Feeling a little stressed?

Stress, as you probably already know, isn't very good for us. Stress can cause insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, irritability, depression, the list goes on and on.

Many of the things that bring stress to our lives are unavoidable: work, social interactions, family stresses, finances, etc. So what can one do to bring more peace into their life and counteract some of that harmful stress?

Here are 4 things you can start right now:

1. Take 10 minutes out of your morning to just be.  You don't have to sit in a special way or close your eyes or speak a mantra. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea and stare out the window. Let yourself become present. Feel the warmth of your cup, the feel of your feet on the floor, pay attention to what you can see and feel.

2. Take a quick yoga break, 5 - 10 minutes will do for now. Pick a few relaxing poses (child's pose, savasana, a supine twist, legs up the wall) and take a few minutes to do them, take your time, move slowly, and focus on your breath. 

3. Take a moment to evaluate your life and be grateful for all of the wonderful things that you are and all of the wonderful things you are experiencing. Sometimes, when we are stressed about what we don't have, it helps to remember what we do have. Just take this moment to let go of your worries, no matter how important they are, just let yourself relax fully in this moment.

4. Sign up for my Stress Relief Workshop, starting in January 2016, every third Sunday from 11:45am - 1:15pm at Yoga 4 Peace in Southgate. The first one will be held on January 17, 2016. I hope to see you there!
Namaste,
Erin

I started exploring yoga as an adolescent. And honestly, I can't recall why. I have no idea what originally called me to yoga. I remember that I loved that yoga slowed me down, that I could make it my own, and that it allowed me to truly explore who I was.

I practiced for a few years, in my bedroom of my parents' house (while they rolled their eyes at me). I would check out books from the library and I had one DVD that I would practice with.

Eventually, as it does, life got in the way and I left my practice. I would visit yoga again briefly during college and again during and after pregnancy. But it wasn't until I received a blatant message from the universe that I truly came back.

I reached a point in my life where I lacked joy and mindfulness. I began to question and even regret many of my life decisions. I was the most unhappy and unsatisfied that I had ever been. I wasn't taking care of myself emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Fortunately, one of the first things I brought back into my life was yoga. It made all the difference. It allowed me to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I could move again! I found joy in the every day again! It was amazing.

I remember the day I re-gained respect for my body and knowledge that I was finally physically healing. I took my son to a birthday party at a play place with lots of inflatable obstacle courses and bounce houses. He begged me to go on an obstacle course with him. My first instinct was to say "No sweetie pie, Mommy won't fit." But, I couldn't say no.  The entire time I thought to myself "What am I going to do?  I'm going to get stuck! I'm going to look like an idiot! I can't do this!" I surprised myself when I made it through the whole thing. I wasn't winded, I didn't get stuck, and I have to say, I was kind of awesome at it. It was an amazing feeling. I couldn't believe how well I could move again!

This realization among many others gave me the courage to explore other paths. I have now self-published a short story, professionally published 3 children's books, started my own Yoga Business (Rowan Tree Yoga), and co-founded The Yoga and Wellness Collective with Carrie Hura.

Yoga has been good to me and I'm extremely excited to share it with the community. And I don't plan on leaving my practice again. It has taught me how to love and respect myself on all levels.

What brought you to yoga?

Namaste,
Erin

Meditation might look easy, but it's not something that comes naturally to most people.

At least, it didn't come naturally to me. I was , what I like to call, "Meditation Impaired".

I know that I'm not alone. My mind is so busy, thoughts just running through, swinging around like drunken monkeys. That is why I need meditation. I need to give myself a rest, recharge, and come back into the moment.

"I need to go to the grocery store... what was it I needed?  Are we out of milk?...OMG, I hope no one heard my stomach gurgle...Did I lock my door before I left?...Oh no! I forgot to call my sister, I'll have to call her when I get home, but I have to go to the store, pick up the kiddo and get him ready for bed...oh and he needs a bath tonight, am I out of soap?  I need to put that on my list...am I sitting up straight enough? or am I starting to slouch?...aaaand there goes my stomach again. I hope no one noticed..."

You get the idea. That right there, ladies and gentleman, used to be my thought process during meditation. But I kept practicing and I'm getting better every time. And you can too. Your brain deserves a rest, you deserve a rest!

Namaste,
Erin

I'm a big advocate for making your practice yours, and no one is better at that than children. Children tend to be so free and comfortable in their own skin. It’s one of the things that makes them such a joy to teach. 
 
When I teach children yoga, it’s not my goal to have a 5 year old in a perfect tree pose nor is it my goal to get them into a headstand. My goals when teaching children are simple, I want them to acquire body awareness,
explore different types of movement, become familiar with yoga, foster creativity, increase their self-esteem, and have fun! 
 
I never correct children in poses. I show them the pose and allow them to mimic me in whatever fashion they’re feeling at the moment. Their little bodies aren’t as mature as ours, they are still developing, it’s important to
teach them to be kind to themselves and to remember that their proportions and ability to move aren’t the same as ours. In addition, I never, ever, want to make a child feel disappointed in themselves, their ability, or their body while in yoga class. 

During class, I always encourage children to create their own pose and they come up with some pretty interesting stuff! It's always great to watch and see what crazy fun poses they want to do and to see the smile on their faces when they are allowed to express themselves and show off their creativity.

Remember parents, if you take your child to a yoga class and they seem as if they aren’t participating, they aren’t listening, or maybe they’re running around and doing something different, that’s ok. Just having them there is a great start and maybe after a class or two, they’ll begin to participate.


Check out this AMAZING Slide Show of kids doing yoga from Mind, Body, Green.

Originally posted at www.theyogaandwellnesscollective.com

Namaste,
Erin