NEWSLETTER. MARCH 2016 ... Fitness experience on your social media platforms and don't forget to ... Verity Fitness has
FITNESS AT VERITY
Dear Women of Verity, Today, we often place so much value on ‘getting it done’ and less value on cultivating gratitude, selfawareness and reflection. Personally, practicing yoga is one of my favourite tools to check-in with myself. What I notice about myself on the mat provides me with invaluable information to make positive changes off the mat. Let this be a gentle reminder for all of us 'busy bodies' to stop periodically, get still and in the quietude reflect on how we are really feeling and what it is we really want. Perhaps a regular yoga practice will provide you with the opportunity you need to do just that. In this issue, our Aquafit and Yoga Instructor, Joanna Panayotopolulos explores what one can expect in a yoga class and speaks to the nonphysical benefits this practice can provide. Also, Verity Member, Martha Rice reveals her attitude of gratitude when it comes to what Verity Fitness has done for her wellness over the past year. This March, we are looking forward to getting your wellness working for you at Verity. Breathe easy, Paige
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TRX: Post-Rehab & Corrective Exercises 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Boxing with Isac Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Free Meditation with Patsy Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. Restorative Yin with Angela Fridays from 1:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
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NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016
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MONTHLY WELLNESS ARTICLE BY VERITY'S INSTRUCTOR, JOANNA PANAYOTOPOLULOS
Hatha Yoga - A Practice Explained and Explored Yoga has become a multi-billion dollar industry and is currently one of the most popular fitness classes in the world. So what is it exactly, that has made yoga so popular? Without delving deeply into the origins of yoga, or the myriad styles of yoga, let us look at the practice of an average Hatha Yoga class, such as the one I teach at Verity on Sunday mornings. This class involves meditation and a vinyasa flow—a series of poses that flow seamlessly into each other. We begin by lying back in savasana, mentally preparing the mind and body for the practice through connection to breath and a settling of the mind. We continue with a series of gentle, fluid movements intended to warm up and prepare the body for pique poses, which are more challenging, and finally wind down with balances and twists. We end with savasana, which allows the body and mind to integrate the preceding practice. Modifications and options are given throughout, along with reminders to honour our body by finding our edge in the pose, and choosing the options that are right for us. Each segment of poses has a purpose: the forward bends are calming and cooling; backbends usually generate heat and energy; and balancing poses
STRETCH YOUR MIND REACH YOUR POTENTIAL BALANCE YOUR LIFE
FITNESS AT VERITY
hone awareness of our centre of gravity allowing us to investigate stability by controlling the muscles. Yoga practice has many other physical benefits. It increases flexibility and strength, lubricates and creates space in the joints, and eases stress, allowing the body and mind to relax, thus promoting better sleep. For myself, it wasn’t until I completed a two year RYT yoga certification with Maureen Rae’s Yoga Studio that I discovered that poses are not the primary focus of an authentic Hatha Yoga class. Spiritual evolvement through inward exploration is the main focus of yoga. We do this by tuning into our breath to calm the mind and be present. Once the body and mind become still, we explore and connect to ourselves. Over time, this connectedness, and the peace and stillness we find through yoga, begin to permeate into our daily life, affecting not only our physical well-being, but also the choices we make and the way we live. In Sunday’s Hatha Vinyasa Flow, we strive to connect to the inner self by learning more about the philosophy of yoga. We use meditation, mantras, visualization. We concentrate and commit to our intentions. Sometimes, we even engage in a bit of yoga dance. These less tangible effects are the internal gifts of yoga: self- acceptance, forgiveness and commitment to finding your highest self. Yoga teaches us to live with sincerity, integrity and gratitude. Even if we cannot truly adjust to the notion of mantras and visualizations, think of this class as some quiet time to focus on positive thinking while strengthening and toning the body.
VERITY FITNESS' SUCCESS STORY - MARTHA RICE
NEWSLETTER MARCH 2016
last July. I met with Paige and she outlined all of the wonderful offerings in Fitness and I think I started sampling them the next day! The classes, instructors and fellow Members have been supportive in helping me get back into shape both in body, mind and spirit. I had surgery a year ago and while I'm not back to doing everything I once could, I know I'm well on my way. In addition to fitness, yoga, meditation and prayer have been key to my healing and recovery which led me to take advantage of the variety of yoga classes offered in Fitness. Specifically, I am grateful to Verity Fitness for: • Getting my heart rate up in Spin - what a great way to start a Monday morning. • Feeling that 'good sore' the day after Muscle Conditioning. • The collective creative energy in Flow Motion. • How I'm finally at the point now where I feel no shame in expressing myself in free dance. • For the conversations I have in the change room after class. They give me a lot to ponder both personally and professionally. This investment that I have made in myself, through Verity Fitness has been one of the best I've ever made. Thank you, Paige and Verity Fitness.
Do you have a success story you would like to share? We would like to hear from you! Simply contact Paige at
[email protected] or call her at 416-368-6006 x225.
Attitude of Gratitude I am indeed very grateful that I joined Verity Fitness
STRETCH YOUR MIND REACH YOUR POTENTIAL BALANCE YOUR LIFE
