Love is in the Air
It’s baaaaaack.
Windows fill with heart-shaped decals, everything seems to be available in red and pink, and those spicy little cinnamon heart candies re-emerge for another year.
Dinner reservations become hard to secure, flower shops get back-logged lists, and the pressure is on to find the perfect gift or card or date.
It's almost enough to make us forget that we’re supposed to be celebrating LOVE. So how do we re-connect to the essence of Valentine’s Day?
Take a deep breath into your BELLY and
then send it up into your HEART.
|
Maybe the best thing you can offer as a symbol of your affection is your presence. So that those you love most really feel it, not because of the gifts that you give but because of the gift of your time. How can you use your yoga practice to ground yourself in the present so this is your point of departure? Maybe there is a pose, a breath technique, or a simple saying that helps you connect to this moment. So get centered in yourself so that instead of presents, you can give your valentine presence.
And if you find yourself swinging solo this year as cupid flits about, become your own best valentine. Pause to reflect on all those things that you absolutely love about yourself. Write yourself a love letter. Take the opportunity to connect to all that is wonderful about you. Be present with yourself – and then get yourself the Valentine’s Day gift you always wanted but that no one else knew you well enough to supply.
So this year, instead of getting wrapped up in the whirlwind of Valentine’s Day, stop. Take a deep breath into your belly and then send it up into your heart. Connect, get grateful. Then say your I love you’s.
Marie Simpson
Administrative Assistant
Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.
WIN A FREE 60-minute Corporate Yoga class
(at your workplace)
To enter: Email us at info@innergycorporateyoga.com and tell us WHAT you love about yoga so much.
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 February 28, 2011.
| ALREADY A CLIENT of INNERGY?
Sorry, you're not eligible to win this prize.
BUT . . . tell a friend about our monthly contest.
If they win, your workplace will be rewarded with a
FREE yoga class too!
(Make sure they mention you when they enter.) |
***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.
JANUARY'S CONTEST WINNER IS . . .
Martha Wong from Sheway (part of Vancouver Coastal Health) in Vancouver, BC! Martha has won a 60-minute Corporate Yoga class for her and all of her co-workers.
Congratulations, Martha!
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.
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 mid-February if we make it to the top 5.
For more information on this contest, click here.
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:
Quinoa & Black Beans
Quinoa (pronounced "keen-WAH") is a whole grain from South America. It has a nutty taste and is enhanced by the flavours in any recipe that includes it.
Black beans are high in fibre and protein.
This recipe is filling and satisfying!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
- Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
- Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 142 | Total Fat: 1.7g | Cholesterol: 0mg
Source: All Recipes.com
Got a recipe idea for us? Email us.
CLIENT PROFILE OF THE MONTH:
BC Ministry of Agriculture
Where: Abbotsford, BC
Client for: about 1.5 years
Classes: All Levels Hatha Yoga 1x/week
This group chose three people from their yoga class to answer our questions. All three answers from each person are listed below.
ICY: Why does your group do corporate yoga?
1. Health and wellness of a select group of staff who feel the need to be refreshed and recharged once a week by a slightly challenging yet relaxing session. The yoga groupies.....
2. It is a great extension to health and wellness awareness that was started a few years ago.
3. Provides an opportunity for some “me time” during the work day. Some of us don’t get much of a chance to do it otherwise, with small kids, for example.
ICY: How long have you been doing corporate yoga with us?
1. About one and a half years . . . eight weeks at a time with some breaks.
2. 1 year
3. We have had Innergy here for about 1.5 years, with some short breaks between 8 week sessions (for example, we took one month off this summer).
ICY: What is your favorite part of our corporate yoga classes?
1. Watching my drishti move around the room – then chase other people’s drishtis . . . – no not really, just the camaraderie of the group. My favourite thing about doing lunchtime yoga with Innergy is that it breaks up my day and makes me feel great. I should also mention that I really love our current instructor- she is excellent!
2. The stretches.
3. The ‘me time’, and the focus on the practice.
ICY: What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes, both for the staff, as well as your organization?
1. As a runner I need to stretch and relax more – yoga – even once a week helps me. In the office even though “work-life balance” is preached we continue to have the "do more with less" attitude rearing its ugly head – so any “down-time” to relax during the day/week is beneficial. Some managers see the value in allowing staff time and space to take that much needed break.
2. Health and wellness personally has helped with curling and running.
3. Personally, I have learned to use yoga as a tool to cope with regular everyday stresses. I feel it is a great asset to my mental health as well as being a fantastic stretching opportunity. Benefits to the organization for allowing Innergy to come in: the employer appears flexible and supportive of work/life balance.
ICY: Would you recommend our programs to other businesses? Why?
1. Yes, absolutely – we have challenges with space and numbers of staff but it certainly is worthwhile.
2. Yes, it is a great break in the day and help energize you in the middle of the day.
3. Certainly would recommend Innergy to others. It is great value for money (time-efficient: no travel for participants, teacher comes to you)
FEBRUARY'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE:
Eagle Arms
BENEFITS
Opens and stretches tight back muscles, releases tension in shoulders, chest, arms and neck, facilitates deeper breathing, improves circulation to upper body, including heart and lungs, reduces overall stress, increases energy and more.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Sit slightly forward on your chair, legs at a 90° angle, feet flat on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles, roll your shoulders back and down, and lift your chest up.
Step 2: Reach your right arm forward, then bend your right arm and reach your right hand up, forming a 90° angle with the right arm. Reach your left arm underneath your right arm, and turn your palms to face each other, pressing them together as best you can. Squeeze both arms together.
Step 3: Keeping both arms squeezed together in this position, lift your elbows up toward the sky as high as they will comfortably go. Stay here for 3-5 breaths, breathing deeply in and out of your upper/mid back area. Relax your shoulders and facial muscles.
Step 4: To release, take one last inhale, and as you exhale, release both arms and place your hands on your thighs. Shake out your arms and breathe normally.
Step 5: Repeat on the other side, switching hand positions.
NEWS & VIEWS
Harvard Study Deems Yoga Healthier than Once Thought
How Meditation may Change the Brain
Yoga Supergram is still supple at 89
Pros and Cons of Learning Yoga from a DVD
Real Men Do Yoga
3 Yoga Poses for Maximum Relaxation
For more information on how to bring the benefits of yoga to your Vancouver, Lower Mainland or Kamloops, British Columbia workplace, click here.
|
