HappyTree Yoga

April Challenge Winner Testimonials

2011-05-01T15:34:00.000-04:00

Catherine Chaput:
" 30 classes in 30 days! I found this to be a very rewarding challenge. I learned that I could totally balance family, friends, work, and still make time for myself. It's awesome how much giving to myself allows me to give more to others."

Lauren Bird:
"I came into this challenge expecting to have grown physically and mentally - but what grew more than anything was my love for yoga. Each practice was a growth and exploration, and I'd do the challenge all over again without having it be a challenge - just for the love of yoga, my fellow practictioners, and myself. Thank you again HappyTree for watering the roots of my practice!"

"Healing Through Yoga" by Lolitta Dandoy

2011-04-29T18:34:00.001-04:00

Lolitta Dandoy

"You have breast cancer." That's what the doctor told me on the afternoon of March 2nd, 2010. In an instant my life changed, I had gone from being a perfectly healthy 29-year-old to having this terrible thing inside of me. I didn't react well; in fact I fainted in my fiancé's arms. After the initial shock, I managed to be well while waiting for the prognostic. I worked, laughed, went out, and actually didn't think about it too much. I have always been a very positive and smiley person, so I think this took over the rest.

The results were very long to come because the doctor wanted to send them to the US before he decided anything. Two months later, I finally learned that I was going to have radiotherapy. I was happy about that because it meant that I could still get married that
summer, which was the plan. So we finished our list and sent the invitations to our guests. The next day, I received a phone call telling me that my case was presented to the Royal Victoria tumor board and that some doctors thought it would be better if I underwent chemo, as well. I was devastated and couldn't believe it because everything was ready for my radiotherapy to start.

Two weeks before starting my treatments, someone from CanSupport told me that I could attend free yoga classes at HappyTree Yoga Studio and that it would be good for me. I started right away and I really liked it; it made me feel relaxed and happy. On July 9th, the hardest part of my life started. My first chemo went well, but 2 days later, I started feeling the real effects. That first week was awful. I couldn't eat, I couldn't walk and I couldn't even sit for more than 15 minutes. I was restless and at the same time, I didn't have the energy to do anything. The next week, things started to get better and
I started going back to HappyTree. At first, it really helped me breathe and relax, but there came a point where I became so depressed and negative that I even had a hard time going through the sessions. Fortunately, my family and my fiancé were always there to motivate me and get me to class. I was, and I am, so lucky to have them! From August to October, things were so bad that I had lost my smile and I didn't talk anymore. I, who had always been so positive, became depressed and negative.

Now that I look back, I have to say that yoga helped me a lot. The classes made me feel better and I met wonderful ladies going through similar ordeals as me. They were so nice! I also had the chance to meet Melanie, who gives amazing classes and has the most soothing voice. When I was feeling better, around October, I really started enjoying the classes again and I realized how important they were to me. Whenever I went to yoga, I felt relieved and reenergized. Other than the actual positions, one of the best things I learned was the guided relaxation and the breathing techniques. I finally understood what healing through yoga meant, and that's why I would love to attend one of Nischala Joy
Devi's workshops.

Thank you to CanSupport and HappyTree for bringing yoga into my life.

Lolitta

"There is Always Something You Can Do" - by Rafaelle Roy

2011-04-29T18:16:00.002-04:00

Rafaelle, bottom right, at the HappyTree retreat at Sutton

A mammogram done in October 2009 was found to be 'suspicious', and after what
seemed interminable tests, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2010. Then the pre-op tests showed cancer in the other breast, and finally on March 10 of that year, I went through a radical bilateral mastectomy.

I had been on an emotional rollercoaster, going from one shock to yet another shock for five months, and now I had to learn to live with no breasts, the distressing feeling that I was mutilated, unfeminine, un-attractive. I grieved for those breasts like the old friends that they were. I had anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and I became depressed and could only sleep with the help of pills.

My wonderful family doctor sent me to HappyTree Yoga. Yoga? At age 65? I couldn't picture myself doing the contortions that I thought were yoga. I called you, and you were so welcoming, so reassuring.

HappyTree has brought me so much - a family of sorts, with the gentle yoga group, and women who have gone or are going through breast cancer, and sometimes through treatments that seem scarier and harder than double mastectomy. I love the fun and the camaraderie and the support that we bring each other, the tea we share after yoga practice. I am so grateful for every single member of the staff. Everyone is so helpful, whether it's giving me advice on the best posture to help strengthen my arms, stretch my scar, or helping out with alternative moves when I am stuck. “There is always something
that you can do” is a sentence I've heard a lot, and it is becoming ingrained, a new philosophy of life! I love the spiritual aspect that is always present at HappyTree; it opens my heart and connects me to something greater than myself - or breast cancer.

I have learned to accept myself as I am, and I have taken yoga home with me, using the breathing of yoga to fall asleep, or to calm a moment of anxiety - and I can say without exaggerating that I am my old happy self again. I am creative again, painting up a storm, and going to yoga 4 to 5 days in a week - thanks to your generosity, too, letting me help out as a 'karma yogi' in exchange for more classes that I could not otherwise afford. I am healing, and yoga in the happy, relaxed, accepting atmosphere of HappyTree is a huge part of it.

This healing aspect of yoga is what interests me most. Now that I am semi-retired, I am planning to spend 4 to 5 months in my native Haiti, hopefully every couple of years, and I want to do a teacher training to bring yoga relaxation and fun to children in orphanages. The earthquake of January 2010 has left over 300,000 new orphans, children who I know must be traumatized, and emotionally suffering even far more than I was when facing cancer last year. I would love to attend Nischala Joy Devi's workshops, for myself, but also because I need to learn as much as I can so I can bring something home with me that I KNOW to be wonderful. My cousin Françoise, hearing of my plans, said to me just this week: "You could do yoga with women who suffer from breast cancer
too..." Oh yes.

So many thanks my dear Mel, to you, to CanSupport, and HappyTree Yoga!

Namaste,

Rafaelle

AMENEZ UN HOMME AU YOGA

2010-12-01T12:19:00.002-05:00

Avis à tous les pères, frères, fils, maris, petits-amis, partenaires, collègues, amis;

VOTRE PREMIÈRE CLASSE À HAPPYTREE

EST ABSOLUMENT GRATUITE PENDANT LE MOIS DE DÉCEMBRE !*

*Nouveaux étudiants seulement. Un par client.

Les hommes et le yoga: des obstacles à arriver au tapis?
Par Jason Wachob

Beaucoup de gars ne s’essayent pas au yoga. Alors quel est le plus grand obstacle qu’un homme rencontre avant sa première classe ?

David Regelin: je pense que la plupart des types abordent le yoga comme ils le feraient d’un sport. Vous choisissez un sport selon vos aptitudes. Les grands jouent au basketball, les costauds jouent au football américain, les coureurs rapides jouent au football, etc. Alors si vous n’êtes pas flexible et si vous avez un mauvais équilibre, vous pourriez penser que le yoga n’est pas pour vous parce que vous ne commencerez pas avec un avantage compétitif. Mais c’est exactement la raison pour laquelle le yoga est pour vous. Vous devenez flexible et fort au fur et à mesure que vous pratiquez. Et vous apprenez à être efficient. Vous apprenez vraiment une méthode pour engager et relâcher les muscles à volonté. Vous commencez aussi à contrôler votre esprit en contrôlant votre respiration.

