After receiving my Bone Fit certification in November 2020, I decided to teach an 8-week exercise program for people living with Osteoporosis via the on-line platform Zoom.  Why would I do this, you might ask, when there were so many other programs and skilled physiotherapists, fitness, pilates and yoga instructors offering exercise programs for people living with Osteoporosis?  Quite simply, there was no other bone health program out there that appealed to my way of seeing the world.  I love the outdoors -- experiencing the magic and mystery of nature through all my sense doors ..read more

To apply for the Deep in the Bones Program click here. To Stretch or Not to Stretch? This is a multi-component program that combines aerobic activity with balance and strength training. The goals are to: Slow down bone loss: Prevent falls and risk of fracture. Move with good alignment to protect the spine. The stretching exercises focus on muscles that are inhibiting good postural alignment e.g. pec major/minor muscles and tight hip flexors. If we have osteoporosis we need to listen carefully to our bodies and ask “do I really need this stretch”? Are all yoga movements safe? Having be ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating significant anxiety and stress for a lot of us.  During times like this, our capacity to stay calm, present and compassionate is more important than ever.  The Sharbot Lake Family Health Team (SLFHT) recognizes the importance of mental health and has asked me to share what mindfulness practices are most helpful during this time.  I don’t pretend to have all the answers but here is what is most helpful to me right now. 1.       Coming back to the present moment.  If I notice my thoughts turning to worries and u ..read more

Why Bone Fit ™ Yoga? https://www.yoga-therapy.ca/bone-fit-yoga In 2019, I was struggling with undiagnosed right hip pain and mid-back pain.  I saw doctors, chiropractors, physiotherapists, yoga instructors and massage therapists. While I did get temporary relief from some of the treatments, the pain would return.  I had x-rays with no indication of either stress fractures in my spine or arthritis in my hip.  This was a relief because I had been recently diagnosed with osteoporosis in my hip and spine and my mind was whispering  hip replacement and compression fracture! If ..read more

Happy New Year! Here’s a short 2 minute video that talks about where I’m headed in 2020. Stay tuned for stories and practices that lead from these “Three Strands”. “The web of life both cradles us and calls us to weave it further.” ~ Joanna Macy ..read more

  We often think of yoga as a way to connect more deeply to what we're experiencing inside - our inner nature. Yoga practice does this so well but I think it's only half the equation. To feel whole, we also need to find ways to understand and connect better to outer nature -- to the the world around us. We had such a great opportunity in yoga class today to do just that (see caption below) ? .    This little one had somehow found his/her way inside the Brooke Valley yoga studio this morning! Calmly discovered by one of our nature-loving yoga students we pressed the pause button ..read more

    We know we’re in the presence of a good listener when we get that sweet, affirming feeling of really being heard. But sadly it occurs all too rarely. We can’t force others to listen, but we can improve our own listening, and perhaps inspire others by doing so. Good listening means mindful listening. Like mindfulness itself, listening takes a combination of intention and attention. The intention part is having a genuine interest in the other person—their experiences, views, feelings, and needs. The attention part is being able to stay present, open, and unbiased as we receive the ..read more

A key element of mindfulness practice is becoming aware of where we choose to place our attention. Most of us spend a lot of our day thinking which includes analyzing, judging, labeling, setting goals, planning, remembering, comparing and reflecting.  There is nothing wrong with thinking itself, but we can tend to over-think or ruminate which can sometimes lead to worry and anxiety. With mindfulness, we are practicing shifting our attention from our stressed out ‘monkey-mind’ into our physical ‘embodied’ experience we call the sensing mode.  Try this.  FEEL what is happening r ..read more

    Time.  There’s never enough of it.  So we try to rush through the day’s never-ending to-do lists.  We get hooked on the rush of adrenaline. And we look up to the Type A’s in our society as the ones who “succeed”.  But the more we rush, or try to accomplish in a day, the more susceptible we are to making mistakes.  And mistakes can be costly.  I ought to know.  Six weeks ago I was “rushing” to get to a friend’s for lunch.  Yet I thought I could get “one more thing done” before heading out.  I was fixing a flat tire on a wheelbarrow and ..read more

Wendell Berry Here's a link to poet friend Susan Gillis's blog. She asked me to share a favourite poem , and talk about why, as part of poetry month. This poem by Wendell Berry was key in weaving creativity with deep nature connection in ways I could never have anticipated .... https://susangillis.blogspot.com/2019/04/jill-dunkley-reads-wendell-berry.html ..read more