YOGA TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
Are you feeling down around this time of year? Tired all the time? Do you find you really have to push yourself to exercise, get up in the morning and even make healthy eating choices?
Like many, you may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, a very real disorder which is caused by a lack of sunlight in the winter time. Canadians are especially prone to this disorder, because of how far we are from the equator and how little sunlight we get in the winter time. Often we are inside working all day, and do not get sunshine on our faces or bodies at all, and on many days during the winter time, the sun does not even shine.
If you’ve read this far and are nodding your head, chances are this describes YOU.
And chances are, if you knew just how to pull yourself out of this “funk”, you would, right?
Well, there IS hope.
As you start doing yoga, you may just be surprised at how wonderful it makes you feel. |
Of course, we have all heard the typical suggestions around this time of year – make sure you are taking a Vitamin D supplement, get a light box and use it every day, even the simple suggestion of simply adopting a more positive attitude. People are trying to be helpful! And these suggestions are great. If you suffer from SAD, definitely look into all suggestions that come your way and explore which ones work for you.
But one very simple thing that you can do is to simply start doing yoga.
Why yoga? Well, researchers don’t really understand the link yet between yoga and SAD, but they do know that yoga can make an incredible difference with general depression, so they are confident it will help with SAD too.
Why do we get SAD anyway? Well, with the switch to shorter days, our bodies produce more melatonin and less serotonin. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for making us feel sleepy. It helps us go to bed at night. With the increase in hours of darkness, we simply make more of it. This explains why you might be feeling so tired these days. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for making us feel uplifted and happy. So with more melatonin and less serotonin, it’s no wonder we’re already looking forward to the bright, sunny days of spring and summer and grumbling our way through winter.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Start a yoga practice - today, tomorrow, as soon as you can. Find some way to fit yoga into your life, even if it’s only 15 minutes, 3 times a week. Combined with all the other benefits of yoga (increased strength and flexibility, improved sleep, reduced stress, etc.), you may just see an improvement in how you feel.
There may not be a lot of evidence to a finite link between yoga and SAD, but you don’t need it. As you start doing yoga, you may just be surprised at how wonderful it makes you feel.
So, join a class in your neighbourhood, get a video, or even better, start up a corporate yoga class at your Kamloops workplace that you can do in under an hour on your lunch break or after work. Approach your HR Manager today and discuss how you can make that happen.
Lynn Roberts
Director of Operations
Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.
WE MADE IT TO THE TOP 10!
Small Business BC ran a contest last fall, in an attempt to find the Best Company in BC.
Many of you voted for us, and we thank you.
We are in the top 10, and will hear back in February if we make it to the top 5.
For more information on this contest, click here.
ENTER OUR JANUARY CONTEST . . .
For a chance to win a FREE 60-minute Corporate Yoga class at your workplace.
To enter: Email us at info@innergycorporateyoga.com and tell us what yoga pose you would like to master in 2011.
Make sure you also tell us:
(1) Your name
(2) Your Company name
(3) Your Company address
(4) How many staff are at your workplace
Contest closes January 31/10.
***Contest only open to companies who have never been a client of Innergy Corporate Yoga. Must be in the areas of Vancouver, Lower Mainland or Kamloops, BC. Certain terms and conditions apply.
The winner of our December contest is Karen Wirick from Interior Savings in Kamloops, BC! Karen has won a 60-minute Corporate Yoga class for her and all of her co-workers. Congratulations, Karen!
Our November contest winner had this to say after their free class:
"Wow -what an excellent class!! (To the teacher) - you were so great! We all felt very comfortable with you and appreciated how "hands-on" you were!"
HAVE A SMALL GROUP THAT WANTS TO DO YOGA OR PILATES?
 We come to offices, homes, churches, backyards . . . you name it.
Organize your own group today by gathering together a small group of people. You might be surprised how many can fit in your living room!
Get at least 15 people together and the organizer attends for FREE!
Classes start at less than $5 per person.
For more information, contact us today.
ATTEND OUR YOGA CLASSES FOR FREE
Would you like to get FREE yoga classes at work or at home?
