Frequently Asked Questions

Developed in India, yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back about 5,000 years. Yoga classes include breathing exercises called “pranayama” and yoga postures called “asanas,” along with deep relaxation techniques for stress relief. Yoga provides a well-rounded mind/body workout using breath and movement to deepen self-awareness, concentration and inner calmness while building tone and strength, increasing flexibility and balance, and improving coordination.

Asana is a steady and comfortable posture of the body.

Pranayama means controlling the prana — the bio-energy which is behind all activities of the body.

There are many benefits of practising yoga. Here are ten:

1. You’ll feel more relaxed and learn to stay relaxed.
2. Your overall muscle tone improves as well as alignment.
3. You’ll add vitality to your spine, improving all systems of the body, especially the glands and nerves.
4. Digestion improves; gas and bloating lessen.
5. Your lungs expand, increasing oxygen intake.
6. You’ll sleep better.
7. You’ll be less tired during the day, with higher energy.
8. Your immune system will strengthen.
9. You’ll learn to set aside time for yourself.
10. You’ll learn to trust yourself more.

Studies in the United States and India suggest that yoga can help conditions such as stress, anxiety, epilepsy, asthma, spondylitis, digestive disorders, menstrual difficulties, and insomnia. Western science has been studying yoga for nearly 50 years and evidence suggests numerous physical and psychological benefits.

Yoga can be useful in reducing the effects of hypertension, spondylitis, asthma, arthritis, slipped disc, digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, and insomnia.

Studies have shown that certain yoga practices can help some patients control their high blood pressure. Yoga promotes health, a sense of calm and relaxation, and teaches you to be aware of your body. Specific techniques that may be helpful include diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and a pranayama technique called alternate-nostril breathing. Studies also show meditation can be a great help in controlling blood pressure.

Yoga classes vary greatly in level of difficulty. Classes range from Gentle Yoga — for beginners who are more out of shape and need to start slowly — to classes that develop and require more endurance and ability.

This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class. Yoga is not about how flexible you are, but about strengthening your body and spine in all directions. You can enjoy the benefits of yoga regardless of your level of flexibility — and through practice, you’ll become more flexible.

There is no limitation of age. Yoga can be practised at all ages, but one should do only those asanas that are suitable to one’s physical condition.

We will never embarrass or ridicule you. We’ll find a variation that works for your body and skill. We create a safe environment where each student learns and absorbs at an individual level.

In class, you can work within your own limits. If you need to come out of a posture and rest, you should definitely do so. Yoga is non-competitive: everyone’s body is different, and each student will find some postures easy and others difficult. It doesn’t matter what the student next to you is doing — this is your chance to focus on you without fear, comparisons or judgment.

It’s all new and different. We will never compare you to others or make you feel self-conscious. Yoga, ultimately, is about healing self-consciousness and transforming into self-confidence.

Each posture can be adapted to different skill levels. As you become more accustomed to yoga, you can move onto deeper variations. We can help you adapt postures to your level of ability and help you practise yoga safely. Yoga will teach you to listen to your body and work within your limits.

Traditional exercise is goal-oriented: how many push-ups can I do? Can I touch my toes? Yoga by contrast is a process. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you’re doing and how you feel as you perform the postures. In exercise, you fail if you miss your goal. In yoga, you succeed by trying. Yoga involves more conscious awareness of breath and the work you are doing with your body.

Yoga can make you look and feel better, regardless of your weight. It will help you burn calories, tone muscles, improve posture, and gradually lose weight when you practise regularly and eat reasonably. Yoga improves digestion, which reduces excess fat. With persistence, patience, and dedication, you can lose inches and develop muscle tone and strength that might never come from other forms of exercise.

Yoga is not a religion. It is a practical approach to healthy living based on a philosophy that mind, body and spirit are one. Yoga has many branches and practices besides Hatha yoga, the physical part.

Before you begin any exercise program, get permission from your physician or physical therapist. If you have medical approval, be sure to inform your yoga instructor of your condition and limitations. Take care of yourself in class and avoid doing anything that doesn’t feel right or causes pain. We may also recommend Active Isolated Stretching and Soft Tissue Release — two very effective modalities for alleviating pain and recovery from surgery.

Anything is better than nothing. Once a week is fine and can be complemented with one to three home practices.

