So what happened when a linkedinstafacetwit (I'm totally going to trademark that…) decided to experiment and give up social media for 3 days? Well, prepare yourself: it's dark.
Read moreFree the Three: A Holiday Mindfulness Challenge
Sparkling Hill Serenity Room
Hi friends! I recently returned from a brief but refreshing stay at our local luxury boutique hotel, Sparkling Hill. Shortly after arrival for our 1 night stay, my hubby challenged me to put down the phone. He had already forced me to leave my beloved Mac at home so the idea of surrendering my phone to the desolate loneliness of our hotel room left me both anxious and twitchy. I recovered from the initial withdrawals which included but are not limited to cold sweats, the constant feeling of having lost something, the inability to focus on objects that do not illuminate when poked, finger tremors, and the constant worry that there is an emergency that is not being immediately addressed (emergencies in my life include questions about the organic fish at the Treetops Yoga and Nature Retreat, SI joint pain in Natarajasana, back foot alignment in Trikonasana, etc).
It took a few hours, but I soon found myself in a state of present bliss. I could actually focus on the conversation, I marvelled at the taste of the wine, I allowed the heat of the saunas to envelop me in sweet warmth (a bit dramatic, I know lol), and time moved slowly as I appreciated every moment as it unfolded perfectly. When was the last time I pulled myself away from the screens for this long? I hadn't felt this happy in a long time and I realize now it was because I wasn't scrolling through images of Sally's Christmas cookies, Karen's sloppy holiday party, or Sophie's new engagement ring. I have thus come to the conclusion that life happens happiest when we are in real time (an age old piece of yoga wisdom that needs to be force-fed to our culture). Fact: the over-stimulation caused by social media activities reduces our creativity. Brutal.
Thus, this Christmas, I challenge you to join me and FREE THE THREE. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day, do not look at any social media feeds. Free the 3 holiday days from your addiction to media. You are allowed to pick up your phone/computer to call/facetime friends or family however this is the only exception allowed. No phone. No computer. No tablet. No posting. No viewing. This is an experiment and I do not propose to tell you what will happen. Nevertheless, the results for me doing this for 1 night were incredibly rewarding and eye-opening. I hope the experience for you is similar.
That is all.
rock on and merry ho ho,
l.e. martini
Top of the Mat: What it is and why we created it!
A week ago, rockstar marketing guru (and uber-bendy yogini) Shauna Nyrose and I launched a company aimed at increasing the success of yoga instructors through mentorship. We have named this new venture "Top of the Mat" and today I'd like to share with you my vision for this company.
While on a yoga vacation together last year, Shauna and I came to the conclusion that the support for new yoga teachers in our community was lacking. We both found the transition from yoga school student to successful full-time yoga instructor challenging and loaded with obstacles. This is when we came to the conclusion that it was, in fact, not only our calling but our duty to provide instructors with the information and tools to navigate this transition as easily as possible. The information we have to offer comes from a variety of resources: informative podcasts, marketing education, multiple teacher trainings and workshops, as well as our own trial and error.
So what are we offering yoga instructors? Our first workshop series begins Feb. 22, 2014 with 3 consecutive weekends of training and practical application. This is our Level 1 mentorship program and it is available to all yoga instructors no matter if you are fresh out of training or have been teaching for years and are finding yourself wanting something more out of your career. If you are an instructor passionate about your teaching career, I truly hope you can join us; I promise that we have a lot to offer!
Visit Top of the Mat's website.
Cheers and Namaste,
l.e. martini
3 things you need to know about yoga!
The following is an excerpt from an article I guest wrote for a friend and colleague's blog on Castanet.net:
Today I feature one of the many inspirational fitness leaders with whom has played a huge role in many people's journey of finding fitness, health and balance, including mine! Meet Laura Martini of Martini Yoga. I have asked Laura what she feels everyone should know and understand about yoga!
Saying that I'm too tight/stiff to go to yoga is like saying that you are too hungry to eat.
As a yoga teacher, I understand that you are embarrassed by your tight hamstrings and don't think you'll be "good" at yoga; I've heard it all. But it is the people like you who need yoga the most. If you feel as though your muscles are tight, chances are they will continue to get tighter unless you take the time to stretch them. It is as simple as that! A consistent yoga practice will not only stretch your muscles, it will help you build strength, it will increase your coordination and balance, and it will help to calm your mind.
Yoga is the practice of compassion. Please understand that yoga was not designed to be a "workout", it is a system of self-love.
In a world where we are constantly being told that we are never enough, yoga teaches us to be gentle with our bodies and minds. Through yoga we learn to recognize that we already have everything we need. The physical practice of yoga gives us the opportunity to go deeper into our bodies and really take the time to understand where we should be placing our attention. The ancient system of yoga recognized that when we take the time to love ourselves, only then will our love be able to translate to others.
Yoga is accepting of all.
It doesn't matter if you are Christian or Buddhist, small or large, bendy like Gumby or stiff as a board, yoga can work for you. Yoga teachers are surprisingly skilled at modifying classes to ensure they work for everyone in the room. That being said, please ensure you read the class description before entering the class. You will never be judged in a yoga class so know that so long as you are mindful in how you feel in each posture, you can get a lot out of any yoga practice, no matter the teacher or style.
Namaste,
l.e. martini
The best yoga poses for hiking.
Now that the weather has turned crisp and the leaves are crunching beneath our feet, hikers across the northern hemisphere are lacing up their shoes and heading outside. If you are one of the many who enjoy the benefits of a brisk fall hike amidst the golden foliage, here are some yoga postures for you to enhance your hiking experience!
Low Lunge with hands bound.
Tree Pose
Double Pigeon
Double Pigeon.
Sit on your bum and stack your lower legs like fire logs. Lean forward as far as is comfortable for you, keeping the sitz bones on the ground. If this is not accessible for you, do regular pigeon instead. This posture directly targets the side and back compartments of the hip and also releases tightness from the glutes. A great posture to do after hiking.
Low Lunge.
The repetitive motion of lifting and lowering your legs will inevitably tighten the hip flexors. Low lunges can help to stretch this part of your body out and release tension from the front of the hip.
Any forward fold.
Ensure you feel the stretch in the middle of the back of the thigh.
Tree Pose.
Use your body to show a little nature appreciation:) And (bonus!) cultivate a greater sense of balance while you're at it.
Seated Meditation.
I recommend taking a few minutes to pause, sit, and breathe deeply during your hike. Focus on the beauty and spirituality inherent in nature. Allow your heart rate to slow, and soften everywhere you can to allow for a deep sense of peace and relaxation.
Happy Hiking and many Namastes to you!
Rock On,
l.e. martini