Article appeared in the Oct 20 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Yoga instructor, Leanne Stevens, has been living in Winnipeg Beach for the past seven years, after first coming to the area a few years earlier to teach yoga classes. The 44-year-old former Winnipegger has been studying yoga intensively since 1999. She got much of her training at the Yoga Institute of Winnipeg. Her training was enriched with a six month excursion to study in India. She also attends workshops with advanced teachers at least twice a year.
There are dozens of styles of yoga. Stevens has been teaching a style called ‘Iyengar’, which focuses on the alignment of the body to free the breath.
“The ultimate intention of all styles of yoga is to calm the fluctuations of the mind,” Stevens said. “The mental focus of the breath with the posture helps to make the mind-body-spirit connection. It’s from that connection that people find their ‘quiet place’, where you are not thinking, but coming into the present moment. Instead of feeling anger, (one) comes to acceptance,” said Stevens.
“Being in the present, that’s the intention of yoga…It is something that has to be experienced—otherwise, it’s meaningless—unless you bring yourself into it.”
A number of years ago, Stevens met a very exceptional man, Fr. Joe Peireira, a Catholic priest who was born and makes his residence in India where he teaches. This charismatic individual has been running a successful 12-Step residential Alcoholics Anonymous program in Mumbai, work he had started with Mother Theresa. There, he integrates the practise of yoga and meditation into the 12-Step program.
For three months out of each year Fr. Peireira travels to Europe and Canada, and around India to maintain his organization. Stevens met him when he was on one of his regular trips to Canada.
“You just knew when he walked in the room—this man just had the truth—He lives his beliefs. He’s always about love.”
“He said, ‘Use Yoga to love yourself back to health’. He influenced me a great deal,” said Stevens.
In 2003, Stevens gave up her university studies to instead study with Fr. Peireira in India. She spent 6 months there, also teaching yoga to an all male group in the 12-Step program.
Now, far from the Himalayan Mountains, Stevens remembers her mentor fondly.
“He’s 69 now. He can still do back bends, the Lotus, and head stands. He’s amazing.”
Stevens is now firmly planted in Manitoba. She teaches private and public classes in Winnipeg Beach, Lockport, Gimli, and Riverton.
She has been leading the Gentle Yoga classes at the Gimli New Horizons Activity Centre to members and to the general public for the past five years. Each Thursday afternoon she gives a class at the new Riverton Seniors Centre, then on Thurs. evening, at the Riverton Early Years School. In all, Stevens has about 100 students, a number which grows to about 150 in the summer months.
“People are always intimidated that they need to be a pretzel,” said Stevens, “but I know teachers who can’t even touch their toes—that’s just the way they’re built.”
Anyone, of any age or weight, even if they can only sit in a chair, can do yoga, Stevens reassured. Stevens has worked with all age and ability levels, with wheelchair bound seniors and in the school system.
“Even if they can’t go down on the floor, they can do a different pose in the chair that gives them the same feeling…don’t be intimidated.”
Stevens said that people often start with one class per week, then move on to two per week and practise at home. People may continue to work at their own pace.
She is able to work one-on-one with people, even in a full class, and is attentive to what each individual may need.
“Some people need more focus on strength and stability in physical postures. Some people need more physical flexibility to open the mind, to find the balance between stability, yet space. Some people are too open and need to get their feet on the ground. Some people are too stuck and need to open up…We all come from different life experiences. Yoga helps put (things) in our tool kit to create that balance,” Stevens explained.
“My goal as a teacher is to give students a tool kit for their lives. They may remember one pose that was meaningful. Then next week they may pick up another pose. Every person will find what is meaningful for them.”
“Yoga is about coming to know yourself. It helps you understand your body. You learn how to take care of yourself. You learn self-acceptance.”
Stevens charges $10 per class, less for New Horizons members. She may be contacted through her website at www.bluecatyoga.com.
