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Struggling To Achieve Balance?

12/26/2017

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Through this holiday season - I was reminded of the role balance plays in my life. I was thankful for the fact that I could sleep in, slow down, and give my body a chance to reset, but I knew the reason this felt so necessary was because my life had gotten a bit off-balance. The life-work equilibrium that most of us have to work to maintain, had once again eluded me.

I was feeling the pressure of everyday life slowly escape with each peaceful moment spent being in nature, at home, and with friends/family. Unless I was going to make this happen once a month (pretty unlikely!), I needed to find a way to bring the scales of life and work into balance. As an entrepreneur, it seems that the to-do list is ever present and since work is enjoyable and essential to my success, it is hard to step away from it at times.
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So, upon coming back to every day life, here are a few things I decided to incorporate into my everyday life.

Focus on the task at hand. Whether it be class planning, washing my dishes or enjoying a glass of wine, I am re-committed to living in the present moment, to knowing that whatever I am doing, I am doing it with all of my focus and attention. This brings me to…

Step away from the phone. You know the feeling: we are expected to respond to emails and texts within milliseconds. The fear that something so important or life-altering could be happening right now and you could be missing it! But in order to be present and focus, I have to let go of the distractions. Switching my phone on “do not disturb” or silent helps me temporarily forget about it and keep my mind where it needs to be.

Meditate. Not the kind Tibetan Monks to do in movies – but setting aside time for as little as three breaths at a time. Choosing to block out the sensations around me, to close my eyes and be still. I know that even this small break can offer a new perspective.
These are small and attainable steps that can help bring back the sense of balance that we, as humans, crave. What are some of your favorite practices for achieving balance?

This week / season, take a few moments to think about or jot down some of the ways you balance the scales in your life and try to take at least one step towards balance.

Written by: Christine Noonan
Edited from: Christine Noonan Yoga, Blog

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All Time Favourite Treat...

12/23/2017

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As the holiday's come near - I have been cooking and baking up a storm! Here is one of my all time holiday favourites! 

​Don’t be afraid as it is wayyyyyy easier than it seems! A little patience will go a long way and everyone will enjoy this wonderful Canadian treat! Enjoy!
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Nanaimo Bars III

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened 
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 5 tablespoons unseated cocoa powder
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ​1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 
  • 1 cup flaked coconut 
  • ​1/2 cup finely chopped almonds (optional) 
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened 
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • ​2 tablespoons custard powder
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet baking chocolate
  • 2 teaspoons butter
​
Directions
Prep, 30 min; Ready in 30 min 
  • In the top of a double boiler, combine 1/2 cup butter, white sugar and cocoa powder. Stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Beat in the egg, stirring until thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in the graham cracker crumbs, coconut and almonds (if you like). Press into the bottom of an uncreased 8x8 inch pan.
  • For the middle layer, cream together 1/2 cup butter, heavy cream and custard powder until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the bottom layer in the pan. Chill to set.
  • While the second layer is chilling, melt the semisweet chocolate and 2 teaspoons butter together in the microwave or over low heat. Spread over the chilled bars. Let the chocolate set before cutting into squares.​
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Written by: Dan Noonan
Recipe from allrecipes.com

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Travel Yoga

12/21/2017

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Many people find themselves travelling over the Holidays. If you are one of the many who will be on a plane, in a car, train, bus (you get the idea!)…take a look at some of my favourite stretches to help you navigate your travels with ease.

Since I wasn’t able to rent out a private jet to take these photos, my friend Heather (@catchingheather) over at Tribe Fitness (@tribe_fitness) helped me out!

​Happy Holidays and safe travels!

Seated Cow/Cat
These two poses will help to bring movement into your spine as well as stretch through the chest and shoulders.
  • Sit up tall, with your back away from the seat, and with your feet on the floor.
  • Place your hands on your thighs.
  • As you inhale, draw your hands closer to your hips, pull your chest forward, draw your shoulder blades together, and look up.
  • As you exhale, slide your hands closer to your knees, round through your back, draw your chin to your chest, and look towards your belly button.
Repeat for 5 cycles of breath.
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Seated Twist
Twists are naturally detoxifying and feel so good to do after sitting for awhile.
  • Sit up tall, with your back away from the seat, and with your feet on the floor.
  • Take your left hand to your right thigh.
  • Place your right hand on the seat and close to your right hip.
  • Inhale and grow taller through your spine (think of your head reaching up closer towards the sky) and exhale to take a twist to the right. 
  • Be sure to keep your sitting bones evenly rooted into your seat; your hips should remain level, with your body moving/twisting around your spine.
  • You can take your gaze over your right shoulder.
Hold for 5 cycles of breath.

Switch to the other side, with your right hand on your left thigh, left hand on the seat, and twist to the left. 
Hold for an equal amount of time on this side.

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Seated Figure Four/Eye of the Needle
This pose is a great way to stretch out the hips, which are often sore from sitting and travelling, in general.
  • This pose requires a bit more space. If you’re not sitting next to someone you know on the airplane, maybe wait until your neighbour gets up to use the washroom!
  • Come closer to the edge of your set. Sit up tall, with your back away from the seat, and with your feet on the floor. 
  • Lift your right leg up away from the floor.
  • Externally rotate your right thigh bone at the hip (think of playing hackeysack and as your knee moves away from your midline, the inner part of your foot turns up towards the sky).
  • Place your right foot onto your left thigh. You can take a hold of your ankle and help get it to your thigh (no worries!).
  • This could be all the stretch you need. If so, hold here and breathe.
  • If you need more, take your right hand to your right thigh or shin and gently press down, or start to bring your chest towards your thighs, which will deepen the stretch.
Hold for 5 cycles of breath.

Switch to the other side with your left foot coming to your right thigh.
Hold for an equal amount of time on this side.

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Forward Fold
This posture will help the spine to decompress from all the sitting. It also acts as an inversion, which brings the head below the heart.
  • Do not do this pose if you have low blood pressure.
  • Stand with your feet inner hip distance apart; stack your hips over your ankles and knees.
  • Bend your knees and fold over your legs.
  • Your fingers can come to the floor or you can bend your elbows and bring opposite hands to them.
  • It might feel good to gently sway from side to side.
Hold for 5 cycles of breath.
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Written by: Christine Noonan
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