the day we left. WOAH!!!

This summer we have done something a little out of the ordinary for us we have toured around our local area and explored the beaches. From Salmon River beach where the beautiful Salmon River empties into the ocean, the Brule coastline, the lovely crystal clear waters of Crystal Cliffs, Bayfield, Pompquet, Clam Harbour, and Belle Cote where the force of the combers meet the gentle coastline and mix with the gentle folks along the coves and harbours.

We have discovered a lot about beach culture in that time too …for example the best time to swim is at 4:30 PM the water is warmer by then and the shores are almost empty. We found out the healthiest way to eat is to plan ahead and pack a small lunch …food always tastes better on the beach but some things travel better than others (we stayed away from chips and too much process foods) but that is another whole blog

Another highlight of the summer was a reunion of the Corbett family for our Parents 60th Wedding Anniversary. Milestones like that are fewer and far between these days. It was so nice to be with siblings and cousins nieces and nephews. Thanks so much to all who journeyed so far to be with us on that happy occasion!

September is fast approaching were life and the weather forces us back to the RW(real world) with it too comes the comfort of routine, old friends reuniting and yes folks our Sanga will reunite for the fall yoga classes. To my west coast friends ….I really miss you. The memories of Haida Gwaii will warm me through the winter months. To my Guysborough county yogies and yoginies I look forward to seeing you soon.

I came across this video by Dave Carroll this week and it sort of sums up the summer journey out of the mists and into the autumn. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ1wtftL3nA

Love and Light Chris

Soon To Be Heading Back East ...

2009-06-23T14:30:00.000-03:00

As we ease through the Summer Solstice, savouring the longest daylight of the year (even more pronounced at this latitude), I present my final entry from the “Left Coast”, as we look toward our home in Guysborough where we will return with hearts brimming full of joyful memories and wonderful energy. The fifty days have gone by so quickly; the week that remains will be just a blur.

Since my last entry, I have been privileged to attend a Healing Circle in Skidegate, a Haida community near here. It was tremendously revealing and inspiring. I consequently heard about, and was able to take advantage of a session on an Amethyst Stone Bio-Mat. I will share much more info on that later(Google it, if you’d like); suffice to say that the experience was quite unique … I am going back for a second session before we leave in a week’s time.

Two other recent highlights would have to be the local celebration of “Hospital Day” (like all of Come Home Week squeezed into 24 hours) and our Fathers’ Day Hike to the Pesuta, an eighty year-old shipwreck 5 km up a beach. (that’s 10 k round-trip) The accompanying photos give a hint of both of those experiences.

My yoga sessions here on Haida Gwaii will end this Thursday, and, I must say that I have really appreciated the opportunity to maintain my focus both on and off the mat, and to have the privilege to share my time with some wonderful inspiring yoginis.

I will close now with a thought that I heard expressed at the Healing Circle in Skidegate …

“Each of us comes from different life experiences, and this combined diversity is a potent force.”; a great reminder that we are all connected. We are all One.

Namaste,

Chris

Concert at Skidegate

2009-06-11T13:56:00.000-03:00

Things have e ramped up here and life is a paradox whereas the pace is very slow as you watch … everyone is busy almost every minute.

I was wowed when there was still light in the sky at 9:00 PM. Now my dears, it is still bright at 10:30 I plan to put a photo up on June 22!

On Sunday June 7 we took in a concert in Skidegate which proved to be very interesting. The theme of the evening was “Oceans Alive“, so all the performances connected with that in song and dance. It opened with a group of Haida singers and dancers in traditional costume. They sang a song of welcome in Haida and of in the forest and ocean. We were told of how important the salmon is to this culture. The salmon bring the spirit of the forest to the sea. They are born in the forest streams and return to the forest to spawn and die. The group also talked of how in the creation myths of many cultures, life begins in the sea and how we long to go back to the sea… That was just the colourful introduction to the evening.
There were offerings form the Gwaii Singers, Classical Piano, Atlantic Sea Shanties (by Sean Muise!),Story Poem, Pacific Jug band and a singer/songwriter who being a fisherman’s wife and a fisher herself sang her story with eloquence.

