Yoga à La Grange

37 Rockhurst Road
Wakefield, Quebec
J0X 3G0
819-459-3939
www.yogaalagrange.com

Give a brief bio about yourself and/or your studio.
I was introduced to yoga about 12 years ago, and have been passionate about the practice ever since! I experimented with several different styles but became hooked on Ashtanga after my very first class. I love the focus and strength it brings.

Last spring, my husband and I moved from downtown Toronto to rural Wakefield to seize an incredible opportunity and pursue a different lifestyle. Our house was love at first sight. We loved every bit of the beautiful old inn, but the clincher was the incredible loft on the third floor. As soon as we walked upstairs, we looked at each other and said “it’s a yoga studio!” We moved in a couple of months later and spent our time creating the spaces we dreamed of.

Yoga a La Grange opened its doors in autumn 2004. We have been incredibly lucky to find teachers and students passionate about yoga and our amazing space.

What styles of yoga you teach? / Do you or your studio specialize in one?
I teach gentle Hatha based classes and more vigorous Ashtanga classes. But we strive to bring variety to our studio, so we offer everything from Kundalini to Power to Postnatal! We encourage students to try out lots of different styles of yoga.

What makes your teaching or studio unique?
In terms of my teaching, I try to bring a sense of acceptance and real playfulness to all my classes – so sometimes we’ll try a second-series pose in a beginner Ashtanga class! It’s not orthodox, but my students love it and we have a lot of fun. I always encourage students to listen to their bodies and to really make the practice their own – so while I give lots of instruction, students are free to try something else, go at their own pace, or just take a rest.

Our studio is unique in its beauty. We are located on the expansive third floor of a hundred-year-old converted barn, filled with windows and original wood beams. The views are amazing. We get to practice yoga gazing at trees full of woodpeckers, bluejays and hummingbirds. It can be a little distracting during balance postures, but otherwise it’s fantastic!

Do you or your studio provide other services other than yoga?
Onsite bed and breakfast!

What is your favorite yoga posture? and why?
My favorite part of the primary Ashtanga series is the Bhujapidasana / Kurmasana sequence. I enjoy the challenge of arm balancing postures, and always find them invigorating and uplifting.

Who is your favorite yoga teacher?
I have been blessed with some truly incredible teachers so it is difficult to choose just one. But I recently had the opportunity to study with David Swenson, and really appreciated his lighthearted approach and incredibly skilled practice.

How long has your studio been around?
Since 2004.