It's not easy going green... except that it is!

For the last several years, I've become more concerned about our impact on the environment so I thought I'd share some tips today seeing as it's Earth Day. 

One of the common things I've noticed is that even though most people consider themselves avid recyclers there are still a number of recyclable items that are still being tossed into the trash.  These common household items include the following:

Plastic bottles such as:  shampoo/conditioner/body wash/cleansers/creams

Cardboard:  boxes from bar soap/hand-face-body cream/cleansers/hair dye/wax kits/pizza/food packaging/paper towel-toilet paper rolls/tissue/egg cartons

Paper:  Newspapers/flyers/brochures/magazines/junk mail/envelopes/shredded documents

For more information please check out your local city website and in Winnipeg review tips here: http://www.winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/bluebox.stm

I urge everyone to carry reusable bags for ALL your shopping.  There are so many birds and marine life that are dying because of all the plastic bags in the world.  There is a community right here in Manitoba who has successfully banned them and I hope that soon they will be banned entirely everywhere so you might as well get used to it now.  

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/environment/shoppingbags.html
http://www.ec.gc.ca/education/default.asp?lang=En&n=600C1403-1 

/http://www.natural-environment.com/blog/2008/01/10/environmental-impact-of-plastic-bags/

You can learn more about events coming up regarding our environment here:


http://www.ec.gc.ca/sce-cew/default.asp?lang=En&n=56886AF1-1

Take a deep breath!

If you let it, Yoga can be an incredible lifestyle change. Anyone who knows me, is well aware of the neck & shoulder pain I've been living with for almost 11 years. Yoga has helped immensely to relieve the discomfort I had become so used to. I truly believed that the pain was something I would be forced to live with for the rest of my life. However, through practicing Yoga I have learned to become more aware of my body, especially my posture and am now able to have some relief.

Yoga is all about the breath. I have found that by simply breathing correctly, I have been able to release the tension that I hold in my neck & shoulders. This area is where most of us hold tension, so adding to the fact that I've been injured only made it worse for me.

Take a moment now to give this a try. Sit up tall with your head right on top of your spine (don't let it hang forward or backward), have both sitting bones firmly planted on your chair so that you feel balanced on both sides, relax your shoulders, close your eyes, take a full inhale as you slowly count to four, feel your collarbones rise slightly, then exhale completely slowly counting to four. Notice how quickly the breathing helps you to feel more relaxed. The deep breathing is releasing the tension by relaxing you.

At the same time you are taking in more oxygen to your brain, muscles and cells throughout your body. By breathing incorrectly, we are unable to nourish the body with fresh oxygen. Leaving us feeling tired, stiff and sore.

Combining the breathing techniques with the Yoga postures helps to stretch our muscles, strengthen our bodies while improving flexibility, balance and focus. The combination unites our body, mind and soul. While focusing on the postures, you help to quiet your mind of the many thoughts that run wild and become aware of your breath and self.

Now take another deep breath! Or as many as you like. You can thank me later. ;)

Yoga Day!

The last Saturday of February is Canada's Yoga Day where most Yoga studios offer free classes. If you have never been to a class this would be the ideal time to come out and give it a try! At LL Yoga we understand that Saturdays can be quite busy for you so if you'd like to try out a class but can't make it on Saturday February 27th then contact the studio to arrange your free class on another day. You can do this via the LL Yoga fan page on Facebook, by calling 979-2256 or by email info@llyoga.ca.

For those of you who are interested but a little intimidated by the thought of Yoga, trust me you don't need to be! LL Yoga offers private classes that you can create with your own friends or family members.  As long as you have space in your home or backyard, you can have a private class with people you know!

Yoga is the best form of exercise for anyone and can be done by any body regardless of your age, shape or size. The benefits of a Yoga practice are truly amazing. Almost everyone I know has been sick with a bad cold or flu this season and yet I haven't been sick once since I've been practicing Yoga on a regular basis.

It's true that by practicing Yoga you can improve your immune system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system and circulatory system. All which aid in increasing your overall health.

Here are some articles on these topics if you would like to learn more. Please note the word "asana" is the Sanskrit word for Yoga postures or poses. Sanskrit is the ancient language from India where Yoga originated.

Yoga and the Immune System:

http://www.yogasite.com/migdow1.htm

Yoga and the Central Nervous System:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/health/nerves.asp

Yoga and the Digestive System:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/health/cycle.asp

Yoga and the Respiratory System:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/health/respiration.asp

Yoga and the Circulatory System:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/health/circulation.asp

Most physical pain that individuals endure (and probably like me learned to live with it) can also be reduced with a regular Yoga practice. The majority of us hold tension (whether we know it or not) in our neck and shoulders, which can also cause tension headaches and migraines or we can hold tension in our hips and butt which affect our back. By practicing Yoga we can help to release the tension in these areas to help reduce the pain.

What is Yoga?

Some of you may be wondering what exactly is Yoga. Yoga can be translated to the word "union". Yoga unites our body, mind and soul. Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The Yoga postures (also known as asanas) were performed in order to prepare the body for seated meditation which is typically done on the floor in a cross-legged position. The postures helped stretch and relax the muscles of the body in preparation for sitting for an extended period of time during a meditation practice. However, in North America Yoga has become more of a physical exercise.

There are many different styles of Yoga, although the majority are based on Hatha Yoga. A Hatha Yoga class usually consists of a warm up, breath exercises (pranayama), a series of Yoga postures from standing, seated, supine (on your back) and prone (on your stomach) which allow you to increase your strength, flexibility, focus and balance. A class will finish with a relaxation period (savasana)including meditation techniques to help calm the mind.

The benefits that Yoga provides for you are plentiful. Yoga can help with stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, blood pressure, and digestion to name a few. It is also a great way to become or stay physically active as it is much easier on your body then a traditional exercise regimen.

There are hundreds of Yoga postures from easier ones to the more challenging. What I love most about Yoga is that there is always something new to learn and ways to challenge yourself even further.

How it all began!

I thought I would write a little about my experience with Yoga. After being in two motor vehicle accidents back in '99 (thanks to "not paying attention" drivers), and suffering with chronic neck and shoulder pain since then, my Dad continuously suggested I try Yoga. (Not sure why as he just tried himself for the first time last month!)

A couple years after the accidents, I signed up for 10 weeks of classes. I enjoyed the classes, never missed one, but I didn't practice at home nor did I continue. A few years later I tried a class at my gym, did not enjoy that one (the class was not as relaxing as I'd expected) so I never went back. Finally, about two years ago, I tried once more and I'm so glad I did!

I've seen doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists (I'm sure I'm forgetting something) yet Yoga has been the only thing that has helped with my injuries.

Now not only do I practice every day, I also teach classes to other people hoping to pass on the many benefits that Yoga has to offer. I teach classes to individuals, groups, friends, families, couples, neighbours and at various businesses throughout the city.

I started teaching Yoga to friends and family over a year ago and officially opened my studio to the public this past September. I am enjoying every minute of it!

I'd like to thank all of my clients and fans for your support and hope you are all enjoying your Yoga as much as I am!