The September’22 – June ’23 season at DOWNdog was brought to a close on June 23rd for the summer holidays. The studio will reopen on September 11th, ’23!

Roxanne Joly and Mike Dynie without fail continued to offer, throughout the season, excellent practices that were conducive to a wonderful relaxation experience and much more. Roxanne‘s students will confirm that they are now indeed the fortunate bearers of great wisdom. Students in Mike‘s classes explored, in creative and sometimes challenging ways, how to open the body and find that beautiful mind/body/connection every time by using and staying connected to the breath.

We had a somewhat slow start in September, but then, when we moved into the New Year, a Friday morning class was added to accommodate the higher demand. In September, an additional Monday morning class will be added.

If you are interested in registering, please send me an email at: yoga.downdog8@gmail.com and specify which class/es you would be interested in registering for. This does not commit you in any way.

Payments are due any time before September 1st 2023.

As of June 23rd, you are requested to send all emails and payments related to DOWNdog to the following NEW email address:

yoga.downdog8@gmail.com

On a final note, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Roxanne and Mike for their continued generosity and commitment. I would also like to thank each of you for supporting me in my humble venture. Your support means a lot.

Roxanne, Mike and I look forward to seeing you in September!

Have a great summer everyone!

Jocelyne and Dr. Jake

http://www.downdogyoga.ca

Summer is just around the corner and what better time than now to hone our strength and flexibility for all those summer sports we look so much forward to!

Wanting to start practicing yoga on our own is wonderful! But sometimes slowing down is not so simple! We are always, it seems, wanting to be on the move. Especially now that spring is here.

If we’re not moving, we’re not doing. That’s what society dictates. A society that often can lead to unhealthy habits and stress. The stillness that yoga brings counteracts stress. Brings much needed BALANCE to our life. I could go on and on about the myriad benefits of yoga. But what it boils down to is taking the FIRST STEP. Just starting.

This NEW class is sure to bring so much to your life! You have nothing to lose and so much to gain! Guaranteed that you will love this class taught by Mike Dynie.

For those of you who are not familiar with the studio, DOWNdog is  a home yoga studio in the heart of Manor Park at 8 Bedford. It is local, non profit and community oriented.  It is going into its 6th year!  Its success would not have been possible without your continued support.=

Two years ago, in 2021, DOWNdog welcomed Michael Dynie. Mike is considered by many to be one of the TOP yoga teachers in the Ottawa region. He taught me my YTT-200 course at Upward Dog.   He not only kept me motivated (when I wanted to give up) but he did so much more. He helped me fall in LOVE with yoga!  This Spring Mike will be teaching two All Levels classes on Monday evenings!  Both classes have proven to be very popular.

Roxanne Joly needs no introduction.  She came to teach at DOWNdog in 2022.  She has taught for over 23 years in the MP community!  I asked a new student who recently registered for the Wednesday morning Gentle Hatha class if she knew Roxanne. She wrote back and said, “Yes I do! Roxanne taught me…. it must be close to 20 years ago.  It’s nice to be back!” Looking ahead, Roxanne is hoping to teach a NEW class, Move and Breathe, Monday mornings, in the fall. (A class that was very popular among students at Kalyanna!

Michael will also be teaching the  NEW Friday morning class. It is Gentle Hatha and suitable for all levels. The emphasis will be on positivity and how positive energy, positive thinking, trust or faith if you will, go a long way towards helping us heal and restore balance to our lives.   This class will help you restore much needed grounding, connecting and uplifting energy. 

Four classes to choose from!  Something for everyone!

To register for the Spring Session!

• Email jocelyne.campbell@gmail.com to  indicate which class/es you would like to register for.
• An email confirmation will then be sent to you.
• To secure your space, payment is made via e-transfer. (or cheque/cash)

downdogyoga.ca for rates, class descriptions, testimonials

Registration for the Winter Session opens today! Classes start January 9th!

Dear friends and neighbours,

I am thrilled to announce the beginning of the Winter Session at DOWNdog! The Spring Session was a great success! The classes were full (7 students +). There seems to be every indication at this time that the Winter Session will be equally well attended! Thank you so much for your support. I

There will be 4 classes to choose from in 2023! Something for everyone. The classes welcome all levels of students. The small classes, the close rapport between teacher and student, makes it the ideal place to start.

And for the veterans, the teachers will always provide creative sequences with intermediate or advanced variations (as needed) to ensure you are challenged!

Starting yoga with experienced teachers is so important. They will ensure that your practice is at your level and safe. They will give you the confidence to challenge yourself but, at the same time, to adopt the “less is more” dictum when needed.

Roxanne Joly, Michael Dynie and myself are the teachers at DOWNdog. I cannot say enough about Roxanne and Michael. They are among the TOP teachers in the Ottawa region. How fortunate is that!

If you would like to try a class before Christmas, let me know. If I have space you would be most welcome. Classes end December 14th.

