Monthly Digest- November 2017
Hello & welcome to another Yamala Yoga Monthly Newsletter, we hope this newsletter finds you well!
Term 4 Yoga Classes: Still plenty of opportunities to get on the mat before a usually hectic time of year. Come and join us to bliss out and grab some much needed “me time” on Tuesday & Thursday nights 6:15-7:00pm AND Sunday mornings 7:45-8:30am. Classes are running right up to Sunday 10th December…so you’ve got plenty of time to sneak away and soak up the goodness.
It’s great to have such a lovely group of yogis, but yoga is better with your buddies!!! So tell your neighbours, friends, work colleagues and family. We welcome everyone with open arms and a warm smile.
A reminder that Casual Classes are $15 each or $100 for a 10 Class Pass. Don’t forget to tell your friends – your first class with Yamala is free!
THIS MONTH’S
TOP STORIES
Top Story
The benefits of laughter and smiling.
Smiling and laughing are simple expressions- BUT when we experience them, it can transform a normal situation into something so special. There is something incredibly magical about this ordinary expression. Laughing and smiling- two simple expressions that are not only fun and enjoyable, they are actually really good for your health (physically, socially and emotionally!)
The human expression of happiness is culturally universal, it is one of the most basic human behaviours. Starting at around 6 weeks of age, babies start to mimic the smiles and laughter of those adults around them- and will use this basic communication skill throughout their life (although sometimes as adults we lose this gorgeous ability to laugh and smile at life).
Laughter and smiling have a groundbreaking impact on social interactions too, enabling unique bonds between friends and families. Having a good belly laugh improves the atmosphere, making it more relaxed and less tense, which may lead to less conflict with those around you.
Research shows that laughing daily for 10-15mins burns up to 40 calories. It also boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the release of endorphins (the “happy hormones”- responsible for feelings of euphoria and pain relief). Studies have shown that not only will laughter and smiling boost your physical health, but your mental health too! Those who laugh daily have been shown to increase self-efficacy, positive thinking, optimism and perceptions of control and decreased negative thinking and depression or anxiety symptoms.
Boost your mood- why not give these mood boosting strategies a go:
- Fight the negative bias. You are in charge of your thoughts, so it’s important to make a deliberate effort to seek out and devote attention to all the positive things happening in your life. Try counting acts of kindness, remember praise and savor a lovely meal or sunset with friends.
- Practice gratitude. Keep a journal or talk to your family and friends about how grateful you are for different things in your life that make you feel happy and content. Start by writing down three things you are grateful for each morning. Notice that over time this will become easier, as each new day is a chance to seek out the positives instead of the negatives.
- Work on developing good quality relationships. Minimise the gossip and negative talk that enters your life. And remember to hug those special people in your life daily (if you can!!)
And what can you do if it’s all just too hard after a tough day? Just fake it till you make it! (You’re body will naturally start to relax with a fake smile or laugh too.)
If you are still not convinced to laugh and smile daily…here’s our final argument!
Smiling and laughing will also make you more attractive. Smiling faces show the world that you’re a positive person to interact with and will probably make other people feel as good as you do.
So what are you waiting for?! Get out there and SMILE 🙂
A Final Thought
Supporting local businesses so that they can support you!
There are over 1.9 million small businesses in Australia – each one owned, run and managed by families and individuals passionate about providing excellent products and service to the local community. These small businesses are the result of hours of dedicated hard work, commitment and labor to make their business dream come alive. However so many of us dismiss the small local businesses in our day-to-day lives and choose to shop at large chain stores for convenience be it for your weekly groceries or your weekly coffee catch up with your girlfriends. But what if there were more benefits to shopping local then you think?
There are so many reasons to support small, family-run local businesses:
- Keeping your dollars in the local economy
Spending your money at small businesses, means that your cash is invested back into YOUR COMMUNITY and not shipped overseas and spent on improving big multi-national organisations. A big plus if you ask us! - Small businesses keep your community unique
If every suburb had the exact same cafes, clothing stores, supermarkets and gyms…life would be pretty boring indeed! The diversity of small businesses means that there is a huge range of products and services available in every community! - Better service
Small businesses are personally invested in being THE BEST that they can be! It’s more than just making money for them, it’s a matter of realising their dreams and sharing their passion with the community. This kind of dedications means better products and services for YOU! - Personalised service
Supporting small local businesses means that you will get to know the people behind the product/service – a connection you would otherwise not have. This means that you really get what you need. - Improving sustainability and your health
By supporting local businesses, you won’t need to travel as far for the things you love…they will already be in your backyard! So you can walk to your favourite shops (& yoga classes!) and spend more time doing the things you love – not stuck in car all the time!
We’re encouraging everyone to SHOP SMALL for the month of November. By making a conscious decision to buy local (products and services!) you will not only connect with the people in your community, but you are also contributing to a more sustainable Australia.
❝Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray❞ — Rumi