Studies in Sanskrit: Prem

2010-09-17T14:39:00.001-04:00

Taken from Grasping at Intangibles. (c) Dawn McSweeney. Used with permission.


Prem = Love

"Where there is great love, there are always miracles."

- Willa Cather

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."

- Plato

"Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free."

-Tom Robbins

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

- Charles M. Schulz

Studies in Sanskrit: Yoga

2010-09-14T13:11:00.002-04:00

(Taken from Grasping at Intangibles. Used with permission)

One could say that yoga headed West in the 1960s, and be mostly right. When Maharishi Mahesh Yogi became the very public spiritual advisor for The Beatles in 1967, a whole generation felt the call to seek the ancient wisdom of the East, and the counterculture found a beat it could march to. By August of 1969, Sri Swami Satchidanana was giving the opening address at the Woodstock Music Festival to nearly 500 000 open hearted explorers. Both yoga and TM (Transcendental Meditation) exploded onto the scene from seemingly nowhere.

The truth is that the information had been inching it's way across the continents for decades:

Swami Vivekananda traveled to China, Europe, Canada, and America before the turn of the 20th century, speaking about Hinduism and Buddhism at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago in 1893. He is quoted as saying in one of his American speeches:

"I do not come to convert you to a new belief. I want you to keep your own belief; I want to make the Methodist a better Methodist; the Presbyterian a better Presbyterian; the Unitarian a better Unitarian. I want to teach you to live the truth, to reveal the light within your own soul"

illustrating the fact that yoga has and always will be, the path rather than the destination. By 1895 he was teaching yoga classes in the Thousand Island region.

The word yoga comes from the root word "yuj" meaning to yoke, or control, which of course makes sense when we consider the discipline involved in pranayama (breath work), or even in maintaining a consistent practice. The word also means "union", and this is the commonly accepted meaning.

Unifying with what, then becomes the question. From even a secular position, yoga can be used to remind us the non-duality of everything. We are part of the eco-system, the universe, the collective subconscious; our existence depends on our neighbors, on our planet, and vice versa. From a spiritual point of view, we are connected not only to all that we see and understand, but we are also made of the same celestial pixiesticks and cosmic rainbows as our neighbors: the spark that makes them human makes us human; our souls can relate to other souls; we are all drops of God, even if we call God by a different name. Simply, thou art that.

There are as many paths toward union as there are creatures seeking them, and the truth is, you don't need to unroll a mat to be in yoga. Sure, physical practice helps to get you there (hatha, raja & kriya yogas), but devotional practices (bhakti yoga), or philosophical approaches (jnana yoga) will as well. In all honesty, whatever leaves you feeling in tune with all that is, will be, and ever was, is your best path to union. Whether it be composing a song or dancing the night away, your sense of fulfillment and completion is the goal behind each route. Be yoga now.

Studies in Sanskrit: Om

2010-09-13T15:23:00.002-04:00

(Taken from Grasping at Intangibles. Used with permission)

Many of us are familiar with the droning hum heard at the start and close of yoga classes, but how many of us consider the meaning of the word?

It is said that this is the sound of creation; the vibrational tone that literally created the universe and everything in it. For instance, if we put it in the context of the quote "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1), this would be the word referred to from a Hindu or yogic perspective.

Most appropriately, OM is pronounced AUM, with three distinct and separate syllables that flow naturally into one another. The opening of the mouth to release sound naturally creates the AHH; the sustaining of the sound with open mouth creates the UHH, and the closing of our mouths as the breath empties from our lungs creates the MMM. Each syllable represents a part of the creative cycle, from inception, to sustenation, to the the close of the cycle, that it all may begin again.

Each stage of the cycle is represented by a god: Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. Together they make up the Trimurti, or the Hindu Trinity.

So the next time you find yourself smiling at the end of class, lost in the soothing sea of OM, take a moment to bask in just how vast that sea really is.

2010-09-01T12:33:00.007-04:00

«La veille de mon mariage, un groupe de ma famille et de mes amis les plus proches et moi, nous avons pris un cours de yoga à HappyTree avec Melanie. Nous nous attendions à une classe de yoga ordinaire, mais ce que nous avons reçu fut beaucoup, beaucoup plus. Melanie nous a guidés tout au long d’une pratique intime et apaisante qui mettait l’accent sur la paix et l’amour au cours de la journée du mariage, et elle a gardé la classe à un rythme parfait pour le groupe. C’était une expérience incroyable que d’être entourée par toutes les femmes de ma vie d’une façon si personnelle et si relaxante. C’était un des moments les plus mémorables du week-end de mariage et pour cela nous ne remercierons jamais assez HappyTree !»

-Julia Burnier

Chers amis,

Bienvenue à cette rentrée d’automne !!

Nous bourdonnons de l’excitation de partager avec vous les changements positifs que nous avons apportés à HappyTree pour que vous ayez une expérience encore plus incroyable cette saison.

Tout d’abord, nous vous invitons à parcourir notre site web flambant neuf à happytreeyoga.com.
Nous avons une toute nouvelle apparence, notre meilleur horaire à ce jour (inspiré par vos commentaires) et beaucoup de mises à jour !

Si vous ne faites pas encore partie de la communauté interactive de HappyTree sur Facebook, inscrivez-vous et profitez de l’inspiration de nos citations et de nos vidéos, des images amusantes et des réponses à toutes vos questions. Si vous préférez Twitter, vous pouvez nous trouver sous happytreeyoga.

Ensuite, nous faisons littéralement de la place pour vous ! Vous remarquerez que le studio est plus spacieux et plus zen maintenant que nous avons réorganisé les accessoires, et injecté beaucoup d’amour dans notre nouvel espace sacré. Notre objectif est que vous vous sentiez bien la minute où vous entrez dans le studio, et que vous vous sentiez encore mieux en partant. Chaque fois que vous quittez HappyTree en vous sentant exalté, nous accomplissons notre mission qui est d’intensifier la vibration de la joie dans le monde, grâce à une personne à la fois.

Afin de nous aligner encore plus sur notre vision, nous avons insisté profondément sur votre bien-être cette saison avec une Classe de maître de yoga thérapeutique et aussi avec une Immersion en yoga thérapeutique à Sutton, toutes deux données par Albert Bissada, qui est de retour d’Inde avec beaucoup d’informations à partager.

Toute l’équipe de HappyTree est là pour vous recevoir à bras ouverts, et pour vous accueillir quand vous retrouverez votre tapis.

Nous vous attendons avec impatience.

Affectueusement,
Melanie Richards, directrice du Studio Yoga HappyTree

PS : le genre masculin est utilisé pour alléger le texte.

Nous nous souvenons d’Anna –Kaarina

2010-06-29T14:16:00.001-04:00

La première fois que j’ai vu Anna –Kaarina c’était à Yoga HappyTree. Je l’ai vue debout dans la pièce portant ses pantalons jaune orange. Je voulais lui parler. Elle avait une aura, un magnétisme, quelque chose de fort et de tout à fait unique. Elle était aussi entourée d’un nuage de mystère. Pour moi, j’avais l’impression que c’était sa protection. Je voulais lui parler, mais elle était distante. Je respectais son intimité.

Un jour, elle s’est approchée de moi. Elle m’a offert un mascara, un bleu, qui venait de Madame Hauschka Spa, rue Sherbrooke. Je me suis sentie comme une enfant, une nouvelle enfant du quartier, qui avait soudain trouvé une nouvelle amie.

