Yellowknife (Sep 08/06) - As Sylvie Boisclair settles down on the yoga mat and starts going through postures, one can't help but cringe.

She stretches her legs over her head - her arms bent beside her face for support - before bringing them back down and crossing them at the ankles into a headstand with legs in the lotus position. Boisclair has been doing Yoga since 1987.

"I just fell into it through books, my sister was into it, and video," she said.

"I was a ballet dancer and I wanted something that was about the body and non-competitive."

Her studio on 50th Street is flooded with light and has a relaxing feel.

"I saw the place and I thought with the light it was great. On the second floor you can still hear the street, but you're removed."

Boisclair said Yoga is a continual learning experience. She is heading to India an October to take the advanced teacher course. After that, she will go on a pilgrimage to four holy cities.

She teaches Hatha Yoga from Sivananda, which is based on five basic principles: proper breathing, meditation, positive thinking, relaxation and proper diet.

Boisclair said she is always delighted to see her students make progress. "Suddenly six months later they're doing the headstand. I see many miracles."

"I really put a lot of emphasis on being patient and consistent.

"I see a lot of progress with the students. They bring their focus inwards. There's just an energy in the room."

But Boisclair doesn't want people to get the wrong idea about yoga.

"They think it's a religion and I have to explain that the root has deep ties with religion. Some Yogi's describe it as a philosophical system."