Up Coming Events & Studio news

Posted on June 11, 2010 by violetquartz

New yoga classes…

Taught by Josee Fontaine start today at 12:15- 1:00 pm. Check the schedule for additional days.

VQW Studio would like to welcome Brandy Buchanan to the team as our morning yoga instructor. Stating in July she will be teaching Wednesdays at 7:30 am and Fridays at 9 am. Check the schedule to sign up.

Summer Series

Events sponsored by reach physio taking place throughout the summer the first one is Monday, June 28th and I am presenting “10 tips to keep your energy flowing”. For more information click here.

Book Club

Are you interested in a book club if you are please send me an email.

New research

Posted on June 2, 2010 by violetquartz

Exciting new research has been release regarding aging and muscle growth. IT used to be believed that after a certain age 79 plus that it was very difficult to build new muscle in fact virtually impossible. It is now known that it is not the fact; in reality and elderly individual following the same training program as a twenty year old will make the same muscular gains, thought they will take longer to adapt. What makes this research exciting is that it proves it is never too late to become active and start weight training. You will derive benefits whether you do it preventatively in your youth, start in middle age, or even as a senior.

So dust off those running shoes and spandex, invest in some weights, get a trainer, go to the gym, and get going!

30 Day challenge

Posted on April 22, 2010 by violetquartz

It is that time of year again; time to get ourselves ready for the summer months, whether it be to waer our bathing suits, to hiking long days in the summer sun. And to usher in the season get active with the 30 day Chanllenge. Run in partnership with Reach Physio get involved in the community and find the support you need to get moving.

For more information visit their website.

Info session, Sunday April 25 at 7 pm at Reach Physio.

Kick off Party, Sunday May 3rd 7 pm at Reach Physio.

Deep Breathing

Posted on April 6, 2010 by violetquartz

Deep Breathing Exercises

Deep breathing is a relaxation technique that can be self-taught. Deep breathing releases tension from the body and clear the mind, improving both physical and mental wellness.

We tend to breathe shallowly or even hold our hold our breath when we are feeling anxious. Sometimes we are not even aware of it. Shallow breathing limits your oxygen intake and adds further stress to your body, creating a vicious cycle. Breathing exercises can break this cycle.

The importance of good posture cannot be overstated. While sitting, we tend to slouch, which compresses the diaphragm and other organs, resulting in shallow breathing. Slouching also strains muscles in the neck and back. It is helpful to sit in a chair with good back support to avoid fatigue that leads to slouching.

How to do Deep Breathing Exercises:

Sit up straight. (Do not arch your back) First exhale completely through your mouth. Place your hands on your stomach, just above your waist. Breathe in slowly through your nose, pushing your hands out with your stomach. This ensures that you are breathing deeply. Imagine that you are filling your body with air from the bottom up.

Hold your breath to a count of two to five, or whatever you can handle. It is easier to hold your breath if you continue to hold out your stomach. Slowly and steadily breathe out through your mouth, feeling your hands move back in as you slowly contract your stomach, until most of the air is out. Exhalation is a little longer than inhalation.

After you get some experience you don’t need to use your hands to check your breathing.

You can also do the above breathing exercise lying on your back. Deep breathing exercises can help you to relax before you go to sleep for the night, or fall back asleep if you awaken in the middle of the night.

You can also practice deep breathing exercises standing – e.g. while sitting in traffic, or standing in a lineup at the grocery store. If you are really tense and feel as if you are holding your breath, simply concentrate on slowly breathing in and out.

Source.

Exciting announcement!

Posted on March 23, 2010 by violetquartz

This is the first time this year I have gone so long without writing my blog, time to get back at it! I do have a very exciting reason why I have been absent recently…. I am opening a fitness and wellness studio in May!!! Get ready for something unlike anything else is Squamish! I will post more information as the big day approaches.

Stay active!

Body Awareness

Posted on March 16, 2010 by violetquartz

As you progress along healthy lifestyle changes you can not help learning more about your body and build body awareness. Body awareness is not only proprioception (knowing where where your body is in relation to itself in space), emotional state, and frame of mind. This is a useful full tool for many reasons; firstly being body aware in an exercise context will award you greater in gains in stability and proper form. From an emotional standpoint the ability to identify where feelings arise can assist in navigated them more proactively.

