Happy Holidays!

And happy Saturday to you, too, Sault Ste. Marie! Energy Revived is open from 11am to 8pm today for walk-in Tarot readings, but if you want to get one before we close for the winter break, you'd better make sure it's today or you're going to be waiting until January. Starting tomorrow, we'll be closed for Yule and New Year and will be open again on Tuesday, 5 January, 2016. If you need a reading before we come back from break, you're welcome to place an order for an online reading at my seller profile on Fiverr using the widget embedded on the right side of the screen. See you in the New Year!

Announcements for December 2015

Happy December, Sault Ste. Marie; I hope the month finds you well. Seeing as December is such a busy month for so many of us, we're keeping our calendar of events pretty simple: store hours and class times remain the same, no special events. Also, the studio will be closed for the holidays from 21 December through 3 January. The last day of classes and store hours will be Saturday the 19th, and the first day of business will be Tuesday the 4th. We had considered having class on Saturday the 2nd of January, but seeing as the first day of the New Year falls on a Friday, I'm guessing that a lot of us are going to have an extended celebration and be in no shape for anything on Saturday!

20 December - 3 January: Yule Break

No Classes or Store Hours

Announcements: Busy, Busy, Busy!

Happy Wednesday, Sault Ste. Marie; I hope the day finds you well. As it happens, the day finds us well, because the last day before we leave for our winter break we've got a full schedule of outside events keeping us busy away from the business. So, having said that, even though we're working today, the business won't be open because there won't be anybody inside the business to run it.

Please remember, too, that our winter break is starting tomorrow and the store will be closed from 5 November through 12 November with regular store hours resuming on Friday the 13th of November. See you soon!

 

Happy Halloween!

Announcements for Saturday:

• 12pm-1pm: Yoga

Happy Halloween, Sault Ste. Marie. For Jen and I at Energy Revived, today isn't just a holiday, but also our wedding anniversary. There'll be yoga class from 12pm-1pm, but seeing as this is a high holiday plus a wedding anniversary for us, that's it. If you're looking for a Tarot reading, you're welcome to place an order for an online reading via my seller profile on Fiverr, but in-person readings are straight off the schedule today. 

Announcements for November 2015

5-13 November: Winter Break

Energy Revived will be closed from 5-13 November for a winter break. We will not be open for yoga class on the morning of the 5th. We'll be open again on Saturday the 14th - see you then!

20 November: Public Reiki Share & Healing Circle (7pm-8pm)

Join Energy Revived for a public Reiki share and healing circle. All practitioners are invited to participate. Lineage, degree, and tradition are not important.

27 November: Witch Circle (7pm-8pm)

Join Energy Revived for a witch circle! Bring your Tarot cards, playing cards, Lenormand cards, angel cards, runes, or even your spirit guides and share your services with others in attendance. Get a reading, share a reading! Or just hang out and chat. This is a great chance to learn about new reading styles, meet new people, and expand your social network.

Happy Thanksgiving, Sault Ste. Marie

Schedule Changes in September

This is one of a few more reminders that I'm making before the change happens: in September, the class schedule at Energy Revived will be changing. Our Tuesday through Saturday 12pm-8pm store hours will remain the same, but our weekday classes are moving. Starting the week of September 6th, the following classes will move:

• Monday morning yoga 10.30-11.30 will move to Tuesday morning, same time.
• Wednesday morning yoga 10.30-11.30 will move to Thursday morning, same time.
• Wednesday evening lightworking 7pm-8pm will move to Thursday evening, same time.

Again, our Tuesday-Saturday store hours from 12pm-8pm will remain the same, and our Saturday classes remain the same. It is only our Monday and Wednesday classes that are moving forward one day. Everything else remains the same!

Basic Yoga Instructor (part 2)

Announcements for Saturday

• 10am-6pm: BYI-2 course
• 11am-12pm: Yoga class (all students welcome)

Every Saturday we're normally open from 12pm-8pm for walk-in psychic readings and Reiki sessions, but every so often we're closed for a special event. Today is one of those days, because we're only open from 10am-6pm for part two of Energy Revived's RYS-200 Yoga Alliance-recognized "Basic Yoga Instructor" teacher certification. 

Our regular Saturday yoga class from 11am to 12pm is still on the schedule, but everything else has been cleared to make room for some very talented yoga instructor students. If you had your heart set on coming in today for a reading or other service, then I'm sorry to disappoint, but I promise everything will be back to its normal schedule by Monday morning for yoga at 10am. I hope to see you there!

