One of my happy places in Halifax is 108 Yoga. It’s where I go to slow down, take a deep breath and stretch away some stress. I've been going to 108 Yoga for nearly four years now, and I wanted to share all the things I love about this locally owned business. As an affiliated centre of the Himalayan Institute and Yoga International, the teachers at 108 are highly trained in the traditional teachings of yoga, ayurveda and meditation. They focus on creating health, vitality and balance in your everyday life through studio classes, workshops discovery programs and certification programs.

From the very beginning, my experience at 108 Yoga was warm and welcoming. The space is calm and relaxing and the members are all skill levels, ages and body types. I always feel comfortable and supported by the instructors as well as the other members in each class. There are lots of options for different kinds of classes running throughout the week at different times during the day. I love that I never feel rushed or pressured to go beyond my own personal challenges (or to compare myself to other members). The instructors at 108 encourage everyone to listen to their own bodies and go at their own pace... I really appreciate that because some days just feel rougher than others! The important thing, for me anyway, is to consistently show up and do my best, whatever that might look like!

Dorothy Spence founded 108 Yoga in 2009 with the desire to share her personal transformation experiences that yoga provided with others. She takes the time to get to know each member and always has helpful suggestions for anyone with specific questions. For me it was insomnia (been struggling with it for years) and Dorothy had a few new ideas that really helped.

Sarah Andrews does a fantastic job managing the studio. Always welcoming and encouraging, she makes sure everyone finds their own path through the yoga experience. It was Sarah who encouraged me to learn more about the Ayurvedic lifestyle and to join the 108 spring cleanse. I gained a lot from the experience and am looking forward to learning more as new workshops come up through the year.

The cleanse I did recently was The Big Spring Cleanse lead by Sarah Andrews and Krista Watters (we followed along with Kathryn Templeton's 21-Day Program). Without getting too deep into the details (I recommend signing up for a workshop with 108 to learn about the Ayurvedic lifestyle) the cleanse involved a daily yoga practice and a simple healthy eating plan that gives the digestive system a break. We were encouraged to incorporate healthy habits (such as setting positive intentions, practicing meditation) into our daily lifestyle. For me, it wasn't about 21 days of following the plan perfectly... I wanted to shake up my usual routine (a 6:30am practice takes care of that!) and add in some habits that were new for me. It was about setting aside some time each day to focus on myself and my health. I feel like it's an experience I will build on each spring, focusing on a new challenge each time. I'm not quite ready to give up my coffee (I only lasted one day!) but I did learn a lot about healthy digestion and really enjoy the CCF Tea (Cumin, Coriander and Fennel) which promotes healing and soothes inflammation.

Congratulations to 108 Yoga who recently celebrated their fifth anniversary! I’m looking forward to many more years of yoga practice!

108 Yoga is located at 1496 Lower Water Street in the old Brewery Market.