À partir de ce jour-là, nous avons échangé des sourires. Aucun mot, des sourires, mais ces sourires étaient remplis de tant de chaleur et de gentillesse que cela valait même mieux qu’un échange verbal.

Je voulais lui laisser savoir qu’elle était une personne très spéciale. J’ai demandé à son amie, Ann Gal, de m’apprendre comment dire bonjour en finnois. Quelque chose qui ressemble à Ueva paeva. Mais Anna –Kaarina n’est jamais retournée au yoga et je me disais Ueva paeva tout en pensant à elle.

Je n’ai eu ni le temps ni la chance de lui dire Ueva paeva, ni le temps de lui dire combien je l’admirais. D’une façon toute personnelle, je lui dirai tout ce que j’ai toujours voulu lui dire, je lui dirai combien elle nous manque, comment pendant une aussi courte période elle a changé ma vie. C’était un cadeau que d’avoir connu son sourire.

- Marie-Andree Cantillon

Bon Voyage, Albert

2010-06-01T12:24:00.004-04:00

Chère famille HappyTree

Pour ceux d’entre vous qui n’ont pas entendu la nouvelle, je voyagerai en Inde pour la première fois cet été. Ce temps est finalement arrivé, et je brûle d’impatience. C’est un trajet important et symbolique pour moi. Je ne compte ni voir un professeur en particulier, ni me joindre à une communauté ou à un ashram en particulier, ni beaucoup voyager.

Au lieu de ça, je compte bien visiter quelques temples, et m’imbiber de l’ancienne spiritualité qui a donné naissance au yoga il y a des milliers d’années. J’ai l’intention de pratiquer seul, dans quelques recoins cachés, sacrés, et tranquilles, sur mon chemin. J’aimerais créer un espace sensible pour me recueillir et aller au plus profond de moi, et pour intégrer toutes les expériences incroyables et subtiles qu’offre le yoga. Ce temps est vraiment arrivé, et je suis très reconnaissant que tout se soit mis en place pour le réaliser.

Je serai de retour au studio en septembre, avec beaucoup à partager. Nous planifions notre première retraite de yoga le week-end des 23 et 24 octobre, ce qui sera une excellente occasion de cheminer ensemble pendant deux jours.

Merci à tous de votre présence au studio, de votre chaleur et de votre lumière, de vos pratiques grandissantes, de toute votre appréciation et de tout votre soutien. Je penserai à vous, comme faisant partie de moi, la communauté et la famille entière de HappyTree.

Que votre été soit rempli de paix et d’amour dans vos coeurs;

Qur vous puissiez grandir dans la confiance et redécouvrir la foi et les possibilité infinies que vivre dans la foi offre;

Que vous puissiez sentir au plus profond de vous-même le courant mystérieux et magnifique de l’Univers.

Que Dieu vous bénisse

Albert

P.S. Le genre masculin est utilisé ici pour alléger le texte.

Faisons de HappyTree le numéro 1 absolu!

2010-04-19T12:36:00.005-04:00

L’année dernière, vous avez voté HappyTree le meilleur studio de yoga indépendant à Montréal. Cette année, faisons de HappyTree le numéro 1 absolu!

C’est le temps de l’année quand nous Montréalais pouvons voter sur tout ce que nous aimons dans notre jolie ville.

Si HappyTree est votre studio de yoga préféré dans tous le 514 (le 450 et le 438), alors votez pour nous dans la catégorie Meilleur studio de yoga du sondage du Montreal Mirror.

Il vous faut répondre à un minimum
de 25 questions pour que votre vote compte
et les cases à remplir sont ici.

Vous n’êtes pas de Montréal ? Vous pouvez
quand même voter.

Vous ne pouvez pas penser à 25 personnes
et endroits ?

Nous avons fait une liste de nos favoris ici
pour vous aider à choisir.

La date limite pour le vote est le mercredi 21 avril, alors ne tardez pas !

Montreal Mirror's BoM: We Wanna be #1!

2010-04-08T15:51:00.008-04:00

It's time once again for the Montreal Mirror's Best of Montreal Survey! Last year we ranked second (which made us the #1 independent yoga studio in Montreal!), but frankly, we wanna be #1 OVERALL!

To vote for us and all your other fave places and people about town, hit this link, and fill in at least 25 of your faves before hitting send. Not sure you can think of 25 things? It's not a quiz; we've got some of our faves below to help you on your way. If you have any other places or peeps you think everyone in town should vote for, comment, and hopefully, we'll all be winners.

Face it: we think you're the best, and we would totes vote for you, so do us a solid ;)

Our Answers for Best of Montreal

Bonus question - Best thing Mtl could export to the rest of the world: Festival Season

Closest to sainthood: Father Emmett "Pops" Johns
Closest to hell: Ben Mulroney
Most desirable man: Leonard Cohen
Most desirable woman: Elisha Cuthbert
Best dressed: Rufus Wainwright
Best neighborhood: NDG
Best minority: anglophones
Best radio station: 99.9 the Buzz
Best local blog: Coolopolis (Kristian Gravenor)
Best sleazy dive: PJ's
Best comedy bar: Comedy Nest
Heaviest act: Priestess
Most pretentious musical act: Arcade Fire
Best singer/songwriter: Leonard Cohen
Best local theatre company: Hudson Productions
Best local living author: Leonard Cohen
Best festival: Jazz
Best bookstore (new): Nicholas Hoare Books
Best 1st run Cinema: Le colisee
Best vintage clothing store: Village des Valeurs
BEST YOGA STUDIO: HAPPYTREE YOGA
Best cheap eats: La Belle Province
Best breakfast: Tutti Frutti
Best Korean: Bulgogi House
Best fries: Restaurant A.A. (3702 Notre-Dame Ouest)
Best poutine: Souvlaki George (the George Special)
Best coffee: Cafe Creme

Étudiant du mois: Arieh Sochaczevski

2010-03-31T14:21:00.012-04:00

"Recevoir le diagnostic d’une maladie neurologique dégénérative peut vous faire anticiper des problèmes qui n’ont pas encore commencé. L’anticipation et les attentes peuvent faire paraître les symptômes plus graves que ce qu’ils sont réellement et dire la différence entre ce qui est physiologique et ce qui est psychologique devient presque impossible. Même après avoir été prévenu, je suis tombé dans ce piège il y a seulement quelques mois.

À la fin du mois de janvier, j’ai trouvé HappyTree. J’avais été à d’autres studios de yoga et les avais trouvés plutôt mercenaires. HappyTree était et continue d’être exactement ce que je veux et ce dont j’ai besoin.

En classe, je peux mettre mes limites à l’épreuve et les repousser, sans jugement quand je tombe. Après la classe, je peux passer un moment agréable en compagnie de personnes sympathiques et intelligentes.

Le premier jour, je suis entré en marchant avec une canne. Maintenant, cette canne reste près de ma porte d’entrée. Je remercie le personnel et les membres de HappyTree d’avoir contribué aux améliorations physiologiques et psychologiques de ma vie."

Arieh Sochaczevski
Membre de HappyTree depuis janvier 2010

Unraveling the Esoteric: Continued

2010-03-26T12:13:00.003-04:00

notes from & inspired by my workshop
reprinted from Grasping at Intangibles

Ganesha

A popular and easily recognized deity in Hindu mythology, is the elephant-headed God, Ganesha.

