Describe yourself in a few short sentences:
My name is Janice and I’m originally from Amirault’s Hill, Yarmouth County. I’m a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant and I’ve been living in Doha, Qatar since 2006. I love to spend time in my kitchen developing healthy recipes for myself, husband and clients. Otherwise, I practice yoga, paddle on a dragon boat team, spin and spend time with my beloved dogs. I visit Nova Scotia each year and one of my first stops is to pick up a Supernova yoga pass.
Tell us about your yoga story. When did you first step on a mat, and what brought you there?
I’ve always been quite flexible so yoga came naturally to me, and I have been practicing intermittently for years. It’s only within the past 3 years or so that I started a regular yoga routine as a way to maintain my flexibility as I get older.
How has practicing yoga improved your life, and positively affected those around you?
I expected yoga to help me maintain my flexibility and help me build strength, especially in my upper body, which it has. I also feel that my posture has improved and I walk with more of a lightness, if that makes any sense. Weirdly enough, I never expected to benefit spiritually. Surprise! In practicing yoga I have become more relaxed, I process stressful situations differently now, and I’ve learned that I have a choice in how I react. Powerful stuff!
What’s your favorite pose and why? :
I have so many, but I guess I’d have to say that the hand stand is my favourite. Although I can’t get into the position by myself (maybe one day), I feel ever so empowered when I hold the pose on my own!
What’s your least favorite pose and why?
Definitely wheel pose and I think that stems from having suffered with a shoulder injury several years ago that has limited my arm extension.
What advice would you give someone who’s interested in trying yoga, but has yet to take the leap?
Throughout the years I’ve inspired several of my friends and clients to give yoga a try. It doesn’t matter if you can touch your toes or not…start now and watch yourself be transformed! I spoke to a man at class last week, with only five yoga sessions under his belt and now doing the crow, he was amazed at his progress, and you will be too!
