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Rocket Yoga Vancouver at Stretch

I began teaching Yoga in 2006. I initially resonated with teachers who taught powerful but creatively flowing classes. My classes would always be different and very playful. 
The problem I found with this style of teaching, is you tend to do more of what you like and what feels & looks good in your body!
Over time this will misalign you, because the poses you don't like are generally the poses you truly need!

Following an intelligent set sequence that ticks off all the boxes, but still allows you to be creative within those boxes.... Is Rocket Yoga! It was created in the late 80's by Larry Schultz.
Since then it has been taught in many countries around the world.
I learned the Rocket sequences from Dustin Fruson initially and then did my Rocket Training in San Fransisco with Steve Pyka.
This "Ashtanga based" practice became my new JAM and saved me a lot of Physio money!

I have been teaching Rocket since 2014 and the owners of Stretch have opened their arms, to be the home of "Rocket Yoga Vancouver!"
















Rocket #1( More forward folds similar to Ashtanga Primary ) Rocket #2 ( More Back Bends )
*2/3 of Rocket 1 & 2 are the same!*
Rocket #3
( Rocket #1 with the back bends of #2, plus some optional inversions! )
Playful Rocket ( Rocket Inspired class that will offer some optional creative Playful poses/balances )

Stretch offers 5 Rocket classes a week: 
Monday 6pm Rocket 1 75min.
Tuesday 6pm Rocket 2 75min.
Wednesday 7am Rocket 1 60min.
Friday 7am Rocket 2 60min.
Sunday 10am 75min. Playful Rocket


This practice will help you build internal strength with the focussed work on Bandhas ( lifting pelvic floor "Mula Bandha" and drawing low belly in and up "Udiyana Bandha" )
Keep your practice aligned and fundamentally focussed, and challenge you in creative ways within the sequences!

20HR. ROCKET IMMERSION:
Rocket Immersion's are amazing for Power/ Flow Yoga Teachers, to add these incredible sequences into their teaching regime! You will still need a 50hr. Rocket Training to become an official Rocket Teacher, but you can add these sequences into your Power/ Flow classes as
"Rocket Inspired"!

We will be breaking down the 3 sequences ( Sun Sals, Standing Series, Wide-Legged Series, Seated Sequence, Back Bend Series, Core Work, Closing Sequence ), teaching them, learning adjustments, improving cueing and cadence! The teachers will also fine tune their own Rocket practices to deliver quality alignment based creative classes!

Once the Immersion is completed and Teachers have a regular Rocket or Rocket Inspired class
at a Studio, they will be added to the @rocketyogavan Teachers Page!

Here's the first group of Teachers that took the first Rocket Immersion at Stretch.


















The Rocket Community is strong... I often have students sent to me from the UK, Seattle, Colorado, Philippines, Calgary and Puerto Rico... Where Rocket classes are thriving!
I'm very proud and humble, to be representing for Vancouver. 


 

 

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Writer's pictureRisto Duggan

Updated: May 9, 2020

I was an Ambassador with the Float House in Vancouver. Once a week I would do a 90 minute float in one of their sensory depravation tanks. It became my weekly meditation and a great reason to float in tons of Epsom salts. I'm a very A Type personality so my floats were always very active and I would end up getting a lot of business ideas in the tank!


It was January of 2017 and I was floating and thinking about my name, and all the nicknames I've had over the years. I never felt like a Chris so I always had nicknames that my friends/ family would call me. My brother called me "Bubs", my sister called me "Godersin" ( I actually can't remember where that came from? )

I was "Bandit" when I played basketball in University, "Dr.D" when I wanted to be a rapper ( Don't ask ), Man Of, Dugeman, Duge, and Doogie.

When I moved to Whistler in '92 I met a Pro Snowboarder named Risto Scott. I thought what an original name, so I asked him where it came from, thinking it was Scandinavian or something...... And he said Christopher.

My chin hit the ground, and I thought that's it!!

But I couldn't just change my name there because he was one of the top Pros at the time in the village, and I couldn't say, "I'm Risto too now!"..... So I kept it in the back of my brain.


While I'm floating Risto Alan Duggan comes back in my brain, and the initials RAD popped into my head!

