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INNERGY CORPORATE YOGA NEWSLETTER - MAY 2010

INNERGY INSIGHT

STRESSED OUT? OR DOES YOUR PERCEPTION NEED A MAKEOVER?

What exactly IS stress? Have you ever stopped to think about that question for a moment?

After all, what is stressful to one person may not be stressful to someone else. One person may find flying in an airplane stressful, another may get stressed out by their children, and yet another may find it stressful to just make it through each day at work.

When I googled "stress" I got this definition: "A state of mental or emotional strain or suspense". So then, stress isn't something we can touch. After all, we can't pick it up, carry it, or even see it.

What is it then? Stress SHOULD be defined as "How we react to perceived emotional strain or suspense". After all, isn't it true that there is NO stress, but only our reaction to stress?

If that is true, then WE have control over this thing called stress! We don’t need to sit idly by, only to find that, once again, stress has taken us over, and there isn’t a darn thing we can do about it. We do NOT need to be a victim to stress.

Instead, we can choose to be more aware of what sets each of us off. What causes you to react? Is it a crowd full of people? Your workplace situation? Family problems?

Whatever it is, start by pinpointing what your top stressors are. Be aware of HOW you react to each stressor. Do you react the same to all of them, or does one make you angry, another make you tremble in fear, and yet another drive your blood pressure up and cause you to hold your breath?

Recognizing HOW you react to each so called “stressor” in your life is important.

The next step is being aware that you ARE reacting, when it is happening. Try to step back and watch yourself reacting, almost as if it were happening to someone else. Many times we are not even aware that we are in a reactive mode. You might even find it helpful to say inside your head “Wow, look at how I’m reacting right now.” Or “I am aware that I am reacting.”

The third and final step is replacing that reactive behaviour with a behaviour that is more positive or helpful. When you feel that reaction coming on, slow your breathing down and send your breath way down into your belly. Notice if you are tensing your shoulders, jaw or any other part of your body. Instead, relax. You may even find it helpful as you exhale, to repeat the word “relax” inside your head.

Stepping back and watching all of this happen, and remembering that you DO have choices can help you get through that stressful moment.

Choose to be more aware, to react less and breathe more deeply. And remember, stress is a perception and nothing more.

The Innergy Corporate Yoga Team

Think your group is too small for Corporate Yoga?

Introducing our NEW Corporate rate for groups of 3-6 people.

With rates starting at less than $10 per person for a 60-minute class, you've got no excuse not to try us!

Not sure if Corporate Yoga is right for your office?

Try your first class at
50% off our regular rates,
for a limited time.

Short on space? Try our Boardroom Yoga Class: yoga poses and exercises done in regular clothing around your workplace's boardroom table.

For more information on all of our corporate yoga and pilates classes, click here or contact us today to get started!

MAY'S WORKPLACE RECIPE:
Vegetable Wrap
Source: Vegetarian Times

Loaded with nutritious vegetables like asparagus, squash and arugula, this wrap is delicious and healthy. White beans pack a high protein punch and will keep you feeling full long after lunch.

And, when you make this recipe, you'll be roasting the veggies, and you can save the extras to add to salads, pasta or rice dishes later in the week.

Make it the night before and grab it in the morning when you head out the door to work.

Ingredient List

Makes 2 wraps

12 thin asparagus spears, trimmed
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips (1 cup)
1 small yellow summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (1 cup)
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 cup white beans
1 small clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp.)
1/2 tsp. red chile sauce, such as sriracha
2 8-inch whole-grain tortillas
6 small whole basil leaves
8 thin slices red onion
1 cup baby arugula leaves

Directions

1. Preheat grill or broiler. Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, squash, and oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Grill or broil vegetables 4 to 6 minutes per side, turning once.
2. Mash together beans, garlic, and chile sauce in small bowl until smooth.
3. Spread half of bean mixture over each tortilla. Top each with 3 basil leaves, 1/2 cup roasted vegetables, 4 onion slices, and 1/2 cup arugula. Fold bottom third of tortillas over vegetables, and roll up tightly, tucking in sides as you go. Cut wraps in half on diagonal. Serve immediately, or wrap each half in foil or wax paper, and chill until ready to eat.

Nutritional Information

Per wrap: Calories: 228, Protein: 11g, Total fat: 3g, Saturated fat: 1g, Carbs: 51g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 419mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugars: 3g

Got a recipe idea for us? Email us.

MAY'S CLIENT PROFILE: Brock House Society

Brock House Society - Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.

Brock House Society is a non-profit organization that organizes activities for their senior members. Innergy provides a yoga instructor for their members three times a week for on-site Seniors' Yoga classes.

Where: Vancouver, BC (Point Grey area)
Client for: About 2.5 years
Classes: Level 1 Seniors' Yoga 2x/week; Level 2 Seniors' Yoga 1x/week
For more information, visit www.brockhousesociety.com

I: Why does your group do yoga?

BH: Brock House Society provides yoga classes as part of its service to our members.

I: How long have you been running yoga classes with us?

BH: Since September, 2007

I: What is your favourite part of our yoga classes?

BH: I think the part that I like best is that Innergy seeks out the best instructors, and fits the instructor to our needs. That is an enormous time saver for me, and the seniors have loved every instructor we've had!

I: What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes?

BH: The members find that they are more flexible; they have increased strength and mobility. There is also a wonderful social aspect to the classes – friendships have been forged and strengthened as a result of people meeting regularly at class.

I: Would you recommend our programs to other businesses or groups? Why?

BH: I would highly recommend your programs to other businesses. To be able to have an entire program set up and delivered literally stress-free – seems to me to embody all that yoga is about!

MAY'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE

Seated Forward Bend

Seated Forward Bend - Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.

BENEFITS

Stretches entire back and neck, creates space in spine, increases blood flow to facial muscles and brain, reverses flow of gravity and aging process, reduces stress, rejuvenates body, increases energy and more.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: 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 2: Place your hands on your thighs and take a deep inhale. As you exhale, fold forward, draping your body over your legs. Slide your hands down toward the floor and hold each elbow with the opposite hand. Let your arms rest into your legs. Let your body hang heavily over your legs. Let your head relax completely.

Step 3: Take 3-5 deep breaths, inhaling deeply into your back, and with each exhale, let your body get heavier. Completely immerse yourself in this stretch.

Step 4: To come out, release your hands and let your arms slide toward the floor. Place your hands on your knees, and as you inhale, rag doll yourself up to a seated position, letting your head be completely heavy. When you reach the top, roll your shoulders up, back and down, and sit quietly for a few moments with your eyes closed. Open your eyes and return to work.

NEWS & VIEWS

Man Sheds 365 Pounds Through Yoga - Watch the video here

25 Reasons to Do Yoga - Read the full article

Is your Mind a Friend or Foe? - Read the full article

The effects of Yoga on Veterans - Read the full article

Fight Tension Headaches Naturally with Yoga - Read the full article

Reduce Stress and Ace Tests with Yoga - Read the full article

What NOT to do in Your Next Yoga Class - Read the full article

Experience a yoga retreat AND help support a
good cause at the same time when you sign up for
Yoga Outreach's Yoga Retreat in Squamish, BC, May 28th-30th, 2010.

Yoga Outreach is a Vancouver-based charity that helps bring free yoga to places like shelters, jails, recovery centres and more. Get more information on the retreat here.

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