Thoughts from Nicky Poole

Voices from the 889 Yoga Community

Discover reflections, breath practices and community stories from Nicky Poole and the wider 889 Yoga family in Toronto.

Latest Posts

Evolutionary Yoga and the Spinal Structure

Nicky, September 21, 2026 — Nature follows consistent principles that let living things flourish, and the human embryo echoes the larger story of biological evolution. Long ago, single-celled organisms in the primordial oceans grew responsive to their surroundings, reshaping themselves to move and find nourishment. Later came a central nervous system and the first brains, wrapped in a protective structure that still had to bend from side to side for movement. The spine is one of nature's loveliest designs, holding yoga philosophy's twin ideals in balance: sthira (stability) and sukha (good space).

Gandhi's Top Ten Ideas to Change the World

Nicky, September 1, 2026 — Nicky has long admired Mahatma Gandhi, whose life of passionate activism and non-attachment, rooted in the deeper teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, has inspired her since childhood. She came across this collection on Paulo Coelho's blog and wanted to share it here: a simple gathering of quotes worth reading slowly and doing our best to embody.

Toronto Yoga Festival

Nicky, August 15, 2026 — Toronto is truly blessed with integrity and talent in its yoga community, and few cities can claim such a diverse, intelligent gathering of teachers. This weekend, Friday through Sunday, the fourth annual Toronto Yoga Festival takes place at the beautiful National Ballet School on Jarvis Street.

Three Paths of Meditation as Taught by Dudjom Rinpoche

Nicky, August 8, 2026 — Take a simple object such as a stone or a piece of wood, set it before you, and gently rest your gaze on it without blinking. Let nothing else capture your mind, and gradually become fully present in a natural, relaxed way. Observe whatever arises without clinging, and peace will grow; whatever surfaces will settle on its own without force. Soon you will find you cannot leave this non-conceptual state and no longer wish to move — a sign that you are growing familiar with becoming peaceful and are arriving at spontaneity.

Beat the Heat with Sitali Pranayam

By Nicky Poole, Yoga Community Leader, July 28, 2026 — Pranayama matters as much as, if not more than, physical postures. The Sanskrit word joins prana (energy or life force) with yama (restraint), so pranayama is the control of vital energy, most effectively through regulating the pattern and pace of the breath. There are many forms; today Nicky outlines one you can practise safely to cool down during the midsummer heatwave — Sitali Pranayam, a valuable tool for your yoga toolbox.

Retreat

Nicky, July 27, 2026 — Greetings everyone! Apologies for the quiet spell on the blog — Nicky has been unplugging from cyberspace on a yoga retreat and travelling home to New Zealand and Vietnam with family. Now that she is back, she shares her experience in Venice Beach in early July with her teacher, Shiva Rea.

The Breath — Part Three: A 3-Minute Breathing Break

Nicky, May 18, 2026 — Perhaps it is a rough day at the office, the computer keeps crashing, or deadlines are piling up. You need a breathing break. It takes just three minutes, and you will feel energised and refreshed afterwards. Follow along and do the practice as you read.

Henna Heals!

Nicky, May 17, 2026 — Are you or someone you love facing hair loss from chemotherapy side effects? 889 Yonge and Henna Heals invite you to have your crown beautifully painted with henna, a temporary, all-natural plant-based dye from the henna (Lawsonia inermis) flowering plant. Used since antiquity and popular across Pakistan, Northern Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and India for decoration, henna is believed to bring the wearer luck, joy and enhanced beauty.

The Breath — Part Two: How Do I Breathe?

Nicky, May 15, 2026 — In this second instalment of the breathing series, Nicky shares a personal breath evaluation exercise drawn from one of her favourite books, The Breathing Book by yoga teacher Donna Farhi. Its purpose is to gather information about the way you breathe.

The Breath — Part One: Basic Breath Anatomy

Nicky, May 15, 2026 — The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle resembling a jellyfish or an opened parachute. At the top of the dome sits a tendon, with the heart above it, and the muscle fibres radiate outward from this central tendon like the panels of an open umbrella. Its edges attach to the ribs and lower spine, fanning out to form a roof over the abdominal cavity. It contracts and expands rhythmically 24 hours a day and accounts for 75% of all our respiratory effort.

One Year of LOVE!

Nicky, May 12, 2026 — An unexpected and thoughtful gift arrived today: a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers at 889 Yonge from Christine, Emily and Mandy. Christine and Emily are the owners and visionaries behind 889, and Mandy is the Operations and HR Manager — you may not have met her, but she keeps the ship running. Opening the card revealed the occasion: the one-year anniversary of Nicky joining the team as a teacher and yoga community leader.

Patanjali and the AA Serenity Prayer

Nicky, April 18, 2026 — The AA Serenity Prayer hung in Nicky's grandmother's bedroom in a gilded frame, written in exquisite calligraphy. When she asked about it as a small child, perhaps five years old, her grandmother explained it with such eloquence that she recited it to herself whenever frustrated or angry. Only later did she realise she had received one of yoga's most essential teachings and begun the practice of mantra while still in kindergarten.

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About Nicky

What Nicky teaches reflects what arises in her own evolving daily practice. She is learning to stop 'doing' yoga and start 'being' yoga, on and off the mat.

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