 Spring is in the air.
Birds are chirping, flowers are budding, and everything is feeling fresh and new. Life and renewal abound.
Align yourself with nature by spring-cleaning your life, removing the junk that accumulates in our homes, our bodies, and our habits during the long, dark, sluggish winter.
If you aren’t sure where to start, or need a little motivation, try any or all of these ways to get yourself in the spring spirit!
- Refresh your space. Spring-cleaning is not just about wiping the dust off the blinds and scrubbing the burns out of the oven. It's about making space for the creativity that we feel at this time of year by giving it room to blossom. Strategically sifting through your belongings and purging everything that is not of use anymore helps make room in your house. So get the garbage bags ready and take your outcasts to the nearest donation centre so they can be loved in their next life as someone else’s treasure.
- Get into your hips. We tend to hold our anger in the hips, and moving the energy around in there can help release emotions that are not serving us. Holding Pigeon pose, doing some deep squats, or even letting your pelvis sink a bit deeper while in a lunge creates more space to send the old out and let the new in. Just make sure to drink plenty of water after intense hip work so that you can flush physical and emotional toxins out of the body.
- Shake things up a bit. Spring is a time of new life, and therefore the perfect time to bring a new practice into your life. Maybe that means a different style of yoga class, a pose you have never tried, or something outside the realm of yoga that has always been of interest. Start running, get a new hair do, rearrange your furniture, or choose a different mode of transport. Let spring be the start of a new you.
- Help your body cleanse. Our bodies naturally go into detoxification mode in the spring after the long winter hours spent in-doors and inactive. Regardless of whether a regimented cleanse process interests or terrifies you, we can all help our organs of elimination do their jobs by making a few dietary changes. Ease your body’s burden by eating less and eating lighter and taking advantage of the bounty nature provides us at this time. Eat plenty of detoxifying vegetables like beets, leafy greens, broccoli, onions, and garlic, and make sure to stay well hydrated.
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Cleanse your commitments. If you feel bogged down in details or that your plate is too full, it can be helpful to take a life inventory. Make a list of everything that you feel obligated to – relationships that consume you, commitments you are not excited to keep, activities you are involved in – and determine which ones serve you. Do what you can to cut ties with the rest and notice how light and free it makes you feel.
However you prepare for spring this year, ensure you do it joyfully, so as to set a foundation for the transition you want in your life. Happy spring!
Marie Simpson
Administrative Assistant
Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.
WANT TO DO YOGA FOR FREE?
Here are 2 Ways!
1. Organize a Corporate Yoga or Pilates class with at least 15 people at yourworkplace and as the organizer, YOUR classes are FREE.
To learn more about our new I-CORP™ (Innergy Class Organizer Reward Points) Program and how you can attend one of our classes for free, contact us today.
2. Our new Referral Program
When a corporate client or group signs up for a minimum of 4 classes with us, and they were referred by you, you will receive your choice of the following:
1. FREE Private 60-minute Yoga or Pilates class in your home for 1 or 2 people
2. FREE Group Yoga or Pilates class for your co-workers OR friends and family in your home.
For more details on our Innergy Referral Program, contact us today.
Want to Empower your Staff?
 We are now offering Yoga at Your Desk™, a workshop to show people how to handle and manage their stress while at work, using simple and basic yoga postures they can do right at their desk throughout the day.
One of our highly qualified yoga teachers will lead participants through an interactive 60-minute workshop right at their workshop.
A maximum of 25 students ensures quality attention for each student. Students will leave with a handout, showing exercises they can do at their desks.
To learn more, or to inquire about booking a workshop, contact us today or click here for more details.
Contest: Win a FREE 60-minute Massage
 If you live in Kamloops, take a moment to email us and put "Massage Contest" in the Subject heading.
You could win a 60 minute Full Body massage from Studio Massage and Spa in downtown Kamloops!
Contest deadline is Friday, April 22nd. Winner will be announced in our May newsletter.
Thank You!
Well, we didn't win, but a big thank you to everyone who supported us. We made it to the Top 5 in Small Business BC's contest, in the category "Best Company".
And congratulations to the winner, Quicktech, of Vancouver, BC.