There are many stories as to how Ganesha came to have his distinctive elephant head. It is said that he was created as a son by Parvati to guard and protect her quarters while her husband Shiva, was away (it seems understandable that the Gods spend a lot of time working away from home). When Shiva came back, he was greeted by this man and told that he could not pass to Parvati’s quarters. Enraged, Shiva cuts off the man’s head, and goes on past to reunite with his wife.

We can imagine that there was some awkwardness in the reunion as Shiva explains the conflict, and Parvati explains that it was her son that was beheaded. Shiva, ever just, restores the man to life, but all that was around by this time, was an elephant’s head (and better elephant-headed than dead).

Ganesha had a brother named Kartikay. Presented with the challenge of racing around the universe and all of creation, Kartikay sets off to do just that, while his brother slowly and simply walks around their parents, showing his understanding, and thus declaring the universe as nothing more or less than his holy parents. Ganesha of course wins the race, and is named Lord (Isha) of all existing beings (Gana).

-He is associated with the root chakra, providing a solid foundation for the other chakras to bloom.

-He is often seen either riding, or near a rat, and this shows his control over ego and vanity.

-The plate of sweets, or “laddu” symbolize the sweetness of purity, the conch shell represents “om”, the sound that creates space both literally and figuratively.

-His broken tusk is what he used to pen the Mahabharata (or “The Story of the Bharata Dynasty”, one of India’s two great epics, the other being the Ramayana or “Ram’s Journey”. The Bhagavad Gita, or “Song of God” is contained in the Mahabharata).

-The swastika, when facing clockwise as it often is in association with Ganesha, symbolizes the universe unfolding and evolving, and is thusly associated with Brahma (facing the opposite direction it would symbolize the universe folding in on itself, and thus be associated with Vishnu).

-To see beyond the physical appearance of this deity is to see beyond the appearance of the challenges that arise, beyond surface illusions, and into a truth that allows us to navigate difficult terrain. As such, Ganesha is the Lord of Removing Obstacles.

Shake Your Asana Playlist, March 5: The Man

2010-03-08T13:18:00.002-05:00

"The subject theme of this week was "The MAN" and the misconception that we do not have a choice in how we run our lives. Sometimes being our own worst enemy by being complicit with bad habits and taking the easy way out. Sometimes being our best friend by standing up for the principle of doing something right (right as in perfect, not the opposite of wrong) even though it might take more time, or energy, or be less gratifying, but doing the right action because it is exactly that." DJ Yogi P

Alibi - David Gray
Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Time Won't Let Me Go - The Bravery
In Your Hands - Charlie Winston
Fever - Peggy Lee
Start Again - Duncan Sheik
Life For Rent - Dido
Begin - Ben Lee
I Wish That I Was Beautiful For You - Darren Hanlon
Blame It On Me - Barenaked Ladies
Seen It All Before - Amos Lee
Jolene - Ray LaMontagne
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby - Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch
Saving Words For Making Sense - The Six Parts Seven
Happy Everafter In Your Eyes - Ben Harper
Untitled 3 - Sigur Rós

Shake Your Asana Playlist: February 26

2010-03-04T17:29:00.001-05:00

DJ P says: "...the yog must go on".

I Will Possess Your Heart (Radio Edit) - Death Cab For Cutie
A Story About A Girl - Our Lady Peace
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - Judy Garland
Middle of Nowhere - Hot Hot Heat
Yellow - Coldplay
Fortress Around Your Heart - Sting
If I Only Had a Heart - Jack Haley
Read My Mind - The Killers
Strip My Mind - Red Hot Chili Peppers
If I Only Had A Brain - Bolger, Ray & Judy Garland
FREE - Gavin DeGraw
If I Only Had the Nerve - Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Judy Garland & Ray Bolger
Think Back - Jon Bryant
Golden Heart - Mark Knopfler
Many Roads - Trevor Hall
Heartbeats - José González
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Walking Home - Tina Malia

Étudiant du mois: Shari Hersey

2010-03-01T11:33:00.003-05:00

« C’est au studio de Yoga HappyTree que j’ai tout d’abord découvert le monde merveilleux de la pratique du yoga sur une base régulière. Le yoga m’a toujours intéressée mais ce n’est qu’après cinq ans de douleurs au dos et aux épaules que j’ai commencé à vraiment contempler l’idée de pratiquer le yoga régulièrement. Puis, j’ai découvert que j’avais une scoliose, ce qui peut causer un déséquilibre des muscles et un mal de dos. Alors, je n’ai pas hésité à essayer le yoga. Il se trouve que j’avais un laissez-passer gratuit pour une classe à HappyTree. Dans cette classe, j’ai exploré toutes sortes d’étirements nouveaux et intéressants. Je voulais en savoir davantage. J’ai décidé d’essayer l’abonnement spécial de trois mois pour les nouveaux étudiants, ce qui est vraiment une bonne idée car cela prend à peu près trois mois pour commencer à ressentir les bénéfices. Je me suis rendu compte que le yoga est beaucoup plus qu’un exercice : il fait le lien entre votre corps, votre âme et votre esprit. Pour moi, le yoga est une thérapie apaisante, physiquement et mentalement, et ma pratique à HappyTree est devenue une partie très spéciale de ma vie.»

Shari Hersey

Membre de HappyTree depuis février 2009

Gagnante de la bourse de la Métamorphose de mars de HappyTree

Shake Your Asana PLaylist: February 19

2010-02-22T14:46:00.002-05:00

"It was a little honky tonk lovin' for the playlist this week. All about the journey and those highway philosopher's we meet along the way. 'Cause every hand's a winner, and every hand's a loser'." DJ Yogi P

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Small Towns And Big Dreams - Paul Brandt
Running Down a Dream - Tom Petty
Great Day To Be Alive - Travis Tritt
Baby Please Don't Go - Van Morrison with Them
Opiated - The Tragically Hip
Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Take Me Away - Dixie Chicks
You Give Me Something - James Morrison
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens
Memphis/Tn - Craig Cardiff and the Himalayans
Only Then Will Your House Be Blessed - Harry Manx
Oh Very Young - Cat Stevens
Fire And Rain - James Taylor
Sail Away - David Gray
Cities Of Texas - Paul Kelly
The Long And Winding Road - Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra

Shake Your Asana Playlist: Friday, February 5th

2010-02-08T15:02:00.002-05:00

*While DJ Yogi P thinks all his playlists are good (of course!), he admits this one may be "gooder".

Your Song [Time 'Love' Lee Mix] - Groove Armada
Giant - D. Sardy Feat. Liela Moss
Single Ladies - Pomplamoose Covering Beyonce
Cannot Contain This -Moloko
The Youth - MGMT
Mad Pursuit - Junkie XL Feat. Electrocuti
Street Spirit - Radiohead
Numb - U2
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
Breathe Me - Sia
So Much For Everyone - Dan Mangan
Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl - Broken Social Scene
This World - Zero 7
Barfly - Ray LaMontagne
Last Night - Moby

Shake Your Asana Playlist: January 29

2010-02-01T18:17:00.002-05:00

* go to a site like http://listen.grooveshark.com/ or http://www.playlist.com/ to build a playlist and listen online!

