April, 2008

Trouble sleeping?
Stop counting sheep and try counting your breaths. Sleep is most often disturbed by a busy mind, whether it's trouble falling asleep , or difficulty returning to sleep after waking in the night. The reason that counting sheep is often offered as an antidote to insomnia is that it engages the mind so that those pesky thoughts don't intrude. But counting your breaths offers another benefit, which is that you can work with your exhalation to induce a state of relaxation. Here's how it works:

Start in a comfortable position that you might normally fall asleep in. Take a few normal breaths and count how many seconds it takes you to exhale (try not to alter your breath, which is difficult once you start to pay attention to it!). Once you establish your average exhalation length, you'll start to lengthen it by one second each breath. Your inhalation remains free (that is, you don't count or alter your inhalation). So, say your exhalation is three seconds long. Your first breath you'll inhale freely, then exhale for three seconds. Your next breath you'll inhale freely and exhale for 4 seconds, then 5 seconds, etc. Continue until you reach a comfortable maximum (once you start straining or forcing the breath, you actually defeat the purpose and will become agitated and more restless). Once you reach your comfortable maximum, take several breaths, exhaling fully and slowly to your maximum. Remember never to force or strain the breath. Do about 5 - 10 breaths at your maximum if you don't fall asleep sooner. If you're still awake after 10 breaths, try starting over from the beginning, or it might be time to turn on the light and read a book with a light subject! Happy spring and happy sleeping!


New Yoga sessions begin in May
I will be out of the country (Long Island New York) for two weeks to continue my yoga therapy training with the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation of India. While I'm away we'll take a break from classes and continue on Thursday May 15 when I return. The schedule remains the same and is outlined below. For a full description of the classes, please see www.wavelengthsyoga.com. I will be answering emails and returning phone calls while I'm away, but it may take a day or two, so please be patient!


Norwood Spring/Summer classes
May 19 - July 14 (no classes week of June 30)
8 weeks/$80
46 Pine Street

Mondays 4:30 - 6:00 (vinyasa flow - vigorous)
Mondays 6:15 - 7:45 (hatha - gentle)
Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:30 (hatha - gentle)

Peterborough Spring/Summer Classes
May 16 - July 4
8 weeks/$104
252 1/2 Charlotte Street (Kalico Healing Arts Centre)

Fridays 9:00 - 10:30 (yoga therapy - gentle/restorative)
Fridays 10:45 - 12:15 (moms and babies - gentle/fun!)
Fridays 5:15 - 6:30 (asthanga - vigorous)

Toronto Spring/Summer Classes
The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company Corporate Class
May 15 - July 3
8 weeks/$104

Thursdays 4:30 - 6:00 (vinyasa flow - vigorous)

(Please note, if you miss a class, you can make it up during the same session at any of the classes I teach in Peterborough or Norwood. Students registered in the class get priority when the class is full, so if you're planning to do a make-up class, it's best to let me know. Classes are not transferrable.)


Peterborough Wellness Expo, May 31, 2008
Mark this date in your calendars to join us at the 1st Annual Peterborough Wellness Expo at the Evinrude Centre. There will be dozens of booths all with a health and wellness theme, including a Wavelengths Yoga booth where you can visit with me, learn more about the classes I teach and buy an instructional cd if you're so inclined. You will also have an opportunity to try out a Thai massage mini-treatment at the Wavelengths Booth. Look for the Wavelengths sign in a cozy corner spot in the show. I will have a small number of high quality mats for sale for the great low price of $20 for a 1/4 inch mat and I will also be selling Louise Racine's (Thirteen Moons retreat centre for women) wonderful healthy cookbook. If you haven't seen this book yet, you're in for a real treat! The show runs from 10 - 4 and there will be seminars and demonstrations as well as all the great booths. I hope to see you there. For more information visit http://wellnessexpoptbo.com/.


We've been in the news!
An article with a great picture of my Moms and Babies class in Peterborough: http://www.shieldmedia.ca/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=
&mad=&sdetail=9398&wpage=1&skeyword =&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=
&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1944&hn=shieldmedia&he=.ca

An announcement for Wavelengths Yoga in Peterborough: http://www.quidnovis.com/businessbeat/04142008.asp

Promotional Postcards
I now have two promotional postcards for Wavelengths Yoga. One is a general information card, and the other is specifically for the Moms and Babies class with a 10% discount. If you would like some cards to distribute to your friends, family, colleagues, or people you meet on the street, let me know. You can pick them up at class, or I can send them out to you in the mail. Both are full colour, eye-catching and informative. Also, if you have suggestions of places to drop the cards in Peterborough (that may not be obvious), let me know.


Back issues of the Wavelengths Newsletter
Back issues are now available at www.wavelengthsyoga.com/news.html. Enjoy!

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested.

All the very best for a safe, happy and healthy spring.
Namaste,
Caroline