Christopher Alan Duggan's initials "CAD" stands for "thief".... Not such a great brand name.

But RAD really kinda fits with everything I have gone through. Even though my background is very "snowboarder/ surfer"..... I never really used the word RAD.... I guess I was just waiting for Yoga to enter my life..... To make it "RAD"!!

As this epiphany is washing over me, I'm thinking that it's time to commit to Risto.

I knew it was going to be weird for a few years, but then it's the norm.


So then the wheels started turning and I needed a logo to get the ball rolling. My friend Andrew Skuja for my high school basketball team was a graphic artist in Ontario. Skoojay.com designed my logo and I was off.


I started with T-Sirts/ Tanks under the name RAD Yoga Gear and added the Yoga Bags that I was handcrafting myself. It felt great to add my take on what was available for the yoga practitioner.

My next step was shorts! For men in yoga you kind of have one option.... Lululemon.

Because I had some sewing experience I would bring home my new Lululemon pants, and immediately turn them into 3/4 length shorts that were tight below the knee.

I look ridiculous in shorty shorts with my long legs and boney knees!

I also couldn't understand why brands wouldn't make 3/4 shorts, that stayed tight to your knees, so you had fabric there when you are arm balancing?!

So I would do that to all my pants!

I used to get dudes asking me where I got my shorts all the time..... Because they had the same issues.

My good friend Paul Gazso used to own a high end Skate Shop called Paul's Boutique. He was also my Snowboard Sponser when I lived in Whistler. He asked me about my shorts one day... When I told him I altered the shorts myself, he said "Why don't you produce them yourself?' I told him "I have no idea how I would even start that."..... He said, "I do!"


So he found Precision Patterns in Richmond for Production and Kendor Fabrics in Richmond for supplies and RAD Rocket Shorts were created.

I actually designed a pair of 3/4 shorts and a tank top for the Lululemon Lab when they were on Broadway & Cambie. The shorts sold out in a week, so I knew I had something there.

They also had a product called the "Long John" that I really liked.

RAD Rocket Shorts are a combo of those two shorts with a couple other tweaks.

They stay tight below the knees to help with arm balancing, fitted so they don't get in the way when you're floating, the 4-way stretch moisture wicking fabric is incredible, and I have even added long pockets off to the side so you can have your phone in your pocket while in the gym!

I even did a short run of Rocket Shorty Shorts to follow the trend. ( Seen below on Klay.. First dude )

They initially were loosely fitted with a drop crotch. Every time I did another run I would tweak them, making them more fitted, adding different colour gussets, and even shortening them a bit. I absolutely love what they have turned into, and feel they are fully tweaked!

I have done tons of RAD T-Shirts/ Tanks/ Sweaters, and really love coming up with new designs. Tattoo artists Steve Moore www.getmooretattoos.com , Nicki Lochmatter www.liquidambertattoo.com/nicki , and Arden "Kid Marow" Ross have all contributed to my designs.

I started with 100% cotton and shifted to a Tri-Blend fabric which I love so much more than even the moisture wicking technical fabrics. For T's and Tanks.... Tri-Blend is the way to go! It holds it's shape way better and doesn't get heavy when you sweat.





I live in these sweaters! They are so perfect for pre and post practice.... I have friends saying, "Is it normal that I wear your sweaters, for weeks at a time?'..... Hahah.... Yep!














I have just recently collaborated with Supported Soul for a cork yoga mat. I have been an Ambassador with Nicole at www.supportedsoul.com for a few years now. Her yoga mats are amazing and keeping things local is awesome. I asked her if she would be interested in adding a Cork mat to her line.... She was totally down, so we got together an created a new Cork/ Recycled Rubber mat.

"Risto's Rocket Cork Mat" is 4mm thick, 26" x 70"... Comes with a carrying strap.


Of course you can upgrade to a Custom Handcrafted RAD Yoga Bag to carry all your gear!


Environmentally safe/ friendly, sustainable, non-toxic, bio-degradable, no glues or harsh chemicals added, cork and natural rubber bonded with water based eco adhesives.

"The more you sweat, the more you grip!"