Basic Yoga Instructor course (part 2): 22-23 August, 2015

• Date: 22-23 August 205
• Time: TBA
• Location: 288 Wellington St. West, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• Prerequisite: BYI-1 (Basic Yoga Instructor, part 1)
• Cost: $226 (HST included)
• How to register: Call or Email

On 22 and 23 August, 2015, yoga teacher trainer Jen Bridge of Energy Revived will be conducting her Yoga Alliance-recognized BYI-2 (Basic Yoga Instructor, part 2). For yoga teachers who want to receive the title of RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher), this is part two of a nine-part course. The BYI certification is the minimum qualification to teach yoga in a group setting such as a community center, YMCA, or private gym, or as an independent yoga teacher.

Also coming soon: Energy Revived will soon be offering Yoga Alliance-recognized certifications for Children's yoga instructors as well as Pre-/Post-Natal yoga instructors. If you'd like to be put on the waiting list to be notified when these courses are approved, contact us today!

The next BYI-1 (Basic Yoga Instructor, part 1) will return in November 2015.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summer Break 9-19 June: Energy Revived will be closed from Tuesday, 9 June, through Friday, 19 June. I know you'll miss us, but we need some time to re-charge our engines and let the kids go crazy somewhere fun. We'll be open again on Saturday the 20th at 11am for yoga class; 12.30pm for our Lightworkers class; and 2pm for our open healing circle. See you then!

Daily Tarot Cards: 31 May, Gemini 2015

It's Sunday, Sault Ste. Marie, so that means it's time to recover from any craziness on Friday and Saturday and prepare to jump back into business on Monday. Obviously, we're closed on Sundays so we can't help you out with that particular problem today, but we've got a strong line-up for classes all week to make up for that!

Announcements for Yoga: It's our regular schedule this week! We've got yoga on Monday and Wednesday from 10.30 to 11.30, and also on Saturday from 11am to 12pm. See you there!

Announcements for Healing: Our Healing classes are also on their regular schedule this week: join our meditation and lightworking class on Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8pm, and again on Saturday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Also, all Reiki practitioners, lightworkers, and healers are invited to attend our open healing circle on Saturday from 1pm to 2pm. There's no fee for the open circle, but we do accept donations.

And following the Millennium Clock, the final day of this cycle is marked by the union of the 2's of Spades and Clubs who teach the lesson that both partners and agreements can motivate us to act and also keep us focused on immediate interests and concerns; however, this also teaches the lesson that a busy social calendar and chasing down the concerns of the day is a fast way to burn out and exhaust yourself. There's a time to hurry and race like a person possessed, and then, there are times to pace yourself and take it slow. Today is a good day to slow down. Meditate on this lesson.

RYT - What's in a name?

One of the biggest things that's happened for our establishment this year so far is that it has been formally recognized by the Yoga Alliance and registered with them as a school at the 200 level.

This is significant because the Yoga Alliance is the largest, most recognized, and most respected yoga organization in the entire world. As such, they maintain the highest standards. Unlike some yoga organizations I could name, the Yoga Alliance isn't in the business of selling certifications and qualifications, but the business of ensuring high-quality instructors.

There are other places in town to get your yoga, and many more instructors, too, but Energy Revived is the only Registered Yoga School at the 200 level recognized by the Yoga Alliance. Now that our lead instructor, Jen Bridge, has finished writing her yoga curriculum, she is able to certify instructors under the banner of the Yoga Alliance, and these people - who've completed recognized training and followed the appropriate steps to register with the Yoga Alliance - are the only teachers who may use the title "RYT," or Registered Yoga Instructor.

Don't be fooled: there are many instructors in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, marketing themselves as "RYT," but who are not registered with the Yoga Alliance. Do your research, and don't be afraid to ask your instructor for a yes or no answer: "Are you registered with the Yoga Alliance?" If they call themselves an RYT, but aren't registered with the Yoga Alliance, they are committing fraud and are infringing on a licensed trademark of the Yoga Alliance.

So remember: look for the best, and when in doubt if that instructor calling him or herself "RYT" has in fact earned the title, use the online public directory of the Yoga Alliance to be sure: 

https://www.yogaalliance.org/Directory?Type=Teacher

Becoming a Yoga Teacher

I'm so very pleased to announce that today Energy Revived became the first and only Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Writing the curriculum has been an arduous journey, and it's wonderful to finally have my RYS 200 designation. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar, there are no legal requirements if you want to teach yoga, or market yourself as a 'yoga teacher'. However, as yoga gains popularity it is becoming evident that not all yoga teachers (or the schools that train them) are created equal. Those who employ or insure yoga instructors want to see some credentials; and these entities are beginning to recognize the names of the governing bodies of yoga, namely: Yoga Alliance(YA), International Yoga Federation(IYF), Canadian Yoga Alliance(CYA). Of course there are many more organizations around the world, but these four are most well known here in Canada.