A great body awarenss building exercise is as follows:

Sitting on your chair eyes closed, bring attention to your breathing, do not controll it, just observe.

Switch your focus to your buttocks in the seat, feel the chair support you. Feel your cloths on your back, the fabric, the weight of your clothing.

Bring your attention to your heartbeat, feel it pulse through your body, nourishing it.

Choosing a relaxed and peaceful emotional state slowly bring your attention back to your breathing. Count back from 10 and slowly open your eyes.

Remember awareness is what is fostered in meditation, so take some time to tune and and find a moment of inner peace…. every day.

Check this out…

Posted on March 1, 2010 by violetquartz

Recently I took a course called Power to Parent, which was life changing. It was about more than just parenting, it was about attachment and relationships in general. I would recommend it to anyone working with people, for those looking to deepen their marriages, and continue to grow their relationships with their children.

Power To Parent

Part I: The Vital Connection

(A video course & discussion group facilitated by Laila Presotto)

This eight-session video course has been developed by internationally renowned Developmental Psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a best selling and award winning author. His revolutionary yet scientific approach turns parenting right-side up, restoring natural intuition to parenting and putting parents back in the driver’s seat.

In order for parenting to work, children – including teenagers – must be in right relationship to their parents. Nothing is more crucial or pivotal in parenting than this seldom-recognized or addressed factor. Dr. Neufeld explains the concept of right relationship, providing practical suggestions for parenting children of all ages with attachment in mind.

Some of the many topics addressed include:

dealing with resistance and oppositionality

addressing the roots of aggression

how to keep from losing a child to competing attachments

addressing separation problems and anxieties

raising children who are capable of deep and fulfilling relationships

dealing with children who seek to dominate instead of depend on their parents

disciplining that is attachment-safe and developmentally friendly

Firmly rooted in developmental psychology, this approach is not technique or behavior based, but rather seeks to make sense of children from the inside out to provide insight for those who wish to understand and connect with children of all ages.

For course schedule and more information, please contact:

Laila Presotto at HYPERLINK “mailto:lailapresotto@yahoo.ca” lailapresotto@yahoo.ca or call 604 849 0034.

Laila Presotto, M.A. Psych, RCC

Psychotherapist

Certified Neufeld Course Facilitator

Intention

Posted on February 26, 2010 by violetquartz

Here are a few excerpts from an article on intention

It’s time to change the way we think and speak about our dreams. Transforming a conversation, just like manifesting a dream, begins by setting an intention. Your intentions will assist you in taking greater control of your life.

A working definition for intention is: “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, to aim.” Lacking intention, we sometimes stray without meaning or direction. But with it, all the forces of the universe can align to make even the most impossible, possible. My intention is to transform the conversation around dreams from fear and doubt, to hope and possibility, followed by action and results.

For example:

Before you get out of bed, you can intend to have a fun or productive day.
Before you leave the house, you can intend to have quality time with your family or roommate.
Before you start your car, you can intend to have a safe ride to work.
Before you enter your workplace, you can intend to learn something new or be helpful.
Before the meeting begins, you can intend to be brilliant or calm.

First Steps:

1. Get clear about something you want and write it down.

2. Share your intention with someone in a way that will supportively hold you accountable to taking action.

3. Do something today to demonstrate your commitment to your intention.

4. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would and then, take the next step.

By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others, just what you plan to do. Set an intention to redefine what it means to be serious about your dreams.

Source article.

What comprises core strength

Posted on February 25, 2010 by violetquartz

Your core is more than just your abdominal muscles. Indeed your abdominal makes up the majority of the core; with the rectus abdominus, external and internal obliques and the transverse abdominus. Your lower back and glutes; maximus, medius and minimus also contribute to your core stability. DO not forget that the top of your quads and hamstrings also play a part.

There is a difference between core exercises and ab exercises. The former works these muscles in unison strengthening them as they work together (more functionally driven strength), the latter works the ab muscles itself, which is necessary to be able to maintain form in core exercises. Both are important in overall stability and strength.

And example of a core exercises is a plank, where as an ab exercise is a crunch.

When the sun is shining….

Posted on February 21, 2010 by violetquartz

Get out there and get active! Enjoy our beautiful Squamish weather.