HOT Yoga

Over the summer, a co-worker introduced me to the world of hot yoga. Hot yoga according to Moksha Yoga Winnipeg is:

"a series of postures practiced in a heated room. The series works to stretch, strengthen and tone the muscles while detoxifying the body and calming the mind."

I was very nervous about trying hot yoga because I didn't know what to wear, or bring. The Moksha Yoga Winnipeg website is very helpful and informs new yoga practitioners on everything they need to know to get started. Some of the main tips include:

Classes In The Hot Studio
Come to class on an empty stomach, and avoid coffee before class. Try not to eat any heavy meals 2 - 3 hours before practicing, and arrive well hydrated!  

Please arrive 20-35 minutes prior to class time. Latecomers are not permitted.

• Yoga mat
• Beach-sized towel
• Re-usable water bottle [ our taps are filtered]
• Another towel if you would like to shower after class at the studio
• Wear minimal clothing, whatever you feel comfortable with [keep in mind that the room is heated and you will sweat).

Hot yoga is a great way to relieve stress and tone your body. This is also a great way to warm up during the cold winter months. Hot yoga is for people of all ages and is great for beginners too.

Stress Management

This picture reflects how I feel right now.

It's only October and I already feel like I'm losing my mind. School, work, my I.P.P (Independent Professional Project), and life is causing me a lot of stress. The worst part, is that beyond my fellow students, no one understands or cares. 

My life revolves around waking up, going to school or work, my lunch breaks have turned into homework time, and so have my weekends and evenings. I don't have time for friends, family, or myself.

This has left me cranky, moody, irritable.  My friends outside of school barely talk to me because they don't understand why I can't go out on weekends.  My family rolls their eyes every time I say I don't have time to go to a family function. The worst part is that I feel I really have no one to talk to about this. My boyfriend seems to be the only one who vaguely cares and encourages me to take all the time I need and to do my school work. However, I know he is sooo sick and tired of hearing me complain about my life.

The other day I broke down for the third time this school year and realized that I can't go on like this. I need to learn how to manage my stress before I have a nervous breakdown. So I started to research how to stay calm and relieve stress. This is what I found:

1. Remember to breathe - Take 3 deep breaths it will calm your nerves.

2. Remember that it's not the end of the world- I have to realize that I don't need to get an A on everything, as long as I try and get it in on time that is good enough for me.

3. Try going for a walk - This actually works, it clears your head and relaxes you.

4. Try meditation or yoga - It calms your mind.

5. Remember that there is someone out there that has it way worse than you-  Doing so will put your life in perspective.

I hope that I can learn to follow some of these tips so that I can make it through the year without completely losing my mind.