Part of the participants homework was to write an essay on the topic of their choice and they were aware that I would be posting it on my website. We also did an exercise in the first weekend to create a life affirmation and core desire feeling, I invited them to share it with us. I am so humbled and touched that I got to support these amazing beings on part of their journey and I am looking forward to witness how life unfolds for them.

Georgina Core Desire Feelings: Balance, Joy, Gratitude

Georgina Mantra: I am a network of roots whose deep balanced nature encourages strength and growth.

Stress is a psychological and physiological response that we all deal with in day-to-day life. It can be influences by fear, change, discomfort, it can be nutritional, emotional or environmental. The response to stress can show differently for many people. The feeling of being stressed often takes many different influences before a person becomes overwhelmed and it effects their everyday life but becoming overwhelmed can vary for everyone. The response can depend on the tools they have to work through the stressor, the health of the body, the situation and many other variables including; community support, school, jobs, relationships, life changes, financial struggle, and health.

The body’s response to stress can very beneficial! It makes it possible to act fast in the face of danger like being chased by a bear…but how often does that happen. However, letting stressors build up without management can be detrimental to the body, mind and spirit. Emotions, thoughts and sensory perceptions are all transmitted through our nervous system and our nerves are the ‘electrical circuit’ of the body. When this circuit is overcharged or overrun because of stress it will affect all other body systems.

The stressors we deal with today are not only the ones we have discussed, we also deal with environmental toxins like cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, gasoline fumes, even things like your personal hygiene products can cause a stress response in the body. When in the face of a stressful situation or product the body stimulates the nervous system which then releases a variety of hormones including adrenaline, cortisol, nora adrenaline, aldosterone, testosterone, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and 60 steroids are also produced. These hormones and steroids are produced by our two adrenal glands. We call this the “fight or flight response”. This constant fluctuation of adrenal hormones results in exhaustion. A stress response causes a domino effect of chemical reactions in the body, raising blood pressure, influences the heart to pound harder and faster, our muscles tighten and our digestive, immune and reproductive systems slow to preserve energy and nutrients. Dealing with stress can also leave you mentally depleted with so much going on in your mind both conscious and unconsciously. Constant worries and fears take up lots of energy potentially leading to depression, anxiety and inability to deal with new stressors.

Some signs of stress include insomnia, irritability, nervousness, inability to concentrate, hunger or loss of appetite. If you believe you are dealing with being overwhelmed make sure you take the time to support your body with nutrients, stress management tools to ensure there is less long-term damage to the body. Alongside yoga to support the body dealing with high stress increase vitamins B rich foods and avoid added sugars. Supplementation of specific nutrients depleted in a stress response can also be helpful; vitamin C, B complex including pantothenic acid, potassium, vitamin E and NAC. NAC (N-Acetyl-Choline) is a precursor to the body’s strongest antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione has many benefits including reducing cell damage from oxidative stress, improving insulin resistance, help fight against autoimmune diseases.

The practice of the asana (posture) increases our body awareness allowing us to become present and inhabit the whole body in each moment and not just the mind. Asana teaches you to move in a more integrated way to build strength, endurance, increasing flexibility and through time allows the ability to become more aware that you control your thoughts, your thoughts do not control you. Not only does the practice of posture build strength and endurance it also stimulates digestion and elimination and harmonized energies of the body releasing congestion, blocks and rigidity in the body.

Practice of asana also teaches the art of prana (breathing). The growth, repair and maintenance of all the cells in our body require an energy source, this energy is created in our bodies from a complicated series of reactions that required nutrients and oxygen. Every inhale sending oxygen deep into the lungs exchanging with carbon dioxide. The oxygen then dispersing throughout the body in the blood stream to every nook and cranny. The essential links between the atmosphere and every cell in your body is your inhale. There is more than oxygen and nutrient to prana. As you inhale your lungs expand your ribcage which allow your torso and organs to shift. The movement of the diaphragm this muscle in the center section of the torso that separates your chest cavity and your abdomen. When the diaphragm contracts and relaxes during prana it can provide a little massage for all the organs in your abdomen, stimulating their functions and improving our quality of life. Using a drishti (focus) to help slow down and deepen your breath can leave you feeling both energizing and relaxed.

Good news, it will take your whole life too perfect a successful yoga practice. Yoga is not a goal or achievement. It is not a race to be the most flexible or strong but a forever process of living and learning, a way of life that allows us to flourish, grow, gather and rebalance. Using Yoga as a stress management technique doesn’t have to be done in a studio and cost a lot of money. The benefits of yoga come from the whole journey:

Putting the time aside for yourself

Using focus to calm the mind

Your breath

Movement of the body

Nourishment of cells

Patience and self-love

“If we practice yoga long enough, the practice changes to suit our needs. It’s important to acknowledge that the practice isn’t meant to be one practice for everybody. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there are so many different approaches. As we go through our life cycles, hopefully we are able to find a practice that suits us. And if you practice yoga long enough, that will change many times. What exactly that looks like is going to be different for each person.” ― Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine

Resources

The Nutritional Symptomatology Handbook for CSNN Students 15th Edition,2016

Yoga Teacher Training Handbook

Make sure you check Georgina website: https://athyriumwellness.ca/

Athyrium Wellness hold’s a modern approach to health and vitality.

 Through consultations I am able to recommend changes to assist the body in finding balance to achieve optimal health.  I will support your health journey by identifying imbalances, then using my education to create a personalized health plan to nourish your most authentic self while achieving your goals. I am excited to take the first steps with you in your healing and will be there every step of the way.