All of the Products You Can Buy Now to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October means many things – Thanksgiving, Halloween, the final quarter of the year – however most importantly, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each year, the month is dedicated to raising awareness of and funds for life-saving research for breast cancer through donation campaigns and dedicated products.

Despite incredible advancements in survival rates, according to the Canadian Cancer Council, breast cancer is still the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among Canadian women. The most recent statistics indicate that 1 in 8 Canadian women are expected to develop breast cancer at some point in their life.

Every year fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands release dedicated collections and products for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a percentage of proceeds being donated to cancer research and prevention. Below, discover the pieces you can shop this year to help make a difference.

Rethink Breast Cancer

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This October, shop it good with Rethink! 💗 Here’s a sneak peak from our media preview yesterday and today. It looks a little different this year, but we couldn’t resist showing you some of the exciting, beautiful things we have planned for #BCAM2020, all to continue providing support for young people affected by breast cancer. ✨ Thank you for all of your support this year, we hope you love these partnerships as much as we do. We are so grateful to have so many amazing partners. Thank you for keeping BCAM alive in 2020! 💗 #rethinkingpink #breastcancer #breastcancerawarenessmonth Music by www.purple-planet.com

A post shared by Rethink Breast Cancer (@rethinkbreastcancer) on Sep 25, 2020 at 9:49am PDT

Rethink Breast Cancer, a Canadian breast cancer awareness organization aimed at young women, has tapped more than 20 local and international brands to create pieces for its annual breast cancer awareness collection. Smythe, Deux Lions, BIKO, Ellie Mae, Unika and Gee Beauty are just some of the brands who have partnered with the organization to create limited-edition capsule collections, proceeds from which will be donated to Rethink Breast Cancer’s initiatives. Products include rose gold jewellery pieces, clothing, candles, swimwear, face masks, skincare and more so there’s something for everyone (and everyone you know!).

Discover the collections here.

Peloton

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This month, we honor the resilience of those who have faced breast cancer with this special collection inspired by their strength. Your purchase makes an impact. For this collection, 20 percent of the purchase price will be donated to @bcrfcure which is dedicated to being the end of breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research. Tap the link in our bio to shop!

A post shared by Peloton (@onepeloton) on Sep 29, 2020 at 8:00am PDT

Fitness brand Peloton is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the release of its Stronger capsule collection. The collection is comprised of eight pieces for men and women, and includes a matching sports bra and leggings set, a loungewear set, a T-shirt, tank, exercise shorts and a tote. The brand will donate 20 per cent of the proceeds (up to $25,000) from the collection – which is available to purchase in Canada – to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Myra Biblowit, the president and CEO of BCRF said in a release, “Thanks to research, we know that exercise and a healthy lifestyle play a critical role in mitigating breast cancer risk. That’s why our partnership with Peloton is especially meaningful – improving women’s health is our shared mission.”

Shop the collection here.

David Yurman

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Cable Pink Rubber Bracelet

($25, David Yurman)

2/3

Renaissance Bracelet in Pink Aluminum

($375, David Yurman)

3/3

Cable Classic Candle with Rose Scent in Pink Glass

($95, David Yurman)

2020 marks the 12th year that fine jewellery brand David Yurman has teamed up with the BCRF to help raise funds for the organization. This year, the brand is releasing the Renaissance Cable Bracelet in aluminum and pink acrylic, and a Cable Classic Rose Candle. 20 per cent of the purchase price from these items will be donated to the BCRF. Not in the market for a fine jewellery piece but still want to contribute? The brand has also launched a pink rubber Cable Bracelet to be sold for just $25 and 100 per cent of the net profits from the sale of this piece will be donated to the BCRF.

Shop the collection here.

Estée Lauder Companies

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Show us your Pink Ribbon and share what it means to you. Use the hashtags #TimeToEndBreastCancer and #ELCdonates and join us in supporting the global breast cancer community. Because it’s always been more than a ribbon. For every public, in-feed Instagram or Facebook post during the month of October featuring both #TimeToEndBreastCancer and #ELCdonates together, @esteelaudercompanies will donate $25 to @bcrfcure up to $100,000.