Garden - Pearl Jam
Glass Of Water -Coldplay
One Thing - Finger Eleven
Plan B - Movie Clip Fubar
Read My Mind - The Killers
I Don't Want To Be -Gavin DeGraw
I'm Good, I'm Gone -Lykke Li
Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk
I'm On Fire -Bruce Springsteen
Something Of Your Grace - Harry Manx
Safe And Sound - Hawksley Workman
Libertad - Pacifika
Silence - Sarah McLachlan
Alive (Acoustic) - Edwin
The Weekend - Jon Bryant
Re: Stacks - Bon Iver

Shake Your Asana Playlist

2010-01-25T17:38:00.004-05:00

Waiting For My Real Life to Begin - Colin Hay
Trouble - Coldplay
With A Little Help From My Friends - The Beatles
Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
Dig - Incubus
London Bombs - Eskimo Joe
House - Trevor Hall
Roses & Blue Jays - Buck 65
Idiot Friends - Spongebob Squarepants
Les Baobabs - Bernard Giraudeau
Porcelain - Moby
Sometimes - Daniel Lanois
Where I Stood - Missy Higgins
Think Back - Jon Bryant
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Why Do The Men Stray - Gavin DeGraw
Home - Foo Fighters
Meet Me In The Middle Of The Air - Paul Kelly
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins

Shake Your Asana Playlist: Friday, January 15

2010-01-18T16:58:00.005-05:00

One Love - Bob Marley

Champagne Supernova - Oasis

Serve Your Soul – Ben Harper

Help Me – Harry Manx

If You Want Me to Stay – Sly & The Family Stone

Even After All – Finley Quaye

The Lime Tree – Trevor Hall

No Women No Cry – Xavier Rudd

Closer To the Sky – Michael Franti

Tower of Song – Leonard Cohen

Heart of A Man – Eliza Gilkyson

I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You – Colin Hay

My Imagination – Bill Withers

All My Friends – Amos Lee

My Funny Valentine – Chet Baker

Outro: Learning – India.Arie

2010: New Decade, Fresh Perspectives & Tips for Manifesting

2009-12-30T16:09:00.004-05:00

By Dawn McSweeney, reprinted with permission from Grasping At Intangibles

The annual tradition of tying up loose ends, starting fresh, and making wild promises is upon us, and yet this time around it seems like more. It’s a fresh decade, and while “the tens” may not roll off the tongue, their introduction ought give us time for pause.

Ten years ago, we partied like it was 1999, because it was. We hoped the Y2K bug wouldn’t cancel our bank balances, or send off missiles, while
we secretly hoped that the year 2000 meant we’d all get our own jetpacks.

Take a moment to reflect on that: on where you were, who you were, all that has transpired along your journey since. There have doubtless been days you’ve tried to wish away, and those you wished you could hold on to forever. People have left our lives, others have entered, and we ourselves have grown. Is there any way you could’ve envisioned your current self back in 1999? Probably not. Odds are, you’d be pretty amazed if you knew then what you know now.

These milestones of years, of decades, of evolving traditions, are perfect times for reflection, gratitude, and the making of new plans. Here are a few tips for resolving and manifesting in this new decade:

* Don’t simply resolve to quit things. Plan on replacing negative habits and patterns with positive choices, and focus on those.

* Every day is a fresh start. Failing yesterday is no reason to give up on today. Be better.

* Concentrate on what you want and not what you’re missing. As with driving, you steer toward what you’re looking at. If you focus on your bills, you will always have bills; if you remember your abundance, you will have abundance. If you want love, practice compassion, faith, and self-love.

* Visualize until it feels true. Want that promotion? Picture yourself behind that desk, gazing out your new corner office window. Allow yourself the pride, relief, joy, that you’ve made it.

*Positive energy snowballs just as well as negative, and the most common quality in happy people is the desire to be happy. You can only hold one thought at any given moment. Choose a happy thought.

* Remember to be your best self. Trying to be someone else’s best sets you up for failure. Find your voice and revel in it; love yourself for it.

* Life is too short for hate. That goes for others, and yourself. You will be amazed at how loving and respecting yourself will change your perception, and how others perceive you. Look in the mirror and tell yourself you love yourself. Do it. Preferably naked. You are beautiful. Now celebrate with a cookie.

* Remember to give thanks for the little things, the moments of kindness shared with strangers, the fleeting moments of beauty and perfection. Give thanks not only so that there may be more of them, but so they may stay with you longer, in heart and mind. Compassion is contagious.

* If we all vow to do unto others this year, as we would have them do unto us, this year will be blissful.

May your life be filled with abundance and joy,
and may you always be aware that it is.

HappyTree's HappyEverything Holiday Party is this Saturday!

2009-12-16T13:46:00.003-05:00

Whether you're celebrating the solstice or the ski slopes, come share the joy of the season with the HappyTree Peeps! This Saturday from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. we'll raise our glasses to everything from Chrismukkah to gingerbread, and all the snow angels in between.

Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend, or treats to share, and spend some of your happy holidays at our HappyTree.

Yoga for Kids

2009-11-23T19:35:00.005-05:00

Happy Kids go to HappyTree!

HappyTree Yoga Studio is pleased to introduce yoga for children of all ages.
Kids will be guided enthusiastically through a yoga adventure that will:

* Increase their balance, flexibility and strength.
* Develop their creativity and imagination.
* Enrich their confidence and self-esteem.
* Improve their body awareness and concentration.
* Help them sleep better.

This Sunday, November 29, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 31, 2010, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
15$ + tax / child per session,
space is limited, SIGN UP NOW!

Got a group?
Schedule a class at our place or yours for your group of 8 or more kids to explore the wonders of yoga. 13$ / child per session, group pricing is also available.

Call (514) 846-YOGA (9642) to get your group started now!

Le yoga pour enfants

2009-11-15T20:10:00.002-05:00

Les familles heureuses se retrouvent à HappyTree !

Quelle belle façon de passer un froid dimanche après-midi, pelotonné sur le sofa de HappyTree avec une tasse de thé bien chaud, en lisant ou en bavardant avec d’autres parents, pendant que votre enfant découvre les joies du yoga dans la pièce voisine.

Le dimanche 29 novembre 2009, et

le dimanche 31 janvier 2010

de 14h à 15h.

Enfants de quatre à sept ans

Coût par session : 15$ par enfant + taxe.

Appelez le 514-846-YOGA(9642) pour vous inscrire.

L’espace est limité.

Obtenez tous les renseignements sur le site « TheKidScoop.com»

Emma English

Emma est instructrice de yoga pour enfants, certifiée de RCYP. Elle vient de Montréal. Elle guidera vos enfants avec enthousiasme à travers une aventure de yoga qui augmentera leur équilibre, leur flexibilité et leur force ; développera leur créativité et leur imagination ; enrichira leur confiance et leur estime d’eux-mêmes, et les aidera même à mieux dormir.

Rendez-vous au studio HappyTree!

Économisez 10% sur les abonnements réguliers du studio le jour où vous amènerez votre enfant à HappyTree au cours de Yoga pour enfants.*

* Cette offre expire le 31 janvier 2009. Cette offre n’est pas valable avec d’autres rabais ou promotions.

Mala: Meanings & Materials

2009-11-11T18:05:00.003-05:00

What's a Mala?
A mala is a length of prayer beads usually worn as a necklace or bracelet. It has 108 beads (109, if you count the unifying or head bead), or a fraction of 108, such as 27. 108 is an auspicious number, derived by multiplying the number of planets by the number of astrological houses (this system is thousands of years old, and yes, we're counting Pluto).

How to Pick Your Mala
With malas, as with crystals, stones and other power symbols, it's important to follow your intuition to the one most suited to you. Whether you follow your heart, or receive them as a gift, the mala you have, is the one you are meant to have, and it came into your life at just the right time.

