YogaBuds Toronto

11/01/2021

Please join me online in YogaBuds 5-week yoga series on Monday evenings, 7-8:15 pm starting November 1. This class is for all levels. Once registered, you will be sent a Zoom link. Recordings are available if you are unable to attend a class.

As we move through the pandemic and re-enter into many parts of our lives that we have been apart from, it is very important to create a sense of grounding in order to access our center. If you are still new to the world of online yoga, please give it a chance - you might be pleasantly surprised!

www.yogabuds.com

09/19/2021

Check out my latest blog! I have never been more grateful for the incredible tradition of yoga to help guide me through the pandemic while providing palliative care for my mother.

Throughout the pandemic my husband and I have been living up north with my mother with whom I share a very deep and special bond. Our relationship is seeped in mutual appreciation, respect and love. This extended time together has been very poignant; I am incredibly humbled by this experience and gr...

03/15/2021

COVID, caregiving, cat and canine love, creativity, compassion… they all bring us into the moment and keep us there as long as we choose to fully embrace these moments, remaining quiet, focused and still. My yoga, pranayama, creativity and mindfulness practises deeply inform and improve my daily life and guide me towards the yoga practise of pratyahara, a state of inner stillness and withdrawal from the senses and the world.

When times are tough and they have been increasingly so as we have had to cope with the serious health issues of loved ones combined with the lockdown world that we are in, I am extra grateful for these practises. For pratyahara guides me to withdraw from the external world of sensations, and I am drawn inward to my inner locus of control. And it is here where I access my heart, my strength and my calm. Experiencing this with heartfelt presence and loving awareness stabilizes me in the moment, gives meaning and direction to my life, and carries me forward with greater ease, courage and acceptance.

# stillness

02/22/2021

With spring just one month away, all eyes are on the reopening of Ontario (31 of the 34 municipalities). As we realize how serious the implication of these variants are and fervently hope that Covid’s third wave won’t actually materialize, we can choose to switch our focus from the variants of concern to our pets and people of care!

The increase in pet fostering and adoptions over the past year illustrates how great pets are for mental health resulting in many benefits for both human and animal. Animals (and children) are our teachers for they are all about being present in the moment – a skill that we have all had to continually practise and learn over the past year.

Carving out special moments throughout the day to truly focus on our loved ones - our pets and/ or our humans - while with them and/ or when meditating, the anxieties created by the uncertainty of our times coupled by the dire predictions of what might soon come can be better managed. Mindful of our beloved pets and people, we adjust our lens with concentrated quality and sharpness of image and breathe into the loving space of our heart. We experience heartfelt presence, loving awareness, stillness and calm. And we discover that these small nuggets of single-mindedness can truly have considerable impacts.

Who do you hold in your heart? Why not commit to creating mindful moments throughout the day to meditate on your loved ones?
Please send and share your photos if you like.

-mindedness

02/17/2021

To thrive, a tree requires a strong and healthy root system and without that grounding and stability there can be no growth and transformation. Vrksasana, tree pose, is a wonderful symbol of the physical embodiment of grounding, stability and change. As we steady ourselves in vrksasana with mindful presence, we connect with our center and our inner point of stillness.

Balancing on one foot informs us that we are able to remain focused and steadfast in the midst of any turbulence. While rooting down we simultaneously engage in fully lifting and extending the trunk and arms, allowing us to access the spine and core. Mind, body and breath are balanced and any frayed elements are pulled in and knitted together into the center of one’s being. As we maintain a soft gaze and remain balanced in the pose, we are fully present in the moment with quietude and a single-minded focus.

Vrksasana is a beautiful and powerful pose for it enables us to experience feeling grounded, mindful, still, centered and aligned as we embrace the present moment which truly is the most precious thing there is.
Www.YogaBuds.com.


“If you are depressed, you are living in the past, if you are anxious, you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” –Lao Tzu

02/14/2021

Refresh your toolkit to help your clients cope with anxiety and self-regulation.

