The lesbian connection

Line Trépanier, founder of Yoga Jam Montréal, lets us into her world. A determined woman who loves to transform the everyday and who preaches the importance of health of the body and spirit. We asked her a few questions and it is with enthusiasm that she accepted to respond.

1- Explain what is Yoga Jam, the vision of its creator?

What can we expect to live when participating in a Yoga Jam session at Stereo? A dialog between tradition and innovation. The challenge that exists with Yoga Jam Mtl is to adapt the yoga practice while adopting an approach that is wild and vibrant but still remains aligned with the principals of this ancient practice.

We achieve this with the experimenting of powerful breathing techniques, Body Mantra sequences that are as hypnotic as they are energizing, Partner Yoga to connect with the extraordinary beings that are present, Free Form movement explosions or Trans Dance, cool down period for full energy restoration and a mental exercise for programming in Mind Power in which we use the power of constructive declarations.

All of this to the rhythm of completely out of this world music that flows from electronic to house while exploring tribal and world beats. There is also lighting, smoke shots and a mirror ball.

2- This passion for yoga, where did it come from?

I was first initiated to yoga in my childhood by my father who is also a yogi. It’s in my twenties that I first began my practice. For my 30th birthday, I participated in my first yoga retreat for 3 days and I fell completely in love with the energy it brought me. After this, I began to travel to live different yoga experiences and to learn from different teachers.

I found myself on my longest retreat on the top of Montanha Encantada, an enchanted mountain on the coast of Brazil over looking the ocean, where I learnt from Indian monks over the course of many weeks. Wow… I felt a well being that I could have never imagined until then.

Afterwards, I gradually stepped away from my career as a metallurgist engineer and international metals negotiator to focus on yoga. After experiences like these ones, all one desires is to return to that state of mind and to bring as many people as possible with you!

3- Tell us about what brought you to go into business?

In the hopes of touching people who do not currently practice yoga, I wanted to create access points that are different than what already exists. This brought me to create ZONE YOGA SPORTS, which specializes in adapting yoga for athletes. There are four main categories: yoga for runners, cyclists, golfers and skiers. POPgayoga specializes in yoga events for the LGBT community in collaborations with DJs that play both upbeat and down-tempo beats.

The most important event for POPgayoga in Montreal is the Mega Yoga Jam on the Saturday of Pride Montreal on the main TD stage at Place Émilie Gamelin. Last year we had at least 300 participants, which is one of the biggest outdoor yoga gatherings in Montreal. This year, on Saturday August 18th 2012 at 3:00pm we are counting on doubling the participation and the capacity in the park is of 2 000!

4- What has been your biggest challenge since the beginning of this adventure?

Traditionalists will tell you that yoga does not need all these extra elements like music and lights to gain all its benefits. As much as this is generally true, it is proven that a human being learns more when it is stimulated and happy. We recognize this reality with babies and children mainly, but what happens when we become adults? It isn’t surprising that as we get older, many people loose interest in learning and moving!

In regards to this, the inspiring words of Dalai Lama say “our spiritual quest is not about refusing life but becoming one with it”. Yoga Jam Mtl gave itself the mission to use all that life has put at our disposable to stimulate the body and mind in the most constructive way possible.

5- How would you describe the fans of Yoga Jam? What types of people attend? More male? More female?

A good mix of adventurous yogis are about 50% of the crowd. The other 50% are clubbers who want to stay in shape and curious beginners. About 50% are straight, and the other 50% are gay/lesbians. All are a delightful mix that I like to call Epicurean-Zen…very cool.

6- How would you describe the lesbian community presently? And what would you like to see in the years to come?

The community is stronger than it has ever been and the development of causes that are directly linked to us is happening at lightening speed. I believe the best is yet to come. I find that presently in the community the only way to meet people or to position ourselves socially is by going out to bars. Even if this is an activity that can interest many people, I think the community would gain from having more alternatives, more choices to live together in society.

I dream of a gay life that is as active in the day as it is at night. I see us in another way, I see us blooming in the daylight, in collaboration with society at larg rather then continuing to hold on to our almost exclusively underground ways. Statistics also prove that the community takes seriously its health and well-being. This is why with POPgayoga and the Yoga Jams I wanted to respond to this need by offering a wild but functional yoga that is destined for a gay and lesbian clientele. Projects that aim to demystify, connect and inform the community like the magnificent LSTW will contribute greatly to this revival. Thanks!

http://yogajammtl.com/

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By Florence Gagnon
Photo: Jessica Richard