Today we took some time to go part way up Sleeping Beauty and I will leave you with that picture which is well worth more than a thousand words. The little village you see in the distance is Charlotte City.

Until next time ...

Welcome June

2009-06-02T14:29:00.000-03:00

Joyful June Greetings

The weather is so spectacular here this week that I had to take a photo of the report. Hope this entry finds you well and in the process of detoxing from the madness of winter (I don't mean the weather) I mean where life takes you with stresses an schedules.

Last evening I got to enjoy a talk by Gabor Mate who is a physician and author who has studied the connection of stress and disease in our society he works with street folks in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The body,mind, spirit connection which the ancients taught us is finally being recognized by science in some areas.

The two strongest messages were that when we have been prevented from learning how to say no (to stressful situations)our bodies may end up saying it for us.-When the Body Says No

The second thing is that those of us who have experienced unconditional love, see life as a a challenge and those who have not, see life as a chore to get through. Eventually the latter leads to a build up in tension and addictions that cause physical health issues. -system overload. It's all about discovering our true nature which is not chronic illness or cancer but good health.

This may seem just too simplistic put this way, but in the scope of a couple of sentences I can't do justice to his theories. I would encourage you to check out his website http://www.drgabormate.com/ or www.whenthebodysaysno.ca/book.html

If you have children of any age, his book Hold on to your Kids Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers . "a loud wake-up call for mothers and fathers...This (book) offers what many of the others do not-that rare commodity known as common sense."-Winnipeg Free Press

His books support rather than condemn us in our journey through this realm and encourage us to support others around us.

Till next time

Love and Light to all

Namaste

Chris

Farewell to May

2009-05-29T18:25:00.001-03:00

Greetings again from the Misty Isles!

Hope all is well on the East Coast I hear the weather is spectacular this spring. Christian, I imagine that you are experiencing the same climate in Bonny Scotland as we are here.

You know the rain here is different than home ….there is more of it but it is soft; a soft mist more than the driving rain that we see at this time of year in Guysborough. We get warm days here …comfortable but not Hot.
The evenings at our little cottage are deliciously quiet. No TV, sometimes soft music, the soft ticking of the clock, and sometimes the whispering hum of the clothes dryer. Evening walks to the Library, a stroll along the shore or in one of the forest trails or perhaps a game of cards and/or reading charges us up for the next day’s activities.

This week I started teaching a 10 session series of yoga classes. I am having an encouraging response and I truly enjoy the lovely yogis and yoginis that I have had the good fortune to meet here. Gotta love yoga peeps!

Speaking of yoga peeps I have been receiving mail from a friend who is volunteering and studying at Yasodhara Ashram here in BC. Jennifer I just love your updates! They help me to grow and in turn they also help my students too!

One I would like to share is the one following: Check out this link regarding the Chakras Something to chew on: www.yasodhara.org/about_us_kundalini.html

The picture I’m sending today is one we took on out morning walk with Isadore to the library. The blue building in the distance is The Living and Learning School, an independent school here in Charlotte. I got to visit the school last March (2008) when Jody was still working there part time.

Looks like the weather man is forecasting some sun for the weekend …

Hope we will be able to explore a new trail. So till next time…
Love and Light from the left coast
Chris

Moving On ...

2009-05-22T13:52:00.000-03:00

Next week I will begin offering a ten session Yoga program here in Charlotte (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) What a wonderful way to get to know the yoga community here. Were I not giving the program I would take the session from whoever is here. It is always nice to experience the Sanga of a yoga community anywhere you go.
Sometimes I feel as if I’m just talking into space (which of course I am ) I would like to hear from you back home and how your practice is coming along. My address is on the website and any news (yoga or otherwise) would be welcome. If you are interested in looking at an article for inspiration check out the following website.

