One such fabulous yoga teacher is
Brigitte LeBlanc (a fellow francophone!). A Facebook friendship
revealed that Brigitte not only gives back to her yoga community at
HYITP, she helps organize something called “Pop-up Yoga Halifax”.
It immediately made me think of Much Music's Pop-Up Video (all you
under thirties, non Canadians are missing out, seriously), and as
such I had to find out more.
The yoga world is weirdly sliding into
the exhibitionist category (Tara Stiles practicing in a glass,vehicular cube around NYC, yoga selfies in dangerous shoes and
clothing, yoga selfies in GENERAL). I find this sad because I like
the idea of subverting “the man” (whatever that really means) or
fine, just bringing something like yoga to the public sphere, but
these recent “yoga selfies” trend aren't my cup of tea.
Which is why Pop-Up Yoga is perfect.
The very premise of a spontaneous (yet planned enough in advance to
attend!), outdoor (and public, but organized for an actual practice
in beautiful spaces) and affordable yoga class in Halifax rocks. I
was a bit curious on how it works, and the why so Brigitte was kind
enough to answer a few questions for me (Merci!!).
If you live in Halifax, be sure to
check out her Facebook Page: Pop-Up Yoga Halifax
1.
What is Pop-Up Yoga Halifax? Pop-Up
Yoga Halifax is an opportunity to do yoga in a non studio setting, at
different locations throughout the city with an affordable cost of
$5. We believe that yoga should be fun and affordable, and with the
summer season upon us, it's a good way to get outdoors, breath in
deeply and feel the sun be pushed away by a gentle breeze on your
skin.
2.
What brought you to organize Pop-Up Yoga Halifax? One
day, Rebecca Blanchard (my partner in this project) and I attended a
drop in class which cost us $20 for a 45 minute class. We felt like
yoga had become an activity for the rich, and those who need it the
most (well...everyone!) should have access to it without breaking the
bank. We also thought it would be a great opportunity for both her
and I to get experience teaching without being hired at a studio. I
work as a massage therapist, she works as a nurse and we both love
yoga and wanted to teach in our spare time. We didn't want it to feel
like a job, but an offering to our community of yogis.
3.
What have been the challenges in organizing Pop-Up Yoga Halifax?
Just
like any project, you start with a concept and you roll with it.
Every step leads you to another and sometimes you need to take a step
back. The vision has shifted since we began, and is progressing in
ways that we are excited about. We asked two other teachers to join
us, which is incredible. It’s nice to work on this as a project and
have 4 teachers with different visions mix ‘em up together to get a
blissed out brainchild.
4.
So far, what has been your favourite moment during a Pop-Up Yoga
Halifax practice?
My
favourite moment so far has been our first class. It was a beautiful
day, we had a good group of people show up and I just really felt
like a proud mother of a beautiful newborn. Although child birth is
more painful then the process we went through to make this happen,
but you get the symbolism, right? Perceive and conceive
5.
What would you like to see Pop-Up Yoga Halifax become?
We
would love to offer Yoga classes within local businesses. I see us
offering classes in coffee shops, on rooftops, in art galleries, and
in conference rooms. We're hoping that once the weather gets cold,
that we may continue offering yoga throughout the city in fun
locations. We hope to partner up with festivals, and events. Maybe
even local dj's who would like to perform a set during a class, or
maybe a local whole food company would offer free samples to our
yogis. It's a great way to bring like minded folk together, and build
a healthy and happy community, while bringing something new to the
HRM.
5.
We love having you lead during YITP, you have such an open and
connected style. What has led you becoming a Yoga Teacher and what do
you feel is important in sharing the practice of yoga? I've
never been good at sports and I wasn't the athletic type growing up.
Being in the health care industry, being active is something that is
important to me and I feel that Yoga is suitable for anyone! It is
also very complimentary to Massage Therapy since it creates body
awareness. I always found myself offering stretches and strengthening
postures to aid in my clients dysfunction in their body. I wanted to
learn more, not only to deepen my practice, but to also empower my
clients to heal.
I
like creating a mind/body connection during my classes. Where is it
in your life that you can be more flexible, where is it that you
require strength? Challenging yourself in these postures go way
deeper then your superficial body. They translate into your
relationships, your reactions, and more importantly, they encourage
you to breath and be calm when faced with challenges. Yoga is a
moving meditation, and in my opinion a great yoga practice should
leave you feeling grounded, connected and inspired.
Body
glorification has been linked to yoga, and even though this comes
along with the package, and is a wonderful result of a consistent
practice, there is so much more to value when it comes to yoga.
6.
Besides yoga, what is/are your life passion(s)? I
love gardening and plants. I feel like I need a bigger home to
accommodate for the current jungle of plants that I live amongst. I
love creating vegan and vegetarian meals. I love DIY projects. I am
passionate about leading a life through a perspective of love. I am
passionate about people.
More
then anything, I am passionate about health care and about healing,
and the whole concept surrounding it. I believe in the bodies wisdom
to heal. I'm passionate about helping people and assisting them in
their process. I love learning about natural remedies, and
encouraging optimal health through nutrition. I am constantly reading
and learning about all things health care related. In September, I
will be opening up a clinic called "Anatomy: A Massage and
Wellness Centre" and feel like this will be a true creative
expression of that which I am passionate about.
Brigitte LeBlanc
Brigitte
has a lusty love affair with yoga. She began this beautiful
relationship back in 2004 when she took her first yoga class in
Canmore, Alberta. Even though it has been an on again and off again
relationship, she is now committed to her practice and has found a
soul mate for life. She has practiced in numerous locations around
the world, exploring what it means to truly know herself. She took
her month long, 200hr training in Guatemala. It was an unforgettable
journey which led her to her bliss. Brigitte is a Registered Massage
Therapist, a co-coordinator with Pop-Up Yoga Halifax and she is
currently enjoying the creative process of soon opening her own
clinic in the heart of Halifax. You can find out more from her
website www.brigitteleblancrmt.com
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