March Sticks & Stones

Sticks and Stones

Your Guide to the Month of March

Hey guys, welcome back! For those of us that live in the Northern Hemisphere, spring officially begins this month - yay! This month symbolises new life and new beginnings, so take struggle in your stride and make March your month. We thought we’d share this idiom with you to kick start this month;

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”

This means that the first days of March are often stormy, and the last days are mild and warm. So no matter what happens this month, good or bad, make the most of it and try to stay positive.

So March is a special month for us because of one more reason; its Alyssa’s 18th birthday on the 5th! It’s a huge milestone and we’ll write a blog post about what we get up to and how we celebrate, so it’ll be like you were all there with us!

Yoga Pose/Stretch

Virabhadrasana I (Warrior Pose I)

1. Stand in the Mountain Pose. Exhale, stepping your feet wide apart
2. Place your hands on your hips and turn your right leg and foot out by 90 , with your right heel directly opposite the inner arch of your left foot.
3. Turn your left leg and foot in by about 45 degrees.
4. Turn your chest to the right, pressing your left hip forwards to square your hips.
5. Inhale and raise your arms above your head, bringing your palms together and looking straight forward
6. Exhale and bend your right knee to a 90 degree angle - it should be right over your ankle - and take a moment to balance yourself.
7. Lean your head back and gaze upwards at your fingertips as you drop your tailbone down towards the floor. To deepen the stretch, gently arch your back.
8. Hold for 5 breaths.
9. Inhale, straighten your legs and lower your arms, then bring your legs together to return to the Mountain Pose.
10. Repeat on the other side.

Benefits of Virabhadrasana I

• Improves focus, balance and stability
• Energises entire body
• Improves concentration and core awareness
• Improves flexibility
• Boosts resolve and self-confidence
• Opens hips, chest and lungs and improves breathing

Lessons we have learned this month;

Although there are so many times when it seems like you have lost your footing on your road to recovery. You are trying to “climb that mountain” but you keep slipping? This is all part of the process. We need to make the decision for recovery every day because there are always going to new circumstances in each and every day. It doesnt matter how many times you relapse, as long as you get back onto the road of recovery.

Thanks for sticking with us for another month - we appreciate everyone that reads our blog. We hope that you have a fantastic spring (or Autumn if you live in the Southern Hemisphere!) and make the most of every chance that comes your way this month, and the rest of your life. Remember - “your attitude is your altitude; it determines how high you fly”.

Don’t give up,

- Alyssa & Louise