Now, when you step up and organize a Corporate Yoga or Pilates class at your workplace, you get to participate in that class for FREE when you have 15+ people.
To learn more about our new I-CORP™ Program, contact us today.
THIS MONTH'S WORKPLACE RECIPE:
Crispy Kale Chips
You've probably heard of
kale, seen it in the grocery store, even have it used as a garnish at a restaurant.
You may even be thinking, "THAT cannot possibly taste good."
We bet you will be absolutely amazed when you taste these crispy delicious kale chips.
Try them for your next healthy snack.
Tip: They taste best when served fresh. Bring the ingredients to work and make them in your toaster oven, or fire them in the oven when you get home from work, to tide everyone over until dinner is ready.
Ingredients:
- 1 12-oz. bunch curly kale, center
- stems removed, each leaf torn
- into 4 pieces (6 cups)
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 Tbs. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 3 Tbs. nutritional yeast
1. Place kale in bowl. Rub oil, lemon juice, and salt into leaves with hands. Add nutritional yeast, and toss well.
2. Spread kale onto baking pan, with parchment paper underneath. Bake in 425°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, flipping frequently. Let cool for 5 minutes, then enjoy! (Modified from website)
Source: Vegetarian Times
Got a recipe idea for us? Email us.
CLIENT PROFILE OF THE MONTH:
BC Housing
Where: Vancouver, BC
Client for: about 6 months
Classes: Boardroom Yoga 1x/week
ICY: Why does your group do corporate yoga?
BC Housing encourages an active and healthy lifestyle and yoga happens to fall within that category. Many employees find it challenging to take a yoga class after work and by offering yoga during the lunch hour it encourages a healthy balance between work and life.
ICY: How long have you been doing corporate yoga with us?
We had a trial session in July and as many employees enjoyed it, we started an eight week session in October.
ICY: What is your favorite part of our corporate yoga classes?
BCH: The boardroom yoga is very unique to Innergy Corporate Yoga and they offer classes that work around the needs of BC Housing’s employees. The instructors are flexible with our workplace and can accommodate to both large and small groups.
ICY: What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes, both for the staff, as well as your organization?
BCH: The staff feel more relaxed after the class and are eager to try different types of yoga. It has been a great introductory session for most employees, but still challenging to those who have practiced yoga for years.
ICY: Would you recommend our programs to other businesses? Why?
BCH: Yes, I would recommend Boardroom Yoga to other businesses; however trial session is important to encourage employees to participate. Boardroom yoga also caters to all types of employees, even those who find it hard to fit exercise into their routine. Innergy Corporate Yoga offers classes where you can come as you are: no mat or a change of clothes are required.
I would recommend Innergy Corporate Yoga to all businesses as they are flexible and willing to work around your schedule and space to accommodate yoga into your workplace.
JANUARY'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE
Foot Stretch
BENEFITS
Releases tension and stiffness in feet and toes, improves circulation to legs and feet, improves posture, detoxifies internal organs and more.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Remove your socks and shoes if possible.
Step 2: Sit slightly forward in your chair, feet flat on the floor, legs at a 90 degree angle. Contract your abdominal muscles slightly, lift up through your chest and lengthen your spine. Drop your shoulders down your back.
Step 3: Extend your right leg straight forward and place your heel into the ground. Lift up your toes and press through the heel of your foot, as if pressing into an imaginary wall. Spread your toes apart. Inhale, and as you exhale, release the stretch and relax your foot.
Step 4: Repeat 3-5 times, then switch to the other foot.
NEWS & VIEWS
Seniors Finding Yoga Helps them Age Gracefully
Did you know that Innergy offers Seniors' Yoga classes? Contact us for information.
Wesley Snipes Teaching Yoga Behind Bars
Study: Yoga can Combat Anxiety, Lift Mood
Top 10 Yoga Apps for your i-Phone
Watch this funny commercial for Seattle's Best Coffee, showing yoga unexpectedly showing up at the yoga studio
For more information on how to bring the benefits of yoga to your Vancouver, Lower Mainland or Kamloops, British Columbia workplace, click here.
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