The Best Milk For You

Why Try Restorative Yoga?

I often hear people want to try yoga but they “don’t know where to start”, or my personal favorite, “I can’t even touch my toes!” Restorative Yoga may be a great place to begin. The goal of this style of yoga is to actively relax the body, gently moving from one pose to the next using various props such as bolsters, blocks, straps and blankets. Each pose is held a minimum of 5-10 minutes which gives your muscles ample time to relax, opening up space in your body for a more flexible back, shoulders, hips and hamstrings.

I’ve described this style as a yummy yoga nap, and that couldn’t be more true! However, this restful practice has so many benefits. Restorative Yoga not only does wonders for the physical body, but also has numerous benefits for the nervous system. As we hold these restful postures for a lengthy amount of time our body activates our Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which is also referred to as the ‘rest and digest’ system. When we practice, our heart rate slows to a level where our organs can regulate themselves peacefully rather than in our fight-or-flight mode, which is all too common thanks to our high-stress, go-go-go lifestyle.

Our brains and our bodies need a break, a time to rest and rejuvenate. Restorative Yoga would benefit every body and is a beautiful gift of self-care.

What to expect during Restorative Yoga at MKE MindBody Wellness ~

1 ~ Bring a comfy sweater and socks along with your usual yoga outfit. The restful poses induce relaxation and your body will most likely cool down.

2 ~ An introduction to meditation and Pranayama (breath work) will be held in the beginning and end of class. Holding restorative postures for many minutes can lead to mind chatter or list making. By creating a basic understanding of meditative techniques, students will become present, allowing the mind and body to truly relax and restore.

3 ~ Do not be afraid to ask your teacher for help or for extra props. If you do not feel good in a posture, then something isn’t right. Allow your teacher to help you find a comfortable, relaxed state. Remember, the purpose of this practice is to relax the body from the inside out – if your mind is wandering or wishing you had an extra blanket or more support under your knees… you are not relaxing, you are creating stress. Your teacher is there to help.

MKE MindBody Wellness will be offering RESTORATIVE YOGA w/ AROMATHERAPY classes coming soon!

Food + Comfort

Food and comfort. Two things I love. Two things that have been an incredible roadblock for my wellbeing.

I’ve struggled with my relationship with food since I was 8. I felt broken after a move our family had to make and I quickly realized food was always there for me. When bad news greeted me or stressful situations arose, I ran to food or restricted from eating altogether. 17 years later I finally had to say, enough, and wanted to change that toxic behavior. I decided to get to know the real me, the person who dealt with her emotions rather than overeating or starving. Slowly, I was able to calm the storm that surrounded my relationship with food.

How did I begin to change? I read a fantastic book by Dr. Susan Albers called Quit Comfort Eating, Lose Weight by Managing Your Emotions, the first self-help book that actually seemed to understand my roller coaster ride of eating habits. Losing weight was hard. I’d get on board with a diet and a trendy workout and do great for 10 days then say screw it all. I’d convince myself I deserved a pint of Ben & Jerry’s + a sandwich + a bag of chips. Coming down from the act of eating, I’d hate myself and I’d starve myself the next day as punishment. This book helped me realize I can take create healthy habits surrounding my food choices instead of using food to comfort my emotions.

How to implement healthy habits:

1) Take a mindful pause. Question why you are reaching for food as comfort. Maybe you need a walk, a cup of tea or a phone call with a friend rather than food.

2) Raise awareness of how food makes you feel. I love ice cream but it doesn’t always agree with me. I will heighten my awareness of the discomfort I’m feeling when I wake up from a mucus-y rage because the sugar/dairy combo aggravates my sinuses. I ask myself if it’s worth the discomfort that is inevitable. Sometimes, yes, yes that sundae is worth it! But most times I am able to choose feeling vibrant over a short-lived sugar high.

3) Are you are eating for fuel or for fun? Close your eyes and begin to scan your body, starting with the top of your skull traveling to the tips of your toes. Inhale deeply bringing the breath back up your body, toes to the top of your head. Did this moment of breath awareness help you feel something other than hunger? Maybe you have a heavy heart that needs mending – food will not help you. Maybe you are feeling self-conscious and you could care less what eating an entire carton of ice cream will do – you need to learn how to nourish your body, your only true home.

Dr. Albers states, “There is still a lot to learn about the complex reasons people eat comfort foods…just know your patterns. Identify what kind of unique stress response you have when you get overwhelmed. This can help you prepare and find strategies for eating more mindfully and curbing emotional eating.”

Let’s work to make our relationship with food a better one. Yes, food is 100% the best medicine you can give yourself. But if you are eating clean and hate the taste, curse those veggies or resent your nutritionist that you paid big bucks to ‘fix’ you, you’re not learning, growing, or changing your body and mindset.

Create healthy habits because you deserve a better life. You deserve to be happy and fulfilled in this body that is your home for your literal lifetime. Always remember, you are a beautiful work in progress.