A post shared by The Estée Lauder Companies (@esteelaudercompanies) on Oct 1, 2020 at 8:30am PDT

Beauty giant Estée Lauder is going all in on breast cancer awareness this month, with 20 of its brands creating limited edition products or pledging donations in support of the cause. Limited edition products include a hand cream from Aveda, a hair primer from Bumble & bumble, a specially-packaged serum from Darphin, Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex which comes with a bracelet, a sheet mask from GlamGlow, moisturizer from Origins and a fragrance from Jo Malone. Jo Malone also joins Becca, LAB Series, Smashbox and Tom Ford Beauty in making generous donations directly to the BCRF.

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Revolutionary new app giving you and your family peace of mind

In this oddest of years, characterised by “lockdowns”, “bubbles” and the “rule of six”, keeping a smile on one’s face has, at times, seemed like an overwhelming challenge. If you are part of the sandwich generation – caring for children, teenagers and your ageing parents – it can feel as though there is not enough of you to go round and no one role is truly fulfilled.

When it all gets too much for your children, the distress is evident in slammed doors, blaring music and their frantic texting to friends.

But when you ring your parents, perhaps hundreds of miles away, and they tell you that they’re fine, how sure are you? These are anxious times and, if you feel that your loved ones are becoming increasingly vulnerable in their physical and mental health, it’s hard not to become over-anxious yourself.

Caring for loved ones at any distance is always a challenge, but with the added constraints of Covid-19, it is not easy to hop in the car and check that all is well. And they may well not thank you for trampling on their independence.

But what if they are just putting on a brave face? And what if they are just as concerned about you, holding down a job, caring for the children, running a house – never a moment to yourself?

A new app, Sensetel, has been launched that can help you to understand, unequivocally, whether your mother really is “fine” when she says she is, and for her to make the same judgment about you.

Diagnosing depression in primary care is notoriously difficult, even for professionals, as research in the Lancet indicated in 2009. A study of more than 50,000 patients reported by Dr Alex Mitchell, from Leicestershire Partnership Trust, found that there were more false positive diagnoses of depression than either missed or identified cases.

A US study published in September 2012 (Vocal-Source Biomarkers for Depression: A Link to Psychomotor Activity, by Thomas F. Quatieri and Nicolas Malyska) stated that accurate diagnosis of major depressive disorder took intensive training and “an automatic means to monitor depression severity would be a beneficial tool for patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers”.

Sensetel analyses markers in speech patterns that we all exhibit to produce an objective measure of a loved one’s well-being that adjusts and changes, as they do. Based on detailed scientific research into the indicators of depression and anxiety, it builds a picture of well-being over a number of phone conversations that identifies trends of improvement or deterioration. Just like a fingerprint, these voice markers cannot be masked and they function no matter what is said or in what language.

The app, which is fully functional on Android devices, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse data from hundreds of voice samples from the NHS PHQ9 depression and GAD7 generalised anxiety disorder tests. Even if the speaker is consciously or subconsciously trying to project a happy disposition, Sensetel picks up any underlying depression or anxiety.

It’s undoubtedly a clever bit of kit, but is it intrusive?

For Quinton Richards, the founder of Sensetel, the app bolsters loving relationships and takes the stress out of caring.

“There is no question of someone downloading this onto their mother’s phone without consent or snooping on her in a sinister way. Both users of the phones involved give their consent and either can withdraw it any time if they do not wish to continue.”

But, he says, this gives families a safety net that may well reinforce independent living when visiting is hard to manage. Sensetel lets you walk the fine line between being over-protective and giving your loved one the space, confidence and dignity to maintain their independence.

Even if you can see your relations often, Sensetel has its value. “There are times,” says Richards, “when you see someone so frequently that you do not notice the subtle signs that indicate a deteriorating state of health. You almost develop a blind spot.”

And it is not only ageing relatives who may need that safety net; you may be equally concerned about teenage children leaving home for the first time, perhaps going to university, surrounded by strangers and desperate to stand on their own two feet. You can confidently give them the space they need, knowing that Sensetel will highlight any signs of anxiety or depression.

