Ayurveda And Your Health

If you’ve have been taking yoga classes, you may have heard about Ayurveda.

It may seem mysterious and complicated at first. Ayurveda (pronounced: “ah-yer-vey-duh”) is a beautifully complex system. But if you understand the foundation, it is beautiful and simple.

Let’s start with by knowing some simple facts about the basics about this ancient approach to improved health and wellness.

Ayurveda and Yoga have evolved

Ayurveda and Yoga have evolved side-by-side for 5,000 years. It’s roots are in the Indian Sub-continent and it’s the world’s oldest health system.

Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga

Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga and is associated with living life harmoniously in the body, mind and in our environment. It literally translates as Ayur- life, Veda- sacred knowledge.

Ayurveda is a holistic system

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine and serves as a guide to healthy living. The ultimate goal of both Yoga and Ayurveda is to strive to attain a state of physical, mental and spiritual harmony that will allow us to realize Consciousness.

Ayurveda identifies five elements

Ayurveda identifies five elements that are building blocks of all matter. These elements are space, air, fire, water and earth.

Ayurveda represents 3 vital energies

According to Ayurveda, the five elements are represented in the human body energetically by the three vital energies (Doshas):

Vata (space & air)
Pita (fire & water)
Kapha (water & earth)

Ayurveda and digestive fire

According to Ayurveda, there can be no physical health without a strong digestive fire, Agni (pronounced: “ugh-nee”). Agni is what transforms nourishment into something we can use to grow and develop both physically and spiritually.

Ayurveda to alleviate disease

To help alleviate disease and maintain health, Ayurveda focuses on diet, lifestyle, and herbal therapies to balance the vital energies.

So, the next time you come across Ayurveda, you can perhaps follow these simple facts to get you started. You can create a lifestyle and diet to compliment your yoga practice, and also reap the benefits of healing therapies.

Take your practice to the next level and consider learning more about Yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda. Check our upcoming workshops on Ayurveda. Learn your own Mind Body composition and the foods you should be eating suitable for your mind body composition. For more information, call our studio at 905-712-9642 or email at info@mindtobody.ca.

Why Yoga is Great for All Dads

Not only celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, Adam Levin, Robert Downey Jr., LeBron James, but even the manliest of men are finally catching on to the fitness, health, and the feel-good benefits of yoga.
Last time we checked women still far outnumber men on the mat. Does your dad still need some convincing that yoga is for bro’s, too? In honor of Father’s Day, here are few reasons why your dad (and all dads) should be doing yoga.  Here are 4 reasons to consider yoga for all dads:

1. Yoga reduces stress

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer of men (it also strikes men at a younger age than women), and stress may affect behaviors and factors that are proven to increase heart disease risk: high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, physical inactivity and overeating.  If the dad in your life suffers from stress (and who doesn’t?), a yoga mat could be the best Father’s Day gift you give him this year. Several studies suggest that yoga activates the vagus nerve—a very influential parasympathetic nerve affecting the heart—and so the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) becomes more dominant than the adrenalin-based sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight), this reduces blood pressure and consequently the workload of the heart.

Some suggested poses for reducing stress: Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) and many other forward bends. Forward bending poses stimulate the internal organs, all of which have sensory connections to the vagus nerve.

2. Yoga improves flexibility

More often men complain about not being flexible enough, and just about every yoga pose works to improve joint range of motion and muscle suppleness. Men with poor ranges [of motion] can start with with lots of props and standing poses like Trikonasana (Triangle), Warrior I and Warrior II, forward bends like Upavistha Konasana, and simple twists like meru wakrasana (spinal twist).
Go easy at first. Men have a tendency to often pit their greater strength against their reduced ranges of motion and hurt themselves.. Patience and being kind to yourself and ahimsa (non-violence toward all living beings) are really quite important.

3. Yoga helps ease back pain

Yoga’s ability to alleviate back pain is possibly its strongest swaying factor when it comes to winning converts. 80 percent success can be achieved through poses like Salabhasana (Locust Pose) and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) for a herniated disc.

