It’s good to be reminded every once in a while that the sun doesn’t rise and set with our individual schedules, that the world won’t fall apart if we take a personal day, and that there are other people around us who are experiencing much more difficult challenges than we are, at any given time. On the contrary, it is also good to remember that each of our behaviours and actions affect those around us, in ways that we may be completely unaware. The second week in February has been unofficially designated "Random Act of Kindness Week". Let’s all try to bring some awareness to our actions as we go through our lives this month, and remember it’s the little things that often make a huge impact.
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday in your life you will have been all of these." (George Washington Carver)
Yours in Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
CHECK OUT THESE EXCITING NEW CHANGES TO HOW WE ARE RUNNING CLASSES:
When it comes to healthy muscles and joints, our philosophy at Lifewise is "motion is lotion". Our goal is to help our students and patients develop strong supple bodies. In an effort to maximize your experience and encourage you to grow your yoga practice, we are changing our fee structure to a class pass system that will allow students to purchase and attend as many classes per week as fits their schedule – no more registered sessions! We will be adding additional classes and workshops to the schedule throughout the year (sold separately and registration still required for these ones); be sure to stay tuned for additions and updates!
Check out our class schedule & website for more details!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
FEB 8th: BACK TO BASICS
This gentle, guided four-week specialized back-care program, created and lead by RMT and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Dennis Newhook, is designed to help you learn how to better care for your back on a daily basis. You will learn exercises to safely reduce tension, increase mobility and build greater strength and body awareness. Handouts will be provided to guide participants in home practices between lessons. This program is suitable for those with chronic back pain or stiffness. No previous yoga experience is required.
4 week workshop
$88.oo + hst
Saturdays at 12:30pm (60min)
Begins: February 8, 2014
FEB 12th: DISCOVER YOGA
Join Gaye Barter, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, in this safe and thorough six-week introductory program for the novice yogi who wants to have fun and start from square one. The classes will cover the fundamentals of yoga: breath, postural alignment, mobility, stability, strength, mental focus and deep relaxation. Upon completion of this program, you will have a preliminary understanding of the basic principles of yoga poses (asanas), a sense of how to modify the poses to your flexibility and ability level, along with some tools that can be applied to daily life.
6 week workshop
$126.oo + hst
Wednesdays at 7:15pm (75min)
Begins: February 12, 2014
*Registration deadline: 1 week prior to start date.
COMING SOON: Qigong Classes (Beginning the end of February – details to follow.)
Qigong is comprised of two words: "Qi" (energy or life force) and "Gong" meaning methods or exercise for strengthening or replenishing. Together, they translate roughly to breathe refinement or energy cultivation. This ancient practice is not only a wonderful low impact form of exercise and meditation; a regular Qigong practice can help you lower stress levels, control emotions, and increase self-awareness.
We would like to warmly welcome our new Qigong instructor, Zachary Lui, to the Lifewise Team. Zac has been a practitioner of Qigong and Meditation for many years; during this time he has apprenticed with various people within the discipline to hone his skills. Currently, he is in his final year of training to become a certified Acupuncturist. Zac brings his passion for working with others and living a balanced lifestyle together in his classes and has developed methods to make Qigong practical for the lay person. He has trained in Yang Style Taijichuan and Yin Style Baguazhang and has also run a year-long program on self-development as an instructor at the Quantum Life Science Institute. To date, many of the people he has trained report significant improvements in their life through the processes he teaches.
Try this simple lifestyle change with enormous health benefits...
Dennis Newhook, RMT & CYT
Commit to drinking water! Water aids in the transport of nutrients, detoxification, lubrication and cushioning. It maintains blood volume and aids in temperature regulation. It is the single most indispensable nutrient by far! Water makes up about 60% of the body’s weight and we begin to show signs of early dehydration (thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, etc.) as soon as that figure begins to drop.
I find it helpful to fill a 1-litre container that I can use throughout the day to better monitor my intake. Seeing that container go down motivates me to keep drinking! The visual goal really helps. Like any new lifestyle change, it is best to start small: if you aren’t drinking any water, try for just a glass in the morning and one in the afternoon; gradually increase your intake each day.
Not sure how much water you really need? While your activity level, environment (temperature and humidity), and diet (including other beverages) all affect your required intake, most professionals agree that 2-litres/day is a good goal for healthy, active adults.
Here are a few suggestions if you struggle getting the water you need: try adding slices of citrus fruit (lemon, lime, or orange), cucumber, pineapple, or even mint leaves if you need a hint of flavour; start early – have your first glass before breakfast; if the taste of chlorine bothers you, let your water sit in a pitcher – the chlorine will evaporate; avoid storing your water in plastic containers – stainless steel or glass is best; be sure to regularly wash reusable bottles.
