We all know that yoga and wine are great stress relievers. Wine and Yoga might sound like a strange pairing, but it’s more common than you might think. Perth has been experiencing Sunset Rooftop VinoVinyasa™ classes since Sept 2017 and loving it! What could be more fun than this? A great new class designed to incorporate yoga, fitness, fun + wine all in one night! Flow, breathe, relax and sip your way through a yoga class accessible for all levels of fitness with upbeat music and a friendly environment suitable for first-timers or experienced yogis. This concept truly brings it all together on the mat.
The word “Yogi” conjures many thoughts for people. My interpretation is to live a healthy, balanced life that enables me to connect positively to my own life and the life of my participants, indulging in life’s pleasures occasionally.
YOGA is such a buzzword or thing right now right? We see social media going crazy depicting yoga poses that the average person reels at and actively wants to avoid. We see Goat Yoga classes springing up, Dog / Puppy Yoga, Cat / Kitten Yoga (yes I teach this one too for the love of felines and CatHavenWA). So why not Wine Yoga or as I have registered my business “VinoVinyasa™”? A class that’s achievable for everyone complete with a little end reward!
On first consideration, drinking and yoga may seem rather incompatible and may seem like an unlikely blend, however there is a parallel / connection between the benefits of being on the mat and an occasional wine. You may have reservations about combining the two but you’ll soon come to try, taste and trust that: these two contrasting activities can actually come together to create a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Appreciation of the finer things in life can be a beautiful balance of many elements. Time on the yoga mat whether as a participant or as an instructor doesn’t mean you cannot indulge in life’s pleasures…yes like drinking wine. Even the yoga guru Deepak Chopra has published an article on the benefits of an occasional wine! Yoga has many benefits and when practised over time mindfully will bring you to a wonderful state of greater awareness and bliss. If consumed moderately Wine may provide some health benefits but when consumed mindfully via meditation it provides a blissful state of appreciation and awareness.
The Wine mediation becomes a sensual appreciation of all the process that lovingly brought the fruit of the vine to that particular moment. From the planting of the vines to the bottled result, from the glass in your hand to the appreciation of our sense of sight, smell and taste. From the colour and viscosity, to the aroma, to finally the sensation on our tongues and finally the sensation of allowing the first sip to enter our body. Allowing full appreciation of each sip to mindfully and totally immerse in the meditation and sensations that arise.
In today’s society there is huge need for more people to exercise. Vino Vinyasa is a creative way to include some work / life / wellness / balance to the mix. Pairing yoga and wine is a great way to “wine down” as we say at VinoVinyasa after a long week at work, time with the kids, running your own business or just living life. It’s a way to spend time with friends, and enjoy a great yoga class and a relaxing meditative wine appreciation savasana at the end.
Renewing yourself, living consciously and having fun are important. Focusing on what makes you feel good in an environment where you can combine some of life’s little indulgences whatever the activity can only be a positive step towards allowing your self to stop and smell the grapes for a while! So practice yoga with fun and appreciate your wine with respect and in moderation. Whatever brings them to the mat I say; something is always better than nothing. Life is to be lived, Yoga is to be practised and Wine it to be appreciated.
So….Wine Yoga? Wine Not? It’s all about balance!
See you on the mat.
Namaste.
Marg Anderson
Marg Anderson is a Level 3 Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness and 200hr RYT Yoga Instructor and owner of Regenerate Personal Training, Mandodesigns Jewellery, Impact Interior Designs and VinoVinyasa™. Marg is also a recipient of both Western Australian and Australian Fitness Industry awards in 2005 + 2006, culminating in an Australian lifetime achievement award in 2014. Also qualified as an Interior Designer and Jewellery designer, Marg combines her long time passion for the fitness (35 years) with reading, swimming, enjoying time with her 4 feline fur babes and husband while living the Freo lifestyle.
You can find Marg at the following Social Media Platforms..
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https://vinovinyasa.com.au/