About Jessica Hamilton

http://www.jessicahamiltonyoga.ca

I am a yoga and boot camp instructor as well as a school teacher, I also dabble in a bit of acting. I am very passionate about yoga, healthy cooking and traveling. I am also a big time animal lover, I have two kittens and enjoy a vegetarian diet to minimize harm on animals as well as the planet. I love meeting new people, trying new things and spreading love whenever I can!

Posts by Jessica Hamilton:

Transformation at Kushala Yoga

Jessica Hamilton / Events, News, Reviews, Studios, Yogis / , , , , , , , , / 0 Comment

The yoga studio formally known as Kula Yoga has recently changed their name to Kushala (Kushala is Sanskrit for well-being). This change is perfect timing as they are celebrating the expansion and grand opening of their new Port Moody location in Suter Brook Village.

Along with an amazing view and masterful instructors, the new location has two studio spaces, a retail shop full of yoga goodies, a tea lounge and a wellness center! There are also rumors that another location will be opening in early 2012!

What I love about Kushala is that they offer a wide variety of classes, so there is definitely something to meet everyone’s needs. Some of their more unique offerings include: Sunrise Hatha at 6am, Wild Thing Wednesdays (a class designed for more advanced yogis), Yoga 101 (for the beginner yogi) and Pre-Natal Yoga.

Kushala Yoga also specializes in teaching the philosophical side of yoga with courses such as: Prana 101 (students learn meditation and breathing techniques) and the Dharma Series that takes a closer look at Eastern philosophies.

What I enjoy most about Kushala is the extremely warm and inviting atmosphere that only a great yoga studio can provide!

For more about Kushala, please visit:

http://www.kushalayoga.com/

 


Yoga Boot Camp at Kushala Yoga Starts Tomorrow

Jessica Hamilton / Events / , , , / 0 Comment

This one-week intensive yoga bootcamp  at Kushala Yoga will stoke your inner fire, boost your energy, tone your muscles, pump endorphins into your blood and help you feel balanced in body and mind.

Jumpstart your practice through this structured, supportive and motivating week to discover your potential.

Suitable for all levels of experience.

Details

Monday August 8th – Friday 12th
6:30am – 7:30am
Kushala Yoga on Austin
$90 + HST
(20% off for unlimited members)

For more information visit: Jessicahamiltonyoga.ca

To register visit: www.kushalayoga.ca

* Description and image from Kushalayoga.ca

Master Teacher Matthew Cohen is Coming to Kushala Yoga!

Jessica Hamilton / Events, News, Teachers / , / 1 Comment

Matthew Raymond Cohen will be facilitating 2 workshops integrating Eastern life practices for body, mind and spirit. Matthew has 30 years experience in Martial, Yogic, and Healing Arts. He teaches at his Sacred Energy Arts Center in Santa Monica, California and leads teacher training and intensive workshops internationally.

Details:

Sacred Energy Arts Yoga Master Class: Balance and Flow

Experience a transformative blend of Eastern health practices

This 3 hour introduction to Sacred Energy Arts will focus on building strength and grace. Guided by master teacher Matthew Cohen, Sacred Energy Arts Flow is the culmination and evolution of Matthew’s extensive training in all of his practices and teachings. Emphasis will be placed on the breath, cultivating stillness in motion, and movement in meditation. This dynamic balance practice encourages and invokes seamless and fluid transitions from one Asana to the next, leaving you feeling revitalized and radiant.

Benefits:

  • Improve muscle tone and core strength
  • Find greater balance and stability in poses
  • Increase your natural health and vitality

Details and Registration

Saturday September 17th
9am – 12pm
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook
$60 + HST for 1 workshop, $110 + HST for both workshops (recommended)

Chi Kung: The Art of Energy Cultivation

A subtle practice that can radically improve your health.

Chi Kung is a powerful health system from China that sustains emotional and physical balance. Through easy-to-learn standing exercises, breathing, and slow repetitive natural movements, Chi Kung builds a powerful sense of well-being and peace. This simple but transformative practice offers tools to build your body’s vital energy and to manage your own health.

Join master teacher Matthew Cohen for this expertly taught 3 hour workshop. Special emphasis will be placed on intention, alignment and Taoist “natural breath.” This class will help you to relax and to connect with the elements within and around you.

Benefits:

  • Release tension, stress, anxiety and fear
  • Promote serenity and deep relaxation
  • Detoxify the body and stimulate the immune system

Details and Registration

Saturday September 17th
1pm – 4pm
Kushala Yoga at Suter Brook
$60 + HST for 1 workshop, $110 + HST for both workshops (recommended)

To register visit: /www.kulayoga.ca/

* Images and workshop descriptions from. www.kushalayoga.ca

Is Yoga Better On The West Coast?

Is Yoga Better On The West Coast?

Jessica Hamilton / Reviews, Studios, Styles, Teachers, Thoughts, Yogis / , , , / 0 Comment

It is no secret that Vancouver, especially Kitsilano is yoga heaven. The birthplace of  Lululemon has studios on every block, filled with highly experienced teachers and master teachers from around the world. My Vancouver friends are often surprised to learn that the other coast, particularly Halifax,  also has a booming yoga scene. With a large population of  buddhists and a long history of a deep connection to the land and it’s resources, the yogi lifestyle is a natural fit for many Hailgonians.

