HOW YOGA CAN IMPROVE YOUR WELL BEING
Story by Jacquie Clancy
Photo provided by Corrine Penstone
Some people have the mindset that yoga is not something they will enjoy. I was one of those people. First of all, I am not flexible (I haven’t been able to touch my toes since I was seven), and getting all “zen” was not something that appealed to me. If I was going to work out, I wanted to be sweaty and panting, not awkwardly bending or closing my eyes and chanting “Ohm”. Then, my office offered a yoga class once a week during lunch and after some convincing from my co-workers I signed up. This was where I met Corinne Penstone, the instructor. No matter what kind of day you were having at the office, being a part of Corinne’s yoga class would get you out of your mid-day office slump, and put a smile on everyone’s face. We would leave the class feeling less stressed and lighter.
Penstone is the kind of person that exudes positivity and you could just tell she was so passionate about getting us to feel comfortable moving our bodies. Here she shares how yoga has helped her learn to appreciate life and deal with stress, and also how it has made her a happier and more passionate person. If you are someone who has yet to try a yoga class, Penstone’s insight on the practice will definitely change your mind.
What was it about practicing yoga that first drew you to it?
When I first decided to journey into a yoga class, I had been going through some difficult times. I was looking for a place where I could go to release tension, be active and to do something that was just for me. After my first class, I was hooked. My teacher, Theresa Gagnon, had this way of looking at the world that made me feel like anything was possible. It was an experience that was more than I could have ever imagined. It didn’t only get my body moving, but it awakened a passionate energy within me that had been dormant for a long time.
What is the biggest personal gain you get from doing yoga?
Practicing yoga has had many amazing effects on my life, the biggest of which has been my ability to cultivate sensitivity. Since I have been becoming more aware and sensitive to the world around and within me, I have become more passionate, driven, and tuned into what it is that I really want with my life. Becoming more sensitive has increased my ability to communicate effectively with my friends and family, has made tasting food a more delicious experience […], it has made my skin more appreciative of soft textures, and I’ve become more grateful of the little pleasures I am so lucky to experience in my life. Becoming aware and practicing mindful action has been the key to cultivating sensitivity. Now, I even get pleasure from standing on the top of a hill, feeling the breeze pass over my skin, and watching the clouds taking wondrous shapes, stimulating my imagination.
How can yoga be used as a way to relieve stress?
There is a misconception about yoga where people think you have to be flexible to practice it, and that yoga is all about trying to get your body to contort into these bendy poses. That idea alone can actually bring the yogi more stress, and tension. Through my yoga journey, I have realized that it is not so much about the asanas (poses) themselves, but how I am relating to myself while I am in them. If we set an intention to explore our body with an open heart, and no expectations, then we may find more joy, even in the limitations of our body. Yoga as a way to relieve stress comes from our attitude towards our practice. Can we learn to listen to our bodies, rather than tell our bodies what we think it needs?
What are a few of your favourite yoga poses that help you to de-stress?
About 10 poses just whirled through my mind, but I would have to say currently, my three favourite yoga asanas for stress relief would have to be Uttasana (Standing Forward Bend), Jathara Parivartanasana (Supine Twist) and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog). For me, these poses bring on an immediate sense of focus and relief. I love the way my body feels when I am exploring them and I love how my breath can just freely breathe me in and out. It’s like everything else in the whole world just disappears.
Are there any other particular methods in yoga that can help people to de-stress?
I would recommend deep breathing. This can be practiced anywhere, at any time. You can be on the bus, at your desk at work, at home, in the bath or anywhere else. Just closing your eyes, and breathing deeply into your belly through your nose, can slow everything down and immediately bring a sense of peace and calm over you, even in the most stressful of situations.
What is the most rewarding thing you get from being a yoga instructor?
Teaching yoga has really opened my eyes to all the beauty in the world. I love being a part of people’s journey into wellness and love watching people discover their own inner light. The most rewarding moments happen when I least expect it. Being a part of the yoga community inspires me every day to give of my best and remember that we are all connected.
How has practicing yoga improved your life?
Practicing yoga has improved all aspects of my life. Physically, I am stronger and more tuned into my body; mentally I am clearer and more focused on my dreams. Practicing yoga has opened so many doors for me and has creatively inspired me to live the life I have always dreamed possible. The most exciting part is that it just keeps getting better and better. It has never been about the destination so much as immersing myself into and enjoying the journey along the way.
Corinne Penstone instructs yoga classes regularly at Yoga Source & Therapy Studio at 16925 Yonge St. in Newmarket, ON
