I can't believe I almost forgot to post this on here. There is a link to my Facebook below (on the footer) or find me on Instagram (@coraleyl) to enter. Steps 1-3, complete with #'s, must be completed to be eligible (step 4 is optional but encouraged☺️)

Good luck!


#Giveaway time! Win this beautiful #Moltenlavamala by #malacollective by following the steps below:
1) follow @coraleyl on Instagram and/or Coraley Letcher Yoga on Facebook (it's okay if you can't do both 😘)
2) share this post to help spread the word
3) post a picture of yourself in a prenatal yoga pose (you don't need to be female or pregnant to do this) with the hashtags #prenatalwithcoraleygiveaway and #ferniestoke
4) (optional) share your birth story or how yoga helped to support your pregnancy/labour (birth partners - feel free to share your experience/perspective too!). Hashtag #empower #share #support (key themes in my prenatal/postnatal classes) if you choose to participate in step four.

Winner will be chosen at random on August 1st. Good luck!

I'm not a die hard Instagramer. There are times where you won't see a post from me for weeks, or even months. My pictures aren't all yoga pictures, and I rarely have time to post a nice, long, inspiring message with every photo. But I am a proponent of yogis using Instagram if it serves them. In fact, I think all of the controversy over yoga selfies simply boils down to judgement and closed-mindedness. Yep, I said it.
The first time I discovered that people posted yoga selfies to Instagram, I had no clue how on earth they even did it. You can read my blog post about thishere.  Shortly after discovering the world of Instagram yoga, I discovered the world of Instagram yoga challenges. This was during a busy and somewhat stressful time in my life, and I decided to give participating in a challenge a shot. It seemed like a good way to ensure I got in even just a short practice every day, and gave me an excuse to take a break from everything else that was going on.
The challenge gave me a few things that I wasn't expecting too. For one, it opened my eyes to an entire community of yogis I had no idea existed. They gather from all over the world on Instagram and they share their thoughts, ideas, practices, small businesses and sometimes even the stories of their lives. They connect to each other from far and near and offer support to each other. Many of them are stay at home moms who are self-taught yogis with home practices looking for a community to share their journey with. They are beautiful. They ARE inspiring. And for most, the inspiration they offer has precious little to do with the fancy poses or unattainable body types I see brought up so often in criticisms of "Instagram yoga."
The other discovery I happily made was that participating in a yoga challenge helped to do more than get me on my mat everyday. It challenged me to try new poses (some of which I'd never seen). It took me out of my comfort zone and inspired me. It was about WAY more than the vanity of selfie taking it gets boiled down to so often. It did help me to grow my practice and I often found myself frankly writing about how many tries it took to get an actual picture of a posture or sharing a picture that was not a "perfect" expression of the posture. I found it a good tool for breaking through ego - not a way to serve or feed it.
At the beginning of July, feeling a bit stagnant in my practice and wanting to keep inspired, I joined another challenge. This one simply gives you a word and you choose the posture that it inspires you to share. It has been a great way for this pregnant yogi-momma to keep up with her prenatal practice. It won't be the last time I turn to this online community to enrich and inspire my practice. Accuse me of vanity all day long. I'll just be over on my IG account with people too busy walking their own yogic path to be casting judgement on what, where or how others choose to carry on with their practices.

Use intention to tap into your chakras with these steps: http://www.malacollective.com/blogs/mala-collective/35877508-use-intention-to-activate-your-chakras

Check out my post for Mala Collective on the subject: http://www.malacollective.com/blogs/mala-collective/35032644-how-intention-can-help-you-to-cultivate-balance

Happy Summer yogis! Here's what's happening with yoga for the summer!

We will have a special guest speaker at prenatal on Thursday July 30 sharing her experience with using yoga and pranayama in labour. All are welcome to stay after class and enjoy the talk.

Due to an interest in one on one sessions/talking more in depth about yoga techniques for labour, I'm offering a private lesson special from now-September. Book a 45 minute prenatal private for $55 or book three 45minute sessions for $150. Email me to book or for more information!

Postnatal yoga will begin in August running through September. Dates and times TBA - watch the schedule page.

Elkford yogis - I'll be coming with another teacher to offer you a 3 hour workshop on Yoga for Body Image in September. Check your inboxes/watch the events page for details.

Need some TLC? The October retreat details will be up by next week. Save the weekend of October 2-4 for some you time in the rustic Fernie Wilderness Adventures Lodge!

I have the opportunity to delve into pre and post natal studies a bit deeper with Mamata Yoga's online course this summer. An opportunity I am very grateful for! Check out their blog for some great insights and birth stories!

Love Coraley