Yoga... the retreat your body and mind will love you for.

 

By Rhiannon Rees for the Whistler Question.  © Whistler Question 2006

 

When I first found out about yoga, it was again one of those things that seemed “tedious”. I mean, where was the “fun”??? So, you hold a pose or stretch for 30 seconds and then you hold another one and so it goes. Oh yeah!! Sign me up for 2 or 3 of those sessions. Sounds fascinating. Wild water rafting or yoga…let me see…let me see….skiing in fresh powder or yoga….hhmmmmmmmmmm. Still can’t decide???? Well, the truth is that we all need a little yoga as well as all of the other stimulating things we love to do. With the types of lives that we lead usually busy and full of distress and eustress (yes stress can be a positive thing!!). We all need a place where we can get in touch with ourselves, heal and focus on just us. Yoga is so much more than just a series of stretches. In India, they even have yoga Universities because they teach the philosophy of yoga and yes, the courses are 4 years long!!!

 

In a world, where we push ourselves to the max and we are constantly bombarded by stimulation (positive and negative) we need a place to heal and restore ourselves. Now, given that all is not fair in this world I have one of those bodies that is thirty something going on 60!!! I am only talking in the stretching department. I am very inflexible. So, when I do my yoga, it is the beginner’s classes over and over. Apparently repetition will help me. ! But, since I have been doing yoga on and off for about the last 5 years, things have changed. I use to go because I was stiff as a board and I wanted to be able to put my heels on the floor when I was doing “downward dog” (one of the more popular stretches). So, in the beginning it was purely a physical thing. But, by the time I came to doing pregnancy yoga  (I highly recommend Kashi’s yoga for this) things began to change. Now I went to yoga to feel more calm about the pregnancy. It’s even better now, because when I do a one hour session of yoga once a week, everything seems easier and calmer. It will even feel this way for up to a week and that’s after one hour of yoga??? What else do you know of that can make you feel this good for this long? That’s because yoga in itself is kind of like meditation. It focuses on breathwork and releasing the mind from it’s usual daily clutter. (That’s a big job right there for my mind !!).

 

So, next time you are stressed rather than reaching for chocolate, pills or alcohol or something that is your “usual” crutch, why not try a yoga class??? If nothing else, it really can’t hurt. (Well, as long as you don’t push it to “look” like one of those fabulously lithe and supple yoga bodies.) Remember, if it hurts don’t do it…just breathe and make it deep!

 

 

Whistler Wellness is committed to sharing information about mind body and spirit.  We offer an on-line directory of wellness providers in the Whistler area.  You can book your wellness package, retreat, or getaway with our friendly efficient Whistler based reservations team.  Check out Whistler Wellness Week – April 29 to May 7, 2006.