Have you ever tried to get your partner out to yoga with you? Or, are you and your partner both avid yogis? In either case, it just might be time to try Contact Partner Yoga at YYoga:
The vision for Partner Yoga comes from the literal translation of the word yoga, which means union in Sanskrit. If yoga is union, then the perfect expression of uniting through yoga is in practicing with a partner. It is an athletic practice that can involve impressive displays of balance, strength and flexibility. Partner Yoga can also be as simple as sitting on the mat with another person, and the relationship similarities will begin there.
Both partners can gain awareness of their willingness to trust, and the ability to literally and metaphorically carry someone else’s weight. Therefore it is important to switch roles and take turns in each position. There are enough pose variations to negate any height or weight differences that might otherwise provide an excuse not to experiment.
Chris Brandt and Teresa Campbell will be leading Partner Yoga workshops called “Yoga Date Night” on February 14th and 16th. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the South Granville YYoga location you can experience partner yoga along with Thai massage for $40 each before tax.
Chris has offered up two spots in the workshop on February 16th, here’s how you can win your way in:
Leave a comment here naming why you would like to go with your partner (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win your way into #ContactPartnerYoga @YYoga from @TravelDiaries & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/hcyXa
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm next Monday, February 4, 2013. Learn more about YYoga’s variety of yoga classes and workshops by following them on Facebook and Twitter. Follow Contact Partner Yoga specifically on Facebook as well.
The We Create Change penny drive was launched last year to support clean water projects around the world. It is an initiative of Free the Children, the presenters of We Day which encourages school kids to get involved in their community, and also help their community assist others.
4 water jugs filled with pennies equals $500. That’s enough to provide clean water to 20 people for life.
Why Water? Every day, women around the world spend a cumulative total of 200 million hours collecting water for their families. 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation. This year, in recognition of the global water crisis and the effect that events like last year’s East African drought have on developing countries, Free The Children has set a goal of providing 100,000 people with clean water for life. Free The Children’s We Create Change campaign, made possible by RBC, is one of Canada’s largest penny drives. Coinciding with the penny going out of circulation, we are challenging Canadians to donate their pennies to an important cause: water. Officially launched in 2012, this campaign shows that pennies can create a lot of change.
In February, as the Royal Canadian Mint official begins to phase out the penny, the We Create Change program is hosting Penny Drop-Off Week across the country. From Monday, February 4th to Saturday, February 9th, join Free The Children and RBC in giving the penny a special send-off. During this week, Canadians are invited to bring in their pennies (in any amount, in any kind of container) to any RBC bank branch across the country.
The second annual Stop Bullying Film Contest in Surrey is underway as students from grades 6 to 12 are invited to submit a 30 or 60 second film that identifies types of bullying, the impact that bullying has on people, and solutions to the problem.
The judging panel was recently announced and it includes Mayor Dianne Watts, Surrey RCMP Chief Superintendent Bill Fordy, Holly Conway, Jonny Staub, Nira Arora and Amy Beeman (Beat 94.5 morning show), Elise Estrada (award-winning popstar/actress) and Johanna Ward (host of Shaw TV’s go! Vancouver). The panel will select the top three films in each category: Junior (Grades 6 and 7), Intermediate (Grades 8, 9 and 10) and Senior (Grades 11 and 12).
Youth are encouraged to find actors, write scripts, improvise, and make their short film at 720HD or above. Per YouTube’s rules, copyrighted music cannot be used in the film. The three winning videos from last year are posted for inspiration.
Submission deadline is February 8, 2013 and the winning film in each category will be announced on Pink Shirt Day on February 27, 2013.
The contest is a partnership between the City of Surrey, Surrey RCMP, CUPE 402, and the Surrey School District. For more information, please visit the Stop Bullying Film Contest online and follow Surrey Youth Services on Twitter and Facebook.
Seven months after John and I were married in 2006 we conducted our first band interview together. Using my blog as a written outlet and our music podcast for publishing the audio, the trend continued over the years. However, we’ll never forget the first time we were ushered through the back hallway of Richards on Richards to hang out with Jim Ward from Sparta. We talked about music, sushi, Vancouver, and the show he and Matt Miller (bass), Keeley Davis (guitar), and Tony Hajjar (drums) were about to rock out for us.
The following spring, we interviewed Keeley in the green room of the Commodore Ballroom – another first for us – and about a year later Sparta went on an indefinite hiatus. Some of the members worked on other projects like Sleepercar (Jim Ward) or Denali (Keeley Davis) and reunited old bands like At The Drive In (Jim Ward, Tony Hajjar).