Wear comfortable exercise clothing. Make sure you can kneel, squat and reach down toward your toes without being encumbered. Avoid very large T-shirts and tight non-stretch pants. Shorts, sweats, leggings, leotards, and fitness wear are all appropriate.

Never exercise on a full stomach. Wait at least three hours after a main meal. After class, wait about fifteen minutes before eating.

It’s okay to continue practising yoga while pregnant. Yoga is a great way to keep fit during pregnancy — it can help strengthen the pelvic area, normalize thyroid functioning and blood pressure, and keep you calm and relaxed. In general, avoid strain, compressing the belly or abdomen, and inverted postures, especially in the later stages. Please talk with your doctor before beginning any yoga program, and let your instructor know prior to the start of class. See our dedicated Prenatal Yoga page for the full benefits and a typical class breakdown.

Mats and other props are provided at no extra charge. If you prefer to use your own mat you may purchase one.

You should pre-register for class to ensure you have a space. If you prefer to drop in, simply call the day a class begins to make sure there is still space available.

An easy-does-it class with emphasis on breath, warm-ups that loosen stiff joints, and yoga poses that improve balance, strength, flexibility and tone.

Ideal for the beginning student, this class offers many important basics of proper form and practice. You will learn a variety of yoga postures and sequences including forward bends, backbends, twists, side stretches, and gentle inversions.

All students who have taken Beginners yoga are welcome. We suggest no brand-new beginners. A great practice class for those who have attended yoga before.

A more challenging practice class. Intermediate yoga emphasizes Sun Salutations, sequencing of poses, alignment, preparation for more advanced asanas, breath work and deepening awareness.

Women continue and start exercise classes in all stages of pregnancy: first, second and third trimesters. You and your care provider are the best judge of what’s best for you. For most healthy women, prenatal yoga and fitness can be started as early as you’d like and can continue right through to your due date.

You can practise yoga throughout your pregnancy as long as you’re feeling comfortable doing it and your health-care provider gives you clearance. There have been women who have attended class 2 cm dilated, and yoga is great to do during labour.

You can register for classes up to two weeks prior to your due date (the fee will be adjusted accordingly), after which you are welcome to continue attending on a drop-in basis until your actual delivery date.

Prenatal yoga classes usually have an attendance of between 9–12 women.

It’s a great time to begin yoga, for you as well as your baby. The moves are very gentle and easy to follow, and the breathing will help you not only through pregnancy but through labour and after. If something doesn’t feel right, please don’t do it — let the instructor know and they may be able to suggest another way.

Wear loose, comfortable layers of clothing that can be removed when you’re feeling warm and added back on when cooling down. All equipment is provided — all you need to bring is a water bottle and some light snacks if you’re feeling nauseous or hungry easily.

Yoga is a wonderful remedy for lower back pain and sciatica. There are specific movements that will help and can be done at home.

By strengthening the essential muscles needed for birth, reconnecting with your breath and focusing your mind, the practice of yoga can prepare you for the challenges of labour and birth, and open you up to your natural ability to give birth.

We begin each class with time to talk about any problems or concerns. The connections you make with other pregnant moms are really helpful, and the instructors specialize in women’s health. We then move onto breathing exercises that relax the body and the mind, then onto simple seated warm-ups starting at the head and working down to the toes. Next, easy whole-body movements that stretch and open the muscles and joints — done on hands and knees, then standing. We use resistance bands to build upper-body strength (babies in car seats are heavy!), sometimes working alone and sometimes with a partner. We then release the muscles with more stretches, then relax deeply with a guided relaxation while lying on the mat covered with a blanket.

Yes — if you are experiencing pre-eclampsia/toxemia, premature labour, placenta previa or abruption, premature rupture of membranes, fever, a cervix that will not stay closed, or chronic heart disease, you should consult your doctor before participating in any exercise program.

Pregnancy-related discomforts, lower back pain and sciatica, tight shoulders and neck, shallow breathing, ligament pain, diabetes, weakness, lack of stamina, insomnia, nervousness, sedentary lifestyle, standing too long at work.

The general rule of thumb is four weeks post-vaginal birth and six weeks post-cesarean birth. Please consult your healthcare provider and give yourself the time you need to rebalance.

You may make up sessions in any other prenatal yoga class as long as there is space available. Please check for availability.

