It’s that time of year again – as the weather gets warmer, our sweat glands get more plentiful! We decided to remind you of our great natural mat cleaning spray recipe so you can get ahead of the game and prevent buildup on your mat (and we’re not talking about the energetic kind of buildup – this is quite tangible!). Perhaps your efforts in the garden or your barefoot walks on the beach will trickle from your hands and feet onto your (not so) pristine yoga environment. Use the recipe below, adapted from natural essence company Aura Cacia, to rid your mat of the impact of a shoeless summer! (Aura Cacia essential oils are available at Whole Foods) Read the rest of this entry »
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Blog: My YogaTrek
Blog: My YogaTrek
Mat Cleaner
May 2nd, 2013HYDRATE!
May 2nd, 2013
You may not drink soda or juice, but sometimes don’t you just want something with a little more “zip” than plain ole water? Here are some quick ideas for giving your H2O a little punch (no pun intended) on warm spring days. (Note: Try not to add too many empty calories to your body with sugary sodas and juices – water should still be your primary source of hydration!) Read the rest of this entry »
PELVIC FLOOR 101 for PRENATAL, CHILDBIRTH, AND POSTPARTUM
May 2nd, 2013
If you have had children, are thinking of having children, are pregnant with your first or another child, this workshop is a must. Yes, spring is finally here, but these two hours will give you paybacks that go well beyond the fresh air missed at the park. The workshop is geared toward the special needs of pregnancy and postpartum and provides students with a comprehensive overview of the pelvic floor by highlighting the critical role it plays in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »
REMOVING OBSTACLES
May 2nd, 2013
Attention all pregnant yoginis! (Wait! Even if you aren’t pregnant, this tip might just be for you as you head into a challenging experience, so read on!) During the later weeks of your final trimester, you may wonder what to pack in the bag that you will take to the hospital. If you are like many moms-to-be, you will want to bring a ‘focal point’ with you – an item on which to focus during contractions to aid in relaxation and concentration, as well as to help you control your breathing. We suggest packing a statue of Ganesh, the elephantine diety who is revered to be the Remover of Obstacles and the god of wisdom and learning (goodness knows you will need all of this in labor and beyond!). Unfortunately contractions are indeed somewhat of an obstacle that you will face before you hold your beautiful baby in your arms. Ganesh is also known as the lord of auspicious beginnings – what a wonderful way to honor your new beginning as a mother to your first or newest baby. Read the rest of this entry »
Getting Down to Business: The Pelvic Floor
April 1st, 2013
Martine Derom is unique in a lot of ways. For starters, she is not from around here (which can be unusual in Oak Park/River Forest). She’s from Belgium – a long flight from the Midwest! – and spent as many years there as she has in the United States. Martine is a self-described “advocate for the pelvic floor.” Now that’s not a title you see very often on someone’s business card!
Martine is a physical therapist who has specialized in helping women rebuild their physical strength postpartum ever since her OB/GYN rotation when in training. She works with women at all ages and stages with a primary goal to educate women (and men too) about the role of the pelvic floor, how to keep it strong, and how to overcome issues related to the pelvic floor that so many people feel they just have to tolerate as “normal” (ever heard the phrase “Laugh, Cough, Sneeze, Pee”?). Read on to learn more about Martine and her upcoming Yoga Trek workshops on the pelvic floor and find out how empowering it can be to tackle this hidden and very important set of muscles. Read the rest of this entry »