The Integrative Yoga, Mindfulness and Creativity for Anxiety and Self-Regulation course teaches yoga and mental health professionals methods for successfully guiding clients with anxiety towards pratyahara, a state of inner stillness, as well as mind-body integration and self-regulation.

Participants will develop a toolbox of techniques and tools to use with their clientele including asana, pranayama, meditation and expressive therapy. This course will focus on an exploration of four key therapeutic themes and includes a combination of lecture and experiential components. This is APD approved and offers 16 continuing education hours through IAYT.

Join Temmi Ungerman Sears, MA, ATR, C-IAYT, certified yoga therapist, certified Iyengar yoga teacher, and registered art therapist with over 35 years experience.

This unique online training program runs Friday March 5, 6-8pm, Saturday March 6, 9am-5pm, Sunday March 7, 9am-5pm.

For information or to register: https://www.yogabuds.com/coursesandworkshop

YogaBuds offers unique workshops and training sessions for yoga teachers, yoga therapists and wellness/healthcare professionals.

02/10/2021

Yoga, mindfulness and creativity have always been foundational to my personal and professional lives and the creative spirit has always inspired everything I do. Everyone has creative potential and carving out space and time for a creative activity every day is essential for health and wellbeing. My creativity and my intense innate desire to express myself released my artist’s soul. It emerged at a very young age and tool flight, like the butterfly borne of the chrysalis.

Studies show that there is a strong link between the arts and healing: the arts promote healing, coping, change, growth and transformation. The arts can also greatly help with physical, mental and emotional recovery on many levels, particularly by relieving anxiety and decreasing pain. Creativity leads to a new level of self-exploration, self-awareness and understanding, improved self-esteem, emotional expression, management of conflict, new connections and a greater sense of wellbeing.

A few years ago I made the butterfly painting for a wedding gift. The butterfly is a powerful symbol that is primarily associated with change and transformation. This symbol is personally significant for me because of my strong belief of the power of creativity in the healing process and my role in helping to facilitate change, transformation and healing for others. Many people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope and life - a perfect symbol for right now during Covid-19.

Is there a symbol that is meaningful for you at this time? How do you express your creativity?

To see more of my art:

02/03/2021

Join me for a new course! As a certified yoga therapist, certified Iyengar yoga teacher and registered art therapist, I will teach you how to work with the YogaBuds Trifocal Lens - Integrated Yoga, Mindfulness and Creativity - to help students and clients who are coping with Anxiety. Perfect for yoga and mental health professionals wishing to develop new tools and techniques for their toolbox! Successfully guide your clients towards pratyahara, the state of inner stillness and self-regulation. The course is also suitable for those coping with anxiety. There’s never been a better time to learn to combine and use these timeless healing traditions for improved health and wellness. Course dates: March 5-7, 2021. For more information and to register: yogabuds.com/coursesandworkshops.

02/01/2021

There’s no time like the present to prioritize your self-care! Join Temmi in this 4-week yoga series appropriate for all levels. Leave class with the positive healing effects of each practise and the beneficial residue of each pose. You will feel a greater sense of grounding, alignment, presence and stillness. Mondays, February 1 - 22, 7-8:15pm. For more information and to register: yogabuds.com/specialtyclasses. A Zoom link will follow.
Link in Bio

01/28/2021

A special Tech Neck Workshop for you and your family Saturday, January 30, 4-5:30 pm. $30.

Join me in this fun and meaningful workshop to develop greater awareness of your posture and learn strategies and asanas to improve it, as well as help with the detrimental effects of increased screen time and decreased activity due to the pandemic.

