JoyFull Living by Louise Lavergne
When I was first opening JoyFull yoga; a nice couple was thanking me: “This town needs a yogurt place.”
Yoga is not a breakfast food nor a religion or doctrine. It means Union. This ancient science is superb for stress management and offers a discipline to relax and exercise the Body, Mind and Spirit improving muscle tone, circulation, balance and overall wellbeing.
According to reports by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress is linked to 90% of illness and disease. Yoga is a powerful tool to help you maintain your healthy, JoyFull Jacksonville lifestyle. It doesn’t mean having to perform pretzel poses necessarily. I take the time to discuss what might be the best approach for a new student. I encourage you to try different classes within your interest and ability. Most teachers offer modification for all levels. I hear from a wide range of students ages 15 to 95. “I feel so much better since I’ve been coming to class.” Yoga is a practice. Start where you are right now and grow from there.
I think that the most important part of any Yoga is practice is Pranayama (the science of Breath.) Simply learning beneficial breathing techniques can change your life. As you connect with your breath, you can activate your body’s own ability to relax, heal and restore itself. Proper breathing improves hiking, running, golfing, fly fishing, eating, etc… and even wine tasting is better if you know the art of deep breathing!
Here is a quick, easy way to get started and keep stress levels down throughout your day. Three Life Saving Breaths: In my corporate program Yoga on the GO tm I teach this practice of taking 3 deep breaths before or after at least 3 daily tasks such as shower, meals, driving, going to bed, etc … Start with one hand on belly – one hand on chest. Keep shoulders relaxed and roll them back and down. Feel the belly and chest expand as you inhale through the nose for a count of 8 (do 4 if it’s too much, working up gradually to 20). As you exhale also through the nose for the same count, pull in at the navel to get all the air out. Invite each breath in with gratitude as you would a precious gift. Repeat 2 more times. In less then 1 to 2 minutes this practice helps the heart rate come back to an appropriate level and lowers blood pressure. It also normalizes the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in your body. (Prolonged stress produces harmful levels of these hormones)
. Of course it only works if you “do it.” The more you practice, the easier it becomes and the greater the benefits. Remember to take time to Breathe. © Louise Lavergne 2001-2008
www.joyfull-yoga.com; 899-0707 Louise is the owner of JoyFull Yoga LLC in Jacksonville where she offers group and private sessions. She is the yoga provider for Triune Integrative Medicine in Medford where she works with patients of Dr. Robin Miller. She is also a Motivational speaker. She has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years.
