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Yoga is a tool for remembering our true nature, which is essentially joyful, peaceful and pure goodness. Yoga is not about stretching or exercising or breathing. It is actually a state of mind, a state of stillness. The physical postures or asana were developed to help quiet the mind and help it become more receptive to the experience of stillness. Stillness leads to awareness. Awareness of the present moment grows and as you learn to stay fully present, your worries slip away and your sense of well-being grows.
A yoga asana is a posture integrating the body, breath and mind. You are holding a pose so you are externally still but internally very alive and aware. Yoga is not about improving ourselves or getting in shape. It is a process of breaking down all the barriers we may have put up in fear that prevent us from having an authentic connection with ourselves and the world. Yoga is also not a religion but a way of living and being that honors our true self and makes true joy possible.
Personal yoga training begins with the physical postures, as well as specific breathing practices to develop the mind -body connection. As one progresses in the practice, interest in the other aspects of yoga usually grows.
A personal yoga practice involves personal instruction in all the fundamental poses including sun salutations, as well as advanced poses such as hand balances when the student is ready. Hands-on support and tailored modifications ensure proper alignment and build confidence especially for the beginning student.
Fitness training incorporates various forms of training such as flexibility, cardio respiratory, core, balance and resistance training utilizing weights, stability balls and medicine balls. Individual programs address functional capacity, considering the purpose, the environment and the unique capabilities of each person.
Personal yoga and fitness training may be done concurrently, allowing one to achieve optimum levels of physical, mental and performance adaptations, in other words, see and feel the benefits even sooner than when practiced independently of each other. Benefits include: Cardio respiratory efficiency, increased metabolic efficiency, decreased body fat, increased lean body mass, greater strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, enhanced joint stability and increased sense of well-being.
Personal assistance in starting a healthier lifestyle, including basic nutrition, fitness routines and assistance establishing a spiritual practice utilizing yoga, meditation, mind-body awareness techniques for stress relief and an improved sense of well-being.
If you have been wanting to get started on a healthier lifestyle but can’t seem to start or don’t know exactly how to begin, perhaps you could use a little help from a wellness coach. What exactly does a wellness coach do for you? To begin with, a wellness coach can help you identify what areas of your life are out of balance and then help you get started on making the adjustments. Perhaps you used to be in great shape but a life-altering event like divorce, job loss, health issues or financial difficulties have thrown you off course and you can’t seem to get back on track. If you have trouble sleeping because of anxiety and stress-filled thoughts or seem to lack energy or desire, a wellness coach can help you figure out how to restart a healthier lifestyle and be there to support you when you feel like giving up. Support in person, by phone or email, whatever you need to achieve your goals, a wellness coach will be there for you.
Part of finding one’s place in the rhythm of life begins with mindfulness. Mindfulness is being awake to the present moment, not living in the past or waiting for the future but awake to the beauty and possibilities of the present moment as it unfolds before you. Tools to help you develop that mindfulness include meditation, conscious breathing techniques and practicing mindfulness during routine activities. Connecting the physical with the spiritual can also be facilitated by setting up a sacred space in your home and identifying sources of negative impact in your life such as people, places or things that seem to drain you of energy , also known as spiritual vampires. Reviewing one’s lifestyle and habits such as eating, drinking patterns and sleeping habits can also provide insights into any existing imbalances.
Part of a wellness program includes becoming aware of the inner voice or dialogue that is always running thru your head. As you learn to observe your thoughts, they lose their power over you and you can replace them with new, empowering thoughts. Just as thoughts affect the body, bodily postures also affect the mind. Developing and maintaining a regular practice of yoga postures can improve one’s outlook on life, developing a deep sense of peace and well-being as well as a greater appreciation of life. Yoga postures improve physical health, create positive mental attitudes and stabilize emotions.
Yoga makes the joints flexible and promotes the free flow of energy throughout the nervous system. A regular practice can also assist in the elimination of toxins from the joints and organs, applying a beneficial pressure on various glands and internal organs, flushing and stimulating them for optimal health. Yoga postures emphasize relaxation as well as making one aware of tense areas in the body. By relaxing and breathing in poses, the nervous system is calmed, the mental state is improved and physical health is enhanced.