After announcing an ‘awakening’ in 2011, the whole band came together and returned to the studio in early 2013. They are now setting out for a Canadian tour, with Whistler and Vancouver being the first two stops. Learning this news, I knew I had to connect with the band to talk about their return so I arranged a call with Matt Miller to chat about his time off, the return to the studio, and hitting the road once again. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
BC will have its first Family Day stat holiday on Monday, February 11, 2013 and with that comes the scramble for activities and events to keep all those with time off from the office or school occupied. In anticipation of the new holiday, local attractions have been posting special offers for families to enjoy together:
Vancouver Giants Family Day Game
The Vancouver Giants take on the Portland Winterhawks at 2:00pm at the Pacific Coliseum. TELUS is sponsoring Family Day festivities that include autograph sessions, live music, interactive games, colouring, popcorn, hot chocolate, and more — all included with your game ticket.
Vancouver Aquarium for Family Day
The Vancouver Aquarium will be open extended hours all weekend and on Monday the 11th for Family Day including the new exhibit “The Secret World of Sharks and Rays” that opens February 7th.
Parks Canada Free Entry for Youth Parks Canada sites across the region will have free entry for youth 16 years old and younger on Family Day and throughout the weekend (February 9 to 11, 2013). The sites include Fort Langley National Historic Site, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, and Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.
BC Sports Hall of Fame
Enjoy half price family admission to the BC Sports Hall of Fame (Gate A at BC Place) on Family Day. Special activities will include colouring, scavenger hunts, random free membership draws, and all that the hall has to offer like the 2010 gallery and the participation zone with a climb wall, track, kick ball, and more.
Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square
Join Juno Award winners Said the Whale at Robson Square and enjoy other musical performances, face painting, a hockey shoot out, educational activities from Britannia Mine Museum, the Royal BC Museum, Science World and more. Ice skating is always free but there will be free skate rentals on Family Day too. Activities and events inside the gallery and out in the square will take place 11:00am to 7:00pm.
Vancouver Lookout Family Weekend
The Vancouver Lookout is hosting a Family Day weekend of events that include scavenger hunts and orienteering. Hours will be 9:00am to 9:00pm from Saturday to Monday that weekend.
Family Day at the Carousel in Burnaby Burnaby Village Museum is hosting Family Day at the Carousel from 11:00am to 2:00pm, a special program for youth and children. Play with creations of a balloon artist, get creative with a children’s art activity, join in some heritage games, and have unlimited carousel rides! Drop-ins are welcome provided there is space. Pre-register to avoid disappointment. $6.50 per person ($7.28 with taxes).
Local Mountains for Family Day
Many BC ski resorts are offering up Family Day promotions. Locally, Mount Seymour is hosting a Family Day contest, Grouse Mountain is having a pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, scavenger hunts, snow painting, and offering 50% off lift tickets (for BC residents) and general admission. Whistler Blackcomb, Mount Washington, and Sun Peaks are also offering 50$ off lift tickets (for BC residents).
New Westminster
The City of New Westminster in partnership with the Fraser River Discovery Centre, School District #40 and RiverMarket, are offering the following Family Day activities and entertainment from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Fraser River Discovery Centre: Mike’s Critters (see live animals such as parrots, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles & more), ExploreGreen (an environmental educational arts & crafts program), Youth Lounge (featuring video games, table top games and more for ages 11 and up), New Westminster Museum & Archives programs & artifacts, guided tours on Samson V, outdoor sports for all ages on boardwalk (weather permitting), a variety of youth musicians, fitness participatory demonstrations, magic shows, CoCo the Clown, children’s meal specials at RiverMarket food vendors. The first 50 families to arrive will receive gift certificates for local services and products. Free parking will be available on the Front Street Parkade.
Richmond
The 5th annual Children’s Arts Festival in Richmond will be happening on Family Day at the Richmond Cultural Centre from 10:00am to 4:00pm following an opening ceremony at 9:45am. There will be Creativity Classes led by accomplished artists in the realm of dance, musical theatre, puppet making, cartooning, animation, circus, and more. Eric Litwin, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Pete the Cat picture books, will share musical stories for kids of all ages. Pre-registration is required to meet Eric Litwin ($10 per ticket) and to attend Creativity Classes ($10 per class). Book online or call 604-276-4300. Registration includes a wristband that provides access to performances and many fun, hands-on Imagination Stations to explore origami, balloon twisting, and more. In addition, wristbands give free admission for families to skate at Minoru Arenas and swim at Minoru Aquatics Centre. Wristbands can be bought separately on site for only $5.
Should you know of any other Family Day events and activities, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me with the details.
