|
Studio now closed until classes resume
Friday September 5
If you wish to register for 'Yoga for Golf', 'Beginners Flow Yoga'
I am in Australia visiting family and out of cell phone range
but will check email regularly.
Thank you, see you in September!
Penny.
"Many yoga practices counter the fight-or-flight response and invite the body to move in the opposite direction toward peace and calm. Gentle stretching lengthens your muscles, reducing physical tension. Yoga breathing slows your respiration. Inverted postures can help lower your blood pressureby decreasing your heart rate, relaxing your arteries and reducing levels of the stress hormone noradrenaline. Resting yoga postures allow you to let go of physical and mental effort. Meditative practice help you put fear and anger into perspective. With increased calm and relaxation comes a decrease in your level of cortisol, an adrenal hormone that inhibits immune system function. This keeps your body at optimal alert against disease."
Larry Payne, Ph.D., and Richard Usatine, M.D., reflect on the fact that yoga really works in their 2002 text Yoga Rx:
'Dear Penny, I'm supposed to tell you from Mom, that she stacked 2 cords of firewood over the weekend, and had absolutely NO back pain afterwards ... this is a first, ever. So we're blaming it on your yoga :) Best Sabine' - Sabine & Hermi, Parksville
Yoga has given me more confidence, and just a feeling of well being. I always say my Yoga Days with Penny are the best days of my week! I look forward to all my classes.
It has improved my health and I love it. It has also saved me lots of Chiropractor appointments and lots of money! Thank you! - Linda, Parksville
The Hip and Shoulders work shop was excellent. We both benefited tremendously from the session. Although we were both sore for a few days afterwards, it was a "good" sore. Thanks!
We really enjoy our workouts with you. You are a real inspiration. - Jean Anne & Dennis, Parksville
Hi Penny! I’m new to your class and really enjoying it. I’ve not taken Ashtanga for about 6 years and have gotten lazy in my own practice. Your classes spice up my practice and make me do poses I avoid. You have a calm and funny demeanor and I am really enjoying it. It’s funny how you get complacent even in your fitness – I consider myself fit then I come to your class, realize I am fit-but-comfortable, and enjoy the challenge! I enjoyed your Chakra class and my legs are still aching J So… thank you! See you in class. - Tonia, Naniamo
In less than 12 months of taking one-on-one yoga lessons the increased flexibility and core strength I have attained has alleviated painful back problems, and improved my co-ordination and control. As a result, my golf game has improved significantly and become more consistent.
Penny's one-on-one teaching method, and the incremental steps she uses allow me to make noticeable improvements and to feel that I am accomplishing definite goals; her positive attitude and good humour make my lessons an enjoyable experience. Yoga gives me a good workout that I can do anywhere, anytime, with just a mat. Rod - Nanoose, B.C.
'Yoga is NOT religion. All Religions are accepted yet no religion expected'
- Penny McGuire
"A LOT OF GUYS ON THE PGA TOUR SWEAR BY YOGA…" Tom Lehman
 "Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can't rush. You can't skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can't judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul." - Madonna "This is like magic HOW come no one knows about it?" (When talking about coordinating the breath and one's swing) - Daryl Bailey
 "I started [yoga] about five years ago. I will say, definitely, it changed my life. It made me calmer. It puts you right in the place of witness — which is great." Meg Ryan
Yoga makes me feel healthier inside and out, mind and body become one and there is a pleasant carry over or after effect that puts a smile on my face and a lightness in my step. I have learned that there are many things I can do to prevent that old, sluggish, broken feeling from taking over and that being proactive is much easier and more beneficial than reactive. Yoga is not "judgemental", it is for everyone of every size,shape, age and capability and if you continue faithfully with your practice you will see benefits in all areas of your life. It brings "inner peace" instead of chaos, it gives you strength and makes you flexible both in body and mind, it stretches your mind and body as far as you let it and brings you back as one (contented), whole person. . Donna - Qualicum, BC.
I do yoga for flexibility and fitness, but mostly I do it to calm and center me. I feel so good after each class and always am disappointed when I can't practice yoga regularly. Hilda - Nanoose, BC.
