Open Space Yoga Blog

How did you get interested in Yoga?
Funny – A 1970′s “Yoga for Beauty” book, given to me at the age of 16 by my future father in-law was my first inspiration!! Years after that, the experience of yoga as the type of holistic ‘fitness’ that fit for me was my driving force (less to do with hair and skin ‘beauty’ at that point!).

Where did you get your training?
I first trained with Maureen Frewer at Delta Yoga Centre and had a wonderful mentor experience with her

What are you reading right now?
“The Princes of Ireland” by Edward Rutherford. I love historical fiction.

What are you listening to right now?
Mainly the radio lately, as I haven’t put time into updating my ITunes.

Best Yoga  book ?
Donna Farhi’s books “The Breathing Book” and “Yoga – Mind, Body, and Spirit” are still my all time faves because their theory and practice suggestions clearly and practically lay out the principles of deeper, internal connection that yoga gives access to (versus just listing poses).

Best Yoga music CD?
Hmm, I just now got to love the Cinematic Orchestra Soundtrack – thanks Michael.

Tell us something that people might not know about you that you are willing to share?
I am happily married with a 2 year old… cat named Mikey.

Why do you like teaching at OSY?
I love being at Open Space because it is a beautiful place to connect with other people through the practice of yoga: It is more than a ‘place’ to me – the feeling I have there is created by the people who attend and teach there and I’m blessed to be a part of it. A safe, friendly, peaceful place where you can be yourself.

What do you hope that your students get out of your classes?
A gradually deepening sense of connection to their own body, mind, spirit. I think we all need that in our own way. It will strengthen and calm us from the inside to the outside.

Kristina teaches Hatha Yoga on Tuesdays @ 7pm this Fall
www.OpenSpaceYoga.com

How did you get interested in Yoga?
Watching an amazing and beautiful Yoga teacher, Kareen Zebroff, Who years ago had a TV show on Hatha Yoga. She is now in her 80′s and is still amazing.!

Where did you get your training?
Dan Clement, Open Source School of Yoga, Vancouver BC. Way back, I actually took aerobic dance training with Jane Fonda in Los Angeles.

What are you reading right now?
Committed, Elizabeth Gilbert

What are you listening to right now?
Sirius Satellite Radio: The Coffeehouse

Best Yoga book?
The Art Of Yoga, Sharon Gannon & David Life

Best Yoga music CD?
Snatam Kuar, Liberation’s Door

Tell us something that people might not know about you that you are willing to share?
I worked for an airline for 20 years but I am actually terrified of flying!

Why do you like teaching at OSY?
The students who attend Open Space have open minds and open hearts!

What do you hope that your students get out of your classes?
One hour and 15 minutes of profound release, peace and relaxation. With consistent practice, amazing posture and a little less jiggle in the wiggle.

Karin teaches:
Thursday 7:30pm Yin/Restorative Yoga
www.OpenSpaceYoga.com

How did you get interested in Yoga?
I first started taking yoga when living in Vancouver 18 years ago.  The class was at Dunbar community Center and focused on gentle stretching and pranayama.  I knew I was hooked after laughing hysterically when practising Happy baby pose.  What a great release!!

Where did you get your training?
My training started with the Delta Yoga Center(Maureen Frewer) and then progressed to include Yoga Therapy with Leila Stuart.  I then went on to become a Clinical Ayurveda Specialist with training from the California College of Ayurveda.  The practise of yoga is a continual exploration of new information and methods, so education will continue….

What are you reading right now?
‘Born under a thousand shadows’  By Andrea Busfield

What are you listening to right now?
My fingers typing the keyboard and in the distance the T.V. program my daughter is watching.

Best Yoga book?
Yoga as Medicine’ by Timothy McCall

Best Yoga music CD?
Very drawn to Brian Carson’s electronic tunes.

Tell us something that people might not know about you that you are willing to share?
I used to work in advertising in Vancouver and drank 4 cups of coffee before noon!!!

Why do you like teaching at OSY?
The people!!!!! Lots to learn from the staff and students-humble, sweet and welcoming.

What do you hope that your students get out of your classes?
A closer connection to Self!!