For a relatively small city, over 400,000 compared to Vancouver’s 2.2 million, there are a plethora of studios with well trained teachers in a variety of different styles.  It is clear that yoga is on the rise here as there are more studios popping up annually. Yoga is getting so big here, that the Halifax Regional School Board has made it an elective in high school, Yoga 11. As a result, many school teachers are becoming certified yoga teachers to help facilitate this program.

While Halifax does not have the line up of  yoga “rock stars” that Vancouver does, they do have their share of workshops with master teachers such as Michael Stone, Coeli Marsh, Ryan Leier, Hart Lazer, Nischala Joy Devi and David Swenson coming later this year!

If you do ever find yourself in Nova Scotia, check out some of my favorite studios:

All Yoga– Located in Dartmouth is a very inviting studio that has something for everyone!

Halifax Yoga– Offers many styles including Baptiste Flow!

The Yoga Shala– Traditional Ashtanga from highly trained teachers!

108 Yoga– All levels

If you are ever here I would love to see you at one of my classes, www.jessicahamiltonyoga.ca!

Join The Kula At Kushala Yoga In Coquitlam!

Join The Kula At Kushala Yoga In Coquitlam!

Jessica Hamilton / Reviews, Studio Reviews, Studios, Styles, Teachers, Thoughts / , , , , , , , , / 3 Comments

I move around a lot as my partner is in the military, but I have found a family in every city I have lived in. I find my family in yoga studios as they are filled with like minded individuals who are ready to welcome in any new student that enters their door.

I recently spent the last 4 months in Coquitlam, my hometown, to complete yoga teacher training. The first thing I did when I arrived was find a nearby studio to practice in. Thankfully Kushala Yoga studio is very close to my parents house, where I stayed,  and I was able to convince all my family members to join with me!

From the first class I went to at Kushala I felt like I belonged there, as opposed to just being a temporary guest. The yoga teachers are so friendly and approachable that I couldn’t help but want to engage in an after class chat with them. Even the students are beginning to catch on that Kushala Yoga is much more than just a place to practice yoga. During a Power Flow class I was greeted by another student who was introducing himself to the people on the mats around him and arranging an after class coffee. The yoga teacher/ owner half jokingly said that this student was the social coordinator for Kushala. The studio also hosts such activities as movie nights and Hike n’ Yoga to further foster their growing community of yogis.

Kushala Yoga has 2 locations, one in Coquitlam and one in Port Moody, with 2 more on the way. They offer classes for all levels from more relaxed classes such as Slow Flow and Restorative Yoga to more vigorous and advanced classes such as Power Flow, Hatha Core and my favourite Wild Thing Wednesdays with Andrew Colyn.

Weather you visit the warm, soothing studio in Port Moody or the bright and open studio in Coquitlam you are sure to find a class that suits your needs and make several new friends!

Tour of Kushala

Images from http://www.kushalayoga.ca/

How to Find Free or Almost Free Yoga Classes: What Every Yogi/ini Frugalista Should Know!

How to Find Free or Almost Free Yoga Classes: What Every Yogi/ini Frugalista Should Know!

Jessica Hamilton / Deals, Events, Studios, Styles, Teachers, Tips, Yogis / , , , , , , , , , / 0 Comment

Going to a studio and finding a well qualified teacher is definitely worthwhile to help deepen your practice as well as allow you to be an active part of the yoga community. But for many of us $100- $150 per month for a studio pass is just not an option!

Here are 12 great alternatives:

1. Many yoga studios offer Karma classes that are by donation or as little as $5.

2. Take advantage of the first time rate that most studios offer to new students. I spent a year and a half jumping from studio to studio only ever paying the new student rate! This is also a great way to see what is out there before settling on a home studio!

3. Often yoga studios offer a work-trade program where you can do some non-paid work in exchange for free classes.

4. Some yoga studios offer cheaper rates for  classes taught by a student teacher.

5. Check Kijiji and Craigslist for people trying to sell yoga passes they won or purchased but will no longer use.

6. Sign up for Groupon and other group purchasing websites. Many studios have been posting passes for 50-75% off.

7. Join the Facebook groups of local studios or follow them on Twitter for updates on any sales on passes.

8. Lululemon facilitates weekly yoga classes for free.

9. Check if Meetup.com has any nearby yoga meet up groups.

10. Borrow yoga DVDs from the public library.

11. Websites like Yogaglo and MyYogaOnline offer unlimited excess to online yoga classes for a monthly rate (around $18). Many of these classes are taught by some of the world’s most well known instructors.

12. Check out Yoga Journal for free online yoga videos. I recently signed up for the 21-day challenge and have been getting a free yoga class emailed to me daily!

I hope this list helps!

Namaste!

Jessica Hamilton

Images from: www.groupon.com, http://www.benefitsofyoganow.com/shop.html

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