No previous yoga experience is necessary and all ages can participate. Workshop fee includes all family members.
Check out www.YogaBuds.com/specialtyclasses for more information

01/25/2021

A special Tech Neck Workshop for you and your family next
Saturday, January 30, 4-5:30 pm Are you hunched over most of the time? Starting to feel the effects of the pandemic and increased screen time in your body, maybe in your neck? Do you suffer from worsened upper back, shoulder or neck pain, muscle spasms or headaches? Even kids are prone to these symptoms. Join me in this workshop to develop greater awareness of your posture and learn strategies and asanas to improve it and to help heal your pain, stiffness and other postural issues. Don’t wait until you or your kids have developed a chronic condition! No previous yoga experience is necessary and all ages can participate. Workshop fee includes all family members. Go to www.YogaBuds.com/specialtyclasses for more information.

01/25/2021

I am really excited to launch my new course for the International Association of Yoga Therapists called Integrative Yoga, Mindfulness and Creativity for Anxiety and Self-regulation. I am so gratified to be able to share with others some of what I believe are the most important aspects of the yogic healing journey. This course is for yoga therapists and teachers and mental health professionals to develop a toolbox of skills and techniques to help their clients who are coping with anxiety. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about my course or in registering for it. https://www.yogabuds.com/coursesandworkshops

01/02/2021

Happy New Year! What better way to start the new year than with yoga, mindfulness and creativity in my 4-week yoga series starting Monday? Please consider checking it out and participating in it - its a great way to learn new skills, move your body and improve well-being to help manage these challenging times.

All new students are welcome! For more information and to register https://www.yogabuds.com/specialityclasses

11/29/2020

Although I had to close my studio doors at the start of COVID-19, I am very grateful to be able to still teach and connect with my students virtually. Since the spring, I have been offering 4-week Yoga Series online to encourage students to get on their mat to stretch and move, and to find inner stillness, balance and calm by doing something positive for themselves during these challenging times. ⁣
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I will be offering one more 4-week series before the Holiday break. Please join me! Let’s move our bodies, quiet our minds, and learn yoga & mindfulness techniques as we practice self-care together. ⁣
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Registration is super simple: ⁣
Email me at temmi@yogabuds.com ⁣
Once payment is processed, you will be sent a zoom link ⁣
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All are welcome! Please reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to practicing with you. ⁣
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Temmi ⁣
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11/28/2020

It's always darkest before the dawn - new blog post is up! Please check it out. I hope it will provide you with some helpful ideas to get through the latest lockdown.

Namaste,
Temmi

https://www.yogabuds.com/post/it-s-always-darkest-before-the-dawn

One of my very favorite expressions is: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” Someone had shared this phrase with me during grad school. I was experiencing the impact of self-isolation while writing my master's thesis which included reading eighty books in eight months. Fast-forward 35 years ...

10/06/2020

Looking for a fun and different Thanksgiving family activity? 🍂🍁YogaBuds is offering a special virtual Family Yoga & Art Workshop. ⁣⁣
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As a registered art therapist and Iyengar yoga teacher, I will guide you and your family through a sequence of partner yoga poses, mindfulness practises and a shared art activity. ⁣⁣🎨
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You will experience a deep and joyful connection between family members! Don’t miss this special opportunity to express gratitude and love in a unique way.⁣⁣
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All ages welcome and grandparents too! To learn more, click here: https://www.yogabuds.com/specialityclasses. 🧘🏼‍♂️💓
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10/02/2020

Right now community, connection and movement are so important for our wellbeing. Join me in my 4-week yoga series to learn and refine new skills to navigate the challenges we face today, and to do a little something for yourself. ⁣
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This series will include: ⁣
- Yoga asanas and deep stretching ⁣
- Pranayama (breathing exercises) ⁣
- Mindfulness ⁣
- Mind-Body integration ⁣
- Opening the heart ⁣
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All level and ages welcome. Classes begin October 7 (next Wednesday evening). Please contact me if you are interested in participating and click here for more information: https://www.yogabuds.com/specialityclasses.
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Namaste, Temmi ⁣
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09/29/2020

As we continue to manage and navigate the enormity and uncertainty of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to prioritize your self-care.

YogaBuds is offering online classes and workshops starting October 3rd. For more information click here: https://www.yogabuds.com/specialityclasses