The app is sold in bundles of calls for up to four users, starting at £25 for 30 conversations. For more details, visit www.sensetel.co.uk

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Vancouver Shop Faulkner is Full of Covetable Pieces From the Past

Since founding his eponymous Vancouver storefront in 2017, London, U.K. transplant James Faulkner has established his business as a purveyor of unique vintage and archival goods. Inspired by the second-hand scene in San Fransisco–where he worked in his early twenties–Faulkner was resolute in differentiating his selection of wares in a city that he confirms has “a really good vintage scene.”

Noting that he’s been fortunate to have “a lot of cool people with cool clothes who support me, and give me their collections”, Faulkner says that he “wanted to do something different” in terms of his shop’s curation of pieces that includes everything from workwear to suiting. “I’m super influenced by Japanese and European fashion, and I base the shop more on styles than brands.”

Photography courtesy of Faulkner.

But that’s not to say Faulkner isn’t label conscious; for the store’s re-opening today–after a few months of COVID closure and a refurbishment–you’ll discover a batch of over 100 items including picks from Valentino and Issey Miyake to Vivienne Westwood and Tom Ford. “I really base [my finds] around an ethos of three to four styles; oversized workwear, Japanese streetwear, ‘80s and ‘90s European styles–things like crazy tops and jeans by [Jean Paul] Gaultier, and then more contemporary styles.”

It’s evident that what drives Faulkner is a stylist’s eye, and the awareness of how mixing different aesthetics together can make for a fresh approach to dressing. “How do the pieces look, and how do they come together,” Faulkner says he thinks to himself while searching out wares for the store and its online platform. Some of his current favourites include a 1980s cowboy-style shirt by Gucci, a double-breasted jacket by Celine Homme,again from the ‘80s, and a 1970s suede jacket from Sears.

Photography courtesy of Faulkner.

Faulkner and a local tailor have also collaborated to craft several ‘reworked’ pieces influenced by Japanese streetwear label Kapital and 1950s Americana; expect embroidery and patchwork details to give fabrics from Pendleton, as well as denim materials, a new twist. “A lot of people are doing reworks,” he notes about the growing interest in upcycled garments. “We just wanted to go crazy with it.”

The desire to be different has also drawn Faulkner to connect with creatives like Mescondi and Chrome Destroyer to work on editorials and videos. “I try to stay out of it and let them do what they’re good at,” he says of the approach to these projects. “I say, do what you want, but think of the store. [And] they really run with that…. It doesn’t always have to be about the clothes [but] art is a great way to express what the store is about.”

Photography by Mescondi for Faulkner.

What connects these pursuits is Faulkner’s appreciation of authenticity and individuality–something that’s more crucial than ever when you consider how much a consumer sees in a day. “When you have a store or brand, you have to do you as much as you can,” he says. “The second you start copying people, you’re screwed.”

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Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Bread Pudding is an easy and fantastic recipe that tastes like you have spent a lot of time putting it together when it really only takes minutes! Drizzle warm slices with caramel sauce and serve it with ice cream for a decadent dessert, or even enjoy it for breakfast like a baked french toast casserole!

If you are a fan of more pumpkin desserts, be sure to also check out this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Iced Pumpkin Spice Cookies or Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

There is something about warm, cozy bread pudding that already makes me think of cooler weather. But then adding pumpkin and classic warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg takes it over the top! This classic baked dessert is so simple to make that it can be thrown together in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients to Make the Best Bread Pudding Recipe

• Bread: Day old bread works best for bread pudding so it can soak up more of the custard. We love challah bread or a brioche loaf, but french bread, Texas toast, or even country bread will work.
• Pumpkin puree: Make sure to use pumpkin puree and NOT pumpkin pie filling.
• Milk: I recommend using whole milk for the best results.
• Heavy cream: This ingredient makes the pumpkin bread pudding extra creamy and rich.
• Eggs: 5 eggs are the perfect amount to make this bread pudding custardy without tasting “eggy”.
• Sugar: A combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar gives a good depth of flavor to this bread pudding.
• Maple syrup: Use REAL maple syrup instead of the colored corn syrup imitation kind.
• Vanilla: The vanilla helps balance out all the other flavors going on in this dessert.
• Spices: A mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves is classic and really highlights the flavor of the pumpkin in this recipe. I always have these in my cupboard, but you could also just use 3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice instead.
• Salt: Just a pinch will do for this recipe to help bring all the other flavors to life.