THIS MONTH'S WORKPLACE RECIPES:
(This month we have two)
Almond-Currant Couscous
Couscous is a hearty whole grain. Almonds add extra protein and calcium.Make it for dinner the night before with grilled chicken or turkey, and enjoy leftovers at work the next day.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons (30 mL) olive oil
1 1/2 (375 mL) cups instant couscous
1/4 cup (60 mL) whole natural almonds, toasted and chopped
2 cups (500 mL) boiling water
1/2 cup (125 mL) dried currants
1/4 cup (60 mL) sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) salt
Directions
1. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add couscous and almonds; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes until grains are fragrant and heated through. Turn off heat.
2. In bowl, mix boiling water, currants, onions, cinnamon and salt; pour over couscous. Cover saucepan with tight-fitting lid; set aside 20 minutes. Fluff almond-currant couscous with fork and divide among four plates.
Serving suggestions:
As a side dish with a spring vegetable ragout or grilled vegetable and tofu skewers
Slice sautéed or grilled boned and skinned chicken breasts and fan over couscous
Note: To toast almonds, spread in an ungreased baking pan. Place in 350ºF oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes or until almonds are light brown; stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to brown slightly after removing from oven.
Makes 4 servings.
Source: Best Health
Cute Lemon Cookies
Sugar free, simple to make and raw (as in no baking). A sweet treat you will really savour.
Ingredients
2 cup almonds
1 tsp Lemon Juice
2 tbls Lemon Juice
1-3 Medjool Dates
Pinch of salt
Directions
1.
Process almonds until fine, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of fine lemon peel, add 1 date and process - This mixture should start to form together for you to be able to form cookie shapes. If not add more dates as needed, one at a time.
Source: Pure Cuisine Raw Food Restaurant in Kamloops, BC
Got a recipe idea for us? Email us.
CLIENT PROFILE OF THE MONTH:
BC Ministry of Natural Resources
Where: Kamloops, BC
Client for: 4 months
Classes: Hatha Yoga 1x/week
"After a yoga session, everyone is relaxed and feeling great! It is a perfect midday break . . . "
- Tori Meeks, Yoga class participant
ICY: Why does your group do corporate yoga?
BCMNR: Everyone does yoga for different reasons, but ultimately I think that we participate in corporate yoga because it is convenient, affordable and offered during our lunch break, right here in the building!
ICY: How long have you been doing corporate yoga with us?
BCMNR: We started with Innergy Corporate Yoga in December of last year.
ICY: What is your favourite part of our corporate yoga classes?
BCMNR: The classes are for all levels, everyone is welcome. Our teacher offers up a variety of poses, and always keeps it interesting! Modifications are suggested where appropriate, ensuring that the class isn’t too difficult for beginners, and yet the more advanced participants are still challenged as well.
ICY: What benefits do you notice from participating in these classes, both for the staff, as well as your organization?
BCMNR: After a yoga session, everyone is relaxed and feeling great! It is a perfect midday break, giving us the opportunity to stretch and move, we have increased energy and reduced stress.
ICY: Would you recommend our programs to other businesses? Why?
BCMNR: Absolutely! Many people feel as though they don’t have the time to take in an exercise class during the day, with work commitments and deadlines and family responsibilities during the evening. If you can bring yoga to your office, it gives people a reason to get up from their desk, take a break and get the blood flowing. Ultimately they will be happier, more productive employees!
APRIL'S HEALTHY WORKPLACE POSE
Eye Strengthener
BENEFITS
Strengthens eye muscles and lowers risk for needing eye glasses. Slows down the aging process in eyes.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sit up straight in your chair, legs at 90° angle, feet flat on the floor. Rest your left hand on your lap and extend your right arm straight out in front of you. Point your first finger straight up and fold all other fingers in toward your palm.
2. Gaze at your extended finger, then look off into the distance as far as you can see. Look at your finger again, then slowly touch your finger to your nose. Keep your eyes on your finger as you do this. You will go a little cross eyed - that is okay. Once you touch your nose, extend your arm straight again, while continuing to stare at your extended finger. Again, look off into the distance, then back at your finger, then again slowly touch your nose.
3. Repeat 5-8 times, then rub your palms together until they feel warm and place them over your closed eyelids. Rest for a few moments and breathe softly.
NEWS & VIEWS
Yoga: Nothing to Lose but Aches & Blues
Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Quick Chart
Yoga Helps College Students Mood & Concentration
"Connected Warriors" Yoga for Veterans
More Men Adding Yoga to Workouts
Even Muscleheads Benefit from Doing Yoga
Yoga Calms Irregular Heartbeat
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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