Resort Yoga

Tune it to “News at Noon” on 12/31/09 at 10 AM (Harrisburg, VA)

TIPS & IDEAS TO REDUCE HOLIDAY STRESS AND REFRESH (TO GET READY) FOR THE NEW YEAR… WITHOUT LEAVING HOME

1)    Take Deep, Comfortable Breaths All The Time

• When you’re feeling bombarded by stress, immediately redirect your awareness to your breathing.

• FREE YOUR MIND.  Focus on how you are feeling.  Take deep nourishing, comfortable breaths – IN      AND OUT.

• You should feel RELAXED.They should be long comfortable, sustained breaths.  (DEMO BREATHING).  Repeat this sustained breathing for 10 to 15 seconds.  You will go from being upset to feeling CALMER.

• As soon as it starts to feel like work, you are not breathing correctly.  You don’t need to stop in your tracks and strike a pose.  Try breathing this way every day – anywhere.  At home, the office, in the supermarket checkout line….anywhere.

• This will ULTIMATELY RELEASE STRESS by increasing your circulation; it will instantly cause a mood change and you will feel REFRESHED.  Try it!!

2)    We have breathing and stretching to de-stress…

• One of the reasons we feel so stressed at holiday time is we are indoors a lot more, sitting for longer periods, the weather is cold – we need to get our energy up by STIMULATING & INCREASING OUR CIRCULATION.

• We call these stretches the 10-Minute Yoga Base – but TRUST ME – anyone at any age can do this.

• Also, REV UP YOUR CIRCULATION by moving your body every 20 minutes.  Keep moving!  Whether you’re in a plane or movie theater – bend your knees or move your feet.  On a long trip, stop the car, get out and stretch with the whole family.

3)    Follow the ONE-TO-ONE RULE

• Drink one glass of water for every glass of alcohol you consume.  So chase that champagne down with a glass of H2O tonight.

• It sounds simple, but it really works.  It will keep you hydrated and also lessen the likelihood of having a bad hangover the next day.

4)    GRATITUDE

• We all tend to feel overwhelmed or sometimes inadequate, burdened or underappreciated during the holidays.

• For the New Year, START FRESH AND REDIRECT THAT EYE INWARD.

• Be mindful and grateful for the things that are really meaningful.

• Gratitude is a beautiful way of remembering the gifts you have around you.  It is so powerful in combating stress.