How to Make Bread Pudding

1. Make the pumpkin custard mixture: Whisk the pumpkin puree, eggs, sugars, milk, syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a large bowl until combined.
2. Soak: Add the cubed bread and stir to coat well. Let sit for 20 minutes so the bread can soak up some of the liquid. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Bake: Pour the bread mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish, being sure to drizzle any extra pumpkin liquid over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for at least 15 minutes.
4. Slice & serve: Serve warm with additional maple syrup or caramel sauce drizzled on top and whipped cream or ice cream on the side. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Do You Serve Bread Pudding Warm Or Cold?

We love it both ways! It’s impossible to resist a warm slice of pumpkin bread pudding drizzled with your favorite caramel sauce and topped with a scoop of ice cream. But it’s delicious chilled as well.

Making Dessert in Advance

Yes! The bread pudding can be assembled a day in advance and kept in the fridge overnight, then baked the next day. Or go ahead and bake the whole thing and just store in the fridge for 2-3 days before warming and serving.

More Amazing Pumpkin Recipes

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
• Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
• Pumpkin Dump Cake
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles
• Pumpkin Pudding Cake
  

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  Pumpkin Bread Pudding

  Pumpkin Bread Pudding is an easy and fantastic recipe that tastes like you have spent a lot of time putting it together when it really only takes minutes! Drizzle warm slices with caramel sauce and serve it with ice cream for a decadent dessert, or even enjoy it for breakfast like a baked french toast casserole!

  Course Dessert

  Cuisine American

  Keyword bread pudding, pumpkin bread pudding

  Prep Time 10 minutes

  Cook Time 1 hour

  20 minutes

  Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

  Servings 12 servings

  Calories 192kcal

  Author Amy Nash

  Ingredients

  • 1 loaf of brioch or challah bread, cut into 1/2- to 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 5 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

  Instructions

  • Whisk pumpkin, eggs, sugar, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a large bowl until combined.
  • Add the bread and stir to coat well. Let sit for 20 minutes so the bread can soak up some of the liquid. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F while the bread is soaking.
  • Pour the bread mixture into a buttered 9x13-inch pan, being sure to drizzle any extra pumpkin liquid over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake for another 20 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Serve warm with additional maple syrup or caramel sauce drizzled on top and whipped cream or ice cream on the side.

  Nutrition

  Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

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Fitness gadgets to get you moving

Many of us struggle to find the time and motivation to exercise, it can be impossible to fit a workout in around work, childcare and other commitments. However, evidence shows that exercising for even 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference to your health and fitness levels.  As another wave of lockdown measures surface we’re suggesting three products that can help get people moving and taking steps to a more active, healthier lifestyle.

Activ5

Price: £129.99

Available from: Amazon.co.uk

Dubbed ‘a tiny gym in your pocket’ Activ5 is a portable fitness device that allows anyone with a smartphone or tablet to complete effective five-minute workouts from virtually anywhere. Ideal for any fitness level, Activ5 guides you through short burst isometric workouts while tracking results on the companion Activ5 coaching App. It features more than 100 unique workouts, targeting the whole body or particular areas and muscle groups, that are fast, fun and help motivate you to reach your fitness goals and get stronger. Perfect for the whole family, you can even exercise while playing one of the integrated games in the app that uses the device as a controller.

Review: We tried this and was very surprised how much of a workout you can get fromt his little gadget. It was easy to pair with the phone and very simple and quick to understand. No long instruction manuals to read, just switch on and start. The first day I started with two short work out sessions at my desk! Each day I tried a new set of workouts, even a few minutes a day I could feel the effects of the sessions. I can see that this would be really easy to take to work or use while watching the TV.. so there really is no excuse not to take exercice. Even thought it’s small, you can defintely get a full body work out.

