Transition to a Home Practice
by Marie Simpson
It's pretty easy to experience the benefits of a yoga class. You show up, play Simon Says with the teacher, and lay down for awhile. Yeah, some of the poses can be really challenging, but the only thinking required is the quick decision of when and where to stop. It sometimes takes some work to get to class, but corporate classes take the hassle out by bringing the yoga to you.
Practicing at home is a whole other story. There is no schedule for you to adhere to, no sequence of asanas for you to follow, and you’re not out any money if you don’t practice. Its you and your body, or in my case me and mine – and I know first hand that I am the only thing that gets in my way.
While rolling out a mat is easy, actually coming to practice on it is not; however, I am fully starting to grasp how rewarding it can be. Because yoga is a conversation that engages you with your body, practicing on your own allows to you listen in a way you can’t when someone else is directing your flow. You come to understand new things about your body and your mind, and have the luxury of a practice designed to meet all your unique needs and preferences.
I struggled for years to have a consistent home practice, so I know how daunting it can seem. Its not about waking up at 5:30 every morning, and working your way through an hour long sequence – the beauty of doing yoga on your own is that you can shape it to fit any time or place you have. It is malleable and portable and should be something you love.
Some things to keep in mind if you are considering practicing at home:
-Make space. You don’t need much room to practice yoga, but be sure to position yourself somewhere quiet and clutter free. Remove external distractions so that you may go inside.
-Start small. Do you have 5 extra minutes once more per week? Great! Start there, and let it naturally evolve. Yoga is all about accepting where you are right now, so being realistic with any change you introduce into your life is in part of the practice.
-Get grounded. Give yourself a few breaths in child’s pose or any comfortable seated position so you can check in with your body. What is calling out to you today? Maybe all you need is to just take a couple of deep breaths on your mat. And that’s ok.
-Move gently. Work on the poses you love in class. Talk to your teachers after class if you question your alignment. If you need some inspiration, My Yoga Online has streamed classes, and Yoga Journal has pages and pages of beginner sequences on-line, complete with photos.
It took me quite some time before I started exploring my practice on my own, but now it has become a vital part of my day. Even if right now it is just a seed of thought in the back of your mind, let it stay planted there. Keep watering it by coming to yoga classes, and when its ready to grow, watch it blossom!
Marie Simpson
Administrative Assistant
Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.
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THIS MONTH'S WORKPLACE RECIPE:
Steamed Salmon & Asparagus with Mustard Dill Sauce
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 lb salmon filet, skin and bones removed and cut into 4 pieces
- 1 + 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
- 2 bunches asparagus, bottom fourth removed
- 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- salt and white pepper to taste
Mustard Dill Sauce
- 4 oz silken tofu
- 1 TBS prepared mustard such as Dijon
- 4 TBS fresh dill chopped
- 1 TBS honey
- 2 TBS fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
- Bring 2 inches of lightly salted water to a boil in a steamer with a tight fitting lid.
- While water is coming to a boil, put all sauce ingredients except olive oil in a blender and begin to blend on high speed for about one minute. While blender is running, drizzle olive oil in a little at a time. Set aside.
- Snap off tough asparagus ends. When water is at a full boil place asparagus in steamer basket, cover, and cook until asparagus is tender, about 3-5 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove from steamer, toss with 1 TBS lemon juice, 1 TBS olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Rub salmon with 1 TBS lemon juice and season with a little salt and pepper.
- Place salmon in the same steamer basket and steam until pink inside, about 3-4 minutes. Place salmon on a plate and pour desired amount of sauce over it and the asparagus.
Serves 4
Source: The World's Healthiest Foods
CLIENT PROFILE OF THE MONTH:
BC College of Teachers
Where: Vancouver, BC
Client for: 6-7 months
Classes: All Levels Hatha Yoga 1x/week
ICY: Why does your group do Corporate Yoga?
BCCT: As part of our organization’s commitment to the health and wellness of their staff, we asked employees what they would like and on-site yoga came back as one of the suggestions.
ICY: How long have you been doing corporate yoga with us?
BCCT: From January 2011.
ICY: What is your favourite part of our corporate yoga classes?
BCCT: Our instructor is amazing, we all feel relaxed and more positive after coming out of the class. Personally I think that external classes can be a bit intimidating especially for a beginner so having yoga at work with people you feel comfortable with ensures that you keep going back. The size of the classes definitely makes it more personalized.
ICY: What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes, both for the staff, as well as your organization?
BCCT: We have received a lot of positive feedback; I think staff look forward to Thursdays as they have yoga directly after work. As we all have desk jobs the ability to customize our yoga session to deal with any aches or pains is invaluable and we appreciate our instructor always asking us if we have any requests so she can do that for us. I think it definitely has a team building element to it as we help each other set up the room before and after and enjoy taking the class together.
ICY: Would you recommend our programs to other businesses? Why?
BCCT: Definitely, I know given our working hours which start at 8.15am it was difficult to find external classes in the morning, with limited time during lunch it was virtually impossible to find classes that fit into everyone’s schedule, so having them on-site was ideal. Participants can request that our instructor concentrate on certain areas, and there is a very supportive and relaxed atmosphere in class which everyone enjoys. It is very reasonable priced and you get personal attention in a small group that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
JUNE'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE
Upper Back Opener
BENEFITS
Releases tension in the upper back and between the shoulders. Improves posture. Opens chest and facilitates deeper breathing. Improves circulation to upper body. Improves energy by sending oxygen to the brain.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Sit upright in your chair with your feet flat on the floor, legs at a 90 degree angle.
Step 2: Interlace your fingers behind your head.
Step 3: As you inhale, draw your fingers toward each other, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Exhale and continue to hold the stretch. Relax your jaw and neck muscles.
Step 4: Hold for 5 deep breaths and then release.
Step 5: Shake our your arms and fingers.
NEWS & VIEWS
Interior Wellness Festival - June 17th-19th in Kamloops, BC - Our director will be promoting Isagenix nutritional cleansing products. Free health assessment for everyone, giveaways, sign up for the cleanse challenge and more! Visit www.cleanseandbewell.com for more details.
30 Day Cleanse Challenge - Lose Weight, Have More Energy, Eliminate Unhealthy Cravings and win Prizes! Starts July 4th anywhere! Register by June 22. For more information on the 30-day cleanse and its' benefits, go here.
Do you want to get healthy, lose weight or have more money in your life? Ask us about becoming a consultant for Isagenix. Help others get healthy and make money too!
Ladies Yoga & Rafting Weekend - June 24-26th @ Reo Rafting Resort (just north of Hope, BC). Rafting, two yoga classes with Innergy director Lynn Roberts and more!
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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