4 weeks (or even longer) is optimum to foster the mother/baby relationship, get breastfeeding off to a good start, and to allow mom’s body to recover. Generally, it is recommended that a woman wait 4 weeks after giving birth before exercising, 6–8 weeks after a cesarean birth.

Newborn to crawling — which is around seven to ten months for most babies.

Mom and Baby yoga classes are open to students of all levels of yoga experience. It is gentle and soothing with a few challenging strengthening poses. No previous yoga experience is necessary.

Crying is the primary way that babies communicate, and we honour that in Mom & Baby Yoga. It is especially important for parents of spirited babies to feel supported, and we encourage them to find it in Mom & Baby Yoga classes. If your baby is crying during class, you are encouraged to meet her needs — feeding, a fresh diaper, or simply holding her. Parents should not feel pressured to leave the class.

Absolutely. There are many reasons why new mothers experience post-partum depression — from nutrition issues to a difficult birth experience to simply finding the transition to parenthood difficult. Connecting with other parents in similar situations can ease the emotional hardship. We have time to discuss some of the challenges of parenting a baby and share stories. As a doula, La Leche League leader, and birth/postpartum educator, Elyse has access to many resources for new parents. Many studies have shown that exercise is instrumental in working through depression.

Sure! Just keep in mind that most moms come with their babies.

Babies cry. Moms are encouraged to do whatever they feel is appropriate to be with their babies during class. Fussing and crying is expected in Mom and Baby yoga classes. By the end of class, most babies are either sleeping, day-dreaming, or actively alert and calm.

Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, such as sweat pants and a t-shirt. It is helpful to dress in layers. Bring a blanket to make your space comfortable and familiar for you and your baby. Mats and blankets are provided at the studio.

The Mom and Baby yoga classes usually have an attendance of between 8–10 moms with their babies.

No problem. All babies are given the freedom to express themselves and communicate. The classes also facilitate a better understanding for parents in how to read their babies’ cues. As ParentLink’s Stay in Touch series says: “Crying should be cheered, not feared!”

If your baby is very young, he or she may want to feed very frequently. If, during a session, your baby is communicating that they are hungry, you are welcome to feed your baby. You can still watch the techniques being taught. If your baby falls asleep, you are welcome to continue on one of the baby dolls provided.

Not a problem. While we do not massage a sleeping baby, moms and dads still have a chance to practise their strokes on one of several dolls provided. You then still have the benefit of mixing with other members of the group and learning the strokes for that week so you can take them home and practise when your little one is awake.

Yes — during sessions, we will focus on techniques for relieving the discomfort that colic or wind can bring.

The vast majority of pediatricians and child psychologists believe there are many physical, developmental, and psychological benefits of infant massage for both baby and parent. Tiffany M. Field, Ph.D., of the University of Miami School of Medicine has studied the effects of massage. When infants were massaged for 15 minutes a day they spent more time in the active, alert, and awake states, cried less, had lower stress hormone levels, and went to sleep faster. Over a six-week period, the massaged babies gained weight and showed improvement in emotionality, sociability, and temperament.

Babies carry a lot of stress. They cannot communicate verbally and their tiny bodies are going through multiple changes. On top of that babies experience discomfort — muscle fatigue from sitting in a stroller too long, indigestion, and colic. Massage helps relieve painful gas by toning the digestive tract. Certain massage techniques help in the relief of discomforts such as teething.

Parents report that the focus on giving baby gentle, soothing touch through massage helps them to relax. In many families, baby massage can be a special time for baby and dad to bond. In some cases, fathers may feel left out of the special bond a breastfeeding mom and baby share. Massage is a way for dad to soothe and comfort baby and make baby more acquainted with his touch, manner, and even his smell. Baby massage fosters trust and bonding — and most importantly, it’s fun.

Some infants sleep for longer periods following massage and appear to have longer periods of deep sleep. Most parents are pleased with a naturally enhanced sleep cycle and it is often the reason they seek out an infant massage course. As with many situations involving infants, a course of action effective with one infant does not always apply to the next.

Professional infant massage instructors encourage parents to name body parts during massage. This simple practice teaches infants games, words and speech. Newborns still adapting to an environment without the boundaries of the womb may learn things such as where their body starts and finishes, and that their feet and hands are attached to the rest of their body.