If one wishes to become a yoga teacher, the first step is to find a place to learn. In India -where yoga was sired- it is traditional to seek a well respected guru, and spend a lengthy period (years perhaps) of time as an apprentice at his/her ashram. The earliest yoga teachers here in the west often did their training by apprenticeship as well; but North Americans like efficiency and predictable yield for time invested (and of course there was financial opportunity), so it wasn't long before schools and Yoga Teacher Training programs were established. Every school wishes to project authenticity and credibility as an incentive for students to attend their programs; and this is achieved by registering with a major governing body or in some cases qualifying as an accredited college. Aspiring yoga teachers need to decide if they will establish credibility through certification and registration, or if they will simply learn and teach and gain a following through quality of service alone. To be honest, I can't say one path is superior to the other; but as I've said more and more employers want to see certificates, so self-employment may be the only option available to teachers who do not gain certification and/or registration. Once an aspiring teacher decides he/she wants to attend a school, the question becomes: which of the governing bodies do I want to be part of? So let me provide a short review of each:

International Yoga Federation:

As indicated in the name, this body is world wide, and by their own proclamation "the largest" yoga registry around. They established themselves in 1987, but trace their history back to the 30s. There doesn't seem to be much activity on the website. They do hold large conferences, mostly near their headquarters in France and Uraguay -the closest they've come to Canada is Mexico. They offer training for 200 and 500 in France, India, and Argentina. All yoga styles and schools are welcome, including apprenticeship. To register, send all the documentation of your training and letters of reference to their HQ, and deposit the appropriate amount directly into a bank account in Uraguay. Both yearly and lifetime memberships are available, and there's no mention of continuing-education-credits being required. Membership benefits include: the right to use the logo and partake in votes held by the general assembly.

Canadian Yoga Alliance:
This group certainly seems to be gaining momentum with their few hundred members steadily increasing. They have similar standards and requirements to the original Yoga Alliance but are not affiliated with that group. CYA is a member of the International Yoga Federation (apparently the president of CYA is a secretary at IYF) but is not international itself; which begs the question 'why not just register with IYF?' This place was established in 2004 and offers training and insurance. There are all sorts of designations available to anyone who's willing to pay and drum up a letter of reference or two, even if that individual has never completed training or held certification. I don't mean to discredit this place; indeed as I've said, they are growing. However, it disturbs me that their establishment is nearly a carbon copy of the original Yoga Alliance to such a degree that I've met some individuals who hold their CYA-RYT 200 designation and call themselves RYT 200, having no idea that to say so is an act of fraud. Furthermore, the CYA does not have the following or the resources to offer the same benefits of Yoga Alliance, and yet their prices are about 60% higher.

Yoga Alliance:
Since this is the group with which I'm registered, I'm certainly biased. This place was established around 1997 when the Unity of Yoga International (established 1982) amalgamated with the Yoga Dialogue. All yoga styles are acknowledged and welcome here, but one must gain certification with a school that is registered with YA. These schools are all over the globe, as YA has over 58,000 members worldwide. Registration is offered for schools and individuals at the 200 and 500 hour levels. Conferences are held frequently, and in a variety of locations. Benefits of membership include: use of the logos and designations, access to online training, access to insurance, discount on yoga products and travel services. Also, there's a daily running news feed about the comings and goings of yoga in the world. This place really strives to preserve the traditions of yoga while implementing standards and professionalism. In my opinion this place is the cheapest and most credible.

If you're registered with one of these associations and wish to jump ship to another it's worth approaching the group you want to be with about 'grandfathering' you in. YA is not offering grandfathering at present but many yoga schools that are registered with them are willing to review your training/experience and provide you with certification that would make you eligible to register.

As a general rule of thumb, none of the big governing bodies acknowledge certifications with less than 200 hours of training in the curriculum. Teacher training programs of this magnitude generally take 6 months to a year to complete (although sometimes 30day intensives are offered) and cost $2000-$4000. This is a pretty steep commitment if all you're looking to do is teach yoga one night a week at your gym. For this reason, many yoga schools -including us- have created 2-weekend crash course certifications which provide you with all the knowledge you need to teach the average yoga-exercise class at the local rec center. Many students start this way; especially fitness instructors just looking to expand their repertoire. When someone decides s/he wishes to teach at a dedicated yoga studio, or teach the lifestyle and spiritual aspects of yoga, it's time to seek 200 or 500 hour training. Again I think it's important to remember that there are laws governing this system and yoga should be accessible to any who seek it, regardless of circumstance and financial status. Someone who learns to teach through self-guided study, so that s/he can offer yoga classes in a remote community for affordable prices or even free may be just as skilled and legitimate as someone who has taken the certification route. Not everyone has the time and money for the yoga classes and teacher training that is becoming main stream, and I don't believe that should prevent the spread of yoga to the far corners of the globe. The most important thing is that teachers are committed to the safety and satisfaction of their students; and that they are honest about their experience or  certification and scope of abilities.

