Although not technically a mountain, Mount Royal is rarely or never referred as anything else by the locals. Nestled between the Plateau, Outremont, Côte-des-Neiges, Wesmount, and downtown Ville-Marie, Mount Royal offers a perfect escape from urbanity. It boasts three summits, a man-made lake, two cemeteries, countless trails through the forest and toward the summits for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, vast green spaces, a sculpture garden, and an interpretive centre, not to mention seasonal and cultural events. Mount Royal has something to offer for everyone who just needs some time away from the busy city schedule.

Do you ever watch runners zoom by and wish you could dash around so effortlessly? Do you find yourself a wheezing, gasping mess after only ten steps at more than a brisk walking pace? Do you like British accents? Then NHS Couch to 5k (Ct5k) podcast is for you.

Back in the day, I loathed running. I would go out of my way to avoid running for even a single step. I wouldn't even run to catch a bus, despite knowing that I would have to wait half an hour for the next one. But slowly, after a while, I started wishing I could go for a jog. I would watch people jog past me effortlessly and just burn with envy. I wanted to do it too, mostly because I enjoy the idea of the peace and solitude involved in long distance running, but also because regular running has great health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke, boosting mood, and keeping weight under control.

Then my sister introduced me to the NHS Ct5k podcast. Now, I know what you're thinking: going from a couch potato to running 5k in only nine weeks? Sorcery! Trickery! I call BS. But hear me out for a bit, and maybe you'll change your mind.

For many of us Montrealers, the city can be a big source of anxiety. Trying to get through the slow-paced herds of people at metro stations alone can augment our stress levels, and that's without the irritating noise pollution that the city immerses us in on a daily basis. Give me a break, right?

There's just no better feeling than occasionally retreating from the city's hustle and bustle. Thankfully, you needn't travel far to find peace. Located at 5178 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal's Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre is not too far from Downtown Montreal.

Why Yoga? Because practicing it will significantly decrease your level of anxiety and improve your overall health. If you're a beginner, don't worry about it! The studio offers a free trial class, which is held every Sunday (5:00-6:30 p.m.). But is it worth attending? I tried it out early in March 2015 and it's absolutely worth going. Let me tell you all about my experience.