Groov-e SportsBuds

Price: £34.99

Available from www.groov-e.co.uk

Listening to music during exercise can give your workout a boost and make physical activity feel less painful. With this in mind, the Groov-e SportsBuds True Wireless earphones are your perfect training partner. Keeping users completely free from wires, they feature True Wireless Stereo (TWS) technology to ensure the perfect audio experience. Delivering crystal clear sound and a powerful bass the SportsBuds will help to keep users motivated whether they’re in the gym strength training or running their first 5k. Providing a secure and comfortable fit with an ear hook design and rated IPX4 sweat resistant, the SportsBuds were built to endure the toughest workouts.

Review: I’ve always struggled wearing head and earphones (having very tiny ears they are always uncomfortable to wear) I’m also not really been a fan of wearing headphones for running as the wires always get tangled up, so these wireless earphones were a welcome gadget to test and try. They have three different size foam ends making it perfect for my small ears! They paired very easily with my phone and the sound quality was amazing. They come in a neat charging case and although they are bigger than my husbands Airpods, the price, sound quality and comfort more than make up for the slightly larger size. Charging takes 3-4 hours and you get 4 hours of music time and 100 hours standby. I think these will be make Christmas present ideas for sports enthusiasts.

Cowboy 3

Price: £1,990

Available from: www.cowboy.com

Riding an e-bike isn’t cheating, you still have to pedal and you still burn calories. Not only is cycling good aerobic and cardiovascular exercise, it’s also good for your mental health. The stylish, lightweight Cowboy 3 is the next generation of connected electric bicycle. Perfect for riding around town, the Cowboy 3 has a 70km range with a removable battery that you can recharge anywhere and hydraulic brakes. It has no gears but instead uses intuitive assistance that adapts automatically to the power and speed you need. It also has built-in GPS tracking. New app features include auto-unlock, theft alert, crash detection and air quality mapping. A live dashboard also keeps the rider informed of the status of the ride in terms of speed, duration, distance and battery level.

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Top 10 Tips to Be Present with Mindfulness

It’s never been easier to connect with someone on the other side of the world, yet it’s so easy to feel disconnected to the people closest to us. We have more tools than ever to simplify tasks and accomplish more things quickly, yet our to-do lists have never been longer. During this time in particular, we have all been forced to slow down and reflect. Life is short, and time flies, especially in today’s fast-paced world. These exercises are meant to help you slow down, enjoy life, and focus on the important things.

TAKE THE TIME TO PRIORITISE DAILY OBJECTIVES

By focusing on the most important tasks to get done, we eliminate the stress of trying to accomplish everything at once. Especially when things have been so uncertain recently we could do by taking a step back and evaluating everything before selecting one thing at a time to work through. Just remember you don’t need to do it all at once, take it one step at a time and you will get there. Ask for support whenever you need it.

CUT PERSONAL INTERNET USE IN HALF

Technology has become a major element in most of our lives. The past few months it has become essential for work but at the same time social networking, email, surfing the net all hinder our ability to focus by throwing hundreds of ideas at us. Try to reduce your internet use by 50% (work use aside) and use that time to explore new hobbies, exercise or meditate.

ENJOY NATURE

Take a 5 – 10-minute break to step outside and breathe fresh air. Disconnect from the rest of the world and admire the beauty of nature. In addition, if you want to feel more grounded, walk barefoot on the earth to really connect with nature.

EAT SLOWER

A lot of us speed through meals, missing the chance to appreciate our food’s textures and flavours. Start to chew slower and fully experience the smell, taste and texture of your food. Be really present, don’t eat in front of the TV or read at the same time. Enjoy every mouthful. You will find you will probably eat less this way as you are more connected with your body and will notice when you are full rather than eating until you have finished everything on your plate.

CONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS 

We all want to spend quality time with close friends and family, but how often do we truly get to listen and connect? Put away the distractions, steer clear of noisy environments (when we are not physically distancing) and connect on a deeper level.

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

When did you last spend valuable time with yourself? If you live alone you may have done this a lot during the past few months of lockdown but how much time alone did you spend nourishing yourself. Take a night to find a new book, try yoga, meditate, run a bath, pamper yourself or cook a new recipe. Giving yourself this time and spending it doing something nice for yourself is a great way to recharge your mind, body and soul.

GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME

Some of us like to stick to a tight schedule and plan all our daily events which can be helpful but also exhausting. Next time you’re jotting down new tasks in your planner, factor in a few extra minutes when estimating how long things will take. This will help you not rush through daily tasks. Also try to change how you think by saying ‘I have all the time I need’ rather than, ‘ I don’t have enough time’ to see an instant shift in how you are feeling.

TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

Next time you’re driving or walking somewhere, take the scenic route. Driving through open fields, mountains, or in view of a city skyline can be very relaxing. Walking through a park and being in nature can be really grounding.

SIT FOR A MOMENT WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED WHEN YOU START YOUR COMPUTER

Even just a few moments of meditation can set the tone for the rest of the day. Try to empty your mind and take a few slow, conscious, deep breaths before jumping into your tasks.

REMEMBER YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS

Each morning when you wake up, take a few moments to think about your life goals and aspirations. Recall the milestones you’ve already reached in your life, and your drive to achieve new ones. Try doing this for five minutes before getting out of bed to start your day. This will help you to refocus and not stay stuck where you are if you’re having a particularly challenging time. Remember this too shall pass and nothing is permanent. Yes, this moment is creating your future but there is only so much you can do right now so just take it one moment at a time. Today is a new day, anything can happen.

 

Jessie Laute is a Wellness & Empowerment Coach, Transformational Breath® Group Leader and founder of Phoenix Breathwork.

Having worked in the corporate world for 15 years Jessie fully understands the lifestyle and pressures involved and now works with those who would like to know how to manage stress, time, improve their health, be present and show up for themselves in day to day life. Even the busiest of people can live full, healthy, happy lives with the right tools.

 Having trained in Brazil, Mexico, UK and the US over the past 4 years, Jessie is now dedicated to working with people through methods of coaching and breathwork to help them live a truly authentic life and reach their full potential.

 Running one to one sessions and workshops throughout London and internationally; Jessie also works with companies delivering workshops to employees on wellbeing in the workplace, managing stress and using the breath to release tension

Follow Jessie on Instagram and check out her work on the website.

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Let’s Talk About Props

Props in yoga, something I think a lot of us have a chequered past with. We can all be honest enough to say that when we may have seen props as a sign of weakness or a sign of not being able to do something “right”.

Really they’re there to enhance your practice, not take away from it. Whether that be supporting your relaxation or making a pose comfortable for your body. 

So what are the most common props in yoga and why should we use them?

Blocks

Probably the most common prop and the one which most studios and gyms have to hand. Blocks vary in size from an inch thick and wide enough to sit on to higher and narrower.

They are a versatile prop and can be used to create extra height in the body, help balance, activate certain muscles or support a more relaxed restorative position.

Support comes often when we are sat on them or using them to help balancing postures whereas activation is when we bring a little resistance against the block. By using the blocks in either of these we can challenge the body in a way that otherwise it may not be able to achieve.

Some inspiration for you:

–   Try popping between the knees in Boat pose to fire those deep core muscles

–   Take a propped version of Bridge pose by resting the sacrum onto a pile of blocks

–   Find your balance in Half Moon by resting the bottom hand onto a block, meaning you can focus on that rotation of your torso

–   Raise your seat in seated postures to make twists, folds and meditation more comfortable

Straps

After blocks and bricks yoga straps are the prop you’re most likely to come across in a studio or gym. If you practice from home they’re also pretty cheap and easy to store. No falling over props with this one.

Yoga straps can vary but they tend to be a 1.5m-2m piece of cotton webbing with d-rings at one end. They have many uses, from making it easier to reach your feet, to supporting a release in the hips for a restorative position, helping build strength or encouraging the body to relax.

A strap, with its changeable length and uses is a perfect prop to help us to remember and treasure the journey into your practice. It can help to take away that physical and mental grasping of the pose that we so often slip into.