I'm excited to add more designs and eventually Track Pants and Touques for the cooler days! www.ristoduggan.com


Keep an eye out for new designs and also upcoming RAD Yoga Surf Retreats in Mexico, Tofino, and Nicaragua.


Keep practicing and stay RAD!







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Costa Dulce Beach Bungalows and Resort, is an absolute gem nestled on the Pacific Coast, near San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua. Playa Escameca is our Private Surf Break that Costa Dulce overlooks!


Erin Jacob, Jim Heppner, and I can't wait to host another action packed week full of Surfing, Yoga ( Rocket, Acro, Yin ), fun excursions, and amazing food!!


This will be my 4th trip to Costa Dulce. The jungle paradise is the perfect place to detach, truly connect with nature, hang with amazing people, and support a beautiful community.


Tyson and Kit are B.C. boys that created Costa Dulce. They now employ over 50 locals as their staff, work with Vital Actions Turtle Rescue & Beach Clean up, and Escamequita project to help with children's education. The resort is self sufficient, off grid, very safe, and pristine.


We offer daily excursions that include a gorgeous Waterfall Hike, Sunrise at La Flores Turtle Sanctuary, Surf Instruction, a trip to San Juan Del Sur, Salsa classes, Cooking classes, and maybe some Hip Hop?!!


The accommodations are awesome..... Everyone has their own Beach Bungalow ( 1-4 people ) overlooking the ocean, with a hammock, and the nightly opportunity to be lulled to sleep by crashing waves!!


Costa Dulce Yoga:


We begin the day with some amazing coffee and fresh fruit picked on site.

Then it's "Rocket Time"!


I teach Rocket #1, Rocket #2, Inversions, and a Rocket #3 in the morning. These set sequences are challenging but are all levels.... Optional arm balances and Inversions are offered daily throughout the week.

The Rocket practice was created by Larry Schultz in the 90's. He took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd series of Ashtanga Yoga, and created 3 brilliant sequences from them!

My body responded to these sequences better than any other practice to date. They tick off all the boxes of a well rounded, healing, strong, power yoga practice!

"The poses we don't like so much, are generally the poses we need the most!"..... Keeping us humble. So set sequences are perfect for keeping us well balanced.


We then have a large Breakfast and the afternoon to Surf, go on an excursion, hike, or simply read a book/ nap in a hammock!

Before dinner it's Acro/ Yin time.


Erin & Jim will be guiding you through some super fun and very safe Acro Yoga. Erin owns 3 studios in Maple Ridge and is a Therapeutic Yoga Master. Jim is Erin's husband and teaches Karate and Yoga at their studios.

Their energy is infectious and the Acro classes are a blast!

They begin the week with the basics, and progress to some very creative and fun flows.

The whole crew always ends up surprised at how much they loved the Acro, and often head home to seek out their local Acro community, to keep the stoke alive.





Following the Acro classes, we wind down, and get into some Juicy Sunset Yin.

After a day of Surfing the shoulders need some attention, and it always feels amazing to get back into the hips as the sun is setting.





After Yin the Dinner Bell goes off and we enjoy another amazing meal, followed by a cocktail at the bar Casa Ola, or nice cup of tea.


If you want to join us this year contact myself or Erin....... Spots are limited!!!





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Writer's pictureRisto Duggan

RAD Tofino #10 is only 6 weeks away.

Sorry for the mistaken cancellation.... It’s still on with 10 spots remaining!

3 spots in the bunk room at $700 each

7 spots available in the twin / queen rooms

at $900 each or $1600 for couples or 2 friends.... Adding a 3rd person to a room is $800.

This action packed weekend is the perfect way to celebrate the summer!!

8 Yoga classes ( Rocket, Acro with Erin Jacob/ Jim Heppner, Yin with Musician David Yates )

8 Incredible Vegetarian meals by Home Grown Living Foods

2 Surfing days at Long Beach with Relic Surf Shop

3 Nights accommodation at Tofino Botanical Gardens and Ecolodge

Snacks at the beach and Prizes Sunday night!

Grab one of the remaining spots or get a group together to fill the rooms!


Much Love

Risto

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