Finally, I know myself, as much as I love yoga, it is not always easy to go to my mat. I often find something else that will attract my attention. But one thing is certain, “I never regret the yoga.”

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who either via supportive text messages or emails, or by registering for a session, or coming to the occasional drop-in! have made it all possible. And more.

I am very excited to announce the re-opening of DOWNdog for the 2022-2023 season! The studio is a warm and welcoming haven where students will immediately feel at ease. The home studio is very fortunate to have two of the TOPmost teachers in the Ottawa region: Michael Dynie and Roxanne Joly.

Mike Dynie, in one of the emails he sent me, wrote, “The studio is the kind of studio I always wanted to teach at. It offers the opportunity for me to connect with the students in a way I have never been able to do in other studios.”

“I enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the small studio. I especially enjoy the chats that I have with the students after the class. Sharing topics that I feel passionate about with students is very special to me.” Roxanne Joly

I myself, started teaching yoga in 2012. I taught in three different venues: the Athletic Sports Centre, the RA Centre and finally, the living room next door at 6 Bedford Crescent. The last venue was by far the best! I would manage to find space for up to 6 students in the class. (I had a student once in the vestibule!) After teaching at my neighbour’s home, I knew what I needed to do. Build my own home studio.

After its temporary closure during COVID, students started to gravitate back towards a place where they could find stillness and some peace. COVID divided us. And DOWNdog was a place to find the connection that we needed so badly to find again.

I have the good fortune to live in a warm and close-knit neighborhood. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported my venture from close and from afar. Your support is what continues to make DOWNdog possible.

I would especially like to thank my family and friends who have always believed in me.

Welcome to DOWNdog!

Jocelyne

The Spring Session is here! 

I would, first of all, like to thank you for choosing and supporting DOWNdog.

Without you, the home studio would not be possible.  Thank you.

I would like to extend a special welcome to Roxanne.  Roxanne is teaching the Gentle Hatha Yoga class. Mike is back and will be teaching the All Levels Hatha class and  a NEW class; RELAXATION yoga. 

I never dreamed 13 yrs ago, when Roxanne and Mike taught me my YTT course, that they would one day be teaching at DOWNdog BECAUSE….

Let me tell you...I almost didn’t make it through the first class of the YTT course.  haha!! I actually left at noon, because I couldn’t hear.  Mike came to my rescue downstairs, (at what used to be Upward Dog) and told me to “Go home and RELAX.” (The story of my life!  Learning how to relax.)  “We will figure out a way to make this work.” Those were his exact words. 

Long story short, a box of microphones and speakers and what not was waiting for me the next day. The rest is history.  Thanks to the encouragement and support of Mike and Roxanne I completed the class and we are here today!

On a more serious side, it is from Roxanne and Mike that I learned the most about yoga… yoga on and off the mat.  I am confident that all students who choose to take a class from roxanne or Mike will learn a lot.

Happy Spring!

It certainly took a long-g-g-g time coming. But lo and behold, the rhubarb has sprouted and bulbs are coming up slowly. If in doubt that spring is here you can take a walk by Mckay Lake and take the time to stop on the little bridge to listen to the cacophony of birds. On Wednesday morning this week, the ground and trees were dusted with snow. Droplets of rain were falling on the lake. The snow-laden trees and ground, the rain, the birds… all combined to present a beautiful symphony for my senses!

Spring has brought some challenges for me and my daily walking time is limited. On the UPside, I appreciate and breathe and absorb the beauty around me so much more. My view of life has changed. I am so much more in the present and so very grateful to be outdoors… the place I have always gravitated to. No matter the cold or the storm… I have always enjoyed it all. Some days in stormy weather when I would walk with my companion Jake, I would say to him, ” Hey Jake! Where is everybody?! There’s nobody out here?! haha… It must be the cold stormy weather.”

We can now put the cold stormy weather behind us. Spring has arrived! (This week we are moving into the double digits!!)

Spring is a time when it is almost impossible not to believe in miracles. It is a time of renewal. So much splendour. So much beauty. 

Spring has brought renewal to DOWNdog as well.  Roxanne Joly, that many of you know either as a friend, a neighbour or a yoga teacher will be teaching at DOWNdog. She will be joining Michael Dynie who has been with DOWNdog since the fall of 2021. How fortunate I am to have two amazing teachers teaching at the home studio. 

When I opened the studio five years ago, I was teaching 4 classes. The DOWNdog team consisted of myself and Dr. Jake! I am fortunate now to bring new life to the studio. The energy, knowledge and experience that Roxanne and Mike will share with the students during the practices is very special indeed.  **Those of you who do register for one of the classes,  I believe will be very fortunate and will learn and experience so much. 

Namaste everyone! Thank you for listening. Stay warm! Registration for Relaxation Yoga and Gentle Hatha opens Thursday 14th.

A MOST Happy and Blessed Spring to each of you!

Jocelyne and Dr. Jake