How to Use Your Mala
A mala is akin to rosary beads, or focus stones. They are used to count off prayers or mantras, so that you don't have to count while chanting. The head bead is a reference point, and not to be counted. Traditional mantras would be in Sanskrit, and relating to one or more Hindu god, but anything can be a prayer or mantra. Whether you choose to use a prayer you're familiar with, such as the Serenity Prayer, or to select your own words, like repeating "joy and abundance" with each bead, helping to manifest these qualities. It is said that if you use your mala beads for 40 days in a row, they will become imbued with power that can be spread to anyone who wears them.

HappyTree Yoga has malas available in the following materials...

Amethyst: associated with the crown chakra, it's the "stone of spirituality and contentment". It balances the energies, and clears the aura.

Garnet: associated with the base chakra, and the elements of fire and sometimes earth, it is a stone of romantic love, passion, and devotion, as well as inspiration and motivation.

Jade: associated with the heart chakra an the element of water, jade is known for bringing luck, prosperity, longevity, wealth, and wisdom.

Moonstone: associated with the Mother Goddess, and lunar power, it's a stone strong in feminine powers. Good for all female health issues, it brings about an understanding of one's destiny, and is the stone of new beginnings for men and women. Cleanses negativity from the chakras.

Onyx: associated with the root chakra, and the elements of earth and sometimes fire, onyx is a protection stone, also promoting inner strength, focus, will power, discipline, and reason.

Quartz: the Jack of All Trades of stones. It amplifies wishes, tunes to all chakras and signs, and amplifies the powers of other stones. Comparable only to diamond in its versatility and power.

White Sandalwood: associated with Ram and Vishnu, it's used for peace and empowerment, and is associated with Gods more so than Goddesses.

Red Sandalwood: a symbol of Brahma and blessed by the goddess Lakshmi, it helps with attaining prosperity. Also associated with Ganesh, and with all Goddesses, it enlightens the super consciousness, improves concentration and facilitates detachment.

Rudrasksha: The seed of the rudraksha tree, rudrasksha literally means "the third-eye" or "tears of Shiva". Said to possess mystical and divine properties, it is considered to be auspicious and powerful, to maintain health, fulfill desires, and achieve all ambitions.

2 ans déjà!

2009-11-01T14:52:00.004-05:00

Je me rappelle, comme si c’était hier, m’être promenée rue Sainte-Catherine en visualisant l’endroit parfait où HappyTree pourrait prendre racine. Je m’imaginais un bijou caché : clair et spacieux, à Westmount, en face du métro Atwater (il est permis de rêver n’est-ce-pas ?). C’est alors que j’ai vu un petit signe poussiéreux : «À vendre», dans la fenêtre du deuxième étage, de laquelle je regarde maintenant tout en écrivant. Cela fait deux ans que ce rêve est devenu réalité.

Il y a quelque chose de magique ici, et je pense qu’on peut tous le percevoir en entrant. On s’y sent bien, on s’y sent chez soi. Que l’atmosphère soit exubérante ou calme, elle est toujours joyeuse, comme si les murs nous renvoyaient nos sourires.

Chacun de vous tient un petit morceau de cette magie dans ses mains, et j’espère que vous ne le garderez pas uniquement pour vous, mais le partagerez et le répandrez comme un rire contagieux, (faisant ainsi le bonheur de ceux que vous rencontrez).

La mission de HappyTree est de créer une communauté dont les membres seraient en bonne santé, en bonne forme et pleinement conscients.

Notre première relation, la plus importante, est avec nous-mêmes et vous vous êtes tous engagés à l’explorer et à l’approfondir. Comme le Mahatma Gandhi a si bien dit « Vous devez être le changement que vous souhaitez voir dans le monde».

Merci de vous donner l’occasion de vous rendre service. Sans vous, HappyTree et tout ce que nous sommes ne seraient qu’une création de l’imagination. Avec vous, nous représentons l’espoir et l’inspiration d’un monde meilleur.

Chacun de vous m’inspire tous les jours à poursuivre ma vision, à relever le défi et à avancer. Merci. Puissions nous continuer à nous enraciner, à devenir fort, et à étaler nos branches encore de nombreuses années !

J’attends avec impatience de vous voir tous à la fête de HappyTree samedi prochain, pour célébrer sa deuxième année.

Melanie Richards
Fondatrice/Directrice du Studio de yoga HappyTree

PS. Le genre masculin est employé ici pour faciliter la lecture du texte.

HappyTree

2009-11-01T14:52:00.001-05:00

Étudiant du mois: Robert Dupont

2009-11-01T14:47:00.002-05:00

J’ai commencé à faire du yin-yoga il y a 18 mois à l’âge de 64 ans. Quand j’ai appelé le studio de HappyTree mon but était d’augmenter ma souplesse musculaire. J’aime le froid, l’exercice, les travaux d’extérieur et tout ce qui est d’effort au plein-air. Le yin m’a apporté la souplesse physique et mentale qui m’a permis d’être plus performant. Par exemple, mon premier signe de fatigue en vélo,surtout sur les côtes, était le mal de reins. Depuis un an déjà je n’ai plus ce mal, même après 4 et 5 heures de piste.
Lors d’une tournée de vélo en Abitibi en septembre dernier je faisais mes exercices de yin en attendant que le temps s’éclaircisse pour entreprendre 7 à 9 heures de route. Je me fatiguais, mais partout, pas particulièrement au dos. Le lendemain après une session de yoga et un bon sommeil j’étais toujours prime. Je pourrais raconté un tas d’anecdotes de mes randos de ski de fond et de marches en montagne que je fais surtout en hiver malgré que je suis un frileux. Mon fond de yoga améliore toujours la qualité de mes sorties.
Avouez aussi qu’on dort si bien après une bonne session de yin-yoga! Merci, Melanie de m’avoir si bien initié : ça fait du bien. Le yoga fait partie de moi maintenant et c’est un intérêt que je vais cultiver. Robert Dupont

Posture Clinic with Albert Bissada

2009-10-14T14:02:00.005-04:00

Deepen your yoga asana practice with Albert Bissada

This Saturday, October 17^th, 2009

2-4:30p.m.

Self-investment: $55 + tax

In this workshop, we will explore some of the keys to developing an insightful approach to the practice of yoga asana, such as using the power of intention to unlock the potential for spiritual awakening inherent in each pose.

We will overview some common postures, including the Sun Salutations and their variants, as well as some strengthening exercises to establish a solid foundation for an effortless progression into advanced poses. The emphasis will be on inversions, such as headstand (known as the King of all postures); the shoulderstand (the Queen of all postures); handstand for conquering fear and defying gravity; and the peacock feather, the forearm balancing pose.

Space is limited & pre-registration is required.
Reserve your place now by calling (514)846-YOGA.

Fun @ theMall

2009-09-03T17:19:00.004-04:00

We headed back to Alexis Nihon last Friday for our 2nd Annual HappyTree Day there. There were demos, classes, old friends, new friends, and some brave participants who walked on up and joined the HappyTree gang for a few poses.

Thanks to those who made it so much fun and such a success.

Click here for more pics of our day at the mall!

Free Classes @ Lululemon Greene Avenue!

2009-07-13T19:03:00.011-04:00

Free classes at Lululemon Greene Avenue with a few of your fave
HappyTree teachers!

