The Yoga Show and Conference was back on in Toronto this April! Admission was free so I decided that I was going to make the trip into the city and go. It worked out really well because Andrew and I went on the Go Train with the kids and then he met up with a couple of friends and their kids to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame. I met up with another mom and we went to the Yoga Show.
This is the first time back for the Yoga Show since the world shut down. I went back in 2014, 2015, and 2016. I was so excited to be back! There are a ton of actual yoga clinics happening throughout the weekend but I’ve never been for the yoga, I go for the vendors!
My wallet definitely didn’t thank me, but TAKE MY MONEY.
I took a quick glance online at the yoga show vendor list and there were definitely ones I wanted to check out to make a purchase and some that snuck up on me! Let’s get to some of the highlight vendors for me (and what I all bought!)
Purple Lotus Love
One vendor that was going to be there was Purple Lotus. I had made an online order from her and was extremely excited to meet her in person and see what she had for the show. She was so nice! It was great talking to her and she just was so excited to be back in person at shows and seeing people again. We talked about how the show had changed a little bit but it overall was great. I didn’t end up getting anything new from her (nothing really jumped out at me) but I would definitely purchase from her again! I’m excited to have the crystal tower on display on my altar once it’s finally organized.
From the Yoga Show Vendors
Subject II Change
I absolutely fell in LOVE with SIIC jewelry. Could I have bought everything? Yes. Did I show restraint? Maybe… I only bought 2 necklaces from her. I knew the one piece with the druzy quartz and circle and triangle charm was coming home with me. Something about it just spoke to me!! I also got the star choker necklace and I love how they look together. She had these amazing crystal dream catchers that just were stunning but I really have nowhere to put one. Amanda was so nice to talk to, as was her sister who was helping her man the booth. It was a real treat to meet them, and I will definitely be purchasing from her again!
ZenMama
The next booth that I had scoped out online was ZenMama. I love the idea of micro-yoga designed for busy moms. The hardest thing for me about getting back into yoga (other than the fact that my body just isn’t nearly as strong as it was) is the fact that I just prioritize anything and everything else over exercise. This is my push to just do a couple of moves a day to get me back into the stretch mode.
They’re broken into two sections: On-the-Go and Mind & Body. For example, there are cards for when you’re doing dishes, bathing the kids, or doing bedtime. Then there are cards for specific locations on the body or symptoms, like shoulders or insomnia. Each card has a meditation, 3 poses to do, and
I’m very excited to figure out when and where the best place is to keep the cards so that I do them regularly!!!
Red Barn Wellness Farm
This barn!!! I can’t get over this place. So broad strokes, this farm is run by a certified yoga instructor and her family and she has a couple of rescue horses on her property (amongst other animals). She uses horses to deepen her practice in yoga and spirituality. She created an AMAZING horse-specific deck, the Sacred Horse, which I OBVIOUSLY needed to add to my collection. It’s an Oracle deck so more along the lines of picking a daily card. I cannot wait to get into using this card and figuring out some spreads for it.
I’d love to do a retreat there as well, they do day ones as well as run homesteading camps for kids. Talking to Fotini and her husband was such an amazing experience. She was so chill and I think her retreats with or without horses would be absolutely enlightening. This is Fotini’s first time at the Yoga show not as an instructor, but as a vendor!
Aura Photography
I got my aura photographed again! It’s such a difference from the last time I got it done (pre-kids) and I love the way it looks. Even at first glance, it just makes me feel calm and reassuring. Where back in 2016 there was very little blue, this time around it’s pretty much all blues! I love it.
Joyous Health/Hello Joyous
SKINCARE! You know I love some good skincare, and I’m very, VERY excited to try Hello Joyous. Joy is actually a friend of a friend so that was exciting (and makes me want to support her even more!) I didn’t actually purchase anything at the show but I’m now obsessively stalking her website and planning on placing an order for her shampoo soon. She does have some items in Burlington (Maple View) but mainly only her skincare, not the shampoo. Depending if the shampoo gets to the mall will depend on how I make my purchase. Her shampoo looks awesome and I figure, why the hell not? My psoriasis is acting up majorly so literally nothing can make it worse. I’m just waiting to finish up my current shampoo before purchasing.
Soy Purpose Candles
There were a ton of candle companies but I feel like these were the nicest blends that were there! I haven’t purchased or heard of this company before and have zero regrets about purchasing. I ended up getting the basic vanilla candle (which smells so smooth!!) and I did a reed diffuser. The Vanilla pear scent smells so nostalgic, but I cannot place what it reminds me of (for the life of me). But it smells delicious. I’ve never used a reed diffuser before but I keep it in the kitchen window to help with kitchen smells, so it’s not overpowering but I get a gentle whiff every now and then.
100% would repurchase.
Soup Girl
I first met her when I was at the National Home and Reno show in the Maker’s Market, so it was very nice to see her again!! This time, I ended up purchasing some soup. I went in on the deal with my friend and purchased the Italian Rice and Lentils (which I ate this past weekend) and the Tomato & Tarragon Lentil soup. They are delicious! And all lovely organic and Canadian/locally sourced. Plus, supporting moms!
Jocelyn’s Soil Booster
This is probably the most random thing purchased that day. I actually purchased this with Andrew in mind because he is the go-to gardener at home. Worm castings! Otherwise known as worm poop. The overall gist is that it helps the plants get more nutrients from the soil, thus creating healthier plants and more yield. Jocelyn was so lovely to talk to, and so knowledgeable about her field. She was one of the first vendors we talked to on our Yoga Show journey. She was just so enthusiastic and passionate about her product, it definitely was an easy sale. Plus, if it helps with our vegetable crop yield, it’s a win-win all around.
I definitely spent a decent amount of money in a short period of time.
Some other highlights of the yoga show were Northern Raised; they ship meat and produce from local farms in a subscription box. The CEO, Zack, was fun to talk to and I’m definitely going to reach out about getting set up with ordering half a cow. Asili Living Co. is another skincare and bath line, but they had delicious body oils that intrigued me.
It was, at the risk of sounding like a Gen Z, such a vibe. The whole show felt like it was filled with people who were genuinely wanting to connect with like-minded individuals and it felt wonderous.
I had a blast and I’m undeniably looking forward to next year’s show. Did you go?
J x
