Yoga Tree Event

This Thursday I will be attending the Yogatree opening event! This event will be to raise funds for the Canadian Red Cross. I discovered yoga in Japan and am glad that I did. Funnily enough, I practice a lot at home but have only attended a few classes at different studios in Toronto. I have found that I miss practicing in Japan, but I am excited to try a few classes at Yogatree! Yoga is a great way to strengthen and learn how to relax in your daily life and under high pressure situations. I had the privilege of interviewing the owners, Jason Lu and Debbie Fung, about yoga and the new Yogatree location on Spadina and Richmond.

Can you talk about how Yoga Tree came to be and about minimizing your carbon footprint?

Debbie: Being green is in the roots of Yoga Tree's philosophy. Debbie's educational background includes a double major in environmental studies and business so it makes eco-sense for us to implement green initiatives to our studios. For instance, we are the only studio in Toronto to have a 12 feet indoor living green wall to help regulate temperature and reduce carbon footprint. The indoor green wall which includes plants such as creeping janes, Irish moss, monkey paws (and even parsley) helps improve local air quality, both by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and by trapping dust and other pollutants.

In addition to this, our studios only use VOC-free paint, reclaimed building material, FSC certified forest wood panels and environmentally friendly cork flooring.

To cut paper usage - we use laminated student wavier forms to cut down the amount of paper use by 40%.

How did yoga change your life and what are the benefits to those reading who have never tried it?

Jason: I suffered from a bad shoulder injury and yoga helped gain back my range of motion and flexibility. I've learned to stay in the present moment thereby eliminating all the little things that stress people out from day to day.

What is your favourite type of yoga?

Debbie: Although there are benefits to all branches of yoga, I’d have to say that my favourite type of yoga is Hot Yoga. The benefits of doing yoga in a room heated to 38 degrees are manifold, beyond the weight loss benefits that it has become most popular for. Physically, hot yoga provides a deeper stretch, greater flexibility, and improves the metabolism and digestion. Working in a hot room encourages focus on the breath, which in turn improves mental concentration and calms the mind. Furthermore, hot yoga provides a detoxification through sweat, flushing out toxins and rejuvenating the entire body. After every class, you leave feel stronger, more flexible, often tired but always totally refreshed.

How can yoga help students?

Debbie: Yoga has the ability to reconnect you to your body, mind and soul. When you move from posture to posture, focusing on your breath, calming your mind and keeping balance, there arises a profound connection that is often lacking in other areas of our life. Ailments such as anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping, just to name a few, arise from the detachment many people feel from themselves in the Western world. Yoga focuses on existing in the present moment and in a completely self-contained space – not interested in past or future endeavors, or competing with those around you. This provides a much needed reconnection and grounding, allowing the body, mind and spirit to relax and let go. The peace that yoga offers often gets carried with you after you leave the mat, extending into all areas of your life and truly changing the way you feel and live.

What is one of your favourite memories of doing yoga? Whether in a different location or with a special instructor?

Jason: That would definitely be when Debbie and I were traveling and training in India - I went to tour the Agra Fort. We found a little part of the palace that was empty and quiet from all the other tourists and did a mini practice. Practicing in a place with such historic significance and spiritual energy gave us a new perspective on life.