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The Studio
Renaissance Yoga and Ayurveda is located at 391
Ontario Street, in beautiful Cabbagetown.
We are easily accessible by public transit.
Please see the map below.
The building began its life as a doll factory in
the mid 19th century, and has seen numerous other usages
since.
We have renovated it to high environmental
standards, taking care to use salvaged and
renewable, and non-toxic materials.
Naturally lit, and gorgeously appointed, the
studio is beautiful with souring 14 foot
ceilings. Our third floor features a
private therapy room for Yogic and Ayurvedic consultations
opening onto a bamboo roof deck. In renovating our
building, we made
every effort to minimize our corporate
footprint, using salvaged materials whenever
possible, and taking full advantage of the
resources of the
Restore, the retail outlet of Habitat for
Humanity. Happily, many fixtures and architectural
elements purchased for our remodeling helped to
pay for low-income, sustainably-developed
housing.
The Shop
Our
reception area houses our retail section,
where you will find high-quality supplies for
Yogic living, including Ayurvedic herbal preparations for
cleansing, tonifying, and health maintenance, as
well as an excellent book store.
Some of the most
frequently requested and popular items in the
shop include:
Neti Pots
Tongue Cleaners
Triphala
Chyvanprash
Vata, Kapha, Pitta pacifying herbs
Ayurvedic massage oils
Ayurveda and Yoga Philosophy books
Yoga bolsters, straps and blocks
Read further about yoga
props and ayurvedic supplies below.
Shop and Studio Hours: The shop
is open by appointment (please call ahead) or
before and after classes. The studio is
open 30 minutes prior to and following each
class. Special Notice:
The shop will be closed for the summer (May 8 -
August 31) and reopen September 1 when we resume
our regular programming.
About: Yoga Props
It’s not
easy to restructure and stabilize the body
according to its highest possible symmetry and
function. Ideally, the bones will align and the
muscles will lengthen and soften naturally and
easily. Normally, however, many who begin asana
practice experience soreness as their tissues
release old patterns of chronic gripping that
contain physical and emotional toxins. And if
there is asymmetry, such soreness might travel
(often zig-zagging) through the body as one limb realigns at a
time. Our studio offers both physical props and
traditional herbal preparations for pacifying
this potential discomfort.
The Iyengar
tradition, from which we draw our alignment
influences, has innovated the use of wooden
blocks, canvas straps, bolsters, sandbags,
folding chairs and blankets. These serve to
support the body as it learns the symmetry and
dynamism of various postures. In our shop, we
carry Harmony biodegradable mats,
renewably-made Cedar blocks, and
D-ring straps, along with bolsters made here in Canada by Halfmoon Yoga Products.
About: Ayurvedic Herbs
It stands to
reason that reshaping, softening, and
revitalizing the musculature calls for some
nutritional aids to be used in conjunction with
a clean, healthy diet. The Hatha Yoga tradition
advises against the high-protein “energy”
supplements currently in vogue in our fitness
culture. Instead, we advocate the gentle and
sustained use of Ayurvedic herbs that stimulate
circulation, strengthen the ligaments, and
invigorate the digestive fire of the muscles and
bones so that they may cleanse and replenish
themselves. These herbs are generally warming
in nature, with high levels of plant collagen
that naturally feeds the elastic tissues. They
are available in our shop separately, in
compound form, or in confectionary herbal jams
called rasayanas (rejuvenators). The
descriptions of their origin, uses, and effects
should be clear from the literature on the
shelves. Feel free to ask us about their
application.
You'll find
all of the most common Ayurvedic herbal formulae
on our shelves: rasayanas (rejuvenatives), neti
pots, tongue cleaners, along herbal mixtures for
cleansing and specific ailments. Among the
unique products we carry are Rasayanas by Banyan
Botanicals and Circle of Health, including "Chyavanprash",
"Joint Support", "Bronchi Support", "Women's
Treasure", etc.
Clients of
Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic Consultation will be
able to purchase the bulk herbs and compounds
that have been recommended to them from our herb
dispensary. The most common of these herbs --
compounds such as triphala, trikatu, as well as
herbal aids for digestion and sleep -- are also
available.
About: Ayurvedic Massage Oils
Self-massage
is another traditional aid for your practice of
asanas. This can come in the form of a daily
practice before your morning bath, or in the use
of herbally-infused Ayurvedic massage oils. The
main oil used for muscular pacification is
Mahanarayan Oil, a sesame-based warming
massage oil infused with over 40 traditional
herbs. This oil is so potent in its
warming qualities that usually only a
tablespoon at a time is sufficient.
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