Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands - March Newsletter
Hey yogi! Happiest March to you!
Wow, somehow the first week of March came and went, and I never had a chance to get this newsletter out! It’s one of my wellness practices to not sweat it if things don’t happen EXACTLY when they are supposed to (that’s life), so I tried not to sweat it. It’s here for you now!
How are you doing? Are you surviving this wild time? Washing your hands regularly, I hope? Exercising and taking Zinc? With everything happening lately we need our wellness practices more than ever!
Rather than be afraid of the unknown, there is so much power in proactivity. Instead of feeling helpless and afraid, let’s ground ourselves in the rituals that give us a sense of connection. Our practice, whether yoga, meditation, or something else entirely, can imbue us with a sense of wellbeing and rootedness that helps us get through obstacles that scare us.
At the end of the day, it’s our breath that we can rely on.
So besides the hot mess of a pandemic and the intense political climate, what else is happening with you?
It’s March already, which really does blow me away. Wasn’t I just writing a New Years newsletter?
Spring is close (I think), and with the shifting of seasons, we have the opportunity to observe our energetic shifts alongside it. Where energy starts to grow a bit stale and stagnant toward the end of winter, the upcoming seasonal change invites in a sense of freshness, a chance to move the old out, and usher in the new.
In my classes, we’ve been focusing on twists, which are notoriously associated with springtime. Twists shift energy and get it moving, which is why they are great for digestion (so if you’ve been a little constipated, you can try them out!) We want to literally wring out what is no longer serving us to make space for what does. It’s pretty poetic, really.
Stay calm, healthy, and grateful, guys. We’ve got this.
Steph
March February Yoga Pose of the Month: Twisted High Lunge: Parvritta Anjanayasana
I mentioned we are focusing on ushering in new energy this month. No better way to release the old and welcome the new than through twisted poses. Parvritta Anjanayasana is a way to level up your regular high lunge. It will challenge your balance and your breath.
Key concepts:
Start in an aligned High Lunge.
Before twisting, ensure that your dominant hip isn't popped out to the side. WRAP your glute medius (your outer hip) back in space to stabilize your joint.
Twist from your upper spine rather than hips
Your hands at heart center act as leverage to deepen your twist
Squeeze inner thighs together for extra stability
When you feel stable, gaze up to the sky if it feels okay for your neck
High lunge twist also strengthens the quadriceps and glute muscles and develops stamina and endurance in your thighs while stretching the psoas and hips. It also helps to improve your balance, concentration and core awareness and can relieve sciatica pain.
Try it out and let me know how it goes!
Wellness I’m Loving Lately:
I am OBSESSED with this magnesium supplement from CALM. I’d been having some trouble winding down at night to sleep, and my therapist suggested that I try this product. I really like it! Magnesium has all kinds of amazing health benefits (think anti-inflammation, bone health, cardiovascular health, PMS reduction, and anxiety). It is also sleep promoting - big win! I mix into a big steamy cup of hot water and drink it before bed. I even love the ritual of having a hot drink before bed - it lets my body know it’s time to decompress.
In skin news, I started Accutane this week. (FINALLY). If you don’t know about Accutane, it’s a REALLY intense treatment for acne. Being a lover of holistic wellness, I tried for years to stay off of it. But vanity is powerful, and I truly just want my skin to look good. So to combat some of the negative side effects that I could have, I am being vigilant with a non toxic diet (Accutane is intense on the liver so you need to be aware of other toxins), very very little alcohol, major hydration, and some good old detox methods (like lemon water!) I’ll keep you apprised of progress.
What kinds of wellness tips are you interested in hearing more about each month?
March Playlist to Rock Out To: These are my absolute favorite songs I played through the month of February, all compiled in a catchy lil playlist just for you. If you listen to one song, make it Purple Hat. I am OBSESSED.
Reading list: In February I read Where The Dutch House, A Woman is No Man, The Girl From Berlin, and Next Year in Havana.
March Announcements!
None at the moment! I started teaching at Equinox, but just subbing for now, so keep an eye on my schedule via Instagram (@StephanieBSchwartz) if you’d like to attend class as my guest!
Alright crew, happiest March. I seriously love you. Stay healthy, be well, and WASH YOUR HANDS!
Stephanie