Tag Archives: healthy living toronto

3 Simple Ways of Breathing With Your Kids

Posted on October 29, 2017 by Spynga

By Dana Chapman

breathing motivationMany parents and teachers find that their entry point into mindfulness is to explore simple practices with their children or students. Pausing for breathing breaks is one easy way to start this exploration, to bring some calm into the space, and to feel the effects of deep breaths on the body and mind.

Below are three examples of breathing practices that have worked well for the children I spend time with. You can tweak them to suit the age of your child/students. For example, if I’m working with young children I give them a square and have them trace each edge to match the four components of the square breath (rather than counting the breath as outlined below).

Square Breathing

Ask the children to sit up nice and tall, making themselves as comfortable as they can. Point out that it’s much easier to take deep breaths when our posture is good! Explain that you will try a couple of different breath counts together and then everyone can choose which one feels best for them…

Inhale for a count of 3

Pause for a count of 3

Exhale for a count of 3

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Advice from an Apothecary: Julie Clark founder of Province Apothecary

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Spynga

Julie Clark - Province Apothecary FounderJulie Clark struggled with allergies and eczema all her life and decided to take action to improve her skin. She began crafting natural, organic beauty products at home whenever she could fit it into her busy schedule as a costume designer and stylist. Julie experimented with waxes, oils, and herbs to create the perfect skincare regimen. All this experimenting and learning (in 2010 Julie began studying aromatherapy, holistic health, and esthetics in Toronto) lead to the creation of Province Apothecary (link to PA site). For Julie, natural beauty is more than just natural or organic ingredients, it’s about pledging to help clients feel good in their own skin. As well as being proudly Canadian Province Apothecary is cruelty-free, vegan, and green business certified.

Province Apothecary uses ingredients from Canadian provinces and is committed to innovation, sustainability, and small-batch skin care of the highest quality.

In addition to making wonderful skin care products Province Apothecary also offers treatments including Organic aromatherapy facials, brow and lash treatments, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, and custom perfume blending. Julie Clark, founder of Province Apothecary, answered our questions about starting Province Apothecary, best skin care tips and how to prepare for dry winter skin.

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The Chronicles of a University Student
Pt 1: Healthy Living in a Sea of Fast Food

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Spynga

The first year of university is an exciting time. Personally, I couldn’t wait to make new friends, attend new classes, and experience a brand new atmosphere. What I wasn’t prepared for was the new food. The first year of university is notorious for “the freshmen 15”, an expression describing the amount of weight that some students gain in their freshman year. Many believe that this expression is a generalization, and perhaps even a myth. I, on the other hand, know first hand that “the freshmen 15” is not a myth, but an unfortunate reality for many university students, including myself. What follows is the brief tale of how I gained, and then subsequently lost 10 pounds in my first year of university.

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