Empowering Yoga

EMPOWERING YOGA  includes a variety of classes and private sessions, in-person and via video conference, designed for specific needs.  You can find the details under Class Schedule. Featured programs include:

• Yoga for every body – novice to expert
• Trauma-sensitive Yoga for Soldiers, Veterans, First Responders, therapists, caregivers, and family members
• Trauma-sensitive Yoga for stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD
• Restorative Yoga for deep release, relaxation and rejuvenation
• Yoga Therapy for chronic conditions, illness, injury or surgery
• iRest^® Guided Meditation for stress, trauma and overall well-being
• Mindfulness Meditation to create and support your personal meditation practice.

iRest^® (Integrative Restoration) is a profoundly transformative guided meditation practice that leads to lasting psychological, physical and spiritual healing by releasing long-held self-destructive patterns.  While the iRest protocol was developed specifically to serve trauma survivors in the military, it is applicable to anyone seeking inner peace, restoration and awakening.

WHO AM I? 

I am a Professional level registered Kripalu yoga teacher (E-RYT 500) with over 1000 hours of training. I’m also a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and am certified to teach Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Chair Yoga.  I have over 2000 hours of teaching experience.

I'm a Certified iRest^® (guided meditation) Teacher - one of only two in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. I’ve been leading iRest classes since 2014. I’m a meditation practitioner and I’ve also studied and taught other styles of meditation, including mindfulness.

I'm a Certified Warriors at Ease Yoga and Meditation Teacher. The Warriors at Ease program is designed specifically for military, veterans and first responders, therapists and care-givers. My interest in serving people who work in high-stress environments or who have suffered trauma led me to more advanced trauma-sensitive yoga teacher training with the Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute. I am the first to bring this approach to yoga to Ottawa.

For over six years, I partnered with the Ottawa Anxiety and Trauma Clinic, offering weekly Empowering Yoga classes. “We are grateful for the work of Lynda Pedley in filling an important gap in trauma-related services – the need to address the physical consequences of psychological trauma. The Ottawa Anxiety and Trauma Clinic is pleased to be able to host Lynda’s trauma-sensitive yoga program, as we believe it is an important complement to the mental health services that we provide.”

My private studio and garden offer ultimate privacy, security and safety in a serene and peaceful environment. I limit the size of my classes so that I can attend to each person’s unique needs and follow physical distancing guidelines. Most classes are by pre-registration only. Private Yoga Therapy sessions are also available.

Please contact me for more information and to register for a class. All inquiries are confidential.

BENEFITS OF AN EMPOWERING YOGA CLASS

Empowering Yoga is based on two key cornerstones of invitation and inquiry. By offering choice and encouraging curiosity, I guide you to connect with and reclaim your body in the present. All classes include mindful movement, breath awareness and iRest guided meditation.

• Develop proactive stress management skills so symptoms do not progress to post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Become more present by drawing awareness to the breath and body sensations, thus shifting attention from past trauma.
• Build a sense of self-empowerment, self-awareness and self-control.
• Develop a flexible mindset that can rise to meet day-to-day challenges and quickly return to a calm, relaxed state.
• Decrease hyper-vigilance and hypersensitivity to noise, crowds, movement, unexpected touch, and visually stimulating environments by increasing present moment body awareness.
• Improve the quality of sleep and attention to self-care needs such as nutrition, rest and recreation.
• Improve energy level to support meeting your daily needs and goals.
• Neutralize anxiety, fear, anger, depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN AN EMPOWERING YOGA CLASS

• In Empowering Yoga, I practice yoga as a way of becoming more friendly with your body
• I offer a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment
• I am a Certified Yoga Teacher and a Certified Yoga Therapist with specialized training in a trauma-sensitive approach to yoga. I’m also a Certified iRest Teacher.
• My presentation of yoga and meditation is NOT religious
• I cultivate strength, flexibility, balance and relaxation while encouraging participants to take care of themselves, listen to their own body and respond in a way that honours their unique experience
• I emphasize self-awareness and self-regulation through mindful breathing, rhythmic movement and guided meditation
• I do no hands-on, physical assists during yoga classes
• I discourage competition and encourage each person’s personal exploration of the postures and breathing practices for their own benefit.

Please contact me for more information and to register for a class. All inquiries are confidential.