Wendy teaches:
Beginner 101 Yoga Wednesdays 7:30pm
Slow Flow Yoga Thursdays at 9:30am

And she is teaching a Living With Ayurveda Series at OSY this Fall
More details

www.OpenSpaceYoga.com

How did you get interested in Pilates?
I had various repetitive injuries from teaching group aerobic sessions and didn’t think I could carry on teaching for much longer so I decided to take a Pilates workshop and new right away it was for me!

Where did you get your training?
Originally in the UK with Modern Pilates and then in Canada with STOTT.

What are you reading right now?
I am an avid reader and normally have read 3 or 4 books at a time currently:
The Power is You – Louise Hay
The Overlook – Michael Connelly
Oprah – Kitty Kelly

What are you listening to right now?
Frontiers – Jesse Cook

Best Pilates book
Not an actual “Pilates book” but follows the same principals called Abdominal Training – Christopher M. Norris.

Best Pilates music CD?
For Pilates I like to use gentle background music without words that doesn’t interfere with relaxation and the mind body connection.

Tell us something that people might not know about you that you are willing to share?
I love WWE!

Why do you like teaching at OSY?
The space is quiet and serene – perfect for teaching and the people are great.

What do you hope that your students get out of your classes
A good basic understanding of the Pilates principals that they can apply to all aspects of their active life whether its gardening or going for a jog/walk.

Janine teaches all level Mat Pilates:
Mat Pilates Mondays 5:30pm
Mat Pilates Mondays 5:45pm
Mat Pilates Saturdays 10:45am
www.OpenSpaceYoga.com

The Current Summer session ends on August 29th.

There will be no classes running between August 30th & September 12th.

We will re-open for the Fall classes on September 13th.

Registration will be ongoing during this closed period via online registration, telephone and in person. To make arrangements to meet in person at the studio call 778-858-9642.

www.OpenSpaceYoga.com

Has this not been the BEST Summer of Yoga & Pilates? We have had so much fun this year – the energy has been amazing at the studio. Reminder 1 more week to make use of your Summer Passes

This next week is also a great week for you folks wanting to try a class before registering for Fall. First visit $10, $17 drop-in after that… what are you waiting for?

Such an amazing group in the Tues 11am Slow Flow Class. Love em.

Again, thank you for your votes and support. Namaste

Link to original article in The South Delta Leader

If anyone knows how to market their business using online tools, it’s Michael Rudd of Open Space Yoga.

The Ladner yoga studio was voted Best local Twitter feed to follow, Best local Facebook group, Best local web site, and Best business logo. Rudd also came away with Best Entrepreneur.

Rudd, who has a background in marketing, says he uses social media such as Twitter and Facebook because they are free (other than the time and effort), direct, and a quick and easy way to communicate with his students and others interested in what Open Space Yoga is up to.

“And it creates community,” he says, “which is always been something about our studio anyway. It helps emphasize that community, and it’s direct communication with the students—they can answer back, you can reply to them.”

He has about 400 to 500 followers on Twitter, and 160 “fans” on Facebook. And then there is his web site, openspaceyoga.com.

“It’s everything to my business,” Rudd says. “That’s our online brochure, our blog, we’ve got YouTube videos. I use it to its extent, including online registration, so we’ve definitely gone virtual that way.”

Right now he is promoting a 30-day challenge, asking people to commit to practicing yoga six days a week, meditate seven times a week, and do a cardio workout three days a week.

Utilizing online tools helps him cut down on waste as well, making Open Space Yoga a nearly paperless operation.

But of all the categories in which he garnered recognition, he says the one he is most proud of is Best Local Fundraiser for the Heart of Ladner Night Market.

Rudd and the owners of The Quilted Bear and Buttercups Children’s Boutique in Ladner Village started the event just last year as a fundraiser for the Delta Hospice Society.

This year, 100 per cent of the vendor fees will again go to the local hospice society. Planning for the Aug. 14 event in Ladner (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) has just begun, with Rudd looking for sponsors and vendors.

“We’re hoping to be a bit larger and a little bit more family-friendly towards kids getting involved,” he says.

And of course, the event already has a Facebook group.