Another View Magazine Barrie Spring 2014 | Page 12

4102 The Lessons of Transitions By Cathy Ness the seeds of today. That subtle transition from winter to spring can be compared to moving through yoga poses. The Spring Equinox arrives in Barrie on March 20th this year and after a particularly snowy Canadian winter, this moment of transition is much anticipated. But the moment is not so pivotal that our world is suddenly transformed. The Earth needs to allow the warmth and change in the sun’s rays to penetrate; slowly melting the snow and frost and giving those dormant seeds and buds a chance to make their own transformation. That subtle transition from winter to spring can be compared to moving through yoga poses. The true change that is accomplished through yoga is really in the intricacy of movement from one pose to the next and allowing ourselves to feel that transition. Try it! Lift your arm out from the side of your body and then bring it back down into place again. Now, do it again but this time lift slowly with a long inhale and lower the arm slowly with a long exhale. Notice how this brings awareness to all the muscles required to create this movement. As a yoga instructor and therapist, I like to emphasize the transition into a pose, to have my students feel what their body needs to do to come into a posture that is adjusted and supported to meet the capabilities of the individual. It’s not about achieving that magazine pose or how we look in the pose. It’s about body alignment, working within a pain-free range of motion, and paying attention to sensation. It’s about experiencing the transformation both mentally and physically so that we attain more freedom of movement, relief from pain, and gain more strength and balance in our minds and bodies. ■ Cathy Ness Therametta Yoga Certified Yoga Instructor Certified Yoga Therapist www.therametta.com 705-716-9692 12 eussI hthgiE Relaxation Techniques to rehtonA Ease Chronic weiV Pain eirraB By Dr. Erin Johnston, DC We can positively influence the pain cycle by introducing different relaxation techniques and treatments... ecapS weivretaW ehT yb dehsilbuP As Chiropractors and Wellness practitioners, we see patients on a daily basis that experience chronic pain. Anyone who suffers from persistent pain knows it is nothing to take lightly. Constant pain can have a costly effect on your life. It can lead to depression, withdrawal, loss of appetite, irritability, poor sleep, and an inability to cope. If left untreated, pain can damage relationships and make you feel alone in the world. People who have never experienced chronic pain don’t understand that it’s not just soreness or discomfort, it takes over your life. ssenlleW & htlaeH larutaN enizagaM However, you don’t have to live with chronic pain. Some ways you can manage your pain at home are to try adding yoga, meditation or deep breathing, and some body basics like proper nutrition and exercise to your current daily practice. Each of these small changes can have a very big effect. We can also positively influence this pain cycle by introducing different relaxation techniques and treatments, :Brain Based iht edisnI such as eussi sWellness and Laser Therapy. At our clinic, many of our patients utilizing these forms of therapy see immediate positive changes. Couple these suggestions with the positive effects of gentle Chiropractic to reduce stress on the brain, spine and nervous system, and you have a winning combination! aga Center, At the Johnston Health hC your health and happiness is of paramount importance to us. Please let us know if we can help you incorporate some of these suggestions noi routine. into your day to daytatideM efiL fo trA ehT Chiropractor & Brain-Based Wellness ssenlleW mumitpO Expert - Johnston Health Center 20 Bellfarm Rd., Unit 3, Barrie www.johnstonhealthcenter.com 705-728-3070 snarT fo snosseL snoiti ■ Dr. Erin Johnston, DC gninaelC gnirpS lufdniM 13