I used to go to Penny's classes in Kamloops and had her as my trainer. After she moved to the island I was inspired to start teaching yoga. What I always enjoyed is the blend of theoretical instruction (alignment, focus on detail)and relaxed movement without too many corrections. Penny makes all feel welcome and competent whether they are beginners or advanced. Some teachers give too little instruction and maybe have no knowledge of alignment. Others overwhelm with constant corrections. In my classes I attempt to develop a style similar to Penny's; let the student enjoy the movement with subtle guidance and directions. - Silvia - Kamloops, BC.
Decades ago, I started doing Sun Salutations every morning. A few minutes of yoga helps me stay healthier, more flexible, better aligned and the breathing helps me in every aspect of my life.
A year and a half ago, Donna convinced me to try one of Penny's classes. I was instantly addicted! I love the pace of the classes. And Penny is an outstanding teacher who encourages me to listen to my own body and lets me develop my skills as I am ready. The things I really notice are: my increase in strength, a steady gain in flexility, an absolute joy that floods through me. All of the reasons I did yoga every day pay off big time now that I attend classes regularly (a minimum of two each week.) And I still do my five minutes of Sun Salutations and breathing every morning. It's such a great way to start the day! - Phyllis - Parskville, BC.
I like what it does for my body. I find I do not have the aches and pains I had when I was lifting weights in a gym. Yoga allows me to use my own body weight with the same, or better, results from weight lifting. I find that with consistent practice I no longer have problems with my hips, my back, or my hands. In the past, I had many problems with carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists and hands. Now I no longer suffer from this condition, all due to yoga. My visits to my massage therapist have been greatly reduced, saving both time and money. Yoga is a practice I can do at home, on my own time. All I need is a mat and some nice calming music.
I love yoga and will continue with my practice until I'm an old lady....... - Kristine - Nanoose, BC.
My Bio
I discovered Yoga in my early 20’s as an option to recover from debilitating endometriosis after surgeons had done all they could. I later developed Celiac Disease. Yoga helps me manage my symptoms and allows me to lead a normal, active lifestyle. I had no idea I would be driven to teach Yoga!
I have not studied yoga in a cave for 10 years. I am not famous. I cannot contort my body in entertaining weird ways. I cannot read your mind. I cannot solve all your problems with one touch. I cannot heal all your pains in one single session. Though I have been with amazing Teachers who can do all those things and more… if that counts for anything…
The most miraculous thing I have done is practiced some aspect of yoga every single day for the past 15 years or so. My gift is simply that I ‘practice what I preach’ and I’m a very obedient parrot. I simply repeat what I’ve been told!
Over the years and working with many people I have seen everyone receive just what they wanted from Yoga and more than they expected. For some it’s a form of physical therapy, for others, psychological therapy. For some it’s an enjoyable, all inclusive form of exercise. Many people have healed their chronic pain, and others still have some pain but it no-longer limits their lifestyle or defines who they are. The clearest ‘proof’ for me is that everyone always leaves feeling happier! - Penny McGuire
Why I teach Yoga
It is of no great to concern to me if you ever create a perfect pose
I care that you cared to try.
I care that you listened to yourself on every attempt,
That you trusted yourself a little more on every attempt.
That you grew to like yourself a little more each time.
That you felt a little more kindness in every backbend,
A little more serenity in every forward fold,
Some more smile and spark with every twist!
I don’t care what you look like.
I care what you feel like.
I don’t mind if you show up late –
I’m happy you showed up.
I don’t mind if you leave early –
As I know you’ll take some extra peace wherever you go and to whom ever you’re with.
I don’t even mind if you fart in class – Gasasana! It’s all laughing gas!
And even though my words seemingly focus on your outsides and
My touch may realign your outer body,
It is all felt through your inner body.
All simply helping you travel your own direction to your own happiness.
I don’t know all the answers to what you need to do to find your own peace,
For that is your dance, your journey.
I feel peace and happiness and simply want the same for you.
So there are many ‘outer things’ for which I don’t mind,
But many inner things that mean so much!
As the great master says ‘Just do your practice and all is coming.’
So lets do yoga!
-Penny McGuire
Copywright @ 2007 Yoga Works, Penny McGuire | 
