Ramblings from behind the desk...
The hot weather is fast approaching and the pressure to fit into the bathing suite, those short shorts or even just to feel comfortable wearing a tank top is now upon us and the with this pressure comes a natural shift to our physical bodies and well, how do they look. When we begin to shift our focus to the obtainment of purely physical goals for the purpose of vanity there becomes a disassociation from true health. Our minds naturally focus on the negative, we begin to lay restrictions and our conversations with ourselves become non-loving and judgmental.
How does the shift in focus on health and not vanity translate?
Take your next meal, if we are eating for vanity our focus becomes on what we shouldn't eat, how many carbs are in the meal and how if we eat certain choices that we are 'bad' or not in control. We eat the meal with anxiety and often regret. How do these feeling then translate into our bodies, into our cells, into our psyches?
Now take the same meal and eat for health. Your approach becomes how the meal is going to nurture our body and how you are going to feel as you eat it and while it is being used my your body. How do these feeling now translate?
Let's look at exercise under the same two conditions. When we exercise for vanity it becomes a struggle of our minds against our bodies. We often struggle to even engage in exercise as we know that if it isn't intense that there is little purpose so if we are tired we do not participate, if we are stressed out we often do not participate and if we are too busy, we definitely do not participate. When we are engaged there is a separation of our bodies from our minds. They become just tools to burn calories and often we criticize our abilities and comparisons to others begin to creep in.
Now if we shift our perspective to view exercise from the point of health we realize that exercise is not an event that needs to occur under negations but it becomes a desire that becomes a priority as it can be engaged in at any point within the day in many capacities. We become engaged on the feeling of our bodies moving and the pleasure and sometimes discomfort this can create. There is a connection and an appreciation of our physical bodies. We begin just to observe without attachment of what can't be done or comparisons of what should be done.
The biggest shift that occurs when we begin to focus on our health is our ability to stay in the present and the process of disengaging from the future desires or past defeats begin to dissolve. You begin to be with what is without judgment but with grace and openness. You begin to feel your body moving in the present moment, you begin to feel how your body reacts when you fill it with nutrients and you begin to enjoy the process of it all. Judgments pass and our minds begin to shift into a positive realm of wanting to feel more alive and well, more health.
Our desires to look a certain way will never diminish but how do you want to feel? We cannot stop our bodies from aging, or the natural changes that occur with a pregnancy or an illness but all of these events do not need to become something which is so negatively fought against. We have control in our choice to honor our health and if our focus is angled in this direction we will move through life with a true grace.
Yours from behind the desk,
Monica Candy
New Classes at the studio:
With attention to breath and movement, this class will invite you to explore your body with new found awarness. Each class will include Hatha yoga postures and breath work, leaving you feeling relaxed and refreshed. Come and enjoy learning about the different aspects of yoga and have fun at the same time.
Tuesday @ 5:00 (taught by Michelle Mitsrich)
Beginner Bootcamp:
Finally a bootcamp class that is designed for a beginner!
This class will run for 6 weeks starting:
June 11th
This class is ideal for someone who has not been active or is not interested in an intense, extreme paced bootcamp class but would still like to see the benefits that bootcamp has to offer.
Space is limited so please register soon!
Nutrition for Health, Wellness, and Social Responsibility
This is a 4-lecture series on nutrition, wellness, and social and community responsibility. Our food choices affect not only our individual health and the health of our families, but also the health of the world around us.
Week One: The Basics of Nutrition
Week Two: Food Sensitivites
Week Three: Nutrition for Women
Week Four: Eco-Nutrition
Wednesdays - June 3, 10, 17, 24, 2009 - 6:30-7:30 pm
Cost: $60 for the 4-week session
Pre-registration is necessary
REGISTER: 423 Nutrition and Fitness Consulting or call 250 508-6632
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR: Trina-Rae Cuff is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, a Registered Yoga Teacher, a Certified Fitness Instructor, and a Certified Reiki Therapist. She has extensive experience teaching and coaching on a variety of nutrition and fitness related topics.
Ajna Yoga - Yoga Teacher Training Certification
Share your passion for yoga.
Become a certified yoga instructor this fall.
In this 12-week intensive course, you willlearn the tools you need to become a confident yoga teacher, able to teach to a variety of ages and abilities.
Our student- centered approach means that we meet you where you are in your yoga journey. You will learn the fundamentals of yoga kinesiology (how bodies move), including common physical limitations and injuries. This hands-on knowledge, taught within the context of yogic philosophy will show you how to create safe, inspiring classes.
Our maximum class size of 14, in- course practicum and ongoing mentorship program for graduates means you will always have one-on-one support.
September 15th - December 5th, 2009
Also includes:
• 20 class punch card for any Balance yoga and Pilates class
• Ajna Course Manual
• Ongoing post- graduation mentorship program
»More Information or to Register
Rental Space Available
Balance is now offering the ability to rent one of our newly renovated practicioner/treatment rooms. Large in size with a seperate waiting area that is ideal for accomodating clients.
Also available to rent is our beautiful studio space. A variety of times are available so please inquire as to current availabilities. Rental Inquiry
If you would like to include some interesting articles or fabulous recipes in our next newsletter please send them to info@balancevictoria.com