Yoga

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Hot Shopping: Now Open: Yoga Public

From the enterprising minds of Ida Albo and Rick Bel—the power couple behind local luxury retreats The Fort Garry Hotel and Ten Spa—comes Yoga Public, Canada’s largest yoga facility. Every detail has been considered inside three massive studios. Cutting-edge air filtration maintains optimal oxygen and humidity levels and an infrared heat system warms bodies from the inside. Drop-in classes run virtually every hour and cater to all skill levels. Classes include TRX (suspension strength and flexibility training), classic vinyasa and ashtanga yogas and hot classes, among other options. Complimentary water, herbal tea and Wi-Fi in the pre-class lounge creates spa-like ambiance. After class, yogis can relax in one of eight rain showers or primp at one of many blow dryer-equipped vanities without breaking from a zen state of post-yoga bliss. 280 Fort St, 204-947-9642.

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for March 2 to 4

This photo shows actors from Orpheus Musical Theatre Society rehearsing for "Rent."

Friday, March 2
Orpheus Musical Theatre brings its rendition of the Tony Award-winning Rent to the stage. Based on Puccini’s La Bohème, this rock opera follows a group of young, struggling artists trying to make it in New York City. Gritty and modern, the friends face challenges that range from relationships to money to the health threat of HIV and AIDS. See why the musical lasted 12 years on Broadway when this local theatre group takes on the show. (And don’t be surprised if you start humming songs like “La Vie Bohème B” and “Seasons of Love” and dreaming of running away to the Big Apple.) Opening tonight and running until March 11.

In 1971, Pink Floyd played two shows in Quebec, one in Montreal and one in Quebec city, for the first time ever. Celebrate the 40^th anniversary of these legendary concerts with the 2011 travelling show Eclipse – The Pink Floyd Story, on at Casino du Lac-Leamy. This commemorative performance demonstrates the band’s evolution, with a live band performing the best of Pink Floyd from the early days to the later years. Moving lights, spectacular lasers, and video projections make this a complete sensory experience.

Enter the musical universe of Kyssi Wète this Friday at the National Arts Centre. Wète mixes the sounds and rhythms of blues, reggae, rumba, soul, raga, and pop to transport his audiences somewhere between France, Jamaica, and the Congo. Using human diversity and relationships as his inspiration, he relays messages of interracial harmony with his unique voice.

Saturday, March 3
Celebrate International Women’s Week on the opening day of the Celebrate HER Charity Music and Art Festival. The festival celebrates outstanding women in the Ottawa community with a week full of art, music, dance, theatre, and spoken word poetry. Check out this year’s centrepiece: the “Amazing Women-Femmes d’exception” photo installation at Alpha Soul Café, which includes women such as University of Ottawa professor Constance Backhouse and children’s author Naomi Guzman Poole. (more…)

Hot Shopping: Work It Out with The Bar Method

Tone and sculpt with The Bar Method

The holidays are over, but your expanded waistline—thanks to the extra slices of pumpkin pie—doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to disappear. Stick to your new year’s resolution and fight the fat with a class at The Bar Method. Each hour-long class uses techniques from yoga and Pilates, along with the ballet barre, for an all-around aerobic treat.—Jennifer Patterson

837 Beatty St., 604-681-6188, http://vancouver.barmethod.com

Hot Entertainment: Serenity Now

Waterfront Yoga at Canada Place

Even if you don’t know a dosha from a chakra, you’re welcome to practice your poses during Waterfront Yoga at Canada Place (to Sep. 19). Not only can you work on improving your body while gazing at the scenery, but you can work on improving your soul, too: proceeds from the program help feed local children.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Shopping: Fitwear

Bhavana Yoga Lifestyle Store on Quinpool Road.

What do you get for the yogi who has everything? Odds are good you’ll find it at Bhavana Yoga Lifestyle Store on Quinpool Road. It boasts Canadian made yoga clothing, books, mats, yoga inspired jewellery and clothes, aromatherapy services and earth-friendly gifts.

Weekend Roundup: Best Bets for April 1 to 3

Photo credit: Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc.

Friday, April 1
Your whole family can enjoy the special brand of basketball served up by the Harlem Globetrotters in their “4 Times the Fun” world tour at Scotiabank Place. Known for their hilarious hijinks, this teams combines athleticism with comedy and theatre, putting on a show that’s rife with fun and, of course, mad skills.

Saturday, April 2
Couples looking to get hitched — or those who can’t resist a good gathering of gowns and flowers — will find an endless list of ideas for their nuptials at the Ottawa Wedding Show at Lansdowne Park. At this free event, experts provide advice on checking out reception venues, how to avoid costly mistakes, deciding on whom to invite, and other concerns of the newly-engaged. There are also fashion shows, seminars, a wedding gown sale, and more.

Coppélia by Ballet Jörgen. Photo credit: Linda Schettle.

A lonely toymaker longs for a wife, so he creates a life-sized doll. But unbeknownst to him, a local villager falls in love with the beautiful creation, causing the young man’s spurned sweetheart to cloak herself in the doll’s clothes and trick him into thinking she’s come to life. This is the exquisite world of Coppélia, a dreamy retelling of the comic love story as imagined by the contemporary Ballet Jörgen. (more…)

Hot Shopping: Perfect Fit

Sure, that holiday bingeing was fun but now it’s time to whip your butt back into shape. And you might as well look good doing it. You’ll find a unique selection of Canadian-made fitness wear at Bhavana Yoga Lifestyle Store on Quinpool Road, as well as accessories and gifts for casual practitioners and devoted yogis.

Hot Entertainment: Life’s a Beach

Kitsilano Beach photo by KK Law

Surf, sand and sky meet at Vancouver’s Kitsilano Beach, a haven for sun worshippers and yoga enthusiasts that was recently named one of North America’s top 10 sexiest strips of sand by Forbes Traveler. Great weather continues into September, so be sure to pack a picnic lunch, a swimsuit and a good book. Athletic types enjoy impromptu volleyball games, kids splash around Kits Pool and beach bunnies soak up the sun while angling their shades at the spectacular mountain views. It doesn’t get any better than this.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Entertainment: The Max in Relax

Local yogi Eoin Finn sets up a relaxation site similar to this outside Vancouver Public Library

Local yogi and blissologist Eoin Finn wants to help you relax through hammock enlightenment: sit in a hammock for five minutes a day. On Jul. 6, Finn is setting up a spontaneous relaxation site outside downtown’s Vancouver Public Library. Drop by between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to chill out. Who knew relieving stress could be so easy?—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: Say “Om”

Photo courtesy Pursuit of Happy Hips DVD

Don’t let the words downward facing dog and scorpion pose frighten you: they’re yoga terms. Lululemon turned athletic apparel into trendy everyday attire, while Halfmoon worked together with students and teachers to produce high-quality mats. Sweat with the best at Bikram’s Yoga College or Westcoast Hot Yoga. The Pursuit of Happy Hips DVD ($24.99) features over four hours of poses, was filmed locally and is available at Lululemon. Namaste.—Jennifer Patterson