It was another successful season for the aspiring yogis and yoginis that practice the ancient art of yoga at Thrive Naturally.
Serena Arora, owner and instructor at Thrive Naturally, located east of the Hamlet of Lac La Biche, is having her last class of the year on May 2. The following night there will be an event called ‘Thrive & Cheese’ at Portage College’s McGrane Theatre — where there will be an informal get-together followed by a screening of the documentary Yogawoman.
Arora, who has taught yoga in Lac La Biche for the last eight years, said she is thankful for how the community has come out consistently to practice their downward dog, warrior, and gate poses with her week after week.
“I feel embraced,” Arora said. “I feel lucky to be able to share this gift with so many people in the community. I’m amazed every day — you see people you’d never think would be into yoga coming into the studio to practise.”
Besides her regular classes, the veteran yogini also worked with local schools, seniors, and children groups in the community — sharing her love for yoga and its physical and emotional benefits. Arora was also involved in the Live Life Better campaign, which encouraged residents to make local, sustainable choices. While her classes are wrapping up soon, Arora will still be sharing some of her love for yoga with her teacher-training class from June 29 to July 19.
The class will certify the students in International Yoga Therapy, which graduates can use to teach yoga all over the world. With guest instructors Celeste Stayn teaching functional anatomy and Dhara Shah focusing on ayurveda — an ancient Indian medicinal science — Arora calls the curriculum beneficial for a wide range professions and applications.
“Yoga therapy is based on the whole body: physical, mental, and spiritual,” Arora said. “So whether you’re in health, education, occupational or physical therapy, a nurse, teacher … it can be used as a technique for working with children or even as alternative, holistic approach for people facing illness.”
And Arora is also working on her first yoga DVD so her students will be able to continue their practice outside of her studio. Shot by local talent Darcy Plamondon, the DVD was filmed on Arora’s dock overlooking Lac La Biche Lake.
Looking back on her career, Arora — who first came to Lac La Biche from Calgary 15 years ago as a teacher at Dr. Swift Middle School — said she never thought yoga would be her full-time job in Lac La Biche.
“I used to teach in my basement — I never imagined I’d go to having my own full-on studio,” she said. “I feel blessed for the experience and I’m really grateful for all the support. I hope that it’s changed some lives — changed people so they can see from a new perspective. And that’s why I love my job, because I can see that change in people.”
For more information on the yoga teacher training or DVDs, call Arora at 780-213-CALM, or visit her website at thrivenaturally.ca.