"The mind and body are not separate. What affects one, affects the other." (Joseph Pilates) One of the many benefits of a Pilates practice is the mind/body relationship. We deliberately focus on our breathing pattern, we consider the precision of our movements, we bring awareness to our center and core. The focus on principles such as breathing, precision, flow, control and center creates a quieting of the mind. Much like in yoga, refreshing the body often occurs as a result of quieting the mind. Recently I have noted a number of friends who share that their immunity is compromised due to chronic stress. Stress disturbs sleep patterns, contributes to poor eating habits, creates muscular tension, stress affects relationships. Our responsibility, for the sake of our bodies and our well-being; is to recognize stress and foster a strategy to respond...preferably a strategy that enhances our health.
Artha Yoga and Sustainable Living Center in Amherst, Wisconsin
Whatever the source of my stress, I felt the creep of emotional strain profoundly last week. I was agitated and irritable, minor disturbances to my plan or routine resulted in over-reactions to my family. I felt the stress bubble building and knew I needed to self-medicate...with yoga! I did a quick search of area yoga retreats and discovered a beautiful sanctuary exists in Amherst, Wisconsin at the Artha Yoga and Sustainable Living Center. Local yoga, Marguerite, hosts a bi-annual retreat in this quaint Amish community near Steven's Point, Wisconsin. While there were still a few spaces for this yoga weekend retreat, the bed and breakfast was full. Rather than stay in lodging separate from the facility I made a mental note to consider this location (and budget accordingly) for a future retreat. http://www.arthaonline.com/yogaretreatsartha.html Instead, I was grateful to schedule a few classes at my favorite local studio, Yoga One in Cedarburg.
Friday Happy Hour Yoga with Paula creates a reliable, consistent "happy" effect at the end of the week. Paula is a beautiful, knowledgeable yogi who speaks with a smile, literally if you were blindfolded and only heard her speak you would say, "She is smiling." To "hear" a smile puts the listener at ease. The build-up to the end of the week affects people differently, for us that seek yoga on a Friday afternoon we likely share the need to quietly decompress, free the body, which magically frees the mind. (Or perhaps it is the reverse, yoga frees the mind which allows the body to unwind.) Regardless, I needed the "double" Friday so I stayed for Paula's Restorative Yoga from 6-7:30p.m. Restorative Yoga involves blankets, bolsters, pillows, blocks and straps. The poses are generally found seated or resting on your stomach, your side, or your back, poses quite similar to sleeping! Poses are passive and designed to create ease in both body and mind. You rest comfortably in one position for minutes at a time until quietly redirected to a new, supported position. Calm music accompanies this 75 minute class and you leave feeling as though you have been on a week-long retreat.
Saturday morning I returned to Kimberly's class where she reminded us that yoga practice occurs every time we consciously take a deep breath, every time we straighten our shoulders and lengthen our bodies, every time we refrain from a hasty response and instead choose our words with love. Yoga is the practice of living mindfully and recognizing that the chatter of our mind subsides when we reside consciously in the present moment. The peak of my yoga recovery weekend was the participation in a 2 1/2 hour workshop taught by Catherine. This workshop detailed all the movements and poses with great anatomical precision and alignment involved in Surya Namaskar A...or the first Sun Salutation. Catherine verbalized specific nuances, provided subtle adjustments, and physically demonstrated every element that makes the Sun Salutation such a healthy, strong practice for any yogi. The ability of an instructor to teach with such clarity and specificity elevates the experience from superficial to profound. Catherine is hosting a workshop in November with similar focus on Surya Namaskar B. This workshop is suitable for all levels and allows focus at a deeper level on movements that create stretch, strength and mindful focus to the body.
Friday Happy Hour Yoga with Paula creates a reliable, consistent "happy" effect at the end of the week. Paula is a beautiful, knowledgeable yogi who speaks with a smile, literally if you were blindfolded and only heard her speak you would say, "She is smiling." To "hear" a smile puts the listener at ease. The build-up to the end of the week affects people differently, for us that seek yoga on a Friday afternoon we likely share the need to quietly decompress, free the body, which magically frees the mind. (Or perhaps it is the reverse, yoga frees the mind which allows the body to unwind.) Regardless, I needed the "double" Friday so I stayed for Paula's Restorative Yoga from 6-7:30p.m. Restorative Yoga involves blankets, bolsters, pillows, blocks and straps. The poses are generally found seated or resting on your stomach, your side, or your back, poses quite similar to sleeping! Poses are passive and designed to create ease in both body and mind. You rest comfortably in one position for minutes at a time until quietly redirected to a new, supported position. Calm music accompanies this 75 minute class and you leave feeling as though you have been on a week-long retreat.
Saturday morning I returned to Kimberly's class where she reminded us that yoga practice occurs every time we consciously take a deep breath, every time we straighten our shoulders and lengthen our bodies, every time we refrain from a hasty response and instead choose our words with love. Yoga is the practice of living mindfully and recognizing that the chatter of our mind subsides when we reside consciously in the present moment. The peak of my yoga recovery weekend was the participation in a 2 1/2 hour workshop taught by Catherine. This workshop detailed all the movements and poses with great anatomical precision and alignment involved in Surya Namaskar A...or the first Sun Salutation. Catherine verbalized specific nuances, provided subtle adjustments, and physically demonstrated every element that makes the Sun Salutation such a healthy, strong practice for any yogi. The ability of an instructor to teach with such clarity and specificity elevates the experience from superficial to profound. Catherine is hosting a workshop in November with similar focus on Surya Namaskar B. This workshop is suitable for all levels and allows focus at a deeper level on movements that create stretch, strength and mindful focus to the body.
Why do I share this experience? Because the next time you feel like I did last week, I hope you will call me and say, "Can I go to yoga with you?" Because my friends and clients share similar sentiments; we live in a stressful world but we don't have to become that stress. We have thoughts but we don't have to be consumed by our thoughts. Our bodies are able to diffuse stressful circumstances when given the proper care. That on-edge, uncomfortable, irritable feeling does not need to become chronic when you have developed strategies to ease your body of stress and strain. . The wisdom espoused by instructors is developed through their consistent practice on and off the mat; investing in their knowledge reaps benefits for a more peaceful you and a more peaceful world.
Next week an acclaimed yoga instructor will be visiting the Cedarburg studio. Check out her class offerings and take your own mini-retreat. Thank you for reading!
Next week an acclaimed yoga instructor will be visiting the Cedarburg studio. Check out her class offerings and take your own mini-retreat. Thank you for reading!
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