We still have 3 classes coming up this month,
so come on down for some in -store yoga!

Tuesday, July 14

9 - 10 a.m

Yoga with Paul

Sunday, July 19

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Yin with Melanie

Sunday, July 26

9:30 - 10:30

Yoga with Albert

The store is located at:

1394 Avenue Greene

Westmount, H3Z 2B1

Click here for more information.

We Brought the Funk!

2009-06-23T16:04:00.010-04:00

HappyTree rocked the Virgin Mobile Music Festival last weekend! We spent the day listening to awesome tunes, spreading the joy, and holding classes in the grass.

We most definitely brought our happy homey vibe with us to the show; between classes people lounged and chatted with us, just like they would here at the studio!

We made some lovely friends, introduced yoga to a some good sports who'd never dreamed of getting on a mat, and reminded a few folks just why they fell in love with yoga to begin with. An amazing time was had by all.

With the bass, the cheering, the curious spectators and circus atmosphere, it seemed an odd place to seek center, but the exuberent joy and harmony of the people made openhearted union seem like the most natural thing in the world.

Thanks so much to the teachers & helpers for making it all happen (and for holding down the headquarters while we rocked out!), and thanks to all the lovely peeps we met

who smiled at the chance to try something new in the most unlikely of places!

Know somewhere we should bring the happiness to?

Call, write or comment

if you know of an event or group that could use a little HappyTree in their heart!

HappyTree's Going to the Virgin Music Fest!

2009-06-17T13:37:00.003-04:00

That's right! HappyTree Yoga's pitching a tent, and taking part in the First Montreal Virgin Music Fest at Parc Jean Drapeau this Friday & Saturday.

We'll be holding free half hour classes, doing demos all day, meeting, greeting and bringing some of our fab to the party. Just think: yoga in the sun with live bands in the background. I'm smiling already!

Coming out to the concert? Stop in and say hi, or join a class and get your yoga fix! Nothing beats running into familiar friendly faces at a huge outdoor event, so come get a hug!

Not planning on joining the party? Why not? What better way to kick off the precious Montreal summer than an outdoor show?

Click here to check the lineup, schedule, maps, and to score your last minute tix.

See you there!

New Goodies!

2009-05-28T16:44:00.004-04:00

We're glad to say that everyone seems to appreciate the quotes that find their way around the studio. Whether they're on the community board, in the locker room, tucked inside a box'o'wisdom marked simply "Open Me", or just some words we try to live by, these positive perspectives go a long way to brightening a blue mood, or just reminding you that you're on the right track.

Click here for a dose of brains and beauty, and enjoy our latest feature "Quotes From theTree", an archive of some of our fave wall quotes.

Wanna make your space more uplifting? Print them out and post them on your desk, mirrors, or even in your wallet to keep yourself strong & smiling.

Enjoy!

We're the Best! Thanks to You!

2009-05-16T14:35:00.007-04:00

The results for the Montreal Mirror's Best of Montreal 2009 Poll came out this week, and we're the #1 Independent Yoga Studio in Montreal (#2 overall).

We know we love it here: we practice here, we catch up with our friends and family here, we share meals, stories & laughter here. HappyTree has become an integral part of our lives.

The touching thing is that being voted the #1 Independent Studio in Montreal means that HappyTree has become an important part of your life too, maybe in even a part of your extended family. And we're tickled HappyTree purple to hear it.

(When we found out we jumped, smiling & screaming all over the studio...you know we did!)

We're proud to be more than just a place to practice, & glad to be part of your community, and your life.

In case we haven't told you lately:
you're stunning, & we love you right down to your toes.

Check out Montreal's other faves here BoM2009.
(Some of HappyTree's friends & faves made the list!)

Shoulder Clinic with Jodie Duplisea

2009-04-30T15:44:00.003-04:00

Show your shoulders some love!

This Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $50 + tax

The shoulders are the joints that have the greatest motion potential in our bodies. Physically, they allow us to stretch, lift, throw, pull and swing. Forming part of the heart chakra, they also show us how to handle intuition, hope, love and forgiveness. And when we are unbalanced, they hold on to resentment, loneliness, grief, anger and mistrust.

In this clinic, we will learn postures to release physical as well as emotional shoulder tension.

Jodie Duplisea began practicing yoga as a young child with her grandmother, in order to recover from a serious neck injury. Being a tomboy and chronic klutz, she returned to her grandmother several more times during her youth to heal from sports injuries, until finally realizing the benefits of having her own daily yoga practice.

Because of her first-hand experience with the healing benefits of yoga, Jodie is fascinated by its therapeutic effects and loves to pass on her knowledge to her students so that they may optimize their health as well. She has studied various natural health modalities, including different types of massage and several forms of yoga. She is currently studying dynamic osteopathy at Cera.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Please call

514.846.YOGA (9642)

to register.

Join Us On Facebook!

2009-04-18T11:03:00.003-04:00

Are you a friend of HappyTree or a curious friend-to-be admiring our smiles from a distance? Why not make it official and join the HappyTree Yoga group on Facebook?

You'll not only find pics and updates there, but you'll also get to be a part of our community. Have questions or suggestions? Post 'em! You may even find that some of your friends are already our friends too.

Just type HappyTree Yoga into your Facebook search bar. It's really that easy.

*Namaste.

FREE Class with Mark Laham @ Lululemon TONIGHT!

2009-04-17T14:56:00.012-04:00

Lululemon Presents a FREE CLASS with Mark Laham

Greene Ave. Lululemon

1394 Greene Ave., Westmount

Friday April 17

7 - 8pm

Join Mark THERE tonight,

and get a discount on his

workshop HERE tomorrow!

HappyTree's Picks for the Montreal Mirror's Best of Montreal

2009-04-16T14:28:00.008-04:00

A promised, here are 41 of HappyTree's fave things in Montreal. You only need 25 to fill out the ballot, so pick, choose, come up with your own, vote for your friends and pets, but please vote for us!!! Think of the karma points!

Montreal Mirror's Best of Montreal 2009 Ballot

Here's the link. You know what to do.

The best free thing to do in Montreal: Tam Tams

Tackiest Personality: Mose Persico

Best Neighborhood: Westmount

Best Local Radio Host: Richard Deschamps

Best Local Newscaster: Todd Van der Hayden

Best Blog: happytreeyoga.blogspot.com

Best Dance Club: Tokyo

Best Comedy Bar: Comedy Nest

Best Club DJ: Team Canada

Best Band / Heaviest Band: Priestess

Best Local Living Author: Leonard Cohen

Best Actress: Sarah Hansen

Best Festival: Jazz Festival

Best New Clothing Store: Lululemon

Best Hair Salon: Esthetica

Best Stylist: Mary @ Esthetica

Best Bagel: R.E.A.L. Bagel (Ste. Catherine & Greene)

Best Bar-BQ Chicken: Cote St. Luc Bar BQ

Best Burger: MBurger

Best Souvlaki: Souvlaki George

Best Used Record Store: Cheap Thrills

Best Musical Instrument Store: Steve's

Best Cinema (first run): AMC

Best New Bookstore: Nicholas Hoare Bookstore

Best Used Bookstore: Presque neuf

Best Bicycle Shop: Martin's Swiss Cycle

Best Yoga Studio: HappyTree Yoga Studio

Best Florist: Westmount Florist

Best Health Food Store: Rachelle-Bery

Best Head Shop: Boutique Rock

Best New Restaurant: Graziella

Best Cheap Eats: Claremont

Best Pricey Eats: Bronte

Best Late Night Eats: Le Meac

Best Breakfast: Tutti Fruiti

Best Greek: Souvlaki George

Best Middle-Eastern: Amir

Best Vegetarian: Aux Vivres

Best Indian: Pushap's

Best Non-Chain Coffee: Cafe Creme

Best Fromagerie: Foumagerie

Best Ice Cream: Bilboquet

Best Fruit/Veggie Stand: Atwater Market

Vote for Us!