4. Yoga may shrink that beer gut

There are many yoga poses that stimulate the stretch-receptors in the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine between the stomach and middle part of the intestine), these receptor help turn off the appetite centers in the brain. According to Dr. Fishman, doing Warrior I, Warrior II or Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) approximately 20 minutes before a meal helps curb caloric intake. Something to consider before your Father’s Day barbecue, eh!

Calling all dad’s of Mississauga and surrounding areas! If you are unsure of which yoga classes to take, please feel free to contact us at any time. Also read our blog on “A Guide to Mind to Body Yoga Classes and How They Can Benefit You”. Haven’t given our studio a try yet? Sign Up for unlimited access with our $65 – 30 day intro offer or check our promotions page for current promotions. Or just drop by to chat about what options might work best for you. We are so proud of our studio and will continue to build and develop a positive community that supports the health and wellness of our clients. We hope to see you soon!

A Guide to Yoga Classes in Mississauga

“Yoga is journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Most people practice yoga for flexibility, good health, stress relief, and physical fitness. In fact, modern people are opting for yoga as it cures innumerable health problems including chronic pain, asthma, obesity, stress, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome. But because there are multiple types of yoga and each has its own specific benefits, it may be difficult to figure out the style that is right for you. Let’s take a look at the health benefits you get to enjoy from the different types of yoga classes in Mississauga.

If you’ve been searching for a studio that teaches multiple types of yoga offering life-changing benefits, try out the Yoga classes in Mississauga at Mind to Body Yoga & Fitness:

1. Weight Loss:

If you are planning to take up yoga classes to lose weight and relax your mind, Hot Core Flow or Hot Core Power Yoga classes are ideal for you. Practicing these forms of yoga help build stamina and mental strength. These are also excellent yoga practices for intermediate to advanced practitioners.

2. Relief from Back Pain:

Millennials across the globe suffer from back pain and discomfort on account of their sedentary jobs and long hours of driving. Yoga 45 is meant to undo the damage done to your body. Yin Yoga, on the other hand, heals bodily injury by stretching the connective tissue and revealing your full range of motion.

3. Greater Flexibility and Core Strength:

Pilates and Classic Yoga can completely re-balance the alignment of your body and strengthen it, albeit without any bulk buildup. These classes are excellent for those who wish to lose weight and boost the immunity of their bodies.

4. Stress Reliever:

Hot Stress Melt Flow and Warm Candlelight Yoga help expunge daily stress from both the body and the mind. These classes also help you to unwind after a stressful day and restore balance in your life. For busy professionals, these sessions definitely prove to be a great option.

5. Healing the Body:

Move and Heal, Chakra Flow, and Reiki yoga classes are an effective blueprint for bringing your energy centers into balance and also more peace and liberation into your mind and body.  The sound vibrations in Move and Heal class impact your nervous system, engaging your relaxation reflex and inhibiting the stress or pain response. Every cell of your body is nourished as you move into relaxation, joy and well-being.

6. Relaxation to Body:

Stretch and De-Stress classes are tailor-made for athletes or people who wish to deal with anxiety and stress. These deeply relaxing postures leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

7. Fun and Fitness:

Bollywood, Bhangra, and Belly Dance Fitness Party is the right choice for you if you are in the mood to not only dance and enjoy uplifting music, but also burn calories, strengthen core, connect with people who enjoy dancing and making friends.

Most yoga styles are based on fundamental yoga poses called ‘asanas’; however, the constitution benefits of one style can be radically different from another. If you have any questions regarding the program that would fulfill your specific requirements, feel free to reach out to the experts of Mind to Body Yoga & Fitness Mississauga. Check our schedule of classes and promotions and/or call us at 905-712-9642 for more information!

Spring is the best time of year to get out with the old and step into the new. You may want to take the time to physically clean out your living space, pack up your winter gear, and prepare for the warmer weather. You may also be preparing to transition from winter to spring by dusting your house and opening some windows to let a breath of fresh air through the house. This time of year is also a great opportunity for personal transformation.

The beginning of spring symbolizes rebirth and new life that is also synonymous with your state of mind. Take this time to assess where you are in your day-to-day routines and mindsets, and decide what’s working and what’s not. Once you create this awareness, you can let go of the old routines and mindsets that no longer serve you and replace with new routines and habits that support a new refreshed version of you.