Some inspiration for you:

• Lengthen your arms by hooking a strap around the ball of your foot in a supine hamstring stretch. The strap means you can keep the shoulders relaxed while still straightening the lifted leg
• Open the chest and shoulders by holding opposite ends of the strap and gradually drawing the arms up to the ceiling and behind the head, flossing the shoulder joint
• Support the hips in reclined Baddha Konasana by creating a loop between the lower back and the feet, holding the feet in place when you come to rest

Yoga Bolsters

Yoga bolsters are often seen around at studios or are offered for savasana but are you unsure what to use them for?

A yoga bolster is a cylindrical cushion which is used to support the body in poses often of a more restorative nature. They vary in filling from hollow fibre softer bolsters to more mouldable buckwheat fillings. Whatever the filling they can be used in both seated and reclined postures to enable the body to relax or support the body to make a posture more comfortable. When lifting the hips bolsters can help the lower back. When used to bring the floor a little closer they help support the body in stretches. It’s also perfect for practices such as pregnancy yoga or more injury focused rehabilitation to limit the range of mobility in the body.

Some inspiration for you:

• Try putting a bolster under your knees in Savasana to help the lower back release
• Bring some support to Child’s pose by laying the torso down onto a bolster nestled between the knees
• Rest the forearms in Lizard to bring the floor a little closer to you

Eye Pillows

An eye pillow is essentially a small bag filled with seeds to add some weight to your eyes in relaxation. These fillings mean they can mould to the shape of your face, completely blocking out light and providing rest. Eye pillows are sometimes scented with lavender but others are unscented to use your own essential oils with.

The obvious way to use an eye pillow is in relaxation at the end of class. It’s the perfect way to block out any light and the weighting begins to let your body know to relax.

Some more inspiration for using eye pillows:

• Try weighting postures with them, the lower back in child’s pose or pop on the palms of the hands in savasana
• Alleviate some pressure on the wrists in the downward dog by popping the heel of the hand onto an eye pillow to elevate the wrist and lessen the degree of the bend

 What to use if you don’t have props?

Props are a lovely thing to invest in for your practice but for a lot of us that isn’t practical financially or space wise. But good news, you can DIY most of these props from things you already have in the house. 

Yoga blocks – Depending on what you are being asked to use it for you could always substitute for a thick book (think a dictionary or Harry Potter)

Yoga straps – A dressing gown tie/scarf would do the job in most postures.

Yoga Bolsters – They can often be substituted with a rolled duvet or even a couple of pillows from your bed folded and wrapped in a blanket.

Eye Pillows – A folded scarf or blanket is perfect to place across the eyes in savasana to create that lovely weighted feeling.

Georgie is a British yoga teacher and founder of the yoga business Yogipod which brings together her love of textiles, yoga and travel. Previously working in the fashion industry Georgie now divides her time between sewing hand block printed textiles into yoga bolster covers and other props and guiding people to explore and play in their yoga practice. She believes that yoga really is a practice for all and hopes to empower students to have the confidence to move and connect to their bodies.

Follow Georgie on Instagram and check out her work on Yogi Pod website.

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The Two Arrows: Pain & Suffering

A teaching from the Buddha.

There are two arrows. The first arrow that hits us (an unexpected event, situation, illness etc) causes great pain and hardship. It hurts us.

The second arrow is our own reaction to this pain and hardship. This second arrow’s name is suffering.

 The teaching is that pain & hardship are unavoidable for us all, however, suffering is a choice.  Our relationship to pain and hardship are what to a great extent influences our suffering.

 I see this in my clients, friends, family and myself at times – that suffering by attaching to repeating the same thoughts, patterns and reactive behaviours can lead us to feeling stuck, hopeless, angry, anxious, overwhelmed and more. Experiencing pain and hardship – whatever it may be, feels often all-consuming. It can feel overwhelming and unending.  Although the pain and hardship may be unavoidable, our suffering rests on whether we choose to stay in the pain or look for a way out.

The Physiological Lifespan of an Emotion

Harvard Neuroscientist Jill Bolte-Taylor concluded that the physiological lifespan of emotion in the body and brain is 90 seconds: arise, peak and dissipate.

 Our relationship to pain and hardship however is what keeps the emotions going.  This causes the sympathetic system’s fight/flight/freeze/facade response to be activated.  The cause of this activation is often unconscious memories being triggered (memories between birth and 7 years, or a traumatic incident later in life), that is maybe not a real threat to life in the ‘now’, yet absolutely feels like a real threat.  So what to do?