Practiced regularly, the mind and body become more focused and strengthened, new energetic patterns develop and conscious awareness of one’s body and inner state grows. This higher consciousness reminds you of your divine nature and reconnects you with your Higher Self.
Recognizing that golf can be an intense physical game filled with many mental challenges, our yoga for golfers program addresses both the physical and mental aspects of the game. By applying yoga principles to the golf-swing bio-mechanical process, we offer a cutting-edge training regimen for maximum golf performance, concentrating in the following areas:
Flexibility - To bring about a long powerful drive you must be able to rotate fully. Flexibility increases your range of motion in the golf swing, reduces swing faults caused by short, tight muscles and produces more club head speed.
Strength, Endurance and Tone - While it may not be a vigorous as running a marathon, a round of golf can be very demanding, even for those who are in excellent condition. Strength is achieved in yoga by engaging the muscles, using the force of gravity and your own body weight to build strength. Long, lean muscles develop, increasing strength without restricting the golf swing.
Balance and Symmetry – A consistent and reliable stroke requires balance in your stance and throughout your swing. Balance also affects the ability to transfer your weight with consistent ease during the downswing. Correspondingly, it is important to pay attention to correcting the inherent asymmetry created from swinging from one side of the body. By creating equality on both sides of your body you can achieve a more fluid, accurate and powerful golf stroke.
Core Conditioning – Strengthening key abdominal and back muscles supports posture at address, reduces fatigue in the golf swing and is a direct correlation to trunk rotation. A strong core gives you a consistent spine angle from address to finish and is a clinically proven correlation to low back health.
Breath Awareness – The quality of the breath reflects the state of the mind. Controlling the breath has a direct effect on relieving tension in the golf swing, the number one reason for swing flaws. Anxious and stressful thoughts will result in a tight and inflexible body. Achieving a relaxed but focused state where golf’s natural rhythm can be realized will increase blood flow to the muscles, enhance the rhythm, tempo and fluidity in your swing, increase endurance, and overcome the stress tied to bad lies, hard shots, and first-tee jitters.
Meditation and Visualization - Tools that will give the ability to quiet your mind and direct your focus completely on the present moment or shot, withdrawing your attention from any distractions on the golf course. To achieve consistent peak performance it is critically important to train and discipline the mind to be clear and quiet.
If people find you attractive in one or more ways, you will open the doors to more opportunities for advancement, a bigger pay check, more friends, a better mate, the best table in a restaurant and invitations to the best parties. People that are attractive receive more and better job offers. You are more likely to be asked out on a second date if you are attractive and people that are more attractive tend to make more sales.
We are all in the business of selling ourselves. Overwhelming evidence about being socially and physically attractive proves that attractiveness is a magnetic quality that is essential.
Learn how to make a great first impression with your body language. Appear comfortable even when you are not. Learn to speak with confidence and create chemistry with anyone, anytime and anywhere. Learn to talk and walk with confidence.
Enhance your inner and outer magnetic qualities with by changing your inner dialogue and enhancing your outer appearance. Learn to increase the level of energy that you emanate by becoming aware of your inner self- talk and then reframing what you say to uplift and motivate yourself.
Increase your physical attractiveness by updating your wardrobe, ( yes, it’s time to give up the leopard print pants and the polyester vest) and learning how to dress optimally for your body type so you look slimmer. Discover the latest products available to shape and slenderize . Find out what colors compliment your skin tone, and try the newest make-up tips for a more natural, beautiful look.
Lose pounds instantly by improving your posture and learning proper spinal alignment with simple exercises you can do at home.
A personal muse can help you shop, clean up your wardrobe, (teach you how to text if your over 50 and don’t have a teenager at home) show you how to apply make-up, choose shoes and accessories and most of all, be your inspiration when you get discouraged.
Sophia has many years of experience in fashion and cosmetics. She started her career in fashion as a catalog model, and then worked in the fashion industry as a fabric and color specialist for several years before entering the cosmetic world, working as a make-up artist and special event coordinator. She has a gift for choosing the perfect colors in make-up, accessories and clothes.
Sophia is also a certified personal trainer, yoga teacher and wellness coach. So you can start on the outside, improve your personal appearance and then work on the inside as well. Sophia only accepts a limited number of clients each month so every single client receives the most undivided and individual attention.