Part I: Pilates Mat Certificate Course on 10 January

Part I: Pilates Mat Certificate Course

Date: 2015-01-10	Course: Part I: Pilates Mat Certificate Course
Cost: $250.00 + $32.50 HST ($282.50 total)	Prerequisites: Fitness Certification or a minimum of 25 hours previous anatomy study
Duration: 12 hours	Location: Energy Revived, 288 Wellington Street West
Instructor: Jennifer Bridge

Class Date: 2015-01-10	Time: 10am-4pm
Class Date: 2015-01-11	Time: 10am-4pm

* If you do not have 25 hours of anatomy training, we recommend 25 hours of independent study of the book Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germaine or another anatomy book of your choice.

Manual and Certificate of Course Completion Included

• Learn how to teach the matwork at three levels: modified basic, beginner, and intermediate, and how to transition between levels.
• Gain the ability to teach Pilates mat repertoire in group exercise and private training programming.
• learn Joseph Pilates original matwork
• CANFIT CECs available by petition. OFC 12 cec's

Contact us to register.

Yoga - a Northern Approach

We opened our doors to the Sault last September; and as clients have slowly trickled in, I've noticed some common fears and perceptions about yoga. There are those who seem to think that joining a yoga studio is like joining a cult of chanting, vegetarian, contortionists. It's no wonder then, that many participants are nervous about their first class, or even avoid it altogether. Perhaps I can clear up the misconception.

Firstly, yoga originated from the Hindu religion, but it's not a religion on it's own. Rather, it is a series of exercises for the body and mind (ie. poses, breath techniques, concentration etc) which improve health and nurture the spirit. Many who practice yoga decide to embrace it as a lifestyle; which may include anything from studying chakras or hindu deities to replacing the meat in their diet with lentils. Yoga is a healthy and wonderful path; but one need not be so devoted if s/he isn't interested. There are many benefits of just doing a basic class once a week. Yoga induces relaxation, increases flexibility and strength, relieves and prevents aches and pains, lowers blood pressure and the list goes on and on. Yoga is for EVERYONE including the elderly, or those with limited range of motion due to severe injury. The key is finding the right teacher.

There are two things to consider when choosing an instructor: skill, and style. Imagine you're about to choose a caterer: first you'd want to be sure s/he knew how to cook without burning down the kitchen, or turning the roast to leather; next you'd need someone who cooks to your taste. There's a big difference between Greek and Chinese cuisine, even if they have some of the same vegetables. It's the same with yoga teachers. In my opinion, a skilled teacher understands that every student has different needs and abilities; and will take the time and have the skills to modify every pose accordingly. It's important for a student to be able to trust his/her instructor, and to feel comfortable telling the instructor when s/he is unsure of or uncomfortable in a pose. When it comes to style, it's simply a matter of student preference. Some styles include chanting or guided meditation with clear spiritual elements (ie.chakras, deities); others strictly include postures and breath. Some styles are vigorous and exhausting; while others are gentle and slow. Some teachers focus on safety and function; others encourage students toward a perfect ideal. It's a good idea to try a class before committing to a membership, or set of lessons.

At Energy Revived the style of yoga is something like the style of life in the North. I find the folk up here are friendly, direct and uncomplicated. We like things at a laid-back pace; we like to head to our camps on the weekend, with steak and beer in hand. My studio is the same. Everyone is welcome (no matter what your age, size or ability. I've had students who can't make it to the floor, or can't even stand up straight) and the goal is always to loosen up and relax. Energy Revived students should never feel pain, or tremble with exhaustion during class. Everyone moves at his/her own pace; and postures are modified according to individual needs. I encourage all my students to take a break whenever needed, and to speak up when something doesn't feel good. As far as style goes, there's nothing fancy (unless I have a specific request), just poses and breathing techniques, with some relaxing imagery at the end (ie. picturing a sunset while we lie down and relax). And I see nothing wrong with students going home to enjoy a meat-lovers pizza after a Friday night class at my studio - I often do the same thing!

Hope to see you in my classes sometime!

Jen