Coping with Stress this Spring

Spring is springing! As we transition from winter hibernation to the more expansive nature of spring, consider how you discharge pressure and tension. When your nervous system becomes overwhelmed - as all of ours can, especially living in the city - how do you shift back to homeostasis? Stress is part of our lives. How do you cope with challenge? Do you have a glass of wine, numb out by watching another show, eat a bag of potato chips? Each of us needs to find a healthy menu of choices to turn to as a way of quieting and balancing our nervous system.

Take the time to identify the things and activities that bring you tranquility. Some of us respond to invigorating movement, like jogging or walking, and others prefer a quiet room. Maybe you wrap yourself in a comfy sweater, light a candle, take a bath, dance, cook or listen to music. Personally, I have learned to consciously create space for myself; I practice yoga, breath, savour tea and soak up nature – water and trees work wonders for me! Different things work at different times. The trick is getting to know what you need and when. Having a repertoire is helpful.

I am teaching all kinds of yoga this spring: active, restorative, therapeutic, prenatal, group and private sessions. Consult my schedule and find me so I can help you release tension and harmonize with yourself.

Child's Pose

Here is one restorative pose that you can try to help calm the mind. It is called Child’s Pose (Balasana). You will need a yoga block or a firm book on which to rest your forehead (not shown in image). You may want to have a blanket available to pad your knees.

Instructions:

▪ From hands and knees, place a block or book in front of you.
▪ Bend your knees and shift your hips back towards heels.
▪ Knees could be together or apart.
▪ Rest your forehead, specifically your frontal cortex on the block or book. (Your frontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for planning, reasoning and problem solving.) Imagine this part of your brain quieting as you focus on your breathing.
▪ Stay here for 1 or 2 minutes taking slow, deep breaths with an emphasis on extending the exhalation.

My spring schedule is as follows:

Monday: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 
889 Yonge - Candlelight Restorative Yoga

Tuesday: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm 
Octopus Garden - Prenatal Yoga (Please contact OG to pre-register)

Wednesday: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm 
Octopus Garden - All Levels Class

Thursday: 10:00 am - 11:00 am 
889 Yonge - Level 1 Flow

Thursday: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm 
889 Yonge - Yoga Clinic

Thursday: 7:45 pm - 9:15 pm 
Octopus Garden - Restorative Yoga

Sunday: 10:30 am -11:30 am 
889 Yoga at The Four Seasons Hotel - All Levels Class

I also continue to offer small group and private yoga instruction. Please contact me if I may be of service.

Namaste,
Lisa