Private Yoga Studio in Downtown Vancouver!

 
 
What's the difference between feeling totally comfortable in your own skin, and feeling slightly out of place at a party? My theory: self love! 

Coaching at ESP is always profound, but today seemed to click on another level- it was like feeling months worth of small recognitions/puzzle pieces connect, producing a breath-taking picture of who I am- a recognition that produces immense joy. 

Now in my life joy used to find me when I: 
a)accomplished something 
b)learned something profound or 
c)someone loved me
but tonight at a friend's birthday party I had the amazing experience of being more connected to myself than I have been, perhaps ever before.  This was purely me connected to me; self love, focus, and joy radiating from the inside. 

While I don’t have a long-term study on this,  tonight I ended up with two separate offers for dates and two more great exchanges with guys I adore. Self love = external love? We always talk about having the internal create the external effects is this that equation in action? Does loving yourself make you more attractive, even when you're not trying? Especially when you're not trying? 

While I’m not about to date all four of these lovely people, the recognition that by being myself I become more attractive to the people around me is a profound one- and fun too! By creating self- love we create love all around us- we see it in the trees, the lights, the air. We see it in the world, and perhaps, just perhaps the world will see it in us too. 

My suggestion- be the person you would fall in love with. It seems to be a path worth loving!

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In times of stress so often we run to the gym, do a strong power yoga class, or to do the Grouse Grind to unwind and ‘let off steam’ but is this really the most effective way to release tension?
 
The body has three ways it can deal with stress.
1. Freeze- a good choice when we were invertebrates, but a poor choice now… unless you’re playing hide and go seek.
2. Fight/ Flee- Excellent for releasing muscular tension and developing strength, but since most stressors are mental these days this response is more of a release valve than a solution to stress.
3. Relax and form social bonds- Our most adapted response; spending time letting go and enjoying great company creates a healthy internal state primed for healing, and is the most effective way to create long-term relaxation.
 
The conclusion: If the danger is physical: run. If however, the stressor is mental: relax, and find joy from there.  

 
The body’s relaxation response is a more recent addition to our options for how to combat stress, and is one that leads to longevity and happiness according to neuroscientist and researcher Steven W Porges. Throughout our evolution community structures became more and more effective in human survival, evolving this socially-driven relaxation response. When we spend time in a safe and serene environment with others our bodies respond saying, “It’s okay, the group’s here, I can relax.” We see friends, or take a deep sigh and our whole body lets go. How? Through the vagus nerve: our body’s amazing communication highway of deep relaxation.
 
The vagus nerve is a bundle of nerves that starts in the brainstem and winds its way through our facial muscles, our heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It is responsible for the body’s parasympathetic “relaxation response”. With a simple smile your body responds by acknowledging that all’s well, and it begins to address the root of our mental stress, and lets go of the physical tension, opens your mind to new ideas, encourages forming social bonds, releases endorphins helping you to feel wonderful, and jumpstarts healing, digestion, and cellular repair.

While running relieves tension, time with loved-ones and deep relaxation promotes longevity, social connection, creativity, healing, and happiness for the long-run. Walk an feel the sun shining, jog and see the magnificence of the world around you, run to explore your body’s abilities, and do yoga to connect to the soul.
 
Move and strengthen your body from a place of joy and you get the best of both worlds. Bring relaxation into your life and your heart, your health, your family and your happiness will thank you.
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Find your FLOW and Breathe, Live, and Eat right for your digestive health.
  There's nothing better than the feeling of a strong stomach, after a meal that served your soul (and your health).
Increasingly individuals are turning away from processed food and into food that's easy for your body to process; away from fast food and towards healthy fasting. We're quickly learning that good digestion leads to a long and healthy life, and that our food and lifestyle choices are key to digestive health. So what's the best way to eat for your optimal digestive health?

The one-sentence answer: Improve your FLOW.


In order to make the most of your food, and to minimize stress, flow must be there. Your flow of breath, your flow of life, and your FLOW foods- Fresh, Local, Organic, and Whole.

Flow of Breath:
Take 5 minutes each day and focus upon deepening and lengthening your flow of breath. Really massaging your abdomen as you pull your stomach in deeply as you exhale. With deep belly breaths you'll increase your oxygen flow and improve your circulation to your digestive tract- this will make it easier for your body to break down and digest your nutrient-rich food. More oxygen, more nutrients, more energy, more health. In short, increase your flow of breath for more energy for more joy.

Flow of Life:
Take the time to eat mindfully. Yes, food on the run with your Iphone in hand is easy, but are you supporting your best digestive health? Probably not. Iin the long-run that sluggish feeling after eating will slow down your productivity anyhow, so why not slow down your breath, your body, your flow of life, and allow your rest and digest nervous state to take over for your meal- your body will thank you with more energy and a lighter feeling in the gut as your body was able to divert its energy to breaking down food for health.
(If, however, you have the new Yoga for Internal Health App on your phone- coming soon!, feel free to breathe along as you eat.)

Flow Foods:
Next time you go shopping remember this acronym:
Fresh
Local
Organic
Whole

Yes, one little acronym will do it all. By eating FLOW foods you will increase your body's intake of enzymes, vitamins, nutrients, and minimize new toxins being added to your body, enabling breath and movement to do its work in empowering yourself back to optimal health. In this state, stressful events simply roll off your shoulders because you have the resources to handle them effectively. If you suspect food sensitivities, visit your Naturopathc Doctor, or get in touch for a referral to a great ND in your area- it's worth finding out for yourself.


By improving your FLOW in Breath, Life, and Food choices you improve your digestion, strengthening your relaxation response which will help you combat stress and improving health in every moment.  In-between yoga classes, treat yourself to better health and embrace the FLOW of your joyful life.

From my inner truth to your inner health,
-Sarah
(604)726-6967
 sarah@innertruthyoga.org

 Inner Truth Yoga-
 Inner truth yoga is a growing yoga and wellness company that was inspired by the journey into discovering joy within, and bringing it into life, one moment and one decision at a time.   Thank you to the amazing Yogis who came before and found the connections between energy, breath, movement and life. With an attitude to learning, we endeavor to pass on these teachings with as much consideration and integrity as the state in which they were created. Thank you.
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