In fact if you were to cruise around http://www.yogajournal.com/, there will be something there of interest to almost anyone! Another good site is http://www.kripalu.org/

I’ll close with a few shots of my youngest yogi Isadore, prince of the Purple Onion Café. He keeps us pretty real and pretty busy too!

Life among the eagles and ravens

2009-05-22T13:34:00.000-03:00

Ahh ... hope I’m getting a better grasp on the technology here. We’ll see if you get the pictures I hope to send. My yoga today comes from being able to hold space quietly while on the hike we are about to take. I’d feel a little less anxious if Sean had not said “We shouldn’t have to worry too much about the bears since we will probably be talking and and they won’t bother us if they hear us” Well we all know how I can talk did I ever think that that would keep me safe ….noooo

Life amoung the Eagles and Ravens

2009-05-21T18:53:00.000-03:00

May 21 2009
Greetings from Haida Gwaii
This is not the land of the midnight sun but we are far north enough to enjoy more hours of day light than we see in Nova Scotia at this time of year.
The following pictures were taken around 9:00 PM . It is actually still pretty bright at 10;00! The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful.

2009-05-14T20:27:00.000-03:00

So ‘ham
The meaning of this Mantra is “I am that”
“ A simple breath mantra. Repeat “so” on the outbreath then “hum” on the inbreath. When you begin, with each out breath, you may become conscious of the act of giving and letting go. With each inbreath you may be aware of receiving, of honouring the Self in this moment. Eventually, all intentions dissolve into the simple pulsation of the mantra’s sonic qualities, bringing stillness and peace within the rhythm that is like serene ocean waves”
-Christopher D Wallis (Yoga Journal May 2009)
Hummmmm Ocean Waves - The Ocean is different on the Left Coast so is the sky - in fact it is still bright at 10:00 pm where I am. The colors of the sky and the mountains are something you can’t feel on a photo and when you see the mountains you feel them. Feel the mountain when you practice tad asana. Be the ocean when you practice Fish !
Being blessed by the experience of feeling the salt water in my veins as a Nova Scotian and now tasting the salt of the Pacific rainforest on my skin my yoga practice is grounded in the knowledge of the connectedness of coastal dwellers.
People here are so friendly it is like I never left home - I do miss all you NS Yoginies out there and I think of you daily in my practice and I’m sure that I will bring home all the Lovely Yoginies of the west coast when I return in July.
I’m currently preparing to do 10 Kripalu Yoga sessions here in Charlotte during May and June starting May 26.
For the food network people at home I’ve connected with a network here who are working on the same issues we are at home and I hope to learn from them more about how that is unfolding here.
I live next door to a professional storyteller who is about to do a benefit show as a fundraiser for a festival that takes place here call “The festival at the Edge of the World” I’ll keep you updated on that since we plan to go.
The photos which follow are from a walk about of the village today. Hope you can get a sense of life here and its casual pace. Perhaps by the time I go back to Guysborough there may be folks here who would like to see the same photo journal of my home village
So’ ham
Find the mantra that works for you
Love and Light
Chris

Settling in ...

2009-05-10T21:00:00.000-03:00

Hello folks in Blogland,
We are settling into life on the islands. And being introduced to the realities of of life that changes islanders! All food is brought in on the BC ferries thus almost everything is expensive even the Dollar Store reflects this - most items are $1.50 instead of $1.00 . We have to do as Sean suggests and shop smart …buy only what you need and don’t look at the price. I guess it’s a trade off for the peaceful life here. Yesterday however that ferry broke down -there will be no ferry or food delivery till Wednesday so by supper time last night, milk, bread and a lot of other staples are lost in the rush of panic purchase. The Fortunately we bought our groceries in the morning before any one knew about the breakdown.
On to more positive things we visited the Kaa Center (Haida Heritage Center )and enjoyed talks given by a group of graduate students on forestry and its effects on society and life here on Haida Gwaii. We can see that here, as in many small communities people wear many hats volunteering is a necessary element to make life happen.
Today Sean is taking part in a volunteer fire training session and we are preparing for a community hike at Anvil Point ….report and pictures to follow.

