As a celebrated Canadian indie musician, Julie Doiron is best known for her involvement in Eric's Trip as well as her Juno award winning collaboration with the Wooden Stars. But these days she's taking time out from her busy music career to teach yoga. In Toronto.

Doiron has been practicing Ashtanga yoga for 9 years. After receiving her teachers certificate this fall she began teaching two regular classes every Monday; one at a new studio called Bohemian Palace ($16, 9am) in Roncesvalles and another at Twisted Yoga Studio (PWYC, 7:30pm) in the Annex.

Doiron started doing yoga on a whim in Montreal when a friend invited her to a class she taught. The class was way above her skill level and Doiron got really ill that night from over-exertion. But Doiron kept at it when she saw the benefits of the practice; bringing the versatile exercise on the road with her during lengthy tour stints.

Which begs the question, how closely related are music and yoga?

"Music is a way of expressing myself. While yoga is a way to ground myself and remain positive on a day when I may otherwise not be." says Doiron. She describes making music as "inevitable, even when [she] tried to quit. Music just seemed to keep happening."

Yoga, on the other hand, is more of a therapeutic choice for her to coincide with the sometimes trying times of being a musician.

As a beginner to yoga, I found that Doiron's class provides a great foundation while allowing me to progress at my own pace. What I found most rewarding was Doiron's attention to each student. Taking the time to correct and modify each pose and really break them down. The class is 75 to 90 minutes with a nice shavasana at the end; at which time Doiron usually comes around and 'tucks us in' with blankets. Adorable.

Doiron will be the guest teacher this Friday at Downward Dog studio 735 Queen St. West, 2nd Floor (3pm, free).

Photo by Nick Warzin.