JenC Yoga

Hello yogis & yoginis!

Apologies for the long delay between posts these days.  I’m in the middle of finals and therefore, free time is limited.  I did receive this interesting blurb from the folks at Yoga Journal today that I thought was very interesting and appropriate, and therefore, a good thing to share.

“Aside from lending visual and symbolic appeal, many of the holiday herbs historically used to ring in the season have medicinal benefits as well. No matter what holiday tradition you celebrate this winter, chances are you’ll incorporate a fir tree, a potted poinsettia, or other significant plants in the festivities. Aside from lending visual and symbolic appeal, many of the holiday herbs historically used to ring in the season have medicinal benefits as well.”

Check out this great article by Brigitte Mars on Yoga Journal online.  And I do hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday season!

Happy Monday everyone!

Today’s tip indirectly guides you to healthy living.  I have NEW rates and because they are lower than the previous rates you can take MORE classes which will in turn, make you more healthy!  $20 per person for in-home, 1 hour & 15 min. sessions for small groups and $65 for a 1 hour & 15 min private lesson.  Yoga in the comfort of your own home can be wonderfully relaxing, not having to deal with a commute or other people’s crazy energy!

Contact me today if you would like to chat more and/or set something up!

Apologies for the delay in posting…

For your review today a list of the most important fruits & veggies that you should be consuming in an organic fashion.  (”Organic fashion” is a fancy way of saying buy & eat these produce organic!)  This is not the post that goes into why organic is better than non-organic, as I will save that for another day.  Instead, this is the quick and dirty list.  Here goes…

Veggies & Fruits containing the highest level of pesticides — BUY THESE ORGANIC (when you can)

• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

Now, if you’re trying to save some cash (and who isn’t these days), here is the list of…

Veggies & Fruits containing the lowest level of pesticides

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn
• Kiwi
• Mangoes
• Onions
• Peas
• Pineapples

You can print out this lil’ list and throw it in your back pocket when headed to the market.  What a handy tool to keep a healthy body & pocketbook, eh?

Isn’t this a yoga website, for Pete’s sake?!  Where’s the poses?!

For this lovely Monday, I give you my top five yoga poses for the month of November:

1.)  Fallen Leaf (seems very appropriate)  — please note that the link shows a traditional child’s pose with arms next to the legs.  Fallen leaf is another name for extended child’s pose.

2.)  Tree Pose (again, spot on for the Fall)

3.)  Extended Side Angle pose (awesome strength builder & opener of the entire side body)

4.)  Pigeon (okay, not so symbolic, but fabulous for really getting into those hips)

5.)  Supta Baddha Konasana (i.e. reclining butterfly)

Add in a couple of sun salutations to warm up at the start and you’ve got yourself a nice little routine for the day.  Hit me back if you have any questions or would like tips on any of these asanas.

P.S. Thanks once again to Yoga Journal for the great demos!

Let’s add some pretty to this website, I say!  This picture was taken two years ago at the Japanese Gardens in Portland, OR when I visited my friends Anne & Todd and my cousin Melinda.  Living in So. Cal. we don’t see much in the way of leaves changing colors in the Fall…  so for those of you in the same boat, stare at this picture for awhile to get your fill.  And for those of you that have a real Autumn outside your door, go and enjoy it right this very minute!  And in either scenario, follow up the aforementioned leaf gazing by a cup of something warm – hot chocolate, tea, spiced cider – and feel the warmth (in all senses) flood your being.

It’s been a long week, I hear you.  You know what I want you to do today?  Take a savasana, a good old corpse pose.  Do it somewhere that is unconventional and might make people look.  Okay, not in the street or somewhere that will put your life at risk.  But the park, the beach, your office floor.  And totally get into it.  I mean really give a big sigh out your mouth and just let it all go.  Let your limbs be heavy. Let your torso be heavy.  Let your head be heavy.  One more deep breath in… and out… Clear your head.  Float.

Take as long as you need.

And when you’re ready, blink your eyes open, wiggle your toes and your fingers, stretch long and tall and get ready for a great weekend ahead of you!

P.S. Thanks Yoga Journal for the great demo!  (See link from “savasana” above.)

It is Wednesday.   You know what happens that is great on Wednesday?  Like all other days, I get to start my day with a rich, wonderful cup of coffee.  Something gourmet that I splurge on.  (Intelligentsia’s Black Cat Espresso is the cup du jour.)  You know what else great happens on Wednesday?  I get to end my day by teaching an awesome yoga class at The Spa in Costa Mesa where there are students I look forward to seeing each and every week.  They have great energy, are playful, adventurous and love a good challenge.

So what’s happening great during your Wednesday?  And what really cool thing will happen on Thursday?  And Friday?  Amazing things happen each and every day of our lives… we just need to be aware of them and grateful.  I took five minutes to breath and clear my head.  I saw a killer sunset.  I ate a hot fudge sundae.  So many great things… where will you possibly begin?

Hello yogis & non-yogis alike… my name is Jen Caron and I present to you jencyoga.com.  What started as a site to present information about yoga classes offered in and around Orange County is evolving into an ever-changing catalog of healthy tips and treats designed to bring happiness, peace & well-being to you.  My goal is to post Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & a post for each weekend… which is approximately every other day.  This will give you time to read, digest & take action as these tips are for you to actually DO in your life.  Feel free to report back on what is working and what is not.  We can all stand to make adjustments here and there and what works for some of us may or may not work for others.

So without further ado, I present to you your first tip.  Drum roll, please…

Breathe.

What other advice would a yoga teacher give, right?  I speak the truth.  Aside from keeping you alive, a strong, healthy breathing routine can help your body heal faster, lower blood pressure, increase immunity, relieve stress and make you feel a whole heck of a lot better than short, spasmy breaths.  We take in air about 20,000 times a day (thanks, Real Simple, November 2009 edition) so why not do it right?  Here’s how it goes –

On the inhale, slowly draw air deep into your lungs.  Let the air go into your abdominal region letting you tummy area expand. (That’s right Orange County, stick your belly out!) Take the full breath until no more air can go in.  Now, start your exhale by letting your belly contract, followed by your ribcage allowing the air to flow slow and steady out your nose.

As you pay attention more to your breathing technique, the good stuff will come naturally without so much thought.  It will be a habit that you will be happy not to shake.

Go to it, my friends… breath away!