Wow what a forest and what a trooper little Izzie is. He spent the two hours of the hike humming and telling himself little funny stories and Laughing (at his own jokes) .The trees in the forest here are massive some of the trees are actually growing out of trees that died and rotted many of years ago. It is mind boggling to stand at the base of a tree that was a seedling 800 years ago.

Stay tuned more to come by the end of the week.

Flying to the West

2009-05-06T10:22:00.000-03:00

Hi folks
We are currently in flight. To say that the day got off to an early start is an understatement. I think that I had about 45 minutes sleep last night and we were dressed by 4:00 am. Christian has landed safely in Scotland, Daniel is now in Calgary and heading for Athabasca for summer planting.

Note for the Yoginies in Canso I’ve started on my work sheet hope this works out well for all of us ….let me know how you are doing ….even if you only get to fill one small section in …a day ..that’s a start.

Note for the Dream work participants ..Thanks for the support in coming to the workshop during what I know is a very busy time for everyone. You made it a heart warming success. Keep up your journal and watch what happens.

For my younger friends Hope spring is Yummy for you and I look forward to seeing you when I get home. Did you check out the pictures in the Gallery of this website …maybe you were there!

More blog pictures will follow soon.

Oh BTW we've landed safely and you will hear from us soon I hope.

Love and Light to all
Chris

The journey begins

2009-05-03T08:24:00.000-03:00

Baby Steps ...

Well folks, this is my first foray into the open space of the cluttered mind. Not only am I opening the top of my brain to the world; I'm trying to use a technology new to me at the same time. ie getting used to a very small key pad of a reduced size lap top.

How much stuff do we need in our head and our life to seek an adventure on the left coast?.....that is the work of the last hours in our beloved Guysborough. Pack, unpack, repack,tie up loose ends and say good bye to our friends.

Take time to breathe and practice what I preach. The Muises are all off on an adventure. Christian left today for Scotland for five months of study. Dan is off reforesting ...planting trees in Alberta. Tara begins a new chapter in Ottawa and Sean and Jody are about to experience their second year of parenthood with Jody going back to work ...Hope we can help a bit by holding space for them at home with Isadore and connecting the links of our family from east to west.

We managed to squeeze 2 yoga mats in and hope to keep the practice alive on the west coast ..I'll keep you posted !
To all my yoga students and Companions on the Journey - I'll offer intention for you and your practice this spring and ask you to do the same for me.

Namaste
Chris

First sharing

2008-06-20T13:55:00.000-03:00

Greetings from the peaceful village of Guysborough. Ahh first day of summer, full moon and Guysborough will be a wonderful place to spend a stay-cation!
Looks like it will be a fun one on the Pathways of our wee village . The trans Canada trail is welcoming all wanderers who like to take in the flora and fauna of the area.

Beginning July 8th, on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM there is a drop in Yoga class in the Jost building at the waterfront. This is a good time to take an evening to "Defrag" and enjoy the company of like minds ....all ages and levels welcome. (It may be a good time to try yoga if you are new to it) The class is sponsored by the Guysborough Recreation Dept. and the drop in cost is $ 10.00 or purchase a punch card at $25. 00 for any 4 classes. (Student & Family rates also available) During the months of July and August we will have guest instructors joining us at various times....stay tuned for updates.

This weekend I will be attending a Yoga clinic in Antigonish Sponsored by Stacy Steeves Studio in Antigonish. The guest teacher is Robert Webber of the YOGA LOFT in Halifax.

Update of Program Closings

2008-06-15T21:52:00.000-03:00

My Adult classes in Guysborough, Saint Francis Harbour, and Boylston ended during the first week of June while several of the students in Hazel Hill chose to continue classes for another 4 weeks. However, the KidsYoga program ended just on June 11th, with a closing demo we called "Yogapalooza" which provided parents and invited friends with a taste of what the children had learned and practiced throughout the year.