To help you on your way, here are 5 things you can do now to spring into Health.

1. Spring is for creating time and space for your yoga practice:

This may appear like a no-brainer when it comes to self-assessment, but it’s important to create a clear intention in a culture that operates in over planned and too-busy mode.

In order to get into a deeper state of self-awareness, you’ll need to set aside time and space without distractions—to detach from the nonstop electronic and social demands on daily life.  This means to carve out time away from your smart phone, social media, and steady stream of texts, calls, and emails. When you are at the mercy of constant notifications, it means you are living someone else’s agenda. In order to take charge of your time, you will need to detach from these things, along with dedicating the time, finding a space where you feel comfortable, motivated, or inspired. Mind to Body Yoga is a great space to try if you haven’t been to our studio yet.  Detach yourself from distractions and try a yoga class with us.  See our full yoga schedule  – we hope to see you soon at Mind to Body Yoga Mississauga.

2. Spring is for taking inventory:

Now that you have created the time and space for yourself, start to take inventory of where you are in your life. Ask yourself:

• What’s working in my life, and what’s not?
• What could I improved?
• What do I really want?
• What may be holding me back from that which I really want?

As you go through these questions, consider any obstacles that are keeping you from being where you want to be. Be very honest with yourself in identifying where the obstacles are coming from—determine if these obstacles are external or internal. Many times the obstacles are own internal state of mind that hold us back due to our own fears or doubts, such as:

• Lack of confidence
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of self-worth
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Fear of rejection
• Lack of patience
• Fear of failure
• Fear of commitment to yourself
• Fear of asking for help

Write down any self-limiting beliefs about yourself that may be an obstacle to your personal growth. Make a list of the all the things that you would like to improve on and another list of all the mental obstacles that hold you back from achieving your full potential.

3. Spring is for intention setting:

Your conscious intention setting will help you with the right type of action in your life to achieve your goals. Every action you take will move you closer to your outcome without leaving it to chance.

Take inventory of the areas for self-improvement and growth, and dream big in terms of where you want to be.  Next, write out the steps you need to take and how you’ll get there.  Draw a map of how you’ll achieve the dream state of yourself. Make sure to reference your plan every morning to ensure your actions are aligned with your intention and leading you to your goals.

4. Spring is for positive thinking:

While you are transforming, you may at times feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or in a plateau. Remember not to beat yourself up when this happens. Setbacks are a normal part of the process.

Take a deep breath, relax, and take a minute to pull out your journal and write down all the progress you have made so far and the things that you are grateful for. When you highlight the things that you appreciate in life, it allows you to gain perspective and creates positive energy.

If you find yourself in a negative downward spiral, try a positivity sandwich. This is where you’ll write down your negative thoughts and self-talk patterns. For each negative thing you say about yourself, you must write down two positive and constructive thoughts related to it. As you start writing down what constructive thought patterns look like, you’ll start practicing them more regularly.

To create consistent positive thinking and actions in your life, immerse yourself in inspirational yoga classes, books, podcasts, and nature.

5. Spring is to move your body:

You may think that when it comes to refreshing your mindset all focus should be within your mind, but it’s important to not overlook your body. Any personal endeavor requires a balance between nurturing your mind and engaging your body. When too much focus is placed on one and not the other, the imbalance will be a deviation from your intent.

While focusing on using your mind for introspection and intention setting is important, you should also make the time to move your physical body. It is very important to move your body on a consistent and daily basis.  Yoga practice maybe one activity that can work both your body and mind at the same time due to it’s holistic nature.

As you go forward to refresh your mindset for spring, remember that the most important thing you can do is to start your yoga practice—even if it’s just one small step—and keep at it one day at a time.  Come celebrate Spring Equinox with us with Glow in the Dark Yoga, Face Painting, and some Refreshments on Wednesday, Mar 28, 2018 at 6:00 pm. Spring is for planting seeds to nurture, to witness the unending cycle of growth and change—shed old layers, habits, and outmoded beliefs, recognize that each waking moment is an opportunity to be born again, it is here, in the now, where we can experience the sheer joy of present moment awareness. For information on how to join our studio, please call 905-712-9642 (YOGA).