In most cases the answer is yes. However, once you know you are pregnant, before you visit us please speak with your doctor. In many instances, your doctor will prescribe pregnancy massages to help you with the pain and discomfort that often occurs during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an exciting but demanding time. Did you know that there is a simple way to help alleviate stress and labour pain, and improve your soon-to-be-born baby’s health while also reducing the risk of complications? Pregnancy massage has been shown to: improve maternal mood; decrease depression and anxiety; decrease pain; decrease stress hormones in pregnant women (including those suffering from depression); decrease obstetrical complications; and improve neonatal health and development.

Yes — massage therapy through the labour and birthing process helps to decrease pain in all three stages of labour (latent, active, and transition); reduce anxiety in the latent stage; reduce stress during labour; and increase the quality of your experience of childbirth. Longer-term effects include decreased length of labour, shorter hospital stay, less touch sensitivity, and fewer instances of postpartum depression.

You and your baby’s well-being come first. Registered Massage Therapists are professionally trained to work with you to develop an effective and safe treatment plan that complements your doctor’s care. Specially designed massage pillows with ergonomic cushions and supports ensure your safety and comfort. The subtle needs of expectant mothers like yourself are addressed — including frequent restroom breaks and unscented oil to avoid sensitivities.

Absolutely. Studies have shown that when you receive a relaxing pregnancy massage, the body naturally secretes endorphins. These “feel-good” hormones traverse the placenta and ultimately soothe and relax your baby.

In my practice I use clinical nutrition, homeopathy, yoga and various forms of massage and soft tissue pain therapies. Please see the services pages for more information about each of these modalities.

Naturopaths are trained as primary care providers. They may be the first practitioner to see a patient for any given complaint. Conditions I have effectively treated include: PMS, IBS, headaches, ulcers, fatigue, allergies, stress and anxiety, skin conditions, poor digestion and malabsorption, infections, constipation, autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), acne, menopausal symptoms, menstrual irregularities, heavy metal detoxification, high blood pressure, endocrine imbalances (diabetes, hyper/hypothyroidism), high cholesterol, side effects from cancer medications, sinusitis, depression, vaginitis, infertility, weight concerns, osteoporosis, pediatric health, arthritis, colds and flu, and digestive disturbance.

Please contact your insurance company to find out their specific policy — usually it is an 80/20% reimbursement, where you pay 20% of consultation fees and the insurance company pays the remainder.

Your first appointment will last approximately one and one-half hours. During this time we will discuss your present complaints and part of your medical history. After gathering all this information, we will work up a treatment plan and discuss suggestions. You will have ample time to ask questions.

Most natural medicines rarely cause side effects. This doesn’t mean they are entirely free from risk. I use therapies that are extremely safe and non-toxic, and I’m aware of the interactions that certain herbal medicines have with conventional drugs — prescribing carefully and accordingly.

Patients report any number of “detox” reactions, ranging from mild to moderate. Mild symptoms might include a change in the frequency, colour or odour of urination or defecation, or an increase in perspiration. Some patients have reported a mild headache or feeling of fatigue for just a few days when beginning treatment, but more frequently patients report an INCREASE in energy and feeling of well-being after one to two weeks.

Please contact me. Sometimes the process of detoxifying can cause what I call a “discharge reaction” — an attempt by your body to rid itself of toxins. There are options for treatment besides antibiotics in most cases. If you cannot reach me, please contact your primary-care physician or proceed to the nearest emergency room if necessary.

Every person is unique and it is impossible to predict how quickly or in what fashion your health process will unfold. Some patients see positive changes immediately; for others, changes occur gradually over a period of months. Depending on the severity of your illness and the healing capacity of your body, drainage remedies may be employed for short or much longer periods. Ultimately, you should only need maintenance visits.

Homeopathic medicines are regulated through the Food and Drug Administration and each product is assigned a National Drug Code (NDC) number. The specific indications you see on each compound are part of the regulatory process. Please note: the compounds cover many more things than what is written on the box.

These compounds will NOT interact with your medications, but they may change the physiology of your body so that less medication will be needed. For example, if you are currently using lipid-lowering agents, the compounds may support your liver so the liver handles cholesterol metabolism more effectively and less medication is necessary. I request that you inform your other physicians that you are under my care. Many patients are able to eliminate medications as their bodies become healthier, but this must be carefully done under supervision of the doctor that prescribed the medication.