 

The challenge here is to make the unconscious conscious.  

This involves taking time to learn and understand our minds (ego), thoughts and beliefs and what we do when things get hard.  Taking time to understand what our coping strategies are consciously and unconsciously.  And we need to find the right tools that support us.

 Albert Einstein is famously quoted as saying “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

 

How Can We Lessen Our Suffering?

We literally need to think and act differently.  We need to create positive new patterns.   To do this we need to step outside of what’s comfortable – what we’ve always done before.  We need to shine a light on the pain that we hide.  We have to see that what triggers us out in the world as people, are a mirror of a part of ourselves that isn’t fully understood or seen. 

My Go-To tools for this are The Work by Byron Katie, Holistic Coaching & Transformational Breath. 

We need to understand our mind’s attachment to thoughts and see our conditioning and life story with a lot of.  It takes so much courage to sit with ourselves and even more to open up to others about our suffering and insecurities.  

I intentionally seek out a community of like-minded folk who are also doing this work. Asking my friends for support when I feel confused, out of balance and stuck is always a turning point.  Having a coaching session with my coach or giving myself a Transformational Breath breathwork self-session.

The essence of ‘shadow work’ could be said to be changing our relationship to pain by learning to feel it and be present with it, in order to heal it.  Seeking the support of professionals is so helpful. 

 

Maitri Meditation

Pema Chodron talks of ‘maitri’ saying that “It’s much more common for us to disapprove of ourselves or denigrate ourselves.  Maitri is a Sanskrit word, and is about beginning to make friends with oneself.  Not really thinking it’s going to come from outside of you.  And as you know we all look outside of ourselves, we look all over the place to try to make ourselves feel good about ourselves.  Not only is it the basis of compassion and the seed of happiness or well being, or being glad to be alive.  Where does this come from?  A lot of it has to do with our relationship to pain and difficulty.”

Try this Maitri Meditation yourself, taught by Spring Washam a great healer and teacher.  Do this anytime you feel disconnected from love and yourself:

Sit with hands across your heart, and very gently soothe yourself with your hands while repeating to yourself; “I care about your suffering, I care about your pain.”   Allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling while offering yourself maitri.

Creating more suffering, getting in our own ways and self-sabotaging are completely normal and essential for our growth.  We need to feel our feelings.  We just need to remember, we can’t be enlightened and a victim at the same time.  Eventually, we have to choose..

 

Andy Nathan is a certified Yoga and Meditation teacher, Holistic Coach and in-training Transformational Breath Facilitator.  He leads kirtans and has a passion for djing organic dance music at yoga and wellness events.   Andy lives near Cambridge *UK with his two cats Connie & Mo and is a firm believer that miracles do happen!  A smile is rarely off Andy’s face, and human connection is his biggest inspiration. Andy teaches around the UK, Europe & SE Asia and also online.  All classes & appointments can be found here: https://ift.tt/3cOygcP

Follow Andy on Instagram, Facebook and check out his website to learn more about him.

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The Weekly Roundup: Your Go-To Guide For Everything You May Have Missed This Week & More! 9/26-10/2

Welcome to Ben Greenfield's Weekly Roundup and Cool New Discoveries! Ben Greenfield's discoveries, from the latest news on the fronts

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Fighting Breast Cancer in Boisterous Fashion

Sarah and Katie have a lively conversation with fitness expert and race announcer Fitz Koehler, whose just-published book, My Noisy Cancer Comeback, details her 15 months of fighting breast cancer. Fitz shares:

-the power of perspective and a mantra (hers = “I can do hard things.”);
-how runners became her “go-go juice,” combating radiation’s harsh side effects;
-the importance of having a passion during difficult times;
-the touching tale of a lucky rock someone slipped her during her treatment; and,
-her prognostication for 2021 races.

In the intro chitchat, Sarah shares at-long-last news about her dancing son, and Katie talks about her 2016 breast cancer journey. (Remember to search for “BAMR Breasties” on Facebook.) Fitz joins the convo at 14:10.

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