INNERGY CORPORATE YOGA NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2010

INNERGY INSIGHT

                                        SIGHING:  JUST LET IT GO . . .

Ever found yourself accidentally sighing in public (you know, a loud "Aahhhhh" sound), then looking around to make sure noone heard you?

Has your yoga teacher ever directed you to sigh in class, but you don't understand why and are embarassed to do so?

After teaching a yoga class the other day, one of my students approached me with a question. 

She was going through some stressful things in her life and found herself in a public area a few days before, when she involuntary let a loud SIGH escape from her lips.  She didn't even realize it had been her until she noticed several people staring at her.  Her dad, who was with her, asked her if everything was alright.

She said she felt embarrassed, but also greatly relieved. She told me that when she does sigh, she simply feels better.

So she asked me, why do I feel better after I sigh? And why do people always think there is something wrong with you when you do sigh?

My answer to her was this . . .

Sighing is something we do a lot of when we are young. Watch the children closely in your life - they sigh often and they don't care what it sounds like.

Sighing is our bodies' way of naturally releasing built up tension. 

Yet, as we get older, we tend to hold more and more stress in our bodies, which of course leads to many problems - increased stress level, low energy, illness, headaches, mental burnout, etc etc . . .

Most of us still think sighing is "weird", or that if you sigh, there is a problem. Well there WILL be a problem if we don't sigh and release all that tension!

Do NOT be embarrassed to sigh. Sighing is good for you and it feels good. Once you've tried it a few times you will likely find you quite enjoy it. If you don't yet feel comfortable sighing in front of others at your yoga class, try it at home when you're alone . . .

(1) Sit or lie down where it is quiet.  Close your eyes.

(2) Inhale and as you exhale, open your mouth and release with a sigh.  As you do, consciously relax your entire body and feel any tension melting away.
(3) Repeat 3-5 times.  That's it!

Happy Sighing!

Lynn Roberts

Director, Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.

Did you know that we now serve the Kamloops, BC area? Know a business in Kamloops that could benefit from our services?

Please forward this newsletter to them!

Workplace Recipe of the Month:
Sauteed Bananas with Praline Sauce
Courtesy: Rodale

This is a great recipe to make for dessert after you've had a nutritious dinner and at the end of a long day at work when you're craving something sweet but don't want to blow your healthy diet.

It's low in fat and calories (only 235 per serving) and high in fibre. It's also wheat free, gluten free and contains no white sugar.  Pecans contain heart healthy fats and bananas are high in potassium.

And . . . this takes less than 15 minutes to prepare and make!


INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup maple syrup

3 Tbsp. milk or soy milk

3 Tbsp. chopped pecans

4 large bananas, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced

METHOD:
1. Bring the maple syrup, milk, and pecans to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1/3 cup.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the bananas and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
3. Place the bananas in a serving dish and top with the praline sauce.

Got a recipe idea for us? Email us.

NEW!
CLIENT PROFILE OF THE MONTH:  

Richmond Public Health
(Part of Vancouver Coastal Health)



Location:  Richmond, BC, Canada
Client for: about 5 years
Classes:  All-Levels Yoga, 1x/week after work


What They're Saying:

(1) Why does your group do corporate yoga?

The convenience, the time and place, the price is right and it feels great!

(2) How long have you been doing corporate yoga with us?
Some of us just 6 months, others 3 years or more.  (This company has been doing it as a group for about 5 years though.)

(3) What is your favorite part of our corporate yoga classes?

The instructor, the convenience, and of course, the guided relaxation at the end!

It provides a great way to relax at the end of the work day and is something we look forward to.

(4) What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes, both for the staff, as well as your organization?
-Great stress management

-Wellness, relaxation, feeling better

-A sense of grounding and centering that seems to get us through the week

-Increased flexibility

-Doing something just for me!

-Scheduled classes keep me practicing

-Allows me to meet new people within my organization that I don't have the opportunity to directly work with

(5) Would you recommend our programs to other businesses?  Why?

Absolutely YES - for all the reasons listed above!!!

APRIL'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE

Warrior III

BENEFITS

Strengthens standing leg, tones abdominal muscles, buttocks, legs, back and arms, lengthen spine, improves balance, burns calories, improves posture, increases energy and more.


INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Remove your socks and shoes if possible.  Stand in Mountain Pose for a moment, with your feet hip distance apart, feet parallel to each other.  Stand away from your chair and desk. Contract your abdominal muscles, lift your chest up and relax your shoulders back and down.  Be tall and lifted.  Turn your palms to face forward, drawing your shoulders back a bit more.  Close your eyes.

Step 2: Open your eyes and find a focal point.  Shift your weight into your right foot and contract your abdominal muscles.  As you inhale, sweep your arms up to the ceiling, reaching straight overhead, palms facing each other.  As you exhale, lift your left toes off the floor behind you slightly.  Start to tilt slightly forward, keeping your spine straight.  Allow your focal point to shift to the floor as necessary.  Soften your right knee slightly so that you don't "lock" it.

Step 3: Stay here if this is enough for you.  Otherwise, lift your left leg higher up, and hinge forward more from your hips, bringing your body parallel to the floor.  To keep your hips level, internally rotate your left thigh toward the ground.

Step 4: Reach out through your fingers and reach back through your left foot at the same time.  Keep your belly pulled in.  Breathe deeply, staying here for 3-5 breaths.

Step 5: To come out, as you inhale, rise up tall, and place your left foot back on the floor.  As you exhale, lower both arms down to your sides. 

Step 6: Repeat on the other side, then stand in Mountain Pose again for a few moments, breathing deeply.

NEWS & VIEWS

No time to go to a yoga studio? Don't have an appropriate (or any) workplace for Corporate Yoga?  Try Downloading a class - Read the full article

More people turning to yoga to lower stress levels - Read the full article

Ellen Degeneres says daily yoga gives her more energy - Read the full article

Yoga Helps Orchestra Members Stay Relaxed - Read the full article

How to Clean Your Yoga Mat - Read the full article

91 Year Old Yoga Instructor Hard at Work - Watch the video here

For more information on how to bring the benefits of yoga to your Vancouver, Lower Mainland or Kamloops, British Columbia workplace, click here.