Yoga

March 17, 2015 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Suzanne Zilkowsky

Athletes and Yoga

Yoga isn’t just for yogis. Many athletes have turned to yoga for good reason. Olympians use yoga, as do professional golfers, football players, basketball players, street performers, and even power-lifters. No matter what your sport, and if you are a professional or simply play on a recreational team, yoga can help you by: Making You More Injury Proof Yoga helps to stretch and condition not just the muscles, but all the connective tissues of the body, so that when you reach, jump, or kick, you are less likely to pull a muscle – like a hamstring or groin – because the muscles...

December 5, 2014 In News, Video, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Strength of a Warrior: Warrior II Yoga Pose, Virabhadrasana

Embody the power of Shiva in Warrior II (Virabhadrasana), and meet conflicts in life with the confidence to persevere. Warrior II is a standing, strengthening yoga pose that works the muscles of your lower body while sharpening the will of your mind. While relying upon a strong base in this position, it’s easy to succumb to doubt arising in the mind concerning your own capabilities. This position becomes uncomfortable – and that’s where the real practice starts. Like a warrior, you need to believe fully in the right of your cause (you), and the capabilities of your army (you), so you’re...

November 4, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Radical Acceptance: Accepting What is, Both in Yoga and Life

Derived from Buddhist philosophy, “radical acceptance” is the life-changing practice of simply accepting what is. You might think this to be an obvious approach – of course you have to accept what is, or you might think this approach sounds too passive to be effective. Well, despite its apparent obviousness, radical acceptance is practiced less often than one might expect; and rather than being viewed as passive, radical acceptance is simply the only approach which is not futile in nature. Before you can cultivate effective strategies with which to change your present circumstances, you must first accept what is. Accepting what...

October 30, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Feel Something in Your Yoga Practice

I just completed the longest yoga session of my life. It was 52 minutes drawn out into what felt like 52 hours. I was weak and distracted. Each new pose brought with it a new exit point and strategy. My mind was spilling over with justifications – I had this article to write, after all (though I had no idea what I would write about). And aren’t we supposed to practice self compassion? When I’m not at my best I should be gentle with myself, no? No. I mean, I suppose...

October 29, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Finding the Right Medium to Experience Yoga

Just as there are many different styles of yoga from which to choose, there are also several ways to learn and experience yoga. It’s important that you find the right medium, and the right teacher within that medium, because that relationship will directly affect the likelihood that you will adopt yoga as a regular practice. Probably the most popular method with which to experience yoga is by attending public classes. Studios are popping up on every corner so there’s no shortage of choices – Hatha, hot, yin, etc. The benefits of classes are their availability and the powerful feeling that comes...

October 26, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

A Man’s Introduction to Yoga: Man Up! Yoga for Men

Do you find yourself reluctant to try an effective way to relax, relieve stress, and stay healthy because there is less hype about yoga for men? This is understandable because in society, men are expected to take on all types of stress without a blink of the eye. Each limit is pushed further away in terms of school, work, family, and friends. Without a healthy way to re-energize, a burnout is likely coming sometime in the near future. Yoga for men can be just as beneficial as it is for women. From strengthening the body to training and refocusing the...

October 24, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Finding My Voice Through Yoga

How can a simple, unassuming four letter word change your life? I found that answer the day I unrolled a yoga mat, had a comfortable seat and took my first conscious deep breaths. Inhale….. Exhale….. It was the spring of 2010. At that time I was completely unaware of the miracle that was about to unfold. My mat has become my mirror. As my yoga practice has begun to evolve, the past eleven years of my life are slowly being reflected back at me. On December 13th, 1999, working as a Radiation Therapist at the BC Cancer Agency, I suffered a...

October 8, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Yoga: Practice How You Feel

Compare your most prevalent underlying state of being with the yoga routines you find most comfortable, and chances are there will be some parallels. Passive personalities tend to feel at home with gentle flows, while those who tackle life's issues head on gravitate towards power yoga. And the similarities can be looked at even closer when analyzing your level of comfort during specific postures. Child's Pose, for instance, is a restorative posture in which one feels safe and supported. This is so because your heart is protected, and your face is hidden from the world. It's natural to enjoy being in...

October 5, 2014 In Fitness, News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Hot Yoga Tips: Preparing for Your First Class

If you have ever taken an Ashtanga, Bikram or Vinyasa class you know that the room is heated to temperatures between 90 and 104°F. Because of this heat, there are a few precautions that you should follow. Here are some things to keep in mind before your first class. Drink water and lots of it. Heat in the room acts as a detoxifier for your body and promotes increased flexibility. In turn, the heat promotes sweating, which leads to dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of water before class and this will help prevent dehydration. Speaking of water, try not to eat...

October 4, 2014 In News, Yoga By Vancouver Health Coach

Changing with the Seasons: Connect to your Sadness with Yoga

And then the rains came. Somehow we jumped from sweltering Summer days to Fall colours on trees and grey skies. The change in weather brings new smells, temperatures and overall mood. And while many are already grieving the Sun’s demise, darker times offer a great opportunity within a yoga practice to address your innate human sadness. Zen Buddhists honour the pure and tender heart within each of us which, they believe, is the part of the mass consciousness that became separate upon having this human experience. Simply, however, this tender heart is the part of us which is able to empathize...