The snow and cold are here, so you know the holidays can’t be far behind. And while the good things that come with the festive season – food, family, parties, gift-giving (and getting) – are much anticipated, the fact is those same things can be very stressful.
Experts say the added responsibilities heaped on our already full plates at this time of year – think cleaning, baking, rushing from school Christmas concert to work cocktail party – mean that stress management strategies are key. Go for a walk or listen to music, we are told. Also high on the list: deep breathing and yoga.
At the Star of the North Retreat Centre, yoga is a logical fit: the serene hilltop setting in Mission and small class sizes provide a relaxed vibe from the get-go. Program coordinator Linda MacIsaac says yoga has been regularly offered at The Star for about five years in a variety of styles and session times, but always with a focus on relaxation.
“We recognize the connection between body, mind and spirit. The meditative nature of yoga, with a focus on breathing and mindfulness – being in the moment – is a wonderful way to relax, but to get re-energized too. I often feel like I’ve had a massage after a yoga class,” says MacIsaac.
The most commonly known type, Hatha yoga, features stretching and strength-building postures, suitable for beginners through advanced students. Darlene Klassen runs evening classes in Hatha at the Star, plus iRest (short for integrative restoration) and Restorative Yoga.
“I teach all methods from a gentle standpoint,” she says. “For regular students, it’s very meditative. And at this time of year, when everyone walks around spring-loaded, yoga is a gift people can give themselves.”
As for workshops and retreats held regularly at The Star, Klassen says those focus more on iRest; a deep guided meditation and relaxation but still combining restfulness with rejuvenation.
“It’s like a mini-getaway. People bring a pillow and blanket for the sessions and just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You come away restored,” she adds.
Self-described busy retiree Harriette Ouimet has been attending evening yoga classes at the Star for about a year. “It’s mainly the relaxation that I like,” she says. “But even when I’m in a stressful situation, the breathing kicks in and keeps me calm.”
Cassie McColl understands how the elements taught in yoga class can be internalized and taken into day-to-day life. A yoga teacher at the Star for all its five years, McColl now leads a Thursday morning Purna (meaning whole/complete) yoga class, which mixes physical postures, meditation, philosophy and nutrition and lifestyle.
“There’s a focus on alignment and keeping the body safe, plus simple meditation techniques – all part of grounding and nourishing every aspect of a person,” says McColl.
A typical six week session at the Star averages about $12 per one to 1.5 hour class, but drop-ins are accommodated for a $15 fee as space allows.