2009-04-09T17:41:00.014-04:00

Just in time for our first taste of spring and (hopefully) the last relapse into snow, the Montreal Mirror has opened voting for their 20th Annual Best of Montreal, so get ready to rate your faves!

Last year we ranked 4th of the top 5 yoga studios in Montreal (thanks guys! We'd only been open for 6 months at the time!), and this time around we're ready to be Montreal's #1 yoga studio.

But we can't do that without your help! Show your love by voting!

The ballot covers everything from Best Looking Clientele to Best Fishmonger, so give shout outs to all your fave peeps & places. You need to fill out a minimum of 25 questions,

and in the event you don't have 25 favorite things in Montreal, let us know, and we'll tell you some of the things we think are so abfab.

HappyTree's more than just another pretty studio (though it is stunning!). Our clients already know that we feel yoga of all things should be holistic, inclusive, and fun. As a result, we know your name, we appreciate your smile, and we're touched that you choose to share your practice with us. Whether you love our classes, our tea, our parties, or the random fruits and baked goods that show up in our lounge, we hope that somehow HappyTree has brightened your life.

Please let the rest of Montreal know!

Montreal Mirror Best of Montreal Ballot

The deadline for entry is midnight, Friday, April 24th.

The results will appear in the Thursday, May 24th edition of the Mirror.

Kirtan with The Bhakti Connection

2009-04-09T17:01:00.005-04:00

Open Your Heart & Sing From Your Soul!

Saturday May 9th, 2009

6:00-7:30 p.m.

$12/person

Kirtan is an opportunity to experience Naad Yoga (the yoga of sound) and Bhakti Yoga, (the yoga of devotion).

Join The Bhakti Connection for an interactive gathering, creating blissful vibrations to open the heart. Elevate your consciousness through music, and connect with other voices from teh community.

All are welcome, and no experience is necessary.

Bring a friend! Every voice is welcome!

Call (514)849-YOGA (9642) to sign up now.

Room to Relax

2009-03-27T13:29:00.001-04:00

"It's always a pleasure to do yoga at HappyTree. With a bright and cozy environment, I immensely enjoy my practice and chatting on the couch with others, drinking tea. Yoga at the studio provides an energizing and relaxing break from my studies."

- Kylie Luska, Ph.D Candidate
HappyTree member since April, 2008

Stress Management Workshop with Mark

2009-03-21T11:15:00.013-04:00

A revolutionary approach to one of the biggest epidemics
of our times!

Join Mark Laham
as he breaks through the myths about stress,
and learn how to handle stress the MindBody Warrior way!

The truth of the matter is that most people don’t even realize they’re stressed, let alone understand the long-term effects that it can have on both their mental and physical health.

Stress, in-and-of-itself, is neither good nor bad. It is what you do with it that makes all the difference. Most people will tighten up, cut off their breath, and get all worked up and flustered when faced with challenges or stresses.

Let Mark teach you how to handle stressful situations with ease and turn them into an opportunity to thrive and grow on both a personal and professional level.

Material covered:

* How to identify stresses and tensions in your life.

* Tips on how to deal with them as they happen.

* How to identify the real causes of the stresses in your life.

* How to train yourself to stay calm, focused and in control during the most challenging of situations.

* Exercises to help strengthen your nervous system so that you can raise the threshold of how much your system can take.

If you are living in North America today, you can’t afford not to take this workshop!

Saturday, April 18th 3:00 -7:00 p.m. $89.00 + tax
Early Bird Special: pay only $79.00 + tx before April 4th!
Call 514-846-YOGA (9642) to register. Space is limited.

Click here for more about Mark Laham

Balance

2009-03-19T12:38:00.002-04:00

Balance, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Want to know more about our Corporate Yoga program?
Call (514)846-YOGA
or visit us at
happytreeyoga.com.

(High heels and laptop not included)

Finding center

2009-03-19T12:30:00.001-04:00

Coming to center, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Students take a moment to center themselves before practice.

Serenity

2009-03-19T12:28:00.001-04:00

Class, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Yogis love to let the sunshine in!

Have your cake & eat it too!

2009-03-19T12:25:00.002-04:00

Melanie Completes Her Challenge, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Melanie Halpert actually completed her personal challenge of "100 Classes in 100 Days" by doing 101 Classes in 90 days. She celebrates here with a well deserved cake, Melanie Richards (HappyTree founder & instructor), and instructor Albert Bissada.

She says:
"My experience at HappyTree Yoga Studio over the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Not only have I found my niche within a welcoming, nourishing community, but I have also transcended many self-limiting beliefs thanks to the excellent instruction I have received throughout my practice. When I reflect upon where I was when I first joined the studio and see where I am now, I am truly astounded by the transformation of my body, mind and spirit."

- Melanie Halpert
HappyTree member since October 29, 2007
279 Classes (& counting)

HappyTree Visits Westmount Square

2009-03-19T12:15:00.003-04:00

Wesmount Square: We LOVE HappyTree!, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

We brought the HappyTree vibes to Westmount Square in January '09, with two days of demos & giveaways.

Alexis Nihon: HappyTree @ the Mall

2009-03-19T12:10:00.004-04:00

Down dog...., originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

A public display of yoga at Alexis Nihon in fall 2008. We were all shy at first, but we had a great time! Mall yoga can be addictive!

Hangin' @ TheTree

2009-03-19T12:04:00.002-04:00

Hangin' @ TheTree, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

HappyTree peeps chatting & chillaxin' after class.

Taking Part

2009-03-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

Getting into the act, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Bringing yoga to St. George's High School

Flipping for Yoga

2009-03-19T11:42:00.002-04:00

Flipping for Yoga, originally uploaded by HappyTree Yoga.

Partner Yoga Workshop

Welcome!

2009-03-18T22:17:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new online home for the HappyTree Yoga community!

Whether you're a regular smiling face at the studio, looking to find a new place to unroll your mat, or new to yoga and looking for a starting point (and a mat!), you're in the right place.

All HappyTree classes are given on a drop-in basis, which means that you can try a class without ever having to commit to a style, a schedule, or a membership package. We do of course have Class Cards as well as Monthly and Annual packages.

Our teachers are skilled, approachable, dedicated people, eager to help you explore the joys of yoga on and off the mat, and our studio is a lovely oasis amid the concrete, only steps away from downtown.

What makes us special is the sense of inclusive and loving community that HappyTree offers. Smiles live here. Friendships have been planted at HappyTree, and grown well beyond these walls. Laughter and tears find safety here, in a place where it's understood that humanity is something that we truly are in together.

We have danced, sung, raised glasses and given out countless hugs since we opened in the fall of 2007, and we've certainly only begun.

Feel free to stop in for a class, a tour, a cup of lovingly homemade yogi tea, or just a moment of peace. We look forward to meeting you.

Visit us online at happytreeyoga.com, or call with any questions you may have at (514)846-YOGA.