Join Lindsey Edwards and her team of talented yogis for yoga sessions in the heart of Bala. You’ll find the Namast’ay in Muskoka studio and boutique right beside Don's Bakery in Portage Landing. There are morning, evening and mid-afternoon classes to suit everyone from beginner to advanced and of all ages. And no two classes are alike. No matter what your experience with yoga, you’ll discover something special within yourself with help from the gentle loving guidance and kindness of the Nasmast’ay yogis. Why you should practice yoga Yoga is known to have many healing powers. Some of the benefits you might notice right away are more flexibility, muscle strength, improved posture, better bone health, increased blood flow, increased heart rate, and a boosted immune system, to name just a few. You might not be aware of it, but yoga is excellent for health and wellness. For example, it helps prevent joint and cartilage breakdown, protects your spine and can lower cortisol (your stress hormone) levels. Maybe the best benefit: yoga is found to make you happier! Presently, there are classes offered every day of the week except Thursdays and Sundays. Please view our Calendar to find a date and time to join us. About Lindsey I began practicing yoga after a trampoline accident, where I severely tore the majority of the ligaments in my left foot. The following winter I suffered pain, misery and severe bouts of depression. At the time I was a snowboard coach, and instead of spending the winter on the slopes, I spent it on the couch. Had I had any type of consistent in home or studio yoga practice, my foot likely would have recovered much faster, or I would not have suffered such a wicked tear within the ligaments and tendons. My physiotherapist eventually got me working on some simple yoga asanas. The main one I remember was downward dog, as it aided in stretching my achilles tendon, while also supporting my hips, legs, and strengthening my upper body, and providing traction to my spine. Downward facing Dog is also a restorative yoga asana, which most people may not recognize as such. In the long run of my progression in practicing yoga, this one asana has firmly become my GO-TO position for healing all sorts of mental and physical ailments that want to creep in. On a greater whole, this is what yoga has done for my life. Healed, plain and simply, my body, mind and spirit. As far as I believe, there is infinite possibility for transcending your practice. Yoga offers such a wide variety of lineages, drawing on ancient philosophies, and is a proven science that has withstood the hands of time. My preferred Yoga in personal practice is Kundalini. There is a multi-dimensional approach with meditation, physical movement through asanas, and breath work or pranayama required that deepens and strengthens the immune system, my physical and mental health and prosperity. I am currently working into learning and incorporating Ashtanga Yoga as part of my own practice too. I am trained in teaching Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, which focus on physical poses, and teach a variety of breathing to enhance the postures and flow of yoga. All forms of yoga, and having a variety of yoga as part of your daily lifestyle are critical to surviving the modern world. It does work, all we have to do is look at the history of yoga, and how explosive it has become in the Western World, as well as experience it on a personal level on our own mats. I prefer to slide more into the spiritual and ancient traditions. I am learning the Sanskrit terminology, and getting more in touch with the ancient philosophy, including the traditions of the Yamas, Niyamas, & Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, that truly dictate the foundation of yoga and understanding the importance of intrinsic values and what it offers for the universe as a guide to living an integral and quality life. The path is freely given, and it really is the cheapest type of therapy going! All we have to do is show up with a an open mind and a willingness to participate, meeting our mat just as we are in that moment. Yoga truly has taught me about being honest with myself and others, and given me the chance to open and expand my